Information processing system, and information processing program

Abstract

To reduce a disposal amount of printed matter in comparison with the case that continuous printing is restarted from rejected printed matter in the case that there appears printed matter whose result of detection is rejection when a plurality of printed matter is continuously printed while inspecting printing quality.SOLUTION: An information processing system is provided with a processor. The processor continuously prints a plurality of printed matter while inspecting printing quality, stops continuous printing of the printed matter when there appears printed matter whose result of detection is rejection and reprints the rejected printed matter, and prints subsequent printed matter following re-printed matter of acceptance when a result of detection of the re-printed matter re-printed is acceptance.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection system for inspecting the quality of printed matter, which includes an inspection means for inspecting the quality of the printed matter based on a comparison between a scanned image of the printed matter and a reference image; a display control means for displaying a screen for accepting a first mode in which the output destination of the printed matter is not switched regardless of the inspection results of the printed matter, and a second mode in which the output destination of the printed matter is switched depending on the inspection results of the printed matter; an acceptance means for accepting, via the screen, either the first mode in which the output destination of the printed matter is not switched regardless of the inspection results of the printed matter, or the second mode in which the output destination of the printed matter is switched depending on the inspection results of the printed matter; and a control means for controlling the output destination of the printed matter based on the inspection results obtained by the inspection means and the mode accepted by the acceptance means.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses an inspection device that inspects printed matter by comparing the printed matter with a reference image, characterized in that the inspection mode for the inspection has a control means that exclusively controls a mode for switching the discharge destination of printed matter in which defects are found, and an inspection job for inspecting printed matter in which one copy is made up of multiple printed matter, or an inspection type for inspecting printed matter that has a sequence.

[0004] Patent Document 3 discloses a printing system comprising a printing means for performing printing processing on a page-by-page basis based on a print job, and an inspection means for comparing a read image obtained by reading an image on a printed sheet of a page printed based on the print job with a correct image registered in association with the print job to inspect the presence or absence of printing defects on the printed sheet, wherein the print job includes setting information for an operating mode that specifies the printing operation when a printing defect is detected in the inspection, and when a printing defect is detected in the inspection, the printing means determines the next page to be printed from among the pages specified in the print job according to the operating mode indicated by the setting information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-165020 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-146528 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-148533 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] To reduce the amount of discarded printed matter when a printed matter fails inspection when printing multiple printed matter continuously while inspecting print quality, compared to when continuous printing is resumed from the failed printed matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The information processing system according to the first aspect includes: a processor; The processor: Multiple prints are printed continuously while inspecting the print quality. If any prints fail the inspection, the continuous printing of the prints is stopped and the failed prints are reprinted. If the inspection result of the reprinted product passes, a subsequent print following the passed reprint is printed.

[0008] An information processing system according to a second aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, The processor: If the inspection result of the reprinted product is unacceptable, a test print is performed in which no image is printed on the recording medium; If the test print passes the test print, the printing of the subsequent print is stopped.

[0009] An information processing system according to a third aspect is the information processing system according to the second aspect, The processor: The test printing is carried out on a recording medium housed in the same housing as the recording medium used for the rejected printed matter.

[0010] An information processing system according to a fourth aspect is the information processing system according to the second aspect, The processor: If the test print fails the inspection, a re-test is performed without printing an image on a recording medium stored in another storage unit different from the one storage unit that stores the recording medium used in the test printing. If the inspection result of the retest print by the retest printing is pass, the subsequent print is printed using the recording medium accommodated in the other accommodation section.

[0011] An information processing system according to a fifth aspect is the information processing system according to the fourth aspect, The processor: A storage section that stores recording media of the same size and type as the recording media stored in the one storage section is referred to as the other storage section.

[0012] An information processing system according to a sixth aspect is the information processing system according to the fifth aspect, The processor: If the test print fails the inspection, the test print is repeated until the other storage section is exhausted.

[0013] An information processing system according to a seventh aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, The processor: Printed items that pass the inspection are discharged to the pass output section, Discharging the prints whose inspection results have failed and the prints that are being printed following the failed prints to a reject discharge section; Discharging the reprinted product that has passed the inspection to the pass discharge section; The reprinted product that has failed the inspection is discharged to the reject discharge section.

[0014] An information processing system according to an eighth aspect is the information processing system according to the seventh aspect, The processor: Discharging the subsequent printed matter that has passed the inspection to the pass discharge section; If the inspection result of the subsequent printed matter is found to be a failure, the failed subsequent printed matter and the subsequent printed matter being printed following the failed subsequent printed matter are discharged to the failure discharge section, and printing of the subsequent printed matter is stopped.

[0015] An information processing system according to a ninth aspect is the information processing system according to the first aspect, The processor: determining an inspection result of the subsequent printed material for each printing of the subsequent printed material; If the subsequent printed matter passes the inspection result a predetermined number of times in succession, the subsequent printed matter is printed continuously.

[0016] An information processing program according to a tenth aspect includes: On the computer, Multiple prints are printed continuously while inspecting the print quality. If any prints fail the inspection, the continuous printing of the prints is stopped and the failed prints are reprinted. If the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is a pass, a subsequent print following the pass reprint is printed; Execute the process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the first aspect, when a printed matter that has failed the inspection is produced, the amount of printed matter to be discarded is reduced compared to when continuous printing is restarted from the failed printed matter.

[0018] According to the second aspect, it becomes possible to determine whether the cause of the rejection of the printed matter is the recording medium or the printing.

[0019] According to the third aspect, it becomes easier to determine whether the cause of the rejected print is the recording medium or the printing, compared to when test printing is performed on a recording medium stored in a storage unit different from the recording medium used for the rejected print.

[0020] According to the fourth aspect, when the test print fails the inspection result, the continuity of printing of subsequent prints is improved compared to when retest printing is performed on a recording medium stored in the same storage section.

[0021] According to the fifth aspect, it becomes easier to determine whether the cause of the rejected printout is the recording medium or the printing, compared to when retest printing is performed on a recording medium of a different size and type than the recording medium stored in one storage section.

[0022] According to the sixth aspect, when the test print fails the inspection result, the continuity of printing of subsequent prints is increased compared to when retest printing is performed only once.

[0023] According to the seventh aspect, the acceptable printed matter and the acceptable reprinted matter are collected in the acceptable discharge section.

[0024] According to the eighth aspect, the acceptable prints, the acceptable reprints, and the acceptable subsequent prints are collected in the acceptable discharge section.

[0025] According to the ninth aspect, when the inspection result of the reprinted material passes, the amount of discarded printed material is reduced compared to when a plurality of subsequent printed materials are printed continuously.

[0026] According to the tenth aspect, when a printed product fails the inspection, the amount of printed products to be discarded is reduced compared to when continuous printing is restarted from the failed printed product. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image forming system shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming system shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the image forming system shown in FIG. [Figure 9] 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of a print inspection process in the image forming system shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0029] (Image formation system overview) 1 shows an image forming system 10 according to one embodiment. The image forming system 10 includes a printing device 20, an inspection device 30, and a post-processing device 40. The image forming system 10 is an example of an information processing system and an information processing device.

[0030] (Printing device) The printing device 20 has a plurality of storage trays 20T that store paper. The printing device 20 has a printing function that prints an image on paper supplied from any of the storage trays 20T. Note that paper is an example of a recording medium, and the storage trays 20T are an example of a storage unit.

[0031] (Inspection equipment) The inspection device 30 has an inspection function to receive paper on which an image has been printed from the printing device 20 and inspect the print quality of the received printed paper (printed matter). The inspection device 30 determines whether the printed matter received from the printing device 20 has any abnormalities such as bent corners, dirty print, misalignment, etc.

[0032] Specifically, the inspection device 30 has a purge tray 30T onto which printed matter is discharged. The inspection device 30 receives a reference image (correct image) such as a rasterized image generated based on image data to be printed on paper from the printing device 20. The inspection device 30 also scans the image of the printed matter received from the printing device 20. The inspection device 30 then compares the reference image received from the printing device 20 with an inspection image such as a rasterized image based on the scanned image, and determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the printed matter.

[0033] As a result, if it is determined that the printed matter has an abnormality, the inspection device 30 determines that the inspection result is a failure and discharges the printed matter to the purge tray 30T. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printed matter has no abnormality, the inspection device 30 determines that the inspection result is a pass and supplies the printed matter to the post-processing device 40. The purge tray 30T is an example of a reject discharge section.

[0034] (Post-treatment device) The post-processing device 40 performs various post-processing operations such as folding, stapling, punching holes, and booklet production on the printed matter inspected by the inspection device 30, and discharges the post-processed printed matter onto a predetermined discharge tray 40T. Note that the processing contents of the post-processing device 40 can be changed as appropriate. The discharge tray 40T is an example of a discharge section for pass prints.

[0035] (Continuous printing) The image forming system 10 has a continuous printing function. In this continuous printing, for example, a plurality of consecutive printed materials are continuously printed while inspecting the print quality. Specifically, in continuous printing, the printing device 20 prints an image on each of a plurality of sheets of paper supplied in order from a storage tray 20T, and the printed materials with the printed images are inspected in order by the inspection device 30. Then, printed materials that pass the inspection by the inspection device 30 are post-processed by the post-processing device 40 and discharged to a predetermined discharge tray 40T.

[0036] Here, as shown in Figure 2, if a printed item is found to fail inspection by the inspection device 30 during continuous printing (printed item 6p), not only the failed printed item but also the printed items being printed following the failed printed item (printed items 7 and 8p), i.e., all sheets of paper on the paper transport path from the storage tray 20T to the point of inspection by the inspection device 30, are ejected to the purge tray 30T.

[0037] 3, continuous printing (reprinting) is then resumed from the printed matter (printed matter of 6p) that failed inspection by the inspection device 30. Then, as indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the reprinted matter (printed matter of 6p) that passed the quality inspection by the inspection device 30, and the subsequent printed matters (printed matters of 7p to 11p) following the reprinted matter are discharged to the discharge tray 40T of the post-processing device 40. This is because if a printed matter that failed inspection by the inspection device 30 occurs, and only the failed printed matter (printed matter of 6p) is discharged to the purge tray 30T, and the printed matter that is being printed following that printed matter (printed matter of 7p and 8p) is discharged to the discharge tray 40T of the post-processing device 40, the page order of the printed matters will be shifted on the discharge tray 40T.

[0038] However, as mentioned above, if a printed item fails inspection during continuous printing, and not only the failed printed item but also all of the printed items being printed following that failed printed item are discharged to the purge tray 30T, the amount of paper discarded (waste paper) will increase compared to when only the failed printed items are discharged to the purge tray 30T.

[0039] In particular, there is a possibility that a printed matter that has been rejected by the inspection device 30 will be rejected again by the inspection device 30 when it is reprinted, which may result in an increase in the amount of paper that is discarded.

[0040] Furthermore, as the paper transport path from the storage tray 20T to the inspection device 30 becomes longer, when a printed matter fails inspection in the inspection device 30, the number of sheets of paper discharged to the purge tray 30T increases.

[0041] Furthermore, as the paper transport speed increases, if a printed matter fails inspection in the inspection device 30, the number of sheets remaining on the paper transport path from the storage tray 20T to the inspection device 30 increases, and so the number of sheets ejected to the purge tray 30T also increases. Also, if a printed matter fails inspection in the inspection device 30, not only does the amount of paper waste increase, but the amount of toner used for printing and the printing time also increase.

[0042] Therefore, in the image forming system 10 according to this embodiment, if a printed matter that fails the inspection is generated in the inspection device 30, continuous printing is stopped and only the failed printed matter is reprinted. Then, if the inspection result of the reprinted matter passes in the inspection device 30, a subsequent printed matter following the passed reprint is printed. The image forming system 10 according to this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0043] (Hardware configuration of image forming system) First, we will explain the hardware configuration of the image forming system 10. Note that, for the sake of convenience, the hardware configuration of the image forming system 10 will be explained below, but the printing device 20, the inspection device 30, and the post-processing device 40 may each have a hardware configuration such as that shown in FIG.

[0044] 4, the image forming system 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 50, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 54, a storage 56, an input unit 58, a display unit 60, a communication interface (I / F) 62, an image reading unit 64, an image forming unit 66, an inspection unit 68, and a post-processing unit 70. Each of the components is connected to each other via a bus 72 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0045] The CPU 50 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each component. That is, the CPU 50 reads programs from the ROM 52 or storage 56 and executes the programs using the RAM 54 as a work area. The CPU 50 controls the above components and performs various arithmetic processing in accordance with the programs recorded in the ROM 52 or storage 56. The CPU 50 is an example of a processor.

[0046] The ROM 52 stores various information processing programs and various data. The RAM 54 serves as a work area for the CPU 50 and temporarily stores programs or data.

[0047] The storage 56 is configured by a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. The storage 56 also stores a response processing program.

[0048] The input unit 58 includes operation buttons and the like and is used to perform various inputs. The display unit 60 is, for example, a liquid crystal display and displays various information. The display unit 60 may employ a touch panel system and function as an input unit.

[0049] The communication I / F 62 is an interface for communicating with other devices, and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), FDDI, and Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

[0050] The image reading unit 64 includes a scanner or the like, and optically reads image data from a document, etc. The image forming unit 66 prints the image data read by the image reading unit 64 or image data received from an operation terminal (not shown) onto a recording medium such as paper.

[0051] The inspection unit 68 includes a scanner and the like, and optically reads image data from the paper (printed matter) on which the image is printed by the image forming unit 66.

[0052] The post-processing unit 70 includes various post-processing mechanisms such as a folding mechanism for recording media such as paper, a stapling mechanism, a punch hole processing mechanism, and a booklet production processing mechanism, and performs post-processing on printed materials inspected by the inspection device 30.

[0053] (Image formation system functions) Next, the functions of the image forming system 10 will be described.

[0054] When executing the information processing program described above, the image forming system 10 uses the above hardware resources to realize the various functions of the printing device 20, the inspection device 30, and the post-processing device 40.

[0055] (Printing device) Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the printing device 20 functionally comprises a print request acquisition unit 22, a supply unit 24, a printing unit 26, and a print control unit 28.

[0056] The print request acquisition unit 22 acquires, for example, information (print data) of the print image input to the image forming system 10, and a print request (print job) such as paper size and number of copies.

[0057] The supply unit 24 supplies the paper sheets stored in a predetermined storage tray 20T among the multiple storage trays 20T to the printing unit 26. The printing unit 26 prints an image on the paper sheets supplied from the supply unit 24.

[0058] (Continuous printing) The printing control unit 28 controls the overall operation of the printing device 20, prints images on multiple sheets of paper stored in the storage tray 20T, and performs continuous printing by sequentially supplying the multiple printed sheets to the inspection device 30.

[0059] Specifically, the printing control unit 28 controls the supply unit 24 based on the printing request acquired by the printing request acquisition unit 22, and causes the supply unit 24 to sequentially supply multiple sheets of paper from a predetermined storage tray 20T among the multiple storage trays 20T to the printing unit 26. The printing control unit 28 also transmits print data to be printed on the multiple sheets of paper to the printing unit 26. The printing control unit 28 then causes the printing unit 26 to print images based on the print data on the multiple sheets of paper supplied from the storage tray 20T, and sequentially supplies the multiple printed sheets from the printing unit 26 to the inspection device 30.

[0060] In continuous printing, the print control unit 28 transmits print data to be printed on each of a plurality of sheets of paper to an inspection control unit 39 in the inspection device 30, which will be described later.

[0061] (reprint) For example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a printed matter (6p printed matter) that fails inspection is generated in the inspection device 30, the printing control unit 28 stops continuous printing of printed matter and performs reprinting, in which only the printed matter (6p printed matter) that fails inspection is reprinted.

[0062] 6, the print control unit 28 controls the supply unit 24 based on the inspection result received from the inspection control unit 39 (described later) to supply one sheet of paper from a predetermined one of the multiple storage trays 20T to the print unit 26. The print control unit 28 then causes the print unit 26 to reprint the image that failed the inspection on the sheet of paper supplied from the storage tray 20T, and supplies the reprinted product (6p of reprinted product) from the print unit 26 to the inspection device 30.

[0063] If the inspection result of the reprinted material by the inspection device 30 is a pass, the print control unit 28 resumes continuous printing of the subsequent printed material following the reprinted material.

[0064] (Test print) If the inspection result of the reprinted matter (6p reprinted matter) in the inspection device 30 described below is a failure, the print control unit 28 executes test printing (blank printing) in which no image is printed on the paper stored in the storage tray 20T and the paper is supplied to the inspection device 30. The test printing is a pseudo-printing in which no image is printed on the paper, and is used to determine whether the cause of the failure lies in the paper itself or in the printing device 20 when the inspection result of the inspection device 30 is a failure.

[0065] 7, in test printing, the print control unit 28 controls the supply unit 24 to supply paper from a predetermined storage tray 20T among the multiple storage trays 20T to the printing unit 26. The print control unit 28 also sends test data (blank data) containing no print data to the printing unit 26, causing the printing unit 26 to not print an image on the paper supplied from the storage tray 20T, but to supply the paper to the inspection device 30 as a test print. After the test print is inspected by the inspection device 30, it is discharged to the purge tray 30T.

[0066] Furthermore, in the test printing, the print control unit 28 transmits information about a test image (blank image) without print data to the inspection control unit 39 in the inspection device 30, which will be described later.

[0067] (Retest print) If the test print fails the inspection result in the inspection device 30 described below, the print control unit 28 switches the storage tray 20T and executes retest printing, in which test printing is performed again.

[0068] Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, in retest printing, if there is another storage tray 20T other than the one storage tray 20T used for the test print that failed the inspection, and the other storage tray 20T contains paper of the same size and type as the paper contained in the one storage tray 20T, the print control unit 28 controls the supply unit 24 to supply paper from the other storage tray 20T to the printing unit 26.

[0069] Furthermore, similar to the test printing, the print control unit 28 causes the printing unit 26 to not print an image on the paper supplied from the storage tray 20T, but to supply the paper as a retest print to the inspection device 30. After being inspected by the inspection device 30, the retest print is discharged to the purge tray 30T.

[0070] For ease of explanation, all test printings from the second time onwards are referred to as retest printings, and all test prints printed in the second or subsequent test printings are referred to as retest prints.

[0071] (Inspection equipment) The inspection device 30 functionally comprises an inspection image acquisition unit 32 , a reference image acquisition unit 34 , a quality inspection unit 36 ​​, a discharge destination switching unit 38 , and an inspection control unit 39 .

[0072] The inspection image acquisition unit 32 scans an image from the printed matter printed by the printing unit 26, and generates an inspection image such as a rasterized image based on the scanned image.

[0073] The reference image acquisition unit 34 receives the print data or test data sent from the print control unit 28 as a reference image.

[0074] The quality inspection unit 36 ​​compares the inspection image read by the inspection image acquisition unit 32 with the reference image received by the reference image acquisition unit 34 to determine whether there are any abnormalities in the printed matter, i.e., whether the printing quality of the printed matter is acceptable.

[0075] Specifically, the quality inspection unit 36 ​​compares the inspection image with the reference image to determine whether there are any abnormalities such as bent corners, smudged print, misalignment, etc. If the quality inspection unit 36 ​​determines that the printed matter has no abnormalities, it classifies the printed matter as passing, and if it determines that the printed matter has an abnormality, it classifies the printed matter as failing.

[0076] The discharge destination switching unit 38 switches the discharge destination of the printed matter inspected by the quality inspection unit 36 ​​between the post-processing device 40 and the purge tray 30T.

[0077] The inspection control unit 39 controls the overall operation of the inspection device 30. Specifically, the inspection control unit 39 causes the quality inspection unit 36 ​​to inspect the print quality of the printed matter or reprinted matter. If the print quality of the printed matter or reprinted matter determined by the quality inspection unit 36 ​​to be acceptable, the inspection control unit 39 causes the discharge destination switching unit 38 to switch the discharge destination of the printed matter or reprinted matter to the post-processing device 40.

[0078] On the other hand, if the print or reprinted material fails the inspection by the quality inspection unit 36, the inspection control unit 39 causes the discharge destination switching unit 38 to switch the discharge destination of the print or reprinted material to the purge tray 30T.

[0079] Furthermore, the inspection control unit 39 causes the quality inspection unit 36 ​​to inspect the print quality of the test print or the retest print. Then, the inspection control unit 39 switches the discharge destination switching unit 38 to the purge tray 30T for the test print or the retest print.

[0080] Furthermore, the inspection control unit 39 transmits to the print control unit 28 information such as the inspection results by the quality inspection unit 36 ​​and the number of pages (page numbers) of the printed matter that was determined to be unacceptable.

[0081] (Post-treatment device) The post-processing device 40 functionally includes a post-processing control unit 42. The post-processing control unit 42 controls the overall operation of the post-processing device 40. Specifically, the post-processing control unit 42 controls various post-processing mechanisms such as a folding mechanism, a stapling mechanism, a punching mechanism, and a booklet production mechanism, and performs post-processing on the printed materials supplied from the inspection device 30.

[0082] The print control unit 28, the inspection control unit 39, and the post-processing control unit 42 cooperate to control the overall operation of the image forming system 10 by transmitting and receiving information to and from each other.

[0083] (Print inspection process for image forming systems) Next, the print inspection process performed by the image forming system 10 will be described.

[0084] In the image forming system 10, continuous printing of a plurality of printed materials is performed, and when the printed materials printed by the printing device 20 are supplied to the inspection device 30, the print inspection process shown in Fig. 9 is performed in the image forming system 10. Note that the print inspection process is an example of a print inspection processing method.

[0085] First, in step S10, the CPU 50 inspects the print quality of a print, a reprint, a test print, or a retest print.

[0086] Next, in step S12, the CPU 50 determines whether the print quality inspection result is pass or not. If the inspection result is fail, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S14.

[0087] Next, in step S14, the CPU 50 determines whether the inspection object is a printed matter. If the CPU 50 determines that the inspection object is a printed matter, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0088] Next, in step S16, the CPU 50 stops the continuous printing.

[0089] Next, in step S18, the CPU 50 discharges the prints that have failed the inspection and all prints that are being printed after the print unit in question onto the purge tray 30T.

[0090] Next, in step S20, the CPU 50 executes reprinting to reprint only the printouts that have failed the inspection, and then ends the process.

[0091] On the other hand, if the CPU 50 determines in step S14 that the inspection target is not a printed matter, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0092] Next, in step S22, the CPU 50 determines whether the inspection target is a reprinted product. If the CPU 50 determines that the inspection target is a reprinted product, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S24.

[0093] Next, in step S24, the CPU 50 executes test printing (blank printing) without printing an image on paper, and then ends the process.

[0094] In the first test printing, the paper is supplied to the inspection device 30 via the printing device 20 from the storage tray 20T used for the prints and reprints that failed the inspection. In other words, the CPU 50 performs test printing on the paper stored in the same storage tray 20T as the paper used for the prints and reprints that failed the inspection. At this time, the printing device 20 does not print an image on the paper.

[0095] On the other hand, if the CPU 50 determines in step S22 that the inspection target is not a reprint, that is, if the inspection target is a test print or a retest print, the process proceeds to step S26.

[0096] Next, in step S26, the CPU 50 determines whether or not there is another switchable storage tray 20T among the plurality of storage trays 20T.

[0097] Specifically, the CPU 50 determines whether there is another storage tray 20T that is different from the one storage tray 20T used for the test printout that failed the inspection and that stores paper of the same size and type as the paper stored in the one storage tray 20T. If the CPU 50 determines that there is another storage tray 20T that can be switched, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S28.

[0098] Next, in step S28, the CPU 50 switches the storage tray to be used for the retest printing from one storage tray 20T to another storage tray 20T, and proceeds to step S24. Then, in step S24, the CPU 50 executes the retest printing.

[0099] On the other hand, if the CPU 50 determines in step S26 that there are no other switchable storage trays 20T, it proceeds to step S34, which will be described later. If the test print fails the inspection result in step S26, test printing is performed again until there are no more switchable storage trays 20T.

[0100] Furthermore, in step S12 described above, if the CPU 50 determines that the print quality inspection result is acceptable, the process proceeds to step S30.

[0101] Next, in step S30, the CPU 50 determines whether the inspection object is a printed matter. If the CPU 50 determines that the inspection object is a printed matter, the CPU 50 ends the process.

[0102] On the other hand, if the CPU 50 determines in step S30 that the inspection target is not a printed matter, the process proceeds to step S32.

[0103] Next, in step S32, the CPU 50 determines whether the inspection target is a test print. If the CPU 50 determines that the inspection target is a test print, the CPU 50 proceeds to step S34.

[0104] Next, in step S34, the CPU 50 stops printing and ends the process. If the test print passes the inspection, there is no abnormality in the paper itself, and the print and reprint fail the inspection, so it is highly likely that the cause lies in the printing device 20.

[0105] On the other hand, if the CPU 50 determines in step S32 that the inspection target is not a test print, that is, if the inspection target is a reprint or a retest print, the process proceeds to step S36.

[0106] Next, in step S36, the CPU 50 resumes continuous printing from the printed matter that has failed the inspection, and ends the process. In other words, the CPU 50 continuously prints the printed matter that has failed the inspection and the subsequent printed matter that follows that printed matter, and ends the process.

[0107] If the inspection target is a retest printout in step S32, the CPU 50 resumes continuous printing on the paper sheets stored in the other storage tray 20T switched from the one storage tray 20T in step S36.

[0108] (Variation) Next, a modification of the above embodiment will be described.

[0109] In the above embodiment, in the retest printing, one storage tray 20T used for the test printed material that failed the inspection by the inspection device 30 was switched to another storage tray 20T that stores paper of the same size and type as the paper stored in the first storage tray 20T. However, in the retest printing, the one storage tray 20T used for the test printed material that failed the inspection may be switched to another storage tray 20T that stores paper of a different size or type than the paper stored in the first storage tray 20T. Also, the test printing may be omitted.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the storage tray 20T was not switched to another storage tray 20T during test printing, but the same storage tray 20T was used as the paper used for the printed matter that failed the inspection. In other words, in the above embodiment, test printing was performed on paper stored in the same storage tray 20T as the paper used for the printed matter that failed the inspection. However, the storage tray 20T may be switched to another storage tray 20T during test printing. Furthermore, retest printing may be omitted.

[0111] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if a printed matter fails the inspection by the inspection device 30, reprinting may be repeated a predetermined number of times, and then test printing may be performed.

[0112] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, if the inspection result of the reprinted material by the inspection device 30 is a pass, reprinting of the subsequent printed material following the reprinted material is resumed. However, if the inspection result of the reprinted material by the inspection device 30 is a pass, for example, the inspection result by the inspection device 30 may be determined each time a subsequent printed material is printed, and if the inspection result is the same a predetermined number of times in succession, the subsequent printed material may be switched to continuous printing.

[0113] In addition, in the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0114] Furthermore, the operations of the processor in the above embodiments may not only be performed by one processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. The order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate. Some or all of the processors may be configured on a cloud. At least each process described in the above embodiments may be executed by a processor on a cloud.

[0115] In the above embodiment, the programs are installed in a ROM or storage device, but this is not limiting. The programs according to the above embodiment may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. For example, the programs according to the above embodiment may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a form recorded on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The programs according to the above embodiment may also be acquired from an external device via a communication I / F.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the processing in the image forming system 10 is described as being implemented by a software configuration using a computer by executing a program, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the processing in the image forming system 10 may be implemented by a hardware configuration or a combination of a hardware configuration and a software configuration.

[0117] In addition, the configuration of the image forming system 10 described in the above embodiment is one example, and it goes without saying that unnecessary parts may be deleted or new parts may be added within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0118] Furthermore, the processing flow in the image forming system 10 described in the above embodiment is also an example, and it goes without saying that unnecessary steps may be deleted, new steps may be added, or the processing order may be rearranged within the scope of the gist of this disclosure.

[0119] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0120] (((1))) a processor; The processor: Multiple prints are printed continuously while inspecting the print quality. If any prints fail the inspection, the continuous printing of the prints is stopped and the failed prints are reprinted. If the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is a pass, a subsequent print following the pass reprint is printed; Information processing system. (((2))) The processor: If the inspection result of the reprinted product is unacceptable, a test print is performed in which no image is printed on the recording medium; If the test print passes the test print, the printing of the subsequent print is stopped. The information processing system according to (((1))). (((3))) The processor: The test printing is performed on a recording medium accommodated in the same accommodation unit as the recording medium used for the rejected printed matter. The information processing system according to (((2))). (((4))) The processor: If the test print fails the inspection, a re-test is performed without printing an image on a recording medium stored in another storage unit different from the one storage unit that stores the recording medium used in the test printing. If the inspection result of the retest print by the retest printing is a pass, the subsequent print is printed using the recording medium accommodated in the other accommodation section. The information processing system according to (((2))) or (((3))). (((5))) The processor: a storage section that stores recording media of the same size and type as the recording media stored in the one storage section is defined as the other storage section; The information processing system according to (((4))). (((6))) The processor: If the test print fails the inspection result, the test print is performed again until the other storage section is exhausted. The information processing system according to (((4))) or (((5))). (((7))) The processor: Printed items that pass the inspection are discharged to the pass output section, Discharging the prints whose inspection results have failed and the prints that are being printed following the failed prints to a reject discharge section; The reprinted product that has passed the inspection is discharged to the pass discharge section, discharging the reprinted product whose inspection result is a failure to the failure discharge section; The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((6))). (((8))) The processor: Discharging the subsequent printed matter that has passed the inspection to the pass discharge section; When the subsequent printed matter has been found to have failed the inspection result, the failed subsequent printed matter and the subsequent printed matter being printed following the failed subsequent printed matter are discharged to the reject discharge section, and printing of the subsequent printed matter is stopped. The information processing system according to (((7))). (((9))) The processor: determining an inspection result of the subsequent printed material for each printing of the subsequent printed material; When the subsequent printed matter passes the inspection result a predetermined number of times, the subsequent printed matter is continuously printed. The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((8))). (((10))) On the computer, Multiple prints are printed continuously while inspecting the print quality. If any prints fail the inspection, the continuous printing of the prints is stopped and the failed prints are reprinted. If the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is a pass, a subsequent print following the pass reprint is printed; An information processing program for executing processing.

[0121] According to (((1))), when a printed product fails the inspection, the amount of printed product to be discarded is reduced compared to when continuous printing is restarted from the failed printed product. According to (((2))), it becomes possible to distinguish whether the cause of the rejection of the printed matter is the recording medium or the printing. According to (((3))), it becomes easier to determine whether the cause of the rejected print is the recording medium or the printing, compared to when test printing is performed on a recording medium stored in a storage unit different from the recording medium used for the rejected print. According to (((4))), if the test print fails the inspection, the continuity of printing of subsequent prints is increased compared to when re-test printing is performed on a recording medium stored in the same storage section. According to (((5))), it becomes easier to determine whether the cause of the rejected printout is the recording medium or the printing, compared to when retest printing is performed on a recording medium of a different size and type than the recording medium stored in one storage section. According to (((6))), when the test print fails the inspection result, the continuity of printing of subsequent prints is increased compared to when re-test printing is performed only once. According to (((7))), the acceptable prints and the acceptable reprints are collected in the acceptable discharge section. According to (((8))), the pass prints, pass reprints, and pass subsequent prints are grouped together in a pass discharge section. According to (((9))), when the inspection result of the reprinted material passes, the amount of discarded printed material is reduced compared to when a plurality of subsequent printed materials are printed continuously. According to (((10))), when a printed product fails the inspection, the amount of printed product to be discarded is reduced compared to when continuous printing is restarted from the failed printed product. [Explanation of symbols]

[0122] 10 Image forming system (information processing system, information processing device) 20T storage tray (storage section) 30T Purge Tray (Rejection Discharge Section) 40T discharge tray (passed discharge section) 50 CPUs (processors)

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: Multiple prints are printed continuously while inspecting the print quality. If any prints fail the inspection, the continuous printing of the prints is stopped and the failed prints are reprinted. If the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is a pass, a subsequent print following the pass reprint is printed; Information processing system.

2. The processor: If the inspection result of the reprinted product is unacceptable, a test print is performed in which no image is printed on the recording medium; If the test print passes the test print, the printing of the subsequent print is stopped. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The processor: The test printing is performed on a recording medium accommodated in the same accommodation unit as the recording medium used for the rejected printed matter. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. The processor: If the test print fails the inspection, a re-test is performed without printing an image on a recording medium stored in another storage unit different from the one storage unit that stores the recording medium used in the test printing. If the inspection result of the retest print by the retest printing is a pass, the subsequent print is printed using the recording medium accommodated in the other accommodation section. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

5. The processor: a storage section that stores recording media of the same size and type as the recording media stored in the one storage section is defined as the other storage section; The information processing system according to claim 4 .

6. The processor: If the test print fails the inspection result, the test print is performed again until the other storage section is exhausted. The information processing system according to claim 5 .

7. The processor: Printed items that pass the inspection are discharged to the pass output section, Discharging the prints whose inspection results have failed and the prints that are being printed following the failed prints to a reject discharge section; The reprinted product that has passed the inspection is discharged to the pass discharge section, discharging the reprinted product whose inspection result is a failure to the failure discharge section; The information processing system according to claim 1 .

8. The processor: Discharging the subsequent printed matter that has passed the inspection to the pass discharge section; When the subsequent printed matter has been found to have failed the inspection result, the failed subsequent printed matter and the subsequent printed matter being printed following the failed subsequent printed matter are discharged to the reject discharge section, and printing of the subsequent printed matter is stopped. The information processing system according to claim 7 .

9. The processor: determining an inspection result of the subsequent printed material for each printing of the subsequent printed material; When the subsequent printed matter passes the inspection result a predetermined number of times, the subsequent printed matter is continuously printed. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

10. On the computer, Multiple prints are printed continuously while inspecting the print quality. If any prints fail the inspection, the continuous printing of the prints is stopped and the failed prints are reprinted. If the inspection result of the reprinted reprint is a pass, a subsequent print following the pass reprint is printed; An information processing program for executing processing.

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