Image forming system, image forming method, and program product

Abstract

The invention discloses an image forming system, an image forming method, and a program product, the image forming system includes a processor that checks the presence or absence of an abnormality in a printed matter for each page. A discarded page including a page determined to have an abnormality is discharged to a second discharge address different from a first discharge address at which a page determined to have no abnormality is discharged. A switch is made to discharge the discarded pages in the printed matter set to be high in confidentiality of the printed content to the second discharge address at which the discarded pages in the printed matter not set to be high in confidentiality are discharged, and the discarded pages in the printed matter not set to be high in confidentiality are discharged. The third discharge address of the print content of the printed matter is difficult to visually recognize or the third discharge address of the print content cannot be visually recognized from the outside.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming method, and a program product. Background Technology

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-165020 discloses a technology that can control whether to switch the paper feed address based on the inspection results of the quality of the printed matter.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-146528 discloses an inspection device that, when inspecting a portion of printed materials consisting of multiple printed materials, or when inspecting printed materials in a sequential manner, does not switch the paper feed address of the printed materials even if the inspection result is determined to be NG.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-060721 discloses an inspection apparatus that, when performing inspection based on RIP image data as a reference image, updates the reference image to a suitable reference image for inspection when the reference image used during inspection is unsuitable for inspection. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The following situation exists: Printed materials are inspected page by page for abnormalities. Pages deemed abnormal, along with subsequent pages being transmitted, are designated as "clear pages" and ejected to a different ejection location, such as a top tray, than normal pages. Furthermore, for highly confidential printed materials, such as those containing personal information, ejection is often done to locations where the content is difficult to visually identify, such as stacking trays. However, if clear pages from highly confidential printed materials are ejected to an ejection location that is visually identifiable from the surrounding area, such as a top tray, the content of the printed material may be leaked.

[0006] The technical objective of this invention is to provide an image forming system, image forming method, and program product capable of preventing the leakage of printed content from discarded pages in printed materials that are set to have high confidentiality.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an image forming system is provided, comprising a processor that checks for abnormalities in a printout on a per-page basis. If, when discarding a page, including pages determined to be abnormal, to a second discharge address different from a first discharge address for pages determined to be normal, the processor switches to discharging discarded pages from printouts with high confidentiality settings to a third discharge address where the printout content is visually difficult to identify or cannot be visually identified from the outside compared to the second discharge address for discharging discarded pages from printouts not set to high confidentiality.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the invention, in the image forming system of the first aspect, the third discharge address is a stacking pallet of a structure in which the discharged paper is protected by a door.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the invention, in the image forming system of the second aspect, when the stacking tray to which the waste page is to be discharged is designated as the discharge address for other prints, the processor discharges the waste page at a location offset from the usual location.

[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in the image forming system of the first aspect, when the processor indicates the start of printing of other prints with the third ejection address containing a discarded page of a print set to a high confidentiality address, it does not execute the instruction to start printing, but instead notifies the user to start printing the prints after discarding the discarded page ejected to the third ejection address.

[0011] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, after the discarded page is ejected to a third ejection address, the processor performs a reprint starting from the page determined to be abnormal.

[0012] According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the image forming system of the fifth aspect, if the third ejection address to which the discarded page is to be ejected has already ejected other printed matter, the processor ejects the discarded page to the second ejection address and, instead of performing reprinting from the page determined to be abnormal, interrupts the printing process of that printed matter.

[0013] According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the discarded page consists of a page determined to be abnormal and other pages being transported on the paper transport path following that page.

[0014] According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the image forming system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the processor sets a printout with a high degree of confidentiality input by the user or a printout determined to be highly confidential based on the printout content as a printout with high confidentiality of the printout content.

[0015] According to a ninth aspect of the invention, in the image forming system of the eighth aspect, the processor determines printouts with different personal information printed on each page as printouts with high confidentiality.

[0016] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, a program product is provided, comprising a program for causing a computer to perform processing, wherein the processing includes the steps of: checking for abnormalities in a printed matter on a per-page basis; and, in the case of ejecting discarded pages, including pages determined to be abnormal, to a second ejection address different from a first ejection address for ejecting pages determined to be normal, switching to ejecting discarded pages from printed matter with high confidentiality of printed content to a third ejection address where the printed content of the printed matter is difficult to visually identify or cannot be visually identified from the outside compared to the second ejection address for ejecting discarded pages from printed matter not set to high confidentiality.

[0017] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, an image forming method is provided, comprising the steps of: checking for any abnormalities in a printed matter on a per-page basis; and, when discarding pages, including those determined to be abnormal, to a second discharge address different from a first discharge address for discharging pages determined to be without abnormalities, switching to a third discharge address where the printed content of a printed matter with high confidentiality is difficult to visually identify or cannot be visually identified from the outside, compared to the second discharge address for discharging discarded pages from printed matter not set to high confidentiality.

[0018] (Effect)

[0019] According to the first and eleventh aspects, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the printed content of discarded pages in printed materials that are set to have high confidentiality of printed content.

[0020] According to the second aspect, it is possible to discharge waste pages from printouts that are set to have high confidentiality of the print content to a stacking pallet to prevent leakage of the print content.

[0021] According to the third aspect, even when other printed materials are discharged into a stacking tray containing waste pages, it is possible to prevent waste pages from getting mixed into other printed materials.

[0022] According to the fourth aspect, other printed materials are discharged to a third discharge address that discharges waste pages, which can prevent waste pages from being mixed with other printed materials.

[0023] According to the fifth aspect, even if an abnormality occurs in a page midway through the printout, the printing process can continue.

[0024] According to the sixth aspect, compared to the case where a reprint is performed starting from the page determined to be abnormal when a discarded page of a printout designated as highly confidential is ejected to a second ejection address, the likelihood of the user noticing the discarded page can be increased.

[0025] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to output printed materials consisting of normal pages without disrupting the page number order.

[0026] According to the eighth aspect, it is possible to set or automatically set printables that prevent leakage of printed content according to the user's wishes.

[0027] According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to determine the confidentiality of printed materials based on their printed content.

[0028] According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to prevent the leakage of the printed content of discarded pages in printed materials that are set to have high confidentiality of printed content. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the system structure of an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the process of ejecting clean pages, including those detected as having printing defects during inspection, to the top tray for reprinting.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming system 10 when the clearing page is ejected into the top tray 71;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the hardware structure of an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6 This is an example of a settings screen that indicates whether the function to prevent discarded pages from being displayed in the top tray is enabled or disabled.

[0035] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a confidentiality determination method based on printed content;

[0036] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of switching control of the discharge address in an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming system 10 when a cleared page is discharged as a waste page onto a stacking pallet 82. Detailed Implementation

[0038] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0039] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the system structure of an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] like Figure 1 As shown, an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a paper feeding device 20, a printing device 30, an inspection device 40, high-capacity stacking devices 51 and 52, and a post-processing device 60.

[0041] The paper feeding device 20 collects paper and supplies the collected paper to the printing device 30. The printing device 30 has the function of performing the processing of printing an image on the paper supplied from the paper feeding device 20. Moreover, the inspection device 40 receives the paper with the image printed on it from the printing device 30 and performs the inspection of the image printed on the paper, that is, determines whether there are any abnormalities such as printing stains, folds, or misalignments in the image printed on the paper.

[0042] Specifically, the inspection device 40 receives image data of the image printed on the paper from the printing device 30 as a reference image, scans the image of the printed paper transmitted from the printing device 30, and compares the received reference image with the scanned image to check whether there are any abnormalities in the image printed on the transmitted paper.

[0043] Furthermore, the high-capacity stacking device 51 includes a top pallet 71 and a stacking pallet 81. Additionally, the high-capacity stacking device 52 includes a top pallet 72 and a stacking pallet 82.

[0044] Stacking trays 81 and 82 are discharge points for structures where the discharged paper is protected by doors, and are discharge points capable of holding large quantities of printed paper. Top trays 71 and 72 are respectively disposed on top of the high-capacity stacking devices 51 and 52. Top trays 71 and 72 are discharge points for discharging paper and other items that fail inspection by the inspection device 40.

[0045] Furthermore, the post-processing device 60 performs various post-processing operations on the paper after it has been inspected by the inspection device 40, such as folding, binding, punching, and booklet making, and discharges it to a designated discharge tray. In addition, the post-processing device 60 includes a top tray 61 and trimming trays 62 and 63.

[0046] In this image forming system 10, if an abnormality is detected in the inspection device 40, a process is performed such as switching the ejection address of the detected abnormal paper and ejecting it to an ejection tray different from the normal ejection tray. However, when this process is performed, if only the page being inspected is reprinted when an abnormality is detected, the page numbering order will be misaligned, and consecutive multi-page printouts will not be printed in the correct order.

[0047] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the case where 10 pages of A4-sized paper are printed, and the 6th page is determined to be defective is explained. Furthermore, the case where pages deemed normal in the inspection results are discharged to stacking tray 81, and pages with detected defects are discharged to top tray 71 is explained.

[0048] In this situation, since subsequent pages (pages 7-9) have already been printed, it's not sufficient to simply reprint page 6, which was deemed defective. When page 6 is determined to be defective in the inspection device 40, pages 7-9 have already been printed in the printing device 30 and remain inside the machine. Therefore, these four pages (pages 6-9) need to be treated as clean pages, their ejection address changed, and they ejected into the waste ejection tray (top tray 71). Then, printing resumes from page 6, resulting in pages 1-10 being printed correctly and ejected into the stacking tray 81 without disrupting the page numbering order.

[0049] The action of the image forming system 10 when the clear page is ejected to the top tray 71 is shown in the figure. Figure 3 .

[0050] exist Figure 3 In (A), it is shown that with the printouts of pages 1 to 5 stored in the stacking tray 81, an abnormality is detected in the printout of page 6 by the inspection device 40. Furthermore, it is known that subsequent pages 7 to 9 were printed at the moment the abnormality was detected. Therefore, the printouts of pages 6 to 9 are switched at an ejection address such as being ejected as clear pages to the top tray 71.

[0051] By performing such processing, such as Figure 3 As shown in (B), pages 1 to 5 with normal print results are stored in stacking pallet 81, while pages 6 to 9, including page 6 where an anomaly was detected in the print results, are discharged to top pallet 71. Then, the printing process is paused in the printing device 30.

[0052] Next, as Figure 3 As shown in (C), the printing device 30 restarts printing from page 6. Then, page 6, after being reprinted, is determined to be normal during inspection by the inspection device 40. Therefore, page 6 and subsequent pages are also discharged onto the stacking pallet 81.

[0053] The result, such as Figure 3As shown in (D), at the moment when the printing process in the printing device 30 is completed, pages 1 to 10, which are considered normal, are stored in the stacking tray 81, while pages 6 to 9, including page 6, which was found to have an anomaly in the print result, are ejected to the top tray 71. Afterwards, the print results of pages 6 to 9 ejected to the top tray 71 are discarded.

[0054] Here, for highly confidential printed materials, such as those containing personal information, the printed content is often ejected to an ejection address where the printed content is difficult to visually identify, such as stacking tray 81. However, if the cleaned pages of highly confidential printed materials are ejected to an ejection address that is visually identifiable from the surrounding area, such as top tray 71, the content of the printed materials may be leaked.

[0055] Especially in cases of printing a large number of pages, where the time until printing is completed is long, discarded pages such as clean pages are placed on the top tray 71 until printing is completed.

[0056] Therefore, in the image forming system 10 of this embodiment, by performing the control described below, leakage of the printed content of discarded pages in a printout that is set to have high confidentiality of printed content is prevented.

[0057] Next, the hardware structure of the image forming system 10 of this embodiment will be shown. Figure 4 Furthermore, in Figure 4 For the sake of simplicity, the image forming system 10 is described as having a hardware structure with only one CPU. However, the printing device 30, the inspection device 40, the high-capacity stacking devices 51 and 52, and the post-processing device 60 may each have a hardware structure with a CPU.

[0058] like Figure 4 As shown, the image forming system 10 includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device such as a hard disk drive 13, a communication interface (hereinafter referred to as IF) 14 for sending and receiving data with external devices via a network, a user interface (hereinafter referred to as UI) device including a touch panel or liquid crystal display and a keyboard 15, a scanner 16, a printing engine 17, a transport mechanism 18, and a post-processing mechanism 19. These components are interconnected via a control bus.

[0059] The printing engine 17 prints images onto recording media such as printing paper through processes including charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing. Recording media include paper, film, etc.; any medium capable of printing images can be used.

[0060] CPU 11 is a processor that executes predetermined processes based on a control program stored in memory 12 or storage device 13 and controls the operation of image forming system 10. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the CPU 11 reads and executes the control program stored in memory 12 or storage device 13, but this is not a limitation. The control program may also be provided in a manner recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the program may be provided in the form of an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. Alternatively, the control program may be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to communication interface 14. Moreover, the control program may be provided as standalone application software, or it may be integrated into the software of the respective device as a function of the image forming system 10.

[0061] Figure 5 This is a block diagram illustrating the functional structure of the image forming system 10 achieved by executing the aforementioned control program.

[0062] In the image forming system 10 of this embodiment, such as Figure 5 As shown, the printing device 30 includes an image output unit 31 and a print control unit 32. Additionally, the inspection device 40 includes an image reading unit 41, a print image receiving unit 42, an image comparison unit 43, an inspection control unit 44, an inspection result management unit 45, and a display unit 46. Furthermore, the large-capacity stacking devices 51 and 52 and the post-processing device 60 include top trays 71, 72, and 61, trimming trays 62 and 63, stacking trays 81 and 82, an discharge switching device 56, and a discharge control unit 55. Furthermore, in... Figure 5 In the text, the post-processing mechanism 19 in the post-processing device 60 is omitted.

[0063] The paper feeding unit 20 receives the paper before image formation and supplies it to the image output unit 31. The image output unit 31 prints an image on the paper supplied from the paper feeding unit 20. The print control unit 32 controls the operation of the image output unit 31 to perform the process of printing the image on the paper. In addition, the print control unit 32 sends information about the printed image on the paper to the inspection control unit 44 in the inspection device 40.

[0064] The image reading unit 41 in the inspection device 40 reads the image from the paper on which the image is printed in the image output unit 31. The print image receiving unit 42 receives the print image sent from the print control unit 32 as a reference image.

[0065] The image comparison unit 43 compares the scanned image read by the image reading unit 41 with the printed image (i.e., the reference image) received by the print image receiving unit 42 to determine whether the image printed on the paper has any abnormalities such as printing defects. Specifically, the image comparison unit 43 detects various abnormalities on the printed paper, such as printing stains, printing residue, and toner abnormalities, by comparing the scanned image and the reference image. Furthermore, the image comparison unit 43 can also set one of the images read by the image reading unit 41 as the reference image and compare it with other scanned images.

[0066] The inspection control unit 44 controls the operation of the inspection device 40, receives the detection results from the image comparison unit 43, and determines whether the detected anomalies exceed a preset inspection threshold, thereby inspecting the printed image. The inspection result management unit 45 saves and manages the inspection results in the inspection control unit 44.

[0067] Then, the inspection control unit 44 sends the inspection results to the print control unit 32 and the ejection control unit 55. Specifically, the inspection control unit 44 sends information to the print control unit 32, such as which page was determined to be defective, and information on which page should be reprinted. Additionally, the inspection control unit 44 sends information to the ejection control unit 55, such as which page was determined to be defective, and information on which pages should be discarded before reprinting, i.e., information on clearing pages. Furthermore, the inspection control unit 44 displays the inspection results and other information on the display unit 46.

[0068] The discharge switching device 56 switches whether to set the discharge address of the paper delivered from the inspection device 40 to any one of the top trays 71, 72, 61, trimming trays 62, 63, and stacking trays 81, 82. The discharge control unit 55 controls the discharge switching device 56 to switch to which discharge address based on information such as the cleared page sent from the inspection control unit 44.

[0069] Then, the print control unit 32, the inspection control unit 44, and the discharge control unit 55 coordinate their actions by sending and receiving information to each other, thereby controlling the overall operation of the image forming system 10.

[0070] The image forming system 10 of this embodiment, by having the structure described above, can switch between paper determined to be normal in the inspection device 40 and paper including cleared pages determined to be defective, to different discharge trays and discharge them. Alternatively, it can be configured such that the functions of the printing control unit 32, the inspection control unit 44, and the discharge control unit 55 are implemented in a terminal device located outside the image forming system 10, and this terminal device controls the operation of the image forming system 10 from the outside.

[0071] As described above, in the inspection device 40, the printed material is inspected for abnormalities on a page-by-page basis. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inspection control unit 44 controls the discharge control unit 55 to designate discarded pages, including those determined to be abnormal, as waste pages and discharges them to a different discharge address than the discharge address for pages determined to be without abnormalities. Moreover, when waste pages are discharged to a different discharge address than pages determined to be without abnormalities, the inspection control unit 44 switches to discharge waste pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to an address that is difficult to visually identify or cannot be visually identified from the outside compared to the discharge address for waste pages from printed materials not designated as highly confidential.

[0072] For example, for printed materials with high confidentiality that are not set as printable content, the inspection control unit 44 controls the discharge control unit 55 to discharge pages determined to be without abnormalities to the stacking tray 81 and to discharge discarded pages to the top tray 71. Furthermore, for printed materials with high confidentiality that are set as printable content, the inspection control unit 44 controls the discharge control unit 55 to discharge pages determined to be without abnormalities to the stacking tray 81 and to discharge discarded pages to the stacking tray 82.

[0073] In addition, discarded pages consist of pages that are determined to be abnormal in the inspection device 40 and other pages that are being transported on the paper transport path after those pages.

[0074] Here, the stacking tray 82 is the discharge address of the structure where the discharged paper is protected by the door. Therefore, it is the discharge address where the printed content of the printed matter is difficult to visually identify compared to the top tray 71, or where the printed content cannot be visually identified from the outside.

[0075] Furthermore, stacking pallets 81 and 82 sometimes have the following structure: for example, they have a lockable door, so that the printed materials stored inside cannot be retrieved without using a key to open the door. In the case of this structure, it is possible to prevent a passing third party from taking away discarded pages.

[0076] Additionally, windows are sometimes provided on the doors of stacking pallets 81 and 82 for visually identifying the amount of printed material stored. However, it is considered difficult to read the contents of the printed material stored on stacking pallets 81 and 82 through these windows. Therefore, compared to leaving discarded pages on top pallets 71 and 72 for extended periods, storing discarded pages in stacking pallets 82 reduces the likelihood of print content leakage.

[0077] Furthermore, after the waste pages are discharged onto the stacking pallet 82, the inspection control unit 44 controls the printing control unit 32 to perform reprinting starting from the page that was determined to be abnormal.

[0078] Furthermore, if other printed materials have already been ejected from the stacking tray 82 where the waste page is to be ejected, the inspection control unit 44 can also eject the waste page to the top tray 71, interrupting the printing process of that printed material instead of reprinting from the page determined to be abnormal. Because the printing process is interrupted, the user can easily detect that a waste page has been ejected from the top tray 71.

[0079] Next, the setting screen for enabling or disabling the functions described above will be shown as follows: Figure 6 .

[0080] exist Figure 6 In the example settings screen shown, the checkbox displaying the text "Do not eject confidential work to the top tray" is selected, indicating that the setting for enabling the above function has been selected. Since the user deselects this checkbox, the above function becomes invalid, and for printouts set to high confidentiality, discarded pages are ejected to the top tray 71.

[0081] In addition, Figure 6 In the example settings screen shown, you can specify the discharge address of the object to be discharged as a discarded page. Figure 6 In the example settings screen shown, the setting allows users to select any one of "Stacking Pallet 1," "Stacking Pallet 2," or "Trim Pallet" as the discharge address for discarded pages. Figure 6 In the settings screen example, you can also add or delete the discharge address for discarded pages.

[0082] Moreover, in Figure 6 In the example settings screen shown, you can select either "Use only the trays not used in the job" or "Use the trays used in the job as well. (Offset Discharge)".

[0083] Here, when an option such as "Use only the trays not used in the job" is selected, the inspection control unit 44 does not select the stacking tray 82 as the discharge address for waste pages when the stacking tray 82 is designated as the discharge address for other print jobs. The reason for this is that if waste pages and printouts from other print jobs are discharged to the same discharge address, the waste pages may be mistakenly mixed with other printouts, and the printed content of the waste pages may be leaked.

[0084] However, even when the stacking tray 82, where the waste page is to be ejected, is designated as the ejection address for other printouts, the inspection control unit 44 may still eject the waste page to the stacking tray 82. In this case, the inspection control unit 44 controls the ejection control unit 55 to deviate the ejection position of the waste page from its normal position, i.e., to perform offset ejection.

[0085] In addition, when the printing of other printed materials is instructed to start, such as the stacking tray 82 which contains discarded pages of printed materials set to high confidentiality, the printing control unit 32 may not execute the printing start instruction, but instead notify the user to start printing the printed materials after discarding the discarded pages that have been discharged to the stacking tray 82.

[0086] Furthermore, the inspection control unit 44 designates printed materials for which the user has entered highly confidential information, or printed materials deemed highly confidential based on their content, as highly confidential printed materials. Specifically, the inspection control unit 44 designates printed materials for which the user has entered highly confidential information through screen operation as highly confidential printed materials, and controls them as described above. Alternatively, the inspection control unit 44 may also designate printed materials containing different personal information printed on each page as highly confidential printed materials, and control them as described above.

[0087] This method of determining confidentiality based on printed content is illustrated in... Figure 7 .

[0088] For example, the inspection control unit 44 generates each page using variable data storing personal information such as name, address, telephone number, and requested amount, and determines that printout 91 with different content on each page is a high-confidentiality printout. Conversely, the inspection control unit 44 determines that printout 92 with the same content on each page is a low-confidentiality printout. Alternatively, the print control unit 32 can determine the confidentiality level of the printout and send the determination result from the print control unit 32 to the inspection control unit 44.

[0089] Next, the operation of the image forming system 10 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0090] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the operation of switching control of the discharge address in the image forming system 10 of this embodiment.

[0091] First, in the printing device 30, the printing process for each page is performed in step S101. Then, in the inspection device 40, the printing results are checked for abnormalities on a page-by-page basis in step S102.

[0092] In step S102, if the printing result is determined to be normal, the printing process in the printing device 30 continues. Alternatively, if in step S102 the printing result is determined to be abnormal, in step S103, it is determined whether the printed item is set to be a highly confidential item.

[0093] In step S103, if it is determined that the printed material is not designed for high confidentiality, the inspection control unit 44 controls the discharge control unit 55 in step S104 to discharge the waste page to the top tray 71. Then, in step S105, the inspection control unit 44 instructs the printing control unit 32 to restart printing from the page determined to be abnormal during inspection. Afterwards, in the printing device 30, the process returns to step S101 to continue printing.

[0094] In addition, in step S103, if it is determined that the printed matter is set to be highly confidential, the inspection control unit 44 determines in step S106 whether there is a stacking pallet that can discharge waste pages.

[0095] Then, in step S106, if it is determined that there is no stacking pallet from which waste pages can be discharged, the inspection control unit 44 controls the discharge control unit 55 in step S107 to discharge the waste pages to the top pallet 71. Then, in step S108, the inspection control unit 44 controls the printing control unit 32 to stop the printing process.

[0096] Furthermore, in step S106, if it is determined that a stacking tray capable of ejecting waste pages exists, the inspection control unit 44 determines in step S109 whether the stacking tray is being used in another printing job. Here, the case where stacking tray 82 is found as a stacking tray capable of ejecting waste pages will be described.

[0097] In step S109, if it is determined that the stacking pallet 82 is being used in another printing job, the inspection control unit 44 controls the discharge control unit 55 in step S110 to offset the waste page to the stacking pallet 82.

[0098] Additionally, in step S109, if it is determined that the stacking pallet 82 is not used by other printing jobs, the inspection control unit 44 controls the discharge control unit 55 in step S111 to discharge waste pages to the stacking pallet 82.

[0099] Then, in step S112, the inspection control unit 44 instructs the print control unit 32 to restart printing from the page that was determined to be abnormal during the inspection. Afterwards, in the printing device 30, the process returns to step S101 and continues printing.

[0100] The operation of the image forming system 10 when the cleared page is discharged as a waste page onto the stacking pallet 82 is shown in the figure. Figure 9 .

[0101] exist Figure 9In (A), it is shown that while the printouts of pages 1 to 5 are stored in the stacking tray 81, an anomaly is detected in the printout of page 6 by the inspection device 40. Furthermore, it is known that subsequent printing of pages 7 to 9 occurred at the moment the anomaly was detected. Therefore, a switch is performed to discharge the printouts of pages 6 to 9 as discarded pages to the stacking tray 82.

[0102] By performing this process, such as Figure 9 As shown in (B), pages 1 to 5 with normal print results are stored in stacking pallet 81, while pages 6 to 9, including page 6 where an anomaly was detected in the print results, are discharged into stacking pallet 82. Then, the printing process is paused in the printing device 30.

[0103] Next, as Figure 9 As shown in (C), the printing device 30 restarts printing from page 6. Then, the reprinted page 6 is determined to be normal during inspection by the inspection device 40. Therefore, page 6 and subsequent pages are also discharged onto the stacking pallet 81.

[0104] The result, such as Figure 9 As shown in (D), at the moment when the printing process in the printing device 30 is completed, pages 1 to 10, which are normal, are stored in the stacking tray 81, and pages 6 to 9, including page 6, which was found to be abnormal in the print result, are ejected to the stacking tray 82. Afterwards, the print result of pages 6 to 9 ejected to the stacking tray 82 is discarded.

[0105] Thus, in the image forming system 10 of this embodiment, for prints that are set to be highly confidential, discarded pages are not discharged to the top tray 71, but to the stacking tray 82 where the printed content is difficult to identify from the outside.

[0106] In the above embodiments, processor refers to processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and special-purpose processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, etc.).

[0107] Furthermore, the actions of the processors in the above embodiments are not performed by a single processor, but can also be accomplished collaboratively by multiple processors located in physically separate positions. Additionally, the order of the processor's actions is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments and can be appropriately modified.

[0108] In this embodiment, "system" includes both a system consisting of multiple devices and a system consisting of a single device.

[0109] This invention can also be applied to programs and program products.

[0110] [Postscript] (((1)))

[0112] An image forming system comprising a processor,

[0113] The processor

[0114] Check each page of the printout for any abnormalities.

[0115] In the case of ejecting discarded pages, including those deemed abnormal, to a second ejection address that is different from the first ejection address for ejecting pages deemed normal, the system switches to ejecting discarded pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to a third ejection address that makes it difficult to visually identify the printed content of the printed material compared to the second ejection address for ejecting discarded pages from printed materials not set to high confidentiality. Alternatively, the system may switch to ejecting discarded pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to a third ejection address where the printed content is difficult to visually identify from the outside. (((2)))

[0117] According to the image forming system described in ((1)), wherein,

[0118] The third discharge address is the stacking pallet of the structure where the discharged paper is protected by a door. (((3)))

[0120] According to the image forming system described in ((2)), wherein,

[0121] If the stacking pallet to which the waste page is to be ejected is designated as the ejection address for other prints, the processor causes the waste page to be ejected at a location offset from the usual location. (((4)))

[0123] According to the image forming system described in ((1)), wherein,

[0124] In the event that the processor instructs the start of printing of other printouts with the third ejection address set as the ejection address for discarded pages of printouts that are configured to be highly confidential, the processor does not execute the instruction to start printing, but instead sends a notification prompting the user to start printing of the printouts after discarding the discarded pages that were ejected to the third ejection address. (((5)))

[0126] The image forming system according to any one of ((1))) to ((4))) wherein,

[0127] After ejecting the discarded page to the third eject address, the processor performs a reprint starting from the page that was determined to be abnormal. (((6)))

[0129] According to the image forming system described in ((5)), wherein,

[0130] If the third eject address for ejecting the discarded page has already ejected other printed materials, the processor ejects the discarded page to the second eject address, does not perform reprinting from the page determined to be abnormal, but instead interrupts the printing process of that printed material. (((7)))

[0132] The image forming system according to any one of ((1))) to ((6))) wherein,

[0133] The discarded page consists of the page that is determined to be abnormal and other pages that are being transported on the paper conveyor after that page. (((8)))

[0135] The image forming system according to any one of ((1))) to ((7))) wherein,

[0136] The processor will set printed materials with high confidentiality intentions input by the user or printed materials determined to be highly confidential based on their content as highly confidential printed materials. ((9)))

[0138] According to the image forming system described in (8), wherein,

[0139] The processor determines printouts with different personal information printed on each page as highly confidential. (((10)))

[0141] A program that causes a computer to perform a process, wherein the process has the following steps:

[0142] Check each page of the printout for any abnormalities; and

[0143] In the case of ejecting discarded pages, including those deemed abnormal, to a second ejection address that is different from the first ejection address for ejecting pages deemed normal, the system switches to ejecting discarded pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to a third ejection address that makes it difficult to visually identify the printed content of the printed material compared to the second ejection address for ejecting discarded pages from printed materials not set to high confidentiality. Alternatively, the system may switch to ejecting discarded pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to a third ejection address where the printed content is difficult to visually identify from the outside.

[0144] According to the image forming system (((1)), it is possible to prevent the leakage of the printed content of discarded pages in printouts that are set to have high confidentiality of printed content.

[0145] According to the image forming system of ((2)), it is possible to discharge waste pages in prints that are set to have high confidentiality of the print content to a stacking pallet to prevent print content leakage.

[0146] According to the image forming system of ((3)), even if other prints are discharged into a stacking tray that discharges waste pages, it is possible to prevent waste pages from getting mixed into other prints.

[0147] According to the image forming system of ((4)), other prints are discharged to the third discharge address where waste pages are discharged, which can prevent waste pages from being mixed into other prints.

[0148] According to the image forming system of ((5)), the printing process of the printed matter can continue even if an abnormality occurs in a page in the middle of the print.

[0149] According to the image forming system ((6)), compared to the case where a reprint is performed starting from the page that is determined to be abnormal when a discarded page of a printout that is set to be highly confidential is ejected to a second ejection address, the likelihood of the user noticing the discarded page can be increased.

[0150] According to the image forming system of ((7)), it is possible to output printouts consisting of normal pages without disrupting the page number order.

[0151] According to the image forming system of ((8)), it is possible to set or automatically set the printout to prevent leakage of print content according to the user's wishes.

[0152] Based on the image forming system of ((9)), it is possible to determine the confidentiality of printed materials based on the printed content.

[0153] According to the procedure (((10))), it is possible to prevent the leakage of the printed content of discarded pages in printed materials that are set to have high confidentiality of printed content.

Claims

1. An image forming system, characterized in that, Equipped with a processor The processor Check each page of the printout for any abnormalities. In the case of ejecting discarded pages, including those deemed abnormal, to a second ejection address that is different from the first ejection address for ejecting pages deemed normal, the system switches to ejecting discarded pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to a third ejection address that makes it difficult to visually identify the printed content of the printed material compared to the second ejection address for ejecting discarded pages from printed materials not set to high confidentiality. Alternatively, the system may switch to ejecting discarded pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to a third ejection address where the printed content is difficult to visually identify from the outside.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein, The third discharge address is the stacking pallet of the structure where the discharged paper is protected by a door.

3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein, If the stacking pallet to which the waste page is to be ejected is designated as the ejection address for other prints, the processor causes the waste page to be ejected at a location offset from the usual location.

4. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein, In the event that the processor instructs the start of printing of other printouts with the third ejection address set as the ejection address for discarded pages of printouts that are set to high confidentiality, the processor does not execute the instruction to start printing, but instead sends a notification prompting the user to start printing of the printouts after discarding the discarded pages that were ejected to the third ejection address.

5. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, After ejecting the discarded page to the third eject address, the processor performs a reprint starting from the page that was determined to be abnormal.

6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein, If the third eject address for ejecting the discarded page has already ejected other printed materials, the processor ejects the discarded page to the second eject address, does not perform reprinting from the page determined to be abnormal, but instead interrupts the printing process of that printed material.

7. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The discarded page consists of the page that is determined to be abnormal and other pages that are being transported on the paper transport path after that page.

8. The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein, The processor will set printed materials with high confidentiality intentions input by the user or printed materials determined to be highly confidential based on their content as highly confidential printed materials.

9. The image forming system according to claim 8, wherein, The processor determines printouts with different personal information printed on each page as highly confidential.

10. A program product comprising a program that causes a computer to perform processing, characterized in that, The process comprises the following steps: Check each page of the printout for any abnormalities; and In the case of ejecting discarded pages, including those deemed abnormal, to a second ejection address that is different from the first ejection address for ejecting pages deemed normal, the system switches to ejecting discarded pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to a third ejection address that makes it difficult to visually identify the printed content of the printed material compared to the second ejection address for ejecting discarded pages from printed materials not set to high confidentiality. Alternatively, the system may switch to ejecting discarded pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to a third ejection address where the printed content is difficult to visually identify from the outside.

11. An image forming method, characterized in that, It has the following steps: Check each page of the printout for any abnormalities. as well as In the case of ejecting discarded pages, including those deemed abnormal, to a second ejection address that is different from the first ejection address for ejecting pages deemed normal, the system switches to ejecting discarded pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to a third ejection address that makes it difficult to visually identify the printed content of the printed material compared to the second ejection address for ejecting discarded pages from printed materials not set to high confidentiality. Alternatively, the system may switch to ejecting discarded pages from printed materials with high confidentiality settings to a third ejection address where the printed content is difficult to visually identify from the outside.

Images