Information processing system, program product, and information processing method

Abstract

Provided are an information processing system, a program product, and an information processing method, the information processing system comprising a processor that performs processes of: performing continuous printing while performing a print quality check on a plurality of printed matters; stopping continuous printing of the printed matter and re-printing the unqualified printed matter when the inspection result is that the unqualified printed matter is generated; and when the inspection result of the reprinted reprinted matter is qualified, printing a subsequent printed matter following the qualified reprinted matter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a program product, and an information processing method. The present invention can also be applied to a program and a program product. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses an inspection system for inspecting the quality of printed matter, the inspection system comprising: an inspection component for inspecting the quality of the printed matter based on a comparison between a scanned image obtained by scanning the printed matter and a reference image; a display control component for displaying a screen for accepting a first mode for accepting an inspection result of the printed matter without switching the paper discharge end of the printed matter and a second mode for accepting an inspection result of the printed matter; a receiving component for accepting, via the screen, the first mode for accepting an inspection result of the printed matter without switching the paper discharge end of the printed matter and the second mode for accepting an inspection result of the printed matter; and a control component for controlling the paper discharge end of the printed matter based on the inspection result obtained by the inspection component and the mode accepted by the receiving component.

[0003] Patent document 2 discloses an inspection device that compares a reference image with a printed matter to inspect the printed matter, and the inspection device comprises: a control mechanism that exclusively controls an inspection mode as the inspection, wherein the inspection mode switches to a mode of a paper discharge end of a printed matter where a defect is confirmed, and an inspection operation of inspecting a printed matter consisting of multiple printed matters or an inspection type of inspecting sequential printed matters.

[0004] Patent document 3 discloses a printing system, which is characterized by comprising: a printing component that performs printing processing in units of pages according to a print job; and an inspection component that compares a read image obtained by reading an image on a printed sheet of a page that is printed according to the print job with a correct image associated with and registered with the print job, and inspects whether there are printing defects on the printed sheet, wherein the print job includes setting information that specifies an action mode of the printing action when a printing defect is detected in the inspection, and when a printing defect is detected in the inspection, the printing component determines the page to be printed next among the pages specified in the print job according to the action mode indicated by the setting information.

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-165020

[0006] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-146528

[0007] Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-148533 Summary of the Invention

[0008] The present invention aims to reduce the amount of waste printed materials compared to a case where, when a plurality of printed materials are continuously printed while inspecting print quality, if a printed material with an inspection result being unacceptable is generated, continuous printing is restarted from the unacceptable printed material.

[0009] The information processing system according to the first aspect includes a processor,

[0010] The processor performs the following processing:

[0011] Continuous printing while checking the print quality of multiple printed materials;

[0012] When a printed matter is generated that has an unqualified inspection result, the continuous printing of the printed matter is stopped and the unqualified printed matter is printed again; and

[0013] When the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is qualified, subsequent prints following the qualified reprint are printed.

[0014] The information processing system according to the second aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect,

[0015] The processor performs the following processing:

[0016] When the inspection result of the reprinted material is unqualified, performing a test print without printing an image on the recording medium; and

[0017] When the inspection result of the test printed product based on the test printing is acceptable, printing of the subsequent printed product is suspended.

[0018] The information processing system according to the third aspect is the information processing system according to the second aspect,

[0019] The processor performs the following processing:

[0020] The test printing is performed on a recording medium accommodated in the same accommodating portion as the recording medium used for the failed printed material.

[0021] The information processing system according to the fourth aspect is the information processing system according to the second aspect or the third aspect,

[0022] The processor performs the following processing:

[0023] When the inspection result of the test print is unqualified, performing retest printing without printing an image on a recording medium accommodated in a storage section different from the one storing the recording medium used for the test print; and

[0024] When the inspection result of the retest printed product based on the retest printing is acceptable, the subsequent printed product is printed using the recording medium accommodated in the other accommodating portion.

[0025] The information processing system according to the fifth aspect is the information processing system according to the fourth aspect,

[0026] The processor performs the following processing:

[0027] The other storage section is a storage section that stores a recording medium of the same size and type as the recording medium stored in the one storage section.

[0028] The information processing system according to the sixth aspect is the information processing system according to the fourth aspect or the fifth aspect,

[0029] The processor performs the following processing:

[0030] When the inspection result of the test print is unqualified, the retest printing is performed until the other accommodation parts disappear.

[0031] The information processing system according to the seventh aspect is the information processing system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects,

[0032] The processor performs the following processing:

[0033] Discharge the printed materials that pass the inspection to the pass discharge unit;

[0034] Discharging the printed matter whose inspection result is unqualified and the printed matter being printed after the unqualified printed matter to a discharging section for unqualified;

[0035] discharging the reprinted material having an acceptable inspection result to the acceptable discharge unit; and

[0036] The reprinted material whose inspection result indicates failure is discharged to the failure discharge unit.

[0037] The information processing system according to the eighth aspect is the information processing system according to the seventh aspect,

[0038] The processor performs the following processing:

[0039] discharging the subsequent printed matter, the inspection result of which is qualified, to the qualified discharge unit; and

[0040] When the subsequent printed material is generated with an unacceptable inspection result, the unacceptable subsequent printed material and the subsequent printed material being printed after the unacceptable subsequent printed material are discharged to the unacceptable discharge unit, and printing of the subsequent printed material is stopped.

[0041] The information processing system according to the ninth aspect is the information processing system according to any one of the first to eighth aspects,

[0042] The processor performs the following processing:

[0043] Each time the subsequent printed matter is printed, determining an inspection result of the subsequent printed matter; and

[0044] When the subsequent printed matter having the inspection result of being qualified continues for a prescribed number of times, the subsequent printed matter is printed continuously.

[0045] The program product according to the tenth aspect records an information processing program for causing a computer to execute the following processing:

[0046] Continuous printing while checking the print quality of multiple printed materials;

[0047] When a printed matter is generated that has an unqualified inspection result, the continuous printing of the printed matter is stopped and the unqualified printed matter is printed again; and

[0048] When the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is qualified, subsequent prints following the qualified reprint are printed.

[0049] The information processing method according to the eleventh embodiment includes the following steps:

[0050] Continuous printing while checking the print quality of multiple printed materials;

[0051] When a printed matter is generated that has an unqualified inspection result, the continuous printing of the printed matter is stopped and the unqualified printed matter is printed again; and

[0052] When the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is qualified, subsequent prints following the qualified reprint are printed.

[0053] Effects of the Invention

[0054] According to the first aspect, when a printed material with an unacceptable inspection result is generated, the amount of discarded printed materials is reduced compared to a case where continuous printing is restarted from the unacceptable printed material.

[0055] According to the second aspect, it is possible to distinguish whether the cause of failure of a printed material is due to the recording medium or due to printing.

[0056] According to the third aspect, it is easier to distinguish whether the printed product failure is caused by the recording medium or the printing, compared to the case where a test print is performed on a recording medium accommodated in a different accommodating portion from the recording medium used for the failed printed product.

[0057] According to the fourth aspect, when the inspection result of the test printed material is unacceptable, the continuity of printing of the subsequent printed material is improved compared to the case where a test print is re-performed on the recording medium accommodated in the same accommodation portion.

[0058] According to the fifth aspect, it is easier to distinguish whether the cause of print failure is due to the recording medium or the printing, compared to the case where test printing is performed again on a recording medium of a different size or type from the recording medium accommodated in one accommodating portion.

[0059] According to the sixth aspect, when the inspection result of the test printed material is unacceptable, the continuity of printing of the subsequent printed material is improved compared to the case where the retest printing is performed only once.

[0060] According to the seventh aspect, acceptable printed materials and acceptable reprinted materials are collected in the acceptable discharge section.

[0061] According to the eighth aspect, acceptable printed materials, acceptable reprinted materials, and acceptable subsequent printed materials are collected in the acceptable discharge section.

[0062] According to the ninth aspect, the amount of discarded printed materials is reduced compared to a case where a plurality of subsequent printed materials are continuously printed when the inspection result of the reprinted material is acceptable.

[0063] According to the tenth aspect, the amount of discarded printed materials is reduced compared to a case where, when a printed material with an unacceptable inspection result is generated, continuous printing is restarted from the unacceptable printed material.

[0064] According to the eleventh aspect, the amount of discarded printed materials is reduced compared to a case where, when a printed material with an unacceptable inspection result is generated, continuous printing is restarted from the unacceptable printed material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0066] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to one embodiment;

[0067] Figure 2 Yes Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG.

[0068] Figure 3 Yes Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG.

[0069] Figure 4 Yes Figure 1 A block diagram of the hardware structure of the image forming system shown;

[0070] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 Functional block diagram of the image forming system shown;

[0071] Figure 6 Yes Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG.

[0072] Figure 7 Yes Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG.

[0073] Figure 8 Yes Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG.

[0074] Figure 9 Yes Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print inspection process of the image forming system shown in FIG.

[0075] Explanation of symbols

[0076] 10-image forming system (information processing system, information processing device), 20T-storage tray (storage unit), 30T-ejection tray (discharge unit for rejected products), 40T-discharge tray (discharge unit for accepted products), 50-CPU (processor). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0077] Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0078] (Overview of Image Forming System)

[0079] exist Figure 1 1 shows an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment. The image forming system 10 includes a printing device 20, an inspection device 30, and a post-processing device 40. The image forming system 10 is an example of an information processing system and an information processing device.

[0080] (Printing device)

[0081] The printing device 20 has a plurality of storage trays 20T for storing paper. The printing device 20 has a printing function for printing an image on paper supplied from any of the plurality of storage trays 20T. Note that paper is an example of a recording medium, and the storage tray 20T is an example of a storage unit.

[0082] (Inspection device)

[0083] The inspection device 30 has a function of inspecting the print quality of the received printed paper (printed material) after receiving an image printed from the printer 20. The inspection device 30 determines whether the printed material received from the printer 20 has any abnormalities such as corner folds, printed dirt, or misalignment.

[0084] Specifically, the inspection device 30 includes an ejection tray 30T for ejecting printed materials. The inspection device 30 receives a reference image (correct image) such as a raster image generated based on image data to be printed on paper from the printer 20. Furthermore, the inspection device 30 scans the image of the printed material received from the printer 20. The inspection device 30 compares the reference image received from the printer 20 with an inspection image such as a raster image based on the scanned image to determine whether there are any abnormalities in the printed material.

[0085] If the printed material is determined to contain an abnormality, the inspection device 30 determines the inspection result as unacceptable and discharges the printed material to the rejection tray 30T. On the other hand, if the printed material is determined to contain no abnormality, the inspection device 30 determines the inspection result as acceptable and supplies the printed material to the post-processing device 40. The rejection tray 30T is an example of a rejection discharge unit.

[0086] (Post-processing device)

[0087] The post-processing device 40 performs various post-processing operations on the printed materials inspected by the inspection device 30, such as folding, stapling, punching, and bookleting, and then discharges the post-processed printed materials to a predetermined discharge tray 40T. The processing content of the post-processing device 40 can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the discharge tray 40T is an example of a pass-only discharge unit.

[0088] (Continuous Printing)

[0089] The image forming system 10 has a continuous printing function. This continuous printing function allows, for example, the continuous printing of multiple printed materials while simultaneously inspecting print quality. Specifically, in continuous printing, the printing device 20 prints images on multiple sheets of paper sequentially fed from the storage tray 20T, and the printed materials with the images are sequentially inspected in the inspection device 30. Then, in the inspection device 30, the printed materials that pass the inspection are post-processed in the post-processing device 40 and discharged to a predetermined discharge tray 40T.

[0090] Here, if Figure 2As shown, in continuous printing, when a printed matter with an unqualified inspection result is generated in the inspection device 30 (printed matter of 6p), not only the unqualified printed matter, but also the printed matter in the printing that continues after the unqualified printed matter (printed matter of 7 and 8p), that is, all the paper existing on the paper conveying path (paper conveying path) from the accommodating tray 20T to the inspection by the inspection device 30 are discharged to the exclusion tray 30T.

[0091] Then, if Figure 3 As shown, in the inspection device 30, continuous printing (reprinting) is restarted from the printed matter (printed matter of 6p) whose inspection result is unqualified. Figure 3 As indicated by the two-dot chain line in the figure, the reprinted product (printed product at 6p) that has passed the quality inspection by the inspection device 30 and the subsequent printed products (printed products at 7-11p) that follow the reprinted product are discharged to the discharge tray 40T of the post-processing device 40. This is because if a printed product with an unqualified inspection result is generated in the inspection device 30, and only the unqualified printed product (printed product at 6p) is discharged to the discharge tray 30T, and the subsequent printed products (printed products at 7 and 8p) that are still being printed are discharged to the discharge tray 40T of the post-processing device 40, the page order of the printed products on the discharge tray 40T will be disordered.

[0092] However, as mentioned above, when a printed material with an unqualified inspection result is produced during continuous printing, if not only the unqualified printed material but also the printed material being printed after the unqualified printed material are discharged to the exclusion tray 30T, the amount of paper discarded (the amount of paper loss) increases compared to the case where only the unqualified printed material is discharged to the exclusion tray 30T.

[0093] In particular, when reprinting is performed, the printed matter that was rejected by the inspection device 30 may be rejected again by the inspection device 30 , and thus the amount of discarded paper may increase.

[0094] Furthermore, as the paper conveyance path from the storage tray 20T to the inspection device 30 becomes longer, and printed materials with unacceptable inspection results are generated in the inspection device 30 , the number of paper sheets discharged to the rejection tray 30T increases.

[0095] Furthermore, as the paper transport speed increases, if printed materials are inspected by the inspection device 30 and fail the inspection, the number of sheets remaining in the paper transport path from the storage tray 20T to the inspection device 30 increases, and thus the number of sheets discharged to the ejection tray 30T increases. Furthermore, if printed materials fail the inspection by the inspection device 30, not only does the amount of paper discarded increase, but the amount of toner used in printing and the printing time also increase.

[0096] Therefore, in the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment, when a printed material is generated in the inspection device 30 and its inspection result is unsatisfactory, continuous printing is stopped and only the unsatisfactory printed material is reprinted. Furthermore, when the inspection result of the reprinted material reprinted in the inspection device 30 is satisfactory, the subsequent printed material following the satisfactory reprinted material is printed. The image forming system 10 according to this embodiment is described in detail below.

[0097] (Hardware Structure of Image Forming System)

[0098] First, the hardware structure of the image forming system 10 will be described. In addition, for the sake of convenience, the hardware structure of the image forming system 10 will be described below, but the printing device 20, the inspection device 30 and the post-processing device 40 may also be respectively equipped with the following hardware structure: Figure 4 The hardware structure shown.

[0099] like Figure 4 As shown, the image forming system 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 54, a memory 56, an input unit 58, a display unit 60, a communication interface (I / F) 62, an image reading unit 64, an image forming unit 66, an inspection unit 68, and a post-processing unit 70. These components are connected to each other via a bus 72 so as to be communicable with each other.

[0100] The CPU 50 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls various components. Specifically, the CPU 50 reads programs from the ROM 52 or memory 56 and executes them using the RAM 54 as a work area. The CPU 50 controls the various components described above and performs various calculations according to the programs stored in the ROM 52 or memory 56. The CPU 50 is an example of a processor.

[0101] The ROM 52 stores various information processing programs and various data. The RAM 54 serves as a work area for the CPU 50 and temporarily stores programs and data.

[0102] The memory 56 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. The memory 56 also stores a response processing program.

[0103] The input unit 58 includes operation buttons and the like for performing various inputs. The display unit 60 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various information. The display unit 60 may also be a touch panel and function as an input unit.

[0104] The communication I / F 62 is an interface for communicating with other devices, and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0105] The image reading unit 64 includes a scanner, etc., and optically reads image data from a document, etc. The image forming unit 66 prints the image data read by the image reading unit 64 or image data received from an operation terminal (not shown) on a recording medium such as paper.

[0106] The inspection unit 68 includes a scanner or the like, and optically reads image data from a sheet (printed material) on which an image is printed by the image forming unit 66 .

[0107] The post-processing unit 70 includes various post-processing mechanisms such as a folding mechanism for recording media such as paper, a stapling mechanism, a punching mechanism, and a booklet-making mechanism, and performs post-processing on printed materials inspected by the inspection device 30 .

[0108] (Functions of the Image Forming System)

[0109] Next, the functions of the image forming system 10 will be described.

[0110] When the image forming system 10 executes the aforementioned information processing program, the image forming system 10 uses the aforementioned hardware resources to implement various functions of the printing device 20 , the inspection device 30 , and the post-processing device 40 .

[0111] (Printing device)

[0112] Specifically, if Figure 5 As shown, the printing device 20 functionally includes a print request acquisition unit 22 , a supply unit 24 , a printing unit 26 , and a print control unit 28 .

[0113] The print request acquisition unit 22 acquires a print request (print job) including, for example, print image information (print data), paper size, and the number of prints input to the image forming system 10 .

[0114] The supply unit 24 supplies paper stored in a predetermined storage tray 20T among the plurality of storage trays 20T to the printing unit 26. The printing unit 26 prints an image on the paper supplied from the supply unit 24.

[0115] (Continuous Printing)

[0116] The print control unit 28 controls the overall operation of the printing device 20 , prints images on each of the plurality of sheets stored in the storage tray 20T, and performs continuous printing to sequentially supply the plurality of printed materials to the inspection device 30 .

[0117] Specifically, the print control unit 28 controls the supply unit 24 based on the print request received by the print request acquisition unit 22, and sequentially supplies a plurality of sheets of paper from a specified storage tray 20T among the plurality of storage trays 20T to the printing unit 26. Furthermore, the print control unit 28 transmits print data to be printed on the plurality of sheets of paper to the printing unit 26. The print control unit 28 then causes the printing unit 26 to print images based on the print data on each of the plurality of sheets of paper supplied from the storage tray 20T, and sequentially supplies the plurality of printed materials from the printing unit 26 to the inspection device 30.

[0118] Furthermore, during continuous printing, the print control unit 28 transmits print data to be printed on a plurality of sheets to an inspection control unit 39 in the inspection device 30 described later.

[0119] (Reprint)

[0120] like Figure 2 As shown, for example, when a printed matter (6p printed matter) with an unqualified inspection result is generated in the inspection device 30, the printing control unit 28 stops the continuous printing of the printed matter and executes reprinting of only the printed matter (6p printed matter) with an unqualified inspection result.

[0121] Specifically, if Figure 6 As shown, the print control unit 28 controls the supply unit 24 based on the inspection result received from the inspection control unit 39 described later, and supplies a sheet of paper from a predetermined storage tray 20T among the plurality of storage trays 20T to the printing unit 26. The print control unit 28 then causes the printing unit 26 to reprint the image that failed the inspection result on the sheet of paper supplied from the storage tray 20T, and supplies the reprinted product (6p reprint) from the printing unit 26 to the inspection device 30.

[0122] Then, when the inspection result of the reprinted product by the inspection device 30 is acceptable, the print control unit 28 restarts the continuous printing of the subsequent printed products following the reprinted product.

[0123] (Test Print)

[0124] If the inspection result of the reprinted material (reprinted material of 6p) in the inspection device 30 described later is unacceptable, the print control unit 28 performs test printing (blank paper printing) in which an image is not printed on the paper stored in the storage tray 20T, but the paper is supplied to the inspection device 30. The test printing is a dummy printing in which an image is not printed on the paper. When the inspection result of the inspection device 30 is unacceptable, it is used to distinguish whether the cause of the failure is the paper itself or the printer 20.

[0125] Specifically, if Figure 7 As shown, during test printing, the print control unit 28 controls the supply unit 24 to supply paper from a specified storage tray 20T among the plurality of storage trays 20T to the printer unit 26. Furthermore, the print control unit 28 transmits test data (blank paper data) without print data to the printer unit 26. The printer unit 26 then supplies the paper supplied from the storage tray 20T as a test print to the inspection device 30 without printing an image. The test print is inspected by the inspection device 30 and then discharged to the rejection tray 30T.

[0126] Furthermore, during the test printing, the print control unit 28 transmits information of a test image (blank paper image) having no print data to an inspection control unit 39 in the inspection device 30 described later.

[0127] (Test print again)

[0128] When the inspection result of the test printed material in the inspection device 30 described later is unacceptable, the print control unit 28 executes retest printing in which the storage tray 20T is switched and the test printing is performed again.

[0129] Specifically, if Figure 8 As shown, in the retest printing, when there is another storage tray 20T that is different from the one storage tray 20T used for the test print that has an unqualified inspection result and contains paper of the same size and type as the paper contained in the one storage tray 20T, the printing control unit 28 controls the supply unit 24 and supplies paper from the other storage tray 20T to the printing unit 26.

[0130] Then, similar to the test print, the print control unit 28 does not print an image on the paper fed from the storage tray 20T in the print unit 26, but feeds the paper as a retest print to the inspection device 30. The retest print is inspected in the inspection device 30 and then discharged to the rejection tray 30T.

[0131] For convenience of explanation, all test printings after the second time are referred to as retest printings, and all test prints produced in the test printings after the second time are referred to as retest prints.

[0132] (Inspection device)

[0133] The inspection device 30 functionally includes an inspection image acquisition unit 32 , a reference image acquisition unit 34 , a quality inspection unit 36 ​​, a discharge end switching unit 38 , and an inspection control unit 39 .

[0134] The inspection image acquisition unit 32 scans an image from the printed matter printed by the printing unit 26 and generates an inspection image such as a raster image based on the scanned image.

[0135] The reference image acquisition unit 34 receives the print data or test data sent from the print control unit 28 as a reference image.

[0136] The quality inspection unit 36 ​​compares the inspection image read by the inspection image acquisition unit 32 with the reference image received by the reference image acquisition unit 34 to determine whether there is any abnormality in the printed matter, that is, whether the print quality of the printed matter is acceptable or not.

[0137] Specifically, the quality inspection unit 36 ​​compares the inspection image with the reference image to determine whether there are any abnormalities such as folded corners, printed dirt, or misalignment. If the printed material is found to have no abnormalities, the quality inspection unit 36 ​​determines that the printed material is acceptable. If the printed material is found to have abnormalities, the quality inspection unit 36 ​​determines that the printed material is unacceptable.

[0138] The discharge end switching unit 38 switches the discharge end of the printed matter inspected by the quality inspection unit 36 ​​between the post-processing device 40 and the ejection tray 30T.

[0139] The inspection control unit 39 controls the overall operation of the inspection device 30. Specifically, the inspection control unit 39 causes the quality inspection unit 36 ​​to inspect the print quality of the printed or reprinted material. If the print quality of the printed or reprinted material determined by the quality inspection unit 36 ​​is acceptable, the inspection control unit 39 switches the discharge destination of the printed or reprinted material to the post-processing device 40 via the discharge destination switching unit 38.

[0140] On the other hand, if the inspection result of the printed matter or reprinted matter by the quality inspection unit 36 ​​is unacceptable, the inspection control unit 39 switches the discharge port of the printed matter or reprinted matter to the ejection tray 30T via the discharge port switching unit 38 .

[0141] The inspection control unit 39 then controls the quality inspection unit 36 ​​to inspect the print quality of the test print or retest print. The inspection control unit 39 then switches the test print or retest print to the eject tray 30T via the ejection port switching unit 38.

[0142] The inspection control unit 39 then transmits information such as the number of pages (page numbers) of printed materials determined to be unacceptable based on the inspection result of the quality inspection unit 36 ​​to the print control unit 28 .

[0143] (Post-processing device)

[0144] The post-processing device 40 functionally includes a post-processing control unit 42. The post-processing control unit 42 controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 40. Specifically, the post-processing control unit 42 controls various post-processing mechanisms, such as the folding mechanism, the stapling mechanism, the punching mechanism, and the booklet-making mechanism, to perform post-processing on the printed matter supplied from the inspection device 30.

[0145] The print control unit 28 , the inspection control unit 39 , and the post-processing control unit 42 control the overall operation of the image forming system 10 in a coordinated manner by exchanging information with each other.

[0146] (Print Inspection Processing of Image Forming System)

[0147] Next, the print inspection process performed by the image forming system 10 will be described.

[0148] In the image forming system 10, when a plurality of printed materials are continuously printed and the printed materials printed by the printing device 20 are supplied to the inspection device 30, the image forming system 10 executes Figure 9 The print check process shown in FIG.

[0149] First, in step S10 , the CPU 50 checks the print quality of a printed matter, a reprinted matter, a test printed matter, or a retest printed matter.

[0150] Next, in step S12, the CPU 50 determines whether the inspection result of the printing quality is acceptable. If the inspection result is unacceptable, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S14.

[0151] Next, in step S14, the CPU 50 determines whether the inspection object is a printed matter. If it is determined that the inspection object is a printed matter, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S16.

[0152] Next, in step S16 , the CPU 50 stops the continuous printing.

[0153] Next, in step S18 , the CPU 50 discharges all of the printed matter whose inspection result indicates that the printed matter is unacceptable and the printed matter being printed subsequent to the printed matter to the ejection tray 30T.

[0154] Next, in step S20 , the CPU 50 executes reprinting of only the printed matter for which the inspection result indicates failure, and ends the processing.

[0155] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S14 that the inspection object is not a printed matter, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S22 .

[0156] Next, in step S22, the CPU 50 determines whether the inspection object is a reprinted material. If it is determined that the inspection object is a reprinted material, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S24.

[0157] Next, in step S24 , the CPU 50 performs test printing (blank paper printing) without printing an image on paper, and ends the processing.

[0158] In the first test print, paper is fed from the storage tray 20T for printed materials and reprinted materials that failed inspection results to the inspection device 30 via the printing device 20. Specifically, the CPU 50 performs test print on paper stored in the same storage tray 20T as the paper used for printed materials and reprinted materials that failed inspection results. At this time, no image is printed on the paper in the printing device 20.

[0159] On the other hand, in step S22 , when it is determined that the inspection object is not a reprinted material, that is, when it is determined that the inspection object is a test printed material or a retest printed material, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S26 .

[0160] Next, in step S26 , the CPU 50 determines whether or not there is another storage tray 20T that can be switched among the plurality of storage trays 20T.

[0161] Specifically, the CPU 50 determines whether there is another storage tray 20T that is different from the one storage tray 20T used for the test printed material that failed the inspection and that contains paper of the same size and type as the paper contained in the one storage tray 20T. If it is determined that there is another storage tray 20T that can be switched, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S28.

[0162] Next, in step S28, the CPU 50 switches the storage tray used for retest printing from one storage tray 20T to another storage tray 20T, and moves to step S24. Then, in step S24, the CPU 50 executes retest printing.

[0163] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S26 that there are no other storage trays 20T that can be switched, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S34 described below. If the test print fails the inspection result in step S26, retest printing is performed until there are no more storage trays 20T that can be switched.

[0164] Then, in the aforementioned step S12 , when the inspection result of the printing quality is determined to be acceptable, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S30 .

[0165] Next, in step S30, the CPU 50 determines whether the inspection object is a printed matter. If it is determined that the inspection object is a printed matter, the CPU 50 ends the process.

[0166] On the other hand, when it is determined in step S30 that the inspection object is not a printed matter, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S32 .

[0167] Next, in step S32, the CPU 50 determines whether the inspection object is a test printed material. If it is determined that the inspection object is a test printed material, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S34.

[0168] Then, in step S34, the CPU 50 stops printing and ends the process. This is because if the test print passes the inspection, there is no abnormality in the paper itself, and the printed and reprinted products are likely to fail due to the printer 20.

[0169] On the other hand, in step S32 , when it is determined that the inspection object is not a test printed material, that is, when it is determined that the inspection object is a reprinted material or a retest printed material, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S36 .

[0170] Next, in step S36, the CPU 50 restarts continuous printing from the printout whose inspection result is unqualified and ends the process. That is, the CPU 50 continuously prints the printout whose inspection result is unqualified and subsequent printouts after the printout and ends the process.

[0171] Furthermore, if the inspection target is a retest printed material in step S32 , the CPU 50 restarts continuous printing on the paper stored in the other storage tray 20T switched from one storage tray 20T in step S36 .

[0172] (Variation)

[0173] Next, modifications of the above-described embodiment will be described.

[0174] In the above embodiment, during retest printing, one tray 20T containing test printed materials that failed inspection by the inspection device 30 is switched to another tray 20T containing paper of the same size and type as the paper contained in the first tray 20T. However, during retest printing, one tray 20T containing test printed materials that failed inspection may be switched to another tray 20T containing paper of a different size or type than the paper contained in the first tray 20T. Furthermore, test printing may be omitted.

[0175] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the test print was performed using the same tray 20T as that used for the printed material that failed inspection, rather than switching the tray 20T to another tray 20T. In other words, in the above embodiment, the test print was performed using the same tray 20T as that used for the printed material that failed inspection. However, the tray 20T may be switched to another tray 20T during the test print. Furthermore, the retest print may be omitted.

[0176] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, when a printed material is generated that is found to be unacceptable based on the inspection result of the inspection device 30 , a test print may be performed after reprinting is repeated a predetermined number of times.

[0177] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the inspection result of the reprinted product by the inspection device 30 is acceptable, reprinting of the subsequent printed product following the reprinted product is restarted. However, when the inspection result of the reprinted product by the inspection device 30 is acceptable, for example, the inspection result by the inspection device 30 is evaluated each time a subsequent printed product is printed, and when this inspection result is repeated a predetermined number of times, the subsequent printed product may be switched to continuous printing.

[0178] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (such as CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) or a dedicated processor (such as GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0179] Furthermore, the actions of the processors in the above embodiments can be performed not only by a single processor but also by the collaboration of multiple processors located in physically separate locations. Furthermore, the order of the processor actions is not limited to that described in the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, part or all of the processors can be built on the cloud. At least the various processes described in the above embodiments can be executed by processors on the cloud.

[0180] Furthermore, in the above embodiments, the method of installing each program in a ROM or memory is described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The programs involved in the above embodiments may also be provided in the form of being recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. For example, the programs involved in the above embodiments may be provided in the form of being recorded on an optical tray such as a CD (Compact Disc: optical tray)-ROM and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc: digital versatile tray)-ROM, or in the form of being recorded on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus: universal serial bus) memory and a memory card. Furthermore, the programs involved in the above embodiments may also be obtained from an external device via a communication I / F.

[0181] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the processing in the image forming system 10 is implemented by executing a program and using a computer with a software structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the processing in the image forming system 10 may be implemented with a hardware structure or a combination of a hardware structure and a software structure.

[0182] Furthermore, the configuration of the image forming system 10 described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted or new parts may be added without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0183] Furthermore, the processing flow in the image forming system 10 described in the above embodiment is merely an example, and it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0184] Regarding the above-mentioned embodiment, the following supplementary notes are further disclosed.

[0185] (1) An information processing system comprising a processor,

[0186] The processor performs the following processing:

[0187] Continuous printing while checking the print quality of multiple printed materials;

[0188] When a printed matter is generated that has an unqualified inspection result, the continuous printing of the printed matter is stopped and the unqualified printed matter is printed again; and

[0189] When the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is qualified, subsequent prints following the qualified reprint are printed.

[0190] (2) The information processing system according to (1), wherein

[0191] The processor performs the following processing:

[0192] When the inspection result of the reprinted material is unqualified, performing a test print without printing an image on the recording medium; and

[0193] When the inspection result of the test printed product based on the test printing is acceptable, printing of the subsequent printed product is suspended.

[0194] (3) The information processing system according to (2), wherein

[0195] The processor performs the following processing:

[0196] The test printing is performed on a recording medium accommodated in the same accommodating portion as the recording medium used for the failed printed material.

[0197] (4) The information processing system according to (2) or (3), wherein

[0198] The processor performs the following processing:

[0199] When the inspection result of the test print is unqualified, performing retest printing without printing an image on a recording medium accommodated in a storage section different from the one storing the recording medium used for the test print; and

[0200] When the inspection result of the retest printed product based on the retest printing is acceptable, the subsequent printed product is printed using the recording medium accommodated in the other accommodating portion.

[0201] (5) The information processing system according to (4), wherein

[0202] The processor performs the following processing:

[0203] The other storage section is a storage section that stores a recording medium of the same size and type as the recording medium stored in the one storage section.

[0204] (6) The information processing system according to (4) or (5), wherein

[0205] The processor performs the following processing:

[0206] When the inspection result of the test print is unqualified, the retest printing is performed until the other accommodation parts disappear.

[0207] (7) The information processing system according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein

[0208] The processor performs the following processing:

[0209] Discharge the printed materials that pass the inspection to the pass discharge unit;

[0210] Discharging the printed matter whose inspection result is unqualified and the printed matter being printed after the unqualified printed matter to a discharging section for unqualified;

[0211] discharging the reprinted material having an acceptable inspection result to the acceptable discharge unit; and

[0212] The reprinted material whose inspection result indicates failure is discharged to the failure discharge unit.

[0213] (8) The information processing system according to (7), wherein

[0214] The processor performs the following processing:

[0215] discharging the subsequent printed matter, the inspection result of which is qualified, to the qualified discharge unit; and

[0216] When the subsequent printed material is generated with an unacceptable inspection result, the unacceptable subsequent printed material and the subsequent printed material being printed after the unacceptable subsequent printed material are discharged to the unacceptable discharge unit, and printing of the subsequent printed material is stopped.

[0217] (9) The information processing system according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein

[0218] The processor performs the following processing:

[0219] Each time the subsequent printed matter is printed, determining an inspection result of the subsequent printed matter; and

[0220] When the subsequent printed matter having the inspection result of being qualified continues for a prescribed number of times, the subsequent printed matter is printed continuously.

[0221] (10) An information processing program for causing a computer to execute the following processing:

[0222] Continuous printing while checking the print quality of multiple printed materials;

[0223] When a printed matter is generated that has an unqualified inspection result, the continuous printing of the printed matter is stopped and the unqualified printed matter is printed again; and

[0224] When the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is qualified, subsequent prints following the qualified reprint are printed.

[0225] According to (1), the amount of discarded printed materials is reduced compared to a case where, when a printed material with an unacceptable inspection result is generated, continuous printing is restarted from the unacceptable printed material.

[0226] According to (2), it is possible to distinguish whether the reason for the failure of the printed matter lies in the recording medium or in the printing.

[0227] According to (3), it is easier to distinguish whether the printed product failure is caused by the recording medium or the printing, compared to the case where a test print is performed on a recording medium accommodated in a different accommodating portion from the recording medium used for the failed printed product.

[0228] According to (4), when the inspection result of the test printed product is unqualified, the continuity of printing of the subsequent printed product is improved compared with the case where the test printing is performed again on the recording medium accommodated in the same accommodation portion.

[0229] According to (5), it is easier to distinguish whether the cause of print failure is due to the recording medium or the printing, compared to the case where test printing is performed on a recording medium of a different size or type from the recording medium accommodated in one accommodating portion.

[0230] According to (6), compared with the case where retest printing is performed only once when the inspection result of the test printed product is unacceptable, the continuity of printing of subsequent printed products is improved.

[0231] According to (7), qualified printed materials and qualified reprinted materials are collected in the qualified discharge section.

[0232] According to (8), qualified printed materials, qualified reprinted materials, and qualified subsequent printed materials are collected in the qualified discharge section.

[0233] According to (9), the amount of waste printed materials is reduced compared to the case where a plurality of subsequent printed materials are continuously printed when the inspection result of the reprinted material is acceptable.

[0234] According to (10), the amount of discarded printed materials is reduced compared to a case where, when a printed material with an unacceptable inspection result is generated, continuous printing is restarted from the unacceptable printed material.

[0235] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are provided for the purpose of illustration and explanation. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not fully and exhaustively include the present invention, and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed embodiments. It is obvious that various modifications and variations are self-evident to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. The present embodiment is selected and described in order to most easily explain the principles of the present invention and its application. Thus, other technical personnel in this field can understand the present invention through various modifications optimized for specific uses of the assumed various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An information processing system comprising a processor, The processor performs the following processing: Continuous printing while checking the print quality of multiple printed materials; When a printed matter with an unqualified inspection result is generated, the continuous printing of the printed matter is stopped and the unqualified printed matter is printed again; and When the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is qualified, subsequent prints following the qualified reprint are printed.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: The processor performs the following processing: When the inspection result of the reprinted material is unqualified, performing a test print without printing an image on the recording medium; and When the inspection result of the test printed product based on the test printing is acceptable, printing of the subsequent printed product is suspended.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein: The processor performs the following processing: The test printing is performed on a recording medium accommodated in the same accommodating portion as the recording medium used for the failed printed material.

4. The information processing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The processor performs the following processing: When the inspection result of the test print is unqualified, performing retest printing without printing an image on a recording medium accommodated in a different accommodating portion from the one accommodating portion accommodating the recording medium used for the test print; and When the inspection result of the retest printed product based on the retest printing is acceptable, the subsequent printed product is printed using the recording medium accommodated in the other accommodating portion.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein: The processor performs the following processing: The other storage section is a storage section that stores a recording medium of the same size and type as the recording medium stored in the one storage section.

6. The information processing system according to claim 4 or 5, wherein: The processor performs the following processing: When the inspection result of the test print is unqualified, the retest printing is performed until the other accommodation parts disappear.

7. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The processor performs the following processing: Discharge the printed materials that pass the inspection to a qualified discharge unit; Discharging the printed matter whose inspection result is unqualified and the printed matter being printed after the unqualified printed matter to a discharge section for unqualified; discharging the reprinted material having an inspection result that is acceptable to the acceptable discharge unit; and The reprinted material whose inspection result indicates failure is discharged to the failure discharge unit.

8. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein: The processor performs the following processing: discharging the subsequent printed matter, the inspection result of which is qualified, to the qualified discharge unit; and When the subsequent printed material is generated with an unacceptable inspection result, the unacceptable subsequent printed material and the subsequent printed material being printed after the unacceptable subsequent printed material are discharged to the unacceptable discharge unit, and printing of the subsequent printed material is stopped.

9. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The processor performs the following processing: each time the subsequent printed matter is printed, determining an inspection result of the subsequent printed matter; and When the subsequent printed matter having the inspection result of being qualified continues for a prescribed number of times, the subsequent printed matter is printed continuously.

10. A program product having recorded thereon an information processing program for causing a computer to execute the following processing: Continuous printing while checking the print quality of multiple printed materials; When a printed matter with an unqualified inspection result is generated, the continuous printing of the printed matter is stopped and the unqualified printed matter is printed again; and When the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is qualified, subsequent prints following the qualified reprint are printed.

11. An information processing method comprising the following steps: Continuous printing while checking the print quality of multiple printed materials; When a printed matter with an unqualified inspection result is generated, the continuous printing of the printed matter is stopped and the unqualified printed matter is printed again; and When the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is qualified, subsequent prints following the qualified reprint are printed.

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