Image forming apparatus, reprinting method, and program

Abstract

To improve work efficiency in reprinting of a printing job including a defective page.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus is provided, comprising: a data storing unit that stores, for each job, an identifier for identifying a defective page and an identifier for identifying a job while the identifiers are associated with each other; a reprinting determining unit that determines whether or not obtained printing job data are data on a job that is reprinted; and a job processing unit that when the obtained printing job data are determined to be the data on the job which is reprinted, performs control in such a manner that it is determined whether or not a page included in a conveyed medium is a defective page or not, a first conveyed medium including a page which is not determined to be defective is ejected to a first ejection destination, a second conveyed medium including a defective page is ejected to a second ejection destination, an image of the defective page is printed on a third conveyed medium, and the third conveyed medium having the image printed thereon is ejected to the first ejection destination.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, a reprinting method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A technique for detecting defects in a printed image from the result of reading the image printed by an image forming apparatus is disclosed. Also, a technique for reprinting an image in which a defect has been detected is known.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for discharging a sheet determined to be abnormal and discharging an insertion sheet instead of the sheet determined to be in an abnormal printing state by an inspection means for the purpose of allowing a user to recognize a sheet to be reprinted.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional technique, when reprinting a defective page generated during printing execution, since it is necessary to extract the defective page and insert it after reprinting, there is a problem that work efficiency decreases.

[0005] The disclosed technique aims to improve work efficiency in reprinting a print job including defective pages.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The disclosed technique is A first paper feed tray and a second paper feed tray for setting a printed conveyance medium including defective pages and pages not determined to be defective, which is used at the time of reprinting. for each job The a data storage unit that stores in association an identifier for identifying a defective page and an identifier for identifying a job, a reprint determination unit that determines whether the acquired print job data is data of a job to be reprinted, and when it is determined that the data is data of a job to be reprinted, based on the identifier for identifying the defective page, determines whether a page included in a conveyance medium to be conveyed is a defective page, and The including pages not determined to be defectiveThose fed from the second paper feed tray Discharge the first conveyance medium to the first discharge destination, including the defective page Those fed from the second paper feed tray Discharge the second conveyance medium to the second discharge destination, and the image of the defective page Those fed from the first paper feed tray A job processing unit that controls to print on a third conveyance medium and discharge the printed third conveyance medium to the first discharge destination, and an image forming apparatus including the same.

Effect of the Invention

[0007] It is possible to improve the working efficiency in reprinting a print job including a defective page.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the system 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 that forms 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 a sheet based on the received image data. Note that the sheet is an example of a transport medium on which an image is to be formed.

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

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

[0015] The DFE 50 is an apparatus that controls the image forming apparatus 10, and is, for example, a DFE (Digital Front End). The DFE 50 is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 10, the user terminal 30, and the management server 40.

[0016] When the DFE 50 receives job data together with a signal instructing printing of an image from the user terminal 30 or the management server 40 via the communication network 60, it converts the job data into image data in a format that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 10 by the built-in RIP (Raster Image Processor) engine, and transmits the job data including the converted image data to the image forming apparatus 10.

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

[0018] The image forming apparatus 10 is constructed by a computer and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) / SSD (Solid State Drive) 104, an I / F (Interface) 105, an image forming unit 106, and a reading unit 107, which are interconnected by a bus respectively.

[0019] The CPU 101 reads out the program stored in the ROM 102 or the HDD / SSD 104 and stores it in the RAM 103. Then, the CPU 101 executes various processes described later according to the program stored in the RAM 103.

[0020] The ROM 102 is a non-volatile auxiliary storage device. Programs that define the basic operations of the image forming apparatus 10, such as the BIOS, are stored in the ROM 102.

[0021] The RAM 103 is a volatile main storage device. The RAM 103 is used as the working area of the CPU 101.

[0022] The HDD / SSD 104 is a large-capacity non-volatile auxiliary storage device. Received image data, programs for various processes described later, setting information, etc. are stored in the HDD / SSD 104.

[0023] The I / F 105 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) card, etc., and is a repeater when the image forming apparatus 10 communicates with the user terminal 30, the management server 40, or the DFE 50.

[0024] The image forming unit 106 receives an instruction from the CPU 101 and forms an image on a sheet of paper.

[0025] The reading unit 107 reads the image formed on the paper by the image forming unit 106 and stores the read image data in the RAM 103 or the like.

[0026] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the internal structure of the image forming apparatus.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 10 has a configuration in which photosensitive drums 403Y, 403M, 403C, and 403K for yellow, magenta, cyan, and black (hereinafter referred to as Y, M, C, and K, respectively) are arranged along an endless moving means, an intermediate transfer belt 402. On the surface of each photosensitive drum, the images of each color developed with toner are superimposed by the intermediate transfer belt 402 to form a full-color image.

[0028] The formed full-color image is fed from the first paper feed tray 400 or the second paper feed tray 409, and is transferred onto the paper conveyed by the conveying roller 401 by the transfer roller 404 onto the paper surface. Thereafter, the paper is further conveyed, the toner is fixed by the fixing roller 405, and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 410.

[0029] The first paper feed tray 400 is the paper feed tray designated for the printing job and is used at the time of printing other than reprinting. The second paper feed tray 409 is the paper feed tray for reprinting and is used at the time of reprinting.

[0030] Also, when performing double-sided printing, after forming an image on the front surface, the paper is conveyed to the reversing path 407 in the conveyance path, the front and back are reversed, and then conveyed again to the position of the transfer roller 404.

[0031] The image forming apparatus 10 also includes in-line sensors 406a and 406b. The in-line sensors 406a and 406b read the images fixed on both sides of the paper after the paper is fixed by the fixing roller 405 and generate read image data indicating the read images. Note that the number of in-line sensors does not have to be two, and may be one or three or more as long as it can read one side or both sides of the conveyed paper.

[0032] The waste tray 411 is an area for discharging the original sheet on which an image defect has been detected during reprinting when the image defect is detected by image inspection. When reprinting, the image forming apparatus 10 discharges the sheet on which an image defect has been detected to the waste tray 411, and discharges the sheet on which no image defect has been detected to the paper output tray 410. That is, the paper output tray 410 is the first discharge destination for discharging the sheets on which no image defect has been detected during reprinting, and the waste tray 411 is the second discharge destination for discharging the sheets on which an image defect has been detected during reprinting.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a master image generation unit 201, a read image acquisition unit 202, an image inspection unit 203, a data storage unit 204, a job data acquisition unit 205, a reprint determination unit 206, a print instruction unit 207, a reprint instruction unit 208, and a job processing unit 209.

[0035] The master image generation unit 201 generates master image data based on the RIP image data indicating the image to be printed by the image forming unit 106. Specifically, the master image generation unit 201 converts the RIP image data in CMYK format into master image data in RGB format.

[0036] Note that the master image data is data that serves as a reference for comparison with the read image data and functions as correct answer data when printed correctly. The master image generation unit 201 may create the master image data by reading the sheet on which the reference image has been printed with a scanner, an in-line sensor, or a scanner of an external device. Further, the image forming unit 106 may print an image based on the master image data.

[0037] The read image acquisition unit 202 acquires the read image data read by the reading unit 107.

[0038] The image inspection unit 203 compares the master image and the read image data to determine whether there is a defect in the printed matter. Specifically, the image inspection unit 203 determines whether there is a defect in the printed matter for each page, and associates the page No., which functions as an identifier for identifying a defective page, with the job ID, which functions as an identifier for identifying a job, and stores it in the data storage unit 204.

[0039] The data storage unit 204 stores information indicating whether there is a defect in the printed matter determined by the image inspection unit 203. Specifically, the data storage unit 204 stores the page No. indicating a defective page in association with the job ID. The number of page Nos. associated with one job ID may be one or more.

[0040] The reprint determination unit 206 determines whether the print job data is data of a job to be reprinted. Specifically, the reprint determination unit 206 determines whether the job ID of the print job data acquired by the job data acquisition unit 205 is stored in the data storage unit 204.

[0041] When the reprint determination unit 206 determines that the job ID is stored in the data storage unit 204, it delivers the page No. associated with the job ID to the reprint instruction unit 208 together with the print job data. Also, when the reprint determination unit 206 determines that the job ID is not stored in the data storage unit 204, it delivers the print job data to the print instruction unit 207.

[0042] Even if the print job data is the same, when it cannot be determined by the job ID, the reprint determination unit 206 may make a determination based on information other than the job ID. For example, the reprint determination unit 206 may store the image data included in the print job data in the data storage unit 204 and compare the image data included in the newly acquired print job data to determine whether the print job is a print job to be reprinted.

[0043] The printing instruction unit 207 delivers the delivered print job data to the job processing unit 209 and instructs normal printing that is not reprinting.

[0044] The reprint instruction unit 208 generates job data for reprinting (reprint job data) based on the delivered page No., delivers it to the job processing unit 209, and instructs reprinting. The reprint job data includes information indicating the page No. of the defective page. Note that the number of defective pages may be one or more.

[0045] The job processing unit 209 processes the delivered print job data or reprint job data. That is, when the print job data is delivered, the job processing unit 209 executes printing processing, and when the reprint job data is delivered, the job processing unit 209 executes reprinting processing.

[0046] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of printing processing.

[0047] When the job processing unit 209 starts printing an image, the image inspection unit 203 counts the page No. of the page being inspected (step S11). The image inspection unit 203 compares the master image data and the read image data to determine whether there is a defect in the printed matter (step S12).

[0048] When the image inspection unit 203 determines that there is a defect in the printed matter (step S12: YES), the data storage unit 204 stores the job ID and the counted page No. in association with each other (step S13).

[0049] Also, when the image inspection unit 203 determines that there is no defect in the printed matter (step S12: NO), it determines whether it is the last page (step S14). When the image inspection unit 203 determines that it is not the last page (step S14: NO), it returns to the process of step S11 and proceeds to the process of the next page.

[0050] When the image inspection unit 203 determines that it is the last page (step S14: YES), it determines whether there is a defective page in the inspected print job (step S15). When the image inspection unit 203 determines that there is a defective page (step S15: YES), the job processing unit 209 prints a job ticket (step S16).

[0051] The job ticket is a sheet of paper on which information necessary for reprinting, such as information indicating the paper feed tray (second paper feed tray 409) for the user to set the printed paper during reprinting or information indicating the orientation for setting the printed paper, is printed.

[0052] Based on the settings of the job determined to have a defective page (paper size, printing orientation (portrait / landscape), number of printed pages, paper feed tray setting), the job processing unit 209 may select a paper feed tray indicating settings (paper size, paper orientation, number of sheets that can be accommodated, etc.) suitable for the reprint job, and print information indicating the selected paper feed tray on the job ticket.

[0053] When the job processing unit 209 determines that there is no defective page (step S15: NO), it skips the process of step S16 and ends the printing process.

[0054] The user can refer to the printed job ticket and make preparations for reprinting. Specifically, when it is a print job for which no job ticket has been printed, the user can end the printing operation.

[0055] Also, when it is a print job for which a job ticket has been printed, the user can set the bundle of printed materials discharged to the paper discharge tray 410 into the second paper feed tray 409 based on the information printed on the job ticket.

[0056] When the user operates the user terminal 30 to instruct printing, the reprint determination unit 206 determines that it is a reprint job based on the print job data acquired by the job data acquisition unit 205. Then, the job processing unit 209 executes a reprint process based on the reprint job data delivered from the reprint instruction unit 208.

[0057] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the reprint process.

[0058] The job processing unit 209 counts the page No. of the page being processed in the reprint job data (step S21). Next, the job processing unit 209 determines whether the page being processed is a defective page (step S22).

[0059] When the job processing unit 209 determines that the page being processed is not a defective page (step S22: NO), it discharges the sheet (first conveyance medium) including the corresponding page fed from the second paper feed tray 409 to the discharge tray 410 (step S23). At this time, since the job processing unit 209 does not execute printing, it may control to separate at least one of the transfer roller 404 and the fixing roller 405 and convey the sheet.

[0060] When the job processing unit 209 determines that the page being processed is a defective page (step S22: YES), the image forming unit 106 controls to discharge the sheet (second conveyance medium) including the corresponding page (defective page) fed from the second paper feed tray 409 to the waste tray (step S24). Then, the job processing unit 209 controls the image forming unit 106 to print the image of the defective page on the sheet (third conveyance medium) fed from the first paper feed tray 400 and discharge it to the discharge tray 410 (step S25).

[0061] The job processing unit 209 determines whether there is still a defective page in the reprint job being processed (step S26). When it determines that there is still a defective page in the reprint job being processed (step S26: YES), it returns to step S21 and executes the processing of the next page.

[0062] When the job processing unit 209 determines that there are no more defective pages in the reprint job being processed (step S26: NO), it ends the reprint process. As a result, since the image forming apparatus 10 ends the reprint process along with the completion of the reprint of the last defective page, the time required for the reprint process is shortened. For example, when only the first page out of 100 pages of reprint job data is a defective page, the image forming apparatus 10 can skip the paper feeding operation and the paper discharging operation for the remaining 99 pages and end the reprint process.

[0063] In the determination of step S26, the image forming apparatus 10 may repeat the processes from step S21 to step S25 until the processing of all the pages included in the reprint job data is completed. As a result, since the image forming apparatus 10 outputs all the papers including the pages not determined to be defective and the reprinted pages to the paper discharge tray 410 together, the work load on the user can be further reduced.

[0064] According to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, at the time of reprinting, the papers on which image defects are detected are discharged to the waste tray 411, and the papers on which image defects are not detected are discharged to the paper discharge tray 410. As a result, operations such as extracting defective pages and inserting them after reprinting are not required, so that the work efficiency in reprinting defective pages can be improved.

[0065] In double-sided printing, the image forming apparatus 10 selects the discharge destination for each sheet of paper. Therefore, when either the front or back surface of a sheet of paper is a defective page, reprinting is performed on both the front and back surfaces of the sheet of paper.

[0066] Although an example has been shown in which the image forming apparatus 10 determines whether it is a print job or a reprint job and performs processing, the user may specify whether to print or reprint. In that case, the user terminal 30 transmits information indicating whether to print or reprint to the image forming apparatus 10 via the DFE 50. The reprint determination unit 206 determines whether to perform reprinting based on the information indicating whether to print or reprint.

[0067] The image forming apparatus 10 may print the job ticket on a sheet different from the sheet on which the image of the print job is printed. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 may print the image of the print job on a sheet supplied from the first paper feed tray 400 and print the job ticket on a sheet supplied from the second paper feed tray 409. Thereby, in printing the job ticket that does not require the print quality to be relatively high compared to the image of the print job, the cost of the paper can be reduced.

[0068] At the time of reprinting, if it is directly set from the paper discharge tray 410 to the second paper feed tray 409, the printed surface of the paper may be set in the reverse direction of the first printing. Therefore, in order to align the paper discharge direction to the paper discharge tray 410, the job processing unit 209 may control to reverse the printed surface using the inversion path 407 used for double-sided printing even in the case of single-sided printing. Note that the job processing unit 209 may control to reverse the printed surface using the inversion path 407 at the time of reprinting even in the case of double-sided printing, then execute printing on the first side, and again reverse the printed surface and execute printing on the second side.

[0069] Also, at the time of reprinting, if it is directly set from the paper discharge tray 410 to the second paper feed tray 409, it is conceivable that the order of the pages to be printed is set in reverse. Therefore, the job processing unit 209 may control to print in reverse order from the last page. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 may be configured to be able to appropriately change by setting what is assumed about how the paper at the time of reprinting is set in the second paper feed tray 409.

[0070] In one embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 may be configured as an information processing system including a plurality of computing devices such as a server cluster. The plurality of computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link including a network or a shared memory, and may perform the processes disclosed in this specification.

[0071] Each function of the embodiments described above can be realized by one or a plurality of processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in this specification refers to a processor programmed to execute each function by software like a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each function described above, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a device such as a conventional circuit module.

[0072] Although the present invention has been described based on each embodiment above, the present invention is not limited to the requirements shown in the above embodiments. Regarding these points, it can be changed within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention, and can be appropriately determined according to the application form.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0073] 1 Image forming system 10 Image forming apparatus 30 User terminal 40 Management server 50 DFE 60 Communication network 201 Master image generation unit 202 Read image acquisition unit 203 Image inspection unit 204 Data storage unit 205 Job data acquisition unit 206 Reprint determination unit 207 Printing instruction unit 208 Reprint instruction section 209 Job processing section

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0074]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. A first paper feed tray, a second paper feed tray for setting a printed conveyance medium including defective pages and pages not determined to be defective, which is used at the time of reprinting, a data storage unit that stores in association an identifier for identifying the defective pages for each job and an identifier for identifying the job, a reprint determination unit that determines whether the acquired print job data is data of a job to be reprinted, When it is determined that the data is a job to be reprinted, based on the identifier for identifying the defective pages, it is determined whether the page included in the conveyed conveyance medium is a defective page, and the first conveyance medium including the pages not determined to be defective and fed from the second paper feed tray is discharged to a first discharge destination, the second conveyance medium including defective pages and fed from the second paper feed tray is discharged to a second discharge destination, the image of the defective pages is printed on a third conveyance medium fed from the first paper feed tray, and a job processing unit that controls to discharge the printed third conveyance medium to the first discharge destination, An image forming apparatus.

2. A data storage unit that stores in association an identifier for identifying defective pages for each job and an identifier for identifying the job, a reprint determination unit that determines whether the acquired print job data is data of a job to be reprinted, When it is determined that the data is a job to be reprinted, based on the identifier for identifying the defective pages, it is determined whether the page included in the conveyed conveyance medium is a defective page, the first conveyance medium including the pages not determined to be defective is discharged to a first discharge destination, the second conveyance medium including defective pages is discharged to a second discharge destination, the image of the defective pages is printed on a third conveyance medium, and a job processing unit that controls to discharge the printed third conveyance medium to the first discharge destination, When discharging the first conveyance medium to the first discharge destination, the job processing unit controls to convey the first conveyance medium while separating at least one of the transfer roller and the fixing roller. An image forming apparatus.

3. The job processing unit controls to print in reverse order from the last page. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An image inspection unit is further provided that determines whether there is a defect in a printed page included in a print job, associates an identifier for identifying a page determined to have a defect with an identifier for identifying the print job, and stores the result in the data storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A data storage unit that stores, in association with each other, an identifier for identifying a defective page for each job and an identifier for identifying the job. A reprint determination unit that determines whether the acquired print job data is data of a job to be reprinted. When it is determined that the data is of a job to be reprinted, based on the identifier for identifying the defective page, it is determined whether a page included in the conveyed conveyance medium is a defective page. A first conveyance medium including pages not determined to be defective is discharged to a first discharge destination, a second conveyance medium including defective pages is discharged to a second discharge destination, an image of the defective page is printed on a third conveyance medium, and the printed third conveyance medium is discharged to the first discharge destination. A job processing unit that controls the above. An image inspection unit that determines whether there is a defect in a printed page included in a print job, associates an identifier for identifying a page determined to have a defect with an identifier for identifying the print job, and stores the result in the data storage unit. Comprising In the printing of a print job including a page determined to be defective by the image inspection unit, the job processing unit controls to print information for setting the printed first conveyance medium and the second conveyance medium for reprinting. Image forming apparatus.

6. The job processing unit controls to print in reverse order from the last page. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.

7. When the job processing unit determines that there are no more defective pages in the job to be reprinted during processing, the reprint processing is terminated. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. In the reprinting of a single-sided print job, the job processing unit controls to invert the printing surface. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A method executed by a computer that stores, in association with each other, an identifier for identifying a defective page for each job and an identifier for identifying the job. A step of feeding paper from a first paper feed tray. Feeding paper from a second paper feed tray that sets a printed conveyance medium including the defective page and pages not determined to be defective and used at the time of reprinting; Determining whether the acquired print job data is data of a job to be reprinted; When it is determined that the data is a job to be reprinted, determining whether a page included in the conveyed conveyance medium is a defective page based on the identifier for identifying the defective page, discharging a first conveyance medium that includes pages not determined to be defective and is fed from the second paper feed tray to a first discharge destination, discharging a second conveyance medium that includes defective pages and is fed from the second paper feed tray to a second discharge destination, printing an image of the defective page on a third conveyance medium fed from the first paper feed tray, and controlling to discharge the printed third conveyance medium to the first discharge destination; A reprinting method.

10. In a computer that stores in association an identifier for identifying a defective page for each job and an identifier for identifying a job, Feeding paper from a first paper feed tray; Feeding paper from a second paper feed tray that sets a printed conveyance medium including the defective page and pages not determined to be defective and used at the time of reprinting; Determining whether the acquired print job data is data of a job to be reprinted; When it is determined that the data is a job to be reprinted, determining whether a page included in the conveyed conveyance medium is a defective page based on the identifier for identifying the defective page, discharging a first conveyance medium that includes pages not determined to be defective and is fed from the second paper feed tray to a first discharge destination, discharging a second conveyance medium that includes defective pages and is fed from the second paper feed tray to a second discharge destination, printing an image of the defective page on a third conveyance medium fed from the first paper feed tray, and controlling to discharge the printed third conveyance medium to the first discharge destination; A program for causing the above to be executed.

Images