Image forming system, color measuring device, and computer readable medium

Abstract

To improve color reproducibility by using only a correctly measured colorimetric result.SOLUTION: The image forming system 1 includes the image forming unit 6 that prints and outputs an image on the recording medium 9, the color measuring unit 33 that measures the color of the image printed by the image forming unit 6, the imaging unit 30 that captures the image printed by the image forming unit 6, and the analyzing unit 44 that analyzes whether there is an abnormality in the image measured by the color measuring unit 33 based on the image captured by the imaging unit 30. The color measuring unit 33 is configured not to output at least the color measurement result of the abnormal image when the analyzing unit 44 determines that the image is abnormal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, a color measurement device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming system that prints an image on a sheet-like recording medium such as printing paper, a color measurement chart including a plurality of color patches is printed, and the printed color measurement chart is measured to adjust the color during printing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This conventional technology predicts the color measurement values ​​of some color patches from the color measurement values ​​of other color patches, and determines whether the color measurement was performed correctly based on the color difference between the predicted value and the actual color measurement value. For example, if some color patches are free of contamination and others are, this conventional technology can detect that the color measurement of the other color patches with contamination was not performed correctly.

[0003] However, in printed color measurement charts, image noise such as density unevenness, streaks, and stains can exist over a wide area across multiple color patches. The above-mentioned conventional techniques are unable to properly detect such image noise, which can lead to erroneous determination that the color measurement of a color patch has been performed correctly. Image noise contained in color measurement charts affects the color measurement results. Therefore, it is desirable not to use the color measurement values ​​of color patches containing image noise when adjusting colors during printing. However, because conventional image forming systems are unable to properly detect image noise, it is difficult to accurately determine whether color measurement has been performed correctly. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-239529 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, a colorimetric device, and a program that improve color reproducibility by utilizing only the colorimetric results that have been correctly measured. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is an image forming system comprising an image forming unit that prints and outputs an image on a recording medium, a colorimetric unit that measures the color of the image printed by the image forming unit, an imaging unit that photographs the image printed by the image forming unit, and an analysis unit that analyzes whether or not there is an abnormality in the image measured by the colorimetric unit based on the image photographed by the imaging unit, and is characterized in that when the analysis unit determines that there is an abnormality in the image, the colorimetric unit does not output the colorimetric results of at least the image that has the abnormality.

[0007] The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 1, the image forming unit prints a color measurement chart, and the color measurement unit measures the color of the image included in the color measurement chart.

[0008] The invention of claim 3 is characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 2, the color measurement chart includes multiple color patches within the color measurement range of the color measurement unit, and the color measurement unit is capable of measuring the multiple color patches one by one.

[0009] The invention according to claim 4 is the image forming system according to claim 3, characterized in that the analysis unit detects image noise within the colorimetric range as abnormal.

[0010] The invention according to claim 5 is the image forming system according to claim 4, characterized in that the image noise is at least one of density unevenness, streaks, and stains.

[0011] The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 5, the colorimetric unit selects a color patch from the plurality of color patches that is free of image noise and measures its color based on the position where the image noise is detected by the analysis unit.

[0012] The invention of claim 7 is characterized in that in the image forming system of claim 2, the colorimetric unit does not perform colorimetric measurement of the image included in the colorimetric chart if the analysis unit determines that there is an abnormality in the image.

[0013] The invention of claim 8 is characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 2, the colorimetric unit performs colorimetry of the image included in the colorimetry chart when the analysis unit determines that there is no abnormality in the image.

[0014] The invention of claim 9 is an image forming system of claim 2, characterized in that when the analysis unit determines that there is an abnormality in part of the image, the colorimetric unit does not measure the color of the image included in the colorimetric chart at the position where the abnormality is detected, but measures the color of the image at the position where no abnormality is detected.

[0015] The invention of claim 10 is the image forming system of claim 9, characterized in that the image forming unit reprints the color measurement chart after the image abnormality has been resolved, and when measuring the reprinted color measurement chart, the color measurement unit measures only the images included in the color measurement chart that were not measured the previous time.

[0016] The invention of claim 11 is a configuration characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 3, it further comprises a display unit that, when the analysis unit determines that there is an abnormality in the image, displays, in a distinguishable manner, color patches at positions where an abnormality has been detected and color patches at positions where no abnormality has been detected among the plurality of color patches.

[0017] The invention of claim 12 is characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 6, it further comprises a display unit that displays the color measurement results of a color patch selected from the plurality of color patches and measured.

[0018] The invention of claim 13 is the image forming system of claim 2, characterized in that the image forming unit prints an abnormality detection chart for detecting image abnormalities separately from the color measurement chart, the imaging unit captures an image of the abnormality detection chart, and the analysis unit analyzes whether or not there is an abnormality in the image of the abnormality detection chart.

[0019] The invention of claim 14 is the image forming system of claim 13, characterized in that the analysis unit identifies the part that is the cause of the abnormality when an abnormality is found in the image based on the analysis results of the abnormality detection chart.

[0020] The invention according to claim 15 is the image forming system of claim 14, further comprising a display unit that displays the parts identified by the analysis unit.

[0021] The invention of claim 16 is characterized in that, in the image forming system of claim 13, the image forming unit prints the color measurement chart when the analysis unit determines that there is no abnormality in the image, and the color measurement unit measures the color of the image included in the color measurement chart.

[0022] The invention of claim 17 is a colorimetric device comprising a colorimetric unit that measures the color of an image printed on a recording medium, an imaging unit that photographs the image printed on the recording medium, and an analysis unit that analyzes whether or not there is an abnormality in the image measured by the colorimetric unit based on the image photographed by the imaging unit, and is characterized in that when the analysis unit determines that there is an abnormality in the image, the colorimetric unit does not output the colorimetric results of at least the image that has the abnormality.

[0023] The invention of claim 18 is a program executed by a colorimetric device having a colorimetric unit that measures the color of an image printed on a recording medium and an imaging unit that photographs the image printed on the recording medium, characterized in that the colorimetric device functions as an analysis unit that analyzes whether or not there is an abnormality in the image measured by the colorimetric unit based on the image photographed by the imaging unit, and a control unit that, when the analysis unit determines that there is an abnormality in the image, controls the colorimetric unit so as not to output the colorimetric results of at least the image that has an abnormality. [Effects of the Invention]

[0024] According to the present invention, if the analysis unit determines that an image has an abnormality, the color measurement results of at least the image with the abnormality are not output, thereby improving color reproducibility by using only correctly measured color measurement results. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the configuration of an image forming system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a color measurement chart printed by the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of the operation of color measurement processing by a color measurement unit. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by a control unit of an image forming apparatus when execution of color adjustment processing is instructed. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of image noise. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a control unit in the color measurement device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing image noise detection information. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by a control unit of the color measurement device. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of a color measurement result output from a color measurement device to an image forming apparatus. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a color measurement result displayed on a display unit. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by a control unit of an image forming apparatus in a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an abnormality detection chart printed in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by a control unit of the color measurement device. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen displayed on a display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Elements common to the embodiments described below are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description thereof will be omitted.

[0027] (First embodiment) 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. This image forming system 1 forms and outputs an image on a sheet-like recording medium 9 such as printing paper. The image forming system 1 includes an image forming device 2, a color measurement device 3, and a paper discharge device 4.

[0028] The image forming device 2 is configured, for example, by an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) and forms an image on a recording medium 9. The image forming device 2 includes a paper feed conveyance section 5, an image forming section 6, a fixing section 15, a control unit 7, and a display section 8. The paper feed conveyance section 5 feeds and conveys the recording medium 9. The image forming section 6 forms an image on the recording medium 9 conveyed by the paper feed conveyance section 5. The fixing section 15 fixes the image formed on the recording medium 9. The control unit 7 is connected to and controls the paper feed conveyance section 5, the image forming section 6, and the display section 8. The control unit 7 is also connected to the color measurement device 3 and the paper discharge device 4, and comprehensively controls the operations of the image forming system 1. The display section 8 is configured, for example, by a color liquid crystal display or the like, and is formed as an operation panel with a touch screen arranged on its display screen.

[0029] The paper feed conveyance unit 5 includes a paper feed cassette 10, a paper feed roller 11, a conveyance roller 13, and a secondary transfer roller 14. The paper feed cassette 10 is a container that stores a recording medium 9. The image forming apparatus 2 includes multiple paper feed cassettes 10. The paper feed conveyance unit 5 feeds recording media 9 one sheet at a time from one of the multiple paper feed cassettes 10 that is designated by the user. That is, the paper feed conveyance unit 5 supplies the recording medium 9 by driving the paper feed roller 11 corresponding to the designated paper feed cassette 10. The recording medium 9 fed by the paper feed roller 11 is conveyed along a conveyance path 12. The conveyance path 12 is provided with multiple conveyance rollers 13. The paper feed conveyance unit 5 conveys the recording medium 9 by rotating and driving the conveyance roller 13. In the image forming system 1, the conveyance path 12 for the recording medium 9 is formed in communication with the image forming apparatus 2, the color measurement device 3, and the paper discharge device 4.

[0030] The image forming unit 6 transfers an image onto the recording medium 9 when the recording medium 9, conveyed by the paper feed conveying unit 5, passes the position of the secondary transfer roller 14. The image forming unit 6 generates a color image by superimposing toner images of four colors, for example, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), and transfers the color image onto the recording medium 9. The image forming unit 6 has a plurality of image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K, and an intermediate transfer belt 17.

[0031] The multiple image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K generate toner images of the respective colors Y, M, C, and K, and perform primary transfer onto the intermediate transfer belt 17. The intermediate transfer belt 17 is an endless belt that moves in a circular motion, passing through the installation positions of the multiple image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K.

[0032] Each of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K has the same configuration. That is, each of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K has an image carrier 21 composed of a photosensitive drum or the like. A charger 22, an exposure device 23, and a developing device 24 are provided around the image carrier 21. The charger 22 charges the surface of the image carrier 21 to a predetermined charge. The exposure device 23 exposes the charged surface of the image carrier 21 to light, forming an electrostatic latent image. The developing device 24 applies a developer containing toner to the surface of the image carrier 21 and develops the electrostatic latent image with the toner. As a result, a toner image is formed on the surface of the image carrier 21.

[0033] A primary transfer roller 25 is provided inside the intermediate transfer belt 17 at a position facing the image carrier 21 of each image forming unit 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. The primary transfer roller 25 presses the intermediate transfer belt 17 against the image carrier 21, and when a predetermined voltage is applied, performs primary transfer of the toner image formed on the surface of the image carrier 21 onto the intermediate transfer belt 17. Each image forming unit 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K sequentially performs primary transfer of toner images of each color, Y, M, C, and K, onto the intermediate transfer belt 17. As a result, a color image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 17. The intermediate transfer belt 17 performs secondary transfer of the color image at the position of the secondary transfer roller 14 onto the recording medium 9 transported by the paper feed transport unit 5.

[0034] After the image is transferred onto the recording medium 9 by the secondary transfer roller 14, the recording medium 9 is transported to the fixing unit 15. The fixing unit 15 has a heating roller and a pressure roller. The fixing unit 15 fixes the image onto the recording medium 9 by applying heat and pressure to the recording medium 9 onto which the image has been transferred.

[0035] A reversing path 16 is provided on the conveying path 12 downstream of the fixing unit 15. The reversing path 16 is a conveying path that reverses the recording medium 9 and guides the recording medium 9 to the secondary transfer roller 14 again. If double-sided printing is set in the print job, the paper feed conveying unit 5 forms an image on the first side of the recording medium 9, and then guides the recording medium 9 to the reversing path 16. The image forming unit 6 forms an image on the first side of the recording medium 9, and then forms an image on the second side of the recording medium 9 that is conveyed again. Then, after images are formed on both the front and back sides, the recording medium 9 passes through the color measurement device 3 and is guided to the paper discharge device 4. Note that if double-sided printing is not set in the print job, the recording medium 9 with an image formed on its first side is guided to the paper discharge device 4 via the color measurement device 3 without passing through the reversing path 16.

[0036] When executing a normal print job, the image forming apparatus 2 forms an image on a recording medium 9 based on image data to be printed, and conveys the recording medium 9 to the downstream color measurement device 3. In addition to the normal print job, the image forming apparatus 2 can also print images of various charts and supply them to the downstream color measurement device 3. For example, when a user instructs the execution of color adjustment processing, the image forming apparatus 2 prints a color measurement chart on the recording medium 9 and supplies it to the color measurement device 3.

[0037] When a normal print job is being executed in the image forming apparatus 2, the color measurement device 3 conveys the recording medium 9 fed from the image forming apparatus 2 directly to the paper discharge device 4. On the other hand, when an image of a chart such as a color measurement chart is printed in the image forming apparatus 2 instead of a normal print job, the color measurement device 3 performs color measurement processing based on the image of the chart. Details of the color measurement device 3 will be described later.

[0038] The paper discharge device 4 includes, for example, two paper discharge trays 38 and 39. The paper discharge device 4 branches the transport path 12, along which the recording medium 9 is transported, into two transport paths 12a and 12b midway, and discharges the recording medium 9 to one of the two paper discharge trays 38 and 39. For example, when a normal print job is executed in the image forming apparatus 2, the paper discharge device 4 discharges the recording medium 9 on which an image based on the print job has been formed to the paper discharge tray 38. On the other hand, when an image of a chart such as a color measurement chart is printed in the image forming apparatus 2, the recording medium 9 on which the chart image has been printed is discharged to a paper discharge tray 39 different from that used for the normal print job.

[0039] The color measurement device 3 has an imaging unit 30, a color measurement unit 33, and a control unit 34. The imaging unit 30 and the color measurement unit 33 are arranged along the transport path 12 for the recording medium 9. For example, the imaging unit 30 is arranged upstream of the color measurement unit 33 on the transport path 12. The imaging unit 30 captures an image printed on the recording medium 9 by the image forming unit 6. The imaging unit 30 has two imaging units 31 and 32 so that it can read images printed on both the front and back sides of the recording medium 9. The image captured by the imaging unit 30 is output to the control unit 34. The color measurement unit 33 is arranged downstream of the imaging unit 30 and measures the color of the image printed by the image forming unit 6. The color measurement result by the color measurement unit 33 is output to the control unit 34. When colorimetry processing is executed in the image forming apparatus 2, the control unit 34 drives the imaging unit 30 and the colorimetry unit 33 to measure the color of the image printed by the image forming apparatus 2 and outputs the colorimetry results to the image forming apparatus 2. Then, the control unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 2 adjusts the color based on the colorimetry results obtained by the colorimetry unit 33.

[0040] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a color measurement chart 50 printed by the image forming apparatus 2. When color adjustment processing is executed in the image forming apparatus 2, the color measurement chart 50 shown in Fig. 2 is printed on the recording medium 9. This color measurement chart 50 is an image including a plurality of color patches 52 in a color measurement range 51 set on the recording medium 9. The plurality of color patches 52 are rectangular images of different colors or densities, and are two-dimensionally arranged in the X and Y directions within the color measurement range 51.

[0041] The control unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 2 holds a reference image that serves as a reference image when printing the color measurement chart 50. The reference image has color information of each color patch 52 assigned as a reference color. The control unit 7 prints the color measurement chart 50 on the recording medium 9 by driving the image forming section 6 based on the reference image.

[0042] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of the operation of the colorimetry process performed by the colorimetry unit 33. The recording medium 9 on which the colorimetry chart 50 is printed is transported in the Y direction through the colorimetry device 3. When the recording medium 9 reaches a colorimetry position measured by the colorimetry unit 33, the colorimetry device 3 temporarily stops the transport of the recording medium 9. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the colorimetry unit 33 includes a colorimetry head 35 that is movable in a main scanning direction (X direction) perpendicular to the transport direction (Y direction) of the recording medium 9. The colorimetry head 35 includes a reading unit 36 ​​that can read the center color of each color patch 52. The colorimetry unit 33 reads the colors of the multiple color patches 52 one by one by intermittently moving the colorimetry head 35 in the main scanning direction (X direction) while the transport of the recording medium 9 is stopped. For example, when reading the color of one color patch 52, the colorimetry unit 33 temporarily stops the movement of the colorimetry head 35 in the main scanning direction so that the center color of the color patch 52 can be measured. Then, when reading by the reading unit 36 ​​is completed, the colorimetric unit 33 resumes movement of the colorimetric head 35. By repeating this operation, the colorimetric unit 33 sequentially reads the multiple color patches 52 aligned in the main scanning direction.

[0043] After reading the color of the color patch 52 located at the end in the main scanning direction (X direction), the colorimetric device 3 transports the recording medium 9 a predetermined distance in the transport direction. This transport distance corresponds to the length of the color patch 52 in the Y direction. That is, the colorimetric device 3 transports the recording medium 9 so that the color measurement position by the colorimetric unit 33 can be shifted by one row of color patches 52. Thereafter, the colorimetric device 3 stops transporting the recording medium 9 again, and while moving the colorimetric head 35 in the main scanning direction (X direction), reads the colors of the color patches 52 in the second row one by one. That is, the colorimetric unit 33 reads the colors of the multiple color patches 52 in order, as indicated by arrow F in FIG. 3.

[0044] The control unit 34 controls the color measurement operation by the color measurement unit 33 and acquires color information obtained by reading each color patch 52 from the color measurement unit 33. The control unit 34 then records the color information obtained by reading each of the multiple color patches 52 as the color measurement result.

[0045] When the control unit 34 completes the color measurement operation on the color measurement chart 50, it outputs the color measurement results from the color measurement operation to the image forming apparatus 2. Based on the color measurement results of the color measurement chart 50 obtained from the color measurement device 3, the image forming apparatus 2 determines whether or not to perform color adjustment during printing.

[0046] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the control unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 2 when an instruction to perform color adjustment processing is received. For example, when a user instructs the display unit 8 of the image forming apparatus 2 to perform color adjustment processing, the control unit 7 starts executing processing based on the flowchart of FIG. 4. Furthermore, the control unit 7 may start executing color adjustment processing not only in response to an instruction from the user, but also before the start of execution of a print job, for example. When executing color adjustment processing, the control unit 7 notifies the color measurement device 3 and the paper discharge device 4 that color adjustment processing will be performed.

[0047] 4, the control unit 7 reads out a reference image of the color measurement chart 50 (step S10). Then, the control unit 7 prints the color measurement chart 50 on the recording medium 9 by driving the image forming unit 6 based on the reference image (step S11). As a result, the recording medium 9 on which the color measurement chart 50 has been printed is transported to the color measurement device 3. In addition, the control unit 7 outputs the reference image to the control unit 34 of the color measurement device 3 (step S12).

[0048] After printing the color measurement chart 50, the control unit 7 waits until it acquires the color measurement results from the control unit 34 of the color measurement device 3 (step S13). Upon acquiring the color measurement results (YES in step S13), the control unit 7 displays the color measurement results on the display unit 8 (step S14). This allows the user to determine whether or not to perform color adjustment based on the color measurement results.

[0049] The control unit 7 then determines whether or not to perform color adjustment based on the color measurement results (step S15). For example, the control unit 7 determines whether or not to perform color adjustment based on an instruction from the user. If it is determined that color adjustment should be performed (YES in step S15), the control unit 7 performs color adjustment, such as updating the color profile referenced during printing, based on the color measurement results (step S16). Note that if it is determined that color adjustment should not be performed (NO in step S15), the control unit 7 does not perform color adjustment based on the color measurement results.

[0050] Incidentally, image noise may be included in the color measurement chart 50 printed on the recording medium 9 in the image forming unit 6. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) are diagrams showing an example of image noise.

[0051] The color measurement chart 50 shown in FIG. 5A includes circular stains 53a as image noise 53. However, the stains 53a on the color measurement chart 50 are not necessarily circular but can appear in various shapes. The stains 53a shown in FIG. 5A are distributed over a wide area across multiple color patches 52. The color patches 52 in the areas where the stains 53a are present are discolored by the stains 53a and have a color different from the original color (reference color). Such stains 53a can occur, for example, when stains or the like are attached to the surfaces of the image carriers 21 of the image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K. However, the cause of the stains 53a is not necessarily stains on the image carriers 21.

[0052] The color measurement chart 50 shown in FIG. 5(b) contains linear streaks 53b that appear along the transport direction (Y direction) of the recording medium 9 as image noise 53. The streaks 53b shown in FIG. 5(b) are distributed over a wide area across multiple color patches 52 along the transport direction of the recording medium 9. The color patches 52 in the areas where the streaks 53b exist are discolored by the streaks 53b and have a color different from the original color (reference color). Such streaks 53b can be caused by, for example, uneven charging caused by the charger 22, uneven exposure caused by the exposure device 23, uneven development caused by the developer 24, or the like. However, the causes of the streaks 53b are not necessarily limited to uneven charging, uneven exposure, and uneven development.

[0053] In addition to the above, the color measurement chart 50 may contain image noise 53 such as density unevenness that appears in the main scanning direction (X direction) perpendicular to the conveyance direction (Y direction) of the recording medium 9. Such density unevenness may occur due to, for example, charging unevenness caused by the charger 22, exposure unevenness caused by the exposure device 23, or development unevenness caused by the developer 24. Note that density unevenness that occurs in the main scanning direction may be eliminated by correcting density unevenness in the main scanning direction.

[0054] When the color measurement chart 50 contains image noise 53 as described above, the color measurement results obtained by the color measurement unit 33 include the influence of the image noise 53. Therefore, the color measurement unit 33 cannot properly measure the color patches 52 in the areas where the image noise 53 exists. In other words, the color measurement results obtained by the color measurement unit 33 will be abnormal values.

[0055] Therefore, the color measurement device 3 of this embodiment is configured to drive the imaging unit 30 to capture an image of the color measurement chart 50 and determine whether the captured image contains image noise 53. The color measurement device 3 of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0056] 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 34 in the colorimetric device 3. The control unit 34 controls the imaging unit 30 and the colorimetric unit 33. The control unit 34 includes, as its hardware configuration, a CPU 40, a storage unit 41, and an input / output interface 42. The CPU 40 is a hardware processor that reads and executes a computer-readable program 43 stored in the storage unit 41. The storage unit 41 is a non-volatile storage device configured such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). The input / output interface 42 is an interface that communicates with the control unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0057] When color adjustment processing is performed in the image forming apparatus 2, the CPU 40 reads and executes the program 43 from the storage unit 41. As a result, the CPU 40 functions as an analysis unit 44 and a control unit 45, as shown in FIG. 6. The analysis unit 44 analyzes whether or not the color measurement chart 50 printed by the image forming unit 6 contains image noise 53 that may affect the color measurement results. For example, the analysis unit 44 includes an acquisition unit 61, an image capturing unit 62, and a determination unit 63. The control unit 45 controls the color measurement unit 33 based on the analysis results by the analysis unit 44. For example, the control unit 45 includes a confirmation unit 64, a measurement unit 65, and an output unit 66.

[0058] The acquisition unit 61 acquires a reference image from the image forming apparatus 2 via the input / output interface 42. The reference image acquired by the acquisition unit 61 is image data used when printing the color measurement chart 50. Therefore, even if the color measurement chart 50 printed on the recording medium 9 contains image noise 53, the reference image does not contain the image noise 53. Therefore, the acquisition unit 61 acquires a reference image that is the same image as the color measurement chart 50 printed on the recording medium 9 and does not contain the image noise 53. When the acquisition unit 61 acquires the reference image, it outputs the reference image to the determination unit 63.

[0059] When the recording medium 9 on which the color measurement chart 50 is printed is transported to the color measurement device 3, the photographing unit 62 drives the imaging unit 30 to photograph an image of the color measurement chart 50. At this time, the photographing unit 62 only drives one imaging unit 31 of the two imaging units 31, 32 to photograph the image of the color measurement chart 50. If the color measurement chart 50 contains image noise 53, the image photographed by the imaging unit 30 will contain the image noise 53. Therefore, the photographing unit 62 acquires an image including the image noise 53. The photographing unit 62 outputs the image photographed by the imaging unit 30 to the determination unit 63.

[0060] The determination unit 63 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the image measured by the colorimetric unit 33, based on the image captured by the imaging unit 30. The determination unit 63 extracts the difference between the image captured by the imaging unit 30 and a reference image, and determines whether or not the difference contains any image components. If the difference contains an image component, the image component corresponds to image noise 53. Therefore, the determination unit 63 can detect image noise 53 by extracting the difference between the captured image and the reference image.

[0061] When image noise 53 is detected, determination unit 63 identifies the position, size, shape, and intensity of image noise 53. The position of image noise 53 is identified, for example, as a coordinate position in the X and Y directions on the surface of recording medium 9. Furthermore, by identifying the shape of image noise 53, determination unit 63 can identify whether image noise 53 is density unevenness, streaks, or stains. The intensity of image noise 53 corresponds to the density of image noise 53.

[0062] Furthermore, the determination unit 63 determines whether the identified image noise 53 affects the colorimetry results obtained by the colorimetry unit 33. For example, if the image noise 53 is located within the colorimetry range 51, the determination unit 63 determines that the image noise 53 affects the colorimetry results. Conversely, if the image noise 53 is located outside the colorimetry range 51, the determination unit 63 determines that the image noise 53 does not affect the colorimetry results.

[0063] If the image noise 53 is located within the colorimetric range 51, the determination unit 63 further determines whether each of the multiple color patches 52 included in the colorimetric chart 50 is affected by the image noise 53. For example, if at least a portion of a color patch 52 overlaps with the image noise 53, the determination unit 63 determines that the colorimetric results of the color patch 52 overlapping with the image noise 53 are affected by the image noise 53. The determination unit 63 then outputs the determination result to the control unit 45.

[0064] As described above, the imaging unit 30 is disposed upstream of the colorimetry unit 33. Therefore, the analysis unit 44 can capture an image of the colorimetry chart 50 before the recording medium 9 reaches the colorimetry position by the colorimetry unit 33, and output the above-described determination result to the control unit 45.

[0065] When image noise 53 is detected in the colorimetry chart 50 through the analysis by the analysis unit 44, the determination result output from the analysis unit 44 to the control unit 45 includes image noise detection information. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the image noise detection information 70. As shown in FIG. 7, the image noise detection information 70 includes information on a noise occurrence position 71 indicating the position of the image noise 53, a noise type 72 indicating the type of image noise 53, and a feature amount 73 indicating the characteristics of the image noise 53. The noise occurrence position 71 indicates the position on the surface of the recording medium 9 where the image noise 53 is included. The noise type 72 indicates whether the image noise 53 is density unevenness, streaks, or dirt. The feature amount 73 indicates the intensity of the image noise 53. By outputting the image noise detection information 70 from the analysis unit 44 to the control unit 45, the control unit 45 can transmit information on the image noise 53 included in the colorimetry chart 50 to the image forming apparatus 2.

[0066] The confirmation unit 64 acquires the analysis result (determination result) by the analysis unit 44 and confirms the analysis result. Then, the confirmation unit 64 identifies the color patches 52 that are affected by the image noise 53 from among the multiple color patches 52 included in the color measurement chart 50 printed on the recording medium 9. When the confirmation unit 64 identifies the color patches 52 that are affected by the image noise 53, it notifies the measurement unit 65 of the color patches 52. The confirmation unit 64 also notifies the output unit 66 of the color patches 52 that are affected by the image noise 53. Furthermore, when the confirmation unit 64 acquires image noise detection information 70 from the analysis unit 44, it outputs the image noise detection information 70 to the output unit 66.

[0067] The measurement unit 65 drives the colorimetric unit 33 and controls the colorimetric operation by the colorimetric unit 33. The measurement unit 65 then acquires the colorimetric results from the colorimetric unit 33. However, if there is an abnormality in the image measured by the colorimetric unit 33, the measurement unit 65 does not acquire the colorimetric results of that image.

[0068] If a color patch 52 that is affected by image noise 53 is present among the multiple color patches 52 included in the color measurement chart 50, the measurement unit 65 does not measure the color patch 52. For example, when the measurement unit 65 moves the color measurement head 35 along the arrow F shown in FIG. 3 , the measurement unit 65 does not stop the color measurement head 35 at a position where the color patch 52 that is affected by image noise 53 is to be measured, and does not perform a reading operation by the color measurement head 35. In other words, the measurement unit 65 moves the color measurement head 35 while skipping the measurement operation of the color patch 52 that is affected by image noise 53, thereby reducing the time required to measure the entire color measurement chart 50.

[0069] In other words, the measurement unit 65 selects and measures only the color patches 52 that are not affected by the image noise 53 from among the multiple color patches 52 included in the color measurement chart 50. As a result, the measurement unit 65 obtains the color measurement values ​​of the color patches 52 that are not affected by the image noise 53 from among the multiple color patches 52 included in the color measurement chart 50. The measurement unit 65 calculates the color difference between the color measurement values ​​and the reference color. Therefore, the color measurement results of the color patches 52 include at least the color measurement values ​​and the color difference. The measurement unit 65 then associates the color patches 52 with the color measurement results and outputs them to the output unit 66.

[0070] The output unit 66 outputs the color measurement results of the color measurement chart 50 to the control unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 2. The color measurement results output from the output unit 66 do not include the color measurement results of the color patches 52 that are affected by image noise 53. Therefore, the influence of image noise 53 is not reflected in the color adjustment performed by the control unit 7. As a result, the image forming apparatus 2 can perform highly accurate color adjustment, and can improve color reproducibility during printing.

[0071] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure by the control unit 34 of the color measurement device 3. This processing is performed by the CPU 40 of the control unit 34 executing the program 43. As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the color measurement chart 50 is to be printed in the image forming device 2 (step S20). If the color measurement chart 50 is not to be printed in the image forming device 2 (NO in step S20), this processing ends.

[0072] If the color measurement chart 50 is to be printed (YES in step S20), the control unit 34 acquires a reference image of the color measurement chart 50 from the image forming device 2 (step S21). Then, the control unit 34 waits until the recording medium 9 on which the color measurement chart 50 is printed reaches a photographing position by the imaging unit 30, and upon detecting that the recording medium 9 has reached the photographing position, the control unit 34 drives the imaging unit 30 to photograph an image of the color measurement chart 50 (step S22).

[0073] When the image of the color measurement chart 50 is captured, the control unit 34 performs image analysis using the analysis unit 44 (step S23). That is, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the color measurement chart 50 printed on the recording medium 9 contains image noise 53.

[0074] Next, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the color measurement chart 50 contains image noise 53 (step S24). If the image noise 53 is contained (YES in step S24), the control unit 34 further determines whether or not the image noise 53 is present only in a portion of the color measurement chart 50 (step S25).

[0075] If the image noise 53 is not contained in the color measurement chart 50 (NO in step S24) or if the image noise 53 is contained only in a portion of the color measurement chart 50 (YES in step S25), the control unit 34 executes color measurement (step S26). For example, if the color measurement chart 50 does not contain image noise 53 (NO in step S24), the control unit 34 sets all of the color patches 52 contained in the color measurement chart 50 as the color measurement target. On the other hand, if the image noise 53 is contained only in a portion of the color measurement chart 50 (YES in step S25), the control unit 34 sets the color patches 52 that do not contain image noise 53 as the color measurement target. The control unit 34 then drives the color measurement unit 33 to execute color measurement of the color patches 52 set as the color measurement target. After completing color measurement of the color patches 52 set as the color measurement target, the control unit 34 outputs the color measurement results to the image forming apparatus 2 (step S27).

[0076] On the other hand, if the image noise 53 is contained in the entire color measurement chart 50 rather than in a part of it (NO in step S25), the control unit 34 does not perform the color measurement operation and outputs the detection result of the image noise 53 to the image forming device 2 (step S28). At this time, the control unit 34 outputs, for example, image noise detection information 70 shown in FIG. 7 to the image forming device 2.

[0077] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of color measurement results output from the color measurement device 3 to the image forming apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 9, the color measurement results are information in which the position, colorimetric value, color difference, image noise, noise type, and noise influence are recorded for each color patch 52 included in the color measurement chart 50. The color measurement device 3 does not perform color measurement for color patches 52 in which image noise 53 is detected. Therefore, in the color measurement results shown in FIG. 9, the colorimetric value and color difference columns corresponding to color patches 52 in which image noise 53 is detected are left blank. In contrast, information related to the image noise 53 detected by the control unit 34 is recorded in the image noise, noise type, and noise influence columns. The color measurement device 3 outputs such color measurement results to the image forming apparatus 2.

[0078] When the image forming apparatus 2 acquires color measurement results from the colorimetric device 3, the image forming apparatus 2 displays the color measurement results on the display unit 8. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen G1 for the color measurement results displayed on the display unit 8. The display screen G1 shown in FIG. 10 has a color measurement result display area R1 that displays the color measurement results obtained by the colorimetric device 3. Therefore, by viewing the color measurement results displayed in the color measurement result display area R1, the user can confirm whether the color measurement of each color patch 52 included in the color measurement chart 50 was performed correctly. For example, the column for a color patch 52 that includes image noise 53 displays the image noise, the type of noise, and the effect of the noise. Therefore, the user can grasp the details of the image noise 53 included in each color patch 52.

[0079] This display screen G1 displays a plurality of operation buttons B1 to B4 that can be operated by the user below the colorimetry result display area R1.

[0080] The operation button B1 is a button for issuing an instruction to perform color adjustment based on the color measurement results. When the control unit 7 detects that the operation button B1 has been operated, it performs color adjustment based on the color measurement results. That is, the control unit 7 performs color adjustment by updating the color profile based on the colorimetric values ​​and color differences of each color patch 52 included in the colorimetric results. At this time, color patches 52 affected by image noise 53 do not include colorimetric values ​​and color differences. Therefore, the control unit 7 does not use the colorimetric results of color patches 52 affected by image noise 53 when performing color adjustment. This allows the control unit 7 to perform color adjustment that eliminates the effects of image noise 53.

[0081] Operation button B2 is a button for instructing image forming apparatus 2 to perform density unevenness correction. Density unevenness correction is a process for correcting density unevenness that occurs in the main scanning direction of recording medium 9, for example, by changing the exposure intensity of exposure device 23 along the axial direction (main scanning direction) of image carrier 21. When control unit 7 detects that operation button B2 has been operated, it performs density unevenness correction.

[0082] The operation button B3 is a button for instructing the image forming apparatus 2 to reprint the color measurement chart 50. For example, if most of the color patches 52 included in the color measurement chart 50 are affected by image noise 53, appropriate color adjustment cannot be achieved even if color adjustment is performed based on the color measurement results. Therefore, the user performs maintenance such as cleaning parts that may be causing the image noise 53. Then, after performing the maintenance, the user may instruct the image forming apparatus 2 to reprint the color measurement chart 50. The operation button B3 is a button that is operated by the user when reprinting.

[0083] When the user operates the operation button B3, the image forming apparatus 2 reprints the color measurement chart 50. In this case, the color measurement device 3 performs the color measurement operation described above again on the recording medium 9 on which the color measurement chart 50 has been printed. When measuring the reprinted color measurement chart 50, the control unit 34 of the color measurement device 3 selects and measures only the color patches 52 that were not measured previously, out of the multiple color patches 52 included in the color measurement chart 50. In other words, the color measurement unit 33 skips the color patches 52 that were measured previously and proceeds with the color measurement operation. This makes it possible to efficiently perform the color measurement operation on the reprinted color measurement chart 50.

[0084] Operation button B4 is a button for canceling the execution of the color adjustment process midway. When the user operates operation button B4 while display screen G1 is displayed, image forming apparatus 2 ends the color adjustment process without performing color adjustment.

[0085] As described above, the image forming system 1 of this embodiment includes a color measurement unit 33 that measures the color of an image printed on the recording medium 9 by the image forming unit 6 to improve color reproducibility. The image forming system 1 also includes an analysis unit 44 that analyzes whether or not an image measured by the color measurement unit 33 contains an abnormality based on an image captured by the imaging unit 30. The color measurement unit 33 is configured to not output the color measurement results of at least the image containing the abnormality if the analysis unit 44 determines that the image contains an abnormality. The image forming system 1 configured in this manner can perform color adjustment based on the color measurement results of only images without abnormalities. In other words, the colors of images containing abnormalities are not reflected in the color adjustment, thereby improving color reproducibility.

[0086] (Second embodiment) Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment described above, an example was described in which an image of the color measurement chart 50 was compared with a reference image to detect image noise 53. However, with the method for detecting image noise 53 described in the first embodiment, it is difficult to identify which of the multiple image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K is causing the image noise 53. Therefore, in this embodiment, an example will be described in which it is possible to easily identify which of the multiple image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K is causing the image noise 53. The configuration of the image forming system 1 in this embodiment is the same as the configuration described in the first embodiment.

[0087] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the control unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 2 when execution of color adjustment processing is instructed in this embodiment. When the control unit 7 starts processing based on the flowchart of FIG. 11, it prints an abnormality detection chart on the recording medium 9 (step S30). The abnormality detection chart is an image for detecting image abnormalities. This abnormality detection chart is printed on the recording medium 9 prior to printing the color measurement chart 50.

[0088] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an abnormality detection chart 55 printed by the image forming apparatus 2. When color adjustment processing is performed in the image forming apparatus 2, the abnormality detection chart 55 shown in FIG. 12 is printed on the recording medium 9. This abnormality detection chart 55 includes a first chart 56 printed with a predetermined density of Y color, a second chart 57 printed with a predetermined density of M color, a third chart 58 printed with a predetermined density of C color, and a fourth chart 59 printed with a predetermined density of K color. The first chart 56 includes only images formed by the image forming unit 20Y. The second chart 57 includes only images formed by the image forming unit 20M. The third chart 58 includes only images formed by the image forming unit 20C. The fourth chart 59 includes only images formed by the image forming unit 20K.

[0089] When the recording medium 9 on which the abnormality detection chart 55 is printed by the image forming apparatus 2 is carried into the colorimetric device 3, the colorimetric device 3 photographs the abnormality detection chart 55 and performs image analysis of the abnormality detection chart 55. The colorimetric device 3 outputs the analysis results to the control unit 7 of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0090] Returning to the flowchart of Fig. 11, after printing the abnormality detection chart 55, the control unit 7 waits until it acquires the analysis result from the color measurement device 3 (step S31). When the analysis result is acquired (step S31), the control unit 7 determines whether or not the abnormality detection chart 55 contains image noise 53 based on the analysis result (step S32).

[0091] If image noise 53 is not included (NO in step S32), the control unit 7 executes the processes from step S33 onwards. The processes of steps S33 to S39 are the same as the processes of steps S10 to S16 shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2 prints the color measurement chart 50 on the recording medium 9, transports it to the color measurement device 3, obtains the color measurement results from the color measurement device 3 and displays them on the display unit 8 (steps S33 to S37). Then, if color adjustment is to be performed (YES in step S38), the image forming apparatus 2 performs color adjustment based on the color measurement results (step S39).

[0092] On the other hand, if the abnormality detection chart 55 contains image noise 53 (YES in step S32), the control unit 7 displays the analysis results of the color measurement device 3 on the display unit 8 (step S40). Note that if the abnormality detection chart 55 contains image noise 53, the image forming device 2 does not print the color measurement chart 50.

[0093] Next, a processing procedure in the colorimetric device 3 will be described. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure by the control unit 34 of the colorimetric device 3. As shown in Fig. 13, the control unit 34 determines whether or not an abnormality detection chart 55 is to be printed in the image forming device 2 (step S50). If an abnormality detection chart 55 is not to be printed (NO in step S50), the processing by the control unit 34 proceeds to step S58.

[0094] If the abnormality detection chart 55 is to be printed (YES in step S50), the control unit 34 waits until the recording medium 9 on which the abnormality detection chart 55 is printed reaches a photographing position by the imaging unit 30. Then, when the control unit 34 detects that the recording medium 9 has reached the photographing position, it drives the imaging unit 30 to photograph an image of the abnormality detection chart 55 (step S51).

[0095] When the image of the abnormality detection chart 55 is captured, the control unit 34 causes the analysis unit 44 to perform image analysis (step S52). That is, the analysis unit 44 determines whether or not image noise 53 is included in the abnormality detection chart 55 printed on the recording medium 9. For example, the analysis unit 44 extracts a first chart 56, a second chart 57, a third chart 58, and a fourth chart 59 from the abnormality detection chart 55. The analysis unit 44 then determines whether or not image noise 53 such as density unevenness, stains, or streaks is present in each of the first chart 56 to the fourth chart 59. That is, the analysis unit 44 determines whether or not image noise 53 is present for each of the colors Y, M, C, and K that make up the color image.

[0096] After performing the image analysis, the analysis unit 44 determines whether image noise 53 has been detected (step S53). As a result, if image noise 53 has not been detected (NO in step S53), the processing by the control unit 34 proceeds to step S58. On the other hand, if image noise 53 has been detected (YES in step S53), the analysis unit 44 identifies the color containing the image noise 53 (step S54). Next, the analysis unit 44 identifies the type of image noise 53 contained in the abnormality detection chart 55 (step S55). That is, the analysis unit 44 identifies whether the image noise 53 contained in the identified color is density unevenness, streaks, or dirt.

[0097] By identifying the color in which the image noise 53 is occurring, the analysis unit 44 can identify which of the multiple image forming units 20Y, 20M, 20C, and 20K is causing the image noise 53. Furthermore, by identifying the type of image noise 53, the analysis unit 44 can identify which of the image carrier 21, the charger 22, the exposure unit 23, and the developer 24 is causing the image noise 53. Therefore, the analysis unit 44 identifies the component causing the image noise 53 based on the identification results of steps S54 and S55 (step S56). At this time, the analysis unit 44 may identify not just one component, but multiple components. After identifying the component causing the image noise 53, the analysis unit 44 outputs the detection result of the image noise 53 and an analysis result indicating a recommended solution to the image forming apparatus 2 (step S57).

[0098] When the analysis result is output to the image forming apparatus 2, the processing by the control unit 34 proceeds to step S58. Then, the control unit 34 determines whether or not the color measurement chart 50 will be printed in the image forming apparatus 2 (step S58). If the color measurement chart 50 will not be printed (NO in step S58), the processing by the control unit 34 returns to step S50. On the other hand, if the color measurement chart 50 will be printed (YES in step S58), the control unit 34 executes the processing from step S21 onwards shown in FIG. 8. In other words, the control unit 34 executes the same processing as that described in the first embodiment.

[0099] By performing the above-described processing, the colorimetric device 3 can identify which color among the multiple colors Y, M, C, and K is causing the image noise 53, and can also identify the component that is causing the image noise 53. Then, the colorimetric device 3 determines a recommended countermeasure for the image noise 53 based on the identification result, and outputs the analysis result to the image forming device 2.

[0100] Therefore, when displaying the analysis results output from the colorimetric device 3, the image forming apparatus 2 can provide the user with details of the image noise 53 and guidance on how to deal with the image noise 53. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen G2 displayed on the display unit 8 in step S40 of FIG. 11. This display screen G2 includes a display area R2 that displays the analysis results of the image of the abnormality detection chart 55 by the colorimetric device 3. When image noise 53 is detected from the abnormality detection chart 55, the detection result of the image noise 53 and a recommended remedy are displayed in the display area R2. Therefore, the user can eliminate the image noise 53 by performing maintenance work based on the remedy guided on the display screen G2.

[0101] As described above, the image forming system 1 of this embodiment prints the anomaly detection chart 55 for detecting image anomalies on the recording medium 9, separate from the color measurement chart 50. The imaging unit 30 captures an image of the anomaly detection chart 55 printed on the recording medium 9. The analysis unit 44 analyzes whether or not there is an anomaly, such as image noise 53, in the image of the anomaly detection chart 55, based on the image captured by the imaging unit 30. If there is an anomaly in the image of the anomaly detection chart 55, the analysis unit 44 identifies the part that caused the anomaly. Therefore, if an anomaly, such as image noise 53, occurs during printing, the image forming system 1 can notify the user of the part that requires maintenance to resolve the anomaly.

[0102] Furthermore, the image forming system 1 prints the color measurement chart 50 when the analysis unit 44 determines that there is no abnormality in the image of the abnormality detection chart 55. The color measurement device 3 then measures the color of the image included in the color measurement chart 50. By performing color adjustment based on the color measurement results, the image forming system 1 can improve the reproducibility of colors when printing.

[0103] (Variation) Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible.

[0104] First, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the function of the analysis unit 44 is installed in the control unit 34 of the colorimetric device 3. However, the function of the analysis unit 44 may be configured to be provided in a unit separate from the control unit 34. In that case, the unit equipped with the function of the analysis unit 44 may be configured to be provided as, for example, an external device of the colorimetric device 3. For example, the function of the analysis unit 44 may be installed in a personal computer (PC) or the like that is communicably connected to the colorimetric device 3.

[0105] Secondly, the control unit 34 of the colorimetric device 3 may be configured to be provided outside the colorimetric device 3. For example, the functions of the control unit 34 described above may be installed in a personal computer (PC) or the like that is communicably connected to the colorimetric device 3.

[0106] Third, in the above embodiment, the program 43 executed by the CPU 40 of the control unit 34 is pre-stored in the storage unit 41. However, the program 43 is not limited to being pre-stored in the storage unit 41. That is, the program 43 can be traded on its own. In this case, the program 43 may be provided in a state recorded on a portable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a USB memory, or may be provided in a downloadable form via a network such as the Internet. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 1. Image forming system 2. Image forming device 3 Colorimetric device 6 Image forming unit 8 Display 30 Imaging unit 33 Color measurement section 44 Analysis Department 45 Control Unit 50 Color measurement chart 52 color patches 53 Image Noise 55 Anomaly Detection Chart

Claims

1. an image forming unit that prints and outputs an image on a recording medium; a colorimetric unit that measures the color of an image printed by the image forming unit; an imaging unit that captures an image printed by the image forming unit; an analysis unit that analyzes whether or not there is an abnormality in the image measured by the colorimetric unit based on the image captured by the imaging unit; Equipped with The image forming system is characterized in that, when the analysis unit determines that an image has an abnormality, the color measurement unit does not output the color measurement results of at least the image having the abnormality.

2. the image forming unit prints a color measurement chart; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the color measurement unit measures the color of an image included in the color measurement chart.

3. the color measurement chart includes a plurality of color patches within a color measurement range measured by the color measurement unit, 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the color measurement unit is capable of measuring the color of the plurality of color patches one by one.

4. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the analysis unit detects image noise within the color measurement range as an abnormality.

5. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the image noise is at least one of density unevenness, streaks, and stains.

6. The image forming system according to claim 5, wherein the color measurement unit selects a color patch from the plurality of color patches that is free of the image noise based on the position where the image noise is detected by the analysis unit and measures the color of the selected color patch.

7. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the color measurement unit does not perform color measurement of the image included in the color measurement chart when the analysis unit determines that there is an abnormality in the image.

8. 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the color measurement unit performs color measurement of the image included in the color measurement chart when the analysis unit determines that there is no abnormality in the image.

9. The image forming system according to claim 2, characterized in that, when the analysis unit determines that there is an abnormality in a part of the image, the color measurement unit does not measure the color of the image included in the color measurement chart at the position where the abnormality is detected, but measures the color of the image at the position where no abnormality is detected.

10. the image forming unit prints the color measurement chart again after the image abnormality is resolved, 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein, when measuring the color measurement chart that has been printed again, the color measurement unit measures only the images included in the color measurement chart that were not previously measured.

11. a display unit that, when the analysis unit determines that an abnormality exists in the image, displays, among the plurality of color patches, a color patch at a position where an abnormality has been detected and a color patch at a position where no abnormality has been detected in a distinguishable manner; 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, further comprising:

12. a display unit that displays the color measurement results of a color patch that has been selected from the plurality of color patches and measured; 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, further comprising:

13. the image forming unit prints an abnormality detection chart for detecting an image abnormality separately from the color measurement chart; the imaging unit captures an image of the abnormality detection chart, 3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the analysis unit analyzes whether or not there is an abnormality in the image of the abnormality detection chart.

14. 14. The image forming system according to claim 13, wherein the analysis unit identifies a component that is the cause of an abnormality when an abnormality is detected in the image based on the analysis result of the abnormality detection chart.

15. a display unit that displays the part identified by the analysis unit; 15. The image forming system according to claim 14, further comprising:

16. the image forming unit prints the color measurement chart when the analysis unit determines that there is no abnormality in the image; 14. The image forming system according to claim 13, wherein the color measurement unit measures the color of an image included in the color measurement chart.

17. a color measurement unit that measures the color of an image printed on a recording medium; an imaging unit that captures an image printed on a recording medium; an analysis unit that analyzes whether or not there is an abnormality in the image measured by the colorimetric unit based on the image captured by the imaging unit; Equipped with The color measurement device is characterized in that, when the analysis unit determines that an image has an abnormality, the color measurement unit does not output the color measurement results of at least the image having the abnormality.

18. a color measurement unit that measures the color of an image printed on a recording medium; an imaging unit that captures an image printed on a recording medium; A program executed by a colorimetric device comprising: an analysis unit that analyzes whether or not there is an abnormality in the image measured by the colorimetric unit based on the image captured by the imaging unit; and a control unit that controls the colorimetric unit so as not to output colorimetric results of at least an image having an abnormality when the analysis unit determines that the image has an abnormality; A program characterized by functioning as

Images