Inspection device, inspection method and image formation system

Abstract

To provide an inspection device which inspects an image formed on a recording material on the basis of appropriate inspection information so as to avoid excessive inspection beyond the quality required by a customer.SOLUTION: An inspection device 60 comprises: a history information management part 65 that manages inspection history information in which two or more pieces of inspection information used for inspection of an image are linked for print information set in an image formation part 240, and when receiving a new print request, selects one piece of inspection information from the history information on the basis of the print information included in the print request; and an analysis part 63 that analyzes a read image read from a sheet by an image reading part on the basis of the selected one piece of inspection information, and inspects normality or abnormality of the image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus, an inspection method, and an image forming system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there are some that have units such as an in-line sensor that reads the printing result in a conveyance path. As an apparatus or method for detecting an image quality abnormality of a printed matter, there is a method of detecting an image quality abnormality by comparing a reading result obtained by reading the printed matter by this unit with a reference image.

[0003] When a printer prints while switching papers, an image abnormality determination criterion is set according to the type of paper such as the paper type. Patent Document 1 proposes an inspection apparatus that associates and stores the type of paper in a paper tray with inspection information, and determines an image quality abnormality based on the inspection information linked to the paper information of the paper tray.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, only one type of inspection information is stored in the inspection apparatus for the printing medium. Depending on the inspection criteria stored in the inspection apparatus, the inspection may be of a quality that is excessive compared to the required quality of the customer. In this case, printed matters that do not meet the inspection criteria are discarded. In the case of an excessive quality inspection, there was a problem that the amount of discarded printed matters by the printer increased. However, there were cases where an inspection based on appropriate criteria could not be performed for the customer required quality.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to inspect an image formed on a recording material based on appropriate inspection information.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] In order to achieve at least one of the above-described objects, an inspection apparatus reflecting one aspect of the present invention manages inspection history information in which two or more pieces of inspection information used for inspecting an image are associated with printing information set in an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material. When a new printing request is received, a history information management unit that selects one piece of inspection information from the history information based on the printing information included in the printing request, and an analysis unit that analyzes a read image read by an image reading unit from the recording material based on one piece of inspection information selected by the history information management unit and inspects whether the image is normal or abnormal. Note that the above-described inspection apparatus is one aspect of the present invention, and an inspection method and an image forming system reflecting one aspect of the present invention are configured in the same manner as the above-described inspection apparatus.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, an image formed on a recording material can be inspected based on appropriate inspection information. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the description of the following embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function or configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[0011] [First Embodiment] [Configuration of Image Forming System] First, the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system 1. Note that FIG. 1 shows elements necessary for the description of the present invention or related elements thereof, and the image forming system of the present invention is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1.

[0012] The image forming system 1 includes a paper feeding device 10, an image forming device 20, a paper discharging device 30, a printer controller 40, a control device 50, and an inspection device 60. These devices constituting the image forming system 1 are communicably connected via a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

[0013] The paper feeding device 10 has a plurality of paper feeding trays 11 in which papers of various paper types and paper sizes (an example of a recording material) are accommodated. The paper feeding device 10 feeds the paper accommodated in the paper feeding tray 11 to the paper feeding cylinder 21 of the image forming device 20 via the paper feeding conveyance unit 12. The paper feeding cylinder 21 conveys the paper to the image forming drum 22 of the image forming device 20. Thereafter, the paper discharging cylinder 27 receives the paper that has been conveyed to the image forming drum 22 and on which an image has been formed. The paper discharging cylinder 27 conveys the paper to the paper discharging tray 31 of the paper discharging device 30 via the paper discharging conveyance unit 28.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 20 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet of paper by an inkjet method, and is an example of a one-pass UV (Ultra Violet) inkjet printer. The image forming apparatus 20 forms an image (hereinafter also referred to as printing) on the surface of the sheet of paper based on a print job input from the printer controller 40. When data for an abnormal nozzle detection chart is transmitted from the printer controller 40, the image forming apparatus 20 forms an image of the abnormal nozzle detection chart on the surface of the sheet of paper. This image forming apparatus 20 includes a paper feed cylinder 21 for conveying the sheet of paper, a paper discharge cylinder 27, an image forming drum 22 for carrying the sheet of paper, and a heating unit 23 for heating the sheet of paper conveyed on the outer periphery of the image forming drum 22. Further, the image forming apparatus 20 includes four head units 24, a fixing unit 25 for fixing the image on the sheet of paper, and a read image generation unit 26 for reading and acquiring the image fixed on the sheet of paper, and the like.

[0015] The printer controller 40 receives a print job transmitted from a terminal device (not shown). The printer controller 40 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on the drawing data included in the received print job to generate image data. The print job is transmitted from a terminal device (not shown). If the drawing data is data for an abnormal nozzle detection chart, the printer controller 40 generates image data corresponding to the data for the abnormal nozzle detection chart. Then, the printer controller 40 transmits the generated image data to the image forming apparatus 20.

[0016] The control device 50 controls the operations of the image forming apparatus 20, the paper discharge apparatus 30, the printer controller 40, and the inspection apparatus 60. Details of the operations of each apparatus will be described later.

[0017] The paper discharge apparatus 30 includes a paper discharge tray 31 and a purge tray 32. On the paper discharge tray 31, sheets of paper on which images have been normally formed are discharged. On the purge tray 32, sheets of paper on which images have not been normally formed and are determined to be abnormal images are discharged. Further, on the purge tray 32, sheets of paper on which an abnormal nozzle detection chart has been printed are discharged.

[0018] <Configuration of the Image Forming Unit of the Image Forming Apparatus> Next, a configuration example of the image forming unit 240 of the image forming apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0019] The image forming unit 240 discharges (ejects) ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles of the recording head 242 (see FIG. 2) of the head unit 24 according to image data, and forms an image on a sheet of paper. The image forming unit 240 forms an image on a sheet of paper by superimposing, for example, four colors of ink: yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Note that the types of colors used by the image forming unit 240 are not limited to the four types of Y, M, C, and K, and other colors may be used. Further, it is assumed that the ink discharged from the nozzles according to the present embodiment is UV ink that cures when irradiated with ultraviolet light.

[0020] The image forming drum 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown), so it rotates counterclockwise. The sheet of paper supplied from the paper feeding device 10 is carried on the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 22. Then, the image forming drum 22 conveys the sheet of paper by rotating while carrying the sheet of paper. The heating unit 23, the head unit 24, the fixing unit 25, and the read image generation unit 26 are respectively arranged to face the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 22.

[0021] The heating unit 23 has, for example, a heating wire or the like and generates heat when energized. The heating unit 23 heats the sheet of paper carried on the image forming drum 22 and passing near the heating unit 23 so that the sheet of paper reaches a predetermined temperature under the control of the control unit 200 (see FIG. 5).

[0022] The head unit 24 is provided on the downstream side in the sheet conveyance direction in the heating unit 23. Four head units 24 are provided corresponding to each of the four colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The four head units 24 are arranged in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black from the upstream side with respect to the sheet conveyance direction.

[0023] The head unit 24 is a recording unit that forms an image on a sheet by ejecting ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles of a plurality of recording heads 242 (see FIG. 2). The length of the head unit 24 is set to a length (page width) that covers the entire sheet in a direction orthogonal to the sheet conveyance direction (sheet width direction). This image forming apparatus 20 is a single pass type line head inkjet recording apparatus that forms an image by scanning the sheet through the head unit 24 only once. The four head units 24 have the same configuration as each other, differing only in the color of the ink they eject. Details of the head unit 24 will be described later with reference to FIG. 2.

[0024] The fixing unit 25 is disposed on the downstream side of the four head units 24 in the sheet conveyance direction. As the fixing unit 25, for example, a fluorescent tube that irradiates ultraviolet rays such as a UV lamp or a low-pressure mercury lamp is applied. The fixing unit 25 irradiates ultraviolet rays toward the sheet conveyed by the image forming drum 22 to cure the ink droplets ejected onto the sheet. The fixing unit 25 fixes the image formed on the sheet by curing the ink droplets.

[0025] The read image generation unit 26 is an example of an image reading unit that reads the image fixed on the sheet and generates a read image. For example, the read image generation unit 26 optically reads the entire page of the sheet on which the image is formed. The read image generation unit 26 transmits the read image obtained by the read image generation unit 26 reading to the inspection apparatus 60.

[0026] [Configuration example of head unit] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a configuration example of the head unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described. FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the head unit 24 in a state seen from the sheet side.

[0027] The head unit 24 includes a plurality of recording heads 242a to 242f. In the following description, when it is not necessary to individually distinguish the recording heads 242a to 242f, these are collectively referred to as the recording head 242.

[0028] FIG. 2 schematically shows the positions of the nozzles of the recording head 242. The nozzles are arranged in a direction (main scanning direction indicated by the rightward arrow in the figure) intersecting the paper conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction indicated by the downward arrow in the figure). The main scanning direction in which the nozzles are arranged is also referred to as the nozzle row direction. The six recording heads 242a to 242f are arranged in a staggered manner such that the arrangement ranges in the nozzle row direction partially overlap each other. The nozzles of the recording heads 242a, 242c, 242e arranged in odd numbers along the nozzle row direction are located on the same straight line in the nozzle row direction. The nozzles of the recording heads 242b, 242d, 242f arranged in even numbers are located on the same line in the nozzle row direction.

[0029] The six recording heads 242a to 242f are arranged in a state of being shifted from each other in the nozzle row direction in a pair of adjacent recording heads 242. They are arranged at positions where the arrangement ranges in the nozzle row direction of the nozzles near one end of one recording head 242 and the nozzles near the other end of the other recording head 242 overlap.

[0030] In other words, the six recording heads 242a to 242f include ranges in which the arrangement ranges in the nozzle row direction of the nozzle groups provided in each of them are different from each other. That is, the six recording heads 242a to 242f are arranged in a positional relationship in which the ranges where ink can be ejected in the nozzle row direction are continuously connected. In each range in the nozzle row direction where the nozzle groups of the recording heads 242a to 242f overlap, an overlapping range R (joint) is set. In each overlapping range R, ink is ejected complementarily from the nozzles of each of the pair of recording heads 242 provided with nozzles in the overlapping range R. In the present embodiment, the entire range in the nozzle row direction where the nozzle groups of the pair of recording heads 242 overlap is taken as the overlapping range R.

[0031] Note that the number and arrangement of the recording heads 242 are not limited to the above-described example, and a configuration in which 5 or less or 7 or more recording heads 242 are arranged may be used.

[0032] The recording head 242 is an inkjet head having a plurality of recording elements including nozzles for ejecting ink droplets toward the paper. The recording elements include, in addition to the nozzles, a pressure chamber for storing ink and a piezoelectric element (not shown) provided on the side wall of the pressure chamber, and the nozzle communicates with the pressure chamber. A drive voltage for deforming the piezoelectric element is supplied as a drive condition from the head drive unit 241 (see FIG. 5) to the recording head 242 according to the pixel value of the image data.

[0033] When the piezoelectric element deforms, the pressure chamber deforms according to the drive voltage from the head drive unit 241, and the pressure in the pressure chamber changes. Due to this pressure change, an operation of ejecting ink droplets from the nozzles communicating with the pressure chamber is performed. By this ejection operation, ink droplets with a liquid volume corresponding to the pixel value of the image data are ejected from the plurality of nozzles toward the paper in each of the recording heads 242. An image is formed on the paper carried on the image forming drum 22 by the ejected ink droplets.

[0034] <Configuration of Inline Sensor (ILS)> Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the inline sensor 261 used as an example of the read image generation unit 26 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the inline sensor 261.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows the configuration of the inline sensor 261 in a state where the image reading surface 262 of the inline sensor 261 is arranged on the upper side in the Z direction. The "X" shown in the figure indicates the paper width direction (main scanning direction), the "Y" indicates the paper conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction), and the "Z" indicates the vertical direction. The surface of the image reading surface 262 of the inline sensor 261 is covered with glass. A line camera composed of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device Image Sensor) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensor) etc. is provided below the glass in the Z direction.

[0036] The in-line sensor 261 is, for example, a line sensor configured by arranging a plurality of detection elements in the width direction (main scanning direction) of the paper. The in-line sensor 261 can acquire an image formed on the paper for each of a plurality of wavelength components, for example, at three wavelengths of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). The length of the image reading surface 262 in the X direction is set to be longer than the maximum width assumed as the paper width. With the setting of the image reading surface 262, the in-line sensor 261 can read the information in the main scanning direction of the paper at once without scanning in the main scanning direction. When the in-line sensor 261 reads the entire surface of one page of a paper on which an image such as an abnormal nozzle detection chart is formed, it outputs the read image to the inspection device 60.

[0037] <Functional Configuration of Image Forming System> Next, with reference to FIG. 4, the functional configuration of the image forming system 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the image forming system 1.

[0038] (Configuration of Control Device) The control device 50 includes a job control unit 51, an abnormal nozzle compensation processing unit 52, a recovery printing processing unit 53, and a paper discharge processing unit 54.

[0039] The job control unit 51 controls a job including the execution order of a job for causing the image forming apparatus 20 to perform printing and various settings such as the type of paper. As an image to be printed on the image forming apparatus 20, in addition to a normal image as described above, there is an image of an abnormal nozzle detection chart to be printed when an abnormality is detected in the printed image.

[0040] The abnormal nozzle compensation processing unit 52 compensates for the abnormal nozzles detected by the abnormal nozzle detection unit 64 provided in the inspection device 60. The abnormal nozzle compensation processing unit 52 distributes the ink ejected by the nozzle detected as an abnormal nozzle based on the image data to the nozzles adjacent to the abnormal nozzle. For example, the abnormal nozzle compensation processing unit 52 outputs control data for distributing the ink ejected by the nozzle detected as an abnormal nozzle based on the image data to the nozzles adjacent to the abnormal nozzle to the image forming unit 240. By this processing, the abnormal nozzles of the image forming unit 240 are compensated. The streaks generated in the image formed on the paper by the image forming apparatus 20 are due to poor ejection of the head, and usually become missing streaks in a state where the color is missing around the head. The abnormal nozzle compensation processing is, for example, a process of increasing the ink ejection amount so that the nozzles around the abnormal nozzle in the recording head 242 (see FIG. 2) eliminate the streaks. Alternatively, the abnormal nozzle compensation processing includes adjustment of the head inclination, adjustment of the nozzle overlap, voltage adjustment for adjusting the ink ejection amount, and the like.

[0041] The recovery printing processing unit 53 causes the image forming apparatus 20 for which the abnormal nozzle compensation processing has been performed to perform recovery printing of the image. After the processing for compensating the abnormal nozzles is performed, the image forming processing in which the image forming unit 240 forms an image on the paper resumes. Conventionally, it was necessary to perform head cleaning of the nozzles before recovery printing. In the present embodiment, head cleaning of the nozzles is not performed before recovery printing. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 20 can immediately perform recovery printing without performing head cleaning.

[0042] The paper discharge processing unit 54 instructs the discharge of the paper on which the image is formed. If the image formed on the paper is a normal image, the paper discharge processing unit 54 causes the paper to be discharged onto the paper discharge tray 31 of the paper discharge device 30. If the image formed on the paper is an abnormal image or an image of the abnormal nozzle detection chart printed after the abnormal nozzle compensation process, the following process is performed. For example, the paper discharge processing unit 54 causes the paper to be discharged onto the purge tray 32 of the paper discharge device 30. For this reason, it becomes easier for the operator to take out the paper discharged onto the purge tray 32 and check the paper on which the abnormal image is formed and the paper on which the abnormal nozzle detection chart is formed.

[0043] (Configuration of Printer Controller) The printer controller 40 includes a RIP processing unit 41 and a color correction unit 42.

[0044] The RIP processing unit 41 performs RIP processing on the drawing data included in the print job transmitted from a terminal device (not shown) to generate image data such as raster format print data.

[0045] The color correction unit 42 corrects the color of the image data converted into the raster format by the RIP processing unit 41. Then, the image data color-corrected by the color correction unit 42 is sent to the image forming apparatus 20 and used for image formation.

[0046] (Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus) The image forming apparatus 20 includes an image forming unit 240, a read image generation unit 26, and the like. The outline of the processing of the image forming unit 240 is as described above.

[0047] When the read image generation unit 26 reads the image first printed on the paper by the image forming apparatus 20, the first read image is used as the reference image 26a. The reference image 26a is a read image obtained by reading, by the read image generation unit 26, the image first formed on the paper by the job executed by the image forming unit 240. The reference image 26a may use the image data transferred to the image forming unit 240.

[0048] After the image forming unit 240 forms the image used as the reference image 26a on the paper, it temporarily stops the image forming process for forming the image on the paper. When the image forming process is temporarily stopped, the user visually checks the paper on which the image used as the reference image 26a is formed. After the image used as the reference image 26a is formed on the paper and after the image forming process is temporarily stopped, the read image may be displayed on the display unit 530 (see FIG. 7). In this case, the user visually checks the image used as the reference image 26a with the control device 50 located at a place away from the image forming apparatus 20.

[0049] Also, when the read image generation unit 26 reads the image printed on the paper of the next page and subsequent pages by the image forming unit 240, this read image is used as the inspection image 26b. Both the reference image 26a and the inspection image 26b are sent to the inspection device 60, and the inspection device 60 performs an inspection. In the present embodiment, the inspection device 60 selects an inspection level according to the customer required quality based on the history information which is the past inspection history, and inspects the image printed on the paper.

[0050] (Configuration of the inspection device) The inspection device 60 includes a preprocessing unit 61, an alignment unit 62, an analysis unit 63, a defective nozzle detection unit 64, a history information management unit 65, and a comparison unit 66.

[0051] The preprocessing unit 61 performs preprocessing on the inspection image 26b received from the image forming apparatus 20. The preprocessing includes, for example, resolution conversion and size conversion of the inspection image 26b. The resolution conversion process is performed to increase the comparison speed between the inspection image 26b and the reference image 26a by reducing the resolution of the inspection image 26b. The size conversion process is performed, for example, by enlarging or reducing the size of the image when the size of the image formed on the paper changes between the front and back surfaces of the paper.

[0052] When the image data transferred to the image forming unit 240 is used as the reference image 26a, the preprocessing unit 61 performs image processing on this image data. The image processing is at least one of resolution conversion and color conversion. The resolution conversion is, for example, a process of converting 560 dpi image data read at the resolution of the in-line sensor 261 to 200 dpi. Also, the color conversion is a process performed for color matching, for example, a process of converting YMCK image data after RIP processing to RGB image data that can be compared with the inspection image 26b.

[0053] The alignment unit 62 aligns the reference image 26a and the preprocessed inspection image 26b.

[0054] The analysis unit 63 analyzes an image (read image) based on one piece of inspection information selected by the history information management unit 65 and inspects whether the image is normal or abnormal. For example, the analysis unit 63 detects an abnormal image from the inspection image 26b which is a read image of the image to be inspected. For this purpose, the analysis unit 63 uses, as the reference image 26a, the read image that serves as the reference for comparison among the read images. Then, the analysis unit 63 compares the reference image 26a in the aligned state with the inspection image 26b, extracts the difference, and detects the abnormal image. Also, the analysis unit 63 can inspect the image using the inspection information selected by the operation input unit 620 (see FIG. 8).

[0055] When the analysis unit 63 determines that the inspection image 26b is different from the reference image 26a, it detects the inspection image 26b as an abnormal image. As the abnormal image, for example, an image in which formation defects such as streaks and chips occur in the inspection image 26b is assumed. The inspection image 26b detected as an abnormal image is sent to the abnormal nozzle detection unit 64.

[0056] When the analysis unit 63 detects an abnormal image, it outputs abnormality detection information indicating that the abnormal image has been detected to the control device 50. When the job control unit 51 of the control device 50 receives the abnormality detection information, it outputs a job for printing an image of an abnormal nozzle detection chart (an example of an abnormal nozzle detection image) on paper. This job is input to the printer controller 40. The printer controller 40 outputs the image data that has undergone the above-described RIP processing and color correction to the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 prints an image of the abnormal nozzle detection chart on paper. When the image of the abnormal nozzle detection chart is read by the reading image generation unit 26, the read image of the abnormal nozzle detection chart is sent to the abnormal nozzle detection unit 64.

[0057] Note that the image forming apparatus 20 may hold in advance an image of the abnormal nozzle detection chart. In this case, when the analysis unit 63 detects an abnormal image, the image forming apparatus 20 immediately prints the image of the abnormal nozzle detection chart on paper. Since it does not pass through the processing of the printer controller 40, the time until the image of the abnormal nozzle detection chart is printed on paper can be shortened.

[0058] The abnormal nozzle detection unit 64 detects the nozzle in which an abnormality has occurred as an abnormal nozzle. The abnormal nozzle is detected based on the read image of the paper on which the abnormal nozzle detection chart is formed by the image forming unit 240 after the abnormal image is detected. Assume, for example, that the abnormal image is an inspection image 26b with streaks. In this case, since ink ejection cannot be confirmed from the nozzles where ink should originally be ejected, a ejection failure has occurred in the head. Therefore, based on the read image of the abnormal nozzle detection chart, the nozzles that should eject ink at the position where streaks have occurred are detected as abnormal nozzles in which ejection failure has occurred. The information on the abnormal nozzles detected by the abnormal nozzle detection unit 64 is output to the control device 50. The control device 50 causes the abnormal nozzle complement processing unit 52 described above to perform abnormal nozzle complement processing based on the information on the abnormal nozzles.

[0059] The history information management unit 65 manages the inspection history information in which two or more pieces of inspection information used for image inspection are associated with the print information set in the image forming unit 240. For example, the history information management unit 65 manages the inspection information actually used in the inspection in the analysis unit 63 as history information based on the quality required for the printed matter for each customer (referred to as customer required quality). In the present embodiment, the customer required quality is information specified by the customer, but the printer itself may have its own customer required quality. Then, when the history information management unit 65 receives a new print request, it selects one piece of inspection information from the history information based on the print information included in the print request.

[0060] Note that a flag 65a for setting the validity or invalidity of the inspection information is provided, and this flag 65a is managed by the history information management unit 65. The history information management unit 65 determines whether to select one piece of inspection information from the history information based on the flag 65a. In the present embodiment, the user can set the inspection information displayed on the display unit 630 by the operation input unit 620. However, if the flag 65a is set to invalid, the history information management unit 65 invalidates the inspection information set by the operation input unit 620. Therefore, the user will not accidentally change the inspection settings set by the device administrator or the like. If the flag 65a is set to valid, the history information management unit 65 can select the inspection information set by the user using the operation input unit 620.

[0061] In addition to comparing the print information by the history information management unit 65, the comparison unit 66 compares the print information and the inspection information specified by the user from the operation input unit 620. Therefore, the comparison unit 66 can compare the print information and the inspection information included in the history information with the print information and the inspection information specified by the operation input unit 620. Note that the comparison unit 66 may be set with the inspection level (loose, normal, strict) shown in FIG. 9 described later as a filter condition. For example, the comparison unit 66 may select only the inspection information with "strict" set for the inspection level and compare the inspection information included in the history information with the inspection information specified by the user.

[0062] <Configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus> Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the image forming apparatus 20.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 200. The control unit 200 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202 used as a work area of the CPU 201, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 203 for storing programs executed by the CPU 201, etc.

[0064] The CPU 201 of the control unit 200 is connected to each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 20 via a system bus B1, and controls the operations of these units.

[0065] The control unit 200 also includes a storage unit 204 as a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 204 stores image data received from the printer controller 40, data related to the discharge amount of ink droplets from the nozzle groups in the plurality of recording heads 242 (ink discharge amount data), etc.

[0066] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a paper conveyance unit 210, an operation display unit 220, a communication I / F (Interface) unit 230, an image forming unit 240, etc.

[0067] The paper conveyance unit 210 conveys paper by driving conveyance system mechanisms such as a paper feed cylinder 21 and a paper discharge cylinder 27 for delivering the paper to the image forming drum 22.

[0068] The operation display unit 220 is constituted by, for example, a touch panel that combines a panel-type display device (an example of a notification unit) such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device, and a position input device such as a touch pad. This operation display unit 220 displays an instruction menu for the user, information regarding the acquired image data, and the like. On the display device of the operation display unit 220, for example, when the control device 50 detects the occurrence of nozzle abnormality from the read image acquired by the read image generation unit 26, an abnormality notification (notification) or the like is displayed.

[0069] The communication I / F unit 230 is connected to the printer controller 40, the control device 50, and the inspection device 60. Then, the communication I / F unit 230 receives image data from the printer controller 40 and supplies the received image data to the control unit 200 via the system bus B1.

[0070] The image forming unit 240 forms an image on the surface of the paper based on the image data transmitted from the printer controller 40. When data for an abnormal nozzle detection chart is transmitted from the printer controller 40, an abnormal nozzle detection chart is formed on the surface of the paper. The head drive unit 241 in the head unit 24 drives the recording head 242. Since the other parts constituting the image forming unit 240 have already been described with reference to FIG. 2, the description thereof is omitted here.

[0071] <Configuration of the control system of the printer controller> Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the configuration of the control system of the printer controller 40 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the printer controller 40.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 6, the printer controller 40 includes a control unit 400. The control unit 400 includes, for example, a CPU 401, a RAM 402 used as a work area of the CPU 401, and a ROM 403 for storing programs executed by the CPU 401 and the like.

[0073] The CPU 401 of the control unit 400 is connected via the system bus B2 to each part that constitutes the printer controller 40, and controls the operations of these parts.

[0074] Also, the control unit 400 includes a storage unit 404 as a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. Image data and the like transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 are stored in the storage unit 404. The functions of the respective functional units of the printer controller 40 shown in FIG. 4 are realized by the CPU 401, the RAM 402, the ROM 403, and the storage unit 404 in the control unit 400.

[0075] Also, the printer controller 40 includes a communication I / F unit 410, an operation input unit 420, a display unit 430, and the like.

[0076] The communication I / F unit 410 is connected to the image forming apparatus 20, and transmits raster format image data and the like generated by the RIP processing unit 41 shown in FIG. 4 to the image forming apparatus 20. The communication I / F unit 410 is also connected to the control device 50, and receives from the control device 50 print image data, image data of a chart for detecting abnormal nozzles, and other data of various print instructions.

[0077] The operation input unit 420 is composed of, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and serves as an input unit that accepts input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers, by a user's operation. The display unit 430 is a panel display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device, and displays an instruction menu for the user, information about the acquired image data, and the like.

[0078] <Configuration of the control system of the control device> Next, with reference to FIG. 7, the configuration of the control system of the control device 50 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the control device 50.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 50 includes a control unit 500. The control unit 500 includes, for example, a CPU 501, a RAM 502 used as a work area of the CPU 501, and a ROM 503 for storing programs executed by the CPU 501 and the like.

[0080] The CPU 501 of the control unit 500 is connected to each part constituting the control device 50 via a system bus B3, and controls the operations of these parts.

[0081] (1) Control to cause the printer controller 40 to perform RIP processing on the drawing data included in the print job. (2) Control to cause the reading image generation unit 26 of the image forming apparatus 20 to acquire an image of the paper. (3) Control to cause the inspection device 60 to inspect the image acquired by the reading image generation unit 26. (4) Control to cause the image forming apparatus 20 to perform recovery printing by complementing abnormal nozzles.

[0082] The CPU 501 performs the abnormal nozzle complementation process, the recovery printing process, etc. described with reference to FIG. 4. The abnormal nozzle complementation process is a process of increasing the discharge amount of the nozzles around the abnormal nozzle so as to complement streaks when streaks are detected in the inspection image 26b for the image forming apparatus 20. Further, the recovery printing process is a process of causing the image forming apparatus 20 to perform recovery printing of the image in which streaks are detected in a state where the abnormal nozzle complementation process has been performed. In addition, since an abnormality has occurred in the inspection image 26b, the CPU 501 also performs control to display on the display device of the operation display unit 220 that the abnormal nozzle complementation process has been performed and the recovery printing process has been performed, and notify the user of the occurrence of the abnormal image.

[0083] Further, the control unit 500 includes a storage unit 504 which is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. In the storage unit 504, in addition to the image data for printing and the image data of the chart for detecting abnormal nozzles, the processing results of the image forming apparatus 20, the processing results of the printer controller 40, the inspection results received from the inspection apparatus 60, and the like are stored. The functions of the respective functional units of the control device 50 shown in FIG. 4 are realized by the CPU 501, the RAM 502, the ROM 503, and the storage unit 504 in the control unit 500.

[0084] Furthermore, the control device 50 includes a communication I / F unit 510, an operation input unit 520, and a display unit 530.

[0085] The communication I / F unit 510 is connected to the image forming apparatus 20 and receives the read image of the paper transmitted from the image forming apparatus 20. Further, the communication I / F unit 510 is connected to the printer controller 40 and transmits the image data for printing, the image data of the chart for detecting abnormal nozzles, etc. together with the job to the printer controller 40. Also, the communication I / F unit 510 is connected to the inspection apparatus 60 and receives the inspection results by the inspection apparatus 60.

[0086] The operation input unit 520 is composed of, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and serves as an input unit that accepts various instructions, input of data such as characters and numbers, by the user's operation. The display unit 530 is a panel-type display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device, and displays an instruction menu for the user, information regarding the acquired image data, and the like.

[0087] <Configuration of the control system of the inspection apparatus> Next, with reference to FIG. 8, the configuration of the control system of the inspection apparatus 60 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the inspection apparatus 60.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 8, the inspection apparatus 60 includes a control unit 600. The control unit 600 includes, for example, a CPU 601, a RAM 602 used as a work area of the CPU 601, and a ROM 603 for storing programs executed by the CPU 601, etc.

[0089] The CPU 601 of the control unit 600 is connected to each part constituting the inspection apparatus 60 via a system bus B4, and controls the operations of these parts.

[0090] Further, the control unit 600 includes a storage unit 604 as a large-capacity storage device composed of an HDD, an SSD, etc. Image data and the like transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20 are stored in the storage unit 604. The functions of the respective functional parts of the inspection apparatus 60 shown in FIG. 4 are realized by the CPU 601, the RAM 602, the ROM 603, and the storage unit 604 in the control unit 600.

[0091] The inspection apparatus 60 also includes a communication I / F unit 610, an operation input unit 620, a display unit 630, etc.

[0092] The communication I / F unit 610 is connected to the image forming apparatus 20, and receives the reference image 26a and the inspection image 26b from the image forming apparatus 20. The communication I / F unit 610 is also connected to the control device 50, and receives inspection results and the like from the control device 50.

[0093] The operation input unit 620 (an example of an operation unit) is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The operation input unit 620 serves as an input unit that receives input of various instructions, data such as characters and numbers, based on user operations. The operation input unit 620 designates one piece of inspection information selected from a plurality of pieces of inspection information displayed on the display unit 630.

[0094] The display unit 630 is a panel-type display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device. The display unit 630 displays an instruction menu for the user, information about the acquired image data, etc. The display unit 630 displays the print information included in the history information, the print information included in the new print request, and a plurality of inspection information items associated with the print information included in the history information.

[0095] <Configuration of History Information> FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of history information. The history information is composed of print information and inspection information.

[0096] The print information includes paper information and customer destination items. In the paper information item, for example, the paper type indicating whether the paper is glossy paper or matte paper is stored. Note that papers other than these paper types may be used. In the customer destination item, information about the customer destination to which the printed paper is delivered is stored. In FIG. 9, the company name (Company A) is stored as the customer destination.

[0097] The inspection information stores information about past inspections performed on the printed paper. In the inspection information item, items such as the inspection level, the level of detailed item 1, the level of detailed item 2, and the level of detailed item 3 are stored.

[0098] In the inspection level item, the level of the inspection performed in the past is stored. For the inspection level, for example, three levels of "loose", "normal", and "strict" are provided. These inspection levels may be represented numerically, for example, as "loose: 1", "normal: 2", and "strict: 3". "Loose" indicates that the inspection level is the lowest. In the case of "loose", for example, even if there are irregularities in the image quality, the quality inspection by the analysis unit 63 passes and the image is determined to be normal. On the other hand, "strict" indicates that the inspection level is the highest. In the case of "strict", unless the image is printed according to the quality required by the customer, the quality inspection by the analysis unit 63 does not pass and the image is determined to be abnormal. Note that the three-level inspection level can be selected not only by the analysis unit 63 but also arbitrarily by the user when creating a print job.

[0099] For the level items of detailed item 1, numerical values are stored as detailed settings of the inspection. For the level items of detailed items 2 and 3 as well, numerical values are stored as detailed settings of the inspection. Detailed items 1 to 3 are set for items more specific than the inspection level items. For example, the range of the concentration difference is set from level 1 (the loosest) to level 10 (the strictest).

[0100] When the customer is Company A and the paper information is glossy paper, the history information in Figure 9 shows that the inspection level of "strict" was selected 2 times and the level of "loose" was selected 1 time. The fact that the inspection level is "strict" indicates that the usage frequency of the inspection is high. Therefore, the history information management unit 65 selects that the customer required quality of Company A is to select the inspection level of "strict" more often. When analyzing the read image by the analysis unit 63, the inspection level of "strict" that is selected more often will be used.

[0101] Between the three levels of inspection levels (not shown), for example, finer inspection levels according to image quality and paper type may be provided. However, the finer the inspection level, the more complicated the operation for the user to select the inspection level, and there is a risk of selecting the wrong inspection level. For this reason, for the finer inspection levels, the selection operation by the user may be made unavailable. In this case, the history information management unit 65 selects an appropriate inspection level according to the image quality and paper type.

[0102] The display unit 630 shown in FIG. 8 can display the print information shown in FIG. 9. The operation input unit 620 can specify the print detail information included in the print information. For example, the user can arbitrarily specify the comparison target of the inspection information, such as setting the print detail information to be specified only as paper information. Also, there are situations where print information with an old print date (for example, a date more than one year ago) is not used, or only single-sided printing settings are used. In this case as well, the user can individually set the print detail information. Additionally, when the paper is glossy paper but has a thin thickness, the user can specify to use the print information that is the history printed on the thin paper. When the print detail information is specified, the history information management unit 65 selects the inspection information associated with the print detail information specified by the operation input unit 620.

[0103] Also, it is possible for the user to add arbitrary information to the history information by operating the operation input unit 620. For example, the user can add a new customer destination to the history information or add new print detail information to the print information. By adding various information to the history information, for example, even for the same customer, different inspection information can be associated with the person in charge of the customer and managed in the history information.

[0104] Note that there is a desire not to leave the inspection information etc. used for irregular printing correspondence in the history information. For example, when saving the result of a proof print or preventing a read image with an unfavorable inspection result from being used as a comparison target. Therefore, the user can also arbitrarily delete or edit unnecessary history information or print information by operating the operation input unit 620.

[0105] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the content of a print request and the inspection information applied to the print result. The new print request shown at the upper side of FIG. 10 includes print information. The print information includes paper information and customer destination information. For example, glossy paper is registered in the paper information, and for example, Company A is registered as the customer destination. Additionally, other print information such as single-sided, double-sided, paper thickness, number of colors, color profile name, print date, etc. may be registered.

[0106] The inspection information shown below Figure 10 is applied to the inspection of the image which is the printing result. As detailed items 1 to 3, for example, the detection level of dirt, the detection level of noise removal of dirt, the detection level of streaks, etc. are assumed. For each detection level, level values corresponding from "loose" to "strict" are stored. For example, in the level items of detailed items 1 to 3 of history No. "1", the highest level value "8" is stored. In the inspection level item, for the whole of each detection level set in detailed items 1 to 3, either "strict", "normal", or "loose" of the inspection level is stored. Since the highest level value is stored in the level items of detailed items 1 to 3 of history No. "1", "strict" is stored in the inspection level. In the level items of detailed items 1 to 3 of history No. "2", as shown in Figure 9, the intermediate level value "5" is stored, so "normal" is stored in the inspection level.

[0107] <First inspection process> Next, a first inspection process in which inspection information is automatically determined by the history information management unit 65 will be described. Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the first inspection process. When a print job is sent from the control device 50 to the image forming device 20, a print request is made and the process starts. At the time when the print request is made, the print information has already been selected, and the selected print information is included in the print job.

[0108] First, the history information management unit 65 shown in Figure 4 determines whether history information exists (S1). If the history information exists (YES in S1), the history information management unit 65 searches for a history with a high usage frequency of the inspection level from the history information (see Figure 9) (S2).

[0109] Next, the history information management unit 65 determines to use the inspection information based on the history information retrieved in S2 (S3). For example, among the inspection levels recorded in the history information, the inspection level of the inspection information with the largest number of histories (for example, usage frequency) is preferentially selected.

[0110] When the history information management unit 65 determines that there is no history information (NO in S1), it decides to use the currently used inspection information (S4). The currently used inspection information is assumed to be, for example, the inspection information set by the user most recently or the inspection information set by default in the inspection device 60.

[0111] Incidentally, in an inspection using the first sheet of paper, etc., there is no history information of the inspection using that sheet of paper. When there is no history information, the inspection settings set in the inspection device 60 are used. For this reason, when the history information management unit 65 does not have history information, the analysis unit 63 inspects the image using the inspection information set in the own device (inspection device 60) in advance.

[0112] After S3 or S4, the image forming unit 240 performs a printing process to form an image on the paper (S5). Next, the read image generation unit 26 reads the image formed on the paper (S6) and generates a read image.

[0113] Next, the analysis unit 63 analyzes the read image using the inspection information determined to be used in S3 or S4 (S7) and ends this process. The analysis of the read image includes a quality inspection of the image according to the determined inspection level. The analysis result of the image by the analysis unit 63 is presented to the user.

[0114] After S7, the print information included in the current print request and the inspection information used in the current inspection are managed by the history information management unit 65. However, when the user is trying appropriate inspection settings with a sheet of paper used for the first time, etc., the result of the proof print may be incorrect. For this reason, it is desirable not to save the result of the proof print. Therefore, after the inspection of the image by the analysis unit 63 is completed, it may be selected by the operation input unit 620 whether to let the history information management unit 65 manage the above print information and inspection information.

[0115] In S3, the inspection level of the inspection information with the largest number of histories used in the most inspections was preferentially selected. However, when the customer-requested quality is not high, setting an overly strict inspection level results in excessive inspections, so it is not always necessary to select inspection information with a high abnormal detection rate. Therefore, the history information management unit 65 may select inspection information based on the abnormal detection rate of the images attached to the inspection information. For this reason, inspection information with a low abnormal detection rate may be selected, and inspections at the inspection level associated with this inspection information are performed.

[0116] In the first inspection process, there may be cases where the print information set for the image forming unit 240 in the current print does not completely match the print information set in past prints. In this case, the print information settings that the history information management unit 65 refers to from the history information are recommended values based on past inspection results, that is, the closest values. However, there is a possibility that the inspection information automatically selected by the history information management unit 65 is not optimal. Therefore, enable the user to select optimal inspection information using the operation input unit 620. The second inspection process will explain the case where the user selects inspection information.

[0117] <Second Inspection Process> FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the second inspection process. Also in this process, a print job is sent from the control device 50 to the image forming device 20, a print request is made, and the process starts.

[0118] First, the history information management unit 65 determines whether history information exists (S11). If history information exists (YES in S11), the comparison unit 66 compares the history information with the print information (S12). Here, the print information is the information selected by the user using the operation input unit 620.

[0119] Next, the comparison unit 66 determines whether the items of the print information selected by the user match the items of the print information included in the history information (S13). If the items of the print information selected by the user match (YES in S13), the history information management unit 65 searches the history information (see FIG. 9) for inspection information with a high usage frequency of the inspection level.

[0120] Next, the history information management unit 65 determines to use the inspection information associated with the print information and the history information (S15). Also in this case, one piece of inspection information is selected from among the plurality of pieces of inspection information stored in association with the print information of the new print request.

[0121] On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no history information (NO in S11), or if the items of the print information selected by the user do not match (NO in S13), the process proceeds to S16. In this case, the history information management unit 65 determines to use the inspection information currently being used (S16). In S16, either the inspection information set in advance in the own device (inspection device 60) by the operation input unit 620 or the inspection information compared by the comparison unit 66 may be selected. Since the processes of S17 to S19 are the same as the processes of S5 to S7 in FIG. 11, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0122] Note that there may be a case where the print information that matches the print information included in the new print request does not exist in the history information. In this case, the history information management unit 65 may select the inspection information set in advance in the own device (inspection device 60).

[0123] <Third Inspection Process> FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the third inspection process. Also in this process, a print job is transmitted from the control device 50 to the image forming device 20, thereby making a print request and starting the process.

[0124] First, the history information management unit 65 determines whether or not the function of using the history information is valid (S21). Whether the function of using the history information is valid or invalid is determined by the history information management unit 65 based on the above-described flag 65a. If the function of using the history information is valid (YES in S21), the history information management unit 65 determines whether or not there is history information (S22).

[0125] If it is known that the inspection was performed at an incorrect inspection level in the past, the image printed this time is not inspected at the inspection level used in the past. In addition, it is also necessary to restrict the user from unintentionally changing the inspection level preset by the device administrator who manages the image forming system 1. In such a case, the function of using the history information may be disabled. Therefore, when the function of using the history information is not valid, that is, when it is invalid (NO in S21), the currently used inspection information is used (S28).

[0126] If history information exists (YES in S22), the comparison unit 66 compares the history information with the print information (S23). The comparison unit 66 determines whether the item of the print information selected by the user from the operation input unit 620 in FIG. 8 matches the item of the print information included in the history information (S24).

[0127] If the items of the print information match, the comparison unit 66 compares the inspection information selected by the user (S25). In the inspection information comparison process of S25, the inspection information associated with the print information selected by the user is compared with the inspection information included in the history information.

[0128] Next, the display unit 630 in FIG. 8 displays a plurality of pieces of matching inspection information (S26). For example, even if the inspection level is "strict", assume that the level of each detailed item has been changed by the user. In this case, the display unit 630 displays a plurality of pieces of inspection information including the level of the detailed item changed by the user. Here, the screen on which the inspection information is displayed will be described with reference to FIG. 14.

[0129] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the display of the designation screen W1. The designation screen W1 is displayed on the display unit 630 in FIG. 8.

[0130] The designated screen W1 includes a print information designation section W1a, an inspection level designation section W1b, and an inspection detail item designation section W1c. Initially, only the print information designation section W1a is displayed. When the user designates print information from the print information designation section W1a, the inspection level of the inspection information associated with the designated print information is retrieved from the history information and displayed in the inspection level designation section W1b. When the user designates an inspection level from the inspection level designation section W1b, the inspection detail item designation section W1c associated with the designated inspection level is displayed. As shown in FIG. 9, the inspection detail items include, for example, any one of detail items 1 to 3. When there are a plurality of detail items, a plurality of inspection detail item designation sections W1c are displayed. In each inspection detail item designation section W1c, the user can designate a level. In FIG. 14, the levels are displayed in the order of "1", "2", "3",.... The user can designate one level from a plurality of levels.

[0131] Return to the description of FIG. 13. The user selects the inspection information to be used from the designated screen W1 based on the current inspection information and the history information via the operation input unit 620 (S27). Also in this case, one inspection information is selected from among the plurality of inspection information stored in association with the print information of the new print request.

[0132] On the other hand, when the function is not valid (NO in S21), the history information does not exist (NO in S22), or the items of the print information do not match (NO in S24), the process proceeds to S28. The history information management unit 65 determines to use the currently used inspection information (S28). The processes of S29 to S31 are the same as the processes of S5 to S7 in FIG. 11, so detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0133] The above-described first to third inspection processes can be arbitrarily switched by the user. For example, in an environment where input of print information by the user is not permitted, the first inspection process is performed. In an environment where input of print information by the user is permitted, the second or third inspection process is performed.

[0134] In the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the history information management unit 65 stores and manages a plurality of inspection information as history information in association with print information such as customer information. When a new print request is made, the history information management unit 65 searches for print information used in past inspections based on the print information included in the new print request. Then, the history information management unit 65 selects inspection information associated with the history information with a high usage frequency. The analysis unit 63 inspects the image formed on the paper based on the appropriate inspection information selected by the history information management unit 65. For this reason, the analysis unit 63 can inspect the image with inspection information close to the customer-requested quality. Also, without setting excessive conventional standards, an appropriate standard can be selected from a plurality of standards according to the customer-requested quality to inspect the image formed on the paper. For this reason, it is possible to avoid the waste of a large number of printed materials due to excessive quality standards.

[0135] Also, for a customer whose customer-requested quality originally indicates "strict", the usage history of inspection information for that customer will have more "strict" ones. Even for such a customer, quality inspection according to the customer-requested quality is possible.

[0136] Also, since appropriate inspection information is selected based on the history information, the user does not have to select an inspection standard according to the customer-requested quality. For this reason, the time required for selecting the inspection standard can be reduced, and the inspection completion process can be shortened.

[0137] Note that it is also possible for the user to specify print information and inspection information. When print information is specified by the user, print information that matches the specified print information is searched for from the history information. Inspection information is associated with this print information. For this reason, inspection is performed using the inspection information that matches the print information specified by the user. Also, when inspection information is specified by the user, a plurality of inspection information that matches the specified inspection information is displayed on the display unit 630. For this reason, the user can select one inspection information from the plurality of displayed inspection information. The analysis unit 63 inspects the image formed on the paper using the selected inspection information.

[0138] Also, it is assumed that the print information included in the new print request does not match the print information included in the history information. In this case, the user inputs inspection information from the operation input unit 620. For example, since there is no history information that matches the print information, for example, the history information is filtered according to the inspection criteria (loose, normal, strict) specified from the operation input unit 620. Also, the user can restrict the detailed information so that not only paper information etc. but also only those with a level of 8 in detailed item 1 are selected. When the comparison unit 66 determines that the print information specified by the operation input unit 620 does not exist in the history information, the following processing is performed. In this processing, the comparison unit 66 compares the inspection information specified from the operation input unit 620 with the inspection information included in the history information, and selects the matching inspection information. The analysis unit 63 can inspect the image using the inspection information selected by the comparison unit 66.

[0139] [Second Embodiment] Next, a configuration example of the image forming system according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming system 1A according to the second embodiment.

[0140] The image forming system 1A includes a paper feeding device 10, an image forming device 20A, a paper discharging device 30, and a printer controller 40. In addition to each functional unit included in the image forming device 20 according to the first embodiment, the image forming device 20A includes a control unit 50A and an inspection unit 60A. The functions of the control unit 50A are the same as those of the control device 50 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Also, the functions of the inspection unit 60A are the same as those of the inspection device 60 shown in FIGS. 1 and 4. Then, the functions of the control unit 50A and the inspection unit 60A are realized by the control unit 200 of the image forming device 20A having the same configuration as the image forming device 20 shown in FIG. 5.

[0141] In the image forming system 1A according to the second embodiment, a print job is sent from a terminal device (not shown) to the printer controller 40. The printer controller 40 transmits the image data that has undergone RIP processing and color correction to the image forming apparatus 20A.

[0142] Subsequent processes of image formation, image reading, inspection of the read image, printing of a chart for detecting abnormal nozzles, detection of abnormal nozzles, complement of abnormal nozzles, and recovery printing of the image are the same as the processes performed by each functional unit of the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment.

[0143] In the image forming system 1A according to the second embodiment described above, the image forming apparatus 20A is configured to include the control unit 50A and the inspection unit 60A. Therefore, compared with the image forming system 1 according to the first embodiment, the system configuration of the image forming system 1A according to the second embodiment can be simplified.

[0144] Note that the image forming apparatus according to each of the above-described embodiments is an example of a one-pass UV inkjet printer. However, the present invention can also be applied to inkjet printers that use inks other than UV ink, printers such as LED printers, and the time required for the recovery process can be reduced.

[0145] Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various other application examples and modification examples can be taken without departing from the gist of the present invention described in the claims. For example, each of the above-described embodiments describes the configuration of the apparatus and the system in detail and specifically in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and is not necessarily limited to those having all the configurations described. Also, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of the embodiment described here with the configuration of another embodiment, and further, it is possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of a certain embodiment. Also, it is possible to add, delete, or replace a part of the configuration of each embodiment with another configuration. In addition, the control lines and information lines show those considered necessary for explanation, and not all control lines and information lines are necessarily shown on the product. In reality, it may be considered that almost all components are interconnected.

Explanation of Signs

[0146] 1…Image forming system, 10…Paper feeding device, 20…Image forming device, 50…Control device, 60…Inspection device, 65…History information management unit, 66…Comparison unit, 67…Analysis unit, 620…Operation input unit, 630…Display unit

Claims

1. A history information management unit that manages history information of inspections in which two or more pieces of inspection information used for inspection of the image are associated with the print information set for the image forming unit that forms an image on the recording material, and when a new print request is received, selects one piece of the inspection information from the history information based on the print information included in the print request; An analysis unit that analyzes a read image read by an image reading unit from the recording material based on one piece of the inspection information selected by the history information management unit, and inspects whether the image is normal or abnormal. An inspection apparatus.

2. A flag for setting whether the inspection information is valid or invalid is provided, The history information management unit determines whether to select one piece of the inspection information from the history information based on the flag. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1.

3. A display unit that displays the print information included in the history information and a plurality of pieces of the inspection information associated with the print information included in the history information, and when the print information included in the history information matches the print information included in the new print request; An operation unit that designates one piece of the inspection information selected from the plurality of pieces of the inspection information displayed on the display unit. The analysis unit inspects the image using the inspection information selected by the operation unit. The inspection apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The display unit displays the print information, Print detailed information included in the print information is designated by the operation unit, The history information management unit selects the inspection information associated with the designated print detailed information. The inspection apparatus according to claim 3.

5. A comparison unit that compares the inspection information included in the history information with the inspection information designated by the operation unit. The inspection apparatus according to claim 4.

6. After the inspection of the image by the analysis unit is completed, it is selected by the operation unit whether to have the history information management unit manage the print information included in the current print request and the inspection information used in the current inspection. The inspection apparatus according to claim 4.

7. Any information is added to the history information by the operation unit. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6.

8. Any of the history information or the print information is deleted or edited by the operation unit. The inspection apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The history information management unit preferentially selects the inspection information with a large number of histories from the history information. The inspection apparatus according to claim 7.

10. The history information management unit selects the inspection information based on the abnormality detection rate of the image given to the inspection information. The inspection apparatus according to claim 7.

11. When the history information management unit does not have the history information, the analysis unit inspects the image using the inspection information set in the apparatus in advance. The inspection apparatus according to claim 7.

12. Either the inspection information set in the apparatus in advance or the inspection information compared by the comparison unit is selected by the operation unit. The inspection apparatus according to claim 5.

13. When the history information management unit determines that the print information specified by the operation unit does not exist in the history information, it selects the inspection information set in the apparatus in advance. The inspection apparatus according to claim 5.

14. When the comparison unit determines that the print information specified by the operation unit does not exist in the history information, the comparison unit compares the inspection information specified from the operation unit with the inspection information included in the history information, and selects the matched inspection information. The inspection apparatus according to claim 5.

15. A step of managing history information that associates two or more pieces of inspection information used for inspecting an image with print information set in an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material, and when receiving a new print request, selecting one piece of the inspection information from the history information based on the print information included in the print request; A step of analyzing a read image read by an image reading unit from the recording material based on the selected one piece of inspection information, and inspecting whether the image is normal or abnormal, and including An inspection method.

16. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material; An image reading unit that reads the image formed on the recording material; A history information management unit that manages history information that associates two or more pieces of inspection information used for inspecting an image with print information set in the image forming unit, and when receiving a new print request, selects one piece of the inspection information from the history information based on the print information included in the print request; An analysis unit that analyzes a read image read by the image reading unit based on the one piece of inspection information selected by the history information management unit, and inspects whether the image is normal or abnormal, and including An image forming system.

Images