Printing apparatus, method for controlling printing apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

To realize the output of printed matters in a correct order at a low cost when a plurality of continuous pages are reprinted during printing processing in a printer capable of double-sided printing.SOLUTION: The print job management unit acquires a print job and print data, and generates page management data based on the acquired print job and print data. The print job management unit performs a printing process when the sheet arrives at the printing unit, performs an image inspection process when the sheet arrives at the image inspection unit, and performs a destination switching process when the sheet arrives at the destination switching unit. When the abnormal image is detected in the image inspection processing, the reprinting processing is performed, and the sheet following the sheet including the page determined as the abnormal image in the conveyance switching processing and preceding the sheet including the reprinted page is conveyed to the double-sided printing conveyance path to be retained. As a result, the reprinted sheet is discharged before the retained sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control technique for a printing device that performs reprinting in accordance with the inspection results of a printed matter. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, technologies have been proposed to automate the post-print inspection process, which is performed to ensure that printed matter is free of defects and meets quality standards. For example, there are methods such as acquiring scanned image data of a standard printout in advance and comparing it with scanned image data of other printouts, or comparing print data such as a raster image with scanned image data of the printout.

[0003] Furthermore, a technology has been proposed that automatically reprints a page, i.e., performs recovery printing, if an inspection detects an abnormal page. When performing recovery printing, if printed materials need to be output in page order, there may be printed or currently printing pages following the abnormal printed material at the time the abnormal image is detected. In such a case, if the abnormal printed material is output to an output tray for stacking the printed material and then output to an output tray for stacking normal printed materials in the same order as they were printed, the original printing order and stacking order will be different, making it impossible to stack the printed materials in page order on the output tray. Patent Document 1 proposes a method that includes a second transport path to temporarily accommodate pages following the page determined to be abnormal, and outputs the reprinted page before the subsequent pages, thereby outputting the printed materials to the output tray in the correct page order. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-58564 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 requires the installation of an additional transport path to temporarily evacuate the subsequent pages, which poses a problem of additional costs.

[0006] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to enable a printing device capable of double-sided printing to output printed materials in the correct page order even if a specific page is reprinted while printing multiple consecutive pages, without adding an additional transport path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present disclosure provides a printing device having a transport path for performing printing processing on both sides of a sheet of paper, the device comprising: a printing means for performing printing processing on the sheet of paper in accordance with a print job; an inspection means for performing inspection processing on the printed sheet of paper that has been printed; and a transport means for discharging printed sheet of paper for which no abnormality is detected in the inspection results by the inspection means to a first discharge destination, and discharging printed sheet of paper for which an abnormality is detected in the inspection results to a second discharge destination different from the first discharge destination; wherein, when the printing means performs a reprint processing on printed sheet of paper for which an abnormality is detected in the inspection results while printing multiple consecutive pages, the transport means transports printed sheet of paper for which no abnormality is detected that follows the printed sheet of paper for which the abnormality is detected and precedes the printed sheet of paper that has been reprinted to the transport path and causes it to remain there, and discharges the reprinted printed sheet of paper to the first discharge destination before the retained printed sheet of paper. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, in a printing device capable of double-sided printing, even if a specific page is reprinted while multiple consecutive pages are being printed, the printed matter can be output in the correct page order without adding an additional transport path. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a controller in a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing an example of the controller software configuration [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a paper discharge process associated with reprinting in a printing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] An example of page management data according to the first embodiment [Figure 6] 1 is an example of the process of printing, image inspection, and destination switching processes according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] An example of a process for updating page management data according to the first embodiment [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a printing process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an image inspection process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a transfer destination switching process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] An example of the process of printing processing, image inspection processing, and destination switching processing related to the second embodiment [Figure 12] An example of a process for updating page management data according to the second embodiment [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing a process for performing a transfer destination switching process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 14] An example of the process of printing processing, image inspection processing, and transport destination switching processing according to the third embodiment [Figure 15] An example of a process for updating page management data according to the third embodiment [Figure 16] An example of the process of printing processing, image inspection processing, and transport destination switching processing according to the third embodiment [Figure 17] An example of a process for updating page management data according to the third embodiment [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart for explaining image inspection processing according to the third embodiment. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart illustrating a transfer destination switching process according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not necessarily limit the present invention. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] In this embodiment, if an abnormality is detected in a specific page during the printing process of multiple consecutive pages, the printed pages and pages currently being printed are held up in the double-sided printing conveyance path, and the reprinted pages are discharged to the specific discharge destination before the held up pages. This allows the printed materials to be stacked in the correct page order at the specific discharge destination while replacing the page determined to be an abnormal image.

[0012] <Printing system configuration> 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a printing device 100 to which the present invention is applied. A paper feed unit 101 includes multiple paper feed trays, each of which is loaded with paper by the user before starting the printing process. After the printing process starts, a paper feed tray containing the paper specified in the print job is selected, and the paper taken from the selected paper feed tray is transported by a transport path 107.

[0013] Based on the print job to be processed, the printing unit 102 uses a printing module 105 to form an image on paper on a conveying path 107 and fix it on the paper. Here, the image to be formed is not limited to meaningful information such as characters and graphics. In addition, the configuration of the printing module may include, for example, a method of ejecting ink directly onto paper, or a method of transferring toner attached to a photosensitive body onto paper, but the present embodiment does not limit the printing method or mode.

[0014] The image inspection unit 103 uses the imaging module 106 to read the surface of the paper on the conveying path 107 and acquires it as electronic read image data. Then, based on the results of comparing the acquired read image data with read image data of non-defective printed matter and raster images included in the print data, it determines whether the image formed on the paper is a normal image or an abnormal image.

[0015] The destination switching unit 104 switches the destination of each sheet transported on the transport path 107 to one of the first discharge tray 108, the second discharge tray 109, and the double-sided printing transport path 110. In this embodiment, based on the inspection results of the image inspection unit 103, sheets on which the image formed is determined to be a normal image are sent to the first discharge tray 108 or the double-sided printing transport path 110, and sheets on which the image formed is determined to be an abnormal image are sent to the second discharge tray 109.

[0016] The double-sided printing transport path 110 inverts a sheet of paper that has been printed on one side and sends it again to the printing unit 102, enabling printing on the back side. In this embodiment, if the image of a specific page is determined to be an abnormal image, the sheets that follow the sheet containing the page determined to be an abnormal image and precede the sheet containing the reprinted page are transported to the double-sided printing transport path 110 and are retained within the printing device. The reprinted page is then discharged to the paper output tray 108 before the pages retained on the double-sided printing transport path 110, and the pages retained on the double-sided printing transport path 110 are then discharged to the paper output tray 108. This allows pages whose images have been determined to be normal to be stacked on the paper output tray 108 in the correct page order.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the controller in the printing device 100. The controller 200 provided in the printing device 100 has a CPU 201, RAM 202, ROM 203, a storage device 204, a general-purpose interface (I / F) 205, a user interface (I / F) 206, and a device interface (I / F) 207. The controller 200 is connected via a main bus 208. The CPU 201 is a processor that comprehensively controls each unit in the printing device. The RAM 202 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 201. The ROM 203 stores a group of programs executed by the CPU 201. The storage device 204 stores applications executed by the CPU 201, job information used for printing, image data, etc. The general-purpose I / F 205 is a USB, LAN, etc., and can input data such as print jobs from outside and output data from the printing device 100. The user I / F 206 displays the current status and settings on a touch panel LCD display or the like and notifies the user, and also receives instructions from the user to resume printing, etc. The device I / F 207 requests processing from each piece of hardware within the printing device 100 and synchronizes processing timing, etc.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the controller 200 included in the printing device 100. The controller 200 includes a print data storage unit 301, a paper feed control unit 302, a print control unit 303, an image inspection control unit 304, a print job management unit 308, and a destination switching control unit 309. The print data storage unit 301 generates page management data according to a print job input via the general-purpose I / F 205 or the user I / F 206, and updates and stores the page management data as the printing process progresses. The page management data is management information for managing the destination of each page, including the processing status of each unit related to the page to be printed, the order of arrival at each unit, the file name of the print data, etc. The paper feed control unit 302 causes the paper feed unit 101 to input the paper specified in the print job into the transport path 107.

[0019] The print control unit 303 causes the print unit 102 to perform print processing based on the print data stored in the print data storage unit 301. The image inspection control unit 304 causes the image inspection unit 103 to read the surface of the paper on the conveyance path 107 and acquires electronic read image data. The image inspection control unit 304 then compares the read image data with reference image data such as read image data of a non-defective printed product or a raster image included in the print data, thereby determining whether the image formed on the paper is normal or abnormal.

[0020] The print job management unit 308 manages the processing status of each page management data stored in the print data storage unit 301 .

[0021] Based on the page management data stored in the print data storage unit 301, the destination switching control unit 309 selects the destination of the paper that has arrived at the destination switching unit 104 from among the first discharge tray 108, the second discharge tray 109, and the double-sided printing transport path 110. Details of the method for selecting the destination based on the page management data will be described later using Figures 4 to 10.

[0022] <Processing performed by the printing device (overall)> FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for explaining the paper discharge process associated with the reprint process in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

[0023] In S401, the print job management unit 308 acquires a print job and print data. The print data can be acquired from a USB memory connected to the general-purpose I / F 205 or from a print server via a LAN connected to the general-purpose I / F 205, but the present embodiment does not limit the means or manner of acquiring the print job and print data.

[0024] In S402, the print job management unit 308 generates page management data based on the acquired print job and print data. A specific example of the page management data will be described later with reference to FIG.

[0025] In S403, the print job management unit 308 selects the paper size and other parameters in accordance with the page management data stored in the print data storage unit 301, and issues an instruction to the paper feed control unit 302 to start paper feeding.

[0026] In S404, the print job management unit 308 repeats the subsequent processing up to S410 each time a sheet arrives at each unit until all printed sheets of paper for which the formed images have been determined to be normal images are discharged to the first discharge tray 108. The number of times this processing is repeated varies depending on the number of raster images per page included in the print data acquired in S401 and the number of pages determined to be abnormal images by the image inspection processing described below. The end of the repetition also corresponds to the end of the print processing for all print data, i.e., the end of the print job acquired in S401.

[0027] In S405, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the paper that arrived in S404 has arrived at the printing unit 102. If it is determined that the paper has arrived at the printing module 105, the process proceeds to S406, and if it is determined that the paper has arrived at a module other than the printing module 105, the process proceeds to S407.

[0028] In S406, the print job management unit 308 updates the page management data while causing the print control unit 303 to perform print processing on the sheets that arrived in S404. Details of this print processing will be described later with reference to FIGS.

[0029] In S407, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the paper that arrived in S404 has arrived at the image inspection unit 103. If it is determined that the paper has arrived at the image inspection unit 103, the process proceeds to S408, and if it is determined that the paper has arrived at a unit other than the image inspection unit 103, the process proceeds to S409.

[0030] In S408, the print job management unit 308 updates the page management data while causing the image inspection control unit 304 to perform image inspection processing on the paper that arrived in S404. Details of this image inspection processing will be described later using FIGS.

[0031] In S409, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the paper that arrived in S404 has arrived at the destination switching unit 104. If it is determined that the paper has arrived at the destination switching unit 104, the process proceeds to S410, and if it is determined that the paper has arrived at a destination other than the destination switching unit 104, the process returns to S404.

[0032] In S410, the print job management unit 308 updates the page management data while causing the destination switching control unit 309 to perform destination switching processing on the paper that arrived in S404. Details of this destination switching processing will be described later using FIGS.

[0033] <How to retain the initial value of page management data> FIG. 5 shows an example of the initial values ​​of page management data in the first embodiment. In the figure, each row represents the print job acquired in S401 and page information included in the print data. The example shown in FIG. 5 represents page management data for a print job that sequentially prints six pages, pages 01 to 06. Columns 501 to 503 represent the "status" indicating whether processing for each page has been completed in the print module 105, the imaging module 106, and the destination switching unit 104, respectively, and the "arrival order" in which each page that has not yet been processed arrives at each unit. Because the print job has not yet started at the time of S402, the "status" of all pages in each unit is set to "unprocessed," indicating that they are unprocessed, and the "arrival order" is set to "1" to "6" in page order.

[0034] <Example of output control when a specific page is determined to have an abnormal image> 6(a) to 6(e) are examples showing the processes of printing processing, image inspection processing, and conveyance destination switching processing in embodiment 1, and show the paper conveyance and output process in chronological order when a specific page is determined to be an abnormal image. In each figure, the number following "page" indicates the page number. Also, the shaded page shown as 601 indicates a page determined to be an abnormal image by the image inspection unit 103.

[0035] 6(a), page 01 is shown as being discharged to the first (normal) discharge tray 108, and page 02 is shown as being determined to be a normal image by the image inspection unit 103 and being transported to the transport destination switching unit 104. Also, page 03 is being printed in the printing unit 102 and is about to be transported to the image inspection unit 103, and page 4 is being printed in the printing unit 102.

[0036] 6(b) shows that page 02 has been discharged to the first discharge tray 108, and page 03 has been determined to be an abnormal image by the image inspection unit 103 and is being transported to the transport destination switching unit 104. Page 04 is being transported to the image inspection unit 103, and page 05 is being printed in the printing unit 102.

[0037] 6(c) shows that page03 is discharged to the second discharge tray 109, and page04 is determined to be a normal image by the image inspection unit 103 and is transported to the transport destination switching unit 104. Page05 is about to be transported to the image inspection unit 103, and immediately thereafter, page03n is fed to the printing unit 102 for recovery printing of page03, and a printing process is carried out to form an image identical to page03.

[0038] Figure 6(d) shows that pages 04 and 05 are being transported along the double-sided printing transport path 110 toward the printing unit 102 due to a jam, and page 03n is determined to be a normal image by the image inspection unit 103 and is transported to the destination switching unit 104.

[0039] 6(e) shows that page03n has been discharged onto the first discharge tray 108, and page04 has passed from the paper feed unit 101 through the image inspection unit 103 and is being transported to the destination switching unit 104. Page05 has passed from the paper feed unit 101 through the printing unit 102 and is being transported to the image inspection unit 103, and page06 has been printed in the printing unit 102. Pages04 and 05 have been determined to be normal images in the image inspection unit 103 by the time of FIG. 6(d), and therefore are not subjected to printing or image inspection as they pass through the printing unit 102 and the image inspection unit 103.

[0040] By going through the above transport and discharge process, even if page 03 is determined to be an abnormal image, all pages including page 03n, which is the recovery print, can be discharged in page order to the first discharge tray 108.

[0041] 7(a) to 7(g) show an example of the process of updating page management data related to the first embodiment. Column 701 indicates whether or not each page has been printed by the printing unit 102. If it has been printed, "Completed" is stored, and if it has not been printed, "Not yet" is stored. Column 702 indicates the "order of arrival" of each page at the printing unit 102. Here, a blank page in column 702 indicates that it is not scheduled to arrive at the printing unit 102 in the future. Column 703 indicates whether or not each page has been subjected to image inspection processing by the image inspection unit 103. If the image is determined to be normal, "OK" is stored. If the image is determined to be abnormal, "NG" is stored. If it has not been subjected to image inspection processing, "Not yet" is stored. Column 704 indicates the "order of arrival" of each page at the image inspection unit 103. Furthermore, a page with two numbers in column 704 indicates that the page will pass through the image inspection unit 103 two more times. Furthermore, a blank page in column 704 indicates that the page is not scheduled to arrive at the image inspection unit 103. Column 705 indicates the "status" of each page, indicating whether or not the destination switching process has already been performed in the destination switching unit 104, and column 706 indicates the "arrival order" of each page at the destination switching unit 104. Column 707 indicates the file name of the print data to be printed by the printing unit 102 on each page.

[0042] Figures 7(a) to (g) show the update process of the page management data in chronological order when a specific page is determined to be an abnormal image, and correspond to the conveyance output states shown in Figures 6(a) to (e). Figures 7(b) to (d) show the update process of the page management data in more detail in chronological order until the conveyance output state shown in Figure 6(b) is reached.

[0043] The page management data shown in FIG. 7(a) indicates that the printing unit 102 has completed printing processing for pages 01 to 04, the image inspection unit 103 has determined that pages 01 and 02 are normal images, and the destination switching unit 104 has completed transporting up to page 01.

[0044] The page management data shown in FIG. 7B indicates that the printing unit 102 has printed page 05, and that only page 06 has not been printed.

[0045] The page management data shown in FIG. 7(c) indicates that the image inspection unit 103 determined that page03 was an abnormal image and set the image inspection status 703 for page03 to "NG." As a result, in order to perform recovery printing based on the same print data as page3, the page on which recovery printing is performed is set to "page03n," and "page03" in the page column of the page management data is changed to "page03 / page03n." The print status 701 for page03 / page03n is reset to "not yet," and the arrival order 702 at the printing unit 102 is reset to "1." Furthermore, in conjunction with the recovery printing of page03n, the arrival order 702 at the printing unit 102 for pages04 to 06, which are subsequent pages of page03 / page03n, is reset to the arrival order following "1." Furthermore, the arrival order 704 of each page at the image inspection unit 103 is reset. Specifically, first, pages subsequent to page 03, which was determined to be an abnormal image, and whose printing status 701 is already set to "Completed" (pages 04 and 05 in FIG. 7C) are assigned "1" and subsequent arrival orders as the arrival order 704 at the image inspection unit 103. Furthermore, subsequent arrival orders are assigned to pages 03 / page 03n and subsequent pages. Here, two arrival orders are assigned to pages 04 and 05, which means that pages 04 and 05 will arrive at the image inspection unit 103 twice in the future. Furthermore, the arrival order 706 of each page at the destination switching unit 104 is reset. Specifically, pages whose printing status 701 is already set to "Completed" and whose destination switching status 705 by the destination switching unit 104 is set to "Not yet" (pages 02 to 05 in FIG. 7C) are assigned "1" and subsequent arrival orders. Furthermore, subsequent arrival orders are assigned to pages 03 / page 03n and subsequent pages. Here, two arrival orders are assigned to pages 03 to 05, which means that pages 03 to 05 will arrive at the destination switching unit 104 twice in the future.

[0046] 7D, as a result of page02 being discharged to the first discharge tray 108 by the destination switching unit 104, the destination switching status 705 for page02 becomes "completed" and the arrival order 706 becomes "blank." Then, the arrival order 706 at the destination switching unit 104 for page03 and onward is decremented.

[0047] In FIG. 7(e), as a result of page03n being processed by the printing unit 102, the print status 701 of page03 / page3n becomes "Done" and the arrival order becomes "Blank", and the arrival order 702 of page04 and thereafter is decremented. Furthermore, as a result of page04 being newly determined to be a normal image by the image inspection unit 103, the image inspection status 703 of page04 is set to "OK", and the arrival order 704 of each page is decremented. Furthermore, the destination switching unit 104 executes destination switching processing for page03. Specifically, because the image inspection status 703 of page03 / page3n is "NG", page03 is discharged to the second discharge tray 109, and the arrival order 706 of each page at the destination switching unit 104 is decremented.

[0048] In Figure 7(f), the destination switching unit 104 performs the first destination switching process for pages 04 and 05. Here, two arrival orders are set as the arrival order 706 for pages 04 and 05 at the destination switching unit 104, so the first destination is the double-sided printing transport path 110 for retention. If multiple arrival orders are set at the destination switching unit 104 and pages arrive at the destination switching unit 104 multiple times, the destination will be the double-sided printing transport path 110 for all pages except the last arrival.

[0049] In FIG. 7(g), page06 is processed by the printing unit 102, and page04 that has arrived at the image inspection unit 103 is transported to the transport destination switching unit 104 after omitting the processing in the image inspection unit 103 because the image inspection state 703 is already "OK". Further, the transport destination switching unit 104 performs a transport destination switching process on page03n, and since the image inspection state 703 of page03n is "OK", page03n is discharged to the first paper discharge tray 108.

[0050] By going through the above process of updating the page management data, even if page03 is determined to be an abnormal image, all pages including page03n, which is the recovery print for it, are discharged to the first paper discharge tray 108 in page order.

[0051] <Details of the printing process of S406> FIG. 8 shows a flowchart for explaining the printing process according to Embodiment 1. This printing process corresponds to S406 shown in FIG. 4. Hereinafter, an explanation will be given along this flowchart.

[0052] In S801, the print control unit 303 identifies the page that has arrived at the printing unit 102 as the current page. The identification of the page that has arrived at the printing unit 102 is performed by searching in the page management data for the page that should next arrive at the printing unit 102, that is, the page whose arrival order 702 at the printing unit 102 is "1".

[0053] In S802, the print control unit 303 determines whether the printing process for the current page has been completed (printing state 701 is "completed"). If it is determined that the printing process has been completed, the process proceeds to S805. If it is determined that the printing process has not been performed, the process proceeds to S803.

[0054] In S803, the print control unit 303 performs the printing process for the current page by the printing unit 102.

[0055] In S804, the print job management unit 308 updates the print status 701 of the current page in the page management data stored in the print data storage unit 301 to "completed".

[0056] In S805, the print job management unit 308 decrements the arrival order 702 of each page in the page management data stored in the print data storage unit 301 to the print unit 102.

[0057] Due to the above printing process, when the paper containing the page determined as an abnormal image is followed, and the paper preceding the paper containing the reprinted page is reloaded from the duplex printing conveyance path 110 to the print unit 102 due to retention, the printing process is omitted and only conveyance is performed.

[0058] <Details of the image inspection process of S408> FIG. 9 shows a flowchart for explaining the image inspection process according to Embodiment 1. This image inspection process corresponds to S408 shown in FIG. 4. Hereinafter, an explanation will be given along this flowchart.

[0059] In S901, the print job management unit 308 identifies the page that has arrived at the image inspection unit 103 as the current page. The identification of the page that has arrived at the image inspection unit 103 is performed by searching in the page management data for the page that should next arrive at the image inspection unit 103, that is, the page whose arrival order 704 to the image inspection unit 103 is "1".

[0060] In S902, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the current page has been determined by the image inspection unit 103 to be a normal image (image inspection status 703 is "OK"). If it has been determined to be a normal image, the process proceeds to S906. If it has not been determined to be a normal image, that is, the image inspection status 703 set in the page management data is "NG" or "not yet", the process proceeds to S903.

[0061] In S903, the print job management unit 308 causes the image inspection control unit 304 to perform an image inspection process on the current page.

[0062] In S904, the image inspection control unit 304 determines whether the current page has been determined to be a normal image in the image inspection process of S903, and transmits the determination result to the image inspection control unit 304. If it has been determined to be a normal image, the process proceeds to S905, and if it has been determined to be an abnormal image, the process proceeds to S907.

[0063] In S905, the print job management unit 308 updates the image inspection status 703 of the current page in the page management data stored in the print data storage unit 301 to "OK" based on the determination result received from the image inspection control unit 304.

[0064] In S906, the print job management unit 308 decrements the arrival order 704 of each page at the image inspection unit 103 in the page management data.

[0065] In S907, the print job management unit 308 updates the image inspection status 703 of the current page in the page management data to "NG."

[0066] In S908, the print job management unit 308 resets the print status 701 of the current page in the page management data to "not yet printed." As a result, the next time the printing unit 102 performs printing, it will reprint the page determined to be an abnormal image in S904, thereby achieving recovery printing.

[0067] In S909, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 702 at the printing unit 102 for the current page and subsequent pages in the page management data. In this resetting, the arrival order is assigned to each page starting from the current page, as shown in FIG. 7C.

[0068] In S910, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 704 to the image inspection unit 103 after the current page in the page management data. In this reset, first, the arrival order is assigned to the pages that follow the page determined to be an abnormal image and precede the reprinted pages, and then the subsequent arrival orders are sequentially assigned to each page starting from the current page. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7(c), two arrival orders are assigned to the pages that follow the page determined to be an abnormal image and precede the reprinted pages.

[0069] In S911, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 706 to the transport destination switching unit 104 after the current page. In this reset, first, the arrival order for the reprint is assigned to the current page, then the arrival order is assigned to the pages that follow the page determined to be an abnormal image and precede the reprinted pages, and then the subsequent arrival orders are sequentially assigned to each page starting from the reprinted page. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7(c), two arrival orders are assigned to the current page and the pages that follow the page determined to be an abnormal image and precede the reprinted pages.

[0070] <Details of the transport destination switching process in S410> FIG. 10 shows a flowchart for explaining the transport destination switching process according to Embodiment 1. This transport destination switching process corresponds to S410 shown in FIG. 4. Hereinafter, an explanation will be given along this flowchart.

[0071] In S1001, the print job management unit 308 identifies the page that has arrived at the transport destination switching unit 104 as the current page. The identification of the page that has arrived at the transport destination switching unit 104 is performed by searching in the page management data for the page that should next arrive at the transport destination switching unit 104, that is, the page whose arrival order 706 to the transport destination switching unit 104 is "1".

[0072] In S1002, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the image inspection status 703 of the current page in the page management data is "NG." If it is determined that the image inspection status is "NG," the process proceeds to S1003. If it is not, that is, if it is determined that the image inspection status is "OK," the process proceeds to S1004.

[0073] In S1003, the print job management unit 308 instructs the destination switching control unit 309 to eject the current page onto the second paper ejection tray 109 using the destination switching unit 104, and the process proceeds to S1008.

[0074] In S1004, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the current page is the page that should be ejected next. This determination is made based on whether only "1" is set as the arrival order 706 for pages that have arrived at the destination switching unit 104. For example, when page 4 arrives at the destination switching unit 104 in the page management data shown in FIG. 7E, the arrival order 706 is set to "1" and "4," so it is determined that the current page is not the page that should be ejected next. On the other hand, when page 03 / page 03n arrive at the destination switching unit 104 in the page management data shown in FIG. 7F, the arrival order 706 is set to "1," so it is determined that the current page is the page that should be ejected next. If it is determined that the current page is the page that should be ejected next, the process proceeds to S1005. If it is determined that the current page is not the page that should be ejected next, the process proceeds to S1007.

[0075] In S1005, the print job management unit 308 causes the destination switching control unit 309 to eject the current page onto the first paper ejection tray .

[0076] In step S1006, the print job management unit 308 updates the transport destination switching status 705 of the current page to "completed."

[0077] In S1007, the print job management unit 308 causes the transport destination switching control unit 309 to transport the current page to the double-sided printing transport path 110 without performing the reverse processing.

[0078] In S1008, the print job management unit 308 decrements the arrival order 706 at the destination switching unit 104 for each page.

[0079] As described above, in this embodiment, even if a specific page among consecutive pages is determined to be an abnormal image, all pages, including the page on which the page determined to be an abnormal image is recovery-printed, can be discharged in page order using the existing double-sided printing transport path. Note that this embodiment is also applicable when multiple consecutive pages are determined to be abnormal images, and if a certain number or more consecutive abnormal images occur, the printing process may be stopped and a prompt to perform maintenance on the printing device may be issued.

[0080] [Embodiment 2] <What to do when pages with the same content continue> Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0081] 11(a) to 11(d) show an example of the process of printing, image inspection, and destination switching during group printing in which image formation of the same content continues across multiple pages according to the second embodiment, and show the paper transport and output process in chronological order when a specific page is determined to be an abnormal image. In each figure, the number following "page" indicates the page order. Also, pages with a gray background indicate pages determined to be abnormal by the image inspection control unit 304.

[0082] 11(a) shows that page 01 has been determined to be an abnormal image by the image inspection unit 103 and is being transported to the transport destination switching unit 104. Page 02 has been printed by the printing unit 102 and is about to be transported to the image inspection unit 103, and page 03 has been printed in the printing unit 102.

[0083] 11(b) shows that page 01 is discharged to the second discharge tray 109, and page 02 is determined to be a normal image by the image inspection unit 103 and is transported to the transport destination switching unit 104. Also, page 01n, which forms the same image as page 01, is being printed in the printing unit 102 as a recovery print for page 01.

[0084] 11(c) shows page02 being discharged onto the first discharge tray 108. Here, page02 is discharged before page01, which should have been discharged next onto the first discharge tray 108, because the print contents of page01 and page02 are compared and determined to be the same image; the processing flow for this will be described later using FIG.

[0085] FIG. 11D shows that page03 is stacked on top of page02, and page01n, which is the recovery print of page01, is ejected onto the first ejection tray 108 so as to be stacked on top of page03.

[0086] As a result of the above, the pages are discharged onto the first discharge tray 108 in the order of page 02, 03, 01n. Although this differs from the original discharge order of page 01, 02, 03, the order of the print contents is correct.

[0087] Figures 12(a) to (d) show an example of the process of updating page management data related to embodiment 2. The explanation of each item in the figure is the same as in Figure 7. Figures 12(a) to (d) also show the time series of the process of updating page management data when a specific page is determined to be an abnormal image, and correspond to the conveying output states shown in Figures 11(a) to (d), respectively.

[0088] 12(a) shows page management data updated in response to the image inspection control unit 304 determining that page01 is an abnormal image. Here, "page01," which is to undergo recovery printing, is changed to "page01 / page01n," and its print status 701 is changed to "not yet." The arrival order 702 of page01 / page01n at the printing unit 102 is reassigned to "1," and the subsequent arrival order is reassigned to page02 and onward. The arrival order 704 at the image inspection unit 103 is reassigned from page02 and 03, which are the pages that follow the page first determined to be an abnormal image and precede the reprinted page. Furthermore, the subsequent arrival order is reassigned to each page in order, starting from page01 / page01n. The arrival order 706 at the destination switching unit 104 is reassigned in the order of page01 / page01n first, then pages02 and 03, which are pages that follow the page determined to be an abnormal image and precede the reprinted page.Furthermore, the arrival order 706 is reassigned to each page in the order from page01 / page01n.

[0089] 12(b) shows page management data updated in response to page02 being determined to be a normal image and print processing being performed on page01n as recovery printing for page01. Because the above processes have been performed, status 701 for page02 and status 703 for page01 have been updated. Page01 has been discharged to second discharge tray 109, but page01n has not yet been discharged to first discharge tray 108, so status 705 for page01 / page01n remains "not yet completed." Furthermore, arrival orders 702, 704, and 706 are decremented from the arrival orders reset in FIG. 12(a).

[0090] FIG. 12(c) shows the page management data updated in response to the fact that page02 is ejected to the first output tray 108 because the print data for page02 is identical to the print data for page01, and page03 is determined to be a normal image. As a result of the above processing, the status 705 for page02 and the status 703 for page03 are updated. Up until FIG. 12(b), page02 was held for a single time and ejected after page01, so two arrival orders were assigned to the arrival order 706 for page02. However, because it was determined that the print data for page02 and the print data for page01 are identical, the status reset in FIG. 12(a) has been further reset in FIG. 12(c). That is, because page02 was ejected to the first output tray, the arrival orders 702, 704, and 706 for page02 are left blank, and the arrival orders 704 and 706 for pages after page03 are reassigned to the respective moved-up arrival orders.

[0091] 12(d) shows page management data updated in response to the fact that printing processing has been performed up to page 06, image inspection processing has been performed up to page 04, and transport switching processing has been performed up to page 03. As each of the above processes has been performed, statuses 701, 703, and 705 have been updated. Furthermore, arrival orders 702, 704, and 706 are decremented from the arrival orders reset in FIG. 12(c).

[0092] Fig. 13 shows a flowchart for explaining the transfer destination switching process according to the second embodiment. This transfer destination switching process corresponds to S410 in Fig. 4. The following description will be given along with this flowchart.

[0093] In S1301, the print job management unit 308 identifies the page that has arrived at the destination switching unit 104 and sets it as the current page. The identification of the arrived page is performed by searching the page management data for the page that should arrive next at the destination switching unit 104, i.e., the page with arrival order "1".

[0094] In S1302, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the image inspection status 703 of the current page is "NG." If the image inspection status 703 is determined to be "NG," the process proceeds to S1303, and if the image inspection status is determined to be "OK," the process proceeds to S1304.

[0095] In S1303 , the print job management unit 308 causes the destination switching control unit 309 to eject the current page onto the second paper ejection tray 109 .

[0096] In S1304, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the current page is the page that should be ejected next. This determination is made based on whether a number other than "1" is stored as the arrival order 706 of the arrived page at the transport destination switching unit 104. If it is determined that the current page is the page that should be ejected next, the process proceeds to S1306, and if it is determined that the current page is not the page that should be ejected next, the process proceeds to S1305.

[0097] In S1305, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the current page has the same content as the page to be ejected next. This determination is made by comparing the print data of the current page with the print data of the page to be ejected next. In the example of FIG. 12C, among the pages whose destination switching status 705 is "not yet", page03, which has the earliest arrival order 706 at the destination switching unit 104, is the page to be ejected next. The print data of page03 is compared with that of page02, the current page, and since the print data for both pages is "1234abcd", it is determined that the current page has the same content as the page to be ejected next.

[0098] In S1306, the print job management unit 308 causes the destination switching control unit 309 to eject the current page onto the first paper ejection tray .

[0099] In step S1307, the print job management unit 308 sets the transport destination switching status 705 of the current page to "done."

[0100] In S1308, the print job management unit 308 causes the transport destination switching control unit 309 to transport the current page to the double-sided printing transport path 110 without performing the reverse processing.

[0101] In S1309, the print job management unit 308 decrements the arrival order 702 at the destination switching unit 104 for each page.

[0102] In S1310, the print job management unit 308 causes the destination switching control unit 309 to convey the current page to the first discharge tray .

[0103] In step S1311, the print job management unit 308 sets the transport destination switching status 705 of the current page to "done."

[0104] In S1312, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 702 of each page at the print unit 102. In resetting the arrival order 702 here, the arrival order 702 of the current page is left blank, and the other arrival orders in the arrival order 702 are decremented.

[0105] In S1313, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 704 of each page at the image inspection unit 103. In resetting the arrival order 704 here, the arrival order 704 of the current page is left blank, and the other arrival orders in the arrival order 704 are decremented.

[0106] In S1314, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 706 at the destination switching unit 104 for each page whose destination switching status 705 is "not yet". In resetting the arrival order 706 here, the arrival order 706 for the current page is left blank, and the other arrival orders in the arrival order 706 are decremented.

[0107] As described above, in this embodiment, even if a specific page is determined to be an abnormal image during group printing in which image formation of the same content continues across multiple pages, all pages including the recovery print are discharged to the first discharge tray 108 so that the order of the printed content is correct.

[0108] [Embodiment 3] <How to handle double-sided printing> Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described, focusing on the differences from the first embodiment. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[0109] 14(a) to 14(g) show an example of the printing process, image inspection process, and destination switching process according to the third embodiment, illustrating the paper transport and output process in chronological order when a specific page is determined to be an abnormal image. In the figure, p01p02, p03p04, and p05p06 represent double-sided printing paper. For example, p01p02 prints page01 on the front side and page02 on the back side. Here, as shown in 1401 in the figure, when double-sided printing is performed, the paper with the printed front side is transported by the destination switching unit 104 to the double-sided printing transport path 110 to print the back side, and is then sent back to the printing unit 102. Furthermore, the paper with a colored background in the figure (p03p04) represents a page determined to be an abnormal image by the image inspection unit 103, and the pages surrounded by a bold frame represent pages that have already been printed.

[0110] 14(a) shows that p03p04 has been determined to be an abnormal image by the image inspection unit 103 and is being transported to the transport destination switching unit 104. Also, p05p06 has been printed on page05 by the printing unit 102 and is being transported to the image inspection unit 103, and p01p02 is being transported on the double-sided printing transport path 110.

[0111] 14(b) shows that p03p04 is discharged to the second discharge tray 109, and page05 of p05p06 is determined to be a normal image by the image inspection unit 103 and is transported to the transport destination switching unit 104. Also, p03np04n, which is paper for reprinting p03p04, is undergoing printing processing on page03n by the printing unit 102.

[0112] 14(c) shows that page03 / page03n, which are the front sides of p03np04n, have been determined to be normal images by the image inspection unit 103. Also, page02, which is the back side of p01p02, has been printed by the printing unit 102, and p05p06 is being transported on the transport path 110 for double-sided printing.

[0113] 14(d) shows that page 02 of p01p02 has been determined to be a normal image by the image inspection unit 103, and that page 06, the back side of p05p06, is being printed by the printing unit 102. Also, p03np04n are being transported on the transport path 110 for double-sided printing.

[0114] 14(e) shows that p01p02 have been discharged onto the first discharge tray 108, and page06 of p05p06 has been determined to be a normal image by the image inspection unit 103. Also, page04, the back side of p03np04n, is currently being printed by the printing unit 102.

[0115] FIG. 14(f) shows that page 04 of p03np04n has been determined to be a normal image by the image inspection unit 103, and p05p06 is being conveyed on the double-sided printing conveyance path 110 and passing through the printing unit 102.

[0116] 15(a) to (f) and 17(a) and (b) show an example of page management data in which the processing status and arrival order according to the third embodiment have been reset. The print data 707 has an item 1501 indicating the print side, which indicates whether each print data should be printed on the front side or the back side. The explanation of each of the other items is as in FIG. 7. Note that the printing order during double-sided printing in this embodiment is the front page (page 01, 03, 05) followed by the back page (page 02, 04, 06).

[0117] The page management data shown in FIGS. 15(a) to (f) is an example in which an abnormal image is detected on the front side and the processing status and arrival order are reset.

[0118] 15A shows page management data that has been updated after printing has been performed up to page 05 and page 03 has been determined to be an abnormal image. Here, "page 03," for which recovery printing is to be performed, has been changed to "page 03 / page 03n," and its print status 701 has been changed to "not yet." Page 04, which corresponds to the back side of page 03, has also been changed to page 04 / page 04n.

[0119] Furthermore, because page03 / page03n are printed immediately after page05, the arrival order 702 at the printing unit 102 is reassigned "1", and the subsequent arrival orders are reassigned to page05 and onwards. The arrival order 704 at the image inspection unit 103 is first reassigned to page05, which is the page that follows the page determined to be an abnormal image and precedes the reprinted page. The subsequent arrival orders are then reassigned to each page in order from page03 / page03n to the arrival order 704. The arrival order 706 at the destination switching unit 104 is first reassigned to page03 / page03n, followed by page05, which is the page that follows the page determined to be an abnormal image and precedes the reprinted page. The subsequent arrival orders are then reassigned to each page in order from page03 / page03n to the arrival order 706.

[0120] 15(b) to 15(f) show page management data updated in response to the update of each status 701, 703, and 704 each time a process is performed. The arrival orders 702, 704, and 706 are decremented from the arrival orders reset in FIG. 15(a).

[0121] Figure 16 shows that an abnormal image was detected on page04, which is a page on the back side. In this case, page03, the front page printed on the same paper as page04, is also reprinted, so p05 and p06, which are the sheets following the sheet containing the page on which the abnormal image was detected and preceding the sheet containing the reprinted page, are held twice. In other words, the number of holding times corresponds to the number of pages to be reprinted.

[0122] FIG. 17 shows page management data updated in response to the detection of an abnormal image on page04, the back page. Here, pages03 and 04 have been changed to page03 / page03n and page04 / page04n to perform recovery printing. Because the image inspection unit 103 determined page04 to be an abnormal image, the print status 701 for page03 / page03n and page04 / page04n have both been changed to "Not yet printed." The arrival order 702 at the printing unit 102 has been reset to "1," and subsequent arrival orders have been reassigned to page05 and onward. The arrival order 704 at the image inspection unit 103 has been reassigned starting with page06, which is the page following the page determined to be an abnormal image and preceding the reprinted page. Furthermore, the subsequent arrival orders have been reassigned to each page, starting with page03 / page03n. The arrival order 706 at the destination switching unit 104 is reassigned in the order of page04 / page04n first, then page06, which is the page following the page determined to be an abnormal image and preceding the reprinted page. The arrival order 706 is then reassigned to each page in the order of page03 / page03n.

[0123] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart for explaining the image inspection process according to the third embodiment.

[0124] Since S1801 to S1807 and S1809 are the same processes as S901 to S908, the description thereof will be omitted here, and the process from S1808 onwards will be described.

[0125] In S1808, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the current page is the back side. If it is determined that the current page is the back side, the process proceeds to S1813, and if it is determined that the current page is the front side, the process proceeds to S1809.

[0126] In S1810, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 702 at the printing unit 102 from the current page onwards in the page management data. In this resetting, "1" is assigned to the page to be reprinted, and the subsequent arrival order is assigned to the pages thereafter.

[0127] In S1811, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 704 at the image inspection unit 103 for the current page and subsequent pages in the page management data. In this resetting, the arrival order is first assigned to the page that follows the page determined to be an abnormal image and precedes the reprinted page, and then the subsequent arrival order is assigned to each page in order, starting with the page to be reprinted.

[0128] In S1812, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 706 at the destination switching unit 104 for the current page and subsequent pages. In this resetting, the arrival order is assigned first to the page to be reprinted, then to the page that follows the page determined to be an abnormal image and precedes the reprinted page, and the subsequent arrival order is assigned to each page in order from the page to be reprinted.

[0129] In S1813, the print job management unit 308 returns the print status 701 of the current page and the front page to be printed on the same paper as the current page in the page management data to "not yet".

[0130] In S1814, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 702 at the printing unit 102 for the front page and subsequent pages that are printed on the same paper as the current page in the page management data. In this resetting, "1" is assigned to the front page to be reprinted, and the subsequent arrival order is assigned to the subsequent pages.

[0131] In S1815, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 704 at the image inspection unit 103 for the front page and subsequent pages printed on the same paper as the current page in the page management data. In this resetting, the arrival order is first assigned to the page that follows the page determined to be an abnormal image and precedes the reprinted page, and then the subsequent arrival order is assigned to each page in order, starting from the front page to be reprinted.

[0132] In S1816, the print job management unit 308 resets the arrival order 706 at the destination switching unit 104 for the front page and subsequent pages that are printed on the same paper as the current page. In this resetting, the arrival order is assigned first to the current page to be reprinted, then to the page that follows the page determined to be an abnormal image and precedes the reprinted page, and the subsequent arrival order is assigned to each page in order, starting with the front page to be reprinted.

[0133] 19 shows a flowchart for explaining the transport destination switching process according to the embodiment 3. This transport destination switching process corresponds to S410 shown in FIG.

[0134] In S1901, the print job management unit 308 identifies the page that has arrived and sets it as the current page. The identification of the page that has arrived is performed by searching the page management data for the page that should arrive next at the destination switching unit 104, that is, the page whose arrival order 706 at the destination switching unit 104 is "1."

[0135] In S1902, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the image inspection status of the current page is "NG." If the image inspection status 703 is determined to be "NG," the process proceeds to S1903. If the image inspection status 703 is determined to be "OK," the process proceeds to S1904.

[0136] In S1903, the print job management unit 308 causes the destination switching control unit 309 to eject the current page onto the second paper ejection tray 109.

[0137] In S1904, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the current page is the back side. If it is determined that the current page is the back side, the process proceeds to S1905, and if it is determined that the current page is the front side, the process proceeds to S1908.

[0138] In S1905, the print job management unit 308 determines whether the current page is the page that should be ejected next. This determination is made based on whether only "1" is set as the arrival order 706 of the arrived page at the transport destination switching unit 104. If it is determined that the current page is the page that should be ejected next, the process proceeds to S1906, and if it is determined that the current page is not the page that should be ejected next, the process proceeds to S1909.

[0139] In S1906, the print job management unit 308 instructs the destination switching control unit 309 to discharge the current page to the first discharge tray 108. The paper arriving in S1906 has been determined to have a normal image on both the front and back sides in the image inspection process, and is the next page to be discharged.

[0140] In S1907, the print job management unit 308 sets the transfer destination switching state of the current page to "done."

[0141] In S1908, the print job management unit 308 sets the transfer destination switching state of the current page to "done."

[0142] In S1909, the print job management unit 308 causes the transport destination switching control unit 309 to transport the current page to the double-sided printing transport path 110 without performing the reverse processing.

[0143] In S1809, the print job management unit 308 decrements the arrival order of each page at the destination switching unit 104.

[0144] As described above, in this embodiment, even if a specific page among consecutive pages is determined to be an abnormal image during double-sided printing, all pages including the recovery print are ejected in page order onto the first paper ejection tray 108.

[0145] (Other Examples) 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.

[0146] The present disclosure includes the following configurations and methods. [Configuration 1] A printing device having a conveyance path for performing printing processing on both sides of a sheet of paper, a printing unit that performs printing processing on the paper in accordance with a print job; an inspection means for inspecting the printed paper; a conveying means for discharging printed paper sheets for which no abnormality is detected in the inspection results by the inspection means to a first discharge destination, and for discharging printed paper sheets for which an abnormality is detected in the inspection results to a second discharge destination different from the first discharge destination; Equipped with When the printing means performs a reprint process on a printed sheet in which an abnormality has been detected in the inspection result during the printing process of a plurality of consecutive pages, the conveying means conveys and retains, to the conveying path, a printed sheet in which no abnormality has been detected that follows the printed sheet in which the abnormality has been detected and precedes the printed sheet that has been reprinted, and discharges the printed sheet that has been reprinted to the first discharge destination before the retained printed sheet. A printing device characterized by: [Configuration 2] the conveying means discharges, to the first discharge destination, the printed paper on which the abnormality has been detected and which has been printed based on the same image data as the printed paper on which the abnormality has been detected, among the printed paper on which the abnormality has not been detected and which precedes the reprinted printed paper, without causing the printed paper to remain in the conveying path. 2. The printing device according to configuration 1. [Configuration 3] the conveying unit performs the retention a number of times corresponding to the number of pages subjected to the reprinting process. 3. The printing device according to configuration 1 or 2. [Configuration 4] and the printing process by the printing means and the inspection process by the inspection means are not performed on the printed paper that has been conveyed to the conveying path due to the retention and for which no abnormality has been detected. 4. The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3. [Configuration 5] the conveying means does not invert the printed paper when retaining the paper; 5. The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. [Configuration 6] the inspection means acquires a scanned image of the printed paper and performs inspection based on a comparison result between the scanned image and a corresponding reference image; 6. The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5. [Configuration 7] the conveying means selects a conveying destination of the printed paper based on management information including the processing status of each page specified in the print job at the printing means, the inspection means, and the conveying means, and the order of arrival at the printing means, the inspection means, and the conveying means. 7. The printing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6. [Configuration 8] the management information is updated every time the paper and the printed paper arrive at any one of the printing means, the inspection means, and the transport means. 8. The printing device according to configuration 7. [Configuration 9] A control method for a printing device having a conveyance path for performing printing processing on both sides of paper, comprising: performing a printing process on the paper in accordance with a print job; a step of performing an inspection process on the printed paper that has been subjected to the printing process; a step of discharging printed paper in which no abnormality is detected in the inspection result by the step of performing the inspection process to a first discharge destination, and discharging printed paper in which an abnormality is detected in the inspection result to a second discharge destination different from the first discharge destination; a step of transporting and retaining printed paper, following the printed paper for which the abnormality was detected in the inspection result and preceding the reprinted printed paper, in which the abnormality was not detected, to the transport path and causing the reprinted printed paper to be retained, when a reprint process is performed on printed paper for which an abnormality was detected in the inspection result during the printing process of a plurality of consecutive pages by the step of performing the printing process; and A control method comprising: [Configuration 10] A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to configuration 9.

Claims

1. A printing device having a conveyance path for performing printing processing on both sides of a sheet of paper, a printing unit that performs printing processing on the paper in accordance with a print job; an inspection means for inspecting the printed paper; a conveying means for discharging printed paper for which no abnormality is detected in the inspection result by the inspection means to a first discharge destination, and for discharging printed paper for which an abnormality is detected in the inspection result to a second discharge destination different from the first discharge destination; Equipped with When the printing means performs a reprint process on a printed sheet in which an abnormality has been detected in the inspection result during the printing process of a plurality of consecutive pages, the conveying means conveys and retains, to the conveying path, a printed sheet in which no abnormality has been detected that follows the printed sheet in which the abnormality has been detected and precedes the printed sheet that has been reprinted, and discharges the printed sheet that has been reprinted to the first discharge destination before the retained printed sheet. A printing device characterized by:

2. the conveying means discharges, to the first discharge destination, the printed paper on which the abnormality has been detected and which has been printed based on the same image data as the printed paper on which the abnormality has been detected, among the printed paper on which the abnormality has not been detected and which precedes the reprinted printed paper, without causing the printed paper to remain in the conveying path.

2. The printing device according to claim 1.

3. the conveying unit performs the retention a number of times corresponding to the number of pages subjected to the reprinting process.

2. The printing device according to claim 1.

4. and the printing process by the printing means and the inspection process by the inspection means are not performed on the printed paper that has been conveyed to the conveying path due to the retention and for which no abnormality has been detected.

2. The printing device according to claim 1.

5. the conveying means does not invert the printed paper when retaining the paper; 2. The printing device according to claim 1.

6. the inspection means acquires a scanned image of the printed paper and performs inspection based on a comparison result between the scanned image and a corresponding reference image; 2. The printing device according to claim 1.

7. the conveying means selects a conveying destination of the printed paper based on management information including the processing status of each page specified in the print job at the printing means, the inspection means, and the conveying means, and the order of arrival at the printing means, the inspection means, and the conveying means.

2. The printing device according to claim 1.

8. the management information is updated every time the paper and the printed paper arrive at any one of the printing means, the inspection means, and the transport means; 8. The printing device according to claim 7.

9. A control method for a printing device having a conveyance path for performing printing processing on both sides of paper, comprising: performing a printing process on the paper in accordance with a print job; a step of performing an inspection process on the printed paper that has been subjected to the printing process; a step of discharging printed paper in which no abnormality is detected in the inspection result by the step of performing the inspection process to a first discharge destination, and discharging printed paper in which an abnormality is detected in the inspection result to a second discharge destination different from the first discharge destination; a step of transporting and retaining printed paper, following the printed paper for which the abnormality was detected in the inspection result and preceding the reprinted printed paper, in which the abnormality was not detected, to the transport path and causing the reprinted printed paper to be retained, when reprinting is performed on printed paper for which an abnormality was detected in the inspection result during printing of a plurality of consecutive pages by the step of performing the printing process, and discharging the reprinted printed paper to the first discharge destination before the retained printed paper; A control method comprising:

10. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 9.

Images