Inspection device, image forming system, inspection method and program

Abstract

To easily find a printed matter having a defect corresponding to a conveying medium by making it possible to know an appearance of the conveying medium such as a combined paper to be ejected when the defect is detected.SOLUTION: An inspection device includes: an image acquisition unit which acquires an image formed on a first conveyance medium; 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 image; and a display control unit which controls to display the image on the second conveyance medium in association with information indicating the first conveyance medium determined to be defective.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus, an image forming system, 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 formed by the image forming apparatus. Also, a technique is known for inserting a slip sheet (insertion sheet) on which an image or the like is printed between the stack of printed sheets when a defect is detected, in order to make it easier to find the printed sheet with a detected defect among the stack of printed sheets 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 the conventional technology, since it is not possible to know the appearance of a transport medium such as a slip sheet inserted in a stack of printed materials, there is a problem that it takes a long time to find the transport medium. If it takes a long time to find the transport medium, it also takes a long time to find the printed material in which a defect was detected, which may affect the overall process time, such as checking the printed material in which a defect was detected or replacing it as necessary.

[0005] The disclosed technology has an object to make it easier to find defective printed matter that corresponds to the transported medium by making it possible to know the appearance of the transported medium, such as an interleaf sheet, that is discharged when a defect is detected. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The disclosed technology includes an image acquisition unit that acquires 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 is defective based on the acquired image, and a display control unit that controls the display of the image of the second conveying medium in association with information indicating the first conveying medium determined to be defective. the display control unit controls to display information indicating a relationship between a position where the first conveying medium and the discharged second conveying medium are stacked in association with information indicating the first conveying medium. It is an inspection device. Effect of the Invention

[0007] By making it possible to know the appearance of the conveyed medium, such as an interleaf sheet, that is discharged when a defect is detected, it is possible to easily find the defective printed matter that corresponds to the conveyed medium. [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 sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a printing process without an interleaf sheet. [Figure 10] 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a printing process with an interleaf sheet; FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of an inspection process. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an interleaf sheet; [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a defect display screen. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a first diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a defect detection image. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for an interleaf insertion interval. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for an interleaf insertion tray. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display control process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 20] 13A to 13C are diagrams for explaining display control results according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a defect detection page list including character recognition results. [Figure 22] FIG. 11 is a first diagram for explaining a method of discharging onto a tray. [Figure 23] FIG. 11 is a second diagram for explaining the method of discharging onto the tray. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is a third diagram for explaining the method of discharging onto the tray. [Diagram 25] FIG. 11 is a fourth diagram for explaining the method of discharging onto the tray. [Figure 26] 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 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, a stacker 14, and an inserter 15.

[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. Note that, when outputting without printing on interleaf sheets, a separate paper feed tray for interleaf sheets may be provided in paper feed tray 105.

[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 one-dimensionally 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 image acquisition unit that acquires an image of the paper. The image acquisition unit may acquire an image other than the read image data, such as image data or a thumbnail image of the image data, so long as the image is an image 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 used to stack printed sheets and slip sheets that are discharged. The stacker 14 may include multiple trays 141.

[0026] The inserter 15 includes an inserter tray 151, and supplies interleaf sheets under the control of the printer body 11. Specifically, setting information for selecting a tray for interleaf sheets is stored in the printer body 11. If the setting information specifies that the tray for interleaf sheets is the inserter tray 151, the printer body 11 controls the inserter 15 to supply interleaf sheets from the inserter tray 151 when it executes a job for discharging interleaf sheets.

[0027] 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.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a printer main body.

[0029] 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 .

[0030] 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.

[0031] The NB 1103 and the ASIC 1106 are connected via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 1121 .

[0032] 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.

[0033] 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.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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).

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the inspection device.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] 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.

[0046] The RAM 136 is a volatile main storage device and is used as a working area for the CPU 134.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of the function of the DFE.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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 .

[0054] A job information processing unit 551 processes information about a job included in the job data.

[0055] 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 .

[0056] The control information storage unit 553 stores the control information handled by the system control unit 501 .

[0057] The gradation correction unit 554 corrects the gradation of the image data converted by the RIP processing unit 552 .

[0058] 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.

[0059] The storage unit 503 stores the received job data.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of functions of the printer main body.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] The job information processing unit 211 processes job information included in the job data transmitted from the DFE 50. The RIP processing unit 212 processes RIP image data included in the job data transmitted from the DFE 50. When the job information generation unit 213 receives information instructing the insertion of a slip sheet (slip sheet insertion information) from the inspection device 13, it generates job information for inserting the slip sheet. Note that the slip sheet may have an image or the like printed on it in advance, or may contain handwritten characters and images. The image of the slip sheet does not have to be specified in advance.

[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 according to an output instruction of the slip sheet, or may be a sheet of film or plastic. The slip sheet can be called a second transport medium in comparison with the first transport medium, which is a printed paper. The information printed on the slip sheet (second transport medium) may be printed by the image forming unit of the printer body 11, or may be originally given 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, etc. 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 image acquisition unit such as an in-line sensor may acquire an image after the toner is fixed by the fixing roller 117, or may acquire an image before entering the fixing roller 117 after transfer 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, and a discharge control unit 314.

[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 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 a display unit that the display control unit 302 according to this embodiment displays information on.

[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 about 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] A differential image generating unit 309 generates differential image data indicating the difference in density value (RGB value) for each pixel 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 (second conveying medium) indicating that there is a defect. The interleaf is a sheet of paper to be inserted between stacks of printed sheets stacked in the stacker 14.

[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. Then, when it determines that a slip sheet should be inserted, it generates information for inserting a slip sheet (slip sheet insertion information) and transmits it to the printer main body 11. Note that the discharge control unit 314 may feed a predetermined 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 or the like, and discharge it without printing.

[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 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, paper type, paper size, job type, and slip sheet ID.

[0089] 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."

[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 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.

[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. Note that the paper used as the interleaf can be selected to be the same paper as that used for the job in which the defect was detected, or to be paper placed in a specified tray, depending on the settings, etc. If the interleaf is paper placed in a specified tray, for example, inexpensive paper specifically for interleaf paper can be used, 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 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] Next, the operation of the image forming system 1 will be described.

[0100] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of printing processing without an interleaf sheet.

[0101] 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 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).

[0102] 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).

[0103] 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).

[0104] 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).

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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).

[0108] 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.

[0109] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a printing process with an interleaf sheet.

[0110] In the printing process with slip sheets shown in FIG. 10, steps S201 and S202 are similar to steps S101 and S102 in the printing process without slip sheets shown in FIG.

[0111] 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).

[0112] 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).

[0113] 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).

[0114] Steps S206 and S207 are similar to steps S103 and S104 in the printing process without slip sheets shown in FIG.

[0115] 11. Moreover, steps S208 to S210 are the same as steps S107 to S109 in the printing process without inserting sheets shown in FIG.

[0116] When it is time to insert a slip sheet (for example, between pages n and n+1), the job information processing unit 211 of the printer main body 11 executes a process of discharging a slip sheet from a set tray (inserting a slip sheet) in accordance with the job information (page m) (step S211). The process of discharging a slip sheet may also include a process of making the printer print the slip sheet. When instructing the printer to print a slip sheet, the print job of the slip sheet is not a job generated by the DFE 50, so the RIP image of the slip sheet is not sent from the DFE 50 to the printer main body 11. In this case, for example, in step S204, the inspection device 13 sends slip sheet printing information 903 for printing the slip sheet to the printer main body 11. The inspection device 13 may be configured to send the slip sheet printing information to the printer main body 11 via the DFE 50 or the like.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] Furthermore, when the read image data is based on a job for an interleaf (page m), the inspection device 13 performs control to display the read image data without performing inspection processing.

[0120] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the inspection process.

[0121] 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

[0122] Of these, the paper count value is set to 0 when the image forming apparatus 10 is powered on, and is incremented by 1 each time a print sheet or slip sheet is discharged to the stacker 14. Also, 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.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] Minimum slip sheet insertion interval < Paper count value - Paper count value of previously inserted slip sheet (Formula 1)

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] 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 insertion information (step S304).

[0131] 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.

[0132] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an interleaf sheet.

[0133] The user can freely decide the pattern, design, paper quality, etc. of the slip sheets. However, when multiple slip sheets are discharged, it is desirable that each slip sheet is printed with characters or images for identifying it in order to know the position of each slip sheet, and that the slip sheets themselves have different colors or patterns. This is because the correspondence between each slip sheet and the page on which a defect was detected can be known by displaying an image of the slip sheets read by the process described later.

[0134] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a defect display screen. The display screens described in Fig. 13 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.

[0135] 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.

[0136] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a job list.

[0137] 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.

[0138] The value of the item "inspection processing start time" indicates the time when the inspection processing of the first page of the job started.

[0139] The value of the item "number of copies in job" indicates the number of copies output in the job.

[0140] The value of the item "Number of pages in job" indicates the number of pages included in the job.

[0141] 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.

[0142] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the defect detection page list.

[0143] The defect detection page list displayed in the "defect detection page list" display area 909 includes, as items, the defect detection time, the number of copies in the job on which the defect occurred, the page on which the defect occurred in the job, the nearby interleaf ID, the image of the nearby interleaf, and the positional relationship with the interleaf. That is, the display control unit 302 controls the display of the image of the interleaf (second conveying medium) in association with information indicating the first conveying medium determined to have a defect. As information indicating the first conveying medium on which the defective image is formed, the page on which the defect occurred, the defect detection time, the number of copies in which the defect occurred, and other identification information of the page on which the defect occurred and the number of pages may be displayed. As the image of the nearby interleaf, in addition to the image of the interleaf to be discharged acquired by an image acquisition unit such as an inline sensor, image data for printing may be used when an image is printed on the interleaf. The display control unit 302 may also display the image of the interleaf to be discharged acquired by the image acquisition unit in association with information indicating the first conveying medium determined to have a defect.

[0144] The value of the item "defect detection time" indicates the time when a defect was detected for each page.

[0145] The value of the item "number of copies in a job" indicates the number of copies in which defects occurred.

[0146] The value of the item "pages where defects occurred during a job" indicates the number of pages where defects occurred.

[0147] The value display field for the item "image in which a defect was detected" displays the scanned image data of the page in which a defect was detected.

[0148] In the display field of the value of the item "nearby interleaf image", read image data obtained by reading an interleaf that is stacked near the page where the defect is detected is displayed.

[0149] The value of the item "Positional relationship with 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 of the slip sheet, the number of sheets sandwiched between them, and the defect detection surface (top or bottom). The positional relationship is displayed in association with information indicating the printed paper (first conveying medium) that has been determined to have a defect. Note that the "Defect Detected Page List" display area 909, which displays the defect detected page list, may also display identification information of the 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 detected page.

[0150] The display control unit 302 uses the slip sheet that has already been printed to display the defect, in order to display defects in subsequent printing. Specifically, the display control unit 302 displays not only the defect that triggered the ejection of the slip sheet (first entry in FIG. 15), but also the positional relationship with the already ejected slip sheet for the defect that was detected after the detection of the defect (second entry in FIG. 15) and for which the ejection 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. 11).

[0151] Therefore, the defect detection page list includes the same interleaf image in multiple entries (for example, the first entry and the second entry in FIG. 24). In other words, the display control unit 302 can control the display of an image of one interleaf (second conveying medium) for information indicating multiple printed sheets (first conveying medium) that have been determined to have defects.

[0152] In addition, when the correspondence between the slip sheet and the defect detection page is one to many, it is necessary to determine the positional relationship between each defect detection page and which slip sheet should be displayed. Therefore, the display control unit 302 identifies the slip sheet 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 least number of sheets between them as the closest slip sheet. The read image data of the slip sheet identified in this way is displayed as the value of the item "nearby slip sheet image" in the defect detection page list. Note that the process of identifying the slip sheet stacked closest to the defect detection page may be executed by the job information processing unit 312 or the discharge control unit 314 of the inspection device 13 or the printer main body 11, and stored in the inspection device 13, and the display control unit 302 may control the display by referring to the stored information. The image serving as the image of the slip sheet may be an image obtained by reading the slip sheet or a thumbnail image created based on the print image data of the slip sheet.

[0153] The display control unit 302, which serves as a Web server provided in the inspection device 13, displays information indicating the first conveying medium determined to be defective on a display unit such as a Web browser installed in another device. Furthermore, if the display unit does not display the second conveying medium corresponding to the first conveying medium, the display unit is kept displayed, and after acquiring an image of the second conveying medium, the display unit is controlled to further display the acquired image of the second conveying medium in association with the information indicating the first conveying medium. At this time, the Web server of the inspection device can transmit screen information including information indicating the first conveying medium determined to be defective to the Web browser of the other device to display it, and when an image of the second conveying medium is acquired, the display unit is controlled to display the image of the second conveying medium in association with the information indicating the first conveying medium on the Web browser while keeping the image displayed on the Web browser.

[0154] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a defect detection image.

[0155] 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. 15 and displayed.

[0156] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the slip sheet insertion interval.

[0157] The setting screen 912 is a screen for setting 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, and when the setting is received, the memory unit 305 stores information indicating the slip sheet insertion interval. By receiving the setting, the printer main body 11 does not discharge a slip sheet even if a defect is detected during the slip sheet insertion interval after the previous slip sheet was discharged. Note that the settable slip sheet insertion interval may be the output time (period) or the number of jobs, in addition to the number of printed sheets output.

[0158] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for the slip sheet insertion tray.

[0159] The setting screen 913 for setting the interleaf insertion tray is a screen for selecting the tray from which the interleaf will be fed. A preset tray is selected. The initial value of the displayed options may be a tray provided in the inserter 15. Upon receiving the setting, the storage unit 305 stores information indicating the set tray. Then, the inspection device 13 transmits the interleaf insertion information to the printer body 11 together with the information indicating the set tray.

[0160] Note that the setting screen 913 may be displayed on the operation panel 12 by the printer main body 11, for example. In this case, the slip sheet insertion information does not include information indicating the slip sheet tray. The printer main body 11 stores information indicating the set tray in the storage unit 205. Then, when executing a job to insert a slip sheet, the printer main body 11 selects the tray from which the paper is to be fed, based on the information indicating the slip sheet tray.

[0161] According to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, an image of the ejected slip sheet is read and displayed. This allows the user to know the appearance of the slip sheet. This makes it easier for the user to find the slip sheet. Furthermore, the image forming system 1 reads and displays the image every time a slip sheet is ejected. Therefore, if there are differences in the appearance of multiple slip sheets, the user can know the appearance of each slip sheet, making it easier for the user to find each individual slip sheet.

[0162] 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.

[0163] As described above, according to the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily find each interleaf sheet, and further, it is possible to easily find the first conveyed medium in which a defect has been detected.

[0164] Second Embodiment The second embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that it is determined whether or not job information of the interleaf and scanned image data of the interleaf have been acquired in display control by the inspection device 13. 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.

[0165] The display control unit 302 of the inspection device 13 judges whether or not the job information of the interleaf and the read image data of the interleaf have been acquired, and determines the items for which values ​​are to be displayed in the defect detection page list according to the judgment result.

[0166] Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming system 1 according to the second embodiment will be described.

[0167] FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of the display control process according to the second embodiment.

[0168] The display control process shown in Fig. 19 is a control for determining the contents to be displayed in the defect detection page list. Specifically, the inspection device 13 accepts a selection from the job list on the defect display screen shown in Fig. 16 (step S401). The display control unit 302 determines whether the selected job includes an image determined to have a defect (step S402).

[0169] If the display control unit 302 determines that the selected job does not include an image determined to have a defect (step S402: No), the display control process ends. In this case, the values ​​in the defect detection page list are not displayed.

[0170] If the display control unit 302 determines that the selected job includes an image determined to have a defect (step S402: Yes), it displays the time the defect was detected, the number of copies, the page on which the defect was detected, and the scanned image data of the image in which the defect was detected (step S403).

[0171] When a plurality of defects are detected, the display control unit 302 executes the processes from step S403 to step S405 for each of the defects.

[0172] Next, the display control unit 302 determines whether or not the job information of the slip sheet and the read image data of the slip sheet have been acquired (step S404). Here, when the display control unit 302 has received the job information of the slip sheet, it identifies a nearby slip sheet as the slip sheet to be displayed in association with each defect. 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, and identifies the slip sheet with the least number of sheets between them as the nearest slip sheet. Then, it determines whether or not the read image data of the slip sheet identified as the nearest slip sheet has been acquired.

[0173] When the display control unit 302 determines that the job information of the interleaf and the scanned image data of the interleaf have been acquired (step S404: Yes), it displays the scanned image data of the interleaf (the value of the item "Nearby interleaf image") and the relationship between the ejected interleaf and the position where the paper determined to be defective is stacked (item "Positional relationship with interleaf") (step S405).

[0174] Furthermore, when the display control unit 302 determines that either the job information of the slip sheet or the read image data of the slip sheet has not been acquired (step S404: No), it skips the process of step S405. Note that even in the case of skipping, if the read image data of the slip sheet is acquired later, the process of step S405 displays the slip sheet information including the read image data of the slip sheet and the positional relationship information together in correspondence with all of the skipped defect information (information of the first conveying medium having a defect).

[0175] The display control unit 302 determines whether there are other images determined to have defects (step S406). If the display control unit 302 determines that there are other images determined to have defects (step S406: Yes), the display control unit 302 returns to the process of step S403 and executes the process for the other defects.

[0176] If the display control unit 302 determines that there are no other images that have been determined to have a defect (step S406: No), the process ends.

[0177] FIG. 20 is a diagram for explaining a display control result according to the second embodiment.

[0178] Defect detection page list 909a shows the defect detection page list displayed immediately after it is determined that there is a defect. Immediately after it is determined that there is a defect, the inspection device 13 is unable to acquire the slip sheet job information or the read image data of the slip sheet. Therefore, in step S404 shown in FIG. 19, the display control unit 302 determines that either the slip sheet job information or the read image data of the slip sheet has not been acquired. As a result, the display columns for the values ​​of the items "Nearby slip sheet image" and "Positional relationship to the slip sheet" are left blank.

[0179] Defect detection page list 909b shows the defect detection page list displayed after the inspection device 13 acquires the job information of the slip sheet and the scanned image data of the slip sheet. In this case, in step S404 shown in Fig. 19, the display control unit 302 determines that the job information of the slip sheet and the scanned image data of the slip sheet have been acquired. As a result, the display fields for the values ​​of the items "nearby slip sheet image" and "positional relationship with the slip sheet" respectively display the scanned image data of the slip sheet and the relationship between the ejected slip sheet and the position where the paper determined to be defective is stacked.

[0180] Since it is expected that it will take some time for the process of reading the image of the slip sheet to be completed after it is determined that there is a defect, if the defect detection page list were to be displayed after the values ​​to be displayed for all items were decided, it would take a long time to display the presence or absence of defects.In contrast, according to the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the inspection device 13 can decide the items for which values ​​are to be displayed according to the timing at which the slip sheet job information and the read image data of the slip sheet are acquired, so that information indicating the presence of a defect can be displayed even immediately after a defect is detected.

[0181] In Figure 15 etc., an example is 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 to be loaded into the stacker 14.

[0182] The reading unit 307 may read the characters on the interleaf by character recognition using OCR (Optical Character Recognition). In this case, an item such as "Text on nearby interleaf" may be added to the defect detected page list shown in Fig. 15, and the display control unit 302 may control the display. The display field for the value of the item "Text on nearby interleaf" displays text obtained by performing character recognition processing on the read image data obtained by reading the interleaf that is stacked near the page where the defect was detected (Fig. 21). This makes it even easier to distinguish the individual interleaf sheets.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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.

[0185] 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.

[0186] 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, the printer main body 11 does not need to be provided with a special mechanism for printing slip sheets, making it easier to introduce the system.

[0187] In an embodiment, the DFE 50 or the inspection device 13 may be configured as an information processing system including a plurality of computing devices, such as a server cluster. The plurality of computing devices may be configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network, a shared memory, or the like, and may perform the processes disclosed herein. For example, a Web server function including a display control unit provided in an apparatus such as the inspection device 13, the DFE 50, or a printer may be provided in an information processing apparatus on the cloud, and information on the apparatus including defect inspection results collected from each apparatus, images of interleaf sheets obtained, job information, and the like may be uploaded to the information processing apparatus on the cloud as needed. Furthermore, the uploaded information may be used to obtain information on the apparatus via the Internet using software such as a Web browser of various apparatuses or apparatuses, and the display may be automatically updated using a list display or two-way communication.

[0188] 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.

[0189] 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. 22 to 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. 22, 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.

[0190] 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. 23, the slip sheets and the printed sheets may be discharged separately onto multiple trays 141. Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 24, 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.

[0191] Furthermore, when sheets are discharged to multiple trays 141, it is possible to discharge them to 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. 25, the slip sheet will not be hidden by the printed sheets 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. 25), it can be determined that there is no sheet for that print job with a detected defect, improving workability.

[0192] 26, 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 slip sheet are discharged onto.

[0193] 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]

[0194] 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 terminal 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 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]

[0195] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-089268 A

Claims

1. an image acquisition unit that acquires an image formed on a first conveying medium; a discharge control unit that controls the discharge of a second conveying medium when a defect is found in the image formed on the first conveying medium based on the acquired image; a display control unit that controls displaying an image of the second conveying medium in association with information indicating the first conveying medium determined to have a defect, the display control unit controls to display information indicating a relationship between a position where the first conveying medium and the discharged second conveying medium are stacked in association with information indicating the first conveying medium. Inspection equipment.

2. The image acquisition unit acquires an image of the second conveying medium being discharged, the display control unit displays the acquired image of the second conveying medium in association with information indicating the first conveying medium determined to have a defect.

2. The inspection device according to claim 1.

3. the display control unit performs control to display an image of one of the second conveying media in response to information indicating a plurality of first conveying media determined to have a defect.

3. The inspection device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The display control unit controls displaying text acquired by character recognition of the image of the second conveying medium. The inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the display control unit displays information indicating a first conveying medium determined to be defective on the display unit, and if a second conveying medium corresponding to the first conveying medium is not displayed, controls the display unit to keep displaying the information, and after acquiring an image of the second conveying medium, to further display an image of the second conveying medium in association with the information indicating the first conveying medium. The inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the display unit is a web browser provided in a device other than the inspection device, the display control unit is a Web server included in the inspection device, the Web server of the inspection device transmits screen information including information indicating the first conveyed medium determined to have a defect to the Web browser of the other device to display the screen information, and then, when an image of the second conveyed medium is acquired, performs control to display the image of the second conveyed medium on the Web browser while keeping the Web browser displayed, in association with the information indicating the first conveyed medium; 6. The inspection apparatus according to claim 5.

7. an image forming unit that forms an image on a first conveying medium; an image acquiring unit that acquires 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 a defect is found in the image formed on the first conveying medium based on the acquired image; a display control unit that controls displaying an image of the second conveying medium in association with information indicating the first conveying medium determined to have a defect, the display control unit controls to display information indicating a relationship between a position where the first conveying medium and the discharged second conveying medium are stacked in association with information indicating the first conveying medium. Image forming system.

8. 1. A computer-implemented method comprising: an image capturing step of capturing an image formed on a first conveying medium; a discharge control step of controlling discharge of a second conveying medium when a defect is found in the image formed on the first conveying medium based on the acquired image; a display control step of controlling the display of an image of the second conveying medium in association with information indicating the first conveying medium determined to have a defect, The display control step performs control to display information indicating a relationship between a position where the first conveying medium and the discharged second conveying medium are stacked in association with information indicating the first conveying medium. Testing method.

9. On the computer, an image capturing step of capturing an image formed on a first conveying medium; a discharge control step of controlling discharge of a second conveying medium when a defect is found in the image formed on the first conveying medium based on the acquired image; a display control step of controlling to display an image of the second conveyed medium in association with information indicating the first conveyed medium determined to have a defect; Run the command, The display control step performs control to display information indicating a relationship between a position where the first conveying medium and the discharged second conveying medium are stacked in association with information indicating the first conveying medium. program.

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