Printing system and its control method, printing device, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem that when image data printed on preprint paper where additional information such as ruled lines and numerals have been previously printed is compared with reference image data including no additional information, it is determined that an inspection result is not normal.SOLUTION: When a printing job to be inspected is printed using preprint paper where information has been previously printed on paper, control is performed so that a correct image on the basis of received image data is not registered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system, a control method thereof, a printing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, a printing system that can inspect an image printed on a sheet of paper by an inspection device during conveyance of the sheet of paper printed by a printing device is known. In such inspection of printed paper, the inspection device reads an image of the conveyed printed paper and registers the read image as a reference image. Then, by analyzing the image of the output (printed paper) of the executed printing job and comparing it with the reference image, it is determined whether the output is normal. By inspection by the inspection device, it is possible to detect, for example, missing grid lines, missing images, and printing stains.

[0003] In such an inspection system including such an inspection device, it is necessary to print an image to be inspected in advance and register it in the inspection device as a reference image read by the inspection device from the printed paper. However, in such an inspection system with such a configuration, in registering the reference image, since the printed paper is read, it is necessary for the operator to visually confirm whether it is appropriate to register the printed paper or the read image as the reference image. At this time, if the number of sheets of paper to be printed is large, the amount of confirmation work for the operator increases, a lot of time is required for confirmation, and there is a possibility of work mistakes. Patent Document 1 describes that the read image is inspected by comparing a reference image in which raster data generated from print data is registered with image data obtained by printing and reading an image to be inspected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

[0005] However, in an inspection process that registers raster data as a reference image, as described in Patent Document 1, when printing is performed using paper that has additional information such as ruled lines and numbers printed on it beforehand, such as pre-printed paper, the reference image data does not contain the additional information. Therefore, when comparing image data printed on pre-printed paper that has additional information such as ruled lines and numbers printed on it with reference image data that does not contain the additional information, the inspection result is judged to be abnormal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a printing system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises the following configuration Yes. That is, a printing system, Paper types used to produce printed materials A receiving means for receiving a print job including image data, A printing means that generates a printed product by printing an image on paper corresponding to the paper type based on the image data of the print job, A registration means for registering the correct image, and the By registration method Registered The aforementioned Based on the correct image, Reading printed materials The system includes an inspection means for checking whether the image is normal or not, and the Paper type However, it refers to pre-printed paper with information already printed on it. Don't In that case, the registration means is rasterized The aforementioned image data to the above Correct image as Register If the paper type indicates the pre-printed paper, the registration means does not register the rasterized image data as the correct image, but registers the read image of the printed material as the correct image. It is characterized by the following: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, when inspecting a print job using pre-printed paper, it is possible to prevent the inspection result from being judged as abnormal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] A block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the external controller and client PC according to this embodiment. [Figure 2B] A block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] A schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] A flowchart illustrating the registration process of reference image data in conventional inspection equipment. [Figure 5] The paper attribute setting screen for an image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] Paper setting screen for an image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating the process of registering a reference image according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Data structure for paper feed stage and paper type. [Figure 9] A screen prompting scanning and inspection in the embodiment. [Figure 10] A flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the inspection device according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention to the claims. While multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same or similar configurations are given the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions are omitted. In the following description, the external controller may also be referred to as an information processing device, image processing controller, digital front-end, print server, DFE, etc. The image forming apparatus may also be referred to as a multifunction printer, multifunction peripheral, or MFP.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the printing system according to this embodiment.

[0011] This printing system includes an image forming apparatus 101 and an external controller 102. The image forming apparatus 101 and the external controller 102 are communicably connected via an internal LAN 105 and a video cable 106. Further, the external controller 102 is communicably connected to a client PC 103 via an external LAN 104, and the PC 103 can give a print instruction to the external controller 102.

[0012] A printer driver having a function of converting print data into a print description language (e.g., a page description language (PDL)) that can be processed by the external controller 102 is installed in the client PC 103. A user of the client PC 103 can give a print instruction from various applications via this printer driver. At this time, the printer driver transmits print data to the external controller 102 based on the print instruction from the user. When receiving the print instruction from the client PC 103, the external controller 102 analyzes and rasterizes (RIP) the print data to create image data for printing. Then, the print data is input to the image forming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105, and the rasterized image data is input via the video cable 106.

[0013] Next, the image forming apparatus 101 will be described.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 101 is configured to enable complex printing processes such as bookbinding, with multiple devices having different functions connected together. The printing apparatus 107 forms (prints) an image on paper transported from the paper feed section located at the bottom of the printing apparatus 107 using toner. Although paper is used as an example here, other printing media may be used. The configuration and operating principle of this printing apparatus 107 are as follows: A light beam, such as laser light, modulated according to the image data, is reflected by a rotating multifaceted mirror such as a polygon mirror and irradiated onto the photosensitive drum as scanning light. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by this laser light is developed by toner, and the toner image is transferred to the paper attached to the transfer drum. By sequentially performing this series of image forming processes for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners, a full-color image is formed on the paper. The paper on the transfer drum with the full-color image thus formed is transported to the fuser. The fuser unit includes rollers and belts, and incorporates a heat source such as a halogen heater within the rollers. It uses heat and pressure to melt the toner on the paper onto which the toner image has been transferred, thereby fixing it to the paper.

[0015] The inserter 108 can insert paper at any position into the group of paper that has been printed and transported by the printing device 107.

[0016] The inspection device 109 reads the image of the conveyed paper (printed material) and compares it with pre-registered reference image data (correct image) to determine whether the printed image is normal or not. Printed materials that have been determined to be normal or not are separated and discharged, for example, into normal printed materials and printed materials with errors.

[0017] The high-capacity stacker 110 is capable of stacking and storing large volumes of paper. The finisher 111 performs finishing operations on the transported paper. This finishing operation includes processes such as stapling, punching, and saddle stitching, and the finished stack of paper is discharged into the output tray.

[0018] Although the printing system in Figure 1 is configured with an external controller 102 connected to the image forming apparatus 101, the present invention is not limited to a configuration with an external controller 102 connected. That is, the image forming apparatus 101 may be directly connected to an external LAN 104, and print data may be transmitted directly from a client PC 103 to the image forming apparatus 101. In this case, data analysis and rasterization processing are performed in the image forming apparatus 101, and the printing process is executed.

[0019] Figures 2A and 2B are block diagrams illustrating the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101, external controller 102, and client PC 103 according to the embodiment.

[0020] First, please refer to Figure 2A to explain the configuration of the external controller 102.

[0021] The external controller 102 includes a CPU 208, memory 209, HDD 210, keyboard 211, display 212, LAN I / F (interface) 213, LAN I / F 214, and video I / F 215, all connected via bus 216. The CPU 208 loads programs stored in HDD 210 into memory 208. The CPU 208 executes the programs loaded into memory 208 to perform processes such as receiving print data from client PC 103, processing into bitmap data (RIP processing), and sending print data to image forming apparatus 101. Memory 209 has RAM and stores programs and data necessary for the CPU 208 to perform various processes, operating as a work area. HDD 210 stores programs and data necessary for operations such as printing. The keyboard 211 is a device for inputting operation instructions to the external controller 102. The display 212 displays information such as the applications executed by the external controller 102 as still images and video signals. LANI / F213 connects to the client PC 103 via the external LAN 104 and performs communication such as print commands. LANI / F214 connects to the image forming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105 and performs communication such as print commands. Video I / F215 connects to the image forming apparatus 101 via the video cable 106 and performs communication such as image data.

[0022] Next, the configuration of client PC 103 will be described. Client PC 103 has a CPU 201, memory 202, HDD 203, keyboard 204, display 205, and LANI / F 206, which are connected via bus 207. The CPU 201 loads document processing programs stored in HDD 203 into memory 202, and executes these loaded programs to create print data and execute print commands. The CPU 201 also comprehensively controls each device connected to bus 207. Memory 202 contains ROM and RAM, stores programs and data necessary for the CPU 201 to perform various processes, and acts as the CPU 201's work area. HDD 203 stores programs and data necessary for operations such as printing. The keyboard 204 is a device for inputting operation commands to PC 103. The display 205 displays information such as the applications running on client PC 103 as still images and video signals. LANI / F 206 is connected to the external LAN 104 and performs communication such as print commands.

[0023] Next, with reference to Figure 2B, the configurations of the printing apparatus 107, inserter 108, inspection apparatus 109, large-capacity stacker 110, and finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0024] The printing apparatus 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 includes a communication I / F 217, a LAN I / F 218, a video I / F 220, an HDD 221, a CPU 222, a memory 223, an operation unit 224, and a display unit 225. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 107 includes a document exposure unit 226, a laser exposure unit 227, an image formation unit 228, a fixing unit 229, and a paper feeding unit 230. These components are connected via a system bus 231.

[0025] The communication interface 217 is connected to the inserter 108, inspection device 109, high-capacity stacker 110, and finisher 111 via the communication cable 254, and communicates for the control of each device. The LAN interface 218 is connected to the external controller 102 via the internal LAN 105 and communicates print instructions and other information. The video interface 220 is connected to the external controller 102 via the video cable 106 and communicates image data and other information.

[0026] The HDD221 is a storage device where programs and data are stored. The CPU222 loads the programs stored in the HDD221 into the memory223 and executes the loaded programs to comprehensively control image processing and printing. The memory223 has ROM and RAM and stores programs and image data necessary for the CPU222 to perform various processes, and also acts as the CPU222's work area. The operation unit224 receives input of various settings and operation instructions from the user. The display (display unit)225 shows setting information of the image forming apparatus 101 and the processing status of print jobs.

[0027] The document exposure unit 226 reads the document when using the copy or scan function. Specifically, the document exposure unit 226 reads the document data by illuminating the paper placed by the user with an exposure lamp and capturing an image with a CCD camera. The laser exposure unit 227 performs primary charging and laser exposure in order to irradiate the photosensitive drum with laser light in order to transfer the toner image. In the laser exposure unit 227, primary charging is first performed to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform negative potential. Next, a laser driver irradiates the photosensitive drum with laser light, adjusting the reflection angle with a polygon mirror. This neutralizes the negative charge in the irradiated area and forms an electrostatic latent image. The image formation unit 228 is a device for transferring toner to paper and includes a developing unit, a transfer unit, a toner supply unit, etc., and transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum to the paper. In the developing unit, negatively charged toner from the developing cylinder is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to make it a visible image. The transfer unit performs primary transfer, in which a positive potential is applied to the primary transfer roller to transfer the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the transfer belt, and secondary transfer, in which a positive potential is applied to the transfer roller to transfer the toner on the transfer belt to the paper. The fixing unit 229 is a device for dissolving and fixing the toner on the paper using heat and pressure, and includes a heating heater, fixing belt, pressure belt, etc. The paper feeding unit 230 is a device for feeding paper, and the paper feeding and transport operations are controlled by rollers and various sensors.

[0028] Next, the configuration of the inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 has a communication interface 232, a CPU 233, a memory 234, and a paper feed control unit 235, which are connected via a bus 236. The communication interface 232 is connected to the printing apparatus 107 via a communication cable 254 and performs the communication necessary for control. The CPU 233 executes the control program stored in the memory 234 and performs various controls necessary for paper feeding. The memory 234 is a storage device in which the control program is stored. The paper feed control unit 235 controls the paper feeding section of the inserter 108 and the feeding and transport of paper transported from the printing apparatus 107, while controlling the rollers and sensors based on instructions from the CPU 233.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the inspection device 109 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described.

[0030] The inspection device 109 includes a communication interface 237, a CPU 238, a memory 239, an imaging unit 240, a display unit 241, an operation unit 242, and an HDD 272, all connected via a bus 243. The communication interface 237 connects to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 254 and performs the necessary control communication. Reference image data used for inspection is also received from the printing device 107 via the communication cable 254 and communication interface 237 and stored in the HDD 272. The CPU 238 executes the control program stored in the memory 239 to perform various controls necessary for inspection. The memory 239 has ROM and RAM and stores control programs, etc. It is desirable that the memory 239 has a large-capacity rewritable non-volatile memory for non-volatile registration of the reference image data.

[0031] The imaging unit 240, based on instructions from the CPU 238, photographs the transported paper and reads the image printed on it. The CPU 238 compares the image data obtained by the imaging unit 240 with reference image data stored in the memory 239 to determine whether the printed image is normal or not. The display unit 241 displays the inspection results and setting screens. The operation unit 242 is operated by the user and accepts instructions such as changing the settings of the inspection device 109 and registering reference images. The HDD 272 stores the reference image data. If the HDD 272 is not available, the reference image data may be stored in the HDD 221 of the printing device 107, and the reference image data may be read from the HDD 221 to the memory 239 when processing whether the printed image is normal or not (good or bad).

[0032] Next, the configuration of the large-capacity stacker 110 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described.

[0033] The high-capacity stacker 110 has a communication interface 244, a CPU 245, a memory 246, and a paper ejection control unit 247, which are connected via a bus 248. The communication interface 244 connects to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 254 and performs the communication necessary for control. The CPU 245 executes the control program stored in the memory 246 to perform various controls necessary for paper ejection. The memory 246 has ROM and RAM and stores control programs and other data. The paper ejection control unit 247 transports the conveyed paper to the stack tray, escape tray, or subsequent finisher 111 based on instructions from the CPU 245.

[0034] Next, the configuration of the finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described.

[0035] The finisher 111 has a communication interface 249, a CPU 250, a memory 251, a paper ejection control unit 252, and a finishing processing unit 253, all connected via a bus 254. The communication interface 249 connects to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 254 and performs the necessary control communications. The CPU 250 executes the control program stored in the memory 251 to perform various controls necessary for finishing and paper ejection. The memory 251 has ROM, RAM, etc., and stores control programs, etc. The paper ejection control unit 252 controls paper transport and paper ejection based on instructions from the CPU 250. The finishing processing unit 253 performs finishing processes such as stapling, punching, and saddle stitching based on instructions from the CPU 250.

[0036] In the above description, the external controller 102 and the image forming apparatus 101 are connected by an internal LAN 105 and a video cable 106, but any configuration that allows for the transmission and reception of data necessary for printing is acceptable, for example, a configuration with only a video cable connection is also acceptable. Furthermore, memory 202, memory 209, memory 223, memory 234, memory 239, memory 246, and memory 251 can each be storage devices for holding data or programs. For example, a configuration using volatile RAM, non-volatile ROM, an internal HDD, an external HDD, or a USB memory is also acceptable.

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the mechanism of the image forming apparatus 101 according to this embodiment.

[0038] First, let's describe the printing device 107. The paper feed decks 301 and 302 are capable of holding multiple sheets of various types of paper. Each paper feed deck separates the top sheet of paper it holds and transports it to the paper transport path 303. Information about the paper stored in each paper feed deck (paper size, paper type) can be set from the operation unit 224 of the printing device 107. Each paper feed deck separates the top sheet of paper it holds and transports it to the paper transport path 303. The developing stations 304 to 307 use colored toners Y, M, C, and K respectively to form a toner image in order to form a color image. The toner image formed here is first transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 308. The intermediate transfer belt 308 is driven to rotate clockwise in Figure 3, and at the secondary transfer position 309, the toner image is transferred to the paper transported from the paper transport path 303. The display unit 225 displays information for the printing status and settings of the image forming device 101. The fuser unit 311 fixes the toner image on the paper to the paper. The fuser unit 311 is equipped with a pressure roller and a heating roller, and the toner image is fixed to the paper by melting and pressing the toner as the paper with the transferred toner image passes between these rollers. The paper that has passed through the fuser unit 311 is transported to the transport path 315 via the paper transport path 312. If further melting and pressing is required for fixing depending on the type of paper, the paper that has passed through the fuser unit 311 is transported to the second fuser unit 313 via the upper paper transport path. Then, the paper that has undergone additional melting and pressing in the second fuser unit 313 is transported to the transport path 315 via the paper transport path 314. In the case of double-sided image formation mode, the fixed paper is transported to the paper inversion path 316, where the front and back of the paper are inverted, and then transported to the double-sided transport path 317, where the image is transferred to the second side of the paper at the secondary transfer position 309.

[0039] Next, we will explain the configuration of the inserter 108 for inserting paper.

[0040] The inserter 108 is equipped with an inserter tray 321 and merges the paper fed through the paper transport path 322 into the transport path 315. This makes it possible to insert paper at any position into a series of sheets of paper transported from the printing device 107 and transport them to the next device.

[0041] The paper that has passed through inserter 108 is transported to inspection device 109. Inside inspection device 109, cameras 331 and 332 are positioned facing each other. Camera 331 is for reading the top surface of the paper, and camera 332 is for reading the bottom surface of the paper. When the paper transported on paper transport path 333 reaches a predetermined position, inspection device 109 uses cameras 331 and 332 to read an image of the paper and can determine whether the image printed on the paper is normal or not. The display device 241 displays the inspection results performed by inspection device 109.

[0042] Next, we will explain the configuration of the large-capacity stacker 110, which is capable of holding a large amount of paper.

[0043] The high-capacity stacker 110 has a stack tray 341 as a tray for stacking paper. Paper that has passed through the inspection device 109 is input to the high-capacity stacker 110 via the paper transport path 344. The paper is loaded onto the stack tray 341 via the paper transport path 345 from the paper transport path 344. Furthermore, the high-capacity stacker 110 has an escape tray 346 as an output tray. The escape tray 346 is an output tray used to discharge paper that has been determined to be defective by the inspection device 109. When discharging paper to the escape tray 346, the paper is transported from the paper transport path 344 to the escape tray 346 via the paper transport path 347. When transporting paper to a post-processing device downstream of the high-capacity stacker 110, the paper is transported via the paper transport path 348. The inversion unit 349 is a mechanism for inverting the front and back sides of the paper. This inversion unit 349 is used when loading paper onto the stack tray 341. When stacking paper in the stack tray 341 so that the orientation of the input paper is the same as the orientation of the paper at the time of output, the paper is flipped once by the flipping unit 349. When transporting to the escape tray 346 or a subsequent post-processing device (finisher 111), the paper is ejected without being flipped during loading, so the paper flipping operation by the flipping unit 349 is not performed.

[0044] The finisher 111 can perform post-processing on the transported paper according to the functions specified by the user. Specifically, the finisher 111 has finishing functions such as stapling (single-point or double-point stapling), punching (double-hole or triple-hole punching), and saddle-stitch binding. The finisher 111 is equipped with two output trays 351 and 352, and paper stacks that do not undergo finishing are output to output tray 351 via the paper transport path 353. When finishing processing such as stapling is performed, the fed paper is sent to the processing unit 355 via the paper transport path 354, where the finishing function specified by the user is executed and output to output tray 352. Output trays 351 and 352 can be raised and lowered, and it is also possible to lower output tray 351 and load the paper that has been finished in the processing unit 355 onto output tray 351. If saddle stitching is specified, the saddle stitching processing unit 356 staples the center of the stack of paper, then folds the stack in half and outputs it to the saddle stitching tray 358 via the paper transport path 357. The saddle stitching tray 358 is configured as a belt conveyor, and the stacks of saddle-stitched books loaded on the tray 358 are transported to the left side of Figure 3.

[0045] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the registration process of reference image data in a conventional inspection device.

[0046] Here, reference image data is registered to inspect printed materials produced by an image forming machine. In this inspection, reference image data is pre-registered in the inspection device's HDD, and images of the paper are read using two cameras and compared with the reference image data to determine whether the image printed on the paper is normal. Conventionally, the registration of reference image data was also done by actually printing, reading the printed paper with a camera, and registering the resulting image data as the reference image data.

[0047] In S401, the operator receives the setting mode for the inspection device from the control panel. This puts the inspection device into reference image data (correct image) registration mode. In the conventional registration mode, the reference image data is obtained by reading with two cameras, so the inspection device enters a standby state, waiting for paper to be transported on the paper transport path. In S402, a print command is received from the PC. The print command received here is for printing one copy of the print job that the operator wants to inspect. In S403, the print job is executed and the reference image is printed on the paper based on the image data. Furthermore, the printed paper is read by the camera and the obtained scanned image data is saved to the HDD. At this time, the operator visually checks the printed paper output and the image preview displayed on the display unit to confirm whether the scanned image data is appropriate as the reference image. In S404, if the registration of the reference image data is accepted, this process ends. On the other hand, if the registration of the reference image data is not accepted in S404, the process returns to S401. At this time, the operator cleans the image forming apparatus and changes the print job settings so that the printed output paper and the image preview displayed on the display unit can be registered as reference image data.

[0048] In this conventional method of registering reference image data, the reference image data is entered using the same input method as the inspection image after actually printing the document. Therefore, there is no need to consider the size or orientation of the image, and inspection can be performed by simple image comparison. However, in the case of print jobs with many pages, the operator has to visually determine whether all pages are suitable as reference image data, which presents problems such as the possibility of verification errors and the time required for verification.

[0049] In this embodiment, instead of registering reference image data by printing and scanning, rasterized image data is registered as the reference image data.

[0050] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the inspection device 109 according to this embodiment. The processing shown in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 228 of the inspection device 109 executing a program loaded into memory 229.

[0051] First, in S601, the CPU 238 waits for a registration instruction for reference image data (correct image) from the printing device 107. Upon receiving the registration instruction, the process proceeds to S602, where the CPU 238 sets the inspection device 109 to the correct image registration mode and receives the reference image data sent from the printing device 107. Note that setting the inspection device 109 to the correct image registration mode can also be done, for example, by an operator via the control unit 242.

[0052] Next, the process proceeds to S603, where the CPU 238 registers the received reference image data as the correct image. Then, the process proceeds to S604, where the CPU 238 waits for an inspection instruction to be input from the printer 107, and proceeds to S605 once the instruction is received. In S605, the CPU 238 reads the paper to be inspected, which is printed and transported by the printer 107, using cameras 331 and 332, and saves the scanned image data obtained from the reading to the HDD 272. Then, it compares the scanned image data of the paper to be inspected with the reference image data registered in S603 for verification. Finally, the process proceeds to S606, where the CPU 238 notifies the printer 107 of the inspection result and proceeds to S607. In S607, the CPU 238 determines whether a notification of completion of the inspection process has been received from the printer 107. If no completion notification has been received, the process proceeds to S604. If a completion notification has been received, the process is terminated.

[0053] Figure 5 shows an example of the paper attribute editing screen 501 displayed on the control panel 224 by instructions from the CPU 222 of the printing device 107. Editable paper IDs are displayed on the paper attribute editing screen 501. Selecting paper ID 1502 and the edit button 503 brings up the paper attribute setting screen 504, where the values ​​of each paper attribute can be changed. The preprint paper attribute 505 indicates whether the paper is preprinted. When the preprint paper attribute 505 is ON, the transport path configuration ensures that the printed sides are aligned and the paper is transported through a double-sided printing transport path. Here, preprint paper refers to paper that has page numbers, text, lines, etc., printed on it beforehand.

[0054] Figure 6 shows an example of the paper setting screen 601 for the paper feed trays, which is displayed on the control panel 224 based on instructions from the CPU 222 of the printing device 107. The current settings for each paper feed tray are displayed on the paper setting screen 601. The paper ID for each paper feed tray can also be changed using the paper ID setting 603.

[0055] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of registering a reference image for print settings, including the paper attributes described in Figure 5 (hereinafter referred to as RIP inspection), in the printing device 107. S701 to S706 in the figure represent each step. The process shown in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 222 of the printing device 107 sequentially reading programs stored in the HDD 272 or the like into memory 223, and then executing the read and expanded programs.

[0056] In this embodiment, the registration of the reference image is not done by reading the printed paper as described in Figure 4, but by registering image data created from rasterized image data (raster data) as described in Figure 10. In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the rasterized image data is received from an external controller 102 via a video cable 106, but this is not the only example. For example, the image forming apparatus 101 may receive a print job (e.g., including PDL data) from the PC 103 and rasterize it.

[0057] After the printing device 107 transmits the reference image to the inspection device 109 in processes S701 to S705 and S707 in Figure 7, the inspection device 109 registers the correct image (reference image) in processes S601 to S603 in Figure 10.

[0058] In S701, the operator receives instructions from the control unit 242 to set reference image data for the inspection device 109. This puts the inspection device 109 into reference image registration mode. It then waits for rasterized image data to be input from the external controller 102 via the video cable 106.

[0059] S702 receives the print job to be inspected and the print instruction from PC103. Printing of the print job to be inspected will not be performed until a reference image is registered in the inspection device 109, but the print instruction will be accepted by S702. The print job includes print settings and image data, including at least the paper size, paper type, resolution, image orientation, and image size of each page. The print instruction received here is for printing a portion of the print job to be inspected that the operator wants to check. In this embodiment, the system accepts print instructions to match the operability of the conventional system, but it may also accept an instruction from PC103 to register the print job as a reference image registration job. Alternatively, it may accept print instructions from the external controller 102.

[0060] In the S703, the paper feed tray is selected based on the paper type specification included in the print job.

[0061] In S704, the paper attributes of the paper loaded in the selected paper feed tray are obtained. Figure 8 illustrates the correspondence between paper feed trays and paper attributes in obtaining paper attributes. As shown in 801, a data structure associating each paper feed tray with a paper type is stored in memory 223 or HDD 272. Each paper feed tray has associated types, such as paper IDs 1, 2, and 3, and the paper attribute values ​​associated with each paper ID are stored in memory 223 or HDD 272 in data structures such as 802, 803, and 804. Preprint paper attributes associated with each paper ID can be obtained from 805. These attribute values ​​can be changed from the paper attribute setting screen 501 shown in Figure 5. Note that in S703, paper attributes may be obtained without selecting a paper feed tray, based on the paper type specification included in the print job.

[0062] In S705, it is determined whether the preprint paper attribute, obtained in S704, is enabled or disabled. If the preprint paper attribute is enabled, the process proceeds to S706; otherwise, it proceeds to S707.

[0063] In S706, the display 212 of the external controller 102 displays a message indicating that RIP inspection is not possible, as shown in Figure 9, and guides the user to the process of registering the obtained image as reference image data (flow shown in Figure 4). Note that the display in Figure 9 may also indicate that pre-printed paper cannot be used in the inspection process. Note that the display in Figure 9 may also be displayed on the operation unit 242 of the inspection device 109.

[0064] Alternatively, in S703, the paper feed trays with the preprint paper attribute set to ON may be grayed out to prevent selection of the paper feed tray, thereby skipping the processes in S704, S705, and S706.

[0065] In S707, image data input from the external controller 102 via video cable 106 is subjected to layout processing to match the printing process, and the processed image data is then transmitted to the inspection device 109 via communication cable 254. The inspection device 109 registers this image data as a reference image in memory 239. In other words, the reference image (correct image) is an image generated by applying layout processing to the image data input from the external controller 102 to match the printing process.

[0066] In this embodiment, during the inspection process (RIP inspection) in which image data received from a printing device is registered as reference image data, if preprint paper is specified for printing the inspection job, a message indicating that RIP inspection cannot be performed is displayed. Furthermore, a message prompting the user to perform the process of registering the obtained image as reference image data is displayed. This prevents normal images printed on preprint paper from being judged as abnormal.

[0067] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0068] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are attached to make the scope of the invention public. [Explanation of symbols]

[0069] 101 Image forming apparatus 107 Printing device 109 Inspection device 222 CPU (printing device) 238 CPUs (inspection equipment)

Claims

1. A printing system, A receiving means for receiving a print job that includes the paper type of the paper used to generate the printed material and image data, A printing means that generates a printed product by printing an image on paper corresponding to the paper type based on the image data of the print job, A registration method for registering the correct image, The system includes an inspection means for checking whether the read image of the printed material is normal based on the correct image registered by the registration means, If the aforementioned paper type does not indicate preprinted paper with information already printed on it, the registration means registers the rasterized image data as the correct image. A printing system characterized in that, when the paper type indicates the pre-printed paper, the registration means does not register the rasterized image data as the correct image, but registers the read image of the printed material as the correct image.

2. Furthermore, it has a display unit, The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that when the paper type indicates the preprint paper, the display unit indicates that the preprint paper cannot be selected.

3. The printing system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the rasterized image data is image data generated by performing layout processing on the image data to match the printing process.

4. A transport means for transporting printed materials produced by the printing means, The aforementioned transport means reads an image on the transported printed material and generates a read image, A printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by having the following features.

5. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, when the paper type indicates the preprint paper, the system controls the paper feed stage in which the preprint paper is fed so that it cannot be selected.

6. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, when the paper type indicates the preprint paper, the registration means registers the read image of the printed material generated by the printing means based on the print job corresponding to the print job as the correct image.

7. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rasterized image data is RIP image data.

8. A method for controlling a printing system, A receiving process that receives a print job including the paper type of the paper to be used to produce the printed material and image data. A printing process that generates a printed product by printing the image on paper corresponding to the paper type based on the image data of the print job, The registration process involves registering the correct image, The process includes an inspection step which checks whether the read image of the printed material is normal based on the correct image registered in the registration step, If the aforementioned paper type does not indicate preprinted paper with information already printed on it, the registration step registers the rasterized image data as the correct image. A method for controlling a printing system, characterized in that, when the paper type indicates the pre-printed paper, the registration step does not register the rasterized image data as the correct image, but rather registers the read image of the printed material as the correct image.

9. Furthermore, it has a display unit, The control method for a printing system according to claim 8, characterized in that when the paper type indicates the preprint paper, the display unit displays that the preprint paper cannot be selected.

10. The method for controlling a printing system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the rasterized image data is an image generated by performing layout processing on the image data to match the printing process.

11. A transport process for transporting the printed materials generated in the printing process, A method for controlling a printing system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, comprising a reading step of reading an image on a transported printed material and generating a read image.

12. A control method for a printing system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that, when the paper type indicates the preprint paper, the control prevents the selection of the paper feed stage on which the preprint paper is fed.

13. The method for controlling a printing system according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the registration step registers the read image of the printed material generated in the printing step based on the print job corresponding to the print job as the correct image when the paper type indicates the preprint paper.

14. The method for controlling a printing system according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the rasterized image data is RIP image data.

Images