Inspection system, inspection device and control method of the same, and program

Abstract

To solve a problem that a user is required to conduct setting for diagnosis entirely from the beginning just like a previous diagnosis when the diagnosis is executed again by a printer because it is necessary to check whether abnormality of the printer is resolved or not again by a countermeasure after the countermeasure to the printer facilitated by a diagnosis result of the printer is completed.SOLUTION: An inspection system includes a printer, and an inspection device which inspects a printed matter printed by the printer. THe inspection device acquires a scanned image by reading an image formed on the printed matter, and diagnoses the printer on the basis of the scanned image. When it is diagnosed that the printer is abnormal from the diagnosis, a countermeasure to the printer to resolve the abnormality is presented, and an execution instruction of the diagnosis by diagnosing means can be accepted in response to finish of the countermeasure to the printer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection system, an inspection device, a control method thereof, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, there has been known an inspection system that uses a sensor to read a printed matter that has been printed and output by an image forming device, performs image processing on the obtained image data, and then compares it with the original print data to inspect the quality of the image printed on the printed matter. This inspection system can detect printing defects (hereinafter referred to as image defects) such as stains, blank spaces, and skew on the printed matter.

[0003] Such image abnormalities can occur when parts inside the image forming device deteriorate due to long-term use under stress, etc. To deal with deterioration of parts inside the device, an image diagnostic function has been developed that prints a dedicated chart and reads it with a sensor to identify the type of image abnormality and its cause.

[0004] Such image diagnosis functions are expected to be installed mainly in commercial printing machines whose output products are commercial products. Even in such commercial printing machines, there is an operating mode in which the user himself performs maintenance work such as replacing and cleaning the consumable parts of the main body in order to reduce the maintenance costs of various consumable parts. If the parts related to image creation, such as the photosensitive drum and developing sleeve, are included in the maintenance objects performed by the user, some effect will occur on the quality of the output when the maintenance of these parts is performed. Therefore, when executing a job in which the quality of the output is important, such as an inspection job, after replacing parts, it is desirable for the user to perform image diagnosis once in advance to confirm that there are no abnormalities in the diagnosis results.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a method in which a diagnostic process is performed according to an image abnormality recognized by a user, and the user is prompted to take action based on the diagnostic result. After the action is completed, a test chart is printed and the user is asked to select whether the image abnormality has been resolved or not.

[0006] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a technology for storing the cumulative number of sheets printed by an image forming device for each paper size in order to perform image diagnosis at the appropriate time, and for performing image diagnosis when the cumulative number exceeds a predetermined number. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-9837 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-200306 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] In a conventional image forming apparatus, a user is asked to select whether or not to print a test chart after the countermeasures suggested by the diagnosis result are completed. If the user selects to print, the test chart is simply printed, and the user visually checks the test chart to determine whether the image abnormality has been resolved. If the image abnormality has not been resolved, the user is responsible for determining what type of image abnormality has occurred. In addition, when the image forming apparatus is used to perform a diagnosis again after the countermeasures have been completed, the user must start by inputting the type of image abnormality, as in the previous diagnosis. This requires many operations to perform a diagnosis after the countermeasures have been completed, and there is a problem that it is not possible to efficiently check whether the image abnormality has been resolved after the countermeasures have been completed.

[0009] In addition, even if a user determines that a defect has been resolved by replacing a part through maintenance work, an initial defect in the part may cause an unexpected defect, adversely affecting the deliverables. In such a case, if a user executes a job that places importance on the quality of the deliverables without checking the impact of the maintenance work on the deliverables, there is a risk of mass-producing deliverables that do not meet the quality standards.

[0010] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the above-mentioned conventional techniques.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide technology that reads printed materials to diagnose the condition of a printing device, presents the user with measures to be taken for the printing device based on the diagnosis results, and can easily diagnose the condition of the printing device after those measures have been taken. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, an inspection system according to one aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: An inspection system having a printing device and an inspection device that inspects a printed matter printed by the printing device, The inspection device includes: a reading means for reading an image formed on the printed matter to obtain a scanned image; a diagnostic means for diagnosing the printing device based on the scanned image; a presentation means for presenting a solution to be taken by the printing device to resolve the abnormality when the diagnosis means has diagnosed the printing device as having an abnormality; The printing device further includes a receiving unit that can receive an instruction to execute a diagnosis by the diagnosing unit in response to the countermeasure being taken in the printing device. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to read a printed material to diagnose the status of a printing device, present to the user measures to be taken for the printing device based on the diagnosis results, and easily diagnose the status of the printing device after the measures have been taken.

[0014] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components throughout the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus, the external controller, and the PC according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the mechanism of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image diagnosis setting screen displayed for instructing the execution of image diagnosis in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image diagnosis result screen that displays the results of image diagnosis according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displaying a list of measures required to eliminate abnormalities in items diagnosed as abnormal by image diagnosis. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart for explaining image diagnosis processing executed by the inspection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a re-diagnosis setting screen in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process performed by the inspection device according to the first embodiment when the inspection device displays a re-diagnosis button on a countermeasure method screen. [Figure 10]5 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by the inspection device according to the first embodiment when a re-diagnosis button is pressed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection result confirmation screen that displays the results of an inspection process according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a parts list showing a list of parts to be subjected to image diagnosis and their image diagnosis items according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image diagnosis recommendation screen displayed on the inspection device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing when the inspection device according to the second embodiment executes inspection processing and then executes image diagnosis. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart for explaining processing performed by the inspection device according to the second embodiment when the inspection device displays a pop-up message recommending that an image diagnosis be performed when a user performs maintenance on a part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a plurality of features, not all of these features are necessarily essential to the invention, and the plurality of features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted. Note that the external controller in the following embodiments may also be called an image processing controller, a digital front end, a print server, a DFE, etc. The image forming apparatus may also be called a multifunction device, a multifunction peripheral, or an MFP.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an image processing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] This image processing system includes an image forming apparatus 101 and an external controller 102. The image forming apparatus 101 and the external controller 102 are communicatively connected via an internal LAN 105 and a video cable 106. The external controller 102 is also communicatively connected to a PC 103 via an external LAN 104, and a print instruction is sent from the PC 103 to the external controller 102.

[0019] A printer driver having a function of converting print data into a print description language that can be processed by the external controller 102 is installed in this PC 103. A user who performs printing can issue a print instruction from various applications via the printer driver. The printer driver transmits print data to the external controller 102 based on the print instruction from the user. When the external controller 102 receives a print instruction from the PC 103, it performs data analysis and rasterization processing, and inputs the print data to the image forming apparatus 101 to issue a print instruction. The external controller 102 inputs the print data to the image forming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105, and inputs the rasterized image data via a video cable 106.

[0020] Next, a description will be given of the image forming apparatus 101. A plurality of devices having different functions are connected to the image forming apparatus 101, and the image forming apparatus 101 is configured to be capable of complex printing processes such as bookbinding.

[0021] The printing device 107 forms an image using toner on paper conveyed from a paper feed unit located at the bottom of the printing device 107. Note that, although printing on paper is described as an example here, other print media than paper may be used.

[0022] The configuration and operation principle of the printing device 107 are as follows. A beam of light such as a laser beam modulated according to image data is reflected by a rotating polygon mirror such as a polygon mirror and irradiated onto a photosensitive drum as a scanning beam. An electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by this laser beam is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet of paper attached to a transfer drum. A full-color image is formed on the sheet of paper by executing this series of image formation processes sequentially for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners. The sheet of paper on the transfer drum on which the full-color image has been formed is transported to a fuser. The fuser includes rollers, belts, etc., and has a heat source such as a halogen heater built into the roller, and melts the toner on the sheet of paper on which the toner image has been transferred by heat and pressure, thereby fixing it to the sheet of paper. The inserter 108 is a device for inserting an insert sheet. A sheet of paper can be inserted from 108 at any position into a group of sheets of paper printed and transported by the printing device 107.

[0023] The inspection device 109 is a device for reading an image of the conveyed paper (printed matter) and judging whether the printed image is normal or not by comparing the generated image data with preregistered reference image data (hereinafter, reference image). Note that the printed matter judged to be normal or not is discharged, for example, separated into normal printed matter and printed matter with an error.

[0024] The inspection device 109 also has an image diagnosis function. It reads the image of the chart dedicated to image diagnosis printed on paper by the printing device 107 and compares the generated image data with the original chart image data to determine the presence or absence of an image abnormality, and if an image abnormality is found, identifies the type and cause of the abnormality.

[0025] The large-capacity stacker 110 is a device capable of stacking a large volume of paper. The finisher 111 is a device that performs finishing processes on the transported paper. The finisher 111 can perform finishing processes such as stapling, punching, and saddle-stitching depending on the settings, and discharges the paper to a paper discharge tray.

[0026] 1 is configured such that the external controller 102 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101, but the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the external controller 102 is connected. That is, a configuration in which the image forming apparatus 101 is connected to an external LAN 104 and print data that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 101 is transmitted from a PC 103 may also be used. In this case, data analysis and rasterization processing are performed in the image forming apparatus 101, and print processing is executed.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101, the external controller 102, and the PC 103 according to the first embodiment.

[0028] First, the configuration of the printing device 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described.

[0029] The printing device 107 includes a communication I / F 217, a LAN I / F 218, a video I / F 220, a HDD (hard disk drive) 221, a CPU 222, a memory 223, an operation unit 224, and a display 225. The printing device 107 further includes a document exposure unit 226, a laser exposure unit 227, an image creation unit 228, a fixing unit 229, and a paper feed unit 230. Each of the components is connected via a system bus 231. The communication I / F 217 is connected to the inserter 108, the inspection device 109, the large-capacity stacker 110, and the finisher 111 via a communication cable 255, and communication for controlling each of the devices is performed. The LAN I / F 218 is connected to the external controller 102 via the internal LAN 105, and communication of print data and the like is performed. The video I / F 220 is connected to the external controller 102 via a video cable 106, and communication of rasterized image data and the like is performed. The HDD 221 is a storage device that stores programs and data. The CPU 222 loads the programs stored in the HDD 221 into the memory 223 and executes the programs to comprehensively control image processing and printing. The memory 223 stores programs and image data required when the CPU 222 performs various processes, and operates as a work area.

[0030] An operation unit 224 receives various setting inputs and operation instructions from the user. A display 225 displays setting information of the image processing device, the processing status of a print job, and the like. An original exposure unit 226 performs processing to read an original when using a copy function or a scan function. The original exposure unit 226 reads original data by shining an exposure lamp on a sheet of paper placed by the user and taking an image with a CCD camera.

[0031] The laser exposure unit 227 is a device that performs primary charging and laser exposure to irradiate the photosensitive drum with laser light in order to transfer a toner image. In the laser exposure unit 227, first, primary charging is performed to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform negative potential. Next, the laser driver irradiates the photosensitive drum with laser light while adjusting the reflection angle with a polygon mirror. This neutralizes the negative charge in the irradiated area, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The image creation unit 228 is a device for transferring toner to paper, and is composed of a development unit, a transfer unit, a toner supply unit, etc., and transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum to paper.

[0032] In the developing unit, negatively charged toner from a developing cylinder is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to make it visible. In the transfer unit, a primary transfer is performed by applying a positive potential to the primary transfer roller to transfer the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the transfer belt, and a secondary transfer is performed by applying a positive potential to the secondary transfer outer roller to transfer the toner on the transfer belt to paper. The fixing unit 229 is a device for melting and fixing the toner on the paper to the paper using heat and pressure, and includes a heater, a fixing belt, a pressure belt, etc. The paper feed unit 230 is a device for feeding paper, and the paper feeding and transport operations are controlled by rollers and various sensors.

[0033] Next, the configuration of the inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described.

[0034] The inserter 108 is composed of a communication I / F 232, a CPU 233, a memory 234, and a paper feed control unit 235, and each of these components is connected via a system bus 236. The communication I / F 232 is connected to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 255, and communication required for control is performed. The CPU 233 performs various controls required for paper feeding according to a control program stored in the memory 234. The memory 234 is a storage device in which the control program is saved. The paper feed control unit 235 controls the paper feed unit of the inserter 108 and the feeding and transport of paper transported from the printing device 107 while controlling rollers and sensors based on instructions from the CPU 222.

[0035] Next, the configuration of the inspection device 109 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described.

[0036] The inspection device 109 has a communication I / F 237, a CPU 238, a memory 239, an image capturing unit 240, a display unit 241, an operation unit 242, and a HDD 256, and each of the components is connected via a system bus 243. The communication I / F 237 is connected to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 255, and communication required for control is performed. In addition, a reference image used for inspection is also received from the printing device 107 via the communication cable 255 and the communication I / F 237, and is stored in the HDD 256. A chart image used for image diagnosis is stored in the HDD 256 in advance. The CPU 238 executes a control program stored in the memory 239 to perform various controls required for inspection and image diagnosis. The memory 239 is a storage device in which the control program is stored. The reception and storage of the reference image and the chart image are not limited to this, and for example, the inspection device 109 may have a LAN I / F and communicate with the external controller 102 via an internal LAN. At this time, the inspection device 109 can perform the same operation by receiving the reference image and the chart image from the external controller 102 via the LAN I / F and storing them in the HDD 256 .

[0037] The photographing unit 240 photographs the conveyed paper based on an instruction from the CPU 238. The CPU 238 compares the image photographed by the photographing unit 240 with the reference image and chart image stored in the HDD 256 to determine whether the printed image is normal or not. The display unit 241 is used to display the inspection result and a setting screen. The operation unit 242 is operated by a user and receives instructions such as changing the settings of the inspection device 109, registering the reference image, and executing image diagnosis. The HDD 256 stores the reference image. If the HDD 256 is not provided, the reference image and chart image are stored in the HDD 221 of the printing device 107. Then, when performing a process of determining whether the printed image is normal or not, the images may be received from the printing device 107 and the reference image and chart image may be expanded in the memory 239 for use.

[0038] Next, the configuration of the large-capacity stacker 110 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described.

[0039] The large-capacity stacker 110 has a communication I / F 244, a CPU 245, a memory 246, and a paper discharge control unit 247, and each of these components is connected via a system bus 248. The communication I / F 244 is connected to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 255, and communication required for control is performed. The CPU 245 executes a control program stored in the memory 246 to perform various controls required for paper discharge. The memory 246 is a storage device in which the control program is saved. The paper discharge control unit 247 controls the transport of the transported paper to a stack tray, an escape tray, or the subsequent finisher 111 based on instructions from the CPU 245.

[0040] Next, the configuration of the finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described.

[0041] The finisher 111 has a communication I / F 249, a CPU 250, a memory 251, a paper discharge control unit 252, and a finishing processing unit 253, and these components are connected via a system bus 254. The communication I / F 249 is connected to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 255, and communication required for control is performed. The CPU 250 executes a control program stored in the memory 251 to perform various controls required for finishing and paper discharge. The memory 251 is a storage device in which the control program is saved. The paper discharge control unit 252 controls paper transport and paper discharge based on instructions from the CPU 250. The finishing processing unit 253 controls finishing processes such as stapling, punching, and saddle stitching based on instructions from the CPU 250.

[0042] Next, the configuration of the external controller 102 will be described.

[0043] The external controller 102 includes a CPU 208, a memory 209, a HDD 210, a keyboard 211, a display 212, a LAN I / F 213, a LAN I / F 214, and a video I / F 215, which are connected through a system bus 216. The CPU 208 loads a program stored in the HDD 210 into the memory 209 and executes it, and comprehensively executes processes such as receiving print data from the PC 103, RIP processing, and sending a print job to the image forming apparatus 101. The memory 209 stores programs and data required for the CPU 208 to perform various processes, and operates as a work area. The HDD 210 stores programs and data required for operations such as printing processing. The keyboard 211 is a device for inputting operation instructions for the external controller 102. The display 212 displays information such as an application executed by the external controller 102 by video signals of still images and moving images. The LAN I / F 213 is connected to the PC 103 via the external LAN 104, and communication such as print instructions is performed. The LAN I / F 214 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105, and performs communication of print jobs and the like as print instructions. The video I / F 215 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via a video cable 106, and performs communication of rasterized image data and the like.

[0044] Next, the configuration of the PC 103 will be described.

[0045] The PC 103 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, a HDD 203, a keyboard 204, a display 205, and a LAN I / F 206, which are connected via a system bus 207. The CPU 201 creates print data and issues print instructions by expanding a document processing program and the like stored in the HDD 203 into the memory 202 and executing the program. The CPU 201 also comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus. The memory 202 stores programs and data required for the CPU 201 to perform various processes, and operates as a work area. The HDD 203 stores programs and data required for operations such as print processing. The keyboard 204 is a device for inputting operation instructions for the PC 103. The display 205 displays information such as an application executed by the PC 103 by video signals of still images and moving images. The LAN I / F 206 is connected to the external LAN 104, and communication such as print instructions is performed.

[0046] In the above description, the external controller 102 and the image forming apparatus 101 are connected via the internal LAN 105 and the video cable 106, but any other configuration is acceptable as long as data necessary for printing can be transmitted and received, and for example, a connection configuration using only a video cable is also acceptable. Also, the memory 202, memory 209, memory 223, memory 234, memory 239, memory 246, and memory 251 may each be a storage device for holding data and programs. These may be replaced with, for example, volatile RAM, non-volatile ROM, built-in HDD, external HDD, USB memory, or the like.

[0047] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the mechanism of the image forming apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0048] First, the printer 107 will be described. The paper feed decks 301 and 302 can store a plurality of sheets of various paper. Information on the paper stored in each paper feed deck (paper size, paper type) can be set from the operation unit 224 of the printer 107. Each paper feed deck separates the topmost sheet of paper stored and transports it to the paper transport path 303. The development stations 304 to 307 form toner images using color toners of Y, M, C, and K, respectively, to form a color image. The toner images formed here are primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 308. The intermediate transfer belt 308 is driven to rotate in a clockwise direction in FIG. 3, and the toner image is transferred to the paper transported from the paper transport path 303 at the secondary transfer position 309. The display 225 displays the printing status of the image forming apparatus 101 and information for settings. The fixing unit 311 fixes the toner image on the paper to the paper. The fixing unit 311 includes a pressure roller and a heating roller, and the toner image is fixed to the paper by melting and pressing the toner as the paper passes between these rollers. The paper that has passed the fixing unit 311 is conveyed to a conveying path 315 via a paper conveying path 312. If further melting and pressing is required for fixing depending on the type of paper, the paper that has passed the fixing unit 311 is conveyed to a second fixing unit 313 via an upper paper conveying path. The paper that has been subjected to additional melting and pressing in the second fixing unit 313 is conveyed to a conveying path 315 via a paper conveying path 314. When the image forming mode is double-sided, the paper after fixing is conveyed to a paper inversion path 316, where the paper is inverted, and then conveyed to a double-sided conveying path 317, where the image is transferred to the second side of the paper at a secondary transfer position 309.

[0049] Next, the structure of the inserter 108 for inserting paper will be described.

[0050] The inserter 108 includes an inserter tray 321, and merges the paper fed to the inserter tray 321 with the transport path via a paper transport path 322. This makes it possible to insert a paper sheet at any position in a series of paper sheets transported from the printing device 107 and transport the paper sheet to a subsequent device.

[0051] Next, the configuration of the inspection device 109 that inspects the printed paper will be described.

[0052] The paper that has passed through the inserter 108 is transported to the inspection device 109. Cameras 331 and 332 are arranged facing each other inside the inspection device 109. Camera 331 is a camera for reading the top surface of the paper, and camera 332 is a camera for reading the bottom surface of the paper. When the paper transported to paper transport path 333 reaches a predetermined position, the inspection device 109 uses cameras 331 and 332 to read the image of the paper. In the case of inspection, it is determined whether the image is normal or not, and in the case of image diagnosis, it is determined whether there is an image abnormality, and if there is an image abnormality, it identifies the type and cause of the abnormality. The inspection results and image diagnosis results performed by the inspection device 109 are displayed on the display unit 241.

[0053] Next, the configuration of the large-capacity stacker 110 capable of stacking a large amount of paper will be described.

[0054] The large-capacity stacker 110 has a stack tray 341 as a tray for stacking sheets determined to be normal sheets (printed matter) by the inspection by the inspection device 109. The sheets that have passed through the inspection device 109 are input to the large-capacity stacker 110 through a sheet transport path 344. The sheets are stacked on the stack tray 341 via the sheet transport path 344 and a sheet transport path 345. The stacker 340 further has an escape tray 346 as a paper discharge tray. The escape tray 346 is a paper discharge tray used to discharge sheets determined to be sheets (printed matter) with errors by the inspection by the inspection device 109 and sheets of charts printed for image diagnosis. When outputting to the escape tray 346, the sheets are transported from the sheet transport path 344 to the escape tray 346 via a sheet transport path 347. When transporting the sheets to a post-processing device (finisher) downstream of the large-capacity stacker 110, the sheets are transported via a sheet transport path 348. The inversion unit 349 inverts the paper. This inversion unit 349 is used when the paper is loaded onto the stack tray 341. When loading the paper onto the stack tray 341, the paper is inverted once by the inversion unit 349 so that the orientation of the input paper is the same as the orientation of the paper at the time of output. When transporting the paper to the escape tray 346 or a subsequent post-processing device, the paper is discharged as is without being flipped when loaded, so the inversion operation is not performed by the inversion unit 349.

[0055] Next, the configuration of the finisher 111 will be described.

[0056] The finisher 111 is a device that performs finishing processing on the transported paper in accordance with the function specified by the user. Specifically, the finisher 111 has finishing functions such as stapling (one-place or two-place binding), punching (two-hole or three-hole), and saddle stitching. The finisher 111 includes a paper output tray 351 and a paper output tray 352. Paper is output to the paper output tray 351 via a paper transport path 353. However, finishing processing such as stapling cannot be performed on the paper transport path 353.

[0057] When a finishing process such as stapling is performed, the paper is output to a paper output tray 352 after a finishing function designated by the user is executed in a processing section 355 via a paper transport path 354. The paper output trays 351 and 352 can be raised and lowered, and it is also possible to operate so that the paper output tray 351 is lowered and the paper that has been subjected to the finishing process in the processing section 355 is loaded onto the paper output tray 351. When saddle stitch binding is designated, the paper is stapled in the center in a saddle stitch processing section 356, folded in half, and output to a saddle stitch binding tray 358 via a paper transport path 357. The saddle stitch binding tray 358 is configured as a belt conveyor, and the saddle stitched bundle loaded on the saddle stitch binding tray 358 is configured to be transported to the left side.

[0058] 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image diagnosis setting screen 400 displayed for instructing the execution of image diagnosis in embodiment 1. This screen 400 is displayed on the display unit 241 of the inspection device 109 in this embodiment 1, but may also be displayed on the display 225 of the printing device 107 or the display 212 of the external controller 102. The image diagnosis setting screen 400 has diagnosis target settings 401, 402, and 403, a setting reset button 404, a paper setting button 405, an image diagnosis execution button 406, and a close button 407.

[0059] The diagnostic object settings 401, 402, and 403 are areas for specifying the type of image abnormality to be the target of image diagnosis. The diagnostic object setting 401 can be set to perform image diagnosis for misalignment, the diagnostic object setting 402 for stains (streaks), and the diagnostic object setting 403 for stains (dots). In the example of FIG. 4, the check box of each diagnostic object setting is checked, and image diagnosis is set to be performed. In addition, when each diagnostic object setting is set to "diagnose", the color of the object to be diagnosed can be set. The target color can be set individually to the color used in image formation, and in this case, each of the toner colors Y, M, C, and K can be set. Each toner color is selected when pressed once, and is not selected when pressed again. In the example of FIG. 4, all of Y, M, C, and K are set as the target color. The setting reset button 404 is a button for resetting the diagnostic object settings 401, 402, and 403 to their initial values.

[0060] The paper setting button 405 is a button for instructing the setting of the paper to be used for image diagnosis and the display of the setting contents. When the paper setting button 405 is pressed, a paper setting screen is displayed, allowing the user to set the paper to be used for image diagnosis, and the set contents are displayed in the setting contents.

[0061] 4 shows an example of setting the paper on a tray basis, and shows a state in which A4 size paper is selected for the paper feed deck 301. When the diagnosis execution button 405 is pressed, it instructs the execution of image diagnosis in accordance with the settings made by the diagnosis target settings 401, 402, and 403 and the paper setting button 405. When the close button 407 is pressed, the image diagnosis setting screen 400 is closed and the initial screen is displayed.

[0062] 5 is a diagram showing an example of an image diagnosis result screen that displays the results of image diagnosis according to embodiment 1. In embodiment 1, this screen is displayed on the display unit 241 of the inspection device 109, but it may also be displayed on the display 225 of the printing device 107 or the display 212 of the external controller 102.

[0063] The image diagnosis result screen 500 in FIG. 5(A) shows an example of a screen in which the result of the image diagnosis is normal, that is, there is no image abnormality, and includes a result 501 for each diagnostic target item, an image diagnosis result message 502, and a close button 503. The result 501 for each diagnostic target item displays the result for each type of image abnormality set to be diagnosed in the diagnostic target settings 401, 402, and 403. The diagnosis result is displayed as either "normal", "abnormal", or "automatic repair" for each detailed item such as the direction of occurrence and type of the diagnostic target. "-" is displayed for items that are not subject to diagnosis. The image diagnosis result message 502 displays the diagnosis result and, if there is an image abnormality in the diagnosis result, a message regarding how to deal with it. In FIG. 5, the diagnosis result is displayed in concrete words so that the user can understand. When the close button 503 is pressed, the image diagnosis result screen 500 is closed and the initial screen is displayed.

[0064] An image diagnosis result 510 in FIG. 5(B) shows an example of a screen when the result of the image diagnosis is abnormal, that is, when there is an image abnormality.

[0065] In the results 501 for each diagnosis target, "automatic solution" is displayed for items where it is determined that the image abnormality can be resolved by automatic solution, and "abnormal" is displayed for items where it is determined that the abnormality cannot be resolved by automatic solution. In addition to the diagnosis result, the image diagnosis result message 502 presents that an automatic solution (here, registration adjustment) has been implemented, and the solution required for items that cannot be resolved by automatic solution. Furthermore, if the image diagnosis result is abnormal, a next button 511 is displayed in the image diagnosis result 510. Pressing the next button 511 transitions to a solution screen.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 600 that displays a list of measures required to eliminate abnormalities in items diagnosed as abnormal by image diagnosis.

[0067] This screen is displayed when the Next button 511 in Fig. 5(B) is pressed. In the first embodiment, this screen 600 is displayed on the display unit 241 of the inspection device 109, but it may also be displayed on the display 225 of the printing device 107 or the display 212 of the external controller 102. This screen 600 is a screen displayed when all of the measures determined to be necessary by image diagnosis have not been completed, and includes a list of measures 601, a re-diagnosis button 603 for issuing an instruction to execute a re-diagnosis, and a close button 604.

[0068] The countermeasure list 601 displays, for each part that caused the image diagnosis to be abnormal, a countermeasure required for that part to eliminate the abnormality and a display 602 indicating whether the countermeasure has been completed or not in a list. Whether the countermeasure has been completed may be determined upon receiving an instruction from a user. Alternatively, the CPU 222 of the printing device 107 may determine whether the countermeasure has been completed or not, and the inspection device 109 may receive this information via the communication I / F 217 and communication cable 255, and the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 may determine whether the countermeasure has been completed or not. When the completion or not of a countermeasure in an item of the countermeasure list 601 is changed, the display 602 indicating whether the corresponding countermeasure has been completed or not is switched.

[0069] When the re-diagnosis button 603 is pressed, a re-diagnosis process is executed. The re-diagnosis button 603 may be configured not to operate even when pressed unless all of the displays 602 indicating whether the measures in the measures list 601 are completed / not completed. Alternatively, the re-diagnosis button 603 may be configured to operate when pressed regardless of the state of the displays 602 indicating whether the measures are completed / not completed. The re-diagnosis button 603 may be configured not to be displayed unless re-diagnosis is executable, or may be grayed out when re-diagnosis is not executable. Alternatively, the re-diagnosis button 603 may be displayed regardless of whether re-diagnosis is executable or not. When the close button 604 is pressed, the screen 600 is closed and the initial screen is displayed.

[0070] In the example of FIG. 6, the automatic troubleshooting work has been completed, but the replacement of drum units (C) and (K) has not been completed.

[0071] 7 is a flowchart for explaining an image diagnosis process executed by the inspection device 109 according to the embodiment 1. Note that a series of processes shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 loading a control program stored in the HDD 256 into the memory 239 and executing it.

[0072] In S701, the CPU 238 instructs the CPU 222 of the printing device 107 to print a test chart. Image data to be printed as the test chart is determined by the image diagnosis settings. This image data may be data stored in the HDD 221 of the printing device 107, or data stored in the HDD 256 of the inspection device 109 received together with the print instruction. Then, when a response to start printing the test chart is received from the CPU 222 of the printing device 107, the process proceeds to S702. In S702, the CPU 238 instructs the imaging unit 240 to read the test chart in accordance with the transport timing of the transported test chart. Since the number of test charts transported here varies depending on the image diagnosis settings, the CPU 238 executes the read process for the number of test charts instructed to be printed in S701. When the image data thus read is recorded in the HDD 256, the process proceeds to S703.

[0073] In S703, the CPU 238 judges whether or not there is an image abnormality in the scan image data obtained by reading the test chart in S702. Here, the presence or absence of an image abnormality may be judged in the same manner for the scan image data of all the test charts read in S702, or a diagnosis target may be determined in advance for each scan image data of the test chart, and the presence or absence of an image abnormality may be judged for each scan image data. If it is judged here that there is an image abnormality, the process proceeds to S704, and if it is judged that there is no image abnormality, the process proceeds to S712.

[0074] In S704, the CPU 238 identifies what type of image abnormality has occurred from the image data in which it was determined in S703 that an image abnormality exists. The type of image abnormality may be identified by checking whether the characteristics of each image abnormality have occurred in the scanned image data, or by comparing the image data of a test chart stored in the HDD 256 of the inspection device 1 with the scanned image data obtained in S702. The type of image abnormality may be identified for each piece of scanned image data, or may be identified for multiple pieces of scanned image data at once. The presence or absence of the image abnormality thus identified is recorded in the memory 239 for each type of image abnormality, and the process proceeds to S705.

[0075] In S705, the CPU 238 extracts a feature amount determined for each type of image abnormality identified. For example, if the type of image abnormality is vertical streaks, the feature amount here is the streak position, streak width, streak number, streak period, etc. After extracting the feature amount, the CPU 238 stores the feature amount in the memory 239 and proceeds to S706.

[0076] In S706, the CPU 238 determines whether the image abnormality is periodic based on the type of image abnormality identified in S704 and the feature amount extracted in S705. If it is determined that the image abnormality is periodic, the process proceeds to S707, and if not, the process proceeds to S708. In S707, the CPU 238 analyzes the period of the image abnormality based on the type of image abnormality identified in S704 and the feature amount extracted in S705. For example, if the type of image abnormality is vertical streaks, the occurrence period of the streaks is analyzed based on the position and number of the streaks. The period determined as a result of this analysis is stored in the memory 239, and the process proceeds to S708.

[0077] In S708, the CPU 238 identifies the cause of the image abnormality from the type of image abnormality identified in S704, the feature amount extracted in S705, and, if there is periodicity, the analysis result of the period. The cause of the image abnormality is identified, for example, by storing a table of the feature amounts of the image abnormality and the corresponding causes of occurrence, and applying the feature amount extracted in S705. When the cause of the image abnormality is identified in this way, it is stored in the memory 239 and the process proceeds to S709.

[0078] In S709, the CPU 238 reads out the cause of the problem identified and stored in S708, and determines a method of dealing with the cause of the problem. This method of dealing with the problem is determined, for example, by holding a table that stores causes of the problem and corresponding methods of dealing with the problem, and applying the cause of the problem identified in S708 to the table. Examples of methods of dealing with the problem include replacing parts and cleaning parts. Once the method of dealing with the problem has been determined, the process proceeds to S710. In S710, the CPU 238 determines whether the method of dealing with the problem determined in S709 includes an item for automatic dealing. If an item for automatic dealing is included here, the process proceeds to S711, and if not, the process proceeds to S712.

[0079] In S711, the CPU 238 instructs the CPU 222 of the printing device 107 to execute an automatic countermeasure. Then, when a notification that the automatic countermeasure has been executed is received from the CPU 222 of the printing device 107, the CPU 238 stores in the memory 239 the fact that the automatic countermeasure has been completed, and proceeds to S712. In S712, the CPU 238 displays the results of the image diagnosis on the display unit 241 of the inspection device 109. The screen shown in FIG. 5 described above is an example of the screen displayed at this time. At this time, diagnosis items for which no image abnormality has occurred are displayed as normal, and items for which an image abnormality has occurred are displayed as abnormal. Also, for items for which automatic countermeasures have been executed, a message is displayed indicating that automatic countermeasures have been executed. When the image diagnosis result screen is thus displayed on the display unit 241, this process ends.

[0080] By this process, if the inspection device determines that there is an abnormality in the printed matter printed by the printing device 107 as a result of the image diagnosis, it can identify the cause of the abnormality and present the user with a method of dealing with it. In addition, when performing this image diagnosis, the object to be diagnosed (for example, misalignment (register), stains, etc., or the target color) can be set, and it is determined whether each diagnostic object is normal or not.

[0081] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a re-diagnosis setting screen 800 according to the first embodiment.

[0082] In the first embodiment, this screen is displayed on the display unit 241 of the inspection device 109, but it may also be displayed on the display 225 of the printing device 107 or the display 212 of the external controller 102. The settings selected on the re-diagnosis setting screen are stored in the HDD 256 of the inspection device 109.

[0083] The re-diagnosis setting screen 800 has an executable timing setting 801 for re-diagnosis, a target setting 802 for re-diagnosis, an operation setting 803 for when the re-diagnosis button is pressed, an OK button 804, and a close button 805.

[0084] The re-diagnosis executable timing setting 801 is an item for setting the timing at which re-diagnosis can be executed. If the re-diagnosis executable timing is set to "executable at any time", the re-diagnosis button 603 in FIG. 6 is displayed regardless of whether the measures have been completed or not. If the re-diagnosis executable timing is set to "executable when all measures have been completed", the re-diagnosis button 603 is displayed when all measures determined to be necessary by image diagnosis have been completed. In the example of FIG. 8, "executable when all measures have been completed" is selected.

[0085] The re-diagnosis target setting 802 is an item for setting the target of re-diagnosis. If the target of re-diagnosis is set to "same as previous imaging diagnosis", re-diagnosis is performed on the target of the previous imaging diagnosis. If the target of re-diagnosis is set to "things affected by the countermeasures", re-diagnosis is performed only on the targets affected by the countermeasures determined to be necessary by the previous imaging diagnosis. If the target of re-diagnosis is set to "same as previous imaging diagnosis + things affected by the countermeasures", in addition to the target of the previous imaging diagnosis, diagnosis is performed on the targets affected by the countermeasures determined to be necessary by the previous imaging diagnosis. In the example of Figure 8, "things affected by the countermeasures" is selected.

[0086] The action setting 803 when the rediagnosis button is pressed is an item for setting the action to be taken when rediagnosis is instructed in a state where rediagnosis can be performed. If "Perform image diagnosis" is selected, image diagnosis is performed on the target set in the target to be rediagnosed setting 802. If "Display image diagnosis setting menu" is selected, the image diagnosis setting screen 400 of FIG. 4 is displayed. Note that when the rediagnosis button 603 is pressed on the screen of FIG. 6 to display the image diagnosis setting screen 400, the target set in the target to be rediagnosed setting 802 may be pre-selected. In the example of FIG. 8, "Perform image diagnosis" is selected.

[0087] Fig. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the processing when the inspection device 109 according to the first embodiment displays the re-diagnosis button 603 on the countermeasure screen, and this processing is started when the Next button 511 in Fig. 5(B) is pressed. Note that the series of processing shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 loading a control program stored in the HDD 256 into the memory 239 and executing it.

[0088] In S901, the CPU 238 displays a countermeasure screen shown in Fig. 6 on the display unit 241, for example. This screen displays, for each component that has been diagnosed as abnormal in image diagnosis, a list of the work required to eliminate the abnormality for that component and whether the countermeasure has been completed or not. After this countermeasure screen is displayed, the process proceeds to S902. In S902, the CPU 238 checks the timing (conditions) for which re-diagnosis can be performed. The CPU 238 checks the contents set in the re-diagnosis execution timing setting 801 in Fig. 8, and if it is set to "can be performed at any time", the process proceeds to S905, and if it is set to "can be performed when all countermeasures are completed", the process proceeds to S903. Note that if it is set to "can be performed at any time", the countermeasure status is checked and updated after this process ends.

[0089] In S903, the CPU 238 determines whether or not the measures to resolve the image abnormality have been completed, and if there has been a change since the previous check, the display 602 indicating whether the measures for the corresponding items have been completed / not completed is switched and displayed on the display unit 241. When the check and switching are completed for all items, the process proceeds to S904. In S904, the CPU 238 determines whether or not all the measures to resolve the image abnormality have been completed. If it is determined that all the measures have been completed, the process proceeds to S905, and if it is determined that all the measures have not been completed, the process ends. In S905, the CPU 238 adds a display of a re-diagnosis button 603 to the display unit 241. The re-diagnosis button 603 in FIG. 6 is an example of the display added at this time. When the display of the re-diagnosis button 603 has been added in this way, the process ends.

[0090] As described above, this process enables the testing device to display a button for instructing execution of a rediagnosis on the solution method screen according to the timing at which a rediagnosis can be performed, which is set in the rediagnosis settings.

[0091] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process executed by the inspection device 109 according to the first embodiment when the re-diagnosis button 603 is pressed. Note that the series of processes shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 loading a control program stored in the HDD 256 into the memory 239 and executing it.

[0092] In S1001, the CPU 238 confirms the target for rediagnosis. This is the content selected in the rediagnosis target setting 802 on the rediagnosis setting screen in FIG. 8 described above. If the target is "same as previous image diagnosis", the process proceeds to S1002; if it is "something that will be affected by the countermeasure", the process proceeds to S1003; if it is "same as previous image diagnosis + something that will be affected by the countermeasure", the process proceeds to S1004. In S1002, S1003, and S1004, the CPU 238 stores the target for rediagnosis confirmed in S1001 in the memory 239. Then, the process proceeds to S1005.

[0093] In S1005, the CPU 238 checks the operation to be performed when the re-diagnosis button 603 is pressed. This is the operation set in the operation setting 803 when the re-diagnosis button is pressed in FIG. 8 described above. If the operation is "execute image diagnosis", the process proceeds to S1006, and if it is "display image diagnosis setting menu", the process proceeds to S1007. In S1006, the CPU 238 executes image diagnosis for the target of re-diagnosis saved in any of S1002, S1003, and S1004. After the image diagnosis is thus executed, this process ends. In S1007, the CPU 238 displays, for example, the image diagnosis setting screen 400 shown in FIG. 4 on the display unit 241. At this time, the screen is displayed in a state in which the target of re-diagnosis saved in any of S1002, S1003, and S1004 is selected as the diagnosis target. After the image diagnosis menu is thus displayed in S1007, this process ends.

[0094] As described above, according to the first embodiment, input of a diagnosis target is accepted from a user, and image diagnosis is performed on the input target. Then, if the diagnosis result indicates that there is an abnormality, a countermeasure determined to be necessary is presented to the user. Then, after the countermeasure is completed, a display instructing re-diagnosis is added if necessary. When re-diagnosis is instructed, image diagnosis is performed on the part specified as the target of the re-diagnosis, and it is possible to determine the presence or absence of an image abnormality, and if an image abnormality is found, to identify the type and cause of the abnormality. This reduces the number of operations required during re-diagnosis compared to conventional methods, and makes it possible to efficiently check whether the image abnormality has been resolved.

[0095] In this embodiment 1, a control program for inspection and image diagnosis is executed on the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109, but the image read by the inspection device 109 may be transmitted to the printing device 107, the external controller 102, or the PC 103, and the control program may be executed in the destination device.

[0096] [Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which, when a user performs maintenance work such as replacing parts of the image forming apparatus 101, the user is prompted to perform image diagnosis processing before executing a job. Note that the maintenance work performed by the user also includes daily maintenance work that is not caused by an inspection result being NG, etc. Note that the configuration of the image processing system and the hardware configuration of each device according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0097] 11 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection result confirmation screen that displays the results of the inspection process according to the second embodiment of the present invention. This screen is described here as being displayed on the display unit 241 of the inspection device 109, but it may also be displayed on the display 225 of the printing device 107 or the display 212 of the external controller 102.

[0098] FIG. 11(A) shows an example of a screen displaying a list of inspection results.

[0099] The inspection result list screen 1100 has an inspection result list 1101, an environment setting button 1102, and an image diagnosis execution button 1103. The inspection result list 1101 displays the results of the inspection jobs registered as inspection jobs in a list. Here, the results of each inspection job are listed, including the job name for identifying the job, the status indicating the execution status of the inspection job, the inspection start date and time, the inspection end date and time, the number of sheets inspected, and the number of sheets that were NG. Also listed are a "Check settings" link that transitions to a screen for checking the settings of the selected inspection job, a "Check results" link that transitions to an inspection result confirmation screen 1110 in FIG. 11(B), and an "Image diagnosis" link that transitions to a screen for performing image diagnosis based on the inspection results.

[0100] In the result list 1101, inspected jobs that have already been inspected and jobs that have been set but have not yet been inspected are listed. The status of inspected jobs is "inspected", and the inspection start date and time, inspection end date and time, number of sheets inspected, and number of sheets that have not been inspected are listed, and a link to transition to an inspection result confirmation screen 1110 is listed. If an NG occurs as a result of the inspection and it is determined that image diagnosis should be performed, an "image diagnosis" link is listed. For jobs that have not yet been inspected, the status is listed as "set", and items other than the "setting confirmation" link have undecided values ​​listed. The environment setting button 1102 is a button for displaying an environment setting screen of this image processing system, and when this button 1102 is selected, transition to the environment setting screen (not shown) is performed. The image diagnosis execution button 1103 is a button for displaying an image diagnosis execution screen, and when this button 1103 is selected, transition to the image diagnosis setting screen 400 of FIG. 4 of the above-mentioned embodiment 1 is performed.

[0101] FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen 1110 for confirming the test results.

[0102] This confirmation screen 1110 is a screen that displays details of the inspection result for a selected job when the "Confirm Result" link for an inspected job in the inspection result list 1101 in FIG. 11(A) is selected. Here, an example is shown in which 16 copies of a print job in which each copy is made of 5 sheets of paper, totaling 80 copies, are printed, and inspection NG occurs for two sheets. The confirmation screen 1110 has a thumbnail 1111 of the paper that has failed inspection, an inspection summary result 1112, an inspection NG list 1113, an image diagnosis execution button 1114, and a close button 1115. The inspection NG thumbnail 1111 displays scanned images of the front and back sides of the paper that has failed inspection. If NG occurs for multiple sheets of paper, the image of another sheet that has failed inspection can be switched to by selecting the selection button below the thumbnail. That is, in FIG. 11(B), inspection NG occurs for two sheets of paper, and thumbnails of the first and second sides of the first sheet that has failed inspection are displayed. By selecting the selection button on the right below the thumbnail, it is possible to display thumbnails of the first and second sides of the second sheet of paper where the NG occurred.

[0103] The inspection tally result 1112 is an area that displays the tally of the inspection results of the inspection job. This includes the number of sheets that have been inspected (here, 80 sheets), the number of sheets that have failed the inspection (here, 2 sheets), the NG rate (here, 2.5%), and the total number of errors where printing / reading was not possible (here, 0 sheets). In addition, the total number of occurrences of misalignment (vertical), misalignment (horizontal), stains (dots), and stains (streaks), which are defects caused by the inspection, is recorded. Here, it can be seen that stains (streaks) occurred on two sheets of paper.

[0104] In the NG list 1113, for each NG sheet, the number of sheets in the entire inspection job, the number of sheets in the job, the part number, the front or back side (1 indicates the front side, 2 indicates the back side), and the NG cause are listed as OK or NG. In the figure, NG (stain (streak) was detected on the front side of the 72nd sheet (the second sheet of the 15th set) and the 78th sheet (the third sheet of the 16th set). In addition, the inspection date and time and a "confirm" link to the scanned image of the NG sheet are listed. When the "confirm" link of the NG image is selected, the scanned image of the sheet that was NG for inspection is displayed. The image diagnosis execution button 1114 is a button for instructing the execution of image diagnosis, and when instructed, the screen transitions to the image diagnosis setting screen 400 of FIG. 4. The close button 1115 is a button for instructing the closing of this inspection result confirmation screen. When the close button 1115 is instructed, the screen transitions to the inspection result list screen 1100 before the transition.

[0105] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a parts list showing a list of parts to be subjected to image diagnosis and their image diagnosis items according to embodiment 2. This list is stored in the HDD 221 of the printing device 107, and is referred to when identifying the image diagnosis items to be performed when a user replaces a part.

[0106] This list 1201 shows a list of parts to be subjected to image diagnosis and the corresponding diagnosis items, and it is assumed that when the user performs maintenance on those parts, the quality of the output product (printed matter) will be affected. The image diagnosis items 1202 show image diagnosis items that are recommended for the user to perform when performing maintenance on each part. For example, when the user performs maintenance on the fixing unit, it will affect streak stains and spot stains, so it is recommended that the user check whether or not such abnormalities have occurred before performing an important job. The screen for setting the image diagnosis when performing the image diagnosis, the display of the result of the image diagnosis, etc. are the same as those described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5 according to the above-mentioned first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] 13 is a diagram showing an example of an image diagnosis recommendation screen displayed on the inspection device 109 according to embodiment 2. This screen is displayed on the display unit 241 by the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 when a user performs maintenance on a part.

[0108] When it is detected that the user has performed maintenance on a specific part of the printing device 107, the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 displays a pop-up 1301 on the display unit 241 to recommend that the user perform image diagnosis. The example in Fig. 13 shows a case where the user has performed maintenance on the fixing unit. A message 1302 shows a message recommending that the user perform image diagnosis when maintenance is performed on a specific part, and the message is fixed regardless of the type of part for which maintenance is performed.

[0109] The maintained parts 1303 indicate the parts for which the user performed maintenance, and in the example of FIG. 13, "fixing unit" is displayed as the part name. The recommended diagnosis items 1304 indicate recommended diagnosis items related to the parts for which the user performed maintenance. The CPU 238 determines the image diagnosis items to be displayed in the recommended diagnosis items 1304 based on the parts for which the user performed maintenance and the contents of the image diagnosis target parts list 1201 of FIG. 12. In the example of FIG. 13, the user is prompted to perform diagnosis of stains (streaks) and stains (dots), which are image diagnosis items related to the fixing unit.

[0110] The execute now button 1305 is a button for instructing to immediately execute image diagnosis. When the user presses the execute now button 1305, the CPU 238 executes image diagnosis of the diagnostic item recommended in the diagnostic item 1304. On the other hand, the close button 1306 is a button for closing the pop-up 1301. When the pop-up 1301 is displayed and the user does not immediately execute image diagnosis for some reason, the user can close the pop-up 1301 by pressing the close button 1306.

[0111] In this way, in embodiment 2, if the part on which the user has performed maintenance is a part related to an image diagnosis item, the image diagnosis item related to that part is identified, and a pop-up is displayed recommending the user to perform image diagnosis processing for that diagnosis item.

[0112] 14 is a flowchart for explaining the process when the inspection device 109 according to the second embodiment executes the inspection process and then executes the image diagnosis. The process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 loading a control program from the HDD 256 into the memory 239 and executing it.

[0113] When an instruction to start execution of an inspection job is received from a user, the external controller 102 issues an instruction to start printing to the printing device 107. As a result, the recording sheet on which an image is printed by the printing device 107 is conveyed from the printing device 107 to the inspection device 1 via the inserter 108. In S1401, the CPU 238 conveys the sheet on which the image to be inspected is formed to a conveying path. Next, in S1402, the CPU 238 reads the image of the sheet by the image reading sensor (photographing unit 240) in accordance with the timing of conveying the sheet, and performs an inspection operation by comparing the scanned image obtained by the reading with a reference image. In this inspection operation, the scanned image is saved in the HDD 256, and the inspection result is judged as to whether an image defect has occurred, and if so, the cause of the defect, and the result is stored as the inspection result. When the inspection result is determined in this way, the content is stored in the memory 239, and the process proceeds to S1403. In S1403, the CPU 238 judges whether the inspection result of the inspection process is OK or NG. If the inspection result is OK, the process proceeds to S1409, and if it is NG, the process proceeds to S1404. In S1404, the CPU 238 executes image diagnosis processing. Details of this image diagnosis processing are the same as those in the flowchart of Fig. 7 according to the first embodiment, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. When the image diagnosis is thus completed and the diagnosis result is obtained, the process proceeds to S1405.

[0114] In S1405, the CPU 238 determines whether or not the image diagnosis executed in S1404 resulted in an abnormality. If it is determined that the image diagnosis resulted in an abnormality, the process proceeds to S1406, and if it is determined that no abnormality has occurred, the process proceeds to S1409. In S1409, the CPU 238 determines whether or not the inspection job is continuing based on whether or not there is a sheet to be inspected, and if there is a sheet to be inspected, the process proceeds to S1401, and if there is no sheet to be inspected, the process ends.

[0115] In S1406, the CPU 238 notifies the CPU 222 of the printing device 107 of the stop of the inspection job, and the process proceeds to S1407. In S1407, the CPU 238 waits for a user operation to resolve the abnormality in the image diagnosis result. Here, the CPU 238 receives a notification from the CPU 222 of the printing device 106 that a user operation has occurred, or determines that a user operation has been performed when a user operation has been performed on the operation unit 242 of the inspection device 1, and proceeds to S1408. Here, the user operation refers to replacement of parts of the printing device 107, cleaning of parts, operation or change of part information, etc., to resolve the cause of the abnormality in the image diagnosis result.

[0116] In S1408, the CPU 238 determines whether the abnormality in the image diagnosis result has been resolved by the user's operation received in S1407. For example, if the procedure for resolving the abnormality in the image diagnosis result is a part replacement, the printing device 107 can determine whether the abnormality has been resolved by detecting that the part has been replaced and notifying the user that the part has been replaced. Alternatively, if the user notifies the user that they have replaced the part, the abnormality can be determined to have been resolved. If it is determined that the abnormality in the image diagnosis result has been resolved in this way, the process proceeds to S1409, and if it is determined that the abnormality has not been resolved, the process proceeds to S1407 and waits for the abnormality to be resolved.

[0117] If the inspection device 109 detects an image abnormality during the inspection process, it executes image diagnosis processing according to the type of abnormality. If the image diagnosis process determines that there is no abnormality, it continues the inspection process, but if the image diagnosis process determines that there is an abnormality, it stops the inspection process and recommends the user to perform maintenance on the part to resolve the abnormality.

[0118] 15 is a flowchart for explaining a process performed by the inspection device 109 according to the second embodiment when the inspection device 109 displays a pop-up message recommending execution of image diagnosis when the user performs maintenance on a part. Note that the process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 loading a control program from the HDD 256 into the memory 239 and executing the control program.

[0119] In S1501, the CPU 238 judges whether or not the user has performed part maintenance. The method of detecting whether or not the part maintenance has been performed may be a method of automatically detecting the attachment and detachment of the part by a sensor in the mounting portion of each part of the printing device 107 when replacing the part. Alternatively, a method of inputting that the part maintenance has been performed by the user on an operation screen for performing the part maintenance may be used, but the format is not important. If the part maintenance has been performed, the process proceeds to S1502, where the CPU 238 searches whether or not the part for which maintenance has been performed in S1501 is included in the image diagnosis target parts list 1201 in FIG. 12 described above, and proceeds to S1503. If the CPU 238 determines in S1503 that the part for which maintenance has been performed is included in the image diagnosis target parts list 1201, the process proceeds to S1504, and if the CPU 238 determines that the part for which maintenance has been performed is not included, the process proceeds to S1501.

[0120] In S1504, the CPU 238 identifies the image diagnosis item 1202 related to the part for which maintenance was performed from the image diagnosis target parts list 1201, and proceeds to S1505. In S1505, the CPU 238 displays a pop-up 1301 for recommending the user to perform image diagnosis on the display unit 241 of the inspection device 109, for example, as shown in FIG. 13. The pop-up 1301 displayed here displays the parts identified in S1502 and S1504, and a message recommending the implementation of image diagnosis items related to the parts. For example, in the example of FIG. 13, since the user replaced the "fixing unit," the user is prompted to perform diagnosis of stains (streaks) and stains (dots), which are image diagnosis items related to the fixing unit.

[0121] In the second embodiment, the pop-up 1301, which is an image diagnosis recommendation screen, is displayed when the user performs maintenance on a specific part, but the conditions for displaying this screen are not limited to this. For example, the pop-up 1301 may be displayed when printing has not been performed for a certain period of time on the printing device 107 in order to have the user check before executing a job whether changes in the device state over time have adversely affected the deliverable.

[0122] Next, the CPU 238 proceeds to S1506, where it determines whether or not the user has pressed the close button 1306 of the pop-up 1301, and if the close button 1306 has been pressed, the CPU 238 proceeds to S1509, where the CPU 238 closes the pop-up 1301 and ends this process. On the other hand, if the execute now button 1305 has been pressed instead of the close button 1306, the CPU 238 proceeds to S1508, where it instructs the printing device 107 to execute the image diagnosis item identified in S1504, and then the CPU 238 proceeds to S1509, where the CPU 238 closes the pop-up 1301 and ends this process.

[0123] As described above, according to the second embodiment, when a user performs maintenance work such as replacing a part of the image forming apparatus 101, it is possible to urge the user to perform image diagnosis processing corresponding to the part before executing a job. Also, even in the case of daily maintenance work that is not caused by a case where the inspection result of the inspection process is NG, it is possible to recommend the user to perform image diagnosis.

[0124] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0125] This specification discloses the following inspection system, inspection apparatus, control method thereof, and program.

[0126] [Item 1] An inspection system having a printing device and an inspection device that inspects a printed matter printed by the printing device, The inspection device includes: a reading means for reading an image formed on the printed matter to obtain a scanned image; a diagnostic means for diagnosing the printing device based on the scanned image; a presentation means for presenting a solution to be taken by the printing device to resolve the abnormality when the diagnosis means has diagnosed the printing device as having an abnormality; a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction to execute a diagnosis by the diagnosing unit in response to the countermeasure being taken in the printing device; An inspection system comprising:

[0127] [Item 2] The diagnostic means comprises: a determination means for determining whether or not the printed matter has an image abnormality based on the scanned image and a reference image; a first identification means for identifying a cause of the image abnormality determined by the determination means; A second identification means for identifying the countermeasure for eliminating the image abnormality based on the cause identified by the first identification means; 2. The inspection system according to item 1, comprising:

[0128] [Item 3] The inspection system described in item 2, wherein the second identification means identifies the countermeasure for eliminating the image abnormality by referring to a table that stores the cause of the image abnormality and the corresponding countermeasure.

[0129] [Item 4] The inspection system described in any one of items 1 to 3, characterized in that the receiving means determines whether the action has been taken in the printing device, and displays a screen that can receive an instruction to perform a diagnosis by the diagnosing means in response to the action being taken.

[0130] [Item 5] 5. The inspection system according to item 4, wherein the screen displays a button capable of accepting the execution instruction.

[0131] [Item 6] 6. The inspection system according to item 5, further comprising a first setting means for setting a condition for displaying the button.

[0132] [Item 7] 7. The inspection system according to item 6, wherein the condition set by the first setting means includes a case where all of the measures for resolving the abnormality have been taken on the printing device.

[0133] [Item 8] The inspection system described in any one of items 4 to 7, further comprising a second setting means for setting a diagnosis target for which diagnosis by the diagnosis means is to be performed when an instruction to perform diagnosis by the diagnosis means is received via the screen.

[0134] [Item 9] 9. The inspection system according to item 8, wherein the setting by the second setting means includes whether the diagnostic target is to be a diagnostic target related to the countermeasure or the same diagnostic target as the previous diagnosis by the diagnostic means.

[0135] [Item 10] 9. The inspection system according to item 8, further comprising a third setting means for setting whether to execute a diagnosis by the diagnostic means or to display a display for accepting settings by the second setting means when an instruction to execute a diagnosis by the diagnostic means is received via the screen.

[0136] [Item 11] 9. The inspection system according to item 8, wherein the second setting means displays a state in which the diagnostic target set by the previous diagnosis means is pre-selected.

[0137] [Item 12] The inspection system described in any one of items 1 to 11, characterized in that the receiving means determines whether the countermeasure has been taken in the printing device based on information from the printing device or instructions from a user who performed the countermeasure.

[0138] [Item 13] 13. The inspection system according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the reception means further displays diagnostic items recommended to be diagnosed by the diagnostic means in accordance with the countermeasure taken in the printing device.

[0139] [Item 14] the countermeasure includes replacing a part of the printing device, and the printing device further includes a storage unit that stores a table that associates the part with a diagnosis target to be diagnosed by the diagnosis unit; Item 14. The testing system according to item 13, wherein the reception means refers to the table and displays the recommended diagnostic items.

[0140] [Item 15] 12. The inspection system according to any one of items 8 to 11, wherein the diagnosis target includes at least one of misregistration and stains with respect to colors that the printing device can print.

[0141] [Item 16] 16. The inspection system according to any one of items 1 to 15, wherein the printing device generates and outputs the printed matter by printing a test chart on a specified sheet in accordance with an instruction from the inspection device.

[0142] [Item 17] An inspection device for inspecting a printed matter printed by a printing device, comprising: a reading means for reading an image formed on the printed matter to obtain a scanned image; a diagnostic means for diagnosing the printing device based on the scanned image; a presentation means for presenting a solution to be taken by the printing device to resolve the abnormality when the diagnosis means has diagnosed the printing device as having an abnormality; a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction to execute a diagnosis by the diagnosing unit in response to the countermeasure being taken in the printing device; An inspection device comprising:

[0143] [Item 18] The diagnostic means comprises: a determination means for determining whether or not the printed matter has an image abnormality based on the scanned image and a reference image; a first identification means for identifying a cause of the image abnormality determined by the determination means; A second identification means for identifying the countermeasure for eliminating the image abnormality based on the cause identified by the first identification means; 18. The inspection device according to item 17, further comprising:

[0144] [Item 19] Item 19. The inspection device according to item 18, wherein the second identification means identifies the countermeasure for eliminating the image abnormality by referring to a table that stores the cause of the image abnormality and the corresponding countermeasure.

[0145] [Item 20] The inspection device described in any one of items 17 to 19, characterized in that the receiving means determines whether the action has been taken in the printing device, and displays a screen that can receive an instruction to perform a diagnosis by the diagnostic means if the action has been taken.

[0146] [Item 21] 21. The inspection device according to item 20, wherein the screen displays a button capable of accepting the execution instruction.

[0147] [Item 22] 22. The inspection device according to item 21, further comprising a first setting means for setting a condition for displaying the button.

[0148] [Item 23] 23. The inspection device according to item 22, wherein the condition set by the first setting means includes a case where all measures have been taken on the printing device to resolve the abnormality.

[0149] [Item 24] 21. The inspection device according to item 20, further comprising a second setting means for setting a diagnosis target for which diagnosis by the diagnostic means is to be performed when an instruction to perform diagnosis by the diagnostic means is received via the screen.

[0150] [Item 25] A control method for controlling an inspection device that inspects a printed matter printed by a printing device, comprising: a reading step of reading the image formed on the printed matter to obtain a scanned image; a diagnostic step of diagnosing the printing device based on the scanned image; a suggestion step of suggesting a measure to be taken by the printing device to resolve the abnormality when the printing device is diagnosed as having an abnormality by the diagnosis step; a receiving step of receiving an instruction to execute a diagnosis by the diagnosing step in response to the countermeasure being taken in the printing device; A control method comprising the steps of:

[0151] [Item 26] A program that causes a computer to function as each of the means of the inspection device described in any one of items 17 to 24.

[0152] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0153] 101: image forming apparatus, 107: printing apparatus, 109: inspection apparatus, 238: CPU, 241: display unit, 242: operation unit

Claims

1. An inspection system having a printing device and an inspection device that inspects a printed matter printed by the printing device, The inspection device includes: a reading means for reading an image formed on the printed matter to obtain a scanned image; a diagnostic means for diagnosing the printing device based on the scanned image; a presentation means for presenting a solution to be taken by the printing device to resolve the abnormality when the diagnosis means has diagnosed the printing device as having an abnormality; a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction to execute a diagnosis by the diagnosing unit in response to the countermeasure being taken in the printing device; An inspection system comprising:

2. The diagnostic means comprises: a determination means for determining whether or not the printed matter has an image abnormality based on the scanned image and a reference image; a first identification means for identifying a cause of the image abnormality determined by the determination means; a second identification means for identifying the countermeasure for eliminating the image abnormality based on the cause identified by the first identification means; 2. The inspection system according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. 3. The inspection system according to claim 2, wherein the second identification means identifies the countermeasure for eliminating the image abnormality by referring to a table that stores the cause of the image abnormality and the corresponding countermeasure.

4. The inspection system according to claim 1, characterized in that the receiving means determines whether the countermeasure has been taken in the printing device, and displays a screen that can receive an instruction to perform a diagnosis by the diagnostic means in response to the countermeasure having been taken.

5. 5. The inspection system according to claim 4, wherein the screen displays a button capable of accepting the execution instruction.

6. 6. The inspection system according to claim 5, further comprising a first setting means for setting a condition for displaying the button.

7. 7. The inspection system according to claim 6, wherein the condition set by the first setting means includes a case where all of the measures for resolving the abnormality have been taken with respect to the printing device.

8. 5. The inspection system according to claim 4, further comprising a second setting means for setting a diagnosis target for which diagnosis is to be performed by the diagnostic means when an instruction to perform diagnosis by the diagnostic means is received via the screen.

9. The inspection system according to claim 8, wherein the setting by the second setting means includes whether the diagnostic target is to be a diagnostic target related to the countermeasure or the same diagnostic target as that previously diagnosed by the diagnostic means.

10. The inspection system according to claim 8, further comprising a third setting means for setting whether to execute a diagnosis by the diagnostic means or to display a display for accepting settings by the second setting means when an instruction to execute a diagnosis by the diagnostic means is received via the screen.

11. 9. The inspection system according to claim 8, wherein the second setting means displays a state in which the diagnostic object set by the previous diagnosis means has been preselected.

12. 2. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means determines whether the countermeasure has been taken in the printing device based on information from the printing device or an instruction from a user who performed the countermeasure.

13. 2. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the reception unit further displays diagnostic items that are recommended to be diagnosed by the diagnosis unit in accordance with the countermeasure taken in the printing device.

14. the countermeasure includes replacing a part of the printing device, and the printing device further includes a storage unit that stores a table that associates the part with a diagnosis target to be diagnosed by the diagnosis unit; 14. The inspection system according to claim 13, wherein the accepting means displays the recommended diagnostic items by referring to the table.

15. 9. The inspection system according to claim 8, wherein the diagnosis target includes at least one of misregistration and stains with respect to colors that the printing device can print.

16. 2. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the printing device generates and outputs the printed matter by printing a test chart on a specified sheet in accordance with an instruction from the inspection device.

17. An inspection device for inspecting a printed matter printed by a printing device, comprising: a reading means for reading an image formed on the printed matter to obtain a scanned image; a diagnostic means for diagnosing the printing device based on the scanned image; a presentation means for presenting a solution to be taken by the printing device to resolve the abnormality when the diagnosis means has diagnosed the printing device as having an abnormality; a receiving unit configured to receive an instruction to execute a diagnosis by the diagnosing unit in response to the countermeasure being taken in the printing device; An inspection device comprising:

18. The diagnostic means comprises: a determination means for determining whether or not the printed matter has an image abnormality based on the scanned image and a reference image; a first identification means for identifying a cause of the image abnormality determined by the determination means; a second identification means for identifying the countermeasure for eliminating the image abnormality based on the cause identified by the first identification means; 20. The inspection apparatus according to claim 17, further comprising:

19. 20. The inspection device according to claim 18, wherein the second identification means identifies the countermeasure for eliminating the image abnormality by referring to a table that stores causes of the image abnormality and the corresponding countermeasures.

20. 18. The inspection device according to claim 17, wherein the accepting means determines whether the countermeasure has been taken in the printing device, and displays a screen that can accept an instruction to perform a diagnosis by the diagnosing means in response to the countermeasure having been taken.

21. 21. The inspection apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the screen displays a button capable of accepting the execution instruction.

22. 22. The inspection device according to claim 21, further comprising a first setting means for setting a condition for displaying the button.

23. 23. The inspection device according to claim 22, wherein the condition set by the first setting means includes a case where all measures for resolving the abnormality have been taken in the printing device.

24. 21. The inspection device according to claim 20, further comprising: a second setting means for setting a diagnosis target for which diagnosis by said diagnosis means is to be performed when an instruction to perform diagnosis by said diagnosis means is received via said screen.

25. A control method for controlling an inspection device that inspects a printed matter printed by a printing device, comprising: a reading step of reading the image formed on the printed matter to obtain a scanned image; a diagnostic step of diagnosing the printing device based on the scanned image; a suggestion step of suggesting a measure to be taken by the printing device to resolve the abnormality when the printing device is diagnosed as having an abnormality by the diagnosis step; a receiving step of receiving an instruction to execute a diagnosis by the diagnosing step in response to the countermeasure being taken in the printing device; A control method comprising the steps of:

26. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 25.

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