Image forming system, inspection device, inspection method, and program

Abstract

To easily find a conveying medium ejected when a defect is detected.SOLUTION: An image processing system includes an image forming unit which forms an image based on print information on a first conveyance medium; an information acquisition unit which acquires information relating to the image formed on the first conveyance medium by the image forming unit; an ejection control unit which controls to eject a second conveyance medium in a case where the image formed on the first conveyance medium is defective based on the acquired information relating to the image; an ejection unit to which the first conveyance medium and the second conveyance medium are ejected; and a display control unit which controls to display of identification information that distinguishes and associates each one of a plurality of ejected first conveyance media having defective image, with a corresponding one of a plurality of ejected second conveyance media.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A technique is disclosed for detecting defects in an image formed by an image forming apparatus based on the results of reading the image. Also, a technique is known for inserting a slip sheet (insertion sheet) on which an image or the like is printed between stacks of printed materials so that a printed material with a detected defect can be easily found among stacks of printed materials loaded on a tray.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that displays the position of an inserted slip sheet on a display unit. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional technology, when multiple second conveying media such as slip sheets are discharged following the detection of defects in multiple first conveying media on which images are formed, there is a problem in that when trying to find the specific first conveying medium in which a defect was detected, it is difficult to find the corresponding second conveying medium.

[0005] The disclosed technology aims to make it easier to find a transport medium that is ejected when a defect is detected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The disclosed technology includes an image forming unit that forms an image based on printing information on a first conveying medium, an information acquisition unit that acquires information related to the image formed on the first conveying medium by the image forming unit, an ejection control unit that controls the ejection of a second conveying medium when there is a defect in the image formed on the first conveying medium based on the acquired information about the image, an ejection unit that ejects the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium, and a display control unit that controls the display of identification information that distinguishes and corresponds to each of the ejected defective first conveying media and the multiple second conveying media. a discharge setting unit that receives a setting of an interval for performing discharge control of the second conveying medium; Equipped with When a defect is determined in the image of the first conveying medium, the discharge control unit does not discharge the second conveying medium even if the defect is determined if the discharge of the first conveying medium determined to be defective occurs after the discharge of the second conveying medium and is less than the set interval, and discharges the second conveying medium when a defect in the first conveying medium is determined if the discharge exceeds the set interval, and the display control unit displays information about the first conveying medium having a defect that was discharged after the second conveying medium discharged last time in correspondence with information about the second conveying medium to be discharged this time. An image forming system. Effect of the Invention

[0007] It is possible to make it easier to find the transport medium that is ejected when a defect is detected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an overall configuration of an image forming system. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a printer body. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an inspection apparatus. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the functions of a DFE. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of a printer main body. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of an inspection device. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining items of job information. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of pattern information. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing an example of slip sheet print information. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a printing process without an interleaf sheet. [Figure 12] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a printing process with an interleaf sheet; FIG. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an inspection process. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an interleaf sheet; [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a defect display screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a first diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list according to the first embodiment; [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a defect detection image. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a second diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a third diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list according to the first embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for an interleaf insertion interval. [Figure 22] FIG. 4 is a fourth diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list according to the first embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of an ejected sheet. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list according to the second embodiment; [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a second diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list according to the second embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 11 is a first diagram for explaining a method of discharging onto a tray. [Figure 27] FIG. 11 is a second diagram for explaining the method of discharging onto the tray. [Figure 28] FIG. 11 is a third diagram for explaining the method of discharging onto the tray. [Figure 29] FIG. 11 is a fourth diagram for explaining the method of discharging onto the tray. [Diagram 30]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list when ejecting onto a plurality of trays. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] First Embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of an image forming system.

[0011] The image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10, a user terminal 30, a management server 40, and a DFE 50.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 10 is an apparatus for forming an image, such as a color production printer, a laser printer, an inkjet printer, etc. The image forming apparatus 10 receives image data from the DFE 50 and prints an image on paper based on the received image data. The paper is an example of a conveying medium on which an image is formed.

[0013] The user terminal 30 is a terminal that instructs printing of an image in response to a user operation. Specifically, the user terminal 30 transmits print job data including image data to the DFE 50 or the management server 40. In addition, the user terminal 30 transmits information indicating thresholds in color stabilization processing to the DFE 50 in response to a user operation. Furthermore, the user terminal 30 receives display control by the DFE 50 and displays a screen indicating the execution status of the color stabilization processing.

[0014] When the management server 40 receives print job data from the user terminal 30, it adds the print job data to a queue in a storage unit that stores print job data waiting to be printed. Then, the management server 40 extracts the print job data from the queue in the order in which it was added to the queue or according to an appropriately set priority, and transmits the print job data to the DFE 50.

[0015] The DFE 50 is a device, for example a DFE (Digital Front End), that controls the image forming apparatus 10. The DFE 50 is connected to the image forming apparatus 10, the user terminal 30, and the management server 40 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0016] When DFE 50 receives print job data together with a signal instructing the printing of an image from user terminal 30 or management server 40, it uses an internal RIP (Raster Image Processor) engine to convert the data into image data in a format that can be processed by image forming device 10, and transmits print job data including the converted image data to image forming device 10.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a printer main body 11, an inspection device 13, and a stacker 14.

[0019] The printer main body 11 receives print job data including a print image (RIP image) from an external device such as the DFE 50. Then, the printer main body 11 executes printing in response to an execution instruction based on the received print job data or an execution instruction based on print job data stored in the printer main body 11 by a user's operation on the operation panel 12 or the like.

[0020] The printer body 11 is configured such that photoconductor drums 116, 115, 114, and 113 for each color (yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, hereinafter referred to as Y, M, C, and K, respectively) are arranged along an intermediate transfer belt 111, which is an endless moving means. Images of each color developed with toner on the surface of the photoconductor drum for each color are superimposed by the intermediate transfer belt 111 to form a full-color image.

[0021] The formed full-color image is transferred onto the surface of the paper by transfer roller 112, which is fed from paper feed tray 105 and transported by transport rollers. The paper is then transported further, and the toner is fixed by fixing roller 117. If the interleaf is to be output without being printed, a separate paper feed tray for interleaf may be provided in paper feed tray 105. Also, a device for feeding interleaf may be provided in inspection device 13, or between printer body 11 and inspection device 13.

[0022] In addition, when double-sided printing is performed, after an image is formed on the front side, the paper is transported to a reversing path 118 in the transport path, turned over, and then transported again to the position of the transfer roller 112.

[0023] The inspection device 13 is a device that inspects the printed paper output by the printer body 11. The printed paper to be inspected can be said to be the first conveying medium in the present invention. The inspection device 13 includes a first in-line sensor 131, a second in-line sensor 132, and an operation panel 133. The inspection device 13 does not need to include the operation panel 133. In that case, the inspection device 13 may be configured to receive operations from the operation panel 12 included in the printer body 11, or a computer connected via a communication network.

[0024] The first in-line sensor 131 and the second in-line sensor 132 read the images fixed on both sides of the paper after the paper is fixed by the fixing roller 117, and obtain read image data indicating the read images. The number of in-line sensors does not have to be two, and may be one or more as long as both sides can be read. The in-line sensor has a light source and a line image sensor. The line image sensor has a plurality of imaging elements that photoelectrically convert the reflected light obtained by irradiating light from the light source onto the paper passing through the reading position and reads it for each pixel, and the imaging elements are arranged in a one-dimensional manner in the paper width direction. The in-line sensor reads the image printed on the paper as a two-dimensional image by repeatedly reading an image for one line extending in the paper width direction in accordance with the paper passing operation passing the reading position. The line image sensor can also obtain a read image in three colors, RGB (red, green, blue). The in-line sensor is an example of an information acquisition unit that acquires information about the image on the paper. The information acquiring unit may acquire information other than the read image data, such as image data or bibliographic information of the image data, so long as the information is for detecting defects.

[0025] The stacker 14 includes a tray 141, and stacks printed sheets discharged from the printer body 11 via the inspection device 13 on the tray 141. The stacker 14 and the tray 141 are configured to receive and stack printed sheets and slip sheets, and are an example of a discharge section in the present invention. The stacker 14 may include multiple trays 141.

[0026] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the RIP image is in CMYK format, 8 bits per color, and 600 dpi, and the scanned image is in RGB format, 8 bits per color, and 200 dpi, but this is not limiting.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printer main body.

[0028] The printer main body 11 includes a controller 1110 , a short-range communication circuit 1120 , an engine control unit 1130 , an operation panel 12 , and a network I / F 1150 .

[0029] Of these, the controller 1110 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 1101 which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 1102, a north bridge (NB) 1103, a south bridge (SB) 1104, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 1106, a local memory (MEM-C) 1107 which is a memory unit, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 1108, and an HD 1109 which is a memory unit.

[0030] The NB 1103 and the ASIC 1106 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 1121 .

[0031] Of these, the CPU 1101 is a control unit that performs overall control of the printer main body 11. The NB 1103 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 1101 with the MEM-P 1102, the SB 1104, and the AGP bus 1121, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 1102, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0032] The MEM-P 1102 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1102a, which is a memory for storing programs and data that realize the various functions of the controller 1110, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1102b, which is used for developing the programs and data, and as a drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in the RAM 1102b may be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD in the form of an installable or executable file.

[0033] The SB 1104 is a bridge for connecting the NB 1103 to PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 1106 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing purposes that has hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 1121, the PCI bus 1122, the HDD controller 1108, and the MEM-C 1107.

[0034] The ASIC 1106 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC 1106, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 1107, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that perform image data rotation and the like using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between a scanner unit 1131 and a printer unit 1132 via a PCI bus 1122. The ASIC 1106 may be connected via an interface such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface.

[0035] The MEM-C 1107 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. The HD 1109 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, forms, etc. The HD 1109 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD 1109 under the control of the CPU 1101.

[0036] The AGP bus 1121 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing. The AGP bus 1121 can speed up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 1102 with high throughput.

[0037] The short-range communication circuit 1120 also includes a short-range communication antenna 1120a. The short-range communication circuit 1120 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark).

[0038] Furthermore, the engine control unit 1130 is composed of a scanner unit 1131 and a printer unit 1132. The operation panel 12 is equipped with a panel display unit 12a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values, a selection screen, etc. and receives input from an operator, and operation keys 12b consisting of a numeric keypad that receives setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that receives a copy start instruction.

[0039] The controller 1110 controls the entire printer body 11, for example, controlling drawing, communication, input from the operation panel 12, etc. The scanner unit 1131 reads an image formed on a transport medium such as paper and generates image data. The printer unit 1132 includes a transfer unit that transfers an image using color materials such as a toner image to the transport medium such as paper, a fixing unit that fixes the image, a heating unit or a drying unit, etc., and forms an image on the paper. The scanner unit 1131 or the printer unit 1132 also executes image processing such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0040] The network I / F 1150 is an interface for performing data communication using a communication network. The short-range communication circuit 1120 and the network I / F 1150 are electrically connected to the ASIC 1106 via a PCI bus 1122.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the inspection device.

[0042] The inspection device 13 includes a first inline sensor 131, a second inline sensor 132, an operation panel 133, and a CPU 134, which is configured by a computer, a ROM 135, a RAM 136, a HDD / SSD (Solid State Drive) 137, a network I / F 138, and an external I / F 139.

[0043] The CPU 134 reads out a program stored in the ROM 135 or the HDD / SSD 137, and stores it in the RAM 136. Then, the CPU 134 executes various processes (described later) in accordance with the program stored in the RAM 136.

[0044] The ROM 135 is a non-volatile auxiliary storage device that stores a program that defines the basic operation of the inspection device 13, such as a BIOS.

[0045] The RAM 136 is a volatile main storage device and is used as a working area for the CPU 134.

[0046] The HDD / SSD 137 is a large-capacity non-volatile auxiliary storage device that stores received scanned image data, various processing programs (to be described later), setting information, and the like.

[0047] The network I / F 138 is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) card or the like, and is a relay for communicating with other devices via a communication network.

[0048] The external I / F 139 is a relay for communicating with devices connected as external devices, specifically, the DFE 50, the printer main body 11, the stacker 14, and the like.

[0049] The DFE 50 has the same hardware configuration as the inspection device 13, except for the first in-line sensor 131, the second in-line sensor 132, and the operation panel 133.

[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the function of the DFE.

[0051] The DFE 50 includes a system control unit 501, a print job receiving unit 502, a storage unit 503, a print job transmitting unit 504, and a display control unit 505. Each of these units is realized by a CPU included in the DFE 50 executing processes defined in a program stored in a ROM or the like.

[0052] The system control unit 501 includes a job information processing unit 551 , a RIP processing unit 552 , a control information storage unit 553 , and a tone correction unit 554 .

[0053] A job information processing unit 551 processes information about a job contained in the print job data.

[0054] The RIP processing unit 552 performs a predetermined color conversion process using an RIP engine or the like on the CMYK values ​​or RGB values ​​of the input image data, and converts it into RIP image data in a CMYK format or the like that is compatible with the image forming apparatus 10 .

[0055] The control information storage unit 553 stores the control information handled by the system control unit 501 .

[0056] The gradation correction unit 554 corrects the gradation of the image data converted by the RIP processing unit 552 .

[0057] The print job receiving unit 502 receives print job data from the user terminal 30, the management server 40, or the like via the communication network 60.

[0058] The storage unit 503 stores the received print job data.

[0059] The print job transmission unit 504 transmits the print job data generated through processing by the system control unit 501 to the image forming apparatus 10. The print job data transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 includes job information indicating attributes of the print job and RIP image data.

[0060] The display control unit 505 controls the display of the display information generated by the system control unit 501 on the display device 51 or the like.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of the printer main body.

[0062] The printer main body 11 includes a system control unit 201, a display control unit 202, a network I / F control unit 203, an external I / F control unit 204, a storage unit 205, a mechanism control unit 206, a print job receiving unit 207, an image processing control unit 208, and a printing control unit 209. Each of these units is realized by the CPU 1101 or the ASIC 1106 executing processes defined in programs stored in the MEM-P 1102 or the MEM-C 1107, etc.

[0063] The system control unit 201 controls the entire printer main body 11. The system control unit 201 includes a job information processing unit 211, a RIP processing unit 212, and a job information generating unit 213.

[0064] The job information processing unit 211 processes job information included in the print job data transmitted from the DFE 50. The RIP processing unit 212 processes RIP image data included in the print job data transmitted from the DFE 50. When the job information generating unit 213 receives information to be printed on the slip sheet (slip sheet printing information) from the inspection device 13, it generates job information for printing the slip sheet. Note that the format of the image to be printed on the slip sheet is determined in advance so that it is determined based on the slip sheet printing information. Therefore, the storage unit 205 stores information indicating the format for printing the slip sheet. The format may be determined for each type or size of paper. Also, the format may be stored in the storage unit 205 in advance, or may be transmitted by the inspection device 13 together with the initial slip sheet printing information.

[0065] The slip sheet (insertion sheet) may be a sheet-like transport medium such as paper that can be transported by the printer body 11. The transport medium may be colored paper, blank paper, or blank paper of a different size from the paper of the job, or a sheet of film or plastic, as long as it has identification information of the slip sheet (transport medium) and is placed in a paper feed tray provided in the printer body 11 and transported and output according to an output instruction of the slip sheet. The slip sheet can be called a second transport medium in comparison with the first transport medium, which is a printed paper. The identification information of the slip sheet (second transport medium) is printed by the image forming unit of the printer body 11, but may also be originally given or printed on the slip sheet, or the size of the paper or the direction of ejection may be used as the identification information of the slip sheet (second transport medium). The identification information of the slip sheet (second transport medium) is an example of "identification information for distinguishing and associating a plurality of defective first transport media with a plurality of second transport media." It can also be said that the identification information of this slip sheet (second transport medium) is image-formed on each of the multiple second transport media, and is information indicating that each of the multiple second transport media is a second transport medium corresponding to each of the multiple defective first transport media. The image forming unit of the printer main body 11 controls the printer unit 1132 to form an image on the second transport medium including the identification information of the second transport medium. This allows the user to easily distinguish between the slip sheets even if multiple defective printed papers and multiple corresponding slip sheets are discharged to a discharge unit such as a tray, and to easily check the defective printed papers corresponding to each slip sheet.

[0066] The display control unit 202 controls the display of various information including job information on the operation panel 12. The network I / F control unit 203 controls the network I / F 1150 and controls connection to a communication network. When another device is connected, the external I / F control unit 204 controls connection to the other connected device. The storage unit 205 stores various information including job information.

[0067] The mechanism control unit 206 controls the operation of the mechanism of the printer main body 11, such as the paper transport and transfer process of the printer main body 11 including the printer unit 1132. The print job receiving unit 207 receives print job data from the DFE 50. The image processing control unit 208 processes the print image transferred by the mechanism control unit 206. The printing control unit 209 controls the image formation on the conveyed medium. The mechanism control unit 206, the image processing control unit 208, and the printing control unit 209 work together to function as an image forming unit that forms an image on the conveyed medium. In addition, the information acquisition unit such as an in-line sensor may acquire information about the image from an image after the toner is fixed by the fixing roller 117, or may acquire information about the image from an image before it enters the fixing roller 117 after it is transferred by the transfer roller 112.

[0068] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of the inspection device.

[0069] The inspection device 13 includes a system control unit 301, a display control unit 302, a network I / F control unit 303, an external I / F control unit 304, a storage unit 305, a mechanism control unit 306, a print image reading unit 307, a master image generating unit 308, and a difference image generating unit 309. Each of these units is realized by the CPU 134 or the ASIC 1106 executing processing defined in a program stored in the MEM-P 1102 or the MEM-C 1107 or the like.

[0070] The system control unit 301 controls the entire inspection apparatus 13. The system control unit 301 includes a control information storage unit 311, a job information processing unit 312, a defect determination unit 313, a discharge control unit 314, and a discharge setting unit 315.

[0071] A control information storage unit 311 stores the control information handled by the system control unit 301, and also temporarily stores received job information and the like while it is subject to control.

[0072] The job information processing unit 312 extracts information to be processed by a post-processing device (e.g., a device that performs post-processing such as stacker 14) from the job information, and transmits the information to the post-processing device via the external I / F control unit 304. The job information processing unit 312 also transfers the job information excluding the information to be processed by the post-processing device to the master image generating unit 308, the defect determining unit 313, the print image reading unit 307, and the mechanism control unit 306.

[0073] The display control unit 302 controls the display of various information including the inspection results on the operation panel 133 or other devices. The other devices include terminal devices such as a personal computer or tablet used by a user, the DFE 50, the printer main body 11, and the like. The display control unit 302 performs a process of receiving a request from software such as a Web browser of the other devices and returning information stored in the inspection device 13, etc. The display control unit 302 and the software of the other devices can transmit information of the inspection device 13, etc. to the other devices and display it in real time using a bidirectional communication protocol such as WebSocket. For example, if the software of the other devices accesses the inspection device 13, etc. and displays a list of defective printed sheets, the list is automatically updated every time a defect occurs, and information on the defective printed sheets or information on the slip sheet is additionally displayed. The display control unit 302 may be included in the inspection device 13, etc. as a Web server, or may be included on a cloud server that receives information on the inspection results from the inspection device 13. The operation panel 133, the display of the other devices, software such as a Web browser, etc. are examples of the display unit that the display control unit 302 of the present invention displays information on.

[0074] A network I / F control unit 303 controls the network I / F 138. An external I / F control unit 304 controls the external I / F 139.

[0075] The storage unit 305 stores various information, such as job execution history information about print jobs for which control has been completed, and differential image data indicating the difference between the read image data and the master image data.

[0076] The mechanism control unit 306 controls the operation of the mechanism of the inspection device 13, such as the transport of paper.

[0077] The print image reading unit 307 controls the first in-line sensor 131 and the second in-line sensor 132, etc. to read an image formed on paper by the printer main body 11, and generates read image data indicating the read image.

[0078] The master image generating unit 308 generates master image data based on the RIP image data. Specifically, the master image generating unit 308 converts the RIP image data in the CMYK format into master image data in the RGB format.

[0079] The master image data is a reference data for comparison with the read image data, and functions as correct answer data when printed correctly. The master image data may be created by reading a sheet on which a reference image is printed using the scanner unit 1131, an inline sensor, or a scanner of an external device.

[0080] The differential image generating unit 309 generates differential image data indicating the difference between the master image data and the read image data.

[0081] The defect determination unit 313 compares the differential image data with a preset threshold value to determine whether or not the printed image has a defect. The threshold value is information (value) that serves as a determination criterion for determining whether an image has a defect. The defect determination unit 313 refers to the threshold value, and determines that an area in the differential image data that exceeds the threshold value is a defect. The threshold value is, for example, a value indicating that the difference (comparison result) in density value for each pixel included in the differential image data is equal to or greater than a predetermined density value, or a value indicating the area of ​​a portion in which pixels having a difference equal to or greater than a predetermined density value are continuous. The threshold value can be changed by the user to be higher (loosening the standard) or lower (stricting the standard). In addition, a defect refers to a portion in the image data that is determined to be different from the image desired by the user (for example, master image data) when the determination result determined by the defect determination unit 313 exceeds the threshold value. Defects include, for example, stains, streaks, image position shifts, differences in color, and omissions.

[0082] In addition to the above-mentioned method of comparing the master image data with the read image data, the defect determination method may be a determination method in which ideal image data is read before printing and the printed image is determined to exceed a set threshold value (difference from ideal image data). Furthermore, before performing the defect determination process, correction processes such as skew correction of the read image data, which corrects the read image data of a medium conveyed skewed to the correct direction or position, or flare correction, which corrects white light spots in the read image data during reading, may be performed to improve the accuracy of the determination process.

[0083] When the defect determination unit 313 determines that an image has a defect, the discharge control unit 314 controls the discharge of an interleaf sheet (second conveying medium) indicating that there is a defect. The interleaf sheet is a sheet to be inserted between stacks of printed sheets loaded in the stacker 14, and has a conspicuous color as described below.

[0084] Specifically, when the defect determination unit 313 determines that the image has a defect, the discharge control unit 314 determines whether or not to insert a slip sheet based on a preset insertion interval threshold (the setting is accepted by the discharge setting unit 315). Then, when it determines that a slip sheet should be inserted, it generates information for printing the slip sheet (slip sheet printing information) and transmits it to the printer main body 11. In response, the discharge control unit 314 instructs the image forming unit of the printer main body 11 to print an image to be printed on the slip sheet. Note that the discharge control unit 314 may feed a specified slip sheet (for example, colored paper or paper of a different size from the paper used in the job) from a paper feed tray provided in the printer main body 11, etc., and discharge the paper without printing.

[0085] The discharge setting unit 315 receives settings for the intervals at which interleaf discharge control is performed. Specifically, the discharge setting unit 315 receives input of the above-mentioned threshold value. A specific example of a screen for receiving the settings will be described later.

[0086] Next, information handled by the image forming system 1 will be described.

[0087] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining items of job information.

[0088] Job information 901 is bibliographic information included in print job data generated by DFE 50 or printer main body 11. Job information 901 includes items such as job generation source, generation time, page ID, print side, paper ID, copy ID, job ID, paper type, paper size, job type, and insert paper ID. Job information 901 is an example of print information for printing.

[0089] The value of the item "job origin" indicates the origin of the print job data, and is either a "DFE job" or an "internal job". In the case of job information included in the print job data sent by the DFE 50 to the image forming device 10, the value of the item "job origin" is "DFE job". When the job information generating unit 213 of the printer main body 11 generates print job data for an interleaf sheet, the data is generated inside the image forming device 10, and therefore the value of the item "job origin" is "internal job".

[0090] The value of the item "creation time" indicates the time when the job information was generated by the creator.

[0091] The value of the item "page ID" is a number for identifying a print image, and is incremented by 1 for each page output from when the power is turned on. A number is set in the item "page ID" when printing is executed.

[0092] The value of the item "Print Side" is a value for identifying whether the printed image is a single-sided print, the side that is printed on the front side when double-sided printing (double-sided front), or the side that is printed on the back side (double-sided back).

[0093] The value of the "Paper ID" item is a number used to identify the paper, and in the case of double-sided printing, two page IDs correspond to the same paper ID. The value of the "Paper ID" item is incremented by 1 for each sheet of paper processed after the power is turned on. A numeric value is set in the "Paper ID" item when printing is executed.

[0094] The value of the item "Copy ID" is a number for identifying the copy unit, and is incremented by 1 for each copy completed after the power is turned on. A value is set in the item "Copy ID" when printing is executed.

[0095] The value of the item "Job ID" is a number for identifying a print job unit, and is incremented by 1 for each completed output of a job after the power is turned on. A number is set in the item "Job ID" when printing is executed.

[0096] The value of the item "paper type" is a value indicating the type of paper. The value of the item "paper size" is a value indicating the size of the paper. It is possible to select whether the paper on which the slip sheet is printed is the same as that used for the print job in which a defect was detected, or paper placed in a specified tray, depending on the settings, etc. By using the same paper as the print job to print the slip sheet, time-consuming processes such as readjusting the fixing temperature are unnecessary, and processing time can be shortened. Furthermore, if the paper on which the slip sheet is printed is paper placed in a specified tray, it is possible to use, for example, inexpensive paper specifically for slip sheets, thereby reducing costs.

[0097] The value of the item "job type" is a value indicating whether the sheet is a target for defect detection, a non-target for defect detection, or a slip sheet for defect detection and identification. When the job information generation unit 213 of the printer main body 11 generates print job data for a slip sheet, the value of the item "job type" is a value indicating that the sheet is a slip sheet for defect detection and identification. Note that when the value of the item "job type" is a value indicating that the sheet is a non-target for defect detection or a slip sheet for defect detection and identification, processing by the defect determination unit 313 is not performed.

[0098] The value of the item "interleaf sheet ID" is an identifier for identifying an interleaf sheet. The value of the item "interleaf sheet ID" is notified to the printer body 11 by the inspection device 13. Note that in the case of a job generated by the DFE 50 or a job other than an interleaf sheet generated by the printer body 11, an interleaf sheet ID does not exist, so a value such as "-1" is set in the item "interleaf sheet ID" to indicate that it does not exist.

[0099] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the pattern information.

[0100] The pattern information 902 is set in advance and stored in the storage unit 305 or the control information storage unit 311 of the inspection device 13. The discharge control unit 314 refers to the pattern information 902 to determine the color pattern to be printed on the interleaf. The pattern information 902 includes items such as a pattern number and a content.

[0101] The value of the item "Pattern No." is a value indicating the number of each pattern. The value of the item "Contents" is a value indicating the color combination in each pattern.

[0102] The control information storage unit 311 stores a pattern number indicating which pattern in the pattern information 902 the discharge control unit 314 refers to. The initial value of the pattern number when the power is turned on is 0. Every time the discharge control unit 314 generates a print job for an interleaf sheet by referring to the pattern information 902, it adds 1 to the value indicating the pattern number stored in the control information storage unit 311, and resets it to 0 if the value exceeds the maximum value.

[0103] The pattern information 902 may be changeable by the user. For example, the pattern information 902 may be changeable by the user to the maximum value of the pattern (for example, 6 in the example of FIG. 9) or the color combination corresponding to the pattern number.

[0104] FIG. 10 is a first diagram showing an example of the slip sheet print information.

[0105] The interleaf print information 903 is information indicating the combination of colors to be printed on each interleaf, and includes the items "interleaf ID" and "contents".

[0106] The value of the item "insertion sheet ID" is an identifier for identifying an interleaf sheet.

[0107] The value of the item "content" indicates the combination of colors to be printed on each slip sheet.

[0108] The interleaf print information 903 is information that the discharge control unit 314 generates by referring to the pattern information 902. At that time, the discharge control unit 314 increments the value indicating the interleaf ID by one.

[0109] Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 will be described.

[0110] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of printing processing without an interleaf sheet.

[0111] When the print job receiving unit 502 of the DFE 50 receives print job data from the user terminal 30 or the management server 40, the job information processing unit 551 generates job information (bibliographic information related to the print job) for each page. Then, the print job transmitting unit 504 transmits the job information (e.g., page n) to the printer main body 11 (step S101).

[0112] When the print job receiving unit 207 of the printer main body 11 receives the job information (page n), the job information processing unit 211 performs processing such as adding a number indicating the page ID to update the received job information (page n) and transmits it to the inspection device 13 via the external I / F control unit 204 (step S102).

[0113] Furthermore, when the print job receiving unit 502 of the DFE 50 receives print job data from the user terminal 30 or management server 40, the RIP processing unit 552 of the DFE 50 executes processing to convert the data into RIP image data for each page. The job information processing unit 551 and the RIP processing unit 552 execute processing in parallel, and transmit the job information that is completed first to the printer main body 11 first. For example, before starting transmission of the RIP image data (page n), the DFE 50 generates and transmits job information for pages n+1 and n+2. The printer main body 11 then updates the received job information and transmits it to the inspection device 13 (steps S103-S106).

[0114] After that, the RIP processor 552 generates RIP image data (page n) corresponding to the job information (page n). The print job transmitter 504 transmits the RIP image data (page n) to the printer main body 11 (step S107). The RIP processor 212 of the printer main body 11 performs necessary processing on the RIP image data and transmits it to the inspection device 13 (step S108).

[0115] The master image generating unit 308 of the inspection device 13 generates master image data (page n) according to the job information (page n) and the RIP image data (page n). Then, the inspection device 13 associates the order of pages detected by the first inline sensor 131 and the second inline sensor 132 with the generated master image data according to the job information, and stores the result in the storage unit 305.

[0116] Furthermore, the image processing control unit 208, the printing control unit 209, and the mechanism control unit 206 of the printer main body 11 execute the printing process according to the job information (page n) (step S109). The printed paper (page n) is transported to the inspection device 13.

[0117] The DFE 50 and the printer main body 11 similarly perform processing on the RIP image data (pages n+1, n+2) (steps S110-S115). Then, the print image reading unit 307 of the inspection device 13 acquires the read image data (pages n, n+1, n+2) read by the first inline sensor 131 and the second inline sensor 132 (steps S116-S118).

[0118] Thereafter, the differential image generating unit 309 of the inspection device 13 generates differential image data for each page, which indicates the difference between the master image data and the read image data. The defect determining unit 313 determines the presence or absence of a defect based on the generated differential image data, and generates defect determination information. Then, the discharge control unit 314 executes an inspection process including an inspection as to whether or not to discharge an interleaf sheet (second conveying medium). The details of the inspection process will be described later.

[0119] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a printing process with an interleaf sheet.

[0120] In the printing process with slip sheets shown in FIG. 12, steps S201 and S202 are similar to steps S101 and S102 in the printing process without slip sheets shown in FIG.

[0121] If a slip sheet is present, for example, the defect determination unit 313 determines that a defect exists for page n-5 that has already been printed out, and the discharge control unit 314 determines that a slip sheet should be inserted by an inspection process described later (step S203).

[0122] The discharge control unit 314 of the inspection device 13 replaces the "paper count value of the previously inserted slip sheet" stored in the control information storage unit 311 with the "paper count value" of the sheet determined to be defective this time. The "paper count value of the previously inserted slip sheet" is the number of pages that serves as the standard for determining whether or not a slip sheet can be inserted. The inspection device 13 transmits slip sheet printing information 903 (page m) to the printer main body 11 (step S204).

[0123] The job information generating unit 213 of the printer main body 11 determines the timing of inserting the slip sheet (for example, inserting it between page n and page n+1) based on the received slip sheet printing information 903 (page m), and generates job information (page m). Then, the printer main body 11 transmits the generated job information (page m) to the inspection device 13 (step S205).

[0124] Steps S206 and S207 are similar to steps S103 and S104 in the printing process without slip sheets shown in FIG.

[0125] 11. Moreover, steps S208 to S210 are the same as steps S107 to S109 in the printing process without inserting sheets shown in FIG.

[0126] When it is time to insert a slip sheet (for example, between pages n and n+1), the image processing control unit 208, the printing control unit 209, and the mechanism control unit 206 of the printer main body 11 execute the print process (printing the slip sheet) according to the job information (page m) (step S211). In this embodiment, since the print job for the slip sheet is not a job generated by the DFE 50, the RIP image of the slip sheet is not sent from the DFE 50 to the printer main body 11. In step S204, the slip sheet printing information 903 for printing the slip sheet has already been sent from the inspection device 13 to the printer main body 11. It is also possible to configure the inspection device 13 to send the slip sheet printing information 903 to the printer main body 11 via the DFE 50 or the like.

[0127] Steps S212-S214 and step S215 are similar to steps S110-S112 and step S116 in the printing process without slip sheets shown in FIG.

[0128] The print image reading unit 307 of the inspection device 13 acquires the read image data (page m) read by the first inline sensor 131 and the second inline sensor 132 (step S216). In the case of a print job for interleaving, the master image generating unit 308 does not generate a master image. In accordance with the job information of each page including page m, the inspection device 13 associates the order of pages detected by the first inline sensor 131 and the second inline sensor 132 with the generated master image data, and stores the result in the storage unit 305.

[0129] Furthermore, when the read image data is based on a print job for an interleaf (page m), the inspection device 13 does not perform the inspection process and discards the read image data.

[0130] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the inspection process.

[0131] When starting the inspection process, the discharge control unit 314 acquires defect determination information (step S301). The defect determination information is information generated by the defect determination unit 313, and includes the following contents. - Defect judgment results for each printed page Paper count value -Minimum slip sheet insertion interval

[0132] Of these, the paper count value is set to 0 when the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on, and is incremented by 1 each time a print sheet is discharged to the stacker 14. The minimum slip sheet insertion interval is preset in response to a user's operation on the operation panel 133 of the inspection device 13.

[0133] Next, the discharge control unit 314 judges the presence or absence of a defect by referring to the defect judgment result included in the defect judgment information (step S302). If the discharge control unit 314 judges that there is no defect (step S302: No), the discharge control unit 314 ends the inspection process.

[0134] If it is determined that there is a defect (step S302: Yes), the discharge control unit 314 determines whether or not it is possible to insert an interleaf sheet (step S303). Specifically, if the following formula 1 is satisfied, the discharge control unit 314 determines that it is possible to insert an interleaf sheet.

[0135] Minimum slip sheet insertion interval < Paper count value - Paper count value of previously inserted slip sheet (Formula 1)

[0136] However, if the paper count value of the previously inserted slip sheet is 0, the discharge control unit 314 determines that the slip sheet can be inserted regardless of whether formula 1 is satisfied.

[0137] In other words, when it is determined that there is a defect in the print, the discharge control unit 314 determines that a slip sheet can be inserted if (i) the paper count value (number of output pages of the defective paper) of the paper determined to be defective this time is greater than the paper count value of the slip sheet (number of output pages of the slip sheet) the last time a slip sheet was inserted, by more than the preset insertion interval, or (ii) if a slip sheet has not yet been inserted.

[0138] However, the determination method is not limited to this, and may be as follows. When a defect is determined in the image of the first conveying medium, if the discharge of the first conveying medium determined to be defective occurs after the discharge of the second conveying medium and is within a set interval, the discharge control unit 314 does not discharge the second conveying medium even if a defect is determined. On the other hand, if the set interval is exceeded, the second conveying medium is discharged when a defect is determined in the first conveying medium. At this time, the display control unit 302 displays information about the first conveying medium having a defect that was discharged after the second conveying medium discharged last time, in association with information about the second conveying medium to be discharged this time.

[0139] The paper count value of the previously inserted slip sheet is stored in the control information storage unit 311, and is set to 0 when the image forming apparatus 10 is powered on.

[0140] If the discharge control unit 314 determines that the slip sheet cannot be inserted (step S303: No), it ends the inspection process. If the discharge control unit 314 determines that the slip sheet can be inserted (step S303: Yes), it replaces the "paper count value of the previously inserted slip sheet" stored in the control information storage unit 311 with the "paper count value" and transmits the slip sheet printing information 903 (step S304).

[0141] If the discharge control unit 314 determines that a slip sheet cannot be inserted, it may wait until a timing when a slip sheet can be inserted and then insert the slip sheet again. In other words, the timing can be set so that a slip sheet can be inserted by interrupting the print job for which a slip sheet cannot be inserted again. In this way, a slip sheet can be inserted every time a defect is found.

[0142] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an interleaf sheet.

[0143] An interleaf ID 905 is printed on the interleaf 904, for example, in two places, top and bottom. In addition, images of colors defined in the pattern information 902 are printed alternately on the outer periphery of the interleaf 904 as a pattern image 906. The interleaf ID and the pattern image 906 are examples of identification information for identifying the interleaf (second conveying medium). Alternatively, the identification information may be a mark, a pattern, or the like.

[0144] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a defect display screen. The display screens described in Fig. 15 and subsequent figures are screens that are displayed on the display unit by the display control unit 302 transmitting screen information in response to a request received from a display unit such as an operation panel of the device or a web browser of another device. The display control unit 302 may display the screen information on the display unit by two-way communication or push transmission.

[0145] The defect display screen 907 is a screen that is displayed on the operation panel 133 of the inspection device 13 in order to display detected defects. The defect display screen 907 includes a “Job List” display area 908, a “Defect Detection Page List” display area 909, and a “Defect Detection Image” display area 910.

[0146] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a job list.

[0147] The job list displayed in the "Job List" display area 908 includes items such as the inspection process start time, the number of copies of the job, the number of pages of the job, and the number of pages of the job where defects were detected. Note that the job list may display identification information for identifying a job, such as a job name or job ID, which allows multiple jobs to be confirmed and identified.

[0148] The value of the item "inspection process start time" indicates the time when the inspection process of the first page of the print job started.

[0149] The value of the item "number of copies of job" indicates the number of copies output in a print job.

[0150] The value of the item "Number of pages in job" indicates the number of pages included in the print job.

[0151] The value of the item "Number of pages on which defects were detected in a job" indicates the number of pages on which defects were detected in a print job.

[0152] FIG. 17 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a defect detection page list according to the first embodiment.

[0153] The defect detection page list displayed in the “Defect Detection Page List” display area 909 includes, as items, the time the defect was detected, the number of copies that occurred during the job, the page on which the defect occurred during the job, the nearby interleaf ID, the color pattern of the nearby interleaf, and the positional relationship to the interleaf.

[0154] The value of the item "defect detection time" indicates the time when a defect was detected for each page.

[0155] The value of the item "number of copies in a job" indicates the number of copies in which defects occurred.

[0156] The value of the item "pages where defects occurred during a job" indicates the number of pages where defects occurred.

[0157] The value of the item "nearby interleaf ID" is a value indicating the interleaf ID of an interleaf that is loaded near the page where the defect was detected, specifically, the interleaf ID of an interleaf that was determined to be inserted due to the detection of the defect.

[0158] The value of the item "nearby interleaf color pattern" is a value indicating the color pattern of the outer periphery printed on the interleaf paper stacked near the page where the defect was detected. The color pattern image 906, mark, pattern, interleaf ID, etc. printed on the interleaf is identification information for identifying the interleaf (second conveying medium). The presence of identification information for identifying the interleaf (second conveying medium) makes it easier for the user to search for a specific interleaf when multiple interleaf sheets are output, and makes it easier to find the defective sheet. The identification information of the interleaf (second conveying medium) is information printed on the interleaf so that it can be seen from the side or above of the discharge section when the interleaf is discharged from the discharge section such as the stacker 14 and stacked between the printed sheets (first conveying medium). The identification information is printed on the end, periphery, or corner of the interleaf with no border or margin, and is visible even when it overlaps with the printed sheet. The identification information in the present invention is not limited to the above examples, and also includes information consisting of a pattern or color design.

[0159] The value of the item "Positional relationship to slip sheet" is a value indicating the relationship between the page in which a defect was detected and the stacked position of the slip sheet. It indicates the top and bottom relative to the slip sheet, the number of sheets sandwiched between them, and the defect detection surface (top or bottom). Note that the "Defect Detection Page List" display area 909, which displays the defect detection page list, may also display identification information of defective sheets, such as a page ID or paper ID, or information included in the job information in FIG. 8, such as a job ID, in association with each defect detection page.

[0160] In addition, the identification information of the second conveying medium (such as a pattern image of the interleaf or an interleaf ID), the information of the defective first conveying medium (such as information on the occurrence of the defect or a page ID of the defective paper), and the information indicating the positional relationship between the defective first conveying medium and the second conveying medium, which are displayed by the display control unit 302, are other examples of "identification information for distinguishing and associating a plurality of defective first conveying media with a plurality of second conveying media". For example, the information of each row of the defect detection page list is "identification information for distinguishing and associating a plurality of defective first conveying media with a plurality of second conveying media". In addition, the "identification information for distinguishing and associating a plurality of defective first conveying media with a plurality of second conveying media" may include both the information displayed by the display control unit 302 and the identification information of the interleaf on which an image is formed on the interleaf. This allows the user to visually check the information printed on the interleaf in the discharge unit after viewing the displayed information, and easily distinguish and confirm the plurality of interleaf sheets, making it easier to find the specific defective paper that the user is looking for.

[0161] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a defect detection image.

[0162] In the "defect detection image" display area 910, an indication 911 indicating the defect detection portion is added to the scanned image data of the print page specified in the defect detection page list shown in FIG. 17 and displayed.

[0163] FIG. 19 is a second diagram showing an example of the defect detection page list according to the first embodiment.

[0164] Immediately after detecting the first page on which a defect has been detected, the display control unit 302 of the inspection device 13 displays, as shown in FIG. 19, items relating to the slip sheet being excluded.

[0165] FIG. 20 is a third diagram showing an example of the defect detection page list according to the first embodiment.

[0166] When the display control unit 302 of the inspection device 13 receives job information for a slip sheet from the printer main body 11, if the "job type" included in the job information is "slip sheet for defect detection and identification," it sets the value of the item "nearby slip sheet ID" to the value of the item "slip sheet ID" included in the job information. The display control unit 302 also sets the value of the item "nearby slip sheet color pattern" to a mark of a color equivalent to the value of the item "content" of the slip sheet printing information 903, sets the value of the item "positional relationship with the slip sheet" to the positional relationship between the stacked positions of the slip sheet and the page on which a defect was detected, and updates the display content.

[0167] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the slip sheet insertion interval.

[0168] The setting screen 912 is a screen for the discharge setting unit 315 to accept the setting of the slip sheet insertion interval. The setting screen 912 is displayed by the display control unit 302 of the inspection device 13. In the setting screen 912, the number of printed sheets output can be input as the slip sheet insertion interval. When the discharge setting unit 315 accepts the setting, the memory unit 305 stores information indicating the slip sheet insertion interval. By the discharge setting unit 315 accepting the setting, the printer main body 11 does not discharge a slip sheet during the slip sheet insertion interval from the previous time that a slip sheet was discharged, even if a defect is detected. Note that the slip sheet insertion interval that can be set may be the output time (period) or the number of jobs, in addition to the number of printed sheets output.

[0169] FIG. 22 is a fourth diagram showing an example of the defect detection page list according to the first embodiment.

[0170] As another example of displaying the defect detection page list, the display control unit 302 may form an interleaf image using color information and display it as the value of the item "nearby interleaf color pattern." The display control unit 302 may also display the color name in text as the value of the item "nearby interleaf color pattern." In addition, while FIG. 22 and other drawings show an example in which the defect detection page list is displayed so that rows are added to the bottom in the order in which the pages were detected, the defect detection page list may also be displayed so that rows are added to the top in the order in which the pages were detected, in accordance with the images loaded in the stacker 14.

[0171] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of the ejected paper.

[0172] The ejected sheets are loaded onto the stacker 14. While the periphery of most sheets is a single color such as white, the periphery of a slip sheet is printed with a pattern of two alternating colors, making it easy to find the slip sheet. Even when multiple slip sheets are printed, it is easy to distinguish between slip sheets with different color patterns, and the user can quickly find the desired slip sheet from the color pattern displayed on the operation panel 133 or the like as the value of the "nearby slip sheet color pattern" item in the defect detection page list.

[0173] In order to make it easier to find the first transport medium in which a defect has been detected, it is possible to stack a second transport medium such as an interleaf paper in a position adjacent to the first transport medium in which a defect has been detected. However, this method requires securing a physical means such as a transport path of sufficient length to ensure time for defect detection in order to discharge the first transport medium after defect determination is completed, which is difficult to implement.

[0174] Furthermore, simply displaying the position where the first transport medium in which a defect has been detected is loaded can make it difficult to find the first transport medium in which a defect has been detected when there are a large number of transport media loaded.

[0175] In contrast, according to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, it is not necessary to place a second conveying medium such as an interleaf paper adjacent to the first conveying medium in which a defect has been detected, so there is no need to secure physical means such as a conveying path of sufficient length as described above.

[0176] Furthermore, since the positional relationship with the slip sheet is displayed on the operation panel as the value of the item "positional relationship with the slip sheet" in the defect detection page list, the user can find the sheet on which a defect was detected simply by counting the number of sheets from the found slip sheet. Note that since the number of sheets between the slip sheet and the sheet on which a defect was detected is usually not that large, it is considered that counting the number of sheets is not difficult.

[0177] As described above, according to the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily find the first conveyed medium in which a defect has been detected.

[0178] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that an interleaf that has already been printed to display defects is used to display defects in subsequent printing. Therefore, in the following description of the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and components having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0179] FIG. 24 is a first diagram illustrating an example of a defect detection page list according to the second embodiment.

[0180] The discharge control unit 314 according to this embodiment uses the interleaf that has already been printed to display the defect, in order to display the defect of the subsequent printing. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 24, the display control unit 302 displays not only the defect that triggered the discharge of the interleaf ID (first entry in Fig. 24), but also the positional relationship with the already discharged interleaf for the defect that was detected after the detection of the defect (second entry in Fig. 24) and for which the discharge control unit 314 determined that no interleaf should be inserted at the time of the detection of the defect (step S303: No in Fig. 11).

[0181] Therefore, the defect detection page list includes the same interleaf ID (for example, 0001) in multiple entries (for example, the first entry and the second entry in FIG. 24).

[0182] Furthermore, when there is a one-to-many correspondence between the slip sheets and the defect detection pages, it is necessary to determine which positional relationship between each defect detection page and which slip sheet should be displayed. Therefore, the display control unit 302 identifies the slip sheet that is stacked closest to the defect detection page. Specifically, the display control unit 302 calculates the number of sheets between the slip sheet stacked in the stacker 14 and the defect detection page based on the job information for the printed slip sheet received from the printer main body 11, and identifies the slip sheet with the fewest number of sheets between them as the nearest slip sheet. The slip sheet ID of the slip sheet identified in this way is displayed as the value of the item "nearby slip sheet ID" in the defect detection page list.

[0183] FIG. 25 is a second diagram showing an example of the defect detection page list according to the second embodiment.

[0184] In this embodiment, similarly to Fig. 22, the display control unit 302 may form an interleaf image using color information and display it as the value of the item "nearby interleaf color pattern". The display control unit 302 may also display the color name in text as the value of the item "nearby interleaf color pattern". In addition, Fig. 25 and other figures show an example in which rows are added to the bottom of the defect detection page list in the order of detection, but rows may be added to the top in the order of detection in accordance with the images loaded in the stacker 14.

[0185] According to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the slip sheet that has already been printed to indicate defects is used to indicate defects in subsequent printing. This makes it possible to indicate multiple defect locations using one slip sheet, and even if multiple defects occur, the number of slip sheets to be inserted can be appropriate.

[0186] In each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been shown in which the image forming apparatus 10 prints interleaving sheets. This makes it possible to generate interleaving sheets with conspicuous colors using inexpensive paper, allows for flexible response to changes in color patterns, and eliminates the need to prepare separate interleaving sheets. Conversely, pre-printed paper or objects other than paper may be discharged as defect indicators. For example, interleaving sheet IDs may be written on a stack of multiple sheets of paper, and the sheets may be placed in a paper feed tray so that they are discharged in the order of the interleaving sheet IDs, and interleaving sheets supplied from the paper feed tray may be inserted between the printed sheets. In this case, the printing cost of interleaving sheets is reduced.

[0187] In each of the above-described embodiments, the DFE 50, the inspection device 13, and the printer main body 11 can be configured to share the disclosed processing steps in various combinations. Also, the elements of the DFE 50, the inspection device 13, and the printer main body 11 may be integrated into one device, or may be separated into multiple devices.

[0188] For example, an example has been shown in which the inspection device 13 generates interleaf printing information 903, and the printer main body 11 generates print job data for an interleaf based on the interleaf printing information 903. This reduces the load on the inspection device 13 of processes other than inspection, and prevents the inspection speed from slowing down. However, the inspection device 13 may generate print job data for an interleaf and send it to the printer main body 11. In that case, the inspection device 13 generates image data for interleaf printing in a PDF or other format and sends it to the printer main body 11. In this way, the printer main body 11 does not need to implement a special mechanism for printing interleaf, making it easier to introduce the system.

[0189] In one embodiment, DFE 50 or inspection equipment 13 may be configured as an information processing system including multiple computing devices, such as a server cluster, configured to communicate with each other over any type of communications link, including a network, shared memory, etc., and may perform the processes disclosed herein.

[0190] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above.

[0191] In the embodiment described above, the stacker 14 has been described as having one tray 141, but it may have multiple trays 141. For example, the stacker 14 and tray 141 shown in each of Figs. 26 to 29 are used to discharge and stack printed sheets and slip sheets, and are an example of a discharge section in the present invention. In the manner of discharge and stacking shown in Fig. 26, printed sheets and slip sheets are discharged together onto one tray 141. In this way, even if multiple printed sheets and multiple slip sheets with defects are discharged, they can be easily distinguished from each other.

[0192] Furthermore, when sheets are discharged together onto one tray, multiple defective printed sheets will be included across multiple jobs discharged in succession or multiple copies of the same job. However, because multiple distinguishable slip sheets are discharged, the user can easily identify the location of the defective sheets even when a large number of sheets are discharged. Also, as shown in FIG. 27, the slip sheets and the printed sheets may be discharged separately onto multiple trays 141. Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 28, the slip sheets discharged onto the upper tray 141 may indicate that there is a defect in the image of the printed sheet on the lower tray 141.

[0193] Furthermore, when discharging paper to multiple trays 141, it is possible to use a different tray for each print job. In this case, if the slip sheet is discharged to the topmost position of tray 141 as shown in Fig. 29, the slip sheet will not be hidden by the printed paper above, improving the visibility of the slip sheet and making it easier to find. In this case, if there is no slip sheet in the topmost position (the bottommost tray 141 in Fig. 29), it can be determined that there is no paper in that print job that has been detected as defective, improving workability.

[0194] 30, when the sheets are discharged separately onto multiple trays 141, the display control unit 302 may display the identification information of the tray 141 onto which the sheets are discharged (Tray A, Tray B, ...) or the tray level (first level, second level from the top) for each cover page of the printed sheet with a defect. This makes it possible to show which tray 141 the defective sheet and the interleaf sheet are discharged onto.

[0195] Although the present invention has been described above based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. These points can be changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form. [Explanation of symbols]

[0196] 1. Image forming system 10 Image forming device 11 Printer body 12 Operation Panel 13 Inspection equipment 14 Stacker 20 Image forming device 30 User terminals 40 Management Server 50 DFE 51 Display device 60 Communication Network 201 System Control Unit 202 Display control unit 203 Network I / F control section 204 External I / F control section 205 Storage section 206 Mechanical control unit 207 Print job receiving unit 208 Image processing control unit 209 Printing control section 211 Job information processing unit 212 RIP processing unit 213 Job information generation unit 301 System Control Unit 302 Display control unit 303 Network I / F control unit 304 External I / F control section 305 Storage section 306 Mechanical control unit 307 Print image reading unit 308 Master Image Generation Unit 309 Differential Image Generation Unit 311 Control information storage unit 312 Job information processing unit 313 Defect Judgment Section 314 Discharge Control Unit 315 Ejection setting section 501 System Control Unit 502 Print job receiving unit 503 Storage section 504 Print job sending unit 505 Display control unit 551 Job information processing unit 552 RIP Processing Unit 553 Control information storage unit 554 Tone Correction Section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0197] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-089268 A

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image based on print information on a first conveying medium; an information acquiring unit that acquires information regarding an image formed on the first conveying medium by the image forming unit; a discharge control unit that controls the discharge of a second conveying medium when the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image; and a discharge section to which the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium are discharged; a display control unit that performs control to display identification information that distinguishes and corresponds to each of the discharged defective first conveying media and the discharged defective second conveying media; a discharge setting unit that receives a setting of an interval for performing discharge control of the second conveying medium; Equipped with the discharge control unit, when a defect is determined in the image of the first conveying medium, does not discharge the second conveying medium even if the defect is determined if the discharge of the first conveying medium in which the defect is determined is after the discharge of the second conveying medium and is equal to or less than the set interval, and discharges the second conveying medium when a defect in the first conveying medium is determined if the set interval is exceeded; the display control unit displays information on the first conveying medium having a defect that was discharged after the second conveying medium that was previously discharged in association with information on the second conveying medium to be discharged this time. Image forming system.

2. a defect determination unit that determines whether or not the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image, the discharge control unit performs control to discharge the second conveyed medium when the defect determination unit determines that the image has a defect. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

3. the display control unit controls to display information indicating a relationship between a position where one of the second conveying media is loaded and a plurality of second conveying media determined to have a defect.

3. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The display control unit controls to display information indicating a positional relationship including the number of first conveying media loaded between the second conveying medium and the first conveying medium. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

5. The image forming unit forms an image on a conveying medium to serve as the second conveying medium. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

6. the identification information includes identification information of a second conveying medium that is imaged on each of the plurality of second conveying media and indicates that each of the plurality of second conveying media is a second conveying medium corresponding to each of the plurality of defective first conveying media; the image forming unit forms an image on the conveying medium, the image including the identification information of the second conveying medium; The image forming system according to claim 5 .

7. the identification information of the second conveying medium is image-formed on the second conveying medium so as to be visible from a side when the second conveying medium is discharged to the discharge section; The image forming system according to claim 6.

8. the identification information for distinguishing and associating a plurality of defective first conveying media with a plurality of second conveying media includes identification information of the second conveying media, information of the defective first conveying media, and information indicating a relationship between the loaded positions of the first conveying media and the second conveying media, which are displayed by the display control unit; 8. The image forming system according to claim 6 or 7.

9. the discharge control unit determines a combination of colors to be included in an image to be formed on the second conveying medium, the combination being used as identification information for the second conveying medium; The image forming system according to claim 5 .

10. the discharge control unit instructs the image forming unit to print an image including identification information of the second conveying medium; The imaging system according to claim 9.

11. The display control unit performs control to display colors included in the image formed on the second conveying medium.

11. The image forming system according to claim 9 or 10.

12. an interval for controlling the discharge of the second conveying medium, which can be set by the discharge setting unit, is any one of the number of output sheets of the first conveying medium, an output time, and the number of jobs; The image forming system according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. an information acquiring unit that acquires information regarding an image formed on a first conveying medium; a discharge control unit that controls the discharge of a second conveying medium when the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image; and a display control unit that performs control to display identification information that distinguishes and corresponds to each of the discharged defective first conveying media and the discharged defective second conveying media; a discharge setting unit that receives a setting of an interval for performing discharge control of the second conveying medium; Equipped with the discharge control unit, when a defect is determined in the image of the first conveying medium, does not discharge the second conveying medium even if the defect is determined if the discharge of the first conveying medium in which the defect is determined is after the discharge of the second conveying medium and is equal to or less than the set interval, and discharges the second conveying medium when a defect in the first conveying medium is determined if the set interval is exceeded; the display control unit displays information on the first conveying medium having a defect that was discharged after the second conveying medium that was previously discharged in association with information on the second conveying medium to be discharged this time. Inspection equipment.

14. 1. A computer-implemented method comprising: an information acquiring step of acquiring information regarding an image formed on a first conveying medium; a discharge control step of controlling discharge of a second conveying medium when the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image; a display control step of controlling the display of identification information that distinguishes and corresponds to the discharged defective first conveying media and the discharged defective second conveying media; a discharge setting unit that receives a setting of an interval for performing discharge control of the second conveying medium; Equipped with The discharge control step, when a defect is determined in the image of the first conveying medium, does not discharge the second conveying medium even if the defect is determined if the discharge of the first conveying medium in which the defect is determined is after the discharge of the second conveying medium and is equal to or less than the set interval, and discharges the second conveying medium when a defect is determined in the first conveying medium if the set interval is exceeded; The display control step displays information about the first conveying medium having a defect, which was discharged after the second conveying medium was discharged previously, in association with information about the second conveying medium to be discharged this time. Testing method.

15. On the computer, an information acquiring step of acquiring information regarding an image formed on a first conveying medium; a discharge control step of controlling discharge of a second conveying medium when the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image; a display control step of controlling the display of identification information that distinguishes and corresponds to the discharged defective first conveying media and the discharged defective second conveying media; a discharge setting unit that receives a setting of an interval for performing discharge control of the second conveying medium; Run the command, The discharge control step, when a defect is determined in the image of the first conveying medium, does not discharge the second conveying medium even if the defect is determined if the discharge of the first conveying medium in which the defect is determined is after the discharge of the second conveying medium and is equal to or less than the set interval, and discharges the second conveying medium when a defect is determined in the first conveying medium if the set interval is exceeded; The display control step displays information about the first conveying medium having a defect, which was discharged after the second conveying medium was discharged previously, in association with information about the second conveying medium to be discharged this time. program.

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