Image formation apparatus, image formation method, and program

Abstract

To solve such a problem that work at the time of post-processing increases due to mixture of a test pattern between images printed by a job.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus includes: conveyance means that conveys a roll-shaped recording medium; and printing means that performs printing on the recording medium conveyed by the conveyance means. When an error occurs during image printing by a job, the printing means stops printing of the image by the job, and the conveyance means conveys the recording medium. When a position adjacent to a printed area of the image of the job in the recording medium reaches the printing position of the printing means, a test pattern is printed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a method in which an image is printed on a roll of paper that is fed in sequence, the printing is stopped midway, and then the printing is started again in the same sequence.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, when images are printed on roll paper, timing marks are printed for each image. When reprinting after printing is stopped midway, the roll paper is reversed so that the image printed before the stop is run upstream of the digital printing machine, and then forwarded again. During this reverse feed and forward feed again, a mark sensor installed upstream of the digital printing machine counts the number of timing marks. When the number of timing mark counts during forward feed again becomes the same as the number of timing mark counts during reverse feed, printing begins, and the next image is printed from a position contiguous to the last image before the stop. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5808125 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For example, a printing device may print a test pattern before resuming printing. In this case, the test pattern is mixed between the image before the printing was stopped and the image after printing is resumed, which poses the problem of having to remove the part where the test pattern was printed during post-processing, resulting in increased work.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for preventing an increase in work during post-processing due to the inclusion of a test pattern between images printed in a job. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] An image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present disclosure has a transport means for transporting a roll-shaped recording medium, and a printing means for printing on the recording medium transported by the transport means, and is characterized in that if an error occurs while printing an image according to a job, the printing means stops printing the image according to the job, and when the transport means transports the recording medium and a position on the recording medium adjacent to the printing area of ​​the image of the job reaches the position of the printing means, a test pattern is printed. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent an increase in work during post-processing due to the inclusion of a test pattern between images printed in a job. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a system configuration. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the system. [Diagram 3] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print resumption process. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a detailed flow of a test pattern printing process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining printing and transportation. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining printing and transportation. [Figure 7] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print resumption process. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining printing and transportation. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print resumption process. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining printing and transportation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. Note that the same configurations will be described with the same reference numerals. Also, each process (step) in the flow chart will be denoted with an "S" at the beginning.

[0011] <<Embodiment 1>> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system 200 according to the present embodiment. The image forming system 200 includes an image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 forms an image on continuous paper (hereinafter referred to as roll paper) 111, which is a roll-shaped recording medium capable of continuous image formation used in the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a paper feeder 104, an annex 116, a main building 115, a paper discharger 105, a UI operation panel 101, and a control PC 119. The annex 116 performs spot color printing as pre-printing. In spot color printing, for example, printing of a base of a predetermined pattern is performed. The main building 115 performs base color printing as overprinting. In base color printing, for example, printing of a predetermined pattern is performed. In other words, the image forming apparatus 100 can be said to be a digital printing machine that performs pre-printing and overprinting.

[0012] The paper feeder 104 supplies roll paper 111 to an annex 116 of the image forming apparatus 100. The paper feeder 104 rotates the paper tube of the roll paper 111 around a rotating shaft 117 to unwind the roll paper 111 wound around the paper tube, and transports the roll paper 111 at a constant speed via multiple rollers (transport rollers, paper feed rollers, etc.) toward the annex 116 of the image forming apparatus 100.

[0013] The paper discharge device 105 discharges the roll paper 111 from the main building 115 of the image forming apparatus 100. The paper discharge device 105 rotates the roll paper 111 transported from the main building 115 of the image forming apparatus 100 around a rotating shaft 118 at a constant speed via multiple rollers (e.g., transport rollers, paper discharge rollers) and winds it up in a roll as a product of the roll paper 111. In the paper discharge device 105, the roll paper 111 is wound around a paper core of the rotating shaft 118 and held in a roll shape. Before printing starts, the roll paper 111 is passed from the paper feed device 104 through a predetermined position in the device and then through the paper discharge device 105. Specifically, the roll paper 111 is loaded into the paper feed device 104. The roll paper 111 loaded into the paper feed device 104 is passed over the skew correction device 110 and under the second printing device 103 in the annex 116 in order.

[0014] The second printing device 103 has a print head for a spot color (such as white ink) other than CMYK, which are the basic colors in printing, and prints the spot color on the roll paper 111. The print head prints characters, images, and the like on the roll paper 111. The print head has many nozzles inside, and prints images by ejecting ink from the nozzles onto the roll paper 111. In other words, the second printing device 103 prints a base of a predetermined pattern in white, for example. The roll paper 111 is further passed over a drying device 112, over cooling devices 113 and 114, and under the first printing device 102 in the main building 115, in that order.

[0015] The first printing device 102 is provided downstream of the second printing device 103, has a print head for each of the basic printing colors (CMYK), and prints the basic printing colors (CMYK). Each color print head prints characters, images, etc. on the roll paper 111. The print head has many nozzles, and prints images by ejecting ink from the nozzles onto the roll paper 111. That is, the first printing device 102 prints, for example, a predetermined pattern. The roll paper 111 is further passed over the drying device 106, over the cooling devices 108 and 109, and through the connected scanner device 107 in this order. Next, the roll paper 111 is wound around the rotating shaft 118 of the paper discharge device 105. The drying device 106 has a temperature sensor that measures the internal temperature. Note that the temperature sensor can measure the internal temperature of the drying device 106 even when the drying device 106 is stopped. Temperature information indicating the internal temperature of the drying device 106 is sent to the control unit 204, etc.

[0016] When printing, the roll paper 111 is passed through the image forming system 200, and then an image forming job (hereinafter simply called a print job) is submitted to the control PC 119 of the image forming system 200. After submitting the print job, the print start button on the UI operation panel 101 is pressed to start printing.

[0017] (Control configuration of image forming system) 2 is a functional block diagram showing the control configuration of image forming system 200. Image forming system 200 has paper transport unit 201, image forming unit 202, communication unit 203, control unit 204, storage unit 205, operation display unit 206, inspection unit 207, paper feed control unit 208, winding control unit 209, and fixing unit 210.

[0018] The paper transport unit 201 controls the transport of the roll paper 111 inside the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming unit 202 controls the printing operations of the first printing device 102 and the second printing device 103 based on the received (output instructed) print data.

[0019] The communication unit 203 is configured by a communication control card such as a LAN (Local Area Network) card, etc. The communication unit 203 transmits and receives various data to and from an external device (for example, the control PC 119) connected to a communication network such as a LAN or a WAN (Wide Area Network).

[0020] The control unit 204 is configured with, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The CPU of the control unit 204 reads out various programs such as system programs and processing programs stored in the storage unit 205, loads them in the RAM, and executes various processes according to the loaded programs. For example, the control unit 204 can perform image formation processing to execute a print job in response to a user instruction.

[0021] The storage unit 205 is configured, for example, by a non-volatile semiconductor memory (so-called flash memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), etc. The storage unit 205 stores various programs, including a system program and a processing program, executed by the control unit 204, and various data required for executing these programs.

[0022] The operation display unit 206 is configured, for example, by a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and includes a display unit 206a and an operation unit 206b. The display unit 206a displays various information on the display screen of the UI operation panel 101 according to a display control signal input from the control unit 204. The operation unit 206b accepts various input operations by the user via various operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key displayed on the UI operation panel 101, and outputs operation signals to the control unit 204. The operation display unit 206 is used, for example, to set job information when executing a print job. The user can arbitrarily set any of the conditions, including the paper to be used, information on the printing speed, the number of prints, the number of copies, the print length, the print weight, and the print diameter.

[0023] The inspection unit 207 performs control to check the printing state of the printing device. The inspection unit 207 causes the first printing device 102 and the second printing device 103 to print a pattern for inspecting discharge defects, and causes the scanner of the connected scanner device 107 to read the print result, thereby checking whether there is any discharge defect in the first printing device 102 and the second printing device 103. When a discharge defect is confirmed, the inspection unit 207 provides the information to the control unit 204. As for the inspection method, in addition to a method of printing a test pattern and reading it with a scanner, a method of directly reading and inspecting a printed image with a camera or scanner, a method of monitoring the discharge status from the nozzles, and various other methods may be used. In this embodiment, whether there is any discharge defect is checked by printing a test pattern and reading the printed pattern with a scanner.

[0024] A paper feed control unit 208 controls the feeding of the roll paper 111 by the paper feeder 104. A take-up control unit 209 controls the discharge of the roll paper 111 by the paper discharge device 105.

[0025] The fixing unit 210 controls the drying device 106 and the cooling devices 108 and 109 to dry and cool the roll paper 111 after it has passed through the first printing device 102 in the main building 115, thereby fixing the ink. The fixing unit 210 also controls the drying device 112 and the cooling devices 113 and 114 to dry and cool the roll paper 111 after it has passed through the second printing device 103 in the annex 116, thereby fixing the ink.

[0026] The operation of the image forming system 200 when performing image formation processing on the roll paper 111 will be described. First, the user creates job data (base data and overprint data) in an external device, sets the print settings of the job and the number of rolls to be delivered, and transmits this information to the image forming system 200 via a communication network. The control unit 204 of the image forming system 200 receives the job data transmitted from the external device via the communication unit 203, and a job ticket including the print setting information of the job and the number of rolls to be delivered. The control unit 204 starts a printing operation based on the received information. That is, it starts conveying the roll paper 111 via the paper conveying unit 201, the paper feed control unit 208, and the winding control unit 209, and causes the first printing device 102 and the second printing device 103 to perform a printing operation based on the print data via the image forming unit 202.

[0027] (Print resume process) FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of print restart processing according to this embodiment. The processing in FIG. 3 is executed when a recoverable error occurs during a print job of basic colors (CMYK). The series of processing shown in FIG. 3 is executed by the CPU of the control unit 204 of the image forming apparatus 100 reading out the program code stored in the storage unit 205, expanding it in the RAM, and executing it. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 3 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. This flowchart ends when the recoverable error is eliminated and the print job is restarted. Note that a recoverable error is an error such as an out-of-ink error that does not stop immediately but allows control over the timing of printing stop, and allows printing to be restarted on the same roll paper after recovery.

[0028] In S301, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to stop the print job. That is, the first printing unit 102, the drying unit 106, and the cooling units 108 and 109 are stopped, and the printing of the image by the print job is stopped. Then, it is assumed that the operation is restored and the error is resolved.

[0029] In S302, the control unit 204 detects whether the error has been resolved. For example, if the recoverable error is an out-of-ink error, the control unit 204 detects that the error has been resolved by refilling ink.

[0030] In S303, the control unit 204 determines whether it is necessary to print a test pattern before resuming the print job. For example, if the recoverable error is an out-of-ink error, it is determined that it is necessary to print a test pattern. If the recoverable error is an error indicating insufficient free space in the waste ink tank, it is determined that it is not necessary to print a test pattern. If it is determined that it is not necessary to print a test pattern (NO in S303), the process proceeds to S307. If it is determined that it is necessary to print a test pattern (YES in S303), the process proceeds to S304.

[0031] In S304, the control unit 204 judges whether to transport the roll paper so that the end position of the area to be printed in the print job (hereinafter referred to as the print area) reaches a position facing the first printing device 102 (the printing position of the first printing device 102). In other words, the control unit 204 judges whether to transport the roll paper until a position outside the print area reaches a position (printing position) where the first printing device 102 performs printing. For example, in a print job with a print area of ​​300 m, but only 1 m has been printed, the control unit 204 judges not to transport the roll paper until the end position of the print area reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This is because the transport distance to the end position of the print area is long and transport takes a long time. The method of judging the test pattern printing position is not limited to this. For example, it may be judged to transport the roll paper until the end position of the print area reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102 only in the final stage of the print job where the print area is 300 m and 240 m has been printed. It may be determined that the roll paper will be transported until the end position of the print area reaches the print position of the first printing device 102 according to the print settings. Alternatively, it may be determined that the roll paper will always be transported until the end position of the print area reaches the print position of the first printing device 102. If the position where printing of the image is stopped is located downstream in the transport direction of the roll paper in the print area by the print job, it may be determined that the roll paper will be transported to outside the print area. If the position where printing of the image is stopped is upstream in the transport direction of the roll paper in the print area by the print job, it may be determined that the roll paper will not be transported to outside the print area.

[0032] (How to determine the test pattern printing position) As an example of a method for determining the test pattern printing position, a case will be described in which the determination is made based on whether the paper transport time before and after the test pattern printing falls within a threshold value.

[0033] First, using the following formula (1), assume that a test pattern is printed outside the print area, and derive the time T1 required to unwind the roll paper to the end of the print area. The unwinding speed of the roll paper may be, for example, 40 m / min, the same as when printing the images of the print job, or it may be faster, 50 m / min. T1 = (remaining print length of print job / roll paper unwinding speed) (1)

[0034] Next, using the following equation (2), assuming that a test pattern is printed in an area adjacent to the print area, the time T2 required to rewind the roll paper from the position where the test pattern is printed to the position following the last image before the print job was stopped is derived. The rewinding speed of the roll paper may be, for example, 40 m / min, the same as when printing the images of the print job, or it may be faster, 50 m / min. T2 = ((remaining print length of print job + print length of test pattern) / roll paper rewind speed) (2)

[0035] Using the following conditional expression (3), it is determined whether the sum of T1 and T2 is within a threshold value Th. (T1+T2)<=Th (3)

[0036] If the above conditional formula (3) is satisfied, it is determined that it is necessary to transport the roll paper until the end position of the print area reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. If the above conditional formula (3) is not satisfied, it is determined that it is not necessary to transport the roll paper until the end position of the print area reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102.

[0037] That is, if the sum of the transport time for the remaining print length by the print job and the transport time for the total of the remaining print length by the print job and the print length of the test pattern is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, it may be determined to transport to outside the print area. Also, if the sum of the transport time for the remaining print length by the print job and the transport time for the total of the remaining print length by the print job and the print length of the test pattern is greater than a predetermined threshold, it may be determined not to transport to outside the print area.

[0038] If it is determined that the roll paper needs to be transported to the end position of the print area (a position outside the print area) (YES in S304), the process proceeds to S305. If it is determined that the roll paper does not need to be transported to the end position of the print area (a position outside the print area) (NO in S304), the process proceeds to S308.

[0039] In S305, when the control unit 204 determines based on temperature information sent from the temperature sensor of the drying device 106 that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor has reached a temperature that will not affect the roll paper 111, it performs transport to unwind and unroll the roll paper. That is, it instructs the paper transport unit 201, paper feed control unit 208, and winding control unit 209 to transport the roll paper until the end position of the print area, which is a position adjacent to the print area, reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This makes it possible to print a test pattern in an area outside the print area and adjacent to the end position of the print area, in S306 following S305.

[0040] In S306, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 to print a test pattern. In the process of S306, the test pattern is printed in an area outside the print area and adjacent to the end position of the print area. Details of the test pattern printing process (S306) will be described later with reference to the drawings.

[0041] In S307, the control unit 204 instructs the paper transport unit 201, the paper feed control unit 208, and the take-up control unit 209 to transport and rewind the roll paper. In other words, the roll paper is transported until the position following the last image before the print job is stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This allows the remaining images of the print job to be printed in an area within the print area, adjacent to the last image before the print job is stopped, in S311 following S307. Note that when the processing of S307 is completed, the processing proceeds to S311.

[0042] In S308, if the control unit 204 determines, based on temperature information sent from the temperature sensor of the drying device 106, that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor has reached a temperature that does not affect the roll paper 111, it carries out transport and rewinding of the roll paper. That is, it instructs the paper transport unit 201, paper feed control unit 208, and winding control unit 209 to transport the roll paper until the position following the last image before the print job was stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This makes it possible, in S309 following S308, to print a test pattern in an area that was within the print area before the error occurred and that is adjacent to the last image before the print job was stopped.

[0043] In S309, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 to print a test pattern. In the process of S309, the test pattern is printed in an area that is within the print area before the error occurs and that follows the last image before the print job is stopped. Details of the test pattern printing process (S309) will be described later with reference to the drawings.

[0044] In S310, the control unit 204 instructs the paper transport unit 201, the paper feed control unit 208, and the winding control unit 209 to transport and rewind the roll paper. In other words, the roll paper is transported until the end position of the test pattern reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. As a result, in S311 following S310, the image of the print job can be printed in the print area before the print job was stopped and in an area adjacent to the test pattern printed in S309.

[0045] In S311, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to resume printing of the images according to the print job. That is, if the process goes through S305, S306, and S307, the remaining images that could not be printed due to the error among all the images to be printed in the print job will be printed. If the process goes through S308, S309, and S310, all the images to be printed in the print job will be printed.

[0046] (Test pattern printing process) 4 is a flowchart showing the detailed flow of the test pattern printing process (S306, S309). Note that the test pattern is printed and inspected.

[0047] In S401, the control unit 204 judges whether it is necessary to print the background of the test pattern. For example, if the roll paper 111 is a transparent substrate and the background has not yet been printed, or if the back side of the roll paper has a transmittance that is transparent to the front side when the test pattern printed on the roll paper 111 is scanned, it is judged that it is necessary to print the background. If the roll paper 111 is a transparent substrate and the background has already been printed, or if the back side of the roll paper has a transmittance that is not transparent to the front side when the test pattern printed on the roll paper 111 is scanned, it is judged that it is not necessary to print the background. If it is judged that it is not necessary to print the background (NO in S401), the process proceeds to S403. If it is judged that it is necessary to print the background (YES in S401), the process proceeds to S402.

[0048] In S402, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to print the background of the test pattern. In S403, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to print the test pattern.

[0049] In S404, the control unit 204 instructs the inspection unit 207 to read the printed test pattern with a scanner and inspect the scanned image of the test pattern for problems such as poor ejection. If the inspection result indicates that there is no problem (NO in S404), the flow shown in Fig. 4 ends. If the inspection result indicates that there is a problem (YES in S404), the process proceeds to S405.

[0050] In S405, the control unit 204 starts an operation for solving the problem. The operation for solving the problem is, for example, head cleaning. In S406, the control unit 204 detects the completion of the operation for solving the problem.

[0051] In S407, the control unit 204 instructs the paper transport unit 201, the paper feed control unit 208, and the winding control unit 209 to transport and rewind the roll paper. That is, the roll paper is transported until the end position of the test pattern printed in S402 reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This makes it possible to use the area from the end position of the test pattern to the printing position of the first printing device 102 for printing the test pattern or printing an image of the print job in S403. When the processing of S407 is completed, the processing returns to S401.

[0052] (Generation of deliverables (if the answer to S304 is YES)) 5(a) to 5(e) are diagrams for explaining the generation of a product when the determination in S304 is YES and printing is resumed via S305 to S307. FIG. 5(a) shows a state in which a recoverable error has occurred, FIG. 5(b) shows a state in which the roll paper has been unwound until the end position of the print area reaches the print position of the first printing device 102, and FIG. 5(c) shows a state in which a test pattern has been printed outside the print area and scanned. FIG. 5(d) shows a state in which the roll paper has been rewound until the print resume position (the position following the last image before the print job is stopped) reaches the print position of the first printing device 102, and FIG. 5(e) shows a state in which a product has been generated. That is, FIGS. 5(a) to 5(d) show the print state on the roll paper when a test pattern is printed outside the print area and the position on the roll paper to which the image forming device is transported. FIG. 5(e) shows the print state on the roll paper when a test pattern is printed in an area adjacent to the end position of the print area. A drying step 121 indicates a step of drying the image printed by the second printing device 103, and a drying step 122 indicates a step of drying the image printed by the first printing device 102. It is assumed that the print job is a 60 m color print.

[0053] 5(a), assume that two images 511 and 512 are printed on the roll paper 111, and a recoverable error occurs after 20 meters of printing, causing printing to stop. In other words, assume that the processing of S301 described above is performed.

[0054] Next, when it is detected that the error has been resolved, and it is determined that a test pattern needs to be printed and that transport needs to be made outside the print area (YES in S304), the roll paper is unwound and transported the remaining 40 m, which is the total of 60 m minus the 20 m at the time the error occurred (S305). That is, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the roll paper is transported until the end position 522 of the print area reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This makes it possible to print a test pattern in the area adjacent to the end position 522 of the print area. It also makes it possible to ensure the print range 521 of the product.

[0055] Next, a test pattern 531 is printed in an area outside the print range of the product and adjacent to the end position of the print area, and the test pattern 531 is read by the scanner of the connected scanner device 107, as shown in FIG. 5(c).

[0056] Next, if the scan results are OK and it is determined that there are no problems with the test pattern, the roll paper is transported until position 523 following the last image 512 before the print job was stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102, as shown in FIG. 5(d) (S307).

[0057] Next, printing is resumed and the remaining 40 m is printed to generate a product 541, as shown in Fig. 5(e). During post-processing, the test pattern 531 is removed by cutting at the end position 522 of the print area and the end position 524 of the test pattern.

[0058] In this way, even if an error occurs during printing, the test pattern is printed outside the printing range of the final product, preventing the test pattern from being mixed in between images printed by the print job, preventing an increase in work during post-processing, and reducing paper waste as much as possible.

[0059] (Generation of deliverables (if the result of S304 is NO)) 6(a) to 6(f) are diagrams for explaining the generation of a product when the determination in S304 is NO and printing is resumed via S308 to S310. FIG. 6(a) shows a state in which a recoverable error has occurred, FIG. 6(b) shows a state in which the transport of the roll paper has been stopped, and FIG. 6(c) shows a state in which the roll paper has been rewound until the position following the last image before the print job has been stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. FIG. 6(d) shows a state in which a test pattern has been printed and scanned in an area adjacent to the position following the last image before the print job has been stopped. FIG. 6(e) shows a state in which the roll paper has been rewound until the print resume position (the end position of the test pattern) reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102, and FIG. 6(f) shows a state in which a product has been generated. That is, FIGS. 6(a) to 6(e) show the print state on the roll paper when a test pattern is printed in an area adjacent to the position following the last image before the print job has been stopped, and to which position on the image forming device a certain position on the roll paper is transported. 6(f) shows the print state on the roll paper when a test pattern is printed in an area adjacent to the end position of the print area. Note that the print job is a 60m color print.

[0060] First, as shown in Fig. 6(a), it is assumed that two images 611, 612 are printed on the roll paper 111, and a recoverable error occurs after 20 meters of printing, causing printing to stop. In other words, it is assumed that the processing of S301 described above is performed. Next, transport of the roll paper 111 is stopped, and as shown in Fig. 6(b), the two images 611, 612 are positioned downstream in the transport direction from the scan position of the connected scanner device 107.

[0061] Next, if it is detected that the error has been resolved, and it is determined that a test pattern needs to be printed and there is no need to transport beyond the print area (NO in S304), the roll paper 111 is transported and rewound to position 621 following the last image 612 before the print job was stopped. That is, as shown in Fig. 6(c), the roll paper 111 is transported until position 621 following the last image 612 before the print job was stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This makes it possible to print a test pattern in the area adjacent to position 621 following the last image 612 before the print job was stopped.

[0062] Next, a test pattern 631 is printed in an area adjacent to the position 621 following the last image before the print job was stopped, and the test pattern 631 is read by the scanner of the connected scanner device 107, as shown in FIG. 6(d).

[0063] Next, if the scan results are OK and it is determined that there is no problem with the test pattern, the roll paper is transported until the end position 622 of the test pattern reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102 (S310), as shown in FIG. 6(e).

[0064] Next, printing is resumed and 60 m of the print job is printed to generate a result 641, as shown in Fig. 6(f). During post-processing, the test pattern 631 is cut at the end position 622, and the image 651 before the error and the test pattern 631 are removed.

[0065] In this way, when an error occurs immediately after starting printing, the test pattern is printed following the last image at the time the error occurred, making it possible to reduce the time required to resume printing compared to when the test pattern is printed outside the printing range of the final product.

[0066] As described above, in this embodiment, if it is determined in S304 that the paper is to be transported outside the printing area, a test pattern is printed in an area adjacent to the end position of the printing area. If the scan result is OK, printing of the remaining images by the print job can be resumed from the position following the image before the print job was stopped. This makes it possible to prevent the test pattern from being mixed in between images printed by the print job.

[0067] Furthermore, if it is determined in S304 that the paper will not be transported beyond the printing area, a test pattern is printed in an area adjacent to the position following the last image before the print job was stopped. Then, if the scan results are OK, printing of images by the print job can be resumed in an area adjacent to the end position of the test pattern. This makes it possible to reduce paper waste as much as possible. Also, it is possible to generate a deliverable in the shortest possible time.

[0068] <<Embodiment 2>> In this embodiment, a situation in which a recoverable error occurs in the main building during a print job of basic colors (CMYK) and special colors (white background) will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0069] (Print resume process) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the print restart process according to this embodiment. In FIG. 7, the roll paper is a transparent substrate, and is executed when a recoverable error occurs in the main building 115 during a print job of a basic color (CMYK) and a special color (white background). The series of processes shown in FIG. 7 are executed by the CPU of the control unit 204 of the image forming apparatus 100 reading out the program code stored in the storage unit 205, expanding it in the RAM, and executing it. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in FIG. 7 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. This flowchart ends when the error is eliminated and the print job is resumed. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the annex 116 can continue processing even if a recoverable error occurs in the main building 115.

[0070] In S701, similarly to S303, the control unit 204 determines whether it is necessary to print a test pattern before resuming the print job. If it is determined that it is not necessary to print a test pattern (NO in S701), the process proceeds to S710. If it is determined that it is necessary to print a test pattern (YES in S701), the process proceeds to S702.

[0071] In S702, as in S304, the control unit 204 determines whether to transport the roll paper so that the end position of the print area reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. If the determination result indicates that there is no need to transport the roll paper to the end position of the print area (a position outside the print area) (NO in S702), the process proceeds to S713. If the determination result indicates that there is a need to transport the roll paper to the end position of the print area (a position outside the print area) (YES in S702), the process proceeds to S703.

[0072] In S703, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to stop printing only the basic colors (CMYK). That is, the first printing unit 102, the drying unit 106, and the cooling units 108 and 109 are stopped.

[0073] In S704, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to print the background of the remaining images that have not been printed due to the occurrence of the error. The control unit 204 also instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to print the background of the test pattern in a position following the background of the last image. In S705, similar to S302, the control unit 204 detects that the error has been resolved.

[0074] In S706, if the control unit 204 determines, based on temperature information sent from the temperature sensor of the drying device 106, that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor has reached a temperature that will not affect the roll paper 111, it carries out transport and rewinding of the roll paper. That is, it instructs the paper transport unit 201, the paper feed control unit 208, and the winding control unit 209 to transport the roll paper until the starting position of the background of the test pattern reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This makes it possible, in S707 following S706, to print the test pattern in an area outside the print area and adjacent to the end position of the print area. That is, it is possible to print the test pattern on top of the background of the test pattern.

[0075] In S707, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 to print a test pattern. In the process of S707, the test pattern is printed in an area outside the print area, on the background of the test pattern. Details of the test pattern printing process (S707) are the same as those of S306, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0076] In S708, the control unit 204 instructs the paper transport unit 201, the paper feed control unit 208, and the winding control unit 209 to transport and rewind the roll paper. In other words, the roll paper is transported until the position following the last image printed in the basic colors (CMYK) before the print job was stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This allows the remaining images of the print job to be printed in the basic colors (CMYK) in an area within the print area and adjacent to the last image before the print job was stopped, in S709 following S708.

[0077] In S709, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to resume printing of the image in the basic colors (CMYK) according to the print job. That is, printing of the basic colors (CMYK) for the remaining images that have not been printed due to the error occurrence is resumed. Note that when the process of S709 ends, the flow shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[0078] In S710, similar to S301, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to stop the print job. That is, the first printing unit 102, the drying unit 106, and the cooling units 108 and 109 are stopped, and printing of images by the print job is stopped. Then, it is assumed that the system is restored and the error is resolved. In S711, similar to S302, the control unit 204 detects that the error has been resolved.

[0079] In S712, if the control unit 204 determines, based on temperature information sent from the temperature sensor of the drying device 106, that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor has reached a temperature that will not affect the roll paper 111, it carries out transport and rewinding of the roll paper. That is, it instructs the paper transport unit 201, paper feed control unit 208, and take-up control unit 209 to transport the roll paper until the position following the last image before the print job was stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. Note that when the processing of S712 is completed, the processing proceeds to S718.

[0080] In S713, similar to S301, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to stop the print job. That is, the first printing unit 102, the drying unit 106, and the cooling units 108 and 109 are stopped, and printing of images by the print job is stopped. Then, it is assumed that the system is restored and the error is resolved. In S714, similar to S302, the control unit 204 detects that the error has been resolved.

[0081] In S715, just as in S308, if the control unit 204 determines, based on temperature information sent from the temperature sensor of the drying device 106, that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor has reached a temperature that will not affect the roll paper 111, it carries out transport and rewinding of the roll paper. That is, it instructs the paper transport unit 201, paper feed control unit 208, and winding control unit 209 to transport the roll paper until the position following the last image before the print job was stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This makes it possible, in S716 following S715, to print a test pattern in an area that was within the print area before the error occurred and that is adjacent to the last image before the print job was stopped.

[0082] In S716, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 to print a test pattern. In the process of S716, the test pattern is printed in an area that is within the print area before the error occurs and that follows the last image before the print job is stopped. The details of the test pattern printing process (S716) are the same as those of S309, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0083] In S717, as in S310, the control unit 204 instructs the paper transport unit 201, the paper feed control unit 208, and the take-up control unit 209 to transport and rewind the roll paper. In other words, the roll paper is transported until the end position of the test pattern reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. As a result, in S718 following S717, the image of the print job can be printed in the print area before the print job was stopped and in an area adjacent to the test pattern printed in S716.

[0084] In S718, similarly to S311, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to resume printing of the image according to the print job.

[0085] (Generation of deliverables (if the answer to S702 is YES)) 8(a) to 8(f) are diagrams for explaining the generation of a product when the determination in S702 is YES and printing is resumed via S703 to S708. FIG. 8(a) shows a state in which a recoverable error has occurred, FIG. 8(b) shows a state in which an image and the background of a test pattern have been printed, and FIG. 8(c) shows a state in which the roll paper has been rewound until the starting position of the background of the test pattern reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. FIG. 8(d) shows a state in which a test pattern has been printed outside the printing area and scanned. FIG. 8(e) shows a state in which the roll paper has been rewound until the printing resume position (the position following the last image before the print job was stopped) reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102, and FIG. 8(f) shows a state in which a product has been generated. That is, FIGS. 8(a) to 8(e) show the printing state on the roll paper when a test pattern is printed outside the printing area, and the position on the roll paper to which a certain position is transported in the image forming device. 8(f) shows the print state on the roll paper when a test pattern is printed in an area adjacent to the end position of the print area. The print job is assumed to be a 60m color print. The roll paper 801 is assumed to be a recording medium that requires background printing.

[0086] First, as shown in FIG. 8(a), a base 861 is printed on roll paper 801, and two images 811 and 812 are printed in basic colors (CMYK) on top of the base. Then, after 20 meters of printing, a recoverable error occurs and printing is stopped.

[0087] Next, if it is determined that printing of a test pattern is necessary and that transport outside the printing area is necessary (YES in S702), printing of only the basic colors is stopped (S703). Then, the remaining 40 m of image (the total 60 m minus the 20 m at the time of error occurrence) and the background of the test pattern are printed (S704). That is, as shown in FIG. 8(b), the background 861 of the image within the printing range 821 of the deliverable and the background 862 of the test pattern are printed.

[0088] Next, it is detected that the error has been resolved (S705), and the remaining 40 m, calculated by subtracting the 20 m at the time the error occurred from the total 60 m, is unwound and transported (S706). That is, as shown in FIG. 8(c), the roll paper is transported until the end position 822 of the print area reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This makes it possible to print a test pattern in the area adjacent to the end position 822 of the print area. It also makes it possible to ensure the print range 821 of the product.

[0089] Next, a test pattern 831 is printed in an area outside the print range of the product and adjacent to the end position of the print area, and the test pattern 831 is read by the scanner of the connected scanner device 107, as shown in FIG. 8(d).

[0090] Next, if the scan results are OK and it is determined that there are no problems with the test pattern, the roll paper is rewound and transported. That is, as shown in Fig. 8(e), the roll paper is transported until position 823 following the last image 812 printed in basic colors (CMYK) before the print job was stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102 (S708).

[0091] Next, printing is resumed and the remaining 40 m is printed to generate a product 841, as shown in Fig. 8(f). Note that during post-processing, the test pattern 831 is removed by cutting at the end position 822 of the print area and the end position 824 of the test pattern.

[0092] As described above, in this embodiment, in S704, the remaining images of the print job and the background of the test pattern are all printed, and the paper is rewound to the starting position of the background of the test pattern and the test pattern is printed. This makes it possible to prevent the test pattern from being mixed in between the images printed by the print job.

[0093] <<Embodiment 3>> In this embodiment, a situation will be described with reference to the drawings in which a test pattern is printed after the end position of the print area, and a recoverable error occurs again after the print job is resumed.

[0094] (Print resume process) Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of print resumption processing according to this embodiment. The processing in Fig. 9 is executed when a recoverable error occurs again after printing a test pattern after the end position of the print area in the first and second embodiments and resuming the print job. The series of processing shown in Fig. 9 is executed by the CPU of the control unit 204 of the image forming apparatus 100 reading out the program code stored in the storage unit 205, expanding it in the RAM, and executing it. Alternatively, some or all of the functions of the steps in Fig. 9 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC or an electronic circuit. This flowchart ends when the error is eliminated and the print job is resumed.

[0095] In S901, similar to S301, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to stop the print job. That is, the first printing unit 102, the drying unit 106, and the cooling units 108 and 109 are stopped, and printing of images by the print job is stopped. Then, it is assumed that the system is restored and the error is resolved. In S902, similar to S302, the control unit 204 detects that the error has been resolved.

[0096] In S903, similarly to S303, the control unit 204 determines whether it is necessary to print a test pattern before resuming the print job. If it is determined that it is not necessary to print a test pattern (NO in S903), the process proceeds to S906. If it is determined that it is necessary to print a test pattern (YES in S903), the process proceeds to S904.

[0097] In S904, when the control unit 204 determines based on the temperature information transmitted from the temperature sensor of the drying device 106 that the temperature measured by the temperature sensor has reached a temperature that does not affect the roll paper 111, it performs transport to unwind the roll paper. That is, it instructs the paper transport unit 201, the paper feed control unit 208, and the winding control unit 209 to transport the roll paper until the end position of the previously printed test pattern reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. For example, the control unit 204 counts the number of times a test pattern was printed outside the printing area during a print job, and transports the roll paper until the end position of the previously printed test pattern determined based on the counted number reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. In S905, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 to print the test pattern. The details of the test pattern printing process (S905) are the same as those of S306, and a description thereof will be omitted.

[0098] In S906, the control unit 204 instructs the paper transport unit 201, the paper feed control unit 208, and the winding control unit 209 to transport and rewind the roll paper. In other words, the roll paper is transported until the position following the last image before the print job was stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. This makes it possible, in S907 following S906, to print the remaining images of the print job in an area within the print area and adjacent to the last image before the print job was stopped.

[0099] In S907, similarly to S311, the control unit 204 instructs the image forming unit 202 and the fixing unit 210 to resume printing of the image according to the print job.

[0100] (Generation of deliverables (if the answer to S903 is YES)) 10(a) to 10(e) are diagrams for explaining the generation of a product when the determination in S903 is YES and printing is resumed via S904 to S906. FIG. 10(a) shows a state in which a second recoverable error has occurred, and FIG. 10(b) shows a state in which the roll paper has been unwound until the end position of the previously printed test pattern reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. FIG. 10(c) shows a state in which a test pattern has been printed and scanned in an area adjacent to the end position of the test pattern. FIG. 10(d) shows a state in which the roll paper has been rewound until the printing resume position (the position following the last image before the print job is stopped) reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102, and FIG. 10(e) shows a state in which a product has been generated. That is, FIGS. 10(a) to 10(d) show the printing state on the roll paper when a test pattern is printed outside the printing area, and the position on the roll paper to which a certain position is transported in the image forming device. 10(e) shows the print state on the roll paper when two test patterns are printed in the area adjacent to the end position of the print area. Note that the print job is a 60m color print.

[0101] 10A, assume that four images 1011, 1012, 1013, and 1014 are printed on roll paper 111, and a second recoverable error occurs after 50 meters of printing, causing printing to stop. In other words, assume that the processing of S901 described above is performed.

[0102] Next, when it is detected that the error has been resolved (S902), it is necessary to print a test pattern (YES in S903), and it is determined that it is necessary to transport the paper outside the print area, the paper is transported by unwinding the roll paper 111. That is, as shown in FIG 10(b), the roll paper 111 is transported until the end position 1022 of the previously printed test pattern reaches the print position of the first printing device 102. This ensures that the print range 1021 of the product is sufficient.

[0103] Next, a test pattern 1032 is printed in an area adjacent to the position following the previously printed test pattern 1031, and the test pattern 1032 is read by the scanner of the connected scanner device 107, as shown in FIG. 10(c).

[0104] Next, if the scan results are OK and it is determined that there is no problem with the test pattern, the roll paper is rewound and transported. That is, as shown in Fig. 10(d), the roll paper 111 is transported until a position 1023 following the last image 1014 before the print job was stopped reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102 (S906).

[0105] Next, printing is resumed and the remaining 10 m is printed to generate a product 1041 as shown in Fig. 10(e) . Note that during post-processing, the test patterns 1031 and 1032 are removed by cutting at the end position 1024 of the print area and the end position 1025 of the test pattern.

[0106] As described above, in this embodiment, in S904 the roll paper is transported until the end position of the previously printed test pattern reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102, and then in S905 a new test pattern is printed. This makes it possible to resume the print job from the position following the last image before the print job was stopped, and prevents the test pattern from being mixed in between images printed by the print job.

[0107] <<Embodiment 4>> In this embodiment, we will explain how, when roll paper is transported to a position beyond the position where a test pattern should be printed due to an overrun before printing is stopped due to a recoverable error that occurs at the end of a print job, a test pattern is printed at the rewound position.

[0108] For example, in the case where printing is stopped in the first embodiment, if end position 522 of the print area is downstream in the transport direction from the printing position of the first printing device 102, in S305 the control unit 204 transports and rewinds the roll paper. In other words, the roll paper is transported until end position 522 of the print area reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102. Then, in S306 the control unit 204 prints a test pattern in an area adjacent to end position 522 of the print area.

[0109] As described above, in this embodiment, in S305, the roll paper is rewound until the end position of the print area reaches the printing position of the first printing device 102, and then the test pattern is printed. This makes it possible to reduce blank space on the roll paper and reduce wasted paper.

[0110] (Other embodiments) The present disclosure can also be realized by executing the following process. That is, the present disclosure can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and having one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present disclosure can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0111] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration examples.

[0112] (Configuration 1) A conveying means for conveying a roll-shaped recording medium; a printing means for printing on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means; having When an error occurs while printing an image according to a job, Stopping printing of images by the job; The conveying means conveys the recording medium, and when a position on the recording medium adjacent to a printing area of ​​the image of the job reaches a printing position of the printing means, a test pattern is printed. 1. An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0113] (Configuration 2) The image forming apparatus further includes a determination unit for determining a position adjacent to a printing area of ​​the image of the job based on a printing stop position of the image, a transport time of the recording medium, or a print setting of the image forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,

[0114] (Configuration 3) The determining means is When the print stop position of the image is located on the downstream side of the conveyance direction of the recording medium in the area to be printed by the job, Or, if the sum of the transport time of the remaining print area of ​​the job and the transport time of the combined remaining print area of ​​the job and the print area of ​​the test pattern is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, The end position of the region to be printed is determined as a position adjacent to the print region of the image of the job. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

[0115] (Configuration 4) The determining means is When the print stop position of the image is located on the upstream side of the conveyance direction of the recording medium in the area to be printed by the job, Or, if the sum of the transport time of the remaining print area of ​​the job and the transport time of the combined remaining print area of ​​the job and the print area of ​​the test pattern is greater than a predetermined threshold value, determining a position following the last image before printing of the image is stopped as a position adjacent to the print area of ​​the image of the job; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2,

[0116] (Configuration 5) After printing the test pattern, the printing means resumes printing of the image according to the job when the conveying means conveys the recording medium and the position following the last image before the printing of the image is stopped reaches the printing position of the printing means. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,

[0117] (Configuration 6) After printing the test pattern, the conveying means conveys the recording medium, and when the end position of the test pattern reaches the printing position of the printing means, the printing means resumes printing of the image according to the job. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4,

[0118] (Configuration 7) a fixing unit for heating the image printed by the printing unit to fix it on the recording medium; a cooling unit for cooling the recording medium heated by the fixing unit; and When printing of an image by the job is stopped, Stopping the operation of the fixing means and the operation of the cooling means; The conveying means conveys the recording medium after the temperature of the fixing means reaches a temperature that does not affect the recording medium. 7. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6,

[0119] (Configuration 8) The printing means includes: A first printing means for printing a base on the recording medium; a second printing means provided downstream of the printing means and configured to print on the base in a basic color; having The first printing means continues printing even when the printing by the second printing means is stopped. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 7,

[0120] (Configuration 9) If an error occurs while printing an image for the job, The second printing unit stops printing of the job, the first printing means prints a background of the image to be printed in the job and a background of the test pattern, and then stops; The second printing means is the conveying means conveys the recording medium, and when a start position of a base of the test pattern reaches a printing position of the second printing means, the test pattern is printed on the base of the test pattern; The conveying means conveys the recording medium, and when a position following the last image before the printing of the image is stopped reaches a printing position of the second printing means, printing of the image according to the job is resumed. 9. The image forming apparatus according to configuration 8,

[0121] (Configuration 10) If an error occurs again after the printing unit resumes printing of the image according to the job, Stopping printing of images by the job; When the conveying means conveys the recording medium and the end position of the previously printed test pattern reaches the printing position of the printing means, a new test pattern is printed following the previously printed test pattern. 10. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 9,

[0122] (Configuration 11) The error is an error that requires printing of the test pattern. 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 10,

[0123] (Configuration 12) the printing means is a means for ejecting ink to form the image on the recording medium, The error is an out of ink error. 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11,

[0124] (Configuration 13) a conveying step of conveying a roll-shaped recording medium; a printing step of printing on the recording medium conveyed in the conveying step; Including, When an error occurs during printing of an image by a job in the printing process, Stopping printing of images by the job; The recording medium is conveyed in the conveying step, and when a position on the recording medium adjacent to a printing area of ​​the image of the job reaches a printing position in the printing step, a test pattern is printed. 1. An image forming method comprising:

[0125] (Configuration 14) 14. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the image forming method according to claim 13.

Claims

1. A transport means for transporting roll-shaped recording media, A printing means for printing on the recording medium transported by the transport means, It has, The printing means, when printing a job, if it is necessary to print a test pattern, Stop printing by the aforementioned job, The test pattern is printed in the area of ​​the recording medium after it has been transported beyond the area necessary for printing by the job. An image forming apparatus characterized by the following:

2. When an error occurs while the printing means is printing an image according to a job, Stop printing the image by the aforementioned job, The transport means transports the recording medium, and when a position on the recording medium adjacent to the print area of ​​the job image reaches the print position of the printing means, the test pattern is printed. The image forming apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The system further comprises a determination means for determining a position adjacent to the print area of ​​the image of the job, based on the print stop position of the image, the transport time of the recording medium, or the print settings of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

4. The aforementioned determination means is If the print stop position of the image is located downstream in the transport direction of the recording medium within the print area specified by the job, Alternatively, if the sum of the transport time for the remaining print length by the job and the transport time for the total of the remaining print length by the job and the print length of the test pattern is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold, The end position of the print area is determined as a position adjacent to the print area of ​​the image in the job. The image forming apparatus according to feature 3.

5. The aforementioned determination means is If the print stop position of the image is located upstream in the transport direction of the recording medium within the print area scheduled for the job, Alternatively, if the sum of the transport time for the remaining print area by the job and the transport time for the remaining print area by the job and the total transport time for the test pattern print area is greater than a predetermined threshold, The position following the last image before printing of the aforementioned image is stopped is determined as a position adjacent to the print area of ​​the image for the job. The image forming apparatus according to feature 3.

6. After printing the test pattern, the printing means resumes printing the image by the job when the transport means transports the recording medium and the position following the last image before printing of the image stops reaches the printing position of the printing means. The image forming apparatus according to feature 4.

7. After printing the test pattern, the printing means resumes printing the image by the job when the transport means transports the recording medium and the end position of the test pattern reaches the printing position of the printing means. The image forming apparatus according to feature 5.

8. The printing means heats the printed image to fix it onto the recording medium, A cooling means for cooling the recording medium heated by the fixing means, It further possesses, If the printing of images by the aforementioned job is stopped, The operation of the fixing means and the operation of the cooling means are stopped. The transport means transports the recording medium only after the temperature of the fixing means reaches a temperature that does not affect the recording medium. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

9. The printing means is A first printing means for printing a background onto the recording medium, A second printing means is provided downstream of the aforementioned printing means and prints on the base material with a basic color, It has, The first printing means continues printing even if printing by the second printing means stops. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

10. If an error occurs while printing an image using the aforementioned job, The second printing means stops printing by the job, The first printing means prints the background for the image to be printed in the job and the background for the test pattern, and then stops. The second printing means is The transport means transports the recording medium and prints the test pattern on the test pattern base when the starting position of the test pattern base reaches the printing position of the second printing means. When the transport means transports the recording medium and the position following the last image before the image printing stops reaches the printing position of the second printing means, the printing of the image by the job is resumed. The image forming apparatus according to feature 9.

11. If the printing means resumes printing the image according to the job and then another error occurs, Stop printing the image by the aforementioned job, The transport means transports the recording medium, and when the end position of the previously printed test pattern reaches the printing position of the printing means, a new test pattern is printed following the previously printed test pattern. The image forming apparatus according to feature 2.

12. The aforementioned error is an error that requires printing of the test pattern. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that...

13. The printing means is a means for ejecting ink to form the image on the recording medium, The aforementioned error is the "no ink" error. The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that...

14. A transport process for transporting roll-shaped recording media, A printing step, which involves printing on the recording medium transported in the transport step, Includes, If, during the aforementioned printing process, a test pattern needs to be printed while a job is being printed, Stop printing by the aforementioned job, The test pattern is printed in the area of ​​the recording medium after it has been transported beyond the area necessary for printing by the job. A method for forming an image characterized by the following features.

15. A program for causing a computer to perform each step of the image forming method described in claim 14.

Images