Information processing device, information processing method and program

Abstract

To determine presence or absence of image defects periodically occurring across a plurality of scan images, even when a printing job is interrupted.SOLUTION: An information processing device according to the disclosure obtains data on scan images obtained by reading out a recording medium having an image formed thereon by an image forming device on the basis of a printing job corresponding to a diagnostic imaging job, detects image defects periodically occurring, by diagnosing the scan images, and identifies a component of the image forming device causing the image defects on the basis of a period in which the detected image defects have occurred. When the diagnostic imaging job is interrupted during the diagnosing of the scan images and thereafter the interrupted job is resumed, the information processing device makes the information forming device resume image formation, for a head of the printing job, and newly obtains data on the scan images corresponding to the head of the diagnostic imaging job first.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to diagnostic imaging techniques in imaging. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a technology that uses image data (hereinafter referred to as "scanned image") obtained by scanning a printed matter output from an image forming apparatus to detect defects in image formation (hereinafter referred to as "printing") by the image forming apparatus. For example, image processing is performed on the scanned image, and the processed scanned image data (hereinafter referred to as "processed scanned image") is compared with the original scanned image data to detect defects such as smears, whiteouts, or skew in the print. Such printing defects may occur due to deterioration of internal components caused by, for example, using an image forming apparatus under stress for a long period of time. To facilitate the detection of such printing defects, there is also an image diagnostic technology that prints a dedicated image diagnostic chart (hereinafter referred to as "diagnostic chart") and reads it using an image sensor or the like to identify the printing defect and its cause.

[0003] Image diagnosis involves identifying consumable parts within an image forming device that are experiencing abnormalities based on periodic printing defects that occur in scanned images. For example, if a rotating part (consumable part) involved in printing, such as a photosensitive drum, transfer drum, or intermediate transfer belt, has a scratch or other abnormality on its outer periphery, the scanned image will show a streak-like or dot-like image defect caused by the abnormality every time the rotating part rotates. In other words, in this case, the scanned image will show image defects at regular intervals. Based on this characteristic, image diagnosis determines whether periodic image defects occur across multiple scanned images obtained by reading multiple diagnostic charts that are output consecutively, taking into account the spacing between the scanned images. If a periodic image defect is detected, the period of the image defect is identified, and the rotating part causing the image defect can be identified by comparing the identified period of the image defect with the rotation period of each rotating part.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for continuing a diagnostic chart print job (hereinafter referred to as a "chart print job") even if an image defect is detected in a scanned image during image diagnosis, i.e., even if an abnormality in an image forming device is detected. The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 can also identify abnormalities in other rotating parts that are different from the abnormality in question. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-170115 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] If a chart print job is interrupted during the print job due to factors such as a paper jam (hereinafter referred to as a "paper jam"), it may be difficult to detect periodic image defects. This is because the rotating parts rotate due to the preparatory operation before the chart print job is resumed, which interrupts the continuity of rotation of the rotating parts in the series of print jobs between the state when the chart print job was interrupted and the state when it was resumed. Patent Document 1 does not disclose the operation when a chart print job is interrupted during the chart print job. Therefore, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that if a chart print job for determining whether or not the image defects are periodic is resumed after being interrupted, it may not be possible to determine whether or not there are periodic image defects across multiple scanned images.

[0007] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems and aims to provide a technology that can determine whether or not there are periodic image defects across multiple scanned images, even if a print job is interrupted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The image processing device of the present disclosure includes an acquisition means for acquiring data of a scanned image obtained by reading a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming device based on a print job corresponding to an image diagnosis job, and a diagnostic means for detecting periodic image defects by diagnosing the scanned image and identifying the part of the image forming device that caused the image defects based on the period of the detected image defects, and when the image diagnosis job is interrupted in the middle of the diagnosis of the scanned image by the diagnostic means and then resumed after the interruption, the acquisition means causes the image forming device to resume image formation from the beginning of the print job and re-acquires data of the scanned image corresponding to the beginning of the image diagnosis job. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, even if a print job is interrupted, it is possible to determine whether or not there are periodic image defects across multiple scanned images. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of each device included in the image forming apparatus, an external controller, and a user terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross section of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a confirmation screen for an inspection result. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a period list. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen relating to image diagnosis. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed during execution of an image diagnosis job. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the inspection device. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing flow in the inspection device. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a restart process of an image diagnosis job in the inspection device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the solution of the present disclosure, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system according to embodiment 1. The image forming system includes an image forming apparatus 101, an external controller 102, and a user terminal 103. The image forming apparatus 101 and the external controller 102 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via an internal LAN 105 and a video cable 106. The external controller 102 is connected to the user terminal 103 so as to be able to communicate with each other via an external LAN 104, and a print instruction is sent from the user terminal 103 to the external controller 102.

[0013] The user terminal 103 is configured by a personal computer or the like, and has installed thereon a printer driver that has the function of converting print data into a print description language that can be processed by the external controller 102. By operating the user terminal 103, the user can issue print instructions via the printer driver from various applications installed on the user terminal 103. Based on the print instructions from the user, the printer driver transmits print data as print instructions to the external controller 102.

[0014] When the external controller 102 receives a print instruction from the user terminal 103, it performs processes such as data analysis and rasterization of the print data, and transmits a print job to the image forming apparatus 101. Specifically, the external controller 102 transmits the print job to the image forming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105, and transmits the image data after rasterizing the print data via the video cable 106. The external controller 102 is also called an image processing controller, a digital front end (DFE), a print server, or the like.

[0015] The image forming apparatus 101 is composed of multiple devices with different functions and is configured to perform complex printing processes such as printing for bookbinding. The image forming apparatus 101 is also called a multifunction peripheral (MFP). In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 101 is described as being composed of a printing device 107, an inserter 108, an inspection device 109, a large-capacity stacker 110, and a finisher 111. The printing device 107 forms (prints) an image using toner on paper conveyed from a paper feed unit located below the printing device 107, based on a print job received from the external controller 102 and image data after rasterization. Note that, although this embodiment describes an image being formed on paper, the object of image formation is not limited to paper and may be a recording medium other than paper.

[0016] The configuration and operating principle of the printing device 107 are as follows: First, the printing device 107 irradiates a light beam, such as a laser beam, modulated according to received image data onto a rotating polygon mirror, such as a polygon mirror, and irradiates the reflected light from the rotating polygon mirror onto a photosensitive drum as scanning light.

[0017] This scanning light forms an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, which is then developed with toner to form a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred to paper attached to a transfer drum. The printing device 107 forms a full-color image on paper by sequentially executing the above-mentioned series of printing processes for each of the yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners. The paper on which the full-color image has been formed on the transfer drum is transported to a fuser. The fuser includes rollers, a belt, etc., and the rollers incorporate a heat source such as a halogen heater. The fuser uses heat and pressure to melt the toner on the paper onto which the toner image has been transferred, fixing it to the paper.

[0018] The inserter 108 is a device for inserting an insertion sheet. The inserter 108 can insert a sheet (insertion sheet) at a predetermined position or timing into a group of sheets (hereinafter referred to as "printed matter") on which images have been formed and which have been transported from the printing device 107. The inspection device 109 is a device for determining whether the image formed on the printed matter is normal. Specifically, the inspection device 109 reads the printed matter transported from the printing device 107 via the inserter 108 and compares the scanned image data obtained by the reading with pre-registered reference image data. In this way, the inspection device 109 determines whether the image formed on the printed matter is normal. Hereinafter, this determination process will be referred to as an inspection process. For example, based on the result of the determination (hereinafter referred to as an "inspection result"), the inspection device 109 separates printed matter determined to be normal from printed matter determined to be abnormal, i.e., to have an image defect, and transports and discharges them.

[0019] The large-capacity stacker 110 is a device capable of stacking a large volume of printed materials. The finisher 111 is a device that performs finishing processes on the transported printed materials. The finisher 111 can perform finishing processes such as stapling, punching, and saddle-stitching according to given settings. The printed materials that have been finished by the finisher 111 are discharged to a paper output tray.

[0020] 1 has an external controller 102, and is configured such that the image forming apparatus 101 and the user terminal 103 are connected via the external controller 102, but the image forming system does not have to have the external controller 102. For example, the image forming apparatus 101 and the user terminal 103 may be connected via an external LAN 104, and the user terminal 103 may transmit print data that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 101. In this case, for example, the image forming apparatus 101 performs processing such as data analysis processing and rasterization processing on the print data received from the user terminal 103 in place of the external controller 102, and then performs printing processing.

[0021] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of each device included in the image forming apparatus 101, the external controller 102, and the user terminal 103 according to the first embodiment. First, the hardware configuration of the printing device 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The printing device 107 includes, as its hardware components, a communication I / F 217, a LAN I / F 218, a video I / F 220, an HDD 221, a CPU 222, a memory 223, an operation unit 224, and a display 225. In addition to the above-described components, the printing device 107 also includes, as its hardware components, 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. The hardware components of the printing device 107 are connected to each other via a system bus 231 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0022] The communication I / F 217 is connected to the inserter 108, inspection device 109, large-capacity stacker 110, and finisher 111 via a communication cable 255, and transmits and receives control signals for controlling each device. The LAN I / F 218 is connected to the external controller 102 via the internal LAN 105, and transmits and receives print data, etc. The video I / F 220 is connected to the external controller 102 via a video cable 106, and transmits and receives image data after rasterization processing, etc.

[0023] The HDD 221 is a storage device that stores programs, data, etc. The CPU 222 reads out programs, etc. stored in the HDD 221, loads them into the memory 223, and comprehensively controls various processes, such as image processing and print processing, in the printing device 107 based on the programs. The memory 223 temporarily stores programs, image data, etc. required for the CPU 222 to perform various processes, and operates as a work area for the CPU 222. The operation unit 224 is configured with a touch sensor or the like and accepts various setting inputs or operation instructions from the user. The display 225 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like and displays information indicating the settings of the image forming device 101, the processing status of a print job, etc. The CPU 222 also operates as an operation control unit that controls the operation unit 224 and a display control unit that controls the display 225.

[0024] The document exposure unit 226 reads the document when copying or reading it. For example, the document exposure unit 226 reads the document by irradiating the document placed by the user with light from an exposure lamp and capturing an image of the document using an image sensor such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The laser exposure unit 227 is a device for irradiating the photosensitive drum with light when forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The laser exposure unit 227 first charges the surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform negative potential (primary charging). Next, the laser exposure unit 227 irradiates the photosensitive drum with a light beam, such as a laser beam, using a laser driver while adjusting the reflection angle of a polygon mirror. This neutralizes the negative potential on the surface of the photosensitive drum where the light beam is irradiated, forming an electrostatic latent image. The CPU 222 also operates as a reading control unit that controls the document exposure unit 226 and an exposure control unit that controls the laser exposure unit 227.

[0025] The image forming unit 228 is a device that applies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum to develop a toner image and transfers the developed toner image to paper. The image forming unit 228 includes a developing unit, a transfer unit, a toner supply unit, and other components not shown in FIG. 2. The developing unit transfers negatively charged toner from a developing cylinder to an electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, developing the toner image and making the electrostatic latent image visible. The transfer unit applies a positive potential to the primary transfer roller to transfer the toner attached to the surface of the photosensitive drum to a transfer belt (primary transfer), and applies a positive potential to the secondary transfer roller to transfer the toner transferred onto the transfer belt to paper (secondary transfer). The fixing unit 229 includes a heater such as a halogen heater, a fixing belt, and a pressure belt (not shown in FIG. 2), and uses heat and pressure to melt and fix the toner transferred to the surface of paper. The paper feed unit 230 is a device for feeding paper, and the paper feeding and transporting operations are controlled by rollers and various sensors. The CPU 222 also operates as an image creation control unit that controls the image creation unit 228 and a paper feed control unit that controls the paper feed unit 230.

[0026] Next, the hardware configuration of the inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The inserter 108 has a communication I / F 232, a CPU 233, a memory 234, and a paper feed control unit 235 as its hardware configuration. The hardware components of the inserter 108 are connected to each other via a system bus 236 so that they can communicate with each other. The communication I / F 232 is connected to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 255 and receives control signals necessary for control. The CPU 233 performs various controls necessary for paper feed processing in accordance with a control program stored in the memory 234. The memory 234 is a storage device that stores the control program and operates as a work area for the CPU 233. The paper feed control unit 235 controls the rollers and sensors based on instructions from the CPU 222, and controls the feeding and transport of insertion sheets and the transport of sheets (printed materials) transported from the printing device 107.

[0027] Next, we will explain the configuration of the inspection device 109 of the image forming apparatus 101. The inspection device 109 has, as hardware components, a communication I / F 237, a CPU 238, a memory 239, an imaging unit 240, a display unit 241, an operation unit 242, and an HDD 256. The hardware components of the inspection device 109 are connected to each other via a system bus 243 so that they can communicate with each other.

[0028] The communication I / F 237 is connected to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 255 and transmits and receives information or signals necessary for control. The communication cable 255 also receives reference image data used for inspecting printed materials from the printing device 107 via the communication I / F 237. The received reference image data is stored in the HDD 256. The CPU 238 reads the control program stored in the HDD 256, loads it into the memory 239, and performs various controls necessary for the inspection process according to the control program. The memory 239 operates as a work area for the CPU 238. Note that the method for receiving the reference image data is not limited to the method described above. For example, the inspection device 109 may have a LAN I / F (not shown in FIG. 2) and receive the reference image data from the external controller 102 by communicating with the external controller 102 via the LAN I / F and an internal LAN.

[0029] Based on instructions from the CPU 238, the imaging unit 240 captures an image of the paper (printed matter) conveyed from the printing device 107 via the inserter 108. The CPU 238 performs a process of determining (inspecting) whether the image formed on the paper is normal by comparing the image (skew image) data obtained by imaging by the imaging unit 240 with reference image data stored in the HDD 256. The display unit 241 is configured with an LCD display or the like and displays a screen showing the above-mentioned determination results (inspection results) and determination settings, etc. The operation unit 242 is configured with a touch sensor or the like and accepts various inputs or operation instructions from the user, such as changing the settings of the inspection conditions of the inspection device 109 and registering reference image data. The CPU 238 also operates as an operation control unit that controls the operation unit 242 and a display control unit that controls the display unit 241. The HDD 256 is a storage device that stores control programs, reference image data, etc. Although the inspection device 109 is described as having the HDD 256, the inspection device 109 does not necessarily have to have the HDD 256. In this case, for example, the control program and the received control program are stored in the memory 239.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the large-capacity stacker 110 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The large-capacity stacker 110 has, as its hardware configuration, a communication I / F 244, a CPU 245, a memory 246, and a paper discharge control unit 247. The hardware components of the large-capacity stacker 110 are communicably connected to one another via a system bus 248. The communication I / F 244 is connected to the printing apparatus 107 via a communication cable 255 and transmits and receives information or signals necessary for control. The CPU 245 performs various controls necessary for the discharge process of paper (printed materials) according to a control program stored in the memory 246. The memory 246 is a storage device that stores the control program and operates as a work area for the CPU 245. The paper discharge control unit 247 controls the transport of the transported paper (printed materials) to a stack tray, an escape tray, or the subsequent finisher 111 based on instructions from the CPU 245.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The finisher 111 has, as its hardware configuration, a communication I / F 249, a CPU 250, a memory 251, a paper discharge control unit 252, and a finishing processing unit 253. The hardware components of the finisher 111 are communicably connected to one another via a system bus 254. The communication I / F 249 is connected to the printing apparatus 107 via a communication cable 255 and transmits and receives information necessary for control. The CPU 250 performs various controls necessary for finishing processing, paper discharge processing, etc., according to a control program stored in the memory 251. The memory 251 is a storage device that stores the control program and operates as a work area for the CPU 250. The paper discharge control unit 252 controls the transport and discharge processing of paper (printed materials) based on instructions from the CPU 250. The finishing processing unit 253 controls various finishing processes, such as stapling, punching, and saddle stitching, based on instructions from the CPU 250.

[0032] Next, the configuration of the external controller 102 will be described. The external controller 102 has, as its hardware configuration, 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. The hardware components of the external controller 102 are communicably connected to one another via a system bus 216. The CPU 208 comprehensively executes various processes in the external controller 102, such as receiving print data from the user terminal 103, transmitting print jobs to the RIP (raster image processor), and transmitting print jobs to the image forming apparatus 101. Specifically, the CPU 208 reads programs and data stored in the HDD 210, expands them in the memory 209, and executes the processes based on the programs, etc. The memory 209 is a storage device that temporarily stores programs and data required for the CPU 208 to perform various processes, and operates as a work area for the CPU 208. The HDD 210 is a storage device that stores programs and data required for operations such as printing processing.

[0033] The keyboard 211 is an input device for a user to input operation instructions to the external controller 102. The display 212 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays information indicating the status of applications executed by the external controller 102, etc., using video signals of still images or moving images. The CPU 208 also operates as an operation control unit that controls the keyboard 211 and a display control unit that controls the display 212. The LAN I / F 213 is connected to the user terminal 103 via the external LAN 104, and transmits and receives print instructions and the like from the user terminal 103. The LAN I / F 214 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105, and transmits and receives print jobs and the like to and from the image forming apparatus 101. The video I / F 215 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the video cable 106, and transmits and receives image data and the like after rasterization processing.

[0034] Next, the configuration of the user terminal 103 will be described. The user terminal 103 has a hardware configuration including a CPU 201, a memory 202, a HDD 203, a keyboard 204, a display 205, and a LAN I / F 206. The hardware components of the user terminal 103 are communicably connected to one another via a system bus 207. The CPU 201 reads various programs, such as a document processing program, stored in the HDD 203, loads them into the memory 202, and executes various processes, such as creating print data and sending print instructions, based on the programs. The CPU 201 also comprehensively controls each device connected via the system bus 207. The memory 202 is a storage device that temporarily stores programs and data required for the CPU 201 to perform various processes, and operates as a work area for the CPU 201. The HDD 203 is a storage device that stores programs and data required for operations such as printing.

[0035] The keyboard 204 is an input device that allows the user to input operations to the user terminal 103. The display 205 is configured with a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays information indicating the status of applications executed on the user terminal 103 using video signals of still images or moving images. The CPU 201 also operates as an operation control unit that controls the keyboard 204 and a display control unit that controls the display 205. The LAN I / F 206 is connected to the external controller 102 via the external LAN 104, and sends and receives print instructions and the like.

[0036] In the above description, the external controller 102 and the image forming apparatus 101 are connected to each other via the internal LAN 105 and the video cable 106. However, the connection configuration is not limited to the above. The external controller 102 and the image forming apparatus 101 may be connected via any connection configuration that allows transmission and reception of data necessary for printing, for example, via only a video cable. Furthermore, each of the memory 202, the memory 209, the memory 223, the memory 234, the memory 239, the memory 246, and the memory 251 may be a storage device for storing data or programs. For example, each of the memory 202, the memory 209, the memory 223, the memory 234, the memory 239, the memory 246, and the memory 251 may be replaced with a volatile RAM, a non-volatile ROM, an internal HDD, an external HDD, a USB memory, or the like.

[0037] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a cross section of the image forming apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment. First, the printing device 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The display 225 displays information indicating the settings of the image forming apparatus 101, the processing status of a print job, and the like. The paper feed decks 301 and 302 store various types of paper before image formation. A user can use the operation unit 224 to set information indicating the size and type of paper to be stored in each paper feed deck 301 or 302. Only the topmost paper sheet from a group of papers stored in the paper feed deck 301 or 302 is separated and transported to a paper transport path 303. The developing stations 304 to 307 form toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums using color toners of Y, M, C, and K to form a color image. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 308, which rotates clockwise in FIG. 3, and then transferred to a paper sheet transported along the paper transport path 303 at a secondary transfer position 309.

[0038] The fixing unit 311 fixes the toner image to the paper. The fixing unit 311 has a pressure roller and a heating roller, and as the paper passes between these rollers, it melts and presses the toner, thereby fixing the transferred toner image to the paper. The paper (printed material) that has passed through the fixing unit 311 is transported to the paper transport path 315 via the paper transport path 312. Depending on the type of paper, additional melting and pressing may be required to fix the toner to the paper. In such cases, after passing through the fixing unit 311, the paper (printed material) is transported to the second fixing unit 313 via the paper transport path 314. The paper (printed material) is subjected to additional melting and pressing as it passes through the second fixing unit 313.

[0039] After passing through second fixing unit 313, the paper (printed material) is transported to paper transport path 315 via paper transport path 314. If double-sided printing mode is selected as the printing mode, the paper (printed material) is transported to paper inversion path 316 before being transported to paper transport path 315, and after being inverted in paper inversion path 316, is transported to paper transport path 303 via double-sided transport path 317. Thereafter, the paper passes through the above-mentioned path again, and transfer of the second side is performed at secondary transfer position 309.

[0040] The inserter 108 inserts an insertion sheet into a group of printed materials at a predetermined position or timing. The inserter 108 has an inserter tray 321, and merges the insertion sheet placed on the inserter tray 321 with the transport path along which the printed materials are transported via a paper transport path 322. This allows the insertion sheet to be inserted at any position in a group of sheets (printed materials) transported from the printing device 107, and the printed materials and insertion sheet to be transported to a subsequent device. The printed materials and insertion sheet that have passed through the inserter 108 are transported to an inspection device 109.

[0041] Camera 331 and camera 332 are arranged in inspection device 109 so as to face each other. Camera 331 is for reading (taking an image of) the top surface of the printed matter, and camera 332 is for reading (taking an image of) the bottom surface of the printed matter. When the printed matter being transported on paper transport path 333 reaches a predetermined position, inspection device 109 reads the image formed on the printed matter using cameras 331 and 332 and determines whether or not the image is normal (inspection process). Display unit 241 displays the results of the determination by inspection device 109 (inspection results), etc.

[0042] Large-capacity stacker 110 has a stack tray 341 that holds sheets of paper (printed matter) that have been determined to be normal by inspection device 109. Sheets of paper that have been determined to be normal by inspection device 109 are transported to large-capacity stacker 110 through paper transport path 344. The transported sheets are stacked on stack tray 341 via paper transport path 344 and paper transport path 345. Large-capacity stacker 110 also has an escape tray 346 that discharges sheets of paper (printed matter) that have been determined to be abnormal by inspection device 109. Sheets of paper that have been determined to be abnormal by inspection device 109 are transported to large-capacity stacker 110 through paper transport path 344. The transported sheets are transported to escape tray 346 via paper transport path 344 and paper transport path 347.

[0043] When large-capacity stacker 110 transports paper (printed matter) to a device downstream of large-capacity stacker 110, the paper is transported to the device downstream through paper transport path 348. Inverting unit 349 is a transport path for inverting paper. Inverting unit 349 is used when loading paper onto stack tray 341, and inverts the paper when loading paper onto stack tray 341 so that the orientation of the transported paper matches the orientation of the paper at the time of output. When transporting paper to escape tray 346 or a downstream device, the paper is discharged as is without being inverted, and therefore no inversion operation is performed by inverting unit 349.

[0044] The finisher 111 performs finishing processes such as stapling, punching, or saddle stitching on the transported sheets of paper in accordance with settings previously specified by the user or the like. Specifically, the finisher 111 performs finishing processes such as one- or two-point stapling, two- or three-hole punching, or saddle stitching. The finisher 111 includes a paper output tray 351 and a paper output tray 352. Paper is discharged to the paper output tray 351 via a paper transport path 353. However, finishing processes such as stapling are not performed on papers (printed materials) that pass through the paper transport path 353. When a finishing process such as stapling is performed, the papers (printed materials) pass through a paper transport path 354, and a processing unit 355 performs the finishing process previously specified by the user or the like, and the finished papers are discharged to the paper output tray 352.

[0045] The paper output trays 351 and 352 can be raised and lowered independently, and the paper output tray 351 can be lowered to load sheets onto the paper output tray 351 after finishing processing in the processing section 355. When the saddle stitching process is set, the saddle stitching processing section 356 staples the sheets in the center and then folds the sheets in half to perform saddle stitching. The sheets after the saddle stitching process (hereinafter referred to as "saddle stitched printed materials") are output to the saddle stitching tray 358 via the paper transport path 357. The saddle stitching tray 358 has a belt conveyor structure, and the stack of saddle stitched printed materials loaded on the saddle stitching tray 358 is transported to the left in FIG. 3.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a confirmation screen of inspection results displayed on the display unit 241 by the inspection device 109 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the confirmation screen will be described as being displayed on the display unit 241, but the display output destination of the confirmation screen is not limited to the display unit 241. For example, the confirmation screen may be displayed on the display 225 of the printing device 107 or the display 212 of the external controller 102. FIG. 4(a) shows an example of a confirmation screen (hereinafter referred to as a "list screen 400") on which a list of inspection results is displayed. The list screen 400 includes an inspection result list 401, an environment setting button 402, and an image diagnosis execution button 403.

[0047] The inspection result list 401 displays, for example, a list of the results of all inspection jobs registered in advance. Specifically, the inspection result list 401 displays information that can identify each inspection job, such as the name of the inspection job (hereinafter referred to as the "job name"), the status indicating the execution status of the inspection job, the inspection start time, and the inspection end time. In addition to the above information, the inspection result list 401 also displays information that indicates the number of printed sheets inspected and the number of printed sheets determined to be defective (hereinafter referred to as "NG"). In addition to the above information, the inspection result list 401 also displays information that indicates a setting confirmation link for transitioning to a screen (not shown in FIG. 4) that allows the user to check the settings of the selected inspection job. In addition to the above information, the inspection result list 401 also displays information that indicates a result confirmation link for transitioning to a detail confirmation screen 410 (described below with reference to FIG. 4(b)) where the user can check the details of the inspection results. In addition, the inspection result list 401 displays information indicating an image diagnosis link for transitioning to an execution screen (not shown in FIG. 4) where image diagnosis is performed based on the inspection results.

[0048] The inspection result list 401 includes inspection jobs that have already been inspected (hereinafter referred to as "inspected jobs") and inspection jobs that have been registered but have not yet been inspected (hereinafter referred to as "uninspected jobs"). For inspected jobs, the status is "inspected," and information is displayed indicating the inspection start time, the inspection end time, the number of printed sheets inspected, and the number of printed sheets determined to be NG. For inspected jobs, in addition to the above items, information indicating a link to transition to the details confirmation screen 410 is also displayed. Furthermore, the inspection result list 401 displays information indicating an image diagnosis link for inspection jobs that include printed sheets determined to be NG and that are determined to require image diagnosis of the printed sheets. For uninspected jobs, the status is "configured," and the other items other than the configuration confirmation link are blank or display a predetermined value indicating that inspection has not yet been performed.

[0049] 4, which sets environmental information for inspection processing in the image processing system, the environmental setting screen is displayed when the user presses the environmental setting button 402. The image diagnosis execution button 403 is a UI component for transitioning to an execution screen for executing image diagnosis, and the execution screen is displayed when the user presses the image diagnosis execution button 403.

[0050] FIG. 4(b) shows an example of a detail confirmation screen 410 on which the details of the inspection results can be confirmed. Specifically, FIG. 4(b) shows an example of the detail confirmation screen 410 for confirming the details of the inspection results corresponding to "Company B's Leaflet" in the inspection result list 401 on the list screen 400 shown in FIG. 4(a). The detail confirmation screen 410 is a screen on which the details of the inspection results for an inspected job can be confirmed when a result confirmation link for the inspected job in the inspection result list 401 included in the list screen 400 is selected. FIG. 4(b) shows, as an example, the detail confirmation screen 410 in a case where 16 copies of a five-page print job, i.e., a total of 80 pages, are printed and two of the 80 pages are rejected. The detail confirmation screen 410 includes thumbnails 411 of scanned images corresponding to the rejected printed materials, a summary result 412 of the inspection process, a rejected list 413 listing information about the rejected printed materials, an image diagnosis execution button 414, and a close button 415.

[0051] The thumbnail 411 displays a reduced image of the scanned image of the front or back of the sheet (printed material) that has been inspected as NG. If multiple sheets have been inspected as NG, the user can press a selection button located below the thumbnail 411 to display thumbnails corresponding to scanned images of other sheets that have been inspected as NG on the details confirmation screen 410. The tally result 412 displays information tallying the inspection results of inspected jobs. For example, the tally result 412 displays information indicating the number of inspected pages, the number of pages that have been inspected as NG, the percentage of printed materials that have been inspected as NG (NG rate), and the number of pages on which printing or reading errors occurred. In addition to the above information, the tally result 412 also displays information indicating the breakdown of the causes of defects for pages that have been inspected as NG. Specifically, for example, the tally result 412 displays information indicating the number of occurrences of vertical misalignment, horizontal misalignment, spot-like stains, and streak-like stains as the breakdown of the causes of defects.

[0052] The NG list 413 displays information about the page numbers of the NG sheets (printed materials) in the entire selected inspected job, and information about the set number indicating which copy of the NG sheet exists in the entire inspected job. In addition to the above information, the NG list 413 also displays information about the page number indicating which page of the NG sheet in the set number and information about the side number indicating whether the NG occurred on the front or back side of the sheet. In addition to the above information, the NG list 413 also displays information indicating the breakdown of the causes of the defects in the pages that have been inspected as NG, as a binary value of OK or NG. In addition to the above information, the NG list 413 also displays information indicating the date and time of inspection and information indicating a confirmation link for transitioning to a screen where scanned images corresponding to the NG printed materials can be confirmed. When the user clicks the confirmation link in the NG list 413, scanned images corresponding to the pages that have been inspected as NG are displayed, allowing the user to confirm the printing condition of the sheets corresponding to the scanned images.

[0053] The image diagnosis execution button 414 is a UI component for transitioning to an execution screen that instructs the execution of image diagnosis, and an execution screen for executing image diagnosis is displayed when the user presses the image diagnosis execution button 414. The close button 415 is a UI component for hiding the details confirmation screen 410, and when the user presses the close button 415, the list screen 400 that was displayed before transitioning to the details confirmation screen 410 is displayed.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a list (hereinafter referred to as a "period list 500") of information indicating the period for each consumable part in the printing device 107 according to the first embodiment, i.e., the outer circumferential length of one revolution of a rotating part. The data of the period list 500 is assumed to be stored in advance in the HDD 256 of the inspection device 109. The part name 501 indicates a specific name that can uniquely identify the consumable part, and the period 502 indicates the period of each consumable part (the outer circumferential length of one revolution of the rotating part) in millimeters (mm). The inspection device 109 first identifies periodic image defects based on the scanned image data obtained by reading the printed material with the imaging unit 240. Next, the inspection device 109 identifies the consumable part causing the image defects by comparing the period of the identified image defects with the period of each consumable part in the period list 500.

[0055] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a screen related to image diagnosis that is displayed on the display unit 241 by the inspection device 109 according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the screen will be described as being displayed on the display unit 241, but the display output destination of the screen is not limited to the display unit 241. For example, the screen may be displayed on the display 225 of the printing device 107, the display 212 of the external controller 102, or the like.

[0056] Fig. 6(a) shows an example of an execution screen 600 for setting up an image diagnosis and instructing the execution of the image diagnosis. The execution screen 600 includes diagnosis setting areas 601 to 603 for setting the target of the image diagnosis, and a paper setting button 604 for receiving an instruction to transition to a screen (not shown in Fig. 6) for setting information about the paper that will be the target of the image diagnosis. The execution screen 600 also includes an image diagnosis execution button 605 for receiving an instruction to execute the image diagnosis, and a close button 606 for hiding the execution screen 600 and accepting transition to the screen before the transition to the execution screen 600.

[0057] The diagnosis setting areas 601 to 603 are areas for specifying the target of image diagnosis for each cause of image defects. The diagnosis setting area 601 is an area for setting whether or not to perform image diagnosis for an image defect caused by misalignment. Similarly, the diagnosis setting area 602 is an area for setting whether or not to perform image diagnosis for an image defect caused by streaky stains, and the diagnosis setting area 603 is an area for setting whether or not to perform image diagnosis for an image defect caused by ceiling stains. It is possible to set whether or not to perform image diagnosis for each cause of image defects, and the decision whether or not to perform image diagnosis is made in a multiple-choice format. Furthermore, for a cause for which image diagnosis is set to be performed, the target color for image diagnosis can be set. The target color can be individually set to the color used for printing. In the example shown in FIG. 6( a), the toner colors corresponding to Y, M, C, and K can be individually set. For example, the diagnosis setting area 601 has buttons corresponding to each toner color. Pressing a button once makes the color corresponding to the button the target of image diagnosis, and pressing it again makes it non-target.

[0058] The paper setting button 604 is a UI component that sets information about the paper that will be the target of image diagnosis, and accepts transition to a paper setting screen (not shown in FIG. 6). When the user presses the paper setting button 604, the paper setting screen is displayed. The user can set information about the paper that will be the target of image diagnosis on the paper setting screen, and the set information is displayed, for example, near the paper setting button 604 (to the left of the paper setting button 604 in FIG. 6(a)). The example shown in FIG. 6(a) shows an example in which paper information is set for each paper feed deck (paper feed tray) that stores the paper to be used for printing, and shows a state in which A4 size paper is set for tray 1.

[0059] The image diagnosis execution button 605 is a UI component for receiving an instruction to execute image diagnosis. When the user presses the image diagnosis execution button 605, the inspection device 109 starts executing an image diagnosis job based on the information set in the diagnosis setting areas 601 to 603 and the paper information set on the paper setting screen. When the image diagnosis execution button 605 is pressed, the inspection device 109 starts executing the image diagnosis job and displays an execution screen 700, which will be described later with reference to FIG. 7.

[0060] Specifically, when the image diagnosis execution button 605 is pressed, the inspection device 109 first instructs the printing device 107 to print a diagnostic chart group consisting of multiple diagnostic charts. Next, the inspection device 109 sequentially captures images of multiple printed materials on which multiple diagnostic charts are printed consecutively to acquire multiple scanned image data corresponding to the multiple diagnostic charts. The inspection device 109 then compares the acquired scanned image data with reference image data to diagnose the images formed on the printed materials. In other words, an image diagnosis job is a series of processes including printing the diagnostic charts, capturing the images of the printed materials on which the diagnostic charts are printed, and diagnosing the scanned images obtained by capturing the images. The close button 606 is a UI component for hiding the execution screen 600. When the user presses the close button 606, the execution screen 600 is hidden without performing image diagnosis, and the screen that was displayed before the transition to the execution screen 600 is displayed.

[0061] 6(b), (c), and (d) show examples of diagnosis result screens 610, 620, and 630 for displaying information indicating the results of image diagnosis. The diagnosis result screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(b) is an example screen when the results of image diagnosis show that the scanned images corresponding to all printed materials are normal. The diagnosis result screen 610 includes areas for displaying information indicating the diagnosis date and time 611, image diagnosis results for each diagnosis item 612, and overall image diagnosis results 613, as well as a close button 614.

[0062] The area displaying information indicating the diagnosis date and time 611 displays information indicating the date and time when the image diagnosis was performed and the diagnosis results were finalized. The area displaying information indicating the image diagnosis results 612 for each diagnostic item displays information indicating detailed diagnosis results for each diagnostic item that was the subject of the image diagnosis. Here, the diagnostic items are the items for each cause of image defects set in the diagnosis setting areas 601, 602, and 603. In the following description, the image diagnosis results for each diagnostic item are assumed to be either "Normal," "Abnormal," "Automatically repaired," or "-," indicating that the item is not subject to diagnosis. The area displaying information indicating the image diagnosis results 613 displays the comprehensive image diagnosis results based on the image diagnosis results 612 for each diagnostic item. For example, a specific message is displayed in this area to make it easy for the user to understand. The close button 614 is a UI component for hiding the diagnosis result screen 610. When pressed by the user, the diagnosis result screen 610 is hidden and the screen that was displayed before the transition to the diagnosis result screen 610 is displayed.

[0063] The diagnosis result screen 620 shown in FIG. 6(c) is an example screen displayed when, as a result of image diagnosis, image defects due to misalignment are detected in at least some scanned images corresponding to printed materials, and the misalignment is automatically corrected. Similar to the diagnosis result screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(b), the diagnosis result screen 620 includes areas displaying information indicating the diagnosis date and time 611, image diagnosis results for each diagnosis item 612, and comprehensive image diagnosis results 613, as well as a close button 614. In the area displaying information indicating the image diagnosis results 612 for each diagnosis item on the diagnosis result screen 620, the text "Performing automatic repair" is displayed in the vertical and horizontal misalignment items, which are the items subject to automatic repair. Furthermore, information indicating that automatic repair has been performed is displayed in the area displaying information indicating the comprehensive image diagnosis results 613.

[0064] The diagnosis result screen 630 shown in FIG. 6(d) is an example screen displayed when, as a result of image diagnosis, image defects due to vertically extending streak-like stains are detected in at least some scanned images corresponding to printed materials. Similar to the diagnosis result screen 610 shown in FIG. 6(b), the diagnosis result screen 630 includes areas displaying information indicating the diagnosis date and time 611, image diagnosis results for each diagnosis item 612, and comprehensive image diagnosis results 613, as well as a close button 614. In the area displaying information indicating the image diagnosis results 612 for each diagnosis item, the item for the vertically extending streak-like stain displays the text "Abnormal." Furthermore, the area displaying information indicating the comprehensive image diagnosis results 613 displays information indicating the diagnosis item in which the image defect was detected, as well as information indicating the cause of the image defect and a countermeasure.

[0065] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 241 by the inspection device 109 while the inspection device 109 is executing an image diagnosis job according to the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the screen will be described as being displayed on the display unit 241, but the display output destination of the screen is not limited to the display unit 241. For example, the screen may be displayed on the display 225 of the printing device 107, the display 212 of the external controller 102, or the like.

[0066] Fig. 7(a) shows an example of a screen (hereinafter referred to as "executing screen") 700 that is displayed during the execution of an imaging diagnosis job. The executing screen 700 shown in Fig. 7(a) is displayed on the display unit 241 when the imaging diagnosis execution button 605 on the execution screen 600 is pressed, and the inspection device 109 starts executing the imaging diagnosis job. The executing screen 700 includes a status display area 702 in which information indicating the status of the imaging diagnosis job is displayed, a progress display area 703 in which information indicating the progress of the imaging diagnosis job is displayed, and a stop button 704 for receiving an instruction to stop the imaging diagnosis job.

[0067] The status display area 702 displays information indicating the status of the diagnostic imaging job currently being executed. If the diagnostic imaging job is being executed normally, information such as a character string 705 indicating that the diagnostic imaging job is currently being executed is displayed, as in the example screen shown in FIG. 7(a). The progress display area 703 displays information indicating the progress of the diagnostic imaging job. The example screen shown in FIG. 7(a) indicates that, if the total number of diagnostic charts in the diagnostic imaging job is 20, printing of diagnostic charts up to page 7 of the 20 pages and imaging (reading) of the printed materials on which the diagnostic charts are printed have been completed. Each time reading of a page is completed, the number indicating the number of pages that have been read in the progress display area 703 is incremented. The stop button 704 is a UI widget that accepts the cancellation of the diagnostic imaging job. The user can cancel the diagnostic imaging job currently being executed by pressing the stop button 704.

[0068] FIG. 7(b) shows an example of a screen (hereinafter referred to as an "interrupted screen") 710 that is displayed when an image diagnostic job is interrupted due to an abnormality in the image forming apparatus 101. The interrupted screen 710 shown as an example in FIG. 7(a) is an example of a screen that is displayed when an image diagnostic job is interrupted due to a paper jam that occurred after the seventh page of the diagnostic chart is read. The interrupted screen 710 includes a status display area 702, a progress display area 703, and a stop button 704. When an image diagnostic job is interrupted, the status display area 702 of the interrupted screen 710 displays a character string 711 indicating that the job is interrupted and a character string 712 indicating an action that the user can take to resume the image diagnostic job, as in the example screen shown in FIG. 7(b). Specifically, in the example screen shown in FIG. 7(b), the image diagnostic job is interrupted due to a paper jam in the image forming apparatus 101, and therefore the status display area 702 displays a message urging the user to resolve the paper jam as the character string 712.

[0069] 7(c) and (d) show examples of screens (hereinafter referred to as "resume screens") 720, 730 displayed when a suspended diagnostic imaging job is resumed. Specifically, FIG. 7(c) is an example of a screen displayed when a suspended diagnostic imaging job is resumed from the middle page of the diagnostic chart at the time of suspension. On the other hand, FIG. 7(d) is an example of a screen displayed when a suspended diagnostic imaging job is restarted from the first page of the diagnostic chart. The resume screens 720, 730 shown in FIG. 7(c) or (d) are displayed when the cause of suspension of the diagnostic imaging job is resolved and the suspended diagnostic imaging job is resumed. Specifically, for example, when a paper jam is resolved by the user while the suspension screen 710 shown in FIG. 7(b) is displayed, the suspended diagnostic imaging job is resumed and the resume screen 720 or the resume screen 730 is displayed.

[0070] The resume screens 720 and 730 each include a status display area 702, a progress display area 703, and a stop button 704. As in the example screen shown in Fig. 7(c), the status display area 702 of the resume screen 720 displays a character string 721 indicating that the imaging diagnostic job has been resumed and a character string 722 indicating that the imaging diagnostic job has been resumed from an intermediate page of the diagnostic chart. Also, as in the example screen shown in Fig. 7(d), the status display area 702 of the resume screen 730 displays a character string 731 indicating that the imaging diagnostic job has been resumed and a character string 732 indicating that the imaging diagnostic job has been resumed from the first page of the diagnostic chart.

[0071] When the image diagnosis job is resumed from the first page of the diagnostic chart, the number indicating the number of pages that have been read in the progress display area 703 on the resume screen 730 returns to 0.

[0072] 7(c) and 7(d) are screens that are displayed immediately after the image diagnostic job is resumed. Therefore, at a predetermined timing after the image diagnostic job is resumed, such as when the first page is read, the displays of the resume screens 720 and 730 are replaced with the display of the execution screen 700 shown as an example in FIG. 7(a).

[0073] FIG. 7(e) shows an example of a screen (hereinafter referred to as the "completion screen") 740 that is displayed when the diagnostic imaging job is completed. The completion screen 740 includes a status display area 702, a progress display area 703, and a diagnostic result confirmation button 742. The completion screen 740 is displayed when reading of all pages of the diagnostic chart is completed. Therefore, in the example screen shown in FIG. 7(e), the number of pages read in the progress display area 703 has been incremented to 20, and a character string 741 indicating that the diagnostic imaging job has been successfully completed is displayed in the status display area 702. The diagnostic result confirmation button 742 is a UI component that accepts an instruction to transition to a screen (diagnosis result screen) that displays information indicating the diagnostic results of the diagnostic imaging job. When the user presses the diagnostic result confirmation button 742, the diagnostic result screen shown as an example in FIGS. 6(b) to 6(d) is displayed.

[0074] 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the inspection device 109 according to embodiment 1. The inspection device 109 has, as its functional configuration, a transport control unit 801, a reading control unit 802, a diagnosis unit 803, and an output control unit 804. Each unit of the inspection device 109's functional configuration is realized by the CPU 238 reading a predetermined control program from the HDD 256, loading it into the memory 239, and executing it.

[0075] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing flow in the inspection device 109 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the letter "S" at the beginning of a reference symbol indicates a step (process). A series of processes in the flowchart is realized by the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 loading a control program read from the HDD 256 into the memory 239 and executing the program. The processing in the flowchart is started when the inspection device 109 receives an instruction from a user to start execution of image diagnosis processing, and the external controller 102 sends an instruction to the printing device 107 to start printing a diagnostic chart consisting of multiple pages. A printed material on which an image of the diagnostic chart is printed page by page by the printing device 107 is output from the printing device 107 and transported to the inspection device 109 via the inserter 108.

[0076] First, in S901, the transport control unit 801 determines whether a factor causing the diagnostic imaging job to be interrupted, such as a paper jam, has occurred. If it is determined in S901 that a factor causing the diagnostic imaging job to be interrupted has occurred, then in S902, the transport control unit 801 determines whether the factor causing the diagnostic imaging job to be interrupted has been resolved. If it is determined in S902 that the factor causing the diagnostic imaging job to be interrupted has not been resolved, the transport control unit 801 repeatedly executes the process of S902 until it is determined in S902 that the factor causing the diagnostic imaging job to be interrupted has been resolved. If it is determined in S902 that the factor causing the diagnostic imaging job to be interrupted has been resolved, then in S903, the inspection device 109 executes a process to resume the diagnostic imaging job. Details of the process to resume the diagnostic imaging job in S903 will be described later with reference to FIG. 10 .

[0077] If it is determined in S901 that no factor causing the image diagnosis job to be interrupted has occurred, in S904 the transport control unit 801 transports the printout of the diagnostic chart output from the printing device 107 to the imaging unit 240. The printing device 107 repeatedly outputs pages of the diagnostic chart corresponding to the diagnostic items specified by the user on the execution screen 600, the number of which corresponds to the number of colors for which the image diagnosis is to be performed. If multiple colors are specified on the execution screen 600, pages of the diagnostic chart with the same content are repeatedly output in the order of, for example, Y, M, C, and K. After S904, in S905 the reading control unit 802 controls the imaging unit 240 to execute a diagnostic chart reading process and acquires scanned image data obtained by the reading. Next, in S906 the reading control unit 802 updates information indicating the number of diagnostic charts that have been read and stores the updated information in the memory 239.

[0078] Next, in S907, the reading control unit 802 determines whether reading of all pages constituting the diagnostic chart has been completed. If it is determined in S907 that reading of all pages has not been completed, the inspection device 109 returns to the process of S901 and repeatedly executes the processes of S901 to S907 until it is determined in S907 that reading of all pages has been completed. If it is determined in S907 that reading of all pages has been completed, in S908, the diagnosis unit 803 executes image diagnosis processing using the multiple scanned image data acquired in S905. Note that if an image defect is detected in the image diagnosis processing in S908, the diagnosis unit 803 identifies the consumable part that caused the image defect in the process of S908. Specifically, the diagnosis unit 803 identifies the consumable part that caused the image defect by comparing the cycle of the detected image defect with information in the cycle list 500 of each consumable part stored in the HDD 256.

[0079] After S908, in S909, the output control unit 804 outputs the results of the image diagnosis processing of S908. For example, the output control unit 804 outputs information indicating the results to a storage device such as the HDD 256 and stores the information in the storage device. Note that the destination and method of outputting the results by the output control unit 804 are not limited to those described above. For example, the output control unit 804 may generate a screen (diagnosis result screen) that displays the results and output a video signal corresponding to the screen to the display unit 241, thereby displaying and outputting the results of the image diagnosis processing of S908. After S909, the inspection device 109 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 9.

[0080] Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process of restarting an image diagnosis job in the inspection device 109 according to the first embodiment, and is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process of S903 shown in Fig. 10. The process of the flowchart is executed when it is determined in S902 that the cause of the interruption of the image diagnosis job has been resolved. A series of processes in the flowchart is executed by the CPU 238 of the inspection device 109 by loading a control program read from the HDD 256 into the memory 239 and executing the program.

[0081] First, in S1001, the reading control unit 802 determines whether there is a color for which reading of the diagnostic chart has been completed at the time the diagnostic image job was interrupted, in an image diagnosis job in which multiple colors are specified as targets for image diagnosis. If it is determined in S1001 that there is a color for which reading has been completed, the inspection device 109 executes the process of S1002. Specifically, in this case, in S1002, the reading control unit 802 deletes from the memory 239 the scanned image data corresponding to the color for which reading of the diagnostic chart has been completed at the time the diagnostic image job was interrupted, i.e., the color for which reading of the diagnostic chart has not been completed. At this time, the reading control unit 802 retains the scanned image data corresponding to the color for which reading of the diagnostic chart has been completed without deleting it from the memory 239. After S1002, in S1003, the reading control unit 802 instructs the printing device 107 to resume printing from the first page of the diagnostic chart for the color corresponding to the scanned image data deleted in S1002, thereby resuming the interrupted diagnostic image job.

[0082] If it is determined in S1001 that there is no color for which reading has been completed, in S1004 the reading control unit 802 deletes the scanned image data corresponding to all read pages of the diagnostic chart from the memory 239. After S1004, in S1005 the reading control unit 802 instructs the printing device 107 to resume printing from the first page of the diagnostic chart, and resumes the job from the beginning of the image diagnostic job. After S1003 or S1005, the inspection device 109 ends the processing of the flowchart shown in FIG. 10, i.e., the processing of S903 shown in FIG. 9.

[0083] The inspection device 109 configured as described above can detect periodically occurring image defects when the interrupted image diagnostic job is resumed, even if the continuity of rotation of the consumable parts is interrupted due to the interruption of the image diagnostic job. Furthermore, when performing image diagnosis on multiple colors, the inspection device 109 can reduce the number of printed diagnostic charts after the job is resumed by resuming the image diagnostic job from the first page of the diagnostic chart corresponding to the color at the time the image diagnostic job was interrupted. As a result, the amount of paper and toner used to print the diagnostic chart after the image diagnostic job is resumed can be reduced. Furthermore, the time required to print the diagnostic chart after the image diagnostic job is resumed can be shortened, thereby shortening the time required for image diagnostic processing.

[0084] [Other embodiments] 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 a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0085] It should be noted that within the scope of the present disclosure, the embodiments may be freely combined, any component of each embodiment may be modified, or any component of each embodiment may be omitted.

[0086] [Configuration of the present disclosure] The present disclosure includes the following configurations, methods, and programs.

[0087] <Configuration 1> an acquiring means for acquiring data of a scanned image obtained by reading a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus based on a print job corresponding to the image diagnosis job; a diagnostic unit that diagnoses the scanned image to detect periodic image defects and identifies a part of the image forming apparatus that caused the image defects based on the period of the detected image defects; and when the diagnostic imaging job is interrupted during the diagnosis of the scanned image by the diagnostic device and then resumed after the interruption, the acquiring means causes the image forming device to resume image formation from the beginning of the print job, and acquires again the data of the scanned image corresponding to the beginning of the diagnostic imaging job; An information processing device characterized by:

[0088] <Configuration 2> an acquiring means for acquiring data of a scanned image obtained by reading a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus based on a print job corresponding to the image diagnosis job; a diagnostic unit that diagnoses the scanned image to detect periodic image defects and identifies a part of the image forming apparatus that caused the image defects based on the period of the detected image defects; and when the diagnostic imaging job is interrupted during the diagnosis of the scanned image by the diagnostic device and then resumed after the interruption, the acquiring means causes the image forming device to resume image formation from the beginning of the color of the print job that was being read at the time the diagnostic imaging job was interrupted, and re-acquires the scanned image data corresponding to the beginning of the color in the diagnostic imaging job; An information processing device characterized by:

[0089] <Configuration 3> the print job is for forming an image of a diagnostic chart for detecting the image defect on the recording medium; 3. The information processing device according to configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that:

[0090] <Configuration 4> the print job is for forming images of a plurality of the diagnostic charts corresponding to a plurality of colors on the recording medium; 4. The information processing device according to configuration 3,

[0091] <Configuration 5> the diagnostic means detects the image defect for each of the plurality of colors based on a plurality of the scanned images obtained by reading a plurality of the recording media on which a plurality of the diagnostic charts corresponding to each of the plurality of colors are formed; 5. The information processing device according to configuration 4,

[0092] <Configuration 6> the diagnostic means identifies a component of the image forming device that caused the image defect based on information indicating a length between two or more of the image defects in one of the scanned images or a length between two or more of the image defects in two or more consecutive scanned images, and information indicating a length of an outer periphery in a rotation direction of the component of the image forming device; 6. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5,

[0093] <Configuration 7> the diagnostic means detects at least one of spot-like or streak-like stains and misalignment of an image forming position as the image defect; 7. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6,

[0094] <Configuration 8> It is possible to set whether or not to identify the image defect for each of a plurality of colors, and the image diagnosis job is executed based on the setting; 8. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7,

[0095] <Configuration 9> the acquiring unit acquires data of the scanned image by reading the recording medium on which the image is formed and which is conveyed from the image forming apparatus; 9. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8,

[0096] <Configuration 10> further comprising an output control means for controlling the output of a diagnosis result screen showing the result of diagnosis of the scanned image by the diagnosis means to a display device; 10. The information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 9, characterized in that:

[0097] <Method 1> an acquiring step of acquiring data of a scanned image obtained by reading a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming device based on a print job corresponding to the image diagnosis job; a diagnostic step of diagnosing the scanned image to detect periodic image defects and identifying a part of the image forming apparatus that caused the image defects based on the period of the detected image defects; and the acquiring step, when the diagnostic imaging job is interrupted during diagnosis of the scanned image in the diagnosing step and then resumed after the interruption, causes the image forming device to resume image formation from the beginning of the print job, and re-acquires the scanned image data corresponding to the beginning of the diagnostic imaging job; An information processing method comprising:

[0098] <Method 2> an acquiring step of acquiring data of a scanned image obtained by reading a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming device based on a print job corresponding to the image diagnosis job; a diagnostic step of diagnosing the scanned image to detect periodic image defects and identifying a part of the image forming apparatus that caused the image defects based on the period of the detected image defects; and the acquiring step, when the diagnostic imaging job is interrupted in the middle of diagnosing the scanned image in the diagnostic step and then resumed after the interruption, causes the image forming device to resume image formation from the beginning of the color of the print job that was being read at the time the diagnostic imaging job was interrupted, and re-acquires the scanned image data corresponding to the beginning of the color in the diagnostic imaging job; An information processing method comprising:

[0099] <Program> 11. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 107 Printing device 109 Inspection equipment 802 Reading control unit 803 Diagnostic Department

Claims

1. an acquiring unit for acquiring data of a scanned image obtained by reading a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus based on a print job corresponding to an image diagnosis job; a diagnostic unit for diagnosing the scanned image to detect periodic image defects and for identifying a part of the image forming apparatus that has caused the image defects based on the period of the detected image defects; having the acquiring means, when the image diagnosis job is interrupted in the middle of diagnosis of the scan image by the diagnosing means and then resumed after the interruption, causes the image forming device to resume image formation from the beginning of the print job, and reacquires data of the scan image corresponding to the beginning of the image diagnosis job; An information processing device comprising:

2. an acquiring unit for acquiring data of a scanned image obtained by reading a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming apparatus based on a print job corresponding to an image diagnosis job; a diagnostic unit for diagnosing the scanned image to detect periodic image defects and for identifying a part of the image forming apparatus that has caused the image defects based on the period of the detected image defects; having when the image diagnosis job is interrupted in the middle of diagnosis of the scan image by the diagnosis means and resumed after the interruption, the acquisition means causes the image forming device to resume image formation from the head of the color of the print job that was being read at the time when the image diagnosis job was interrupted, and reacquires data of the scan image corresponding to the head of the color in the image diagnosis job; An information processing device comprising:

3. the print job is for forming an image of a diagnostic chart for detecting the image defect on the recording medium; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

4. the print job is for forming images of a plurality of the diagnostic charts corresponding to a plurality of colors on the recording medium; 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3,

5. the diagnostic means detects the image defect for each of the plurality of colors based on a plurality of the scanned images obtained by reading a plurality of the recording media on which a plurality of the diagnostic charts corresponding to each of the plurality of colors are imaged; 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4,

6. the diagnosis means identifies a part of the image forming device that has caused the image defect based on information indicating a length between two or more of the image defects in one of the scanned images, or a length between two or more of the image defects in two or more consecutive scanned images, and information indicating an outer circumferential length in a rotation direction of a part of the image forming device; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

7. the diagnostic means detects at least one of dot-like or streak-like stains and a positional deviation of an image forming position as the image defect; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

8. It is possible to set whether or not to specify the image defect for each of a plurality of colors, and the image diagnosis job is executed based on the setting; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

9. the acquiring means acquires data of the scanned image by reading the recording medium on which the image is formed and which is conveyed from the image forming apparatus; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

10. further comprising an output control means for controlling the output of a diagnosis result screen showing a result of diagnosis of the scan image by the diagnosis means to a display device; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

11. an acquiring step of acquiring data of a scanned image obtained by reading a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming device based on a print job corresponding to the image diagnosis job; a diagnostic step of detecting periodic image defects by diagnosing the scanned image, and identifying a part of the image forming apparatus that caused the image defects based on the period of the detected image defects; having the acquiring step, when the image diagnosis job is interrupted in the middle of diagnosis of the scanned image in the diagnosis step and resumed after the interruption, causes the image forming device to resume image formation from the beginning of the print job, and acquires again data of the scanned image corresponding to the beginning of the image diagnosis job; An information processing method comprising:

12. an acquiring step of acquiring data of a scanned image obtained by reading a recording medium on which an image is formed by an image forming device based on a print job corresponding to the image diagnosis job; a diagnostic step of detecting periodic image defects by diagnosing the scanned image, and identifying a part of the image forming apparatus that caused the image defects based on the period of the detected image defects; having the acquiring step, when the image diagnosis job is interrupted in the middle of diagnosis of the scanned image in the diagnostic step and resumed after the interruption, causes the image forming device to resume image formation from the head of the color of the print job that was being read at the time when the image diagnosis job was interrupted, and reacquires data of the scanned image corresponding to the head of the color in the image diagnosis job; An information processing method comprising:

13. A program for causing a computer to function as the information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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