Image forming apparatus and display device

Abstract

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a detection means for detecting one or more physical property values of a recording material on a conveyance path; a classification means for classifying the recording material into one of a plurality of types by applying the one or more physical property values to a given classification model; an image forming means for forming an image on the recording material by using an image forming condition acquired on the basis of the classification result; and an adjustment means that displays an adjustment screen that enables a user to adjust the result of the classification. The classification model includes a first threshold value that is compared to a specific physical property value. The adjustment means displays, on the adjustment screen, at least one input element that accepts input instructing adjustment of the first threshold value, and at least one display element that represents the change in the classification result before and after adjustment of the first threshold value instructed via the input element.

Description

Image forming apparatus and display device

[0001] This disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus and a display device.

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses are known that use sensors to detect the physical properties of recording material on a transport path and control the conditions for image formation according to the type of recording material determined based on the detected physical properties. Patent documents 1 and 2 disclose examples of such image forming apparatuses. The image forming apparatus in Patent Document 1 assumes a situation where the basis weight may differ depending on the region even for recording materials with the same name, and changes the threshold value compared to the basis weight when determining the type of recording material according to a change in the regional setting. The image forming apparatus in Patent Document 2 has a database that stores the physical properties of each type of recording material in relation to the type of recording material, determines the type of recording material based on the physical properties of the recording material detected by sensors, and provides the user with usage history information related to the determined type.

[0003] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-033214 Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-081880

[0004] However, there is still room for improvement in the user interface for determining the type of recording material.

[0005] From one perspective, an image forming apparatus is provided, comprising: a transport path through which recording material is transported; detection means for detecting one or more physical properties of the recording material; classification means for classifying the recording material into one of a plurality of types by applying the detected one or more physical properties to a given classification model; image forming means for forming an image on the recording material using image forming conditions obtained based on the result of the classification by the classification means; and adjustment means for displaying an adjustment screen on a display means that allows a user to adjust the result of the classification, wherein the classification model includes a first threshold value compared with a specific physical property value among the one or more physical properties, and the adjustment means causes the adjustment screen to display at least one input element that accepts input instructing adjustment of the first threshold value, and at least one display element that expresses the change in the result of the classification before and after adjustment of the first threshold value instructed via the input element. A corresponding display device is also provided.

[0006] According to this disclosure, it is possible to improve the user interface for determining the type of recording material in an image forming apparatus.

[0007] Other features and advantages of the technical ideas derived from this disclosure will become apparent from the following description with reference to the attached drawings. In the attached drawings, the same or similar components are given the same reference numeral.

[0008] The attached drawings are included in the specification and constitute part thereof, illustrating embodiments in this disclosure and used together with the description to explain the technical ideas derived from this disclosure. A schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. A schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming section of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. An explanatory diagram conceptually showing an example of a classification model used for classifying sheet types. An explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a characteristics database. An explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of deck data. A flowchart showing an example of the flow of transport control processing in paper type registration mode. A flowchart showing a first example of the flow of transport control processing in print mode. A flowchart showing a second example of the flow of transport control processing in print mode. An explanatory diagram showing a modified example of the configuration of the characteristics database. An explanatory diagram for explaining variations in the adjustment of classification results. An explanatory diagram for explaining variations in the adjustment of classification results. An explanatory diagram for explaining variations in the adjustment of classification results. An explanatory diagram for explaining variations in the adjustment of classification results. An explanatory diagram for explaining variations in the adjustment of classification results. An explanatory diagram for explaining variations in the adjustment of classification results. An explanatory diagram for explaining variations in the adjustment of classification results. An explanatory diagram for explaining variations in the adjustment of classification results. An explanatory diagram illustrating variations in adjusting classification results. An explanatory diagram showing a first example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. An explanatory diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. An explanatory diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. An explanatory diagram showing a third example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. An explanatory diagram showing a fourth example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. An explanatory diagram showing a fourth example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. An explanatory diagram showing a fifth example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. An explanatory diagram showing a fifth example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. An explanatory diagram showing a sixth example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. An explanatory diagram showing a seventh example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. An explanatory diagram showing a seventh example of the configuration of the adjustment screen. A flowchart showing an example of the flow of the adjustment process for adjusting the classification results. A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. An explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the print settings screen for setting print jobs. An explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a screen that displays type-related information based on statistical data.An explanatory diagram showing a first example of the configuration of the print settings screen when automatic detection is enabled. An explanatory diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the print settings screen when automatic detection is enabled. A flowchart showing an example of the flow of transport control processing in the print mode according to the second embodiment.

[0009] The embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claims. While the embodiments describe multiple features, not all of these features are necessary, and the features may be combined in any way. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, identical or similar configurations are given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0010] <1. First Embodiment> Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Referring to Figure 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image forming unit 101, a post-processing unit 102, and a feeding unit 103.

[0011] <1-1. Image Forming Unit> The image forming unit 101 is an image forming means that forms an image on a recording material (also called a sheet) that is transported along a transport path. The image forming unit 101 includes a main body 104 and a fixing unit 105. The main body 104 and the fixing unit 105 may be housed in a single housing.

[0012] The main body 104 has a plurality of feeding decks 9a and 9b, each of which is a storage means for accommodating bundles of sheets. Sheets in the feeding deck 9a or 9b are fed one by one to the transport path 14 by feeding rollers (not shown), and are held between a plurality of transport roller pairs 8 as they are sent through the transport path 13 to the secondary transfer position.

[0013] The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K form toner images using yellow toner, magenta toner, cyan toner, and black toner, respectively. The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K transfer the formed toner images onto the intermediate transfer belt 6 by overlapping them with each other, thereby forming a full-color toner image. Y, M, C, and K are abbreviations for the colors of the toner. The intermediate transfer belt 6 may be referred to as an intermediate transfer member. As the intermediate transfer belt 6 rotates, the toner image is conveyed to the secondary transfer position. The secondary transfer unit 7 disposed at the secondary transfer position has an outer roller and an inner roller. The outer roller and the inner roller of the secondary transfer unit 7 rotate while sandwiching the intermediate transfer belt 6. Further, the outer roller and the intermediate transfer belt 6 convey the sheet that has reached the secondary transfer position while sandwiching it. By applying a secondary transfer voltage between the outer roller and the inner roller, the toner image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 6 to the sheet. The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed from the main body 104 to the fixing unit 105.

[0014] The fixing unit 105 has a first fixing device 21 and a second fixing device 22. In the normal fixing mode, the sheet passes through the first fixing device 21. The first fixing device 21 fixes the toner image to the sheet by heating and pressing the sheet. Thereafter, the sheet is conveyed along the first fixing conveyance path 15 and discharged to the post-processing unit 102. When double-sided printing is specified, the sheet with an image formed on the first side is guided to the double-sided conveyance path 17 and passes through the secondary transfer position again. The secondary transfer unit 7 transfers the toner image to the second side of the sheet at the secondary transfer position. When the sheet passes through the first fixing device 21 again, the toner image on the second side is fixed to the sheet.

[0015] When the sheet and the toner image require more heat, the gloss fixing mode can be selected instead of the normal fixing mode. In the gloss fixing mode, after the sheet passes through the first fixing device 21, it is guided to the second fixing conveyance path 16 where the second fixing device 22 is disposed. The second fixing device 22 further heats and presses the sheet. Thereby, the gloss (glossiness) of the sheet and the toner image increases. The sheet is discharged from the fixing unit 105 to the post-processing unit 102.

[0016] <1-2. Post-processing Unit> The post-processing unit 102 is a post-processing means that applies post-processing to sheets on which images have been formed, which are received from the image forming unit 101. For example, a sheet (e.g., interleaving paper) supplied from the sorter 35 is inserted between a preceding sheet and a succeeding sheet. The sheet processing units 34a and 34b may be a puncher for making holes in sheets, a binding device (e.g., a stapler) for binding multiple sheets together, or an alignment device for aligning multiple sheets. Sheets on which no post-processing is applied are discharged to the discharge tray 31. Sheets on which post-processing is applied in the sheet processing unit 34a are discharged to the discharge tray 32. Sheets on which post-processing is applied in the sheet processing unit 34b are discharged to the discharge tray 33.

[0017] <1-3. Feeding Unit> The feeding unit 103 is a feeding means for supplying sheets to the image forming unit 101. The feeding unit 103 has large capacity decks 40a, 40b, 40c and a manual feed tray 48. Each of the large capacity decks 40a, 40b, and 40c is a storage means capable of accommodating a larger number of sheet bundles compared to the feeding decks 9a and 9b. The manual feed tray 48 is a receiving means for receiving sheets supplied by manual feeding.

[0018] The first conveyance path 11 is the main conveyance path through which sheets fed from the high-capacity decks 40a, 40b, and 40c and the manual tray 48 pass. The first conveyance path 11 branches into a second conveyance path 12 and a third conveyance path 13. The flapper 42 is a guiding member that guides the sheet conveyed along the first conveyance path 11 to the second conveyance path 12 or the third conveyance path 13. The second conveyance path 12 is a conveyance path that connects the first conveyance path 11 and the escape tray 46 and is also called an escape path. The escape tray 46 is a discharge tray where sheets that have passed through the second conveyance path 12 without passing through the image forming unit 101 are discharged. Typically, sheets that should not be conveyed to the image forming unit 101 are discharged to the escape tray 46. The third conveyance path 13 is a conveyance path that connects the first conveyance path 11 and the image forming unit 101. Normal sheets are conveyed from the first conveyance path 11 to the third conveyance path 13 toward the image forming unit 101. Along the first conveyance path 11, the second conveyance path 12, and the third conveyance path 13, a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 45 are arranged. The plurality of conveyance roller pairs 45 and the motors (not shown) that rotate them constitute conveyance means for conveying the sheet along the conveyance path. The fourth conveyance path 49 is a manual conveyance path that merges with the first conveyance path 11 and receives sheets from the manual tray 48. The conveyance roller pair 47 is conveyance means for conveying the sheets received from the manual tray 48 along the fourth conveyance path 49.

[0019] At least one sensor generically called the first sensor 41 is arranged on the first conveyance path 11. Each of the first sensors 41 is first detection means for detecting at least one first physical property value of the sheet in the first conveyance path 11. For example, the first sensor 41 detects the first physical property value without contacting the sheet in the first conveyance path 11. The at least one first physical property value may include at least one of the basis weight of the sheet, the thickness of the sheet, and the surface property of the sheet. In FIG. 1, as an example of the first sensor 41, a basis weight sensor 41a and a surface property sensor 41b are shown. Note that the image forming apparatus 100 may include more or fewer first sensors 41.

[0020] The basis weight sensor 41a detects the basis weight of the sheet. The basis weight sensor 41a may include, for example, a light-emitting element that irradiates the sheet with light having a predetermined wavelength (e.g., visible light or infrared light), a first light-receiving element that receives the transmitted light that has passed through the sheet on the opposite side of the transport path, and a second light-receiving element that receives the reflected light that has been reflected by the sheet. The basis weight sensor 41a may detect the basis weight of the sheet based on the ratio of the amount of transmitted light and reflected light to the amount of irradiated light (e.g., attenuation rate). The basis weight sensor 41a may use ultrasound instead of visible light or infrared light. The basis weight sensor 41a can also detect the thickness of the sheet using a similar mechanism.

[0021] The surface properties sensor 41b detects the surface properties of the sheet. Surface properties refer to, for example, the glossiness and / or smoothness of the sheet's surface. The surface properties sensor 41b includes, for example, a light-emitting element that irradiates the sheet with light at a predetermined incident angle, a first light-receiving element that receives specularly reflected light, and a second light-receiving element that receives diffusely reflected light. The surface properties sensor 41b can detect the surface properties of the sheet based on the ratio of the amount of specularly reflected light and diffusely reflected light to the amount of irradiated light. The surface properties sensor 41b may also include a glossiness sensor and a smoothness sensor.

[0022] The second transport path 12 is equipped with at least one sensor collectively referred to as a second sensor 44. Each of the second sensors 44 is a second detection means for detecting at least one second physical property of the sheet in the second transport path 12. For example, the second sensor 44 detects the second physical property by contacting the sheet in the second transport path 12. The at least one second physical property may include at least one of the sheet's stiffness, volume resistivity, and volume resistivity. Figure 1 shows examples of second sensors 44, namely a stiffness sensor 44a and a resistance sensor 44b. The image forming apparatus 100 may include more or fewer second sensors 44.

[0023] The stiffness sensor 44a detects the stiffness of the sheet. For example, the stiffness sensor 44a clamps the sheet with a pair of rollers at a position separated from one end of the sheet, presses the sheet with a pressing member near the clamping position to displace it by a predetermined distance, and measures the rebound force from the sheet. Since a sheet with higher stiffness requires a greater force to displace the sheet by the same distance, the stiffness sensor 44a can detect the stiffness of the sheet based on the measured rebound force.

[0024] The resistance sensor 44b detects the volume resistance (electrical resistance per unit area) or volume resistivity (electrical resistance per unit volume) of the sheet. For example, the resistance sensor 44b applies a voltage to two electrodes that hold the sheet and measures the current flowing between these electrodes. Since the applied voltage is known, the resistance sensor 44b can detect the volume resistance of the sheet based on the measured values ​​of the applied voltage and current. The resistance sensor 44b can also derive the volume resistivity by dividing the volume resistance by the thickness of the sheet.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 100 may include a thickness sensor as the second sensor 44, which mechanically detects the thickness of the sheet by contacting it. The thickness sensor may include a contact element that is displaced by contacting the sheet and an encoder that detects the amount of displacement of the contact element. Since the amount of displacement correlates with the thickness of the sheet, the thickness of the sheet can be determined from the amount of displacement.

[0026] <1-4. Image Forming Unit> Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K of the image forming apparatus 100. Since the configurations of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K are the same except for the toner color, the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K will be collectively referred to as the image forming unit 10, and one image forming unit 10 will be used as an example for explanation. The image forming unit 10 includes a photoreceptor 1, a charger 2, an exposure device 3, a developing sleeve 4, a primary transfer roller 5, a toner container 50, and a drum cleaner 51.

[0027] The photoreceptor 1 is a cylindrical image carrier that is rotationally driven by a driving means (not shown) such as a motor. The charger 2 is a charging means (for example, a charging roller or charging wire) that charges the surface of the photoreceptor 1. The charger 2 is subjected to a charging voltage, which is an example of an image formation condition. The exposure device 3 forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 by irradiating the surface of the photoreceptor 1 with light modulated according to the input image data. The amount of light from the light source of the exposure device 3 is an example of an image formation condition. The toner container 50 is a container that holds toner T. The developing sleeve 4 is a developing means that develops the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 1 and forms a toner image by supplying toner supplied from the toner container 50 to the photoreceptor 1. The developing sleeve 4 is subjected to a developing voltage, which is an example of an image formation condition. The developing voltage promotes the adhesion of toner T to the photoreceptor 1. As the photoreceptor 1 rotates further, the toner image is transported to the primary transfer position. The primary transfer roller 5 is positioned to face the photoreceptor 1 at the primary transfer position. A primary transfer voltage, which is an example of image formation conditions, is applied between the primary transfer roller 5 and the photoreceptor 1. The primary transfer roller 5 transfers the toner image from the photoreceptor 1 to the intermediate transfer belt 6. The primary transfer voltage promotes the primary transfer of the toner image. The drum cleaner 51 removes the toner T remaining on the photoreceptor 1.

[0028] <1-5. Control System> Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 100. Referring to Figure 3, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 106, a communication interface 108, a controller 110, and a storage device 120. The controller 110 is connected via an internal bus to the first sensors 41a, 41b, the second sensors 44a, 44b, the image forming unit 101, the post-processing unit 102, the feeding unit 103, the operation unit 106, the communication interface 108, and the storage device 120.

[0029] The operating unit 106 provides a user interface to the user of the image forming apparatus 100. The operating unit 106 includes an input device for receiving user input and an output device for outputting information. The input device may include, for example, a touch panel, buttons, switches, and a microphone. The output device may include, for example, a display and a speaker.

[0030] The communication interface 108 is an interface for the image forming apparatus 100 to communicate with an external device. The communication interface 108 may be a wireless communication interface or a wired communication interface. The functions of the controller 110, which will be described later, may be provided by a host computer that communicates with the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication interface 108.

[0031] The controller 110 is a control means that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100. The controller 110 may be built into any of the image forming unit 101, the post-processing unit 102, and the feeding unit 103, or it may be distributed among these units, or it may be installed outside of these units. In the example in Figure 3, the controller 110 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 111, read-only memory (ROM) 112, and random access memory (RAM) 113.

[0032] ROM 112 is a non-volatile storage medium that pre-stores computer programs for the control functions of the image forming apparatus 100. RAM 113 is a volatile storage medium that provides a memory area for calculations to the CPU 111. The CPU 111 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 by executing computer programs loaded from ROM 112 into RAM 113. For example, the CPU 111 controls the transport of sheets from the feeding unit 103, the formation of images on the sheets in the image forming unit 101, and the application of post-processing to the sheets in the post-processing unit 102. In particular, in this embodiment, the CPU 111 functions as a registration unit 131, a print control unit 132, a classification unit 133, and an adjustment unit 134.

[0033] Although not shown in Figure 3, the image forming unit 101, the post-processing unit 102, and the feeding unit 103 each include actuators such as motors, rollers, clutches, solenoids, and flappers that are involved in the transport of the sheets. These actuators constitute the transport means in each unit. In this embodiment, multiple operating modes are provided regarding how the CPU 111 controls the transport of the sheets by the transport means. One of the multiple operating modes is the paper type registration mode, and the other is the printing mode. The printing mode is further divided into two operating modes depending on whether automatic determination of the sheet type (hereinafter simply referred to as automatic determination) is enabled or not. Therefore, the paper type registration mode, the printing mode in which automatic determination is enabled, and the printing mode in which automatic determination is not enabled (disabled) may be called the first operating mode, the second operating mode, and the third operating mode, respectively. The registration unit 131 is a control means responsible for transport control and other controls in the paper type registration mode. The print control unit 132 is a control means responsible for transport control and other controls in the printing mode. The processing flow that can be executed by these control means will be explained in detail later.

[0034] The classification unit 133 is a classification means that classifies sheets into one of several types in the paper type registration mode and the printing mode with automatic determination. Even in the printing mode without automatic determination, the classification unit 133 may classify sheets into one of several types in order to verify the validity of the sheet type specified by user input. In this embodiment, the classification unit 133 performs sheet classification by applying one or more physical property values ​​of the sheet detected by the sensor group described above to a given classification model.

[0035] Figure 4 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an example of a classification model used to classify sheet types. The classification model is determined by obtaining a large number of samples of N physical properties (N is an integer) of known sheet types through measurement or simulation, and then analyzing these samples. When N=3, the physical properties of one sheet are physical property C. １ , C ２ and C ３It is represented by a three-dimensional characteristic vector having elements, and FIG. 4 shows the three-dimensional characteristic vector space thereof. The classification model divides the characteristic vector space into a plurality of subspaces by a plurality of thresholds that are respectively compared with the corresponding physical property values. Each subspace corresponds to one of a plurality of types of sheets. FIG. 4 shows a subspace Sc as an example simplified for explanation. The subspace Sc corresponds to the type "TYPE11". The range of the subspace Sc is defined by the threshold T １ compared with the physical property value C １ , the physical property value C ２ compared with the threshold T ２１ and T ２２ , and the physical property value C ３ compared with the threshold T ３ . When the characteristic vector Vc = (c1, c2, c3) consisting of the physical property values detected for a certain sheet points to the inside of the subspace Sc, the sheet is classified as the type "TYPE11". Note that the dimensions of the actual classification model, as well as the size and shape of each subspace, are not limited to the illustrated example. Also, there may be a threshold compared with a composite physical property value obtained by synthesizing physical property values directly detected by two or more sensors.

[0036] In one embodiment, the classification model may be a learned model obtained in advance by machine learning processing based on a large number of data samples of known type names and corresponding known physical property values. However, the method for analyzing the data samples is not limited to the machine learning-based method.

[0037] The accuracy of classifying the type of sheet can be improved by analyzing more data samples, but it is still difficult to completely eliminate the error in the classification result. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an adjustment unit 134. The adjustment unit 134 is an adjustment means that enables the user to adjust the result of classifying the sheet by the classification unit 133. The function of the adjustment unit 134 will be described in detail later.

[0038] The storage device 120 is a storage means having a large storage area, such as a hard disk drive (HDD). In this embodiment, the storage device 120 stores a characteristics database (DB) 121, deck data 122, and a classification model 123. The characteristics DB 121 is a database that holds sheet characteristic data associated with sheet types. The deck data 122 is data indicating the types of recording materials stored in the feed decks 9a and 9b and the large capacity decks 40a, 40b, and 40c, respectively, which are capable of accommodating sheets in the image forming apparatus 100. The classification model 123 is the aforementioned model used by the classification unit 133 for classifying sheet types. The classification model 123 includes at least a first threshold value that is compared with a certain physical property value. The storage device 120 may store a plurality of classification models 123 used in paper type registration mode and printing mode, respectively.

[0039] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the characteristics DB 121. Referring to Figure 5, the characteristics DB 121 includes a type name 121a, physical property data 121b, and image formation conditions 121c. The type name 121a is identification information (hereinafter also referred to as type ID) for uniquely identifying the type of sheet. The type name 121a may be assigned by the user when a new type is registered, may be set automatically, or may be a combination of these. The type name 121a may be a general name such as "plain paper," "matt paper," "coated paper," "embossed paper," and "synthetic paper," or it may be a brand name unique to the manufacturer. The physical property data 121b is a set of multiple physical property values ​​detected for each type of sheet. In the illustrated example, the physical property data 121b includes four physical property values: basis weight, surface properties, stiffness, and volume resistivity. The image formation conditions 121c is data indicating image formation conditions suitable for each type of sheet. For example, the image formation conditions 121c may include one or more of the following: sheet transport speed, target fixing temperature, charging voltage, development voltage, primary transfer voltage, secondary transfer voltage, and the fixing mode to be selected. Since methods for determining suitable image formation conditions from physical properties are well known in the industry, they will not be described in detail here.

[0040] Figure 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of deck data 122. Referring to Figure 6, deck data 122 includes deck number 122a and paper type 122b. Deck number 122a is identification information for uniquely identifying each of the storage means of the image forming apparatus 100, i.e., each deck. Paper type 122b identifies the type of sheet currently stored in each deck using the type ID registered in the type name 121a of the characteristic DB 121. For decks where the type of sheet stored is unknown, paper type 122b may be left blank. Although not shown in Figure 6, deck data 122 may also include further data items such as sheet size and remaining sheet quantity.

[0041] In this embodiment, the data described as being held by the storage device 120 of the image forming apparatus 100 may be held by an external database (for example, a database server on a network) in other embodiments.

[0042] <1-6. Various Operating Modes> Conventionally, when the physical properties of the recording material detected in the main transport path show abnormalities, a technique is known to discharge the recording material to the outside of the image forming apparatus via a secondary transport path. For example, if a sheet with excessively high rigidity is fed into the image forming apparatus, the sheet may jam during transport, and in the worst case, it may damage the internal structure of the apparatus. If such abnormal sheets are discharged outside the apparatus without being transported to the image forming unit, transport failures are reduced, and the possibility of print job failures is suppressed.

[0043] However, some physical properties of recording materials can be detected non-contact without stopping the sheet, while others require stopping the sheet or contact with a component to detect them. The first physical property mentioned above is an example of the former, and the second physical property is an example of the latter. If these physical properties of each sheet are constantly detected in a printing job, productivity will decrease, but if the sheets are transported without detecting the physical properties, the risk of malfunctions will increase, so there is a trade-off between these two.

[0044] As described above, the image forming apparatus 100 is equipped with a paper type registration mode for registering characteristic data. In the paper type registration mode, the registration unit 131 requests the classification unit 133 to classify the sheet into one of several types based on the first physical property values ​​detected by the first sensors 41a and 41b and the second physical property values ​​detected by the second sensors 44a and 44b. The classification unit 133 outputs the classification result to the registration unit 131. The registration unit 131 then registers the characteristic data based on the first and second physical property values ​​in the characteristic DB 121, associating it with the sheet type. The registration unit 131 transports the sheet from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12 of the feeding unit 103 and discharges it into the escape tray 46. Therefore, the sheet is not transported to the image forming unit 101.

[0045] On the other hand, in the automatic determination printing mode, the printing control unit 132 requests the classification unit 133 to classify the sheet into one of several types based on the first physical property values ​​detected by the first sensors 41a and 41b described above. The classification unit 133 outputs the classification result to the printing control unit 132. The printing control unit 132 obtains the image formation conditions corresponding to the type determined by the classification unit 133 from the characteristics DB 121. Then, the printing control unit 132 transports the sheet from the first transport path 11 to the third transport path 13 and controls the image formation unit 101 to form an image on the sheet using the acquired image formation conditions.

[0046] In a print mode without automatic detection, the print control unit 132 accepts user input specifying the type of sheet. The print control unit 132 also requests the classification unit 133 to classify the sheet into one of several types based on the first physical property values ​​detected by the first sensors 41a and 41b described above. The classification unit 133 outputs the classification result to the print control unit 132. The print control unit 132 verifies whether the type specified by the user input matches the classification result, and if the verification fails, it performs abnormal processing such as warning the user or ejecting to the escape tray 46. If the print control unit 132 determines that the job should continue after considering the verification result, it obtains the image formation conditions corresponding to the type specified by the user input from the characteristics DB 121. Then, the print control unit 132 transports the sheet from the first transport path 11 to the third transport path 13 and controls the image forming unit 101 to form an image on the sheet using the obtained image formation conditions.

[0047] In this way, by guiding the sheet to the escape path in paper type registration mode while detecting all required physical properties and registering the characteristic data in the database, it is possible to eliminate the need to detect all required physical properties of each sheet in print mode. This prevents a decrease in print job productivity and also prevents abnormalities from occurring by stopping the transport of inappropriate sheets.

[0048] The operation unit 106 provides a settings screen that allows the user to select one of several operating modes. Several examples of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) including such settings screens will be described further later.

[0049] (1) Paper type registration mode Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of transport control processing that can be performed in paper type registration mode. In the flowchart, 'S' is an abbreviation for step.

[0050] First, in S11, the registration unit 131, in response to the instruction to start paper type registration, feeds a sheet from the designated deck (or manual feed tray 48) to the first transport path 11.

[0051] Next, in S12, the registration unit 131 causes the first sensor 41 to detect at least one first physical property of the sheet in the first transport path 11. For example, the basis weight sensor 41a detects the basis weight of the sheet, and the surface property sensor 41b detects the surface property of the sheet.

[0052] Next, in S13, the registration unit 131 controls the transport means to transport the sheet from the first transport path 11 to the second transport path 12. For example, the registration unit 131 switches the orientation of the flapper 42 to an orientation that guides the sheet to the second transport path 12 instead of the third transport path 13.

[0053] Next, in S14, the registration unit 131 determines whether to further detect a second physical property of the sheet based on the first physical property detected by the first sensor 41. For example, if the type of sheet can be uniquely determined based on the first physical property detected by the first sensor 41, the detection of the second physical property in S15 may be omitted. If it is determined that the second physical property should be detected, the process proceeds to S15.

[0054] In S15, the registration unit 131 causes the second sensor 44 to detect at least one second physical property of the sheet in the second transport path 12. For example, the stiffness sensor 44a detects the stiffness of the sheet, and the resistance sensor 44b detects the volume resistivity of the sheet.

[0055] Next, in S16, the classification unit 133 classifies the sheet into one of several types by applying the first physical property value detected in S12 and the second physical property value detected in S15 to the classification model 123. The classification unit 133 outputs the classification result to the registration unit 131.

[0056] Next, in S17, the registration unit 131 determines image formation conditions suitable for the sheet based on the first and second physical properties detected for the sheet. Note that if the image formation conditions are determined dynamically when the print job is executed, the transport control process in Figure 7 does not need to include S17.

[0057] Next, in S18, the registration unit 131 registers the first characteristic data based on the first and second physical property values ​​of the sheet as a new record in the characteristic DB 121, associated with the type determined by the classification unit 133 in S16. If a record associated with the same type already exists in the characteristic DB 121, the registration unit 131 may cancel the registration of the new record or overwrite the existing record with the new record.

[0058] Next, in S19, the registration unit 131 discharges the sheet from the second transport path 12 to the escape tray 46. After that, the transport control process shown in Figure 7 is completed.

[0059] (2) Print Mode - First Example Figure 8 is a flowchart showing a first example of the flow of transport control processing that can be performed in print mode.

[0060] First, in S21, the print control unit 132, in response to the instruction to start a print job, feeds a sheet from the designated deck (or manual feed tray 48) to the first transport path 11.

[0061] The subsequent processing branches in S22 depending on whether automatic sheet type detection is enabled or not. If automatic detection is enabled, the process proceeds to S23. On the other hand, if automatic detection is not enabled, the process proceeds to S31.

[0062] In S23, the printing control unit 132 causes the first sensor 41 to detect at least one first physical property of the sheet in the first transport path 11. For example, the basis weight sensor 41a detects the basis weight of the sheet, and the surface quality sensor 41b detects the surface quality of the sheet.

[0063] Next, in S24, the classification unit 133 classifies the sheet into one of several types by applying the first physical property value detected in S23 to the classification model 123. The classification unit 133 outputs the classification result to the print control unit 132.

[0064] Next, in S26, the print control unit 132 obtains image formation conditions corresponding to the type of sheet determined based on the first physical property values. For example, the print control unit 132 may identify characteristic data associated with the determined type of sheet in the characteristic DB 121 and obtain image formation conditions corresponding to the identified characteristic data from the characteristic DB 121. Alternatively, the print control unit 132 may dynamically determine the image formation conditions based on the physical property values ​​indicated by the characteristic data for the second recording material.

[0065] Next, in S27, the printing control unit 132 controls the transport means to transport the sheet from the first transport path 11 to the third transport path 13. For example, the printing control unit 132 switches the orientation of the flapper 42 to an orientation that guides the sheet to the third transport path 13 instead of the second transport path 12.

[0066] Next, in S28, the print control unit 132 controls the image forming unit 101 to form an image on the sheet using the image forming conditions acquired in S26. The sheet on which the image has been formed in the image forming unit 101 is subjected to post-processing in the post-processing unit 102 as needed, and then discharged to the discharge trays 31, 32, or 33.

[0067] Next, in S30, the print control unit 132 determines whether the print job has finished. If there are subsequent pages to be printed, it is determined that the print job has not finished, and the process proceeds to S32. If there are no subsequent pages remaining, it is determined that the print job has finished, and the transport control process shown in Figure 8 is terminated.

[0068] If automatic determination is not enabled in S22, in S31, the print control unit 132 receives user input specifying the type of sheet via the operation unit 106. The user input received here may also be input specifying the deck from which the sheet is fed. In that case, the print control unit 132 can obtain the type of sheet contained in the specified deck by referring to the deck data 122. Alternatively, the user input may be input specifying one of the sheet types registered in the characteristics DB 121.

[0069] Next, in S32, the printing control unit 132 causes the first sensor 41 to detect at least one first physical property of the sheet in the first transport path 11. For example, the basis weight sensor 41a detects the basis weight of the sheet, and the surface quality sensor 41b detects the surface quality of the sheet.

[0070] Next, in S33, the classification unit 133 classifies the sheet into one of several types by applying the first physical property value detected in S32 to the classification model 123. The print control unit 132 verifies the validity of the sheet type specified in S31 based on the classification result by the classification unit 133. For example, the print control unit 132 verifies whether the sheet type indicated by the classification result matches the type specified by user input. If the sheet types match, the verification is determined to be successful in S34, and the process proceeds to S35. On the other hand, if the sheet types do not match, the verification is determined to be a failure, and the process proceeds to S36.

[0071] Furthermore, the detection of the first physical property value in S32 and the verification in S33 are also performed for the second and subsequent sheets if automatic determination of the sheet type is enabled. In this case, the print control unit 132 can determine that the sheet type is valid when the type indicated by the classification result for the k-th sheet (k>1) matches the types of the sheets up to k-1.

[0072] In S35, the print control unit 132 acquires image formation conditions corresponding to the specified sheet type (or the same type as the preceding sheet). The acquisition of image formation conditions here may be performed in the same manner as in S26. Then, the process proceeds to S27, where the sheet is transported from the first transport path 11 to the third transport path 13, and an image is formed on the sheet by the image formation unit 101 using the image formation conditions acquired in S35.

[0073] If the verification is determined to be a failure in S34, the print control unit 132 controls the transport means so as not to transport the sheet from the first transport path 11 to the third transport path 13. In S36, the print control unit 132 notifies the user of the abnormality regarding the type of sheet via the operation unit 106 (for example, by displaying a message indicating the abnormality on the screen). Also in S38, the print control unit 132 controls the transport means so as to discharge the sheet from the first transport path 11 to the escape tray 46 via the second transport path 12. After that, the transport control process shown in Figure 8 is terminated.

[0074] (3) Print Mode - Second Example Figure 9 is a flowchart showing a second example of the flow of transport control processing that can be performed in paper type registration mode. Below, only the parts that differ from the first example will be explained.

[0075] In the second example, if automatic determination of the sheet type is enabled, the print control unit 132, after classifying the sheet in S24, determines in S25 whether the sheet type indicated by the classification result is a type compatible with the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the print control unit 132 may determine that the determined sheet type is not compatible with the image forming apparatus 100 if the corresponding characteristic data obtained from the characteristic DB 121 shows physical property values ​​that deviate from the range of physical property values ​​supported by the image forming apparatus 100.

[0076] If it is determined that the type of sheet is suitable for the image forming apparatus 100, the process proceeds to S26, where the sheet is transported from the first transport path 11 to the third transport path 13, and an image is formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 101 using image forming conditions suitable for the sheet.

[0077] If it is determined that the type of sheet is not compatible with the image forming apparatus 100, the process proceeds to S36. In S36, the print control unit 132 notifies the user of the abnormality regarding the type of sheet via the operation unit 106 (for example, by displaying a message indicating the abnormality on the screen). Also, in S38, the print control unit 132 controls the transport means to discharge the sheet from the first transport path 11 through the second transport path 12 to the escape tray 46.

[0078] In the second example, as described above, in print mode, if the characteristic data stored in the characteristic DB 121 indicates that the sheet is not suitable for the image forming apparatus 100, the sheet is discharged to the escape tray 46 without being transported to the third transport path 13. This reduces the possibility of print jobs failing due to abnormalities such as transport failures occurring in the image forming unit 101 or post-processing unit 102 due to the physical properties of the sheet.

[0079] (4) Printing Mode - Modified Characteristics DB 121 may further store compatibility data for each type of sheet, indicating whether one or more functions of the image forming apparatus 100 support that type of sheet. Figure 10 is an explanatory diagram showing such a modified configuration of the characteristics DB 121. Referring to Figure 10, the characteristics DB 121 includes compatibility data 121d in addition to the type name 121a, physical property data 121b, and image forming conditions 121c. The compatibility data 121d includes a flag, for example, that indicates with the value "YES" or "NO" whether "Process A" and "Process B" each support each type of sheet.

[0080] For example, let's assume that "Process A" is an image formation process and "Process B" is a binding process, which is a type of post-processing. In this case, since "Process A" in the conformance data 121d indicates "YES" for type name "TYPE 11", it is permissible to form an image on a sheet of the type identified by "TYPE 11". Also, since "Process B" in the conformance data 121d indicates "YES" for type name "TYPE 11", it is permissible for the post-processing unit 102 to bind multiple sheets of the type identified by "TYPE 11". On the other hand, since "Process B" in the conformance data 121d indicates "NO" for type name "TYPE 21", it is prohibited for the post-processing unit 102 to bind multiple sheets of the type identified by "TYPE 21".

[0081] The print control unit 132 may, in print mode, control the application of image formation on the sheet in the image forming unit 101 and post-processing on the sheet in the post-processing unit 102 based on the aforementioned suitability data stored in the characteristics DB 121. For example, in a print job that specifies that a particular process should be performed, if the suitability data prohibits that particular process for a sheet of a type that has been automatically determined, the print control unit 132 may discharge the sheet to the escape tray 46 without transporting it to the third transport path 13.

[0082] Up to this point, we have mainly described an example in which the second sensor 44 is located in the second transport path 12 that branches off from the first transport path 11. However, the second sensor 44 may also be located in the first transport path 11 together with the first sensor 41. In this case, in paper type registration mode, the first and second physical properties of the sheet are detected by the first sensor 41 and the second sensor 44, respectively, in the first transport path 11, and then the sheet is discharged from the first transport path 11 through the second transport path 12 to the escape tray 46. In printing mode, only the first physical property of the sheet is detected by the first sensor 41 in the first transport path 11, and then the sheet can be transported from the first transport path 11 to the third transport path 13 for image formation.

[0083] <1-7. Adjustment of Classification Results> The adjustment unit 134 provides the user with a GUI via the operation unit 106 that enables the user to adjust the results of the sheet classification performed by the classification unit 133.

[0084] Figures 11A to 11D are explanatory diagrams illustrating several variations in the adjustment of classification results. Here, for the sake of simplicity, the characteristic vector space of the sheet is represented by a two-dimensional plane determined by two physical properties: basis weight and surface properties.

[0085] In the example in Figure 11A, the threshold T Ｇｒ１ This is one of the thresholds included in the classification model. The basis weight is the threshold T. Ｇｒ１ Sheets with a basis weight less than the threshold T are classified as "TYPE11", and the basis weight value is the threshold T Ｇｒ１The above sheets are classified as "TYPE 12". The ellipse in the figure represents the range of variation in the characteristic vector for "TYPE 11" sheets manufactured by a certain manufacturer. Sample point P is indicated by a circle. ｎｏｍ This represents the nominal characteristic vector, and its basis weight value is the threshold T. Ｇｒ１ It is smaller than that. On the other hand, sample point P, indicated by the X mark, is smaller than that. ｄｅｖ This shows the characteristic vector of the actual sample, and its basis weight value is the threshold T. Ｇｒ１ It is larger than [value]. Therefore, sample point P ｄｅｖ The corresponding sheet will be mistakenly classified as "TYPE12" if left as is.

[0086] In the example in Figure 11B, the threshold compared to the basis weight to classify the sheet as "TYPE 11" or "TYPE 12" is adjusted to T Ｇｒ１ From T Ｇｒ１＿ａｄｊ It is raised to the threshold T. Accordingly, the basis weight of all characteristic vectors within the range indicated by the ellipse is raised to the threshold T. Ｇｒ１＿ａｄｊ It is less than [a certain threshold]. Therefore, as a result of adjusting the threshold, errors in sheet classification are avoided.

[0087] In the example in Figure 11C, the threshold compared to the basis weight is T. Ｇｒ１ Instead of being maintained as is, a negative offset is added to the measured basis weight, resulting in the sample point P ｄｅｖ P ｄｅｖ＿ａｄｊ It is moving towards the threshold T. Accordingly, the basis weight of all characteristic vectors within the range indicated by the ellipse is the threshold T. Ｇｒ１ It is less than [a certain value]. In this way, it is also possible to avoid errors in sheet classification by adjusting the physical property value instead of the threshold.

[0088] In the example in Figure 11D, the threshold T Ｇｒ１ In addition, threshold T Ｇｒ２ This is shown. The basis weight value is the threshold T. Ｇｒ２ Sheets with a basis weight less than the threshold T are classified as "TYPE10", and the basis weight value is the threshold T. Ｇｒ２ The above AND threshold T Ｇｒ１ Sheets with a basis weight less than the threshold T are classified as "TYPE11", and the basis weight value is the threshold T Ｇｒ１ The above sheets are classified as "TYPE12". However, due to adjustment, threshold T Ｇｒ１ is TＧｒ１＿ａｄｊ The threshold T has been changed to Ｇｒ２ is T Ｇｒ２＿ａｄｊ This has been changed, and as a result, the range of sheets that are classified as "TYPE 11" has expanded. This adjustment can be said to increase the priority of "TYPE 11" determination because it increases the frequency with which sheets are classified as "TYPE 11".

[0089] Figures 12A to 12D are explanatory diagrams illustrating further variations in the adjustment of the classification results. Here again, for the sake of simplicity, the characteristic vector space of the sheet is represented by a two-dimensional plane determined by two physical properties: basis weight and surface properties.

[0090] In the example in Figure 12A, the threshold T Ｓｆ１ This is one of the thresholds included in the classification model. The surface value is the threshold T. Ｓｆ１ The above sheets are classified as "TYPE21", and the surface quality value is threshold T Ｓｆ１ Sheets below a certain level are classified as "TYPE 22". The ellipse in the figure represents the range of variation in the characteristic vector for "TYPE 21" sheets manufactured by a certain manufacturer. Sample point P is indicated by a circle. ｎｏｍ This represents the nominal characteristic vector, and its surface quality value is the threshold T. Ｓｆ１ It is larger than that. On the other hand, sample point P, indicated by the X mark, is larger than that. ｄｅｖ This shows the characteristic vector of the actual sample, and its surface quality value is the threshold T. Ｓｆ１ It is smaller than [the specified value]. Therefore, sample point P ｄｅｖ The corresponding sheet will be mistakenly classified as "TYPE22" if left as is.

[0091] In the example in Figure 12B, the threshold compared to the surface properties to classify the sheet as "TYPE 21" or "TYPE 22" is adjusted to T Ｓｆ１ From T Ｓｆ１＿ａｄｊ It is lowered to the threshold T. Accordingly, the surface properties of all characteristic vectors within the range indicated by the ellipse are all reduced to the threshold T. Ｓｆ１＿ａｄｊ This is the result. Therefore, as a result of adjusting the threshold, errors in sheet classification are avoided.

[0092] In the example in Figure 12C, the threshold compared to the surface quality is T.Ｓｆ１ Instead of remaining unchanged, a positive offset is added to the measured surface quality, resulting in the sample point P ｄｅｖ P ｄｅｖ＿ａｄｊ It is moving towards the threshold T. Accordingly, the surface properties of all characteristic vectors within the range indicated by the ellipse are all at the threshold T. Ｓｆ１ This concludes the explanation. Thus, it is possible to avoid errors in sheet classification by adjusting the physical property values ​​instead of the threshold.

[0093] In the example shown in Figure 12D, the threshold T Ｓｆ１ In addition, threshold T Ｓｆ２ This is shown. The surface quality value is the threshold T. Ｓｆ１ Sheets with a surface quality value less than the threshold T are classified as "TYPE22", and the surface quality value is the threshold T. Ｓｆ１ The above AND threshold T Ｓｆ２ Sheets with a surface quality value less than the threshold T are classified as "TYPE21", and the surface quality value is the threshold T. Ｓｆ２ The above sheets are classified as "TYPE20". However, due to adjustment, threshold T Ｓｆ１ is T Ｓｆ１＿ａｄｊ The threshold T has been changed to Ｓｆ２ is T Ｓｆ２＿ａｄｊ This has been changed, and as a result, the range of sheets that are classified as "TYPE21" has expanded. This adjustment can be said to increase the priority of "TYPE21" determination because it increases the frequency with which sheets are classified as "TYPE21".

[0094] In this embodiment, the adjustment unit 134 displays at least one input element on an adjustment screen operable by the user, which accepts input instructing the adjustment of a certain adjustable parameter. Here, the adjustable parameter corresponds to a specific physical property value or a first threshold value compared to a specific physical property value. The user instructs the adjustment of the adjustable parameter (for example, by increasing, decreasing, or changing to a specifically specified value) by operating the input element on the adjustment screen. The adjustment unit 134 further displays at least one display element on the adjustment screen that represents the change in the classification result before and after the adjustment of the adjustable parameter instructed via the input element. By viewing this display element on the adjustment screen, the user can easily understand how the classification result changes depending on how the adjustable parameter is adjusted.

[0095] Generally, adjusting a classification model so that the sheet classification results obtained through the classification model are the desired outcome is difficult for the user, and in particular, conventional methods required numerous trials and errors to tune the threshold. In contrast, in this embodiment, the display elements shown on the adjustment screen concisely represent the expected changes in the classification results, allowing the user to adjust the classification model to the desired state without excessive trial and error.

[0096] Figure 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of the configuration of an adjustment screen that may be provided in this embodiment. In the first example, the adjustable parameters are thresholds that constitute the classification model 123. Referring to Figure 13, the classification adjustment screen 140 includes a threshold selection field 141, a value display field 142, a first input element 143a, a second input element 143b, a first display element 144a, a second display element 144b, a test button 147, a cancel button 148, and a confirm button 149.

[0097] The threshold selection field 141 is a field for allowing the user to select the threshold to be adjusted. The value display field 142 is a field for displaying the current value of the threshold selected for adjustment. The first input element 143a is an object for receiving a first input instructing an increase in the selected threshold. The second input element 143b is an object for receiving a second input instructing a decrease in the selected threshold. The first display element 144a is an object that represents the classification result after the threshold has been increased as instructed via the first input element 143a. The second display element 144b is an object that represents the classification result after the threshold has been decreased as instructed via the second input element 143b. The adjustment unit 134 adjusts the threshold included in the classification model 123 in response to the threshold adjustment instruction received via the first input element 143a or the second input element 143b.

[0098] In the example in Figure 13, a threshold value (referred to as the basis weight threshold) is selected for comparison with the basis weight of the recording material. The first display element 144a and the second display element 144b are perspective views of a sheet-like object, representing how the difference in thickness of the object affects the resulting classification. The first display element 144a is depicted as a thin sheet to show that increasing the basis weight threshold makes it easier for sheets that were previously classified as relatively thick to be classified as thinner. The second display element 144b is depicted as a thick sheet to show that decreasing the basis weight threshold makes it easier for sheets that were previously classified as relatively thin to be classified as thick.

[0099] The test button 147 is a trial instruction element for receiving instructions for a classification trial by the classification unit 133 with the adjustable parameters adjusted based on instructions received via the first input element 143a or the second input element 143b. When the user adjusts the threshold value selected by the user and operates the test button 147, the image forming apparatus 100 attempts to classify the sheet using the adjusted threshold, and the classification result is displayed on the screen. The adjustment trial may be performed by actually transporting a new sheet and detecting its physical properties, or by applying already detected physical properties to the adjusted classification model 123 (i.e., by simulation).

[0100] The cancel button 148 is used to cancel the adjustment made on the classification adjustment screen 140. The confirm button 149 is used to confirm the adjustment made on the classification adjustment screen 140 and update the classification model 123. When the confirm button 149 is operated, the adjustment unit 134 updates the classification model 123 stored in the storage device 120 to reflect the threshold adjustment made on the classification adjustment screen 140. If the classification unit 133 then performs classification of the sheet, the classification process includes comparing the corresponding physical property values ​​with the adjusted thresholds.

[0101] Figures 14A to 14C are explanatory diagrams showing a second example of the configuration of an adjustment screen that may be provided in this embodiment. In the second example as well, the adjustable parameters are thresholds that constitute the classification model 123. Referring to Figure 14A, the classification adjustment screen 150 includes a threshold selection field 151, a value display field 152, a first input element 153a, a second input element 153b, a display element 154a, a test button 147, a cancel button 148, and a confirm button 149.

[0102] The threshold selection field 151 is a field for allowing the user to select the threshold to be adjusted. The value display field 152 is a field for displaying the current value of the threshold selected for adjustment. The first input element 153a is an object for receiving a first input indicating an increase in the selected threshold. The second input element 153b is an object for receiving a second input indicating a decrease in the selected threshold. The display element 154a is a perspective view of a sheet-like object.

[0103] In the second example, the basis weight threshold is selected as the target of adjustment. The adjustment unit 134 adjusts the basis weight threshold in response to an instruction to adjust the threshold received via the first input element 153a or the second input element 153b. For example, when the second input element 153b is operated and the basis weight threshold decreases, the display element 154a changes to the display element 154b on the screen, as shown in Figure 14B. The display element 154b is also a perspective view of a sheet-like object, and the difference in thickness compared to the display element 154a represents the change in the classification result. When the second input element 153b is operated again and the basis weight threshold decreases further, the display element 154b changes to the display element 154c on the screen, as shown in Figure 14C. The display element 154c is also a perspective view of a sheet-like object, and the difference in thickness compared to the display element 154b represents the change in the classification result.

[0104] Figure 15 is an explanatory diagram showing a third example of the configuration of an adjustment screen that may be provided in this embodiment. In the third example as well, the adjustable parameters are thresholds that constitute the classification model 123. Referring to Figure 15, the classification adjustment screen 160 includes a threshold selection field 161, a value display field 162, a first input element 163a, a second input element 163b, a first display element 164a, a second display element 164b, a test button 147, a cancel button 148, and a confirm button 149.

[0105] The threshold selection field 161 is a field for allowing the user to select the threshold to be adjusted. The value display field 162 is a field for displaying the current value of the threshold selected for adjustment. The first input element 163a is an object for receiving a first input instructing an increase in the selected threshold. The second input element 163b is an object for receiving a second input instructing a decrease in the selected threshold. The first display element 164a is an object that represents the classification result after the threshold has been increased as instructed via the first input element 163a. ​​The second display element 164b is an object that represents the classification result after the threshold has been decreased as instructed via the second input element 163b. The adjustment unit 134 adjusts the threshold included in the classification model 123 in response to the threshold adjustment instruction received via the first input element 163a or the second input element 163b.

[0106] In the example shown in Figure 15, a threshold value (referred to as the surface quality threshold) is selected for comparison with the surface quality of the recording material. The first display element 164a and the second display element 164b are sheet-like objects that represent changes in the classification result based on differences in the texture of the objects. The first display element 164a has a coarser texture to represent that increasing the surface quality threshold makes it easier for sheets that were classified as relatively smooth before adjustment to be classified as less smooth. The second display element 164b has a smoother texture to represent that decreasing the surface quality threshold makes it easier for sheets that were classified as relatively less smooth before adjustment to be classified as more smooth.

[0107] Figures 16A to 16C are explanatory diagrams showing a fourth example of the configuration of an adjustment screen that may be provided in this embodiment. In the fourth example as well, the adjustable parameters are thresholds that constitute the classification model 123. Referring to Figure 16A, the classification adjustment screen 170 includes a threshold selection field 171, a value display field 172, a first input element 173a, a second input element 173b, a display element 174a, a test button 147, a cancel button 148, and a confirm button 149.

[0108] The threshold selection field 171 is a field for the user to select the threshold to be adjusted. The value display field 172 is a field for displaying the current value of the threshold selected for adjustment. The first input element 173a is an object for receiving a first input that instructs an increase in the selected threshold. The second input element 173b is an object for receiving a second input that instructs a decrease in the selected threshold. The display element 174a is a sheet-like object.

[0109] In the fourth example, the surface threshold is selected as the target of adjustment. The adjustment unit 134 adjusts the surface threshold in response to an instruction to adjust the threshold received via the first input element 173a or the second input element 173b. For example, when the first input element 173a is operated and the surface threshold increases, the display element 174a changes to the display element 174b on the screen, as shown in Figure 16B. The display element 174b is also a sheet-like object, and the difference in texture roughness compared to the display element 174a represents the change in the classification result. When the first input element 173a is operated again and the surface threshold increases further, the display element 174b changes to the display element 174c on the screen, as shown in Figure 16C. The display element 174c is also a sheet-like object, and the difference in texture roughness compared to the display element 174b represents the change in the classification result.

[0110] Figures 17A and 17B are explanatory diagrams showing a fifth example of the configuration of an adjustment screen that may be provided in this embodiment. In the fifth example, the adjustable parameters are a first threshold and a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, which constitute a classification model 123. The first and second thresholds are thresholds compared to specific physical properties. The classification unit 133 classifies the sheet into a specific type if the specific physical properties fall within the range from the first threshold to the second threshold. Referring to Figure 17A, the classification adjustment screen 180 includes a threshold selection field 181, a type selection field 182, a priority display field 183, a third input element 183a, a fourth input element 183b, third display elements 184a to 184f, a test button 147, a cancel button 148, and a confirm button 149.

[0111] The threshold selection field 181 is a field for the user to select the threshold to be adjusted. The type selection field 182 is a field for the user to select candidate sheet types related to the threshold selected for adjustment. In the fifth example, each candidate sheet type is assigned a priority. Priority is an indicator of the size of the subspace in the characteristic vector space corresponding to each type. That is, the higher the priority of a certain type, the more likely a sheet is to be classified into that type. The priority display field 183 is a field for displaying the current value of the priority of the type selected in the type selection field 182. The third input element 183a is an object for receiving a third input that indicates an increase in the priority of the type selected in the type selection field 182 (i.e., an expansion of the range from the first threshold to the second threshold that defines the corresponding subspace). The fourth input element 183b is an object for receiving a fourth input that indicates a decrease in the priority of the type selected in the type selection field 182 (i.e., a reduction in the range from the first threshold to the second threshold that defines the corresponding subspace). The third display elements 184a to 184f are objects that represent the classification result after an increase or decrease in priority, as instructed via the third input element 183a or the fourth input element 183b. The adjustment unit 134 adjusts the thresholds included in the classification model 123 in response to instructions for adjusting the first and second thresholds received via the third input element 183a or the fourth input element 183b.

[0112] In the examples in Figures 17A and 17B, the surface threshold is selected as the target for adjustment. Also, "recycled paper" is selected as the target for priority change. The third display elements 184a to 184f are sheet-like objects, and the difference in the texture of these objects represents the change in the classification result. In Figure 17A, only the third display elements 184c and 184d are labeled "recycled paper," while in Figure 17B, where the priority of "recycled paper" has been raised from 1 to 2, the third display elements 184b, 184c, 184d, and 184e are labeled "recycled paper." By observing these changes in display content, users can intuitively understand that raising the priority will result in more sheets being classified as "recycled paper."

[0113] Figure 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a sixth example of the configuration of an adjustment screen that may be provided in this embodiment. In the sixth example as well, the adjustable parameters are a first threshold and a second threshold that is greater than the first threshold, which constitute the classification model 123. The first and second thresholds are thresholds compared to specific physical properties. The classification unit 133 classifies the sheet into a specific type when the specific physical properties fall within the range from the first threshold to the second threshold. Referring to Figure 18, the classification adjustment screen 190 includes a threshold selection field 191, a type selection field 192, a priority display field 193, a third input element 193a, a fourth input element 193b, a third display element 194a, a fourth display element 194b, a test button 147, a cancel button 148, and a confirm button 149.

[0114] The threshold selection field 191 is a field for the user to select the threshold to be adjusted. The type selection field 192 is a field for the user to select a candidate type of sheet related to the threshold selected for adjustment. The priority display field 193 is a field for displaying the current priority value of the type selected in the type selection field 192. The third input element 193a is an object for receiving a third input that indicates an increase in the priority of the type selected in the type selection field 192 (i.e., an expansion of the range from the first threshold to the second threshold that defines the corresponding subspace). The fourth input element 193b is an object for receiving a fourth input that indicates a decrease in the priority of the type selected in the type selection field 192 (i.e., a reduction in the range from the first threshold to the second threshold that defines the corresponding subspace). The third display element 194a is an object that represents the result of the classification after the priority increase indicated via the third input element 193a. The fourth display element 194b is an object that represents the result of the classification after the priority decrease indicated via the fourth input element 193b. The adjustment unit 134 adjusts the thresholds included in the classification model 123 in response to instructions for adjusting the first and second thresholds received via the third input element 193a or the fourth input element 193b.

[0115] In the example in Figure 18, the surface threshold is selected as the object to be adjusted. Additionally, "recycled paper" is selected as the object to have its priority changed. The third and fourth display elements 194a and 194b are pie charts showing the proportion of recording materials classified into multiple categories, with the proportion of "recycled paper" being emphasized to represent the change in the classification results. Other types of graphs, such as bar graphs or striped graphs, may be used instead of pie charts. By viewing such graphs, users can intuitively understand how the classification results change with priority changes.

[0116] Even when the adjustable parameters are physical properties rather than threshold values, an adjustment screen similar to the first to sixth examples described above may be provided.

[0117] Figure 19A is an explanatory diagram showing a seventh example of the configuration of an adjustment screen that may be provided in this embodiment. In the seventh example, the adjustable parameter is a physical property value detected for the sheet to be classified. Referring to Figure 19A, the classification adjustment screen 240 includes a physical property selection field 241, a value display field 242, a first input element 243a, a second input element 243b, a first display element 244a, a second display element 244b, a test button 247, a cancel button 148, and a confirm button 149.

[0118] The physical property selection field 241 is a field for allowing the user to select the physical property value to be adjusted. The value display field 242 is a field for displaying the current adjustment value of the specific physical property value selected as the target of adjustment. In the example in Figure 19A, the adjustment value is an offset added to the detected physical property value. In other examples, the adjustment value may be a coefficient multiplied by the detected physical property value. The first input element 243a is an object for receiving a first input indicating an increase in the selected physical property value. The second input element 243b is an object for receiving a second input indicating a decrease in the selected physical property value. The first display element 244a is an object that represents the classification result after the increase in the physical property value indicated via the first input element 243a. The second display element 244b is an object that represents the classification result after the decrease in the physical property value indicated via the second input element 243b. The adjustment unit 134 updates the adjustment value to be used to adjust the detected physical property value in response to an instruction to adjust the physical property value received via the first input element 243a or the second input element 243b.

[0119] In the example shown in Figure 19A, the basis weight of the recording material is selected as the object to be adjusted. The basis weight adjustment is performed by increasing or decreasing the basis weight offset added to the detected basis weight. The first display element 244a and the second display element 244b are perspective views of a sheet-like object, representing the change in the classification result due to differences in the thickness of the object. The first display element 244a is depicted as a thicker sheet to represent that increasing the basis weight offset makes it easier for sheets that were classified as relatively thinner before adjustment to be classified as thicker. The second display element 244b is depicted as a thinner sheet to represent that decreasing the basis weight offset makes it easier for sheets that were classified as relatively thicker before adjustment to be classified as thinner.

[0120] The test button 247 is a trial instruction element for receiving an instruction for the classification unit 133 to attempt classification with the adjustable parameters adjusted based on an instruction received via the first input element 243a or the second input element 243b. When the user changes the adjustment value for a specific physical property selected by the user and operates the test button 247, the image forming apparatus 100 attempts to classify the sheet with the adjusted settings, and the classification result is displayed on the screen. The adjustment trial may be performed by actually transporting a new sheet and detecting its physical properties, or by adjusting already detected physical properties and applying them to the classification model 123 (i.e., by simulation).

[0121] Figure 19B is an explanatory diagram showing a eighth example of the configuration of an adjustment screen that may be provided in this embodiment. In the eighth example as well, the adjustable parameters are physical property values ​​detected for the sheet to be classified. Referring to Figure 19B, the classification adjustment screen 250 includes a physical property selection field 251, a value display field 252, a first input element 253a, a second input element 253b, a first display element 254a, a second display element 254b, a test button 247, a cancel button 148, and a confirm button 149.

[0122] The physical property selection field 251 is a field for allowing the user to select the physical property value to be adjusted. The value display field 252 is a field for displaying the current adjusted value of the physical property value selected as the target of adjustment. The first input element 253a is an object for receiving a first input indicating an increase in the selected physical property value. The second input element 253b is an object for receiving a second input indicating a decrease in the selected physical property value. The first display element 254a is an object that represents the classification result after the increase in the physical property value indicated via the first input element 253a. The second display element 254b is an object that represents the classification result after the decrease in the physical property value indicated via the second input element 253b. The adjustment unit 134 updates the adjustment value to be used for adjusting the detected physical property value in response to the instruction to adjust the physical property value received via the first input element 253a or the second input element 253b.

[0123] In the example shown in Figure 19B, the surface properties of the recording material are selected as the target of adjustment. Surface property adjustment is performed by increasing or decreasing the surface property offset added to the detected surface property. The first display element 254a and the second display element 254b are sheet-like objects, and the difference in the texture of these objects represents the change in the classification result. The first display element 254a has a smoother texture to represent that when the surface property offset is increased, sheets that were classified as relatively less smooth before adjustment are more likely to be classified as more smooth. The second display element 254b has a coarser texture to represent that when the surface property offset is decreased, sheets that were classified as relatively more smooth before adjustment are more likely to be classified as less smooth.

[0124] Figure 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an adjustment process that can be performed by the adjustment unit 134. The adjustment process in Figure 20 may be started, for example, after classification based on the physical properties of the sheet has been performed in paper type registration mode or printing mode.

[0125] First, in S111, the adjustment unit 134 displays a screen on the operation unit 106's display showing the sheet classification results. Next, in S112, the adjustment unit 134 waits for user input to instruct adjustment of the classification results. If no adjustment of the classification results is instructed, steps S113 to S119 are skipped. If adjustment of the classification results is instructed, the process proceeds to S113.

[0126] In S113, the adjustment unit 134 displays an adjustment screen on the display of the operation unit 106, as explained using Figures 13 to 19B. Next, in S114, the adjustment unit 134 receives user input instructing adjustment of the adjustable parameters selected by the user. Next, in S115, the adjustment unit 134 waits for instruction to attempt classification with the adjustable parameters adjusted. If no instruction is given for a classification attempt, steps S116 to S117 are skipped. If an instruction is given for a classification attempt, the process proceeds to S116.

[0127] In S116, the adjustment unit 134, in response to an instruction to attempt classification, feeds a new sheet to the first transport path 11 and causes the sensor to detect at least one physical property value. Then, in S117, the classification unit 133 classifies the sheet into one of several types by applying the at least one physical property value detected in S116 to the classification model 123. Classification here includes comparing the physical property value with the adjusted threshold if the adjustable parameter is a threshold value compared to a specific physical property value, and comparing the adjusted physical property value with the threshold if the adjustable parameter is a specific physical property value. The classification unit 133 outputs the classification result to the adjustment unit 134.

[0128] Next, in S118, the adjustment unit 134 displays the results of the classification trial on the adjustment screen and waits for user input. If the user continues the adjustment, the process returns to S114, and further adjustments are made to the adjustable parameters. If the user chooses to end the adjustment, the process proceeds to S119. In S119, the adjustment unit 134 updates the adjustment values ​​to be used to adjust the classification model 123 or specific physical properties based on the adjustment results. If the user chooses to cancel the adjustment, S119 is skipped. The adjustment process shown in Figure 20 then ends.

[0129] In this section, basis weight and surface properties were primarily used as examples of specific physical properties. However, the various examples for adjusting the classification results described above can also be applied to other physical properties such as sheet thickness, stiffness, volume resistivity, and volume resistivity, as well as the thresholds used to compare them.

[0130] <2. Second Embodiment> In the second embodiment described in this section, further improvements are made to the usability related to the automatic determination and user specification of the sheet type. The overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 200 according to the second embodiment may be the same as the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment described with reference to Figure 1.

[0131] Figure 21 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 200. Referring to Figure 21, the image forming apparatus 200 includes an operation unit 106, a communication interface 108, a controller 210, and a storage device 220. The controller 210 is connected via an internal bus to the first sensors 41a, 41b, the second sensors 44a, 44b, the image forming unit 101, the post-processing unit 102, the feeding unit 103, the operation unit 106, the communication interface 108, and the storage device 220.

[0132] The controller 210 is a control means that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 200. The controller 210 may be built into any of the image forming unit 101, the post-processing unit 102, and the feeding unit 103, or it may be distributed among these units, or it may be installed outside of these units. In the example in Figure 21, the controller 210 includes a CPU 211, a ROM 112, and a RAM 113.

[0133] The CPU 211 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 200 by executing a computer program loaded from the ROM 112 into the RAM 113. For example, the CPU 211 controls the transport of sheets from the feeding unit 103, the formation of images on the sheets in the image forming unit 101, and the application of post-processing to the sheets in the post-processing unit 102. In particular, in this embodiment, the CPU 211 functions as a registration unit 131, a print control unit 232, a classification unit 133, and an adjustment unit 134.

[0134] In this embodiment as well, the image forming apparatus 200 provides multiple operating modes: a paper type registration mode, a printing mode with automatic detection, and a printing mode without automatic detection. The registration unit 131 is a control means responsible for transport control and other controls in the paper type registration mode. The print control unit 232 is a control means responsible for transport control and other controls in the print mode. The processing flow that can be executed by these control means may be the same as the flow described with reference to Figures 7 to 9, except that statistical data is updated, which will be described later.

[0135] The storage device 220 is a storage means having a large storage area, such as an HDD. In this embodiment, the storage device 220 stores a characteristics DB 121, deck data 122, a classification model 123, and statistical data 234. The statistical data 234 is data that shows statistics regarding the classification of recording materials into multiple types. The statistical data 234 may include, for example, the number of sheets used for print jobs in the past for each type of sheet registered in the characteristics DB 121. Additionally or alternatively, the statistical data 234 may include the number of print jobs executed in the past for each type of sheet registered in the characteristics DB 121. These statistical values ​​may be aggregated based on either automatic determination of the sheet type or user specification, or based on both.

[0136] The print control unit 232 provides the user with a setting screen via the operation unit 106, which allows the user to select one of two print modes: one with automatic detection and one without. When the print mode without automatic detection is selected, the print control unit 232 displays display elements on the setting screen, each representing one of several options for the type of sheet. These display elements are selectable by the user, and the user specifies the type of sheet to be used for the print job by manipulating one of the display elements. When the print mode with automatic detection is selected, the print control unit 232 makes it possible for the user to determine that the display elements representing the multiple options for the type of sheet are unavailable.

[0137] As an example, the print control unit 232 may display display elements for multiple options on the settings screen in a more emphasized manner compared to when a print mode with automatic detection is selected, when a print mode without automatic detection is selected. The emphasis of the display elements may be achieved by one or more of the following: enlarging the object size, enlarging the font size, and changing the display color. The emphasis of the display elements may be performed only for the option operated by the user (or the default option). When a print mode with automatic detection is selected, none of the display elements are emphasized. As another example, the print control unit 232 may hide the display elements that are displayed when a print mode without automatic detection is selected when a print mode with automatic detection is selected. In this way, by making it possible for the user to determine that the display elements for specifying the sheet type are unavailable when automatic detection of the sheet type is enabled, the mode selection status can be presented to the user in an easy-to-understand manner, and the efficiency of print settings work can be improved.

[0138] When a print job is executed, the print control unit 232 updates the statistical data 234 stored in the storage device 220 based on which of several types the sheet is classified to. In addition, in print mode without automatic determination, the print control unit 232 displays type-related information based on the statistical data 234 on the display in the settings screen for setting up the print job. This settings screen may, for example, be a screen that accepts the specification of the type of sheet to be used for the print job. Alternatively, the settings screen may be a screen that accepts the specification of the deck to be used for the print job from among several decks that each contain a sheet.

[0139] Figure 22 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a print settings screen for setting up a print job. In the example in Figure 22, a tab for paper settings is displayed, and the print settings screen 350 includes a paper type selection area 360, a size selection area 365, and usage statistics buttons 366. The paper type selection area 360 includes a checkbox 361 and several paper type buttons 362a to 362h. The checkbox 361 is an object that accepts a setting for whether or not to enable automatic determination of the sheet type. In the example in Figure 22, the checkbox 361 is unchecked, and therefore automatic determination of the sheet type is not enabled. The paper type buttons 362a to 362h are display elements for the multiple sheet type options mentioned above. In the example in Figure 22, the paper type button 362a corresponding to "Plain Paper 1" is displayed more prominently than the paper type button 362b and the other buttons, either as the default selection or as a result of user operation. In the size selection area 365, one of the display elements for the multiple sheet size options is also displayed more prominently. The statistics usage button 366 is a button that accepts instructions to retrieve type-related information based on statistical data 234.

[0140] When a user operates the usage statistics button 366, the print control unit 232 displays type-related information on the print settings screen 350. Figure 23 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the screen that displays type-related information based on statistical data 234. Referring to Figure 23, the print settings screen 350 includes a statistics display area 370. The statistics display area 370 shows the values ​​of "number of jobs used" and "number of sheets used" in a table format for each combination of sheet type and size. By referring to this statistical information for each sheet type, the user can understand how many times each type of sheet has actually been used in the past, and more accurately specify the type to be specified for a new print job. For example, in the statistics display area 370 of Figure 23, the values ​​of "number of jobs used" and "number of sheets used" for "plain paper 2" are significantly smaller compared to other types. This suggests that "plain paper 2" may have been incorrectly specified in the past. Therefore, the user may only select "plain paper 2" if they are certain that the sheet they intend to use is "plain paper 2". Note that statistical information for each sheet type may be displayed on the same screen or in the same area as the paper type selection area 360 in Figure 22. In that case, the statistics usage button 366 may be omitted from the screen configuration.

[0141] Figure 24A is an explanatory diagram showing a first example of the configuration of the print settings screen 350 when automatic detection is enabled. In the example in Figure 24A, checkbox 361 on the print settings screen 350 is checked, and therefore automatic detection of the sheet type is enabled. In the paper type selection area 360, the paper type buttons 362a to 362h are hidden, so the user cannot specify the sheet type. In the size selection area 365, the display elements for selecting the sheet size are also hidden.

[0142] Figure 24B is an explanatory diagram showing a second example of the configuration of the print settings screen 350 when automatic detection is enabled. In the example of Figure 24B, the checkbox 361 on the print settings screen 350 is also checked, and therefore automatic detection of the sheet type is enabled. In the paper type selection area 360, the paper type buttons 362a to 362h are displayed, but none of the buttons are highlighted. In the size selection area 365, none of the display elements for selecting the sheet size are highlighted.

[0143] Figure 25 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of transport control processing that can be performed in the print mode according to the second embodiment. The transport control processing in Figure 25 is started when the settings are completed in the print setting screen 350 described above and the execution of the print job is instructed. Below, only the parts that differ from the transport control processing described using Figure 8 will be explained.

[0144] After the image is formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 101 in S28, the print control unit 232 adds 1 to a counter used to count the number of sheets used in the print job in S29. The initial value of the counter is zero. The value of the counter is incremented each time an image is formed on a page. When it is determined in S30 that the print job has finished, in S37 the print control unit 232 updates the record of statistical data 234 corresponding to the type of sheet used in the print job. For example, the print control unit 232 adds 1 to the number of times the job has been executed and adds the value of the counter to the number of sheets used. Then the transport control process shown in Figure 25 is completed.

[0145] Up to this point, we have described various examples of user interfaces for improving the usability of automatic determination and user specification of recording material types. The examples described above can be combined in any way. For example, statistical information by sheet type, as described in the second embodiment, may be displayed as supplementary information on the adjustment screen described using Figures 17A, 17B, and 18.

[0146] <3. Other Embodiments> The adjustment screen described in the first embodiment may be displayed by any display device. The display device may be, for example, an operation unit 106 connected to the controller 110 of the image forming apparatus 100 via an internal bus, or an external device connected via a communication interface 108 and a network. The external device may be, for example, a host computer, or a user terminal such as a personal computer (PC) or smartphone. The display device comprises display means (e.g., a display) and display control means (e.g., a CPU) that controls the display means to display an adjustment screen that allows the user to adjust the classification results. User input to the adjustment screen may be any form of input, such as touch input, input by a pointing device such as a mouse, key input, or voice input. The various embodiments related to the adjustment screen described above are also applicable to such display devices.

[0147] Similarly, the settings screen described in the second embodiment may be displayed by any display device. The display device may be, for example, an operation unit 106 connected to the controller 210 of the image forming apparatus 200 via an internal bus, or an external device connected via a communication interface 108 and a network. User input to the settings screen may be any form of input, such as touch input, input using a pointing device such as a mouse, key input, or voice input. The various embodiments related to the settings screen described above are also applicable to such display devices.

[0148] <4. Other Embodiments> The present invention can also be realized in the form of a process in which a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0149] The technical ideas derived from this disclosure are not limited to the exemplary embodiments disclosed, but are intended to encompass various modifications of the exemplary embodiments, or substitutions with equivalent structures or functions. The scope of the following claims should be interpreted in the broadest way to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

[0150] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-017912, filed on February 5, 2025, and all of its contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0151] 11: First transport path, 12: Second transport path, 13: Third transport path, 40a, 40b, 40c: High-capacity deck, 41a, 41b: First sensor, 44a, 44b: Second sensor, 46: Escape tray, 48: Manual feed tray, 49: Fourth transport path, 100, 200: Image forming apparatus, 101: Image forming unit, 102: Post-processing unit, 103: Feeding unit, 104: Main unit, 105: Fixing unit, 110, 210: Controller, 120, 220: Storage device, 121: Characteristics DB, 122: Deck data, 123: Classification model, 224: Statistical data, 131: Registration unit, 132, 232: Printing control unit, 133: Classification unit, 134: Adjustment unit

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a transport path for transporting recording material; detection means for detecting one or more physical properties of the recording material; classification means for classifying the recording material into one of a plurality of types by applying the detected one or more physical properties to a given classification model; image forming means for forming an image on the recording material using image forming conditions obtained based on the result of the classification by the classification means; and adjustment means for displaying an adjustment screen on a display means that allows a user to adjust the result of the classification, wherein the classification model includes a first threshold value compared with a specific physical property value among the one or more physical properties, and the adjustment means causes the adjustment screen to display at least one input element that accepts input instructing adjustment of the first threshold, and at least one display element that expresses the change in the result of the classification before and after adjustment of the first threshold instructed via the input element.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one input element includes a first input element that receives a first input indicating an increase in the first threshold, and the at least one display element includes a first display element that represents the result of the classification after the increase in the first threshold indicated via the first input element.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one input element includes a second input element that receives a second input indicating a reduction of the first threshold, and the at least one display element includes a second display element that expresses the result of the classification after the reduction of the first threshold indicated via the second input element.

4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the classification model further includes a second threshold greater than the first threshold, which is compared with the specific physical property value, the classification means classifies the recording material into a specific type when the specific physical property value falls within the range from the first threshold to the second threshold, the at least one input element includes a third input element that receives a third input instructing an expansion or contraction of the range from the first threshold to the second threshold, and the at least one display element includes a third display element that expresses the result of the classification after the expansion or contraction of the range instructed via the third input element.

5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the specific physical property is the basis weight of the recording material, and the at least one display element is a perspective view of a sheet-like object, which expresses a change in the classification result due to differences in the thickness of the object.

6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the specific physical property is the surface properties of the recording material, and the at least one display element is a sheet-like object that expresses the change in the classification result by differences in the texture of the object.

7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one display element is a graph showing the proportion of recording materials classified into the plurality of types.

8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the adjustment means adjusts the first threshold included in the classification model in response to an instruction to adjust the first threshold received via the at least one input element, and the classification means applies one or more physical properties to the classification model, which includes comparing the specific physical properties with the adjusted first threshold.

9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the adjustment means further displays on the adjustment screen an instruction for the classification means to perform a trial of the classification in a state in which the first threshold has been adjusted based on the instruction received via the at least one input element.

10. A display device connected to an apparatus that classifies a recording material into one of a plurality of types by applying one or more physical properties detected with respect to the recording material to a given classification model, wherein the classification model includes a first threshold value compared with a specific physical property value among the one or more physical properties, and the display device comprises: a display means; and a display control means that controls the display means to display an adjustment screen that allows a user to adjust the result of the classification, wherein the display control means causes the adjustment screen to display at least one input element that accepts input instructing adjustment of the first threshold value, and at least one display element that represents the change in the result of the classification before and after adjustment of the first threshold value instructed via the input element.

11. An image forming apparatus comprising: a transport path for transporting recording material; detection means for detecting one or more physical properties of the recording material; classification means for classifying the recording material into one of a plurality of types by applying the detected one or more physical properties to a given classification model; image forming means for forming an image on the recording material using image forming conditions obtained based on the result of the classification by the classification means; and adjustment means for displaying an adjustment screen on a display means that allows a user to adjust the result of the classification, wherein the classification model includes a first threshold value compared with a specific physical property value among the one or more physical properties, and the adjustment means causes the adjustment screen to display at least one input element that accepts input instructing adjustment of the specific physical property value, and at least one display element that expresses the change in the result of the classification before and after adjustment of the specific physical property value instructed via the input element.

12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the at least one input element includes a first input element that receives a first input indicating an increase in the specific physical property, and the at least one display element includes a first display element that expresses the result of the classification after the increase in the specific physical property indicated via the first input element.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the at least one input element includes a second input element that receives a second input indicating a decrease in the specific physical property, and the at least one display element includes a second display element that expresses the result of the classification after the decrease in the specific physical property indicated via the second input element.

14. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the specific physical property is the basis weight of the recording material, and the at least one display element is a perspective view of a sheet-like object, which expresses a change in the classification result due to differences in the thickness of the object.

15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the specific physical property is the surface properties of the recording material, and the at least one display element is a sheet-like object that expresses the change in the classification result by differences in the texture of the object.

16. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the at least one display element is a graph showing the proportion of recording materials classified into the plurality of types.

17. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the adjustment means updates an adjustment value to be used to adjust the specific physical property in response to an instruction to adjust the specific physical property received through the at least one input element, and the classification means applies the one or more physical properties to the classification model, which includes comparing the specific physical property adjusted using the adjustment value with the first threshold.

18. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the adjustment means further displays on the adjustment screen an instruction for the classification means to perform an attempt at classification in which the specific physical property values ​​have been adjusted based on the instruction received via the at least one input element.

19. A display device connected to an apparatus that classifies a recording material into one of a plurality of types by applying one or more physical properties detected for the recording material to a given classification model, wherein the classification model includes a first threshold value compared with a specific physical property value among the one or more physical properties, and the display device comprises: a display means; and a display control means that controls the display means to display an adjustment screen that allows a user to adjust the result of the classification, wherein the display control means causes the adjustment screen to display at least one input element that accepts input instructing adjustment of the specific physical property value, and at least one display element that represents the change in the result of the classification before and after adjustment of the specific physical property value instructed via the input element.

Images