Printing inspection device, control method for printing inspection device, and program

Abstract

To provide a technique for reducing user effort required to replace a defective printed matter with a reprinted matter.SOLUTION: A printing inspection device that inspects a printed matter comprises: an inspection execution section which reads a plurality of printed matters and inspect data; a discharge destination control section which discharges, to a first discharge unit, a normal printed matter determined to be normal by the inspection execution section, and discharges, to a second discharge unit, a certain number of printed matters following a defective printed matter determined to be defective by the inspection execution section; and a shift section which shifts a discharge position of the printed matter in the second discharge unit. The shift section shifts the discharge position in the second discharge unit each time the defective printed matter is detected among the certain number of printed matters.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7A

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a print inspection device, a control method for a print inspection device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Printed materials output by a printing device can sometimes be stained when coloring materials such as ink or toner adhere to unintended locations. Alternatively, coloring materials can adhere to areas where an image should be formed, resulting in insufficient coloring, resulting in a lighter color than intended. These printing defects, such as staining and coloring, can degrade the quality of printed materials. Therefore, it is necessary to inspect for printing defects to ensure the quality of printed materials.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for reducing paper waste by effectively utilizing printed materials already fed into the paper transport path after defective printed materials that have been determined to be NG (defective) during inspection. Patent Document 1 uses three output trays and controls the pages to print correctly in the case of a job in which multiple copies of data, each copy consisting of multiple pages, are printed. Specifically, normal printed materials are output to a first tray, defective printed materials are output to a second tray, a predetermined number of subsequent printed materials are output to a third tray, and reprinted materials and subsequent printed materials with the output order of unprinted pages reversed are output to the first tray. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-86799 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology in Patent Document 1 does not mention how to handle the occurrence of multiple defective printed sheets, which poses a problem in that it is difficult for users to reduce the effort required to replace defective printed sheets with new printed sheets.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a technique for reducing the effort required for a user to replace a defective printed material with a new printed material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above object, a print inspection device according to the present invention includes: A print inspection device for inspecting printed matter, an inspection execution unit that reads a plurality of printed materials and inspects the data; a discharge destination control unit that discharges normal printed products determined to be normal by the inspection execution unit to a first discharge unit, and discharges a certain number of printed products after a defective printed product determined to be defective by the inspection execution unit to a second discharge unit; a shift unit that shifts the discharge position of the printed material in the second discharge unit, The shifting unit is characterized in that it shifts the discharge position in the second discharge unit every time a defective printed product is detected among the certain number of printed products. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the effort required for the user to replace a defective printed material with a new printed material. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a printing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a user interface that accepts a print instruction according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of an examination setting unit according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams showing an arrangement of printed materials and discharge locations according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of a rearrangement procedure according to an embodiment. [Figure 7A] 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7B] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a rearrangement command according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10(a)-(b) are schematic diagrams showing a processing example according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9A] 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a rearrangement command according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a processing example according to the third embodiment. [Figure 11] 10(a)-(b) are schematic diagrams showing a processing example according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 illustrates an example of a user interface for accepting an examination setting according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] 1A is a diagram showing an example of transport path information according to an embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an example of print setting information according to an embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of a process for calculating an expected number of fed sheets according to the first embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining the number of sheets to be discharged onto a paper discharge tray according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the claimed invention. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> Visual inspections for print defects are time-consuming and costly, so automated print inspection systems have been proposed. These print inspection systems perform inspections by determining the presence or absence of defects based on the difference between a pre-registered reference image, which serves as the inspection standard for the printed matter, and an inspection target image, which is a scan of the printed matter being inspected. The inspection target image, which is a scan of the printed matter being transported on a printing belt, has a slight tilt. Therefore, to compare the inspection reference image and the inspection target image, the two images must be aligned. After alignment, a typical inspection method involves comparing the values ​​of each pixel to calculate the difference between the two. If the calculated difference is greater than a threshold, the printed matter is deemed defective. Hereinafter, a determination that a printed matter has defects will be referred to as an "inspection failure." Conversely, a determination that a printed matter has no defects will be referred to as an "inspection pass."

[0012] One of the functions of this print inspection device is the escape mode. The escape mode is a function that automatically executes a reprint of a print that has failed inspection. It can be set to on or off, and the operation in each mode is explained below.

[0013] When escape mode is off, printed materials that fail inspection are discharged into the same paper outlet as printed materials that pass inspection. The print inspection device stores information about printed materials that fail inspection (page number, etc.) and displays it on the print inspection device's display to notify the user. In the case of printed materials such as books, where the order in which printed materials are discharged into the paper outlet must be maintained, the printed materials that failed inspection must be reprinted and manually replaced with the printed materials that failed inspection.

[0014] On the other hand, when escape mode is on, printed materials that fail inspection are discharged to a different error paper outlet than printed materials that pass inspection, and the printer automatically reprints the printed materials that fail inspection. When escape mode is on, the order in which printed materials are discharged to the paper outlet is maintained. However, because printed materials are printed continuously, the paper after the printed material that fails inspection has already been fed into the paper transport path, and these papers are also discharged to the error paper outlet. This is to maintain the order in which printed materials are discharged to the paper outlet, and the paper after the printed material that fails inspection is discharged to the error paper outlet regardless of whether the print passed inspection or not. When escape mode is on, the printed paper after the printed material that fails inspection is also discharged to the error paper outlet, and is not discharged to the same paper outlet as the printed materials that pass inspection, but is reprinted, resulting in a lot of paper waste.

[0015] To summarize the characteristics of the escape mode, when it is off, manual operation is required but paper waste can be reduced. On the other hand, when the escape mode is on, automatic printing can continue even if an inspection NG occurs, which increases productivity but also increases paper waste.

[0016] Therefore, there is a need for a mode that can reduce paper waste by effectively utilizing printed materials that have already been fed into the paper transport path after a printed material that has been determined to have failed inspection, while reducing the effort required for the user to manually replace the printed material that has failed inspection with a reprinted material.

[0017] In this embodiment, processing control relating to a "user sorting assistance mode" that is different from the above-mentioned escape mode ON and escape mode OFF will be described.

[0018] "User sorting assistance mode" is a mode in which, when a printout that fails inspection occurs, the printing and inspection process continues for the subsequent fed sheets, and the output outlet is switched between the printout that fails inspection and a certain number of subsequent printouts that follow the failed inspection. By continuing the printing and inspection process for the fed sheets that follow the failed inspection, the printouts that are output to the same output outlet as the printout that fails inspection can be effectively used, reducing paper waste. A sorting procedure manual is also created to reduce the effort required for the user to sort the sheets afterwards.

[0019] <System configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing system according to one embodiment. A portion of the configuration of the printing system functions as a print inspection device according to this embodiment. Print paper flows from right to left in the diagram. Reference numeral 101 denotes a paper feed unit, and a user loads paper into a paper feed tray (paper inlet) 110 inside the paper feed unit 101 before starting the printing process. The paper feed unit 101 also has two other trays in addition to the paper feed tray 110, and paper may be loaded into these. Multiple paper feed units 101 can be connected, and paper feed unit 124 is a paper feed unit with the same shape as paper feed unit 101. Note that in this embodiment, paper feed units of the same shape are connected, but two or more different paper feed units may also be connected.

[0020] After the printing process starts, paper is taken in from the paper feed tray specified in the print job and transported along transport path 111. Reference numeral 102 denotes a printing unit, and the outbound path (upper part) of transport path 111 includes a print head 113 that prints on the print paper on the transport path. The print head 113 can be configured, for example, to eject ink directly onto the paper or to transfer toner attached to a photosensitive body onto the paper, but the printing method and manner are not limited in this embodiment.

[0021] The return path (lower part) of the transport path 111 includes a reversing mechanism 114 for reversing the print paper. Reference numeral 112 denotes a roller, and rotation of the roller 112 moves the print belt to transport the paper. As shown in this embodiment, there are multiple rollers 112 in each unit. Reference numeral 115 denotes a transport destination switching point, which includes a claw for switching the transport path. In this embodiment, transport destination switching points 115 are located at all points where the transport path 111 branches from one path to two. Reference numeral 103 denotes a fixing unit. The fixing unit 103 dries any ink or toner or other adhering matter printed on the print paper and applies pressure to fix it to the print paper.

[0022] Reference numeral 104 denotes a conversion unit. When double-sided printing is specified, the conversion unit 104 prints the front side and then switches the conveying path downward to print the back side. Reference numeral 105 denotes an inspection unit. The inspection unit 105 performs an inspection process in which the conveyed printed material is read by a scanner 116 and compared with an inspection reference image. Reference numeral 106 denotes a paper insertion unit. The paper insertion unit 106 inserts paper to be sandwiched between printed materials through a paper insertion port 117 at a timing specified by the user. Reference numeral 107 denotes a discharge unit. The discharge unit 107 switches between discharging the printed material to a discharge port 118 or passing it to a subsequent unit. When a print job is generated, the discharge port 118 can be specified as the discharge destination for the printed material of that print job. It can also be specified as the escape destination for discharge when escape mode is ON.

[0023] Reference numeral 108 denotes a large-capacity discharge unit. The large-capacity discharge unit 108 switches between discharging printed materials to a discharge outlet 119 or sending them to a subsequent unit. The discharge outlet 119 can hold a larger volume of printed materials than the discharge outlet 118. In this embodiment, the discharge outlet 119 is used as a normal discharge outlet 119, which will be described later. 109 denotes a multi-outlet discharge unit. The multi-outlet discharge unit 109 allocates printed materials to discharge outlets 120, 121, 122, and 123. These discharge outlets can be designated not only as discharge outlets for printed materials, but also as discharge trays for discharging printed materials that have failed inspection, which will be described later, and printed materials that require subsequent sorting. In this embodiment, the discharge outlet 120 is used as a discharge tray 120, which will be described later. The discharge tray 120 also has the function of separating printed materials stacked in the tray into batches by shifting the tray itself several centimeters perpendicular to the discharge direction.

[0024] Each of the above units is equipped with a controller that controls it. The controller has one or more CPUs, one or more RAMs, one or more storage devices, and one or more external communication devices, and is capable of exchanging information with other units and performing calculations using these devices.

[0025] <Functional configuration> FIG. 2 shows the configuration of each functional block of the printing system according to this embodiment. Each functional block is implemented as part of the controller that controls each unit shown in FIG. 1. A print job setting unit 201 receives a print target file and corresponding print setting information from the user. It also acquires transport path information held by each unit. Details of the print setting information and transport path information will be described later using FIG. 13.

[0026] The printing unit 202 receives a print job from the print job setting unit 201, sends print data to the print head 113, and executes printing processing when the paper starts to flow from the print belt. The inspection setting unit 203 accepts inspection settings for inspecting printed matter from the user. Details of the inspection setting unit 203 will be described later using FIG. 4. The inspection setting unit 203 also accepts print job settings and transport path information from the print job setting unit 201. The inspection setting unit 203 also displays a previously stored inspection reference image. Details of the inspection reference image will be described later.

[0027] The reading unit 204 reads the paper using the scanner 116 when the paper flows from the print belt based on the inspection settings and print setting information received from the inspection setting unit 203, and transmits the read result as an inspection target image to the inspection execution unit 205. The inspection execution unit 205 performs an inspection by comparing the received inspection target image with a previously stored inspection reference image based on the inspection settings received from the inspection setting unit 203, and transmits the inspection result to the output destination control unit 206.

[0028] The inspection reference image is electronic data that can be compared pixel by pixel with the inspection target image. Possible methods include using RIP-completed electronic data of a print job received by the print job setting unit 201 as the inspection reference image, or using electronic data of an image that the user wants to use as a reference read by the reading unit 204 as the inspection reference image. When using RIP-completed electronic data of a print job, the print job setting unit 201 transmits the inspection reference image to the inspection setting unit 203 and the inspection execution unit 205 before the start of the print job. When using electronic data read by the reading unit 204, the reading unit 204 transmits the inspection reference image to the inspection setting unit 203 and the inspection execution unit 205 before the start of the print job.

[0029] The discharge destination control unit 206 receives the inspection results from the inspection execution unit 205. The discharge destination control unit 206 controls the rollers 112 and the transport destination switching point 115 to discharge the paper on which the inspection target image is printed to a specified discharge port based on the print setting information specified by the print job setting unit 201. Furthermore, when an inspection NG occurs, the discharge destination control unit 206 inserts a reprint command during or after the job.

[0030] <User interface for accepting print instructions> FIG. 3 shows an example of a user interface through which the print job setting unit 201 according to this embodiment accepts a print instruction from a user.

[0031] The upper part of the screen displays a layout diagram of the entire printing system. The lower part of the screen displays a user interface for receiving print job specifications from the user. Through this user interface, the user can specify the data to be printed, the number of copies, paper size, single-sided / double-sided, paper input port, normal output port, and the output destination for the user sorting assistance mode in the event of an NG inspection during inspection processing. The output destination specification for the user sorting assistance mode is a setting that is used only when the user sorting assistance mode is selected in the user interface (described later with reference to Figure 12) on the display unit 401 (described later with reference to Figure 4). When the data to be printed is specified, the number of pages of that print data is displayed. After all settings have been completed, printing begins by pressing the "print" button. Pressing the "cancel" button clears all settings.

[0032] FIG. 4 shows the configuration of each functional block of the inspection setting unit 203. The display unit 401 displays a user interface and accepts inspection settings. The display unit 401 also transmits the inspection settings accepted by the user to the reading unit 204 and the inspection execution unit 205. FIG. 12 shows an example of a user interface 1201 that accepts the user's selection of escape mode on / off / user sorting assistance mode on the display unit 401. The fed paper count calculation unit 402 calculates the number of fed sheets from the transport path information and print setting information. Here, the fed paper count refers to the total number of sheets, at the time when the printed material is scanned by the scanner 116 in FIG. 1 and the inspection results are determined, including the number of sheets of the printed material and any subsequent sheets that have already been fed and have been inserted into the paper transport path.

[0033] <Calculation of number of fed sheets> 14 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the process performed by the fed sheet count calculation unit 402 according to this embodiment to calculate the number of fed sheets. In S1401, the fed sheet count calculation unit 402 acquires transport path information from the print job setting unit 201. The transport path information is route information for transporting the paper shown in FIG. 13(a). The transport path information includes a transport path length D1 (values ​​for single-sided printing and double-sided printing available) from the print head 113 to the inspection unit 105. The transport path information also includes a transport path length D2 from each paper feed tray (paper inlet) of the paper feed units 101 and 124 to the print head 113.

[0034] In S1402, the fed sheet count calculation unit 402 acquires print setting information. The print setting information is the information shown in FIG. 13(b) and includes data related to single-sided / double-sided printing, paper input slot, paper size, and distance between sheets. Of the print setting information, single-sided / double-sided printing, paper input slot, and paper size are data acquired via the user interface described in FIG. 3. The distance between sheets is a value determined from the specifications (printing speed, etc.) of the printing unit 102 and the paper size, and is data that the print job setting unit 201 holds in advance as a value for each paper size.

[0035] In S1403, the fed sheet count calculation unit 402 determines whether the printing is single-sided. If it is determined that the printing is single-sided, the process proceeds to S1404. On the other hand, if it is determined that the printing is not single-sided, that is, if it is double-sided, the process proceeds to S1405.

[0036] In S1404, the fed sheet count calculation unit 402 determines the number of fed sheets using the formula ROUNDUP((D1[single-sided]+D2[paper input slot]) / (paper size (transport direction)+distance between sheets)). In S1405, the fed sheet count calculation unit 402 determines the number of fed sheets using the formula ROUNDUP((D1[double-sided]+D2[paper input slot]) / (paper size (transport direction)+distance between sheets)). Since even a partial sheet of paper is determined to have been fed, the number of fed sheets is determined using ROUDUP, that is, by rounding up to the nearest integer. In the case of the transport path information and print setting information shown in FIG. 13, the result is (290 cm+180 cm) / (29.7 cm (A4 portrait)+30 cm)=7.87..., and by rounding up, the number of fed sheets is 8.

[0037] <Processing content> Next, the processing of this embodiment will be described in detail using FIGS. 5(a)-5(c). FIG. 5(a) is a schematic diagram of printed matter for a job in which Y copies (20 copies here) of data, each copy of which is X pages (5 pages here), are printed in a printing system in which Z sheets (8 sheets here) have been fed. Solid-line rectangles indicate printed matter that passed inspection, and dashed-line rectangles indicate printed matter that failed inspection. In the illustrated example, 512, 522, 523, and 532 are printed matter that failed inspection. Furthermore, y copies xP written in a rectangle indicates the yth copy of the xth page of the printed matter. For example, 511 indicates the first copy of the 3rd page of the printed matter. Furthermore, printed matter with "re" written in a rectangle indicates a reprint inserted after an inspection failed. For example, 516, 526, 541, and 542 are reprinted matters. The number of fed sheets 501 indicates the number of fed sheets calculated by the fed sheet number calculation unit 402 described above. If processing is performed with the escape mode ON, when an inspection NG occurs, all of the fed sheets 501 will be considered as lost sheets.

[0038] In this embodiment, the normal discharge outlet 119 shown in FIG. 5(b) and the discharge tray 120 shown in FIG. 5(c) are used as paper discharge destinations. The solid lines in FIGS. 5(b) and 5(c) indicate printouts that passed inspection, and the dashed lines indicate printouts that failed inspection. Therefore, 512, 522, 523, and 532 are printouts that failed inspection. The yx written to the right of the solid and dashed lines indicates the xth page of the yth copy of the printout, and 511 indicates the 3rd page of the first copy of the printout. Furthermore, printouts with "re" written to the right of the solid and dashed lines indicate reprints inserted after an inspection failed. For example, 516, 526, 541, and 542 are reprints.

[0039] When the reference number of the printed material in Figure 5(a) is the same as the reference number of the printed material in Figures 5(b) and 5(c), it indicates the same printed material. For example, the printed material that passed inspection, indicated by 511 in Figure 5(a), is discharged to the normal discharge outlet 119, and the printed material that failed inspection, indicated by 512 in Figure 5(a), is discharged to the discharge tray 120. The printed material that passed inspection, with the pages correctly arranged, is discharged to the normal discharge outlet 119. The printed material that failed inspection and the number of sheets up to the same page after the number of sheets that have been fed, Z, that is, {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X={ROUNDUP(8 / 5)}*5=10, are discharged to the discharge tray 120.

[0040] In FIG. 5(c), the failed inspection printout 512 is discharged to 503, followed by the next 10 printouts 513 to 515. The reprinted materials to be rearranged and the rearrangement procedure manual are then discharged to the discharge tray 120. On the discharge tray 120, the failed inspection printouts 512, 522, 523, and 532 and the first page of the printouts 514 and 524 are shifted and stacked. Also, the first page of the replacement reprinted materials, printout 541, is shown shifted and stacked. The user can rearrange each bundle by shifting while viewing the rearrangement procedure, reducing the user's workload.

[0041] <Processing> Next, the processing procedure according to this embodiment will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 7A. In S701, the printing unit 202 receives a print job from the print job setting unit 201. In S702, the discharge destination control unit 206 initializes the tray flag, the number of discharged sheets, and the trailing edge flag to 0. Here, the tray flag is a flag for switching the discharge destination. When the tray flag is 0, the normal discharge outlet 119 is the discharge destination, and when the tray flag is 1, the discharge tray 120 is the discharge destination. The number of discharged sheets is a variable for counting the number of sheets discharged to the discharge tray 120. The trailing edge flag is set to 1 when an inspection NG occurs when the number of remaining pages in the job becomes small, and is a flag for switching between normal discharge processing to the discharge tray 120 and discharge processing when the number of remaining pages in the job becomes small. The switching processing using the trailing edge flag will be described later.

[0042] In S703, the printing unit 202 transmits print data for the first page (510 in FIG. 5A) of the print job received in S701 to the print head 113, and executes printing processing when the paper starts to flow from the print belt. In S704, the reading unit 204 reads the image with the scanner 116 when the paper starts to flow from the print belt, based on the inspection settings and print setting information received from the inspection setting unit 203, and transmits the image as an inspection target image to the inspection execution unit 205. Next, the inspection execution unit 205 compares the received inspection target image with a pre-stored inspection reference image based on the inspection settings received from the inspection setting unit 203, obtains the inspection results, and transmits the inspection results to the output destination control unit 206.

[0043] In S771, the discharge destination control unit 206 determines whether the number of discharged sheets is greater than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X=10 sheets. This process is for discharging the NG printed material and the subsequent {ROUNDUP(Z / X)*X={ROUNDUP(8 / 5)}*5=10 sheets, a total of 11 sheets, to the discharge tray 120. {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X is a formula for calculating the number of sheets up to the same page after the number of fed sheets, Z sheets. If the number of discharged sheets is greater than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X, the process proceeds to S772. On the other hand, if the number of discharged sheets is equal to or less than {ROUNDUP(Z / X})*X, the process proceeds to S705. In this case, the number of discharged sheets is 0, which is equal to or less than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X, so the process proceeds to S705.

[0044] In S705, the destination control unit 206 determines whether the test result is OK or NG based on the test result received from the test execution unit 205. If the test result is OK, the process proceeds to S706. On the other hand, if the test result is NG, the process proceeds to S711. Since 510 in FIG. 5(a) is OK in the test, the process proceeds to S706 here.

[0045] In S706, the discharge destination control unit 206 determines whether the tray flag is 0. If the tray flag is 0, the process proceeds to S707. On the other hand, if the tray flag is not 0, the process proceeds to S741. In this case, the tray flag is 0, so the process proceeds to S707.

[0046] In S707, the discharge destination control unit 206 executes discharge destination switching processing. The discharge destination control unit 206 discharges the paper on which the inspection target image is printed to a specified discharge outlet based on the print setting information and the value of the tray flag specified in the print job setting unit 201. In this case, since the tray flag is 0, the paper is discharged to the normal discharge outlet 119.

[0047] In S708, the discharge destination control unit 206 determines whether all pages of the print job have been printed. If it is determined that all pages have been printed, the process proceeds to S751. On the other hand, if it is determined that not all pages have been printed, the process returns to S703. In this case, since not all pages have been printed, the process returns to S703.

[0048] Next, the same process as 510 is repeated for the two pages up to 511 in FIG. 5(a). Next, the process for the printout that failed the inspection at 512 in FIG. 5(a) will be described. The processes from S703 to S772 have been described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. Next, in S705, the discharge destination control unit 206 switches the process based on the inspection result received from the inspection execution unit 205. Since the inspection failed for 512 in FIG. 5(a), the process proceeds to S711.

[0049] In S711, the discharge destination control unit 206 changes the tray flag to 1. In S712, the discharge destination control unit 206 shifts the discharge tray 120. Next, in S713, the discharge destination control unit 206 determines whether the number of discharged sheets is 0. If the number of discharged sheets is 0, the process proceeds to S714. On the other hand, if the number of discharged sheets is not 0, the process proceeds to S721. In this case, the number of discharged sheets is 0, so the process proceeds to S714.

[0050] In S714, the discharge destination control unit 206 determines whether the number of remaining pages in the job is greater than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X (= 10 sheets in this case). This process is performed to change the process when an NG occurs when the number of remaining pages in the job is {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X or less. If the number of remaining pages in the job is greater than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X, the process proceeds to S715. On the other hand, if the number of remaining pages in the job is equal to or less than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X, the process proceeds to S761. Here, the number of remaining pages is (5P x 20 copies) - (3 sheets already discharged) = 97 pages, which is greater than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X, so the process proceeds to S715.

[0051] In S715, the destination control unit 206 stores the rearrangement command (1) in a storage unit (not shown) in the destination control unit 206. Four types of rearrangement commands are prepared in advance as shown in FIG. 7B, and the destination control unit 206 stores the rearrangement command (1) among them. This rearrangement command is used when creating a rearrangement procedure manual, which will be described later.

[0052] In S716, the discharge destination control unit 206 inserts a reprint command into the job. Here, a reprint command 516 corresponding to the failed inspection printed material 512 is inserted after page 515, which is the same as the failed inspection printed material that follows after eight fed sheets of paper 512. Here, we will explain again why the failed inspection page and the same page that follows after Z fed sheets are discharged to the paper output tray 120 and then a reprint command is inserted.

[0053] 15 is a schematic diagram of a print job for printing 20 copies of data, each copy consisting of three pages, in a printing system in which eight sheets have been fed. For example, if an inspection NG occurs and the pages up to page 1503, the page following inspection NG page 1502, are ejected to the paper output tray 120, and a reprint is inserted after that, the following problem occurs: When inspection NG 1502 occurs, even if you try to insert a reprint between pages 1503 and 1504, you cannot insert it at the desired position because page 1503 has already been printed and printing of page 1504 has already begun. Furthermore, if you insert it at the top of the queue when the reprint command is ready, the page order of the prints ejected to the normal output outlet 119 will be out of order.

[0054] Therefore, to solve this problem, the number of sheets already fed is calculated in advance from the transport path information and job information, and {ROUNDUP(Z / X))*X sheets are ejected onto the paper output tray 120 up to the same page after the number of sheets already fed.

[0055] In S717, the discharge destination control unit 206 adds 1 to the number of discharged sheets. Next, in S707, the discharge destination control unit 206 discharges the paper to the discharge tray 120 because the tray flag is 1. The process of S708 has been described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. Next, a description will be given of the process for the inspection-passed printed material 513 in FIG. 5(a), which is the page subsequent to the inspection-failed page. The processes of S703 to S705 are the same as those of 510 in FIG. 5(a) described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. Next, in S706, the discharge destination control unit 206 proceeds to S741 because the tray flag is 1.

[0056] In S741, the discharge destination control unit 206 determines whether the page number is 1 and the number of discharged sheets is greater than 1 and less than (number of pages + 1). If this step is YES, proceed to S742. On the other hand, if this step is NO, proceed to S745. In this case, the page number is 5 and the number of discharged sheets is 1, so the result is NO and proceed to S745. In S745, the discharge destination control unit 206 adds 1 to the number of discharged sheets. Next, in S707, the discharge destination control unit 206 discharges the sheets to the discharge tray 120 because the tray flag is 1. The processing of S708 has been described above and will not be described here.

[0057] Next, the processing for the inspection-OK printed material 514 in Fig. 5(a) will be described. The processing of S703 to S706 is the same as that of 513 in Fig. 5(a) described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. Next, in S741, the discharge destination control unit 206 determines that the page number is 1 and the number of discharged sheets is 2, and therefore the determination conditions that the page number is 1 and the number of discharged sheets is greater than 1 and less than (number of pages + 1) are satisfied, and therefore the process proceeds to S742.

[0058] In S742, the discharge destination control unit 206 determines whether the trailing edge flag is 1. If this step is YES, proceed to S745. On the other hand, if this step is NO, proceed to S743. In S743, the discharge destination control unit 206 stores the rearrangement command (3) shown in FIG. 7B in a storage unit (not shown) within the discharge destination control unit 206. In S744, the discharge destination control unit 206 shifts the discharge tray 120. As a result of this processing, the first page of printed material 514 and the printed materials stacked below it are shifted and stacked, as shown in FIG. 5(c), making it easier for the user to perform subsequent rearrangement work. The processing of S745, S707, and S708 is the same as 513 in FIG. 5(a) described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0059] Next, processing is performed on the eight pages up to 515 in FIG. 5(a). This processing is the same as 513 in FIG. 5(a) described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. Next, processing for the inspected printed matter 516 in FIG. 5(a) will be described. This inspected printed matter 516 is a printed matter corresponding to the reprint command inserted into the job in S716. The processing of S703 and S704 is the same as 510 in FIG. 5(a) described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. Next, in S771, the discharge destination control unit 206 determines that the number of discharged sheets is 11, which is greater than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X=10, so the process proceeds to S772.

[0060] In S772, the discharge destination control unit 206 initializes the tray flag and the number of discharged sheets to 0. This process returns the discharge destination to the normal discharge outlet. The processes of S705 to S708 are the same as those of 510 in FIG. 5(a) described above, and therefore will not be described here.

[0061] Next, the processes from 517 to 521 in Fig. 5(a) are executed for the printouts that passed inspection. This process is the same as the process 510 in Fig. 5(a) described above, so a description thereof will be omitted. From the process up to this point, it can be seen that the printouts are discharged to the normal discharge outlet 119 in the correct page order, as shown by 511, 516, and 517 in Fig. 5(b).

[0062] Next, processing is performed on the failed inspection printed material 522 in FIG. 5(a). This processing is the same as that of 512 in FIG. 5(a) described above, and therefore will not be described further. In S715, a reordering command (1) is stored in the storage unit. In S716, a reprinting command 526 corresponding to the failed inspection printed material 522 is inserted after page 525, which is the same page as the failed inspection printed material that follows the failed inspection printed material 522 and is eight sheets later. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the failed inspection printed material 522 and the printed materials stacked below it are shifted, making it easier for the user to perform subsequent reordering work.

[0063] Next, processing is performed for the printed matter that passed inspection at 528 in FIG. 5(a). This processing is the same as 513 in FIG. 5(a) described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Next, processing is performed for the printed matter that failed inspection at 523 in FIG. 5(a). The processing of S703 to S705, S711, and S712 is the same as 512 in FIG. 5(a) described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted. Next, in S713, the discharge destination control unit 206 proceeds to S721 because the number of discharged sheets is 2.

[0064] In S721, the destination control unit 206 stores the rearrangement command (2) shown in FIG. 7B in a storage unit (not shown) in the destination control unit 206.

[0065] In S763, the discharge destination control unit 206 inserts a reprint command after the job. Here, a replacement reprint command 541 corresponding to the NG printed material 523 is inserted after the last page 533 of the job. In other words, if there is an NG printed material among the printed materials following the inspection NG printed material, a reprint is inserted after the job.

[0066] The processing of S717 and S708 is the same as that of 512 in Fig. 5(a) described above, and therefore will not be described here. By this processing, the inspection NG 523 and the printed materials stacked below are shifted and stacked, as shown in Fig. 5(c), making it easier for the user to rearrange the items thereafter.

[0067] Next, processing is performed on the printed matter that passed inspection at 529 in FIG. 5(a), but since this is the same as 513 in FIG. 5(a) described above, a description thereof will be omitted. Next, processing is performed on the printed matter that passed inspection at 524 in FIG. 5(a), but since this is the same as 514 in FIG. 5(a) described above, a description thereof will be omitted. In the processing of S743 here, a rearrangement command (3) is stored in the storage unit. Also, as shown in FIG. 5(c), the first page of printed matter 524 and the printed matter stacked below it are shifted and stacked, making it easier for the user to rearrange the documents thereafter.

[0068] Next, six pages up to 525 in FIG. 5(a) are processed, but because this is the same as 513 in FIG. 5(a) described above, a description thereof will be omitted. Next, the processing for the inspection-passed printout 526 in FIG. 5(a) will be described. This inspection-passed printout 526 is a printout corresponding to the reprint command inserted into the job in S716. Because the processing content is the same as 516 in FIG. 5(a) described above, a description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] Next, the processes from 527 to 531 in Fig. 5(a) are executed for the printouts that passed inspection, but as this is the same as the process 510 in Fig. 5(a) described above, a description thereof will be omitted. From the processes up to this point, it can be seen that the printouts have been discharged to the normal discharge outlet 119 in the correct page order, as shown by 521, 526, and 527 in Fig. 5(b).

[0070] Next, we will explain the processing for the printout that failed inspection in 532 in Figure 5(a). The printout that failed inspection 532 is an example of the case where inspection failed when the number of remaining pages in the job is not more than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X=10, as indicated by 561. Steps S703 to S705 and steps S711 to S713 are the same as those in step 512 in Figure 5(a) described above, and therefore will not be explained here.

[0071] Next, the discharge destination control unit 206 proceeds to S761 because the number of remaining pages in the job is 9, which is not more than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X=10. Next, in S761, the discharge destination control unit 206 changes the trailing edge flag to 1. Next, in S762, the discharge destination control unit 206 stores the sorting command (4) shown in FIG. 7B in a storage unit (not shown) in the discharge destination control unit.

[0072] Next, in S763, the output destination control unit 206 inserts a reprint command after the job. Here, a print command for the replacement reprint 542 corresponding to the inspection-failed printed material 532 is inserted after the print command for the replacement reprint 541. In other words, if an inspection failure occurs when the number of remaining pages in the job is not more than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X=10, a reprint is inserted after the job. The processes of S717, S707, and S708 are the same as those described above, and therefore their explanations are omitted. As a result of this process, the inspection-failed printed material 532 and the printed materials stacked below it are shifted and stacked, as shown in FIG. 5(c), making it easier for the user to rearrange the documents thereafter.

[0073] Next, the three pages up to 534 in FIG. 5(a) are processed, but as this is the same as 513 in FIG. 5(a) described above, a description thereof will be omitted. Next, the processing for the inspection-passed printed material 535 in FIG. 5(a) will be described. As S703 to S706 and S741 are the same as 514 in FIG. 5(a) described above, a description thereof will be omitted. Next, in S742, the discharge destination control unit 206 proceeds to S745 because the trailing edge flag is 1. As S745, S707, and S708 are the same as the processing described above, a description thereof will be omitted. As a result of this processing, as shown in FIG. 5(c), although the inspection-passed printed material 535 is the first page, it is stacked without being shifted from the printed materials stacked below it.

[0074] Next, the three pages up to 536 in FIG. 5(a) are processed, but as this is the same as 513 in FIG. 5(a) described above, a description thereof will be omitted. Next, the processing for the printed matter that passed inspection at 533 in FIG. 5(a) will be described. As steps S703 to S706, S741, S745, and S707 are the same as those for 513 in FIG. 5(a) described above, a description thereof will be omitted. Next, in S708, the output destination control unit 206 determines whether all pages of the print job have been printed. In this case, as all pages have been printed, the process proceeds to S751.

[0075] Next, in S751, the discharge destination control unit 206 shifts the discharge tray 120. Next, in S752, the replacement reprints 541 and 542 are print inspected and discharged to the discharge tray 120. Next, in S753, the discharge destination control unit 206 generates and prints a reordering procedure manual as shown in FIG. 6A. 601 in FIG. 6A describes the number of replacement reprints. 602 describes the number of bundles to be reordered (bundles 614, 615, 616, 617, 618, 619) discharged to the discharge tray 120. 603 describes an explanation of the top bundle (the reordering procedure and replacement reprints). When generating work procedures for subsequent bundles, the discharge destination control unit 206 sequentially references the reordering commands stored in a storage unit (not shown) within the discharge destination control unit 206 to generate the reordering procedure manual.

[0076] 604 describes the work procedure for stack 614. Subsequently, 605 describes the work procedure for stack 615, 606 describes the work procedure for stack 616, 607 describes the work procedure for stack 617, 608 describes the work procedure for stack 618, and 609 describes the work procedure for stack 619. Within the work procedure for each stack, the top row describes the work instructions for the bottommost sheet of the stack, and leaving it blank indicates that nothing will be done to the bottommost sheet of the stack. The bottom row describes the stack to be stacked. This process shifts the replacement reprint 541 and the printed materials stacked below it, as shown in FIG. 5(c), making it easier for the user to rearrange the sheets afterwards.

[0077] As a result of the above processing, printed materials 502, 504, 505, 507, and 508 shown in FIG. 5(a) are discharged to the normal discharge outlet 119 shown in FIG. 5(b), and printed materials that pass inspection are discharged in the correct page order. Also, printed materials that fail inspection and the following printed materials of {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X=10 sheets are discharged to the discharge tray 120 shown in FIG. 5(c), as shown by 503 and 506 in FIG. 5(a). Furthermore, when an inspection fails when the number of remaining pages in the job is not more than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X=10 sheets, printed materials that fail inspection and the following remaining pages are discharged to the discharge tray 120, as shown by 509 in FIG. 5(a). Furthermore, reprinted materials to be rearranged and a rearrangement procedure manual are discharged to the discharge tray 120, as shown by 510 in FIG. 5(a).

[0078] The user refers to the rearrangement procedure shown in Fig. 6(a) and processes the stack of printed materials discharged onto the discharge tray 120 from top to bottom, as shown in Fig. 6(b), and places them on top of the printed materials discharged to the normal discharge outlet. As a result, 20 copies of inspection-approved printed materials with the pages correctly arranged will be completed.

[0079] By performing the above process control, it is possible to reduce paper waste by effectively utilizing printed materials that have already been fed into the paper transport path after printed materials that have been determined to be NG in the inspection, and to reduce the effort required for the user to manually replace printed materials that have failed the inspection with reprinted materials. Furthermore, even if multiple NGs occur in one job or multiple NGs occur in one copy, this embodiment can be implemented with just two discharge outlets (normal discharge outlet 119 and discharge tray 120).

[0080] In this embodiment, the pages are printed in ascending order, but this is not limiting and they may be printed in descending order. In this case, this can be achieved by changing the condition in S741 from "page number is 1 (page number == 1)" to "page number is 5 (page number == last page)."

[0081] (Embodiment 2) While the first embodiment describes an example of processing one job, the second embodiment describes an example of executing multiple jobs consecutively as shown in Fig. 3. In addition to the system configuration of the first embodiment, the system of the second embodiment includes a belt conveyor 820 extending from the inside of the normal discharge outlet 119 to the outside as shown in Fig. 8(a), and is configured to separate and discharge printed materials for each job. Fig. 8(a) shows that printed materials for five jobs are transported in order on the belt conveyor 820 and discharged separately. The generated sorting procedure manual includes the job numbers to be stacked, as shown at 811, 812, 813, 814, and 815 in Fig. 8(b).

[0082] <Processing> Next, with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 9A, the processing of this embodiment will be described, focusing on changes from the first embodiment. If the output of all pages of a job has been completed (YES in S708), the process proceeds to S901. In S901, the printed matter at the normal discharge outlet 119 is discharged using the belt conveyor 820. Next, in S902, it is determined whether the output of all jobs has been completed, and the process switches. If the output of all jobs has been completed, the process proceeds to S751. On the other hand, if the output of all jobs has not been completed, the process returns to S701. In addition, the storage process of the sorting command in S915, S921, S962, and S943 is changed to the command in FIG. 9B and processed. In the process of S963, the process is executed after changing so that replacement reprinting is inserted after all jobs have been completed. In S952, replacement reprinting is performed after printing of all jobs has been completed.

[0083] By controlling the process as described above, even when multiple jobs are executed consecutively, it is possible to reduce paper waste by effectively using the printed materials already fed into the paper transport path after the printed material that was judged to be NG in the inspection.In addition, productivity is improved because the user only needs to rearrange the printed materials after the printing of all jobs is completed.

[0084] In this embodiment, the belt conveyor 820 is used as the separator that performs the job-by-job separator process at the normal discharge outlet 119, but this is not limiting. The separator may perform the job-by-job separator process by inserting tab sheets for each job, or may perform the separator process by shifting.

[0085] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the separation process is performed for each job at the normal discharge outlet 119, but this is not limited to this. For example, if multiple jobs each consisting of one page per copy are performed in succession, the printed materials will be lined up one by one on the belt conveyor 820, which is inefficient. If multiple jobs each consisting of one page per copy are performed in succession, the multiple jobs may be stacked and discharged together as a single separation. Furthermore, when processing a job that exceeds the load capacity of the normal discharge outlet 119, such as a job consisting of 10,000 pages per copy, one job may be separated into multiple separations and discharged.

[0086] (Embodiment 3) In the first and second embodiments, the number of fed sheets 501 was used to determine the number of printed sheets following the print that failed inspection to be discharged onto the discharge tray 120. In contrast to this, in the third embodiment, an example will be described in which the number of printed sheets 1001 (five sheets in this example) is used, as shown in Fig. 10. Here, the number of printed sheets 1001 refers to the total number of printed sheets, including the print that has already been fed into the paper transport path and printed by the print head 113, at the time when the print is scanned by the scanner 116 and the inspection result is determined.

[0087] If 1002 is determined to be an NG inspection, printing and inspection continue up to page 1004, which is the same page as 1002 and the subsequent NG printouts after the five printed sheets, and the printout is discharged onto the discharge tray 120. Also, after 1004, a reprint command for a reprint 1005 corresponding to 1002 is inserted.

[0088] This is possible when the printing system has a high computational processing capacity and can complete the process of inserting a reprint command for the reprinted material 1005 into the job immediately after the inspection result is determined.

[0089] The method for calculating the number of printed sheets 1001 is to calculate the number of printed sheets by using only D1 the value that was previously the sum of the lengths of D1 and D2 when calculating S1405 and S1414 in the flowchart for calculating the number of fed sheets 501 shown in Fig. 14. The other processes are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore will not be described here.

[0090] By controlling the process as described above, the number of printed materials discharged onto the discharge tray 120 is reduced compared to the first embodiment (from 11 sheets per NG to 6 sheets), which has the advantage of making it easier for the user to rearrange the sheets.

[0091] (Embodiment 4) When a user rearranges the sheets, there is a possibility that an operational error may occur. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, an example will be described in which an inspection manual insertion slot 1101 is added to the inspection unit 105 shown in FIG. 11(a).

[0092] In the generated rearrangement procedure manual, the stacking location is changed to the inspection manual insertion slot 1101 as shown by 1111, 1112, 11113, 1114, and 1115 in Fig. 11(b). The user refers to the rearrangement procedure shown in Fig. 11(b) and processes the stack of printed materials discharged onto the discharge tray 120 from the top, and stacks them at the inspection manual insertion slot 1101.

[0093] The display unit 401 displays a user interface and accepts a rearrangement completion operation from the user. When the rearrangement completion operation is accepted from the user, the sheets stacked in the inspection manual feed slot 1101 are inspected one by one, and if the inspection is OK, they are discharged to the normal discharge slot 119. If there is an error in the order or paper orientation, the display unit 401 displays the details of the error on the user interface.

[0094] By controlling the above process, if a mistake occurs when the user rearranges the data, the mistake can be detected and notified to the user.

[0095] [Other variations] In the above embodiment, the rearrangement procedure manual is printed last, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the rearrangement procedure manual may be displayed on the user interface.

[0096] If the number of printed sheets discharged onto the discharge tray 120 increases and exceeds the maximum capacity of the discharge tray 120, processing may be stopped temporarily and a notification may be sent to the operator. If the maximum capacity of the discharge tray 120 is exceeded, the sheets may be discharged onto another discharge tray. If the remaining number of sheets that can be loaded onto the discharge tray 120 becomes smaller than {ROUNDUP(Z / X)}*X+1, the discharge tray may be switched to the next discharge tray.

[0097] As explained above, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to reduce wasted paper by effectively utilizing printed materials that have already been fed into the paper transport path after a printed material that has been determined to be NG in the inspection, while also reducing the effort required for the user to manually replace the NG printed material with a reprint. It is also possible to handle cases where multiple NGs occur in one job, where multiple inspection NGs occur in one copy, or where multiple jobs are executed consecutively.

[0098] The disclosure of this specification includes the following print inspection device, print inspection device control method, and program.

[0099] (Item 1) A print inspection device for inspecting printed matter, an inspection execution unit that reads a plurality of printed materials and inspects the data; a discharge destination control unit that discharges normal printed products determined to be normal by the inspection execution unit to a first discharge unit, and discharges a certain number of printed products after a defective printed product determined to be defective by the inspection execution unit to a second discharge unit; a shift unit that shifts the discharge position of the printed material in the second discharge unit, The print inspection device is characterized in that the shift unit shifts the discharge position in the second discharge unit each time a defective printed product is detected among the certain number of printed products. (Item 2) 2. The print inspection device according to item 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs information indicating a procedure for rearranging the printed materials discharged to the second discharge unit. (Item 3) 3. The print inspection device according to item 2, wherein the output means prints information indicating the rearrangement procedure and outputs the information to the second discharge section. (Item 4) 4. The print inspection device according to item 2 or 3, wherein the output means displays information indicating the rearrangement procedure on a display unit. (Item 5) 5. The print inspection device according to any one of items 2 to 4, wherein the information indicating the rearrangement procedure includes, for each batch of printed sheets, information indicating the target for stacking the batch and processing details for the bottom printed sheet of the batch. (Item 6) The print inspection device described in any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the shift unit shifts the discharge position for each first page of each copy when the certain number of printed materials includes multiple copies. (Item 7) The discharge destination control unit Discharging normal printed products following the predetermined number of printed products to the first discharge unit; A print inspection device as described in any one of items 1 to 6, characterized in that reprints to replace the pages corresponding to the defective printed materials are inserted between the certain number of printed materials and the normal printed materials following the certain number of printed materials, printed, and discharged to the first discharge section. (Item 8) The print inspection device described in any one of items 1 to 7, characterized in that when a copy contains multiple defective printed sheets, the output control unit outputs to the second output unit reprinted sheets to replace pages corresponding to defective printed sheets that come after the first defective printed sheet, which has the lowest page number among the multiple defective printed sheets. (Item 9) 9. The print inspection device according to item 8, wherein the shift unit shifts the discharge position when discharging the reprinted material to the second discharge unit. (Item 10) Item 1. A print inspection device according to item 1, further comprising a separator section that separates the printed materials discharged to the first discharge section by job and discharges them when multiple jobs are printed consecutively. (Item 11) further comprising an output unit for outputting information indicating a procedure for rearranging the printed materials discharged to the second discharge unit; the information indicating the rearrangement procedure includes, for each batch of printed sheets, information indicating a target to be stacked on the batch and processing details for the bottom printed sheet of the batch; Item 11. The print inspection device according to item 10, wherein the information indicating the target for stacking the bundle includes a job number. (Item 12) The printer further includes a calculation unit that calculates the number of sheets that have been fed based on information about a transport path along which the sheets are transported and print setting information, A print inspection device described in any one of items 1 to 11, characterized in that the number of printed sheets of the certain number is the number of sheets from the defective printed sheet to the normal printed sheet of the page corresponding to the defective printed sheet after the number of printed sheets that have been fed. (Item 13) Item 13. The print inspection device according to item 12, wherein the print setting information includes information regarding single-sided or double-sided printing, paper input port, paper size, and paper spacing. (Item 14) Item 14. The print inspection device according to item 12 or 13, wherein the transport path information includes a first transport path length from the print head to the inspection execution unit and a second transport path length from the paper inlet to the print head. (Item 15) The printer further includes a calculation unit that calculates the number of printed sheets based on information about a transport path along which the paper is transported and print setting information, 12. A print inspection device according to any one of items 1 to 11, characterized in that the number of the certain number of printed sheets is the number of sheets from the defective printed sheet to the normal printed sheet of the page corresponding to the defective printed sheet that comes after the number of printed sheets. (Item 16) A control method for a print inspection device that inspects printed matter, comprising: an inspection execution step of reading a plurality of printed materials and inspecting the data; a discharge destination control step of discharging normal printed products determined to be normal in the inspection execution step to a first discharge section, and discharging a certain number of printed products after the defective printed product determined to be defective in the inspection execution step to a second discharge section; a shifting step of shifting the discharge position of the printed material in the second discharge unit, A method for controlling a print inspection device, characterized in that in the shifting step, the discharge position in the second discharge section is shifted each time a defective printed product is detected among the certain number of printed products. (Item 17) Item 17. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method for a print inspection device according to Item 16.

[0100] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0101] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 101: paper feed unit, 102: printing unit, 103: fixing unit, 104: conversion unit, 105: inspection unit, 106: paper insertion unit, 107: discharge unit, 108: large-capacity discharge unit, 109: multi-outlet discharge unit, 110: paper feed tray, 111: transport path, 112: roller, 113: print head, 114: reversing mechanism, 115: transport destination switching point, 116: scanner, 117: paper insertion port, 118-123: discharge port, 124: paper feed unit

Claims

1. A print inspection device for inspecting printed matter, an inspection execution unit that reads a plurality of printed materials and inspects the data; a discharge destination control unit that discharges normal printed products determined to be normal by the inspection execution unit to a first discharge unit, and discharges a certain number of printed products after a defective printed product determined to be defective by the inspection execution unit to a second discharge unit; a shift unit that shifts the discharge position of the printed material in the second discharge unit, The print inspection device is characterized in that the shift unit shifts the discharge position in the second discharge unit each time a defective printed product is detected among the certain number of printed products.

2. 2. The print inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising an output unit that outputs information indicating a procedure for rearranging the printed materials discharged to the second discharge unit.

3. 3. The print inspection device according to claim 2, wherein the output means prints information indicating the rearrangement procedure and outputs the printed information to the second discharge unit.

4. 3. The print inspection device according to claim 2, wherein the output means displays information indicating the rearrangement procedure on a display unit.

5. 3. The print inspection device according to claim 2, wherein the information indicating the rearrangement procedure includes, for each batch of printed sheets, information indicating the target for stacking the batch and processing details for the bottommost printed sheet of the batch.

6. 2. The print inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the shift unit shifts the ejection position for each first page of each copy when the certain number of copies includes multiple copies.

7. The discharge destination control unit Discharging normal printed products following the predetermined number of printed products to the first discharge section; 2. The print inspection device according to claim 1, wherein reprints to replace the pages corresponding to the defective printed sheets are inserted between the certain number of printed sheets and the normal printed sheets following the certain number of printed sheets, and then discharged to the first discharge section.

8. The printing inspection device described in claim 1, characterized in that when a copy contains multiple defective printed sheets, the discharge destination control unit discharges to the second discharge unit reprinted sheets to replace pages corresponding to defective printed sheets that come after the first defective printed sheet, which has the lowest page number among the multiple defective printed sheets.

9. 9. The print inspection device according to claim 8, wherein the shift unit shifts the discharge position when discharging the reprinted material to the second discharge unit.

10. 2. The print inspection device according to claim 1, further comprising a separator section that separates the printed materials discharged to the first discharge section by job and discharges them when a plurality of jobs are printed consecutively.

11. further comprising an output unit for outputting information indicating a procedure for rearranging the printed materials discharged to the second discharge unit; the information indicating the rearrangement procedure includes, for each batch of printed sheets, information indicating a target to be stacked on the batch and processing details for the bottom printed sheet of the batch; The print inspection device according to claim 10 , wherein the information indicating the target of stacking the bundles includes a job number.

12. The printer further includes a calculation unit that calculates the number of sheets that have been fed based on information about a transport path along which the sheets are transported and print setting information, 2. The printing inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the certain number of printed sheets is the number of sheets from the defective printed sheet to the normal printed sheet of the page corresponding to the defective printed sheet that comes after the number of printed sheets that have been fed.

13. 13. The print inspection device according to claim 12, wherein the print setting information includes information regarding single-sided or double-sided printing, a paper inlet, a paper size, and a distance between sheets.

14. 13. The print inspection device according to claim 12, wherein the transport path information includes a first transport path length from a print head to the inspection execution unit, and a second transport path length from a paper inlet to the print head.

15. The printer further includes a calculation unit that calculates the number of printed sheets based on information about a transport path along which the paper is transported and print setting information, 2. The print inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the certain number of printed sheets is the number of sheets from the defective printed sheet to the normal printed sheet of the page corresponding to the defective printed sheet that comes after the number of printed sheets.

16. A control method for a print inspection device that inspects printed matter, comprising: an inspection execution step of reading a plurality of printed materials and inspecting the data; a discharge destination control step of discharging normal printed matter determined to be normal in the inspection execution step to a first discharge section, and discharging a certain number of printed matter subsequent to the defective printed matter determined to be defective in the inspection execution step to a second discharge section; a shifting step of shifting the discharge position of the printed material in the second discharge unit, A method for controlling a print inspection device, characterized in that in the shifting step, the discharge position in the second discharge section is shifted each time a defective printed product is detected among the certain number of printed products.

17. A program for causing a computer to execute the method for controlling a print inspection device according to claim 16.

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