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 forming system includes: an image forming unit which forms an image on a first conveyance medium; an information acquisition unit which acquires information about the image formed on the first conveyance medium by the image forming unit; and an ejection control unit which controls to eject a plurality of second conveyance media according to predetermined setting information in a case where the image formed on the first conveyance medium is a defective image based on the information relating to the acquired image.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, depending on the size, thickness, etc., of a transport medium such as a slip sheet inserted into a stack of printed materials, the transport medium may become buried in the stack of printed materials, and it may take a long time to find the transport medium. If it takes a long time to find the transport medium, it will also take a long time to find the printed material in which a defect has been detected, which may affect the overall printing work time, such as checking the defective printed materials and replacing them as necessary.

[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 is an image forming system that includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a first conveying medium, an information acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the image formed on the first conveying medium by the image forming unit, and a discharge control unit that controls the discharge of multiple second conveying media in accordance with preset setting information when there is a defect in the image formed on the first conveying medium based on the acquired information regarding the image. 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 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of paper thickness setting information. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of registered form information. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a slip sheet insertion setting screen. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a printing process without an interleaf sheet. [Figure 13] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a printing process with an interleaf sheet; FIG. [Figure 14] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an inspection process. [Figure 15] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a process for determining the number of interleaf sheets to be inserted; [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a defect display screen. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a defect detection image. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a second diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a third diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for an interleaf insertion interval. [Diagram 23] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining items of job information according to the second embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a first diagram for explaining a method of discharging onto a tray. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a second diagram for explaining the method of discharging onto the tray. 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, or an inkjet printer. 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. The conveying medium can also be called a first conveying medium in the present invention.

[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 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 job data from the user terminal 30, it adds the job data to a queue in a storage unit that stores job data waiting to be printed. Then, the management server 40 extracts the 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 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 the DFE 50 receives job data together with a signal instructing the printing of an image from the user terminal 30 or the management server 40, the DFE 50 uses an internal RIP (Raster Image Processor) engine to convert the job data into image data in a format that can be processed by the image forming device 10, and transmits the job data including the converted image data to the 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 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 job data or an execution instruction based on 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 job receiving unit 502, a storage unit 503, a 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 included in the 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 job receiving unit 502 receives 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 job data.

[0059] The job transmission unit 504 transmits the job data generated through processing by the system control unit 501 to the image forming apparatus 10. The job data transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 includes job information indicating attributes of the 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 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 the job information included in the job data transmitted from the DFE 50. The RIP processing unit 212 processes the RIP image data included in the job data transmitted from the DFE 50.

[0065] When the job information generating unit 213 receives information indicating the insertion of a slip sheet (slip sheet insertion information) from the inspection device 13, the job information generating unit 213 generates job information for inserting the slip sheet. The slip sheet insertion information includes information indicating the number of slip sheets. If the number of slip sheets is two or more, the job information generating unit 213 generates job information indicating that a specified number of slip sheets are to be inserted consecutively.

[0066] 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, 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 in response to an output instruction of the slip sheet, or may be a sheet of film or plastic. The slip sheet can be said to be 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 attached or printed on the slip sheet. The image forming unit of the printer 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 sheets and multiple corresponding slip sheets are discharged to a discharge unit such as a tray, and to easily check the defective printed sheets corresponding to each slip sheet.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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 job receiving unit 207 receives 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.

[0069] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of the inspection device.

[0070] 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 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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 the 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 reading unit 307, and the mechanism control unit 306.

[0074] The display control unit 302 controls the display of various information including the test results on the operation panel 133 or other devices.

[0075] 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.

[0076] The storage unit 305 stores various information, such as job execution history information for jobs for which control has been completed, and differential image data indicating the difference between the scanned image data and the master image data.

[0077] The mechanism control unit 306 controls the operation of the mechanism of the inspection device 13, such as the transport of paper.

[0078] The 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 body 11, and generates read image data indicating the read image.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] The differential image generating unit 309 generates differential image data indicating the difference between the master image data and the read image data.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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 value. Then, when it determines that a slip sheet should be inserted, it transmits information indicating the insertion of a slip sheet (slip sheet insertion information) to the printer main body 11.

[0086] Furthermore, the discharge control unit 314 determines the number of interleaf sheets to be inserted, and includes information indicating the determined number in the interleaf insertion information.

[0087] The discharge setting unit 315 accepts an input of the setting of the number of slip sheets (second transport medium) to be inserted. Specifically, the discharge setting unit 315 accepts a selection of a setting according to the respective paper thicknesses of the slip sheets and the paper used for printing, a setting according to the type of registered paper used for printing, or a specified fixed value. The discharge control unit 314 determines the number of slip sheets to be inserted according to the content of the accepted setting. In other words, the discharge control unit 314 performs control to change the number of slip sheets (second transport medium) to be discharged according to the setting, based on the fact that there is a defect in the information on the image acquired by the information acquisition unit.

[0088] Next, information handled by the image forming system 1 will be described.

[0089] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining items of job information according to the first embodiment.

[0090] Job information 901 is information included in job data generated by the DFE 50 or the 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, registered paper, job type, and number of slip sheets.

[0091] The value of the item "job origin" indicates the origin of the job data, and is either a "DFE job" or an "internal job." In the case of job information included in the 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 job data for an interleaf sheet, the job data is generated inside the image forming device 10, and therefore the value of the item "job origin" is "internal job."

[0092] The value of the item "creation time" indicates the time when the job information was generated by the creator.

[0093] 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.

[0094] 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).

[0095] 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.

[0096] 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.

[0097] The value of the item "Job ID" is a number for identifying each job, and is incremented by one each time the output of a job is completed after the power is turned on. A number is set in the item "Job ID" when printing is executed.

[0098] The value of the item "Registered paper" is a value indicating the type of registered paper. The type of registered paper is predefined in the registered paper information described below. The paper on which the slip sheet is printed is included in the settings that are accepted as input by the output setting unit 315, and the settings are reflected in the item "Registered paper".

[0099] 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 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.

[0100] The value of the item "number of slip sheets" is the number of slip sheets when the job type is slip sheets for defect detection and identification. The value of the item "number of slip sheets" is notified to the printer body 11 from the inspection device 13. Note that in the case of a job generated by the DFE 50 or a job other than slip sheets generated by the printer body 11, no slip sheets are present, so the item "number of slip sheets" is set to a value such as "-1" indicating that no slip sheets are present.

[0101] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the paper thickness setting information.

[0102] The paper thickness setting information 902 is information in which the number of interleaf sheets is set based on the paper thickness of the interleaf and the paper thickness of the paper to be inspected. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, the range of the paper thickness of the interleaf is "52.3-63.0 g / m 2 " and the thickness range of the paper to be inspected is "52.3-63.0g / m 2 " indicates that four sheets of slip paper are to be inserted.

[0103] Although an example has been shown in which the item set as the range of the paper thickness of the interleaf and the item set as the range of the paper thickness of the paper to be inspected are the same, these may be different from each other.

[0104] The paper thickness setting information 902 is set in advance in the inspection device 13 and stored in the storage unit 305 or the control information storage unit 311. The inspection device 13 may perform a process of proposing a setting value for the paper thickness setting information 902. For example, the inspection device 13 can propose a setting value that increases the number of interleaves the thicker the paper to be inspected and the thinner the interleaves, thereby proposing a setting that makes the interleaves (second conveying medium) stand out. This reduces the effort required for the user to make settings. The inspection device 13 may also accept changes to the setting values ​​made by the user, thereby enabling flexible settings.

[0105] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the registered form information.

[0106] The registered paper information 903 is an example of information indicating the type of transport medium on which an image is formed. Specifically, the registered paper information 903 includes items such as name, size, paper thickness, type, color, and number of sheets inserted when determining defects.

[0107] The value of the item "Name" is a name to identify the registered form. For example, Form 1, Form 2, etc.

[0108] The value of the item "size" indicates the size of the registered paper, for example, A4, B5, etc.

[0109] The value of the item "paper thickness" indicates the range of paper thickness of the registered paper. The values ​​that can be taken as the range of paper thickness of the registered paper are the same as the values ​​that can be taken as the range of paper thickness of the inspection target paper in the paper thickness setting information 902.

[0110] The value of the item "Type" indicates the type of registered paper, for example, coated paper, plain paper, and the like.

[0111] The value of the item "color" is a value that indicates the color of the registered paper, for example, red, blue, etc.

[0112] The value of the item "number of sheets to be inserted when a defect is determined" is a value indicating the number of interleaf sheets to be inserted when the registered sheet is used as an interleaf sheet to be inserted when a defect is determined.

[0113] The registered paper information 903 is set in advance in the printer main body 11 and stored in the memory unit 205. The printer main body 11 also transmits the set registered paper information to the inspection device 13. The printer main body 11 may also transmit the registered paper information 903 to the inspection device 13 when transmitting job information to the inspection device 13. In either case, the transmitted registered paper information 903 is stored in the memory unit 305 or control information memory unit 311 of the inspection device 13.

[0114] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the slip sheet insertion setting screen.

[0115] The slip sheet insertion setting screen 801 includes a paper feed source selection button 802 , a registration paper selection menu 803 , a paper feed tray selection menu 804 , an insertion number selection button 805 , and a manual specification input field 806 .

[0116] The paper feed source selection button 802 is a button for selecting whether the paper feed source of the interleaf is set based on the registered paper or a paper feed tray. The setting based on the registered paper is a setting for feeding the interleaf from the paper feed tray in which the registered paper specified by the registered paper selection menu 803 is set.

[0117] It should be noted that which paper feed tray the registered paper is set in is preset, for example, paper 1 is set in tray 1, paper 2 is set in tray 2, etc. The printer body 11 may be configured so that when paper is actually set in each paper feed tray, the settings of the registered paper for the set paper feed tray can be changed.

[0118] Furthermore, when a paper feed tray is selected with the paper feed source selection button 802, the tray selected with the paper feed tray selection menu 804 becomes the tray from which the interleaf paper is fed.

[0119] The number of sheets to be inserted selection button 805 is a button for selecting a method for determining the number of sheets to be inserted. The options are a paper thickness setting value, a paper setting value, and a manual setting value.

[0120] When a paper thickness setting value is selected with the insertion number selection button 805, the number of slip sheets to be inserted is determined based on the paper thickness setting information 902. Also, when a paper setting value is selected with the insertion number selection button 805, the number of slip sheets to be inserted is determined to the value of the item "Number of sheets to be inserted when defect determination is determined" of the registered paper information 903 of the registered paper based on the setting of the paper feed source selection button 802. Also, when a manual setting value is selected with the insertion number selection button 805, the number of slip sheets to be inserted is determined to the value entered in the manual specification input field 806.

[0121] The slip sheet insertion setting screen 801 is displayed in advance on the inspection device 13 , and information indicating the setting values ​​(slip sheet insertion setting information) is stored in the storage unit 305 or the control information storage unit 311 .

[0122] Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 will be described.

[0123] FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of printing processing without an interleaf sheet.

[0124] When the job receiving unit 502 of the DFE 50 receives 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 job transmitting unit 504 transmits the job information (e.g., page n) to the printer main body 11 (step S101).

[0125] When the 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).

[0126] Furthermore, when the job receiving unit 502 of the DFE 50 receives job data from the user terminal 30 or the management server 40, the RIP processing unit 552 of the DFE 50 executes processing to convert the job 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).

[0127] After that, the RIP processing unit 552 generates RIP image data (page n) corresponding to the job information (page n). The job transmission unit 504 transmits the RIP image data (page n) to the printer main body 11 (step S107). The RIP processing unit 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).

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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 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).

[0131] 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.

[0132] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a printing process with an interleaf sheet.

[0133] In the printing process with slip sheets shown in FIG. 13, steps S201 and S202 are similar to steps S101 and S102 in the printing process without slip sheets shown in FIG.

[0134] 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).

[0135] 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 insertion information (page m) to the printer main body 11 (step S204).

[0136] The job information generating unit 213 of the printer main body 11 determines the timing of inserting the slip sheet (for example, inserting the slip sheet between page n and page n+1) based on the received slip sheet insertion information (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).

[0137] Steps S206 and S207 are similar to steps S103 and S104 in the printing process without slip sheets shown in FIG.

[0138] 12. Moreover, steps S208 to S210 are similar to steps S107 to S109 in the printing process without inserting sheets shown in FIG.

[0139] When it is time to insert a slip sheet (for example, between page n and page n+1), the image processing control unit 208, printing control unit 209, and mechanism control unit 206 of the printer main body 11 execute insertion of a slip sheet according to the job information (page m) (step S211).

[0140] 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.

[0141] The 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 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.

[0142] Furthermore, when the read image data is based on a job for an interleaf (page m), the inspection device 13 does not perform the inspection process and discards the read image data.

[0143] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the inspection process.

[0144] 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

[0145] 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.

[0146] 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.

[0147] 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.

[0148] Minimum slip sheet insertion interval < Paper count value - Paper count value of previously inserted slip sheet (Formula 1)

[0149] 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.

[0150] 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.

[0151] 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.

[0152] 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.

[0153] If the discharge control unit 314 determines that slip sheets cannot be inserted (step S303: No), it ends the inspection process. If the discharge control unit 314 determines that slip sheets can be inserted (step S303: Yes), it executes a process to determine the number of slip sheets to be inserted (step S304). The process to determine the number of slip sheets to be inserted will be described later. Next, the discharge control unit 314 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 slip sheet insertion information (step S305). The slip sheet insertion information includes information indicating the number of sheets determined in the process to determine the number of slip sheets to be inserted.

[0154] 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 again the job for which a slip sheet cannot be inserted. In this way, a slip sheet can be inserted every time a defect is found.

[0155] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the process for determining the number of interleaf sheets to be inserted.

[0156] The discharge control unit 314 acquires the slip sheet insertion setting information stored in the storage unit 305 or the control information storage unit 311 (step S401). Then, the discharge control unit 314 determines the insertion number setting value included in the slip sheet insertion setting information (step S402).

[0157] When the discharge control unit 314 determines that the insertion number setting value is the "paper thickness setting value" (step S402: paper thickness setting value), it acquires the paper thickness value of the paper of the job to be inspected (step S403). Specifically, the paper thickness value is the value of the "paper thickness" item of registered paper information 903 set as the paper of the job to be inspected. The discharge control unit 314 determines the number of sheets to be inserted based on the paper thickness setting value (step S404). Specifically, the paper thickness setting value is a value set in paper thickness setting information 902, and is uniquely determined based on the paper thickness value of the paper to be inspected and the paper thickness value of the interleaf.

[0158] Furthermore, when the discharge control unit 314 determines that the insertion number setting value is the "paper setting value" (step S402: paper setting value), it acquires the slip sheet paper setting value (step S405). Specifically, the paper setting value is the value of the item "number of sheets to insert when defect determination is performed" of the registered paper information 903 that is set as the slip sheet paper. The discharge control unit 314 determines the number of sheets to insert based on the paper setting value (step S406).

[0159] Furthermore, when the discharge control unit 314 determines that the insertion number setting value is the "manual setting value" (step S402: manual setting value), it determines the manual setting value as the insertion number (step S407). The manual setting value is a value input in the manual specification input field 806 of the slip sheet insertion setting screen 801.

[0160] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a defect display screen.

[0161] 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 the detected defects. The defect display screen 907 includes a "job list" display area 908, a "defect detection page list" display area 909, a "defect detection image" display area 910, and the slip sheet insertion setting screen 801.

[0162] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a job list.

[0163] 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.

[0164] The value of the item "inspection processing start time" indicates the time when the inspection processing of the first page of the job started.

[0165] The value of the item "number of copies in job" indicates the number of copies output in the job.

[0166] The value of the item "Number of pages in job" indicates the number of pages included in the job.

[0167] The value of the item "Number of pages on which defects are detected in a job" indicates the number of pages on which defects are detected in a job.

[0168] FIG. 18 is a first diagram showing an example of the defect detection page list.

[0169] The defect detection page list displayed in the “Defect Detection Page List” display area 909 includes, as items, the defect detection time, the job ID, the number of copies that occurred during the job, the page that occurred during the job, the number of nearby interleaf sheets, and the positional relationship to the interleaf sheets.

[0170] The value in the item "defect detection time" indicates the time when a defect was detected for each page.

[0171] The value of the item "Job ID" is an identifier for identifying a job.

[0172] The value of the item "number of copies in a job" indicates the number of copies in which defects occurred.

[0173] The value of the item "pages where defects occurred during a job" indicates the number of pages where defects occurred.

[0174] The value of the item "number of nearby interleaf sheets" indicates the number of interleaf sheets that are stacked near the page where the defect is detected, specifically, the number of interleaf sheets that are determined to be inserted due to the detection of the defect.

[0175] The value of the item "Positional relationship with slipsheet" indicates the relationship between the page on which the defect was detected and the stacked position of the slipsheet. It indicates the top and bottom of the slipsheet, the number of sheets sandwiched between them, and the surface on which the defect was detected (top or bottom). Note that if multiple slipsheets are inserted consecutively at one time, the positional relationship is indicated with the inserted slipsheets treated as one slipsheet group.

[0176] For example, if the page on which the defect was detected is stacked below the slip sheets, the number of sheets of paper sandwiched between the bottommost slip sheet of the successively inserted slip sheets and the page on which the defect was detected is displayed, whereas if the page on which the defect was detected is stacked above the slip sheets, the number of sheets of paper sandwiched between the topmost slip sheet of the successively inserted slip sheets and the page on which the defect was detected is displayed.

[0177] Furthermore, the discharge control unit 314 uses the slip sheet that has already been printed to display the defect, in order to display defects in subsequent printing. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 18, the display control unit 302 displays not only the defect that triggered the discharge of the slip sheet ID (first entry in Fig. 18), but also the positional relationship with the already discharged slip sheet for the defect that was detected after the detection of the defect (second entry in Fig. 18) and for which the discharge control unit 314 determined that no slip sheet should be inserted at the time of the detection of the defect (step S303: No in Fig. 14).

[0178] Therefore, in the defect detection page list, the number of sheets of the same interleaf group (for example, 3) is included in a plurality of entries (for example, the first entry and the second entry in FIG. 18).

[0179] Furthermore, when the correspondence between the slip sheet groups and the defect detection pages is one to many, 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 groups stacked in the stacker 14 and the defect detection page based on the job information for the printed slip sheets received from the printer main body 11, and identifies the slip sheet group with the fewest number of sheets as the closest slip sheet group. The number of sheets of the slip sheet group identified in this way is displayed as the value of the item "number of nearby slip sheets" in the defect detection page list.

[0180] In addition, the “Defect Detection Page List” display area 909, which displays the defect detection page list, may also display identification information of defective paper, 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.

[0181] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a defect detection image.

[0182] 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.

[0183] FIG. 20 is a second diagram showing an example of the defect detection page list.

[0184] 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. 20, items relating to the slip sheet being excluded.

[0185] FIG. 21 is a third diagram showing an example of the defect detection page list.

[0186] When the display control unit 302 of the inspection device 13 receives job information for interleaving sheets from the printer main body 11, if the "job type" included in the job information is "interleaving sheets for defect detection and identification," it sets the value of the item "number of nearby interleaving sheets" included in the job information. In addition, the display control unit 302 sets the value of the item "positional relationship with interleaving sheets" to the positional relationship between the stacked positions of the interleaving sheets and the page on which a defect was detected, and updates the display content.

[0187] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the slip sheet insertion interval.

[0188] 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.

[0189] Conventionally, when discharging a second transport medium when an image has a defect, thick paper is expensive and there is a desire to avoid using it as an interleaf. However, when a thin interleaf is used as the second transport medium, there is a problem that the interleaf is difficult to find. According to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, a preset number of second transport media are discharged based on information related to the image. This makes it easier to find the second transport medium.

[0190] Since it is easy to find even thin interleaving sheets, it is possible to use the same paper as the job for the interleaving sheets. This eliminates the need for time-consuming processes such as readjusting the fixing temperature, and reduces processing time. Also, if the interleaving sheets are made of paper placed in a designated tray, it is possible to use, for example, inexpensive paper specifically for interleaving sheets, thereby reducing costs.

[0191] In addition, the image forming system 1 receives an input of a setting of the number of second conveying media to be discharged, and discharges the number of second conveying media based on the received setting. This makes it possible to discharge the number of second conveying media according to the user's usage.

[0192] Furthermore, the image forming system 1 accepts input of information for setting the quantity of the second conveying medium based on the thicknesses of the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium, and discharges the quantity of the second conveying medium based on the thicknesses of the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium. This makes it possible to discharge an appropriate quantity of the second conveying medium according to the relationship between the thicknesses of the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium. For example, the thicker the first conveying medium is and the thinner the second conveying medium is, the more the quantity of the second conveying medium is set to be increased, thereby making the second conveying medium more noticeable.

[0193] Furthermore, the image forming system 1 accepts input of information that sets the quantity of the second conveying medium for each type of the first conveying medium, and discharges the quantity of the second conveying medium based on the type of the first conveying medium. This makes it possible to discharge an appropriate quantity of the second conveying medium according to the type of the first conveying medium. For example, when using expensive paper as an interleaf, the number of interleaf sheets can be reduced.

[0194] Furthermore, the image forming system 1 accepts input of information specifying the quantity of the second conveying medium, and discharges the specified quantity of the second conveying medium. This makes it possible to fix the quantity of the second conveying medium. For example, it is possible to avoid fluctuations in the quantity, such as in cases where a fluctuation in the quantity of the second conveying medium would confuse the user.

[0195] Furthermore, the image forming system 1 treats a preset number of second transport media as one slip sheet group, and displays information indicating the relationship of the stacked positions of the first transport media determined to have defects for one of the slip sheet groups. In response to this, in order to make it easier to find the first transport medium in which a defect has been detected, it is conceivable to stack a second transport medium such as a slip sheet at a position adjacent to the first transport medium in which a defect has been detected. However, this method requires securing 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 the defect determination is completed, which is difficult to realize.

[0196] Furthermore, simply displaying the position where the first conveying medium in which a defect has been detected is loaded can make it difficult to find the first conveying medium in which a defect has been detected when there are a large number of first conveying media loaded.

[0197] 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.

[0198] 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.

[0199] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that slip sheet insertion setting information is set for each job. Therefore, in the following description of the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the same reference numerals as those used in the description of the first embodiment will be given to components having the same functional configuration as the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0200] The image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment can set slip-sheet insertion setting information for each job. Specifically, the job information 901 includes the slip-sheet insertion setting information.

[0201] FIG. 23 is a diagram for explaining items of job information according to the second embodiment.

[0202] Job information 901 according to this embodiment includes, in addition to the job information 901 according to the first embodiment, the following items: slip sheet feed source setting, slip sheet registration paper, slip sheet feed tray, number of slip sheets to be inserted, and manual slip sheet setting.

[0203] The value of the item "Interleaf Paper Feed Source Setting" corresponds to the options of the feed source selection button 802 on the interleaf insertion setting screen 801, and is a setting value that indicates the feed source of the interleaf to be inserted when there is a defect in the image printed by the job.

[0204] The value of the item "Interleaf registration paper" corresponds to the options of the registration paper selection menu 803 of the interleaf insertion setting screen 801, and is a setting value that indicates the type of registration paper for the interleaf to be inserted when the value of the item "Interleaf paper feed source setting" is "Registered paper."

[0205] The value of the item "Slip Sheet Feeder Tray" corresponds to the options of the feed tray selection menu 804 on the slip sheet insertion setting screen 801, and is a setting value that indicates the feed tray of the slip sheet to be inserted when the value of the item "Slip Sheet Feeder Setting" is "Feed Tray".

[0206] The value of the item "number of sheets to be inserted" corresponds to the options of the number of sheets to be inserted selection button 805 on the slip sheet insertion setting screen 801, and is one of the values ​​of the paper thickness setting value, the paper setting value, and the manual setting value.

[0207] The value of the item “interleaf manual setting” corresponds to the value input to the manual specification input field 806 of the interleaf insertion setting screen 801 .

[0208] In the process of determining the number of slip sheets to be inserted in the inspection process according to this embodiment, the discharge control unit 314 determines the number of slip sheets to be inserted based on the job information 901.

[0209] According to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the job information generated for each job for forming an image includes setting information for the number of second conveyance media to be discharged, and the number of second conveyance media discharged is based on the setting information included in the job information. This makes it possible to set the number of slip sheets for each job.

[0210] In addition, an example has been shown in which the defect detection page list is displayed so that rows are added to the bottom in the order in which the defects were detected, but it may also be displayed so that rows are added to the top in the order in which the defects were detected, in accordance with the images loaded into the stacker 14.

[0211] 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.

[0212] In each of the above-described embodiments, an example has been shown in which an image is not printed on the slip sheet, but the slip sheet is simply discharged. This makes it unnecessary to perform printing processing on the slip sheet, and does not consume toner. Conversely, the slip sheet may be printed. This makes it possible to generate slip sheets with eye-catching colors using inexpensive paper, allows for flexible response to changes in color patterns, and eliminates the need to prepare separate paper for slip sheets.

[0213] 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.

[0214] For example, an example has been shown in which the inspection device 13 generates slip sheet insertion information, and the printer main body 11 generates job data for slip sheets based on the slip sheet insertion information. This reduces the load on the inspection device 13 for processes other than inspection, and prevents a slowdown in the inspection speed. However, the inspection device 13 may generate job data for slip sheets and send it to the printer main body 11. In this way, there is no need to introduce a special mechanism for slip sheets into the printer main body 11, making it easier to introduce the system.

[0215] 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.

[0216] 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.

[0217] In the above-described embodiment, the stacker 14 is described as having one tray 141, but may have multiple trays 141. For example, the stacker 14 and the tray 141 shown in FIG. 24 and FIG. 25 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. 24, printed sheets, defective printed sheets, and a preset number of slip sheets are discharged together to one tray 141. The discharge section discharges and stacks printed sheets (first conveying medium) and slip sheets (second conveying medium). In addition, the discharge control section 314 causes the printer main body 11 to continuously discharge a number of slip sheets based on a setting, so that the slip sheets are discharged between the printed sheets in a stacked manner in the discharge section according to the number based on the setting.

[0218] In this way, the printed paper, the defective printed paper, and the slip sheets can be easily distinguished from each other even when they are discharged continuously. Furthermore, when they are discharged together on one tray, multiple jobs discharged continuously or multiple copies of the same job will contain multiple defective printed sheets. However, since a preset number of slip sheets are discharged, the user can easily grasp the position of the defective sheets even when a large number of sheets are discharged. Note that the image of the slip sheet may be changed for each defect, for each paper thickness, for each job, or for each copy. Furthermore, the thinner the slip sheet is, the more red or yellow it may be, or the more toner it may be printed on the slip sheet so that it stands out when viewed from the side.

[0219] 27, the printed paper, the printed paper with a defect, and a preset number of slip sheets may be discharged separately onto multiple trays 141. It is also possible to indicate the presence of a defective paper in a lower tray by using a slip sheet in an upper tray. When discharging the paper separately onto multiple trays 141, the display control unit 302 may display the identification information of the tray 141 onto which the paper is discharged (Tray A, Tray B, ...) or the tray level (first level, second level from the top) for each cover page of a printed paper with a defect, to indicate which tray 141 the defective paper and the slip sheet are discharged onto.

[0220] 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]

[0221] 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 Job Reception 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 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 Job Reception Unit 503 Storage section 504 Job Transmission 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]

[0222] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-089268 A

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a first conveying medium; an information acquiring unit that acquires information about an image formed on the first conveying medium by the image forming unit; a discharge control unit that controls the discharge of a quantity of a second conveying medium according to preset setting information when the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image; and a discharge unit that discharges and stacks the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium; a discharge setting unit that receives input of setting information for setting a quantity of the second conveying medium to be discharged based on a thickness of the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium; Equipped with The discharge control unit controls the continuous discharge of the second conveying medium in a quantity corresponding to the setting information, so that the second conveying medium is discharged in the discharge unit in a quantity corresponding to the setting information and overlapped between the first conveying medium. Image forming system.

2. an image forming unit that forms an image on a first conveying medium; an information acquiring unit that acquires information about an image formed on the first conveying medium by the image forming unit; a discharge control unit that controls the discharge of a quantity of a second conveying medium according to preset setting information when the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image; and a discharge unit that discharges and stacks the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium; a discharge setting unit that receives input of setting information that sets a quantity of the second conveying medium to be discharged for each type of the first conveying medium; Equipped with The discharge control unit controls the continuous discharge of the second conveying medium in a quantity corresponding to the setting information, so that the second conveying medium is discharged in the discharge unit in a quantity corresponding to the setting information and overlapped between the first conveying medium. Image forming system.

3. 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.

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

4. a display control unit that performs control to display information indicating a relationship between a stacking position of the plurality of first conveyed media determined to be defective and one of the slip-sheet groups, the number of second conveyed media corresponding to the setting information being one slip-sheet group, The image forming system according to claim 1 .

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

6. Job information generated for each job for forming an image includes setting information for the number of second conveyance media to be discharged; the discharge control unit performs control to discharge the second conveying medium in a quantity based on setting information included in the job information. The image forming system according to claim 1 .

7. an information acquiring unit that acquires information regarding an image formed on a first conveying medium; a discharge control unit that controls, when there is a defect in the image formed on the first conveying medium based on the acquired information about the image, to discharge a quantity of a second conveying medium corresponding to preset setting information to a discharge unit that loads the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium; a discharge setting unit that receives input of setting information for setting a quantity of the second conveying medium to be discharged based on a thickness of the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium; Equipped with The discharge control unit continuously discharges the second conveying medium in a quantity corresponding to the setting information, so that the second conveying medium is discharged between the first conveying medium in a stacked manner in the discharge unit in a quantity corresponding to the setting information. Inspection equipment.

8. an information acquiring unit that acquires information regarding an image formed on a first conveying medium; a discharge control unit that controls, when there is a defect in the image formed on the first conveying medium based on the acquired information about the image, to discharge a quantity of a second conveying medium corresponding to preset setting information to a discharge unit that loads the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium; a discharge setting unit that receives input of setting information that sets a quantity of the second conveying medium to be discharged for each type of the first conveying medium; Equipped with The discharge control unit continuously discharges the second conveying medium in a quantity corresponding to the setting information, so that the second conveying medium is discharged between the first conveying medium in a stacked manner in the discharge unit in a quantity corresponding to the setting information. Inspection equipment.

9. 1. A computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining information relating to an image formed on a first carrier medium; a step of controlling, when the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image, discharging a quantity of the second conveying medium corresponding to preset setting information to a discharge section that stacks the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium; receiving an input of the setting information for setting the number of the second conveying medium to be discharged based on the thickness of the first conveying medium and the thickness of the second conveying medium; Equipped with In the step of performing the control, the second conveying medium is continuously discharged in a quantity corresponding to the setting information, so that the second conveying medium is discharged in a stack between the first conveying medium in the discharge unit in a quantity corresponding to the setting information. Testing method.

10. 1. A computer-implemented method comprising: obtaining information relating to an image formed on a first carrier medium; a step of controlling, when the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image, discharging a quantity of the second conveying medium corresponding to preset setting information to a discharge section that stacks the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium; receiving an input of the setting information for setting a quantity of the second conveying medium to be discharged for each type of the first conveying medium; Equipped with In the step of performing the control, the second conveying medium is continuously discharged in a quantity corresponding to the setting information, so that the second conveying medium is discharged in a stack between the first conveying medium in the discharge unit in a quantity corresponding to the setting information. Testing method.

11. On the computer, obtaining information relating to an image formed on a first carrier medium; a step of controlling, when the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image, discharging a quantity of the second conveying medium according to preset setting information to a discharge section that discharges and stacks the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium; receiving an input of the setting information for setting the number of the second conveying medium to be discharged based on the thickness of the first conveying medium and the thickness of the second conveying medium; Run the command, In the step of performing the control, the second conveying medium is continuously discharged in a quantity corresponding to the setting information, so that the second conveying medium is discharged in a stack between the first conveying medium in the discharge unit in a quantity corresponding to the setting information. program.

12. On the computer, obtaining information relating to an image formed on a first carrier medium; a step of controlling, when the image formed on the first conveying medium has a defect based on the acquired information about the image, discharging a quantity of the second conveying medium according to preset setting information to a discharge section that discharges and stacks the first conveying medium and the second conveying medium; receiving an input of the setting information for setting a quantity of the second conveying medium to be discharged for each type of the first conveying medium; Run the command, In the step of performing the control, the second conveying medium is continuously discharged in a quantity corresponding to the setting information, so that the second conveying medium is discharged in a stack between the first conveying medium in the discharge unit in a quantity corresponding to the setting information. program.

Images