Image forming system

Abstract

To prevent a product obtained by binding a bundle lacking a partial sheet from being output.SOLUTION: A CPU 114 discharges a normal sheet to a first discharge destination (lift table 242), controls an operation panel 120 such that a job including binding processing cannot be designated by making a bundle post-processing setting button 501 non-display on a job setting screen when the first mode of discharging only a defective sheet to a second discharge destination (escape tray 246) is set as the sheet discharge mode, discharges a normal sheet to the first discharge destination, displays the bundle post-processing setting button 501 when the second mode of discharging the defective sheet and the subsequent sheet to the second discharge destination is set, and controls the operation panel 120 such that the job including the binding processing can be designated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system having a function for inspecting a sheet. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming systems having a function for inspecting sheets on which images are printed are known. In sheet inspection, an inspection device reads the image of a conveyed sheet, and judges whether the sheet is normal or not by analyzing the read image. The inspection device can detect, for example, missing barcodes or lines, missing images, printing defects, missing pages, color misalignment, and the like. If the inspected sheet is judged to be an abnormal "defective sheet," the defective sheet is discharged to a discharge destination different from the discharge destination to which normal sheets are discharged. This prevents defective sheets from being mixed with normal sheets, and makes it easy for an operator to discard the defective sheets. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-126868 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, there are several possible ways to handle the discharge of a defective sheet, etc., when one occurs. For example, a first method is to discharge only the defective sheet to a different discharge destination, and continue printing the subsequent sheets in the job. A second method is to discharge normal sheets to a discharge destination for normal sheets, and discharge the defective sheet and the sheets that have been fed after the defective sheet to a different discharge destination. In this second method, after all sheets that have been fed in the job have been discharged, the job operation is resumed from the point corresponding to the defective sheet. It is possible to allow the user to select between these two methods.

[0005] On the other hand, in an image forming system, a process of binding multiple sheets, such as saddle stitching or stapling, may be performed. When a job including such a binding process is processed using the above-mentioned first method, normal sheets are discharged to a destination for normal sheets, and defective sheets are discharged to a different destination. However, since the job continues from the sheet following the defective sheet, a stack of only normal sheets is obtained as an output. In other words, a stack with pages (some sheets) corresponding to the defective sheets missing is output as an output. In such a case, the output desired by the user cannot be provided.

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to prevent a bundle with some sheets missing from being output as a bound product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming device that forms an image on a sheet, and an inspection device that inspects the image on the sheet output from the image forming device, The image forming apparatus includes a display screen for displaying information to a user, and an operation unit for receiving operations from the user, and the image forming apparatus includes a first mode in which, when the inspection means judges the sheet to be normal, the normal sheet judged to be normal is discharged to a first discharge destination, and, when the inspection means judges the sheet to be abnormal, the defective sheet judged to be abnormal is discharged to a second discharge destination different from the first discharge destination, and a discharge destination for sheets following the defective sheet is determined based on the inspection result by the inspection means, and a second mode in which, when the inspection means judges the sheet to be normal, the normal sheet judged to be normal is discharged to the first discharge destination. a second mode in which a defective sheet determined to be defective and sheets following the defective sheet are discharged to the second discharge destination when the inspection means determines that the sheet is defective, and image formation is resumed from an image corresponding to the defective sheet; and the operation unit is capable of displaying on the display screen a setting screen including a button for setting a binding process for binding a plurality of sheets into a single stack, and when the first mode is selected, the operation unit displays the setting screen in a state in which the button cannot be selected, and when the second mode is selected, displays the setting screen in a state in which the button can be selected. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a bundle with some sheets missing from being output as a bound product. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic device configuration and a control configuration of an image forming system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a printer engine. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which a sheet image is inspected by an inspection device. [Figure 4] 5A to 5C are schematic diagrams showing an outline of operation in first and second modes and a state of paper ejection. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a paper discharge mode setting screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a normal job setting screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a job setting screen when a first mode is set. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a job designation process. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing job processing. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing an error process. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error screen. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] (First embodiment) 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic device configuration (hardware) and control configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This image forming system 1000 is mainly composed of a printing device 100, a host computer 101, and an inspection device 150. The printing device 100, the host computer 101, and the inspection device 150 are each connected to each other via a communication line 105. Although one host computer 101, one printing device 100, and one inspection device 150 are shown, multiple devices may be installed.

[0012] The host computer 101 acquires information input by a user via an input device (not shown), creates a print job, and transmits it to the printing device 100. The printing device 100 has a controller 110, an operation panel 120, and a printer engine 130. The printer engine 130 is equipped with a camera unit 230. The controller 110 performs various data processing and controls the operation of the printing device 100. Here, the controller 110 is built into the printing device 100, but the controller 110 can also be provided independently of the printing device 100 and connected via a communication line.

[0013] The operation panel 120 is, for example, a touch panel type operation panel that accepts various operations from the user and displays various information to the user. The printer engine 130 is controlled by the controller 110 and physically prints the generated image data on a sheet of printing paper. The printer engine 130 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.

[0014] The inspection device 150 is a device that performs image inspection using an image of a sheet captured by the camera unit 230. The inspection device 150 is connected to a communication line 105, and receives inspection item settings, a comparison source image, and the like from the host computer 101.

[0015] Next, the configuration of the controller 110 will be described. The controller 110 includes a network communication controller 111, a non-volatile memory 112, a RAM 113, a CPU 114, a HDD 115, and a communication port 116, and each module is connected to each other via a system bus 117. The network communication controller 111 controls communication with an external network connected to a communication line 105. The non-volatile memory 112 is a non-volatile storage device, and stores a control program at the time of startup. The RAM 113 reads and records various control programs. The CPU 114 executes the control program read into the RAM 113, and controls image signals and various devices in an integrated manner. The HDD 115 temporarily or long-term stores large amounts of data such as image data and various setting data. The communication port 116 is a port for receiving an electric signal indicating an inspection result from the inspection device 150.

[0016] A system bus 117 connects the controller 110 to each device in the printing device 100. The RAM 113 also functions as the main memory and work memory for the CPU 114. The control program and the operating system may be stored in the HDD 115 in addition to the non-volatile memory 112. Also, a NVRAM (not shown) may be provided to store mode setting information of the printing device from the operation panel 120.

[0017] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the printer engine 130 of the printing device 100. The printer engine 130 is realized mainly by components possessed by the image forming unit 200, the image fixing unit 210, the inserter 220, the camera unit 230, the stacker 240, and the finisher (post-processing device) 250. The image forming unit 200 is disposed at the most upstream position in the sheet conveying direction, and the finisher 250 is disposed at the most downstream position.

[0018] Image forming unit 200 and image fixing unit 210 constitute an image forming means. Image forming unit 200 includes four developing stations 204-207, an intermediate transfer belt 208 disposed therebelow, a sheet transport path 203, and paper feed decks 201 and 202. A secondary transfer roller is disposed at a position where intermediate transfer belt 208 and sheet transport path 203 come into contact with each other, which is secondary transfer position 209.

[0019] The paper feed decks 201 and 202 each store various types of sheets. The paper feed decks 201 and 202 each separate the topmost sheet of a stack of stored sheets one by one and convey the sheet to a sheet conveying path 203. The developing stations 204 to 207 each form a toner image using color toners of, for example, Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The formed toner images are each primarily transferred onto an intermediate transfer belt 208, and a superimposed color image is formed.

[0020] 2, the toner image transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 208 is transferred at a secondary transfer position 209 onto a sheet conveyed from a sheet conveying path 203. The sheet onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to an image fixing unit 210 on the downstream side.

[0021] The image fixing unit 210 fixes the toner image transferred onto the sheet onto the sheet. The image fixing unit 210 includes a sheet transport path 214 connected to the sheet transport path 203 of the image forming unit 200, and a first fixing unit 211 and a second fixing unit 213 provided on the sheet transport path 214.

[0022] The image fixing unit 210 also includes a sheet transport path 212 that branches off downstream of the first fixing unit 211 and bypasses the second fixing unit 213. The image fixing unit 210 also includes a sheet transport path 215 downstream of the sheet transport path 214, a sheet inversion path 216 that branches off from the sheet transport path 214, and a double-sided transport path 217 connected to the sheet inversion path 216. Both of the fixing units 211 and 213 include a pressure roller and a heat roller, and fix a toner image to the sheet by melting and pressing the toner when the sheet passes between the rollers.

[0023] The sheet carried in from the image forming unit 200 and having the toner image fixed by the first fixing unit 211 is transported to the sheet transport path 215 through the sheet transport path 212. If further melting and pressing are required for fixing depending on the type of sheet, the sheet passes through the first fixing unit 211 and is then transported to the second fixing unit 213 where additional melting and pressing are performed. Thereafter, the sheet is transported to the sheet transport path 215 through the sheet transport path 214.

[0024] When the image formation mode is a double-sided printing mode, the sheet is transported to a sheet inversion path 216, inverted in the sheet inversion path 216, and then transported to a double-sided transport path 217, and then transported to a secondary transfer position 209, where the image is transferred to the second side.

[0025] The inserter 220, which is disposed downstream of the image fixing unit 210, is a unit for inserting a new sheet (for insertion) into the sheet transport path. The inserter 220 includes an inserter tray 221 and an inserter path 222. The inserter 220 merges a sheet from the inserter tray 221 through the inserter path 222 into a sheet transport path 223 connected to the sheet transport path 215 of the image fixing unit 210. This makes it possible to insert a new sheet at any position into a series of sheets carried in from the image fixing unit 210 and transport the sheet to a subsequent device. The inserter tray 221 stores sheets to be inserted into the series of sheets.

[0026] The sheet that has passed through the inserter 220 is transported to a camera unit 230 disposed downstream of the inserter 220. The camera unit 230 includes a sheet transport path 233 connected to a sheet transport path 223 of the inserter 220, and cameras 231 and 232 disposed above and below the sheet transport path 233 so as to face each other. The camera 231 is a camera for reading the upper surface of the sheet, and the camera 232 is a camera for reading the lower surface of the sheet. When the sheet transported into the sheet transport path 233 reaches a predetermined position, the camera unit 230 reads an image on the sheet using the cameras 231 and 232, and sends the read sheet image to an inspection device 150 (see FIG. 1), not shown.

[0027] The stacker 240 disposed downstream of the camera unit 230 is a large-capacity stacker capable of stacking a large number of sheets. The stacker 240 has sheet transport paths 244, 245, 247, 248, and 249, and a stack tray 241 as a tray for stacking sheets. The stack tray 241 has a lift table 242 and an eject table 243.

[0028] The sheet that has passed through the camera unit 230 is carried into the stacker 240 via the sheet transport path 244. The sheet carried into the stacker 240 is loaded onto the lift table 242 of the stack tray 241 via the sheet transport path 244 and the sheet transport path 245. The lift table 242 is in an upper position in FIG. 2 when no sheet stack is loaded. The lift table 242 is controlled so that as the stacking of the sheet stack progresses, it lowers by the height of the sheet stack so that the upper end of the stacked sheet stack is always at a constant height.

[0029] When the stacking of the sheet bundles is completed or the stack is full, the lift table 242 descends to the position of the eject table 243. The lift table 242 and the eject table 243 are configured such that the bars supporting the sheet bundle are positioned alternately. Therefore, when the lift table 242 descends and reaches a position lower than the eject table 243, the sheet bundle is transferred to the eject table 243.

[0030] The stacker 240 also has an escape tray 246 as a paper discharge tray. The escape tray 246 is a tray used to discharge sheets determined to be abnormal by the inspection device 150 (hereinafter referred to as defective sheets). In other words, the escape tray 246 is the discharge destination for defective sheets. Note that a defective sheet is a sheet on which an image transferred to the sheet is different from the image that should have been formed on the sheet. For example, this includes a sheet on which a part of an image such as a barcode is missing, or a sheet on which the print content is different from the image that should have been formed.

[0031] The discharge destination of the inspected sheet is switched by flappers 259, 260. A defective sheet is transported from the sheet transport path 244 to the escape tray 246 via the sheet transport path 247. When the sheet is transported to the finisher 250 provided downstream of the stacker 240, the sheet is transported via the sheet transport path 248. An inversion unit 249 for inverting the sheet is connected to the sheet transport path 244.

[0032] The inverting unit 249 is used when the sheets are stacked on the stack tray 241. That is, when the sheets are stacked on the stack tray 241, the upside-down orientation of the sheets is reversed because of a mechanical configuration in which the sheets are flipped and stacked on the lift table 242. For this reason, if the orientation of the sheets at the time of input and the orientation of the sheets at the time of output need to be the same, the sheets are inverted once in the inverting unit 249 before being stacked on the stack tray 241. When the sheets are transported to the escape tray 246 or the subsequent finisher 250, the sheets are discharged as is without being flipped when stacked, and therefore the inverting operation in the inverting unit 249 is not performed.

[0033] The finisher 250, which is disposed downstream of the stacker 240, is a post-processing device that performs finishing processing on the conveyed sheets according to a function designated by the user. The finisher 250 has finishing functions such as stapling (one-place or two-place binding), punching (two-hole or three-hole), and saddle stitching.

[0034] The finisher 250 includes sheet transport paths 253, 254, and 257 connected to the sheet transport path 248 of the stacker 240, discharge trays 251 and 252, and a saddle stitch bookbinding tray 258. A sheet carried into the finisher 250 is discharged to the discharge tray 251 via the sheet transport path 253, for example. However, finishing processing such as stapling is not performed in the sheet transport path 253. When finishing processing such as stapling is performed, the sheet is carried into a processing section 255 via the sheet transport path 254. The sheet carried into the processing section 255 is subjected to a finishing processing specified by the user, and then the sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 252.

[0035] The discharge trays 251, 252 can each be raised and lowered, and it is also possible to operate to lower the discharge tray 251 and load the sheets that have been subjected to finishing processing in the processing section 255 onto the discharge tray 251. When saddle stitching processing is specified, the center of the sheet is stapled in the saddle stitching processing section 256, the sheet is then folded in half, and output to the saddle stitching tray 258 via the sheet transport path 257. The saddle stitching tray 258 is configured as a belt conveyor, and the saddle stitched bundle loaded on the saddle stitching tray 258 is conveyed to the left in FIG.

[0036] The inspection device 150 inspects the sent sheet image in accordance with preset inspection items. There are various inspection items, but here, as an example, a barcode readability inspection and a front / back comparison inspection will be described.

[0037] 3(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing how the transmitted sheet image is inspected by the inspection device 150. A sheet image 401 shown in Fig. 3(a) is a sheet image obtained by reading the upper surface of the sheet, that is, an image captured by the camera 231. A sheet image 402 shown in Fig. 3(b) is a sheet image obtained by reading the lower surface of the sheet, that is, an image captured by the camera 232. In Figs. 3(a) and (b), inspection areas 410, 421, and 422 are inspection areas that are the subject of inspection.

[0038] First, inspection device 150 judges whether or not the barcode present in inspection area 410 is readable. If the barcode is readable, inspection device 150 judges that the barcode is printed correctly, and if the barcode is unreadable, inspection device 150 judges that there is a printing defect in the barcode.

[0039] Next, the inspection device 150 extracts the numerical values ​​contained in the inspection areas 421, 422 as character data using OCR (Optical Character Recognition). If printing is performed normally, it is assumed that the original data of the print job is configured so that the same numerical values ​​are printed on both sides (top and bottom) of the sheet. This makes it possible to determine whether printing is performed as intended on both sides of the sheet. If the numerical values ​​extracted from the inspection areas 421, 422 are the same, the printing is determined to be normal, and if they are different, the printing is determined to be defective.

[0040] The inspection device 150 performs these inspections, and if any of the inspections determine that there is a printing defect, it judges the sheet in question to be a "defective sheet," and if no defects are detected in any of the inspections, it judges the sheet in question to be a "normal sheet."

[0041] In addition, the inspection device 150 can perform various inspections such as sheet print position inspection, sheet overlap inspection, sheet missing inspection, color misalignment inspection, color inspection, and full image comparison inspection of the read image and original data. However, the inspection contents adopted are not limited to these. The above-mentioned inspection area and inspection contents for the inspection device 150 are set from the host computer 101 or the like via the communication line 105. When a full image comparison inspection is performed, the inspection device 150 receives a comparison source image from the host computer 101 or the like. As another configuration, the inspection device 150 may have an operation unit, and a user may set the inspection area and inspection contents from the operation unit.

[0042] The discharge mode (discharge mode) for discharging inspected sheets will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5. There are a first mode and a second mode. The first mode is a mode in which normal sheets are discharged to a first discharge destination and only defective sheets are discharged to a second discharge destination. The second mode is a mode in which normal sheets are discharged to the first discharge destination and only defective sheets and sheets thereafter (all sheets following the defective sheet) are discharged to the second discharge destination. Note that in the second mode, sheets discharged to the second discharge destination may be limited to the defective sheet and sheets thereafter that have already been fed.

[0043] In either discharge mode, normal sheets are discharged to a first discharge destination, and defective sheets are discharged to a second discharge destination that is different from the first discharge destination. In the example described here, the first discharge destination is the lift table 242 of the stacker 240. The second discharge destination is the escape tray 246. The second discharge destination may be the finisher 250. At least one of the first discharge destination and the second discharge destination may be selected by the user via the operation panel 120 as a setting means.

[0044] 4(a) and (b) are schematic diagrams showing the operation outline and the paper discharge state in the first mode, respectively. FIG. 4(c) and (d) are schematic diagrams showing the operation outline and the paper discharge state in the second mode, respectively.

[0045] In each discharge mode, as shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(c), an image inspection is performed on each sheet by the inspection device 150. The downward arrows in Figures 4(a) and 4(c) indicate that the sheet is determined to be a normal sheet and is therefore discharged onto the lift table 242. The upward arrows in Figures 4(a) and 4(c) indicate that the sheet is determined to be a defective sheet and that the defective sheet and subsequent sheets are therefore discharged onto the escape tray 246.

[0046] In the example shown in FIG. 4(a), the first to third and fifth sheets are normal sheets, and the fourth sheet is a defective sheet. In the first mode, when a defective sheet occurs, it is discharged to the escape tray 246, but the job is continued. Therefore, for example, as in the example shown in FIG. 4(a), if only the fourth sheet out of the five sheets in the job is determined to be a defective sheet, the first, second, third and fifth normal sheets are discharged to the lift table 242 as shown in FIG. 4(b). On the other hand, the fourth defective sheet is discharged to the escape tray 246, and the job ends in that state. In this case, the fourth sheet is not included in the product stacked on the lift table 242. In other words, the product obtained is a sheet stack without the fourth sheet, which is different from the product desired by the user (FIG. 4(b)).

[0047] In the example shown in FIG. 4(c), the first to third sheets are normal sheets, and the fourth sheet is a defective sheet. In the second mode, when a defective sheet occurs, it is discharged to the escape tray 246, and the sheets after the defective sheet (all subsequent sheets) are discharged to the escape tray 246 without being inspected. Also, in the second mode, after discharge of all sheets in a job is completed, the job operation is resumed from the point corresponding to the defective sheet. If a defective sheet occurs in the second mode, the job is automatically resumed after all sheets in the job are discharged. Alternatively, the job may be resumed by an instruction to re-execute the job.

[0048] In the example shown in Fig. 4(c), the fifth sheet is not inspected and is therefore treated as a defective sheet with respect to the ejection destination. Also, the fourth and fifth sheets after the job is restarted are normal sheets.

[0049] In this way, if the sheets after the defective sheet are determined to be normal sheets by restarting the job, they are loaded onto the lift table 242. Therefore, even if, for example, the fourth sheet is determined to be defective in the first job, all sheets 1 to 5 will eventually be aligned on the lift table 242. In other words, the resulting product will match the product desired by the user, with no missing sheets (FIG. 4(d)).

[0050] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a paper discharge mode setting screen. This paper discharge mode setting screen 450 is displayed on the host computer 101 or the operation panel 120. Therefore, the user can set the paper discharge mode via the host computer 101 or the operation panel 120. The paper discharge mode setting screen 450 has a first mode setting button 451 and a second mode setting button 452. The user can set the paper discharge mode by pressing the decision button 453 with either button selected. The set paper discharge mode is stored in the non-volatile memory 112.

[0051] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a normal job setting screen. A job to be executed is specified by a user via the operation panel 120. When a user wants to specify a job, a job setting screen 500 is displayed on the operation panel 120 in response to a predetermined operation for moving to the job setting screen. A printer job is generated based on information input by the user via the job setting screen 500. A bundle post-processing setting button 501 is displayed on the job setting screen 500. The bundle post-processing setting button 501 is a button for enabling the bundle post-processing by pressing it. The bundle post-processing is a process for treating a plurality of sheets as one bundle, such as a bookbinding process or a staple process. In this embodiment, a binding process for binding a plurality of sheets as one bundle is exemplified as the bundle post-processing. When the user wants to apply the bundle post-processing, the user can generate a job including the bundle post-processing by pressing the bundle post-processing setting button 501.

[0052] 7 is a diagram showing an example of a job setting screen displayed when the first mode is set as the paper discharge mode. This job setting screen 700 corresponds to a normal job setting screen 500 with the bundle post-processing setting button 501 hidden (masked). When the first mode is set as the paper discharge mode, the bundle post-processing setting button 501 is not displayed, so the user cannot specify a job that includes bundle post-processing.

[0053] Next, referring to FIG. 8, a process for controlling whether or not the bundle post-processing setting button 501 is displayed on the job setting screen in the job designation process will be described.

[0054] 8 is a flowchart showing the job designation process. This process is realized by the CPU 114 loading a program stored in the non-volatile memory 112 or the HDD 115 into the RAM 113 and executing it. This process starts when the printing device 100 is turned on. In this process, the CPU 114 plays the role of a control unit in the present invention.

[0055] First, in step S101, CPU 114 waits until a user performs a predetermined operation to move to a job setting screen, and when the predetermined operation is performed, proceeds to step S102. In step S102, CPU 114 determines whether the job to be specified is an inspection job for inspecting a sheet, according to the settings of the inspection area and inspection contents described above for inspection device 150.

[0056] If the job to be specified is not an inspection job as a result of the determination in step S102, CPU 114 displays job setting screen 500 (FIG. 6) on operation panel 120 in step S105. Therefore, bundle post-processing setting button 501 is displayed. This is because, in the case of a job that is not an inspection job, there is no risk of some sheets being missing from the product.

[0057] If the result of the determination in step S102 is that the job to be specified is an inspection job, the CPU 114 in step S103 refers to the non-volatile memory 112 and determines whether the set paper discharge mode is the first mode or not. If the set paper discharge mode is not the first mode but the second mode, the CPU 114 executes step S105. Therefore, a job setting screen 500 including a bundle post-processing setting button 501 is displayed. This is because there is no risk of some sheets being missing from the product even in the case of an inspection job.

[0058] If the result of the determination in step S103 is that the set paper discharge mode is the first mode, CPU 114 causes operation panel 120 to display job setting screen 700 (FIG. 7) in step S104. Therefore, bundle post-processing setting button 501 is not displayed. In other words, CPU 114 controls operation panel 120 as a designation means so that a job including bundle post-processing cannot be designated. This prevents an inspection job including bundle post-processing from operating in the first mode, thereby preventing some sheets from being missing from the product. After steps S104 and S105, CPU 114 ends the processing shown in FIG. 8.

[0059] According to this embodiment, when the first mode is set, the CPU 114 controls so that a job including post-bundle processing cannot be specified (S104, FIG. 7). This makes it possible to prevent a bundle with some sheets missing from being output as a bound product.

[0060] On the other hand, when the second mode is set, the CPU 114 controls so that a job including post-bundle processing can be specified (S105, FIG. 6). In addition, in the second mode, after all sheets in the job have been discharged, the job operation is resumed from the point corresponding to the defective sheet. Therefore, in the second mode, it is possible to specify post-bundle processing, and to realize the output of a product without missing sheets by reprinting.

[0061] Furthermore, when CPU 114 controls so that a job including bundle post-processing can be specified, it displays a bundle post-processing setting button 501 on job setting screen 500 (FIG. 6). On the other hand, when CPU 114 controls so that a job including bundle post-processing cannot be specified, it does not display bundle post-processing setting button 501 on job setting screen 700 (FIG. 7). This reliably prevents the user from accidentally specifying a job including bundle post-processing, and allows the user to recognize that the job cannot be specified.

[0062] Note that the method of controlling so that a job including bundle post-processing cannot be specified when the first mode is set is not limited to a method of not displaying the bundle post-processing setting button 501. For example, even if a specification of such a job is input, the specification may not be accepted (or may be canceled), and a notification to that effect may be given.

[0063] (Second embodiment) In the first embodiment, when the first mode is set at the stage of specifying a job, the specification of a job including bundle post-processing is prohibited. In contrast, in the second embodiment of the present invention, when an inspection job including bundle post-processing is specified, control is performed so that execution of the job in the first mode is stopped (prohibited). Other basic configurations in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0064] 9 is a flowchart showing job processing. This processing is realized by CPU 114 expanding a program stored in non-volatile memory 112 or HDD 115 into RAM 113 and executing it. This processing is started when a job is input. In this processing, CPU 114 plays the role of a control unit in the present invention.

[0065] In this embodiment, a system is assumed in which the inspection area and inspection contents can be set from the operation unit of the inspection device 150, and the settings of the inspection area and inspection contents cannot be known by the host computer 101. In this case, it is necessary to prevent a job including post-bundle processing from being executed in the first mode based on the judgment of the printing device 100, not the host computer 101.

[0066] First, in step S200, CPU 114 determines whether the submitted job is an inspection job. If the submitted job is not an inspection job, CPU 114 executes printing processing in step S211 and executes paper discharge processing to finisher 250 in step S212. In step S213, CPU 114 determines whether there is a next page to be processed in the job. If there is a next page to be processed, CPU 114 returns the process to step S211, and when there is no next page to be processed, ends the process shown in FIG. 9. Therefore, in steps S211 to S212, printing and paper discharge processing are performed for all pages of the job.

[0067] If the result of the determination in step S200 is that the submitted job is an inspection job, CPU 114 determines in step S201 whether the submitted job includes post-bundle processing. If the submitted job does not include post-bundle processing, CPU 114 advances the process to step S203 since there is no risk of some sheets being missing from the product. If the submitted job includes post-bundle processing, CPU 114 refers to non-volatile memory 112 in step S202 to determine whether the set paper discharge mode is the first mode.

[0068] If the set discharge mode is the second mode rather than the first mode, there is no risk of some sheets falling out of the product, so CPU 114 advances the process to step S203. However, if the set discharge mode is the first mode, there is a risk of some sheets falling out of the product, so CPU 114 executes error processing (FIG. 10) described later in step S220.

[0069] In step S203, CPU 114 performs printing processing on the sheet, and in step S204, inspection processing is performed by inspection device 150 on the image of the printed sheet. In step S205, CPU 114 determines whether the inspected sheet is a defective sheet or not based on the result of image inspection by inspection device 150. If the inspected sheet is not a defective sheet but a normal sheet, CPU 114 ejects the sheet to finisher 250 in step S210 and proceeds to step S214. Note that in this embodiment, finisher 250 is exemplified as the first ejection destination, but lift table 242 of stacker 240 may be used as in the first embodiment.

[0070] In step S214, CPU 114 determines whether there is a next sheet to be processed. If there is a next sheet to be processed, CPU 114 returns the process to step S203. If there is no next sheet to be processed, CPU 114 ends the process shown in FIG.

[0071] If the result of the determination in step S205 is that the inspected sheet is a defective sheet, the CPU 114 refers to the non-volatile memory 112 in step S206 and determines whether the set discharge mode is the first mode or not. If the discharge mode is the first mode, the CPU 114 discharges the defective sheet to the escape tray 246 of the stacker 240, which is the second discharge destination, in step S207, and proceeds to step S214. If the discharge mode is not the first mode but the second mode, the CPU 114 discharges the defective sheet and subsequent sheets (all sheets subsequent to the defective sheet) to the escape tray 246 of the stacker 240 in step S208. In this case, the sheets subsequent to the defective sheet are discharged to the escape tray 246 without being printed or inspected. Therefore, the first defective sheet and all subsequent sheets are discharged to the escape tray 246. In step S209, CPU 114 restarts the job operation from the point corresponding to the defective sheet, and proceeds to step S214.

[0072] Fig. 10 is a flow chart showing the error processing executed in step S220 in Fig. 9. This processing is started when an inspection job including post-bundle processing is input and the first mode is set. If the printing process and the inspection process are executed in this case, defective sheets are removed, so there is a risk that a bundle with some pages missing will be output as a deliverable. This is an deliverable that the user does not want. Therefore, the CPU 114 performs error processing to stop the job.

[0073] In step S300, CPU 114 stops all operations including the conveying operation, image forming operation, and fixing operation. In step S301, CPU 114 executes notification processing and ends the processing shown in FIG. 10. Specifically, CPU 114 causes operation panel 120 to display an error screen 900, an example of which is shown in FIG. 11. This notifies the user that the job cannot be executed. When error processing is executed, the user turns off the power of printing device 100 and then turns the power on to release the error.

[0074] According to this embodiment, when the first mode is set and a job including post-bundle processing is specified, the CPU 114 controls to stop the execution of the job (FIG. 10). This provides the same effect as the first embodiment in that a bundle with some missing sheets is not output as a bound product. On the other hand, when the second mode is set, the CPU 114 executes even a job including post-bundle processing (S203). That is, when the second mode is set and a job including post-bundle processing is specified, the CPU 114 controls to permit the execution of the job.

[0075] Furthermore, when the CPU 114 cancels the execution of a job including a bundle post-processing, it cancels all operations including the image forming operation, so that it is possible to suppress the printing process and the waste of sheets. When the execution of a job including a bundle post-processing is canceled, a notice to that effect is given, so that the user can be informed that the current job will not be executed in the first mode.

[0076] In addition, in the second mode, after all sheets in a job have been discharged, the job operation is resumed from the point corresponding to the defective sheet, so that reprinting can be performed to output a product without any missing sheets.

[0077] In order to control so as to stop the execution of the job including the bundle post-processing in the first mode, at least the image forming operation by the image forming unit 200 may be stopped.

[0078] In each of the above embodiments, the inspection device 150 and the printing device 100 may be configured as an integrated unit, and for example, the function of the inspection device 150 may be provided within the printing device 100. For example, the inspection device 150 as an inspection means may be included in the printer engine 130. Therefore, the cameras 231 and 232 may form part of the inspection device 150. The printing device 100 may be referred to as an image forming device. Alternatively, the image forming system 1000 may be referred to as an image forming device.

[0079] Although the present invention has been described in detail based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various forms within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the present invention. Parts of the above-described embodiments may be combined as appropriate. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 114 CPU 120 Operation Panel 150 Inspection Equipment 200 Image forming unit 230 Camera Unit 242 Lift Table 246 Escape Tray 250 Finisher

Claims

1. an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; an inspection means for inspecting an image on a sheet output from the image forming means; an operation unit having a display screen for displaying information to a user and accepting operations from the user; Equipped with As a mode for inspecting an image on a sheet by the inspection means, a first mode in which, when the inspection means judges the sheet to be normal, the normal sheet judged to be normal is discharged to a first discharge destination, and, when the inspection means judges the sheet to be abnormal, the defective sheet judged to be abnormal is discharged to a second discharge destination different from the first discharge destination, and a discharge destination for sheets following the defective sheet is determined based on the inspection result by the inspection means; a second mode in which, if the inspection means judges the sheet to be normal, the normal sheet judged to be normal is discharged to the first discharge destination, and, if the inspection means judges the sheet to be abnormal, the defective sheet judged to be abnormal and a sheet following the defective sheet are discharged to the second discharge destination, and image formation is resumed from the image corresponding to the defective sheet; A plurality of modes including the following can be selectively executed: the operation unit is capable of displaying, on the display screen, a setting screen including a button for setting a binding process for binding a plurality of sheets into one bundle; The image forming system is characterized in that, when the first mode is selected, the operation unit displays the setting screen in a state where the button cannot be selected, and, when the second mode is selected, displays the setting screen in a state where the button can be selected.

2. The image forming system as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the operation unit does not display the button on the setting screen when the first mode is selected.

3. an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; an inspection means for inspecting an image on a sheet output from the image forming means; an operation unit having a display screen for displaying information to a user and accepting operations from the user; Equipped with As a mode for inspecting an image on a sheet by the inspection means, a first mode in which, when the inspection means judges the sheet to be normal, the normal sheet judged to be normal is discharged to a first discharge destination, and, when the inspection means judges the sheet to be abnormal, the defective sheet judged to be abnormal is discharged to a second discharge destination different from the first discharge destination, and a discharge destination for sheets following the defective sheet is determined based on the inspection result by the inspection means; a second mode in which, if the inspection means judges the sheet to be normal, the normal sheet judged to be normal is discharged to the first discharge destination, and, if the inspection means judges the sheet to be abnormal, the defective sheet judged to be abnormal and a sheet following the defective sheet are discharged to the second discharge destination, and image formation is resumed from the image corresponding to the defective sheet; A plurality of modes including the following can be selectively executed: the operation unit is capable of displaying, on the display screen, a setting screen including a button for setting a binding process for binding a plurality of sheets into one bundle; An image forming system characterized in that, when the first mode is selected and the binding process is set by the operation unit, a job including the binding process is canceled, and, when the second mode is selected and the binding process is set by the operation unit, execution of the job including the binding process is allowed.

4. The image forming system according to claim 3, characterized in that, when execution of a job including the binding process is canceled, at least the image forming operation by the image forming means is canceled.

5. The image forming system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that if execution of a job including the binding process is canceled, a notification to that effect is provided.

6. 6. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the first discharge destination is provided in a stacker disposed downstream of a position where the image on the sheet is read.

7. 7. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the second discharge destination is a post-processing device disposed downstream of a position where the image on the sheet is read.

8. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the second discharge destination is provided in the stacker.

Images