Decoloring device consecutively decoloring image on sheet, management device causing decoloring device to consecutively decoloring image on sheet, and decoloring system including decoloring device and management device

A management device which communicates with a decoloring device including a sheet conveying path which conveys a sheet to each unit therein, a sheet feeding unit which feeds a sheet on which an image is formed with a decolorable colorant to the sheet conveying path from a sheet-stacking part, a scanning unit which is provided downstream of the sheet feeding unit on the sheet conveying path and scans an image on a sheet, a communication unit which transmits image data of a preceding sheet scanned by the scanning unit, and a decoloring unit which is provided downstream of the scanning unit on the sheet conveying path and decolors an image on a sheet, wherein

• the management device transmits to the decoloring device determination data which indicates at least whether or not the preceding sheet is reusable is produced based on the image data, thereby causing the preceding sheet to be conveyed to a predetermined conveyance destination in the decoloring device based on the determination data,
• the management device transmits to the decoloring device ability data of the management device and a first reception time indication data, both of which are related to time taken for the decoloring device to receive the determination data from the management device, thereby causing a following sheet to be fed to the sheet conveying path with a first sheet feeding interval at which the leading end of the following sheet does not run into the tail end of the preceding sheet based on the ability data and the reception time indication data even if the preceding sheet is held until the determination data is received in the decoloring device, and
• the management device transmits to the decoloring device a second reception time indication data when a process other than the generation of the determination data and the first reception time indication data is started, or when the process other than the generation of the determination data and the first reception time indication data is ended, thereby causing the following sheet to be fed to the sheet conveying path with a second sheet feeding interval at which the leading end of the following sheet does not run into the tail end of the preceding sheet even if the preceding sheet is held until the determination data is received, based on the second reception time indication data.

A decoloring system comprising:

• a decoloring device including a sheet conveying path which conveys a sheet, a sheet feeding unit which feeds a sheet on which an image is formed with a decolorable colorant to the sheet conveying path from a sheet-stacking part, a scanning unit which is provided downstream of the sheet feeding unit on the sheet conveying path and scans an image on a sheet, a communication unit which transmits image data of a preceding sheet scanned by the scanning unit, and a decoloring unit which is provided downstream of the scanning unit on the sheet conveying path and decolors an image on a sheet;
• and
• a management device which communicates with the decoloring device, produces determination data which indicates at least whether or not the preceding sheet is reusable based on the image data and then transmits the determination data to the decoloring device, thereby causing the preceding sheet to be conveyed to a predetermined conveyance destination in the decoloring device based on the determination data, and transmits ability data of the management device or a first reception time indication data, both of which are related to time taken for the decoloring device to receive the determination data to the decoloring device, thereby causing a following sheet to be fed to the sheet conveying path with a first sheet feeding interval at which the leading end of the following sheet does not run into the tail end of the preceding sheet based on the ability data or the reception time indication data even if the preceding sheet is held until the determination data is received in the decoloring device, wherein
• the management device transmits to the decoloring device a second reception time indication data when a process other than the generation of the determination data and the first reception time indication data is started, or when the process other than the generation of the determination data and the first reception time indication data is ended, thereby causing the following sheet to be fed to the sheet conveying path with a second sheet feeding interval at which the leading end of the following sheet does not run into the tail end of the preceding sheet even if the preceding sheet is held until the determination data is received, based on the second reception time indication data.