Image forming apparatus and image forming system

Abstract

The present invention provides an image forming apparatus that allows for the remote acquisition of the state of an image formed on a medium, and also enables remote processing of the medium after image formation. [Solution] The image forming apparatus comprises: a post-formed image information acquisition means for reading an image from a post-formed medium transported to one of a plurality of media trays and acquiring post-formed image information; a media discarding means for discarding the post-formed medium; and a control means for controlling the execution of processing related to the post-formed medium according to the matching state between the post-formed image information and the image information. The control means transports the post-formed medium from which post-formed image information has been acquired to another media tray among the plurality of media trays, notifies the external party of the post-formed medium transported to the other media tray of the post-formed medium, obtains the content of the response to the notification from the external party, and selectively executes processing related to the post-formed medium transported to the other media tray according to the content of the response.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming system. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming apparatuses are known that form images on a sheet-like medium based on image forming instructions. Image forming systems are also known in which an image forming apparatus and an information processing apparatus communicate with each other, with the information processing apparatus transmitting image forming instructions to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus receiving the instructions via a communication network executing the image forming process.

[0003] A system is known that reads an image formed on a medium in an image forming apparatus and inspects the formed image. For example, an image inspection system is known that includes means for detecting the state of image formation on a medium, for notifying the detection of a defect and the content of the detection, and for controlling the subsequent image formation process (see Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The product inspection system disclosed in Patent Document 1 reads the image formed on the medium using an image reading sensor installed in the image inspection device. When an image formation defect (printing defect) is detected, the image formation process is temporarily stopped, and the occurrence of the printing defect is notified to the print instruction person. Therefore, when printing defects occur on multiple media, the productivity of the printed materials decreases as the frequency of occurrence increases.

[0005] Furthermore, in the product inspection system disclosed in Patent Document 1, even if printing defects occur on multiple media, it is difficult for the print supervisor to grasp the details of the defects in the entire printed material until the series of image forming processes is completed. In other words, in order to make setting changes or repairs to address the defects, it becomes necessary to stop the image forming apparatus, which also contributes to a decrease in productivity.

[0006] The above problems are particularly pronounced when the image forming apparatus and the information processing device that instructs the image forming apparatus to perform image forming processing are installed remotely.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an image forming apparatus that enables remote acquisition of the state of an image formed on a medium and allows for remote handling of the medium after image formation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, one aspect of the present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, comprising: a plurality of media trays; a transport means for transporting an image-formed medium, which is a medium on which an image forming process based on image information has been performed, to one of the plurality of media trays; a post-formed image information acquisition means for reading an image from the image-formed medium transported to one of the plurality of media trays and acquiring post-formed image information; a media discarding means for discarding the image-formed medium; and a control means for controlling the execution of processing relating to the image-formed medium according to the matching state between the post-formed image information and the image information, wherein the control means transports the image-formed medium on which the post-formed image information has been acquired to another media tray among the plurality of media trays, notifies the outside of the post-formed medium transported to the other media tray of the post-formed medium, obtains the content of the response to the notification from the outside, and selectively executes the processing relating to the image-formed medium transported to the other media tray according to the content of the response. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the state of an image formed on a medium can be acquired remotely, and the medium after image formation can also be managed remotely. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an MFP as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention; [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a control unit provided in the MFP. [Figure 4] 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining an example of image information to be subjected to image inspection processing that can be executed by the MFP. [Figure 5] 3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining an example of image information to be subjected to image inspection processing that can be executed by the MFP. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a medium inspection process that can be executed by the MFP. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the MFP according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the image forming apparatus and image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As an example of an embodiment of the image forming apparatus, an MFP100 is given, which has the function of forming an image on a sheet-like medium using a predetermined image forming process.

[0012] [MFP100 hardware configuration] Fig. 1 is an example of a hardware configuration diagram of MFP 100. MFP 100 has a configuration capable of executing, for example, an electrophotographic image formation process. As shown in Fig. 1, MFP 100 has at least a charging device 112, a developing device 113, a transfer device 114, and a cleaning device 115 around a photoconductor 111. In addition, an optical writing unit 116 is provided above the photoconductor 111.

[0013] Furthermore, the image formation method of the MFP100 is not limited to electrophotography; it is also possible to apply the so-called inkjet method, which forms an image by ejecting liquid onto a medium.

[0014] An optical scanner unit 121 and an automatic document feeder 122 are installed above the optical writing unit 116 of the MFP100, as a configuration used when performing the copying function. The optical scanner unit 121 is a unit that optically reads the information represented in a printed document Pm, on which an image has been formed on paper P, as an image. When performing a copying operation by continuously reading multiple printed documents Pm, the printed documents Pm are transported in the direction of arrow E by the automatic document feeder 122 and discharged.

[0015] When performing the printing function to form an image on a sheet-like medium, one of the multiple sheets of medium placed on the paper feed unit 133 is removed from the paper feed unit 133 and transported to the underside of the photoreceptor 111 by multiple transport roller pairs. The surface of the photoreceptor 111 is uniformly charged by the charging device 112, and its surface is exposed by the light writing unit 116, forming an electrostatic latent image on the photoreceptor 111.

[0016] Examples of sheet-like media according to this embodiment include paper. However, the medium is not limited to paper; any material other than paper may be used as a medium on which an image is formed in the image formation process.

[0017] The developing device 113 makes the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoreceptor 111 visible using toner. This visible image is then transferred to a medium transported between the developing device 113 and the transfer device 114 located below the photoreceptor 111.

[0018] The transfer device 114 can, for example, use a bias roller transfer method. In a bias roller transfer method transfer device 114, the electrostatic force generated by applying a voltage transfers the visible toner image onto the medium transported between the photoreceptor 111 and the transfer device 114. After the visible image has been transferred, the paper P is transported to the fuser 117, where the toner image is fixed and then discharged as a printed product Pm to the medium discharge tray 141. On the other hand, any untransferred toner remaining on the photoreceptor 111 after image transfer is scraped off in the cleaning device 115 in preparation for the next charging.

[0019] The MFP100 is equipped with a communication I / F190 for connecting to the communication network 500 described later, and can be used as a network printer connected to a local network used in offices, etc. For example, as illustrated in Figure 2, multiple MFP100s can be connected to the communication network 500, which includes a local network, and a print instruction terminal 200 located in a remote location can also be connected to the communication network 500 to configure an image forming system 1000.

[0020] The print instruction terminal 200, as an information processing device, is equipped with at least a terminal communication unit 201 and a terminal instruction unit 202. Users can operate the print instruction terminal 200 and input image formation instruction information, image inspection instruction information, and media discard instruction information via the terminal instruction unit 202, which is an input interface, and transmit them to the MFP 100 via the terminal communication unit 201.

[0021] The MFP 100 can execute predetermined processes by notifying the MFP 100 of the print instructions, image inspection instructions, and reprint instructions entered by the print instruction user via the terminal instruction unit 202, through the terminal communication unit 201 and the communication network 500. Furthermore, the MFP 100 notifies the print instruction user of the image matching status (matching status), the distinction of image defects (described later), and based on the response content, the print instruction user notifies the content of the selective execution of the process. In other words, the response means is composed of the terminal communication unit 201 and the terminal instruction unit 202.

[0022] Upon receiving the image formation instruction information, image inspection instruction information, and medium discard instruction information, the MFP 100 executes a predetermined process, which will be described later.

[0023] In the image forming system 1000, the image formation instruction information, image inspection instruction information, and medium discard instruction information may be transmitted to the MFP 100 via a server 300 connected to the communication network 500. The server 300 includes at least a server communication unit 301 and a server instruction unit 302. The server 300 can receive, from the print instruction terminal 200, the image formation instruction information, image inspection instruction information, and medium discard instruction information that the user has generated by operating the print instruction terminal 200, and transmit the information to the MFP 100 via the server communication unit 301.

[0024] The following description illustrates operation through mutual communication between the print command terminal 200 and the MFP 100 without going through the server 300. Furthermore, in the following description, the user of the print command terminal 200 may be referred to as the "print commander."

[0025] Returning to FIG. 1, the MFP 100 includes a control unit 170 as control means for controlling the overall operation. The control unit 170 includes hardware resources such as a calculation unit such as a CPU, and storage units such as a ROM, RAM, and SSD. The control unit 170 is configured to realize predetermined processing functions by cooperating software resources configured by control programs and operation setting information stored in the ROM or the like with the hardware resources. By controlling the operation of the MFP 100 via the processing functions realized by the control unit 170, it becomes possible to execute the image inspection processing described below.

[0026] [First embodiment] In the MFP 100, the printed matter Pm as a medium after image formation is transported in the direction of arrow F in the figure. That is, it is transported to and discharged to a medium discharge tray 141, which is one of multiple medium transport destinations. A print instructor who issues an instruction to create the printed matter Pm can obtain the desired printed matter Pm by removing the printed matter Pm from the medium discharge tray 141.

[0027] The MFP 100 also includes first transport rollers 131 that transport the paper (printed matter Pm) on which the image has been fixed by the fixing device 117 to the medium discharge tray 141. The first transport rollers 131 are also used to reversely transport the paper P discharged to the medium discharge tray 141 for image inspection processing. The MFP 100 also includes second transport rollers 132 that transport the printed matter Pm to a temporary storage tray 142. The second transport rollers 132 are also used to reversely transport the printed matter Pm discharged to the temporary storage tray 142 in image discard processing.

[0028] The transport path from the fixing device 117 to the first transport rollers 131 and the transport path from the fixing device 117 to the second transport rollers 132 are configured to be switched by a first branch claw 134 and a second branch claw 135 arranged midway. The first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135 form a transport path such that the paper on which the image has been fixed in the fixing device 117 is discharged to the medium discharge tray 141. The first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135 also form a transport path such that the printed matter Pm transported in the reverse direction from the medium discharge tray 141 is discharged to the temporary storage tray 142. The first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135 also switch whether the printed matter Pm transported in the reverse direction from the temporary storage tray 142 is transported to the paper discarding device 160 or to the medium discharge tray 141.

[0029] The paper disposal device 160 is made up of a case 161 and a paper disposal roller 162, which is made up of a rotary blade for discarding paper. The paper disposal roller 162 generally uses a cross-cut cutting method, but other cutting methods may also be used. The cut paper is stored in the case 161 of the paper disposal device 160.

[0030] An image reading sensor 150 serving as image detection means is disposed between the first conveyance roller 131 and the medium discharge tray 141. The image reading sensor 150 reads images on both sides of the printed matter Pm to generate image information (post-formation image information). The image reading sensor 150 is capable of reading images on both sides of the printed matter Pm in one pass, and multiple image reading sensors 150 are disposed, one for the front side and one for the back side. A commonly used CIS (contact optical sensor) or the like can be applied as the image reading sensor 150, which receives light irradiated from a light source (light-emitting diode) and reflected by the passing printed matter Pm, and converts the reflected light into image information.

[0031] Furthermore, a paper detection sensor 145 is installed on the medium ejection tray 141, which serves as one of the multiple medium trays, and the temporary storage tray 142, which serves as another medium tray, as a medium detection means for detecting the presence or absence of media. The paper detection sensor 145 may be a reflective photoelectric sensor used to detect the presence or absence of printed matter Pm. The paper detection sensor 145 is not limited to a reflective photoelectric sensor, and a transmissive photoelectric sensor may also be used. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which the presence or absence of paper is detected by a sensor reading the tilted state of fillers provided on the medium ejection tray 141 and the temporary storage tray 142.

[0032] Furthermore, first reverse transport rollers 143 for transporting printed matter Pm in the reverse direction are arranged on the medium discharge tray 141, and second reverse transport rollers 144 for transporting printed matter Pm in the reverse direction are arranged on the temporary storage tray 142. The first reverse transport rollers 143 and the second reverse transport rollers 144 each function as transport means for transporting printed matter Pm placed on the medium discharge tray 141 or the temporary storage tray 142 in the reverse direction when the MFP 100 is operated in the image inspection mode.

[0033] Furthermore, if the matched image information matches the image information designated for disposal, the printed material Pm relating to that image information can be transported by the second branching claw 135 to one of the other media transport destinations, which is a paper disposal device 160 serving as a media disposal means, thereby enabling shredding and disposal.

[0034] Assume that the location of a user who intends to generate printed matter Pm using MFP 100 is far from the location of MFP 100 (the MFP 100 is installed remotely). In this case, after a print instructor issues a print instruction via print instruction terminal 200, unless the print instructor immediately moves to MFP 100 and collects printed matter Pm from medium discharge tray 141, the printed matter Pm will be left unattended during that time.

[0035] Similarly, when checking the quality of the image formed on the printed material, the print supervisor needs to move to the MFP100.

[0036] Therefore, when a print instruction is issued, MFP 100 can execute an image inspection process to inspect an image formed in accordance with the print instruction. The image inspection process is executed when the print instruction includes a setting for an image inspection mode, or when the person issuing the print instruction explicitly instructs execution via print instruction terminal 200.

[0037] When a printed document Pm based on a print instruction with image inspection mode set is discharged to the media output tray 141, the first reverse transport roller 143 is operated at a predetermined execution timing to reverse transport the printed document Pm to the MFP 100.

[0038] The conveying direction at this time (the conveying direction of the reverse conveyance) is the direction of arrow G in Figure 1, which is the opposite direction to the conveying direction during normal discharge. This reverse conveyance will be referred to as "re-feeding" hereinafter. The MFP 100 employs a friction pad method or the like, which is commonly used for supplying media, to re-feed the multiple printed materials Pm on the media discharge tray 141 one by one using the first reverse conveyance rollers 143.

[0039] [Functional configuration of image forming device] Next, the functional configuration of the MFP100 equipped with the above functions will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3 illustrates the functional configuration of the control unit 170 equipped with the MFP100. As shown in Figure 3, the control unit 170 of the MFP100 has at least a communication unit 171, an image information storage unit 172, an image determination processing unit 173, a paper presence / absence determination unit 175, a paper transport control unit 176, and a paper discard processing unit 174. Each of these functional blocks is an example of something that is realized by executing a predetermined control program on the hardware resources of the control unit 170 equipped with arithmetic processing functions.

[0040] The communication unit 171 performs communication processing to receive image formation instruction information (printing instructions), image inspection information, and media discard instruction information from the print instruction terminal 200 or server 300 via the communication interface 190. When the communication unit 171 receives image formation instruction information, it records the image information contained in the image formation instruction information in the image information storage unit 172. Furthermore, if the image formation instruction information includes instructions to form multiple printed materials Pm, and each printed material Pm is associated with an instruction on whether or not to perform an image inspection, the image information storage unit 172 records the image information and this information (image inspection instruction information) in association.

[0041] When the communication unit 171 receives image formation instruction information, the MFP100 executes a well-known image formation process (printing process). As already explained, the image formation process executed in the MFP100 corresponds to a well-known electrophotographic method, so a detailed explanation is omitted. When the communication unit 171 receives image formation instruction information, at a predetermined timing after the printed material Pm corresponding to the image formation instruction information is discharged into the media discharge tray 141, it checks for the presence or absence of an image inspection instruction, or an image inspection instruction via the print instruction terminal 200. If there is an image inspection instruction, it notifies the image judgment processing unit 173 to execute the image inspection process.

[0042] Furthermore, when the communication unit 171 receives media discard instruction information, it notifies the paper transport control unit 176 of this fact.

[0043] The image information storage unit 172, which serves as an image storage means, records image information printed on paper and image information (post-formed image information) read by the image reading sensor 150, which constitutes the post-formed image information acquisition means, in the storage area provided by the MFP 100.

[0044] The image determination processing unit 173, as an image inspection means, performs a comparison process between the post-formed image information stored in the image information storage unit 172 and the post-formed image information acquired by the image reading sensor 150, in response to image inspection instructions or media discard instructions notified from the communication unit 171. The image determination processing unit 173 also performs processing based on the image inspection results obtained from the comparison process. Furthermore, the image determination processing unit 173 operates the first reverse transport roller 143 according to the elapsed time since the printed material was discharged into the media discharge tray 141, and performs the comparison process and processing based on the image inspection results. The image inspection instructions and media discard instructions notified from the communication unit 171 correspond to execution instructions related to the acquisition process of post-formed image processing.

[0045] When the paper discard processing unit 174 finds that the printed material matched in response to the media discard instruction contains the image designated for discard, it operates the paper discard roller 162 to perform media discard processing on the corresponding printed material.

[0046] The paper presence / absence determination unit 175 determines the presence or absence of paper in the media output tray 141 and the temporary storage tray 142 based on the signal from the paper detection sensor 145. If it is determined that there is no paper in the media output tray 141 or the temporary storage tray 142, it notifies the communication unit 171 of this fact. Upon receiving this notification, the communication unit 171 notifies the print instruction terminal 200 of the presence or absence of printed materials in the media output tray 141 and the temporary storage tray 142.

[0047] When the paper transport control unit 176 performs printing based on an image formation instruction or refeeds paper in response to an image inspection instruction, it controls the operation of the first transport roller 131, the second transport roller 132, the first reverse transport roller 143, the second reverse transport roller 144, the first branching claw 134, and the second branching claw 135 as transport means to transport the printed material Pm in a predetermined direction.

[0048] According to the MFP 100 having the above-mentioned functions, when a medium discard instruction is sent to the image determination processing unit 173 via the communication unit 171 for a printed matter Pm as a post-image-formed medium discharged to the medium discharge tray 141, the paper transport control unit 176 transports (refed) the printed matter Pm in the medium discharge tray 141 into the interior of the MFP 100.

[0049] The image information formed on the re-fed printed material is read by the image reading sensor 150 and recorded in the image information storage unit 172. The image determination processing unit 173 then compares the discard designation image information specified in the media discard instruction with the image information recorded in the image information storage unit 172. If the image information read from the printed material matches the discard designation image information, the paper discard processing unit 174 operates the paper discard roller 162 to transport the corresponding printed material to the paper discard device 160 and perform the discard process.

[0050] By having the above-described main components, the MFP 100 can automatically perform image inspection on printed matter Pm that requires image inspection by the print instructor, and selectively switch the processing of the printed matter Pm depending on the results of the image inspection.

[0051] Next, we will explain the main operations of the MFP100 according to this embodiment, as described above. First, we will explain the operation when an image inspection of the printed material Pm, which has been discharged into the media discharge tray 141, is performed remotely. This image inspection operation can be transmitted to the MFP100 simultaneously with the output signal of the printed material Pm. The printed material discharged from the MFP100 is discharged in the direction of arrow F, which indicates the transport path in Figure 1.

[0052] When performing an image inspection by remote control on a printed matter Pm that has already been ejected, the print instructor transmits an image inspection signal for the printed matter Pm to be image inspected to the MFP 100. The image inspection signal is received by the communication unit 171 in the MFP 100. Details of the processing operations in the image inspection mode will be described later.

[0053] Similarly, the image determination processing unit 173 checks whether there are any defects in the printed matter Pm by comparing it with the original image information recorded in the image information storage unit 172. Note that the original image information refers to the image information at the time of output, and is information that is distinguished from image information obtained by reading the printed matter after output.

[0054] Furthermore, during this image determination process, it is also possible to simultaneously determine whether the printed material (Pm) is subject to image inspection mode. Various methods can be envisioned for image determination. For example, by calculating the agreement rate between the image information and the original image information and pre-setting a threshold for determining the agreement rate, it is possible to identify the processing to be selected based on the image information acquired during the image determination process. By performing such a determination, it is possible to pre-determine whether the printed image after discharge is subject to image inspection mode (Pm), and the print instructioner can be notified of the image inspection result.

[0055] These image inspections are performed by comparing the original image information with the image information in the image determination processing unit 173. First, the original image information of the printed matter Pm that has been discharged is stored in the image information storage unit 172.

[0056] Subsequently, when an image inspection signal is transmitted from the print instruction terminal 200 to the MFP 100 via the terminal communication unit 201, the MFP 100, upon receiving the image inspection signal, operates the first reverse transport roller 143 installed on the media output tray 141 to refeed the printed material Pm from the media output tray 141 into the MFP 100. At that time, the image of the printed material Pm is read by the image reading sensor 150, and the image information of the printed material Pm is obtained.

[0057] The obtained image information is compared with the printed original image information that received the image inspection signal, and if they match, it is determined that there are no image defects. In this case, the printed matter Pm is transported to the temporary storage tray 142 and discharged.

[0058] If the image information received from the image inspection signal does not match the original image information, it is determined that there is an image defect. In this case, the first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135 are operated to switch the conveying path, and the printed matter Pm is conveyed to the temporary storage tray 142 and discharged.

[0059] After comparing the image data read from the printed matter Pm with the original image data received as an image inspection signal, the printed matter Pm is transported by the second branch claw 135 toward the temporary storage tray 142 via the second transport roller 132.

[0060] After the MFP 100 has finished discharging the printed material Pm to the temporary storage tray 142, it notifies the print instruction terminal 200 used by the print instructioner of the image inspection result. If an image defect is determined, the print instructioner can choose how to process the printed material in question, namely whether to leave the printed material as is, discard it in the paper discard device 160, or reprint it. If the print instructioner chooses to discard the printed material via the print instruction terminal 200, the printed material in question is re-fed into the MFP 100 by the first reverse transport roller 143 from the temporary storage tray 142, and at the same time, the image reading sensor 150 reads the image information. The image judgment processing unit 173 then compares the printed material with the image information, and any printed material determined to be to be discarded is transported to the paper discard device 160 by the first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135, where it is shredded and discarded.

[0061] If reprinting is selected, the target printed matter is discarded, and then a re-image formation process is performed on paper fed from the paper feed unit 133, and the reprinted printed matter Pm is transported to and discharged in the medium discharge tray 141. Printed matter Pm that is determined not to be discarded is transported to the medium discharge tray 141 by the first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135 and discharged as is. This series of constituent operations makes it possible to perform an image inspection on the printed matter Pm that has already been discharged.

[0062] If the image inspection signal is determined to be inconsistent with the received image information, image judgment is performed using the image inspection mode processing described below.If the judgment is that the print is defective, MFP100 has a means for communicating the details of the defect to the print instructor via communication unit 171 and communication network 500.

[0063] The temporary storage tray 142 is configured to discharge a large number of printed materials to be image-inspected onto the medium discharge tray 141, and may be configured as a temporary storage tray within the MFP 100, as shown in Fig. 8. Furthermore, the temporary storage tray 142 is provided with second reverse transport rollers 144, similar to the medium discharge tray 141, so that the printed materials Pm can be transported into the MFP 100 and toward the paper disposal device 160 or the medium discharge tray 141.

[0064] The printed matter Pm transported onto the temporary storage tray 142 in this manner is configured to be able to be transported again onto the media discharge tray 141, and at that time, the image information is read by the image reading sensor 150, and the configuration is such that it can respond to discard signals and image inspection signals.

[0065] The printed material Pm, which is re-fed into the MFP 100 from the media output tray 141 by the first reverse transport roller 143 for image inspection and discharged onto the temporary storage tray 142, is then transported back to the MFP 100 for subsequent discard or reprint operations. This printed material Pm is then discharged back into the media output tray 141. The MFP 100 then prepares to receive the next discard signal or image inspection signal.

[0066] Furthermore, the media output tray 141 and the temporary storage tray 142 are configured to be vertically movable in order to adjust the height of the paper feed position when re-feeding the printed material Pm. This height is adjusted as needed by means of detecting the height of the printed material Pm. With this configuration and operation, if the print instructor performs the printing process using the MFP 100 located at a distance from the print instructor before actually picking up the printed material Pm, they can remotely ascertain whether there are any defects in the printed material Pm and what those defects are. After confirmation, the print instructor (printer) can remotely instruct the MFP 100 to process the printed material Pm, and the process can be automatically executed.

[0067] [Determining and executing processing of printed materials according to the content of mismatches in printed materials] The print commander, having identified the presence and nature of any image defects, performs the following actions to send a processing signal for the printed document Pm to the MFP100. First, the print command terminal 200 (see Figure 2) sends a paper processing signal to the designated MFP100 via the terminal communication unit 201. Upon receiving this paper processing signal, the MFP100 executes processing according to the image inspection mode processing shown in Figure 7. As will be explained in more detail later, the image inspection processing shown in Figure 7 exemplifies the process of transporting the printed document discharged to the media output tray 141 to the temporary storage tray 142 for image inspection, sending a notification of the image inspection result to the print command terminal 200, and then transporting it back to the media output tray 141 if the print commander requests discarding or reprinting.

[0068] In the image inspection mode process, the person instructing the printing can grasp the content of the discrepancy. This allows the person instructing the printing to discard or reprint the relevant printed matter Pm depending on the content of the discrepancy. Furthermore, if there are many defective prints, the printing can be judged without actually going to the MFP 100 to check them, for example, by discarding all of them and reprinting them using another MFP 100. Furthermore, since unnecessary printed matter Pm can be prevented from being left on the paper output tray, it is effective in preventing information leaks from the perspective of printed matter information security.

[0069] [Image inspection processing overview] Next, we will explain the overview of the processing in image inspection mode (image inspection processing). When the MFP100 switches to image inspection mode, it refeeds the printed materials Pm that have been ejected into the media output tray 141 one sheet at a time by the rotational movement of the first reverse transport roller 143, which can move up and down in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1.

[0070] The re-fed printed matter Pm has its printed images (toner images) read on both sides by image reading sensors 150 arranged above and below the conveyance path. The MFP 100 compares the image data obtained by reading the image of the printed matter Pm with the original image data for which the image inspection signal was received, and then conveys the printed matter Pm to the temporary storage tray 142 by the second branch claw 135.

[0071] Note that instead of re-feeding the printed matter Pm after switching to the image inspection mode, the printed matter Pm may be automatically refed at a predetermined timing after the printed matter Pm is discharged, when the printed matter Pm is present in the medium discharge tray 141. In this case, whether the re-paused printed matter Pm is subject to the image inspection mode can also be determined by reading the image of the printed matter Pm, and if the printed matter Pm is subject to the image inspection mode, the image inspection results can be notified to the person who instructed the printing of the printed matter Pm. Note that whether the printed matter Pm is subject to the image inspection mode can be determined, for example, based on the degree of match between image position and image shape information.

[0072] This function may execute the image inspection mode and notify the results of the image inspection when a print instruction is sent to MFP 100. However, it is configured to operate in a way that can reliably identify the desired printed matter Pm, assuming that when a print instruction is sent by a print instruction user, another print instruction user may have printed the subsequent printed matter, resulting in multiple printed matters being mixed in the medium discharge tray 141.

[0073] Information on the presence or absence of image defects, which is the result of comparing the image information obtained by reading the images of the printed matter Pm with the original image information for which the discard signal was received, is transmitted to the print instructor via communication network 500. Having received the information on the presence or absence of image defects in the printed matter in this way, the print instructor can instruct MFP 100 on subsequent actions.

[0074] When a signal to discard and reprint the corresponding printed matter Pm is received from the printing instruction user, the corresponding printed matter Pm is transported from the temporary storage tray 142 to the paper discarding device 160 by the first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135, where it can be cut and discarded, then reprinted, and discharged to the media discharge tray 141.

[0075] [Description of the image recognition processing unit 173] Next, the image information matching process for printed matter Pm will be described with reference to the schematic diagrams of Figures 4 and 5. First, when a printed matter is output, accumulated image information 700, as shown in Figure 4(a), is stored one by one in image information storage unit 172. This accumulated image information 700 at the time of print output includes position information and shape information for dot formation of the print image used when writing an image in a normal printing operation, and is stored in image information storage unit 172 as original image information.

[0076] When outputting the printed matter Pm, the MFP 100 executes image formation processing at a resolution of, for example, 400 dpi. However, the resolution of the accumulated image information 700 recorded in the image information accumulation unit 172 does not necessarily have to be the same resolution, and the image information matching processing can be executed even if a simplified resolution such as 200 dpi is used.

[0077] When operating in image inspection mode, let's assume that the image reading sensor 150 reads the printed material Pm and obtains the read image information 710 as shown in Figure 4(b). The arrows in Figure 4 illustrate the transport direction of the printed material Pm. When the print commander sends an image inspection signal of the printed material Pm to the MFP 100 via the print command terminal 200, the MFP 100, upon receiving this signal, compares the stored image information 700 from the time of print output of the printed material Pm with the read image information 710 read by the image reading sensor 150. The image determination processing unit 173 defines the direction in which the printed material Pm is discharged to the media discharge tray 141 as the transport direction, and compares the position and shape information of the image dots positioned in this direction to determine whether or not there are image defects.

[0078] 4, the positional information of the image dots of the letters "A," "B," and "C" in the figure matches the positional information of the image dots in the paper transport direction. In this case, the image information matching process described above determines that the images are the same.

[0079] On the other hand, various forms of read image information 710 can be assumed for the printed material Pm read by the image reading sensor 150. Figure 5 illustrates different forms of read image information 710. In the first example of read image information 711 shown in Figure 5(a), when the position information of the image dots with respect to the paper transport direction is compared, the position information of the image dots of the characters "A", "B", and "C" from the edge of the paper does not match and is oblique to the paper transport direction. In this case, the image determination processing unit 173 determines that the position and shape information of the image dots do not match. Therefore, the above image information comparison process determines that "there is an image defect".

[0080] Similarly, in the case of the second read image information example 712 shown in FIG. 5B, the position and shape information of the image dots from the edge of the paper do not match, so it is determined that there is an image defect.

[0081] Similarly, in the third example of read image information 713 shown in Figure 5(c), when density information is read simultaneously with positional information, although the position and shape information of each character match, the printed image is extremely faint. Therefore, the above image information matching process determines that there is an "image defect."

[0082] 5(d), the image position information from the edge of the paper matches, but an image that is not in the original information is detected. Therefore, in the image information matching process, it is determined that "there is an image defect."

[0083] For the sake of explanation, in this embodiment, the first read image information example 711 will be referred to as "paper skew," the second read image information example 712 as "positional misalignment," the third read image information example 713 as "density defects," and the fourth read image information example 714 as "streaks." The name of the above classification will be notified to the print commander as the content of the image defect via the communication network 500.

[0084] As described above, in the image matching and determination process of the image determination processing unit 173, the type of image defect can be distinguished based on the degree to which the position and shape information of the image dots from the edge of the paper in the read image information 710 read from the printed material Pm matches the stored image information 700. Then, by considering the appropriate response according to the distinction of the image defect, it becomes possible to easily determine the appropriate response to the image defect.

[0085] Therefore, when the print instructor is notified of the determined image defect, the print instructor can understand the details without having to go directly to the MFP 100 to check the printed matter Pm.

[0086] That is, the MFP 100 includes a means for determining the processing of the printed material Pm according to the content of the discrepancy in the printed material Pm, and a means for executing the selected processing of the printed material Pm. This allows the person instructing the printing to check the printed material Pm, determine the processing, and then have the MFP 100 automatically execute the processing of the printed material Pm (for example, discarding, reprinting, etc.). Furthermore, if the MFP 100 is a network printer located in a remote location, there is no need to actually go to the MFP 100 to check the finished state, and it is possible to obtain a printed material Pm that is faithful to the output document.

[0087] [Explanation of changes in conditions when reprinting] Next, we will explain how to change the printing conditions when reprinting is performed after an image defect has been determined. We will explain the operation when an image defect has been determined and the print instructor has notified MFP 100 of a reprint signal via print instruction terminal 200.

[0088] In the following description, the classification of image defects as already explained will be used. When reprinting is performed, the MFP100 according to this embodiment is capable of changing settings corresponding to these image defect classifications. Since various types of image defects and printing condition setting methods are conceivable, they may be further subdivided. Therefore, as explained below, the classifications are not limited to four.

[0089] If the image defect is "paper skew," printing is performed by changing the paper feed unit 133. For example, the MFP 100 may be provided with multiple paper feed units 133, and paper may be fed from different paper feed units 133, thereby addressing paper skew. This reprinting method is set in consideration of the possibility that paper skew may be improved by changing the paper feed unit 133.

[0090] Furthermore, if the image defect is a "positional misalignment," the MFP100 will adjust the image writing position before reprinting. This reprinting method is set up considering that positional misalignment can sometimes be improved by adjusting the image writing position before reprinting.

[0091] Furthermore, if the image defect is "poor density," the density is adjusted within the MFP100 before reprinting. This reprinting method is based on the consideration that poor density can sometimes be improved by changing the image creation conditions.

[0092] If the image defect is a "streak," the MFP100 performs cleaning performance adjustments and then reprints the image. This reprinting method is based on the consideration that streaks can sometimes be improved by adjusting the cleaning performance within the MFP100.

[0093] As described above, the MFP 100 can classify the content of image defects into several types, thereby communicating the general content of the image defects to the print instructor. Furthermore, rather than simply reprinting, the reprint conditions are set to improve the image defects. This makes it possible to prevent the same image defects from recurring compared to reprinting using the same printing method, and to quickly obtain printed material with improved image defects. While it is of course possible for the MFP 100 to automatically select the operation of changing the conditions for reprinting, similar effects can be achieved even when the operation is selectable by the print instructor.

[0094] As described above, MFP100 according to this embodiment is provided with a means for determining the content of the abnormal image according to the content of the mismatch in the printed matter, and a means for selecting and executing the content of the reprint process. This allows the content of the mismatch between the printed matter and the original to be determined, and after discarding the mismatched printed matter, it is possible to change the paper feed tray, adjust the image position, change the imaging conditions, etc., and have MFP100 execute the reprint process.

[0095] Furthermore, since the reprinting method is changed according to the discrepancies in the printed material, the repetition of the same inconsistent images during reprinting can be suppressed, and the desired printed image can be obtained quickly.

[0096] [Image inspection mode processing flow] Next, the flow of the image inspection mode processing that can be performed in the MFP100 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 6. The image inspection mode processing is performed when the print commander explicitly notifies the MFP100 of a print command that includes an image inspection command while the normal image forming process is in progress. Alternatively, the system may be configured to monitor predetermined timings with a timer during the execution of the image forming process, and to automatically execute the image inspection mode processing when the execution conditions are met.

[0097] When the print instruction information notified to the MFP100 from the print instruction terminal 200 includes a setting for executing image inspection mode, the image inspection process is executed. When the image inspection process starts, first, a switch to image inspection mode is performed (S601). After the switch to image inspection mode, the first reverse transport roller 143 is driven to refeed the printed material Pm placed on the media output tray 141, and the print image reading process is executed (S602).

[0098] When multiple printed materials Pm are placed in the media output tray 141, the print image reading process continues until the paper detection sensor 145 no longer detects the printed materials Pm, and the printed materials Pm for which the print image reading process has been completed are discharged to the temporary storage tray 142.

[0099] Next, the read image information 710 relating to the read printed material Pm is compared with the stored image information 700 relating to the printed material Pm to determine whether or not there are image defects (S603). If there are no image defects (S603:N), the second reverse transport roller 144 is driven to switch the first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135 to transport the corresponding printed material Pm to the media discharge tray 141 and discharge it (S608). If there are image defects (S603:Y), it is determined whether or not discard instruction information is associated with the printed material Pm (S604).

[0100] If a discard instruction is given (S604:Y), the second reverse transport roller 144 is driven, and the first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135 are switched to transport the corresponding printed material Pm to the paper discard device 160 and perform the media discard process (S605).

[0101] If there is no discard instruction (S604:N), the next step is to determine whether a reprint instruction is associated with the printed material Pm being processed (S606). If no reprint instruction is associated (S606:N), the second reverse transport roller 144 is driven to switch the first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135, and the corresponding printed material Pm is transported to the media discharge tray 141 and discharged (S608).

[0102] If a reprint instruction is associated (S606:Y), the second reverse transport roller 144 is driven, and the first branch claw 134 and the second branch claw 135 are switched to transport the corresponding printed material Pm to the paper discard device 160 and perform media discard processing. Then, the reprint processing for the corresponding printed material Pm is performed (S607).

[0103] In the reprinting process (S607), after performing a resetting process according to the classification of image defects, an image forming process is performed on a new sheet of paper P, and the printed material Pm is discharged to the media output tray 141.

[0104] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the medium discarding process in the MFP 100 will be described. When the MFP 100 receives an instruction to check image information for a specific printed matter Pm among the printed matters Pm discharged to the medium discharge tray 141, the MFP 100 re-feeds the multiple printed matters Pm and executes image reading processing using the image reading sensor 150. In this case, for printed matters Pm associated with image information that does not match the discard designated image information, the second branch claw 135 is rotated to transport the printed matters Pm to the temporary storage tray 142 and discharge them.

[0105] Here, temporary storage tray 142 may be provided not only outside MFP 100 as shown in FIG. 1, but also inside MFP 100 as shown in FIG.

[0106] As a result, even when a large number of printed materials Pm are left on the medium discharge tray 141, printed materials Pm other than the printed materials Pm to be discarded can be evacuated to the temporary storage tray 142. Therefore, even when a large number of printed materials Pm are left, the MFP 100 can efficiently search for and discard the printed materials Pm to be discarded.

[0107] Also, second reverse conveyance rollers 144 that can move up and down are arranged on temporary storage tray 142. By using this, printed matter Pm can be moved from temporary storage tray 142 to medium discharge tray 141 in MFP 100 after receiving medium discard instruction information and executing medium discard processing.

[0108] By configuring the discharge tray to which the printed matter Pm that is not to be discarded can be discharged in this way, the operation of the printed matter Pm that is not to be discarded within the MFP 100 can be easily performed.

[0109] The medium discharge tray 141 and temporary storage tray 142 are configured to be movable up and down in the direction of the black arrows shown in the figure in order to adjust the height of the paper feed position when re-feeding the printed matter Pm. This height is adjusted as needed by a means for detecting the height of the printed matter Pm (not shown).

[0110] With this configuration and operation, even if a user prints a document intending to retrieve it immediately but is unable to do so, or accidentally prints to an MFP100 in a remote location, only the images for which a discard command has been received via remote control can be reliably and automatically discarded.

[0111] As described above, the MFP 100 and image forming system 1000 according to this embodiment allow for remote confirmation of the image quality of printed matter Pm output by the MFP 100, and for taking action if image defects occur, from a location away from the MFP 100. Furthermore, the print commander can remotely confirm the details of the image defects and explicitly select the appropriate action. In addition, it is possible to remotely discard the printed matter Pm with image defects and instruct a reprint, which will then be automatically executed.

[0112] In other words, the actual print image quality can be checked remotely without having to go to the MFP100's installation location. For example, even when printing multiple pages, the print supervisor can remotely find out the full extent of any defects without reducing productivity. Furthermore, even after printing, the system can automatically discard or reprint the relevant printed document (Pm) via remote operation.

[0113] Furthermore, when reprinting, the MFP100 can select printing conditions that minimize defects in the printed document Pm, depending on the nature of the defect, and then perform the reprint. Therefore, if a defect is detected in the outputted printed document Pm, the print commander can remotely find out the nature of the defect and remotely discard or reprint it. Based on the nature of the defect, the output conditions can be changed to prevent similar defects from occurring in the reprint, and then reprinting is possible.

[0114] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments exemplified above, and various modifications are possible without departing from its technical essence. All technical matters included in the technical concept described in the claims are covered by the present invention. The above embodiments are preferred examples, but those skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims.

[0115] For example, aspects of the present invention are as follows. <1> a plurality of media trays; A transport means for transporting a post-image-formed medium, which is a medium on which an image-forming process based on image information has been performed, to one of the aforementioned plurality of medium trays, a post-image information acquiring means for acquiring post-image information by reading an image from the post-image medium transported to one of the plurality of medium trays; A media disposal means for discarding the media after image formation, Control means for controlling the execution of processing related to the image-formed medium according to the matching state between the formed image information and the image information, Equipped with The control means conveying the image-formed medium from which the image-formed image information has been acquired to another medium tray among the plurality of medium trays; The post-formed image information relating to the image-formed media transported to the other media tray is notified to an external party. Obtaining the response to the notification from an external device, Depending on the response, the processing relating to the image-formed medium transported to the other medium tray is selectively executed. This is an image forming apparatus characterized by the following features. <2> The control means When the response is a discard instruction instructing the disposal of the image-formed medium, the image-formed medium is transported to the medium disposal means. Thereafter, control is exercised to execute a re-image forming process based on image information relating to the image-formed medium that has been the target of the discard instruction. The aforementioned <1> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <3> The control means If the response is not a discard instruction to discard the image-formed medium, the image-formed medium will remain on the other medium tray and the discard operation will not be performed. The aforementioned <1> or <2> 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: <4> The control means controls the operation of the transport means so that, when the image formation instruction for the image-formed medium does not include an instruction to execute the process of acquiring the formed image information, the image-formed medium is not transported to the first medium tray, but is transported to the other medium tray. The aforementioned <1> ~ <3> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <5> a medium detection unit for detecting whether the image-formed medium is placed on the plurality of medium trays; the control unit notifies the outside of the medium placement information acquired by the medium detection unit in response to an external instruction. The aforementioned <1> ~ <4> 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged parallel to each other. <6> an information processing device that notifies an image forming device of an image formation instruction for forming an image on a medium; and an image forming apparatus that executes image formation processing based on the image formation instruction, The information processing device The aforementioned <1> ~ <5> an input interface for inputting the response content to the notification from the image forming apparatus according to any one of the preceding items; a response unit that notifies the image forming apparatus of the response content, the control means selectively executes the process based on the response content from the response means. The image forming system is characterized by the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 100:MFP 131: First conveyor roller 132: Second conveying roller 133: Paper feed unit 134: First branch claw 135: Second branch claw 141: Media output tray 142: Temporary storage tray 143: First reverse conveying roller 144: Second reverse conveying roller 145: Paper detection sensor 150: Image reading sensor 160: Paper disposal device 170: Control unit 171: Communications Department 172: Image information storage unit 173: Image judgment processing unit 174: Paper disposal processing unit 175:Paper presence / absence determination section 176: Paper transport control unit 190: Communication I / F 700: Accumulated image information 710: Read image information 1000: Image forming system [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0117] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-222769

Claims

1. a plurality of media trays; a conveying means for conveying an image-formed medium, which is a medium on which an image forming process based on image information has been performed, to one of the plurality of medium trays; a post-image information acquiring means for acquiring post-image information by reading an image from the post-image medium transported to one of the plurality of medium trays; a medium discarding means for discarding the medium after image formation; a control unit that controls execution of a process related to the image-formed medium in accordance with a match state between the image-formed image information and the image information; Equipped with The control means conveying the image-formed medium from which the image-formed image information has been acquired to another medium tray among the plurality of medium trays; notifying the outside of the image information on the image-formed medium transported to the other medium tray; Obtaining the response to the notification from an external device, and selectively executes the process related to the image-formed medium transported to the other medium tray in accordance with the response content. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. The control means When the response content is a discard instruction to discard the medium after image formation, the medium after image formation is transported to the medium discarding means; Thereafter, control is exercised to execute a re-image forming process based on image information relating to the image-formed medium that has been the target of the discard instruction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The control means If the response content is not a discard instruction to discard the medium after image formation, the medium after image formation is left placed on the other medium tray, and the medium is not discarded. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. When the image formation instruction for the medium after image formation does not include an instruction to execute a process for acquiring the image information after image formation, the control means controls the operation of the transport means so that the medium after image formation is not transported to the one medium tray but is transported to the other medium tray. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. a medium detection unit for detecting whether the image-formed medium is placed on the plurality of medium trays; the control unit notifies the outside of the medium placement information acquired by the medium detection unit in response to an external instruction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. an information processing device that notifies an image forming device of an image formation instruction for forming an image on a medium; and an image forming apparatus that executes image formation processing based on the image formation instruction, The information processing device an input interface for inputting the response content to the notification from the image forming apparatus according to claim 1; a response unit that notifies the image forming apparatus of the response content, the control means selectively executes the process based on the response content from the response means. An image forming system comprising:

Images