JP2004043124A - Sheet inspection device and image processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate a defective sheet without continuing an output as it is, when the defective sheet is outputted caused by the state of the image forming device or erroneous setting of the sheet or the like. <P>SOLUTION: The sheet inspection device sorting out the defective sheet from the sheet conveyed in the conveyance path, has reading means 501a, 501b to read the information on the sheet conveyed. The defective sheet detected according to the information read with the reading means 501a, 501b is conveyed to an inspection tray 505, and the conveyed sheet followed by the defective sheet is conveyed to a buffer tray 502. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sheet inspection apparatus for reading information on a sheet and selecting a defective sheet, and an image processing apparatus including the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, sheets output from an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine are used as they are, or are processed as a bundle by a post-processing device such as a finisher, that is, a bundle discharge process, a binding process, a folding process, and a bookbinding process. And post-processing such as sorting. In these cases, a mode such as a cover mode or an interleaf mode is provided, and the first page, the last page, or the middle page of the sheet is supplied from a cassette provided in the image forming apparatus or a tray for feeding. The sheet is controlled so that it can be inserted.
[0003]
Therefore, it is possible to insert a bundle other than sheets from a single feeding stage, specifically, as a “cover”, “insert”, or “back cover” from another feeding stage. By performing feeding from a special tray on which the “insertion sheet” is placed, the same insertion processing can be performed. At this time, since the processing of the sheet for insertion is a mere sheet conveyance operation, the number of inserted sheets (place) and the number of inserted sheets for each bundle can be arbitrarily set.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, various types of misprinting such as image defects of the output sheet due to a defect of the image forming apparatus, skew of the image, wrinkles and creases of the sheet, defective density and color misregistration, and a difference in sheet color due to an incorrect sheet setting are caused. Can occur. However, after these are output from the image forming apparatus, it is not determined whether or not they are normal.
[0005]
Therefore, for example, even if the image transferred to the sheet is not completely fixed, even if the image is disturbed due to contact with a structure on the traveling path, there is a problem that the output is continued as it is.
[0006]
Also, if a bookbinding process or the like is performed by a post-processing device such as a finisher, one defective sheet will be treated as a single book as a bad book. There is a problem that a normal sheet is wasted.
[0007]
Further, there is also a problem that the temperature of the reading unit in the post-processing device located downstream of the image forming apparatus due to the heat of the sheet causes damage to the reading unit and reduction in reading accuracy.
[0008]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to output a defective sheet without continuing the output as it is when a defective sheet is output due to a state of the image forming apparatus or the like or a sheet setting error or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet inspection apparatus capable of removing a sheet and an image processing apparatus provided with the sheet inspection apparatus.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A typical configuration according to the present invention for achieving the above object has a reading unit that reads information on a conveyed sheet in a sheet inspection device that selects a defective sheet from a sheet conveyed on a conveyance path, A defective sheet detected according to the information read by the reading unit is transported to the first holding unit, and a sheet transported subsequent to the defective sheet is transported to the second holding unit.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be illustratively described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, and the like of the components described in this embodiment are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to them unless otherwise specified. Absent.
[0011]
[First Embodiment]
An image processing apparatus including an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0012]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the entire system, and is composed of an image forming apparatus 100, an inspection apparatus 500, and a post-processing apparatus 300. Hereinafter, each will be described.
[0013]
<< Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus Main Body >>
First, with reference to FIG. 4, an overall schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described along the flow of sheets. A copying machine will be described as an example of the image forming apparatus.
[0014]
In FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus main body 100 has a scanner section B as image reading means for reading image information of a book document at an upper portion thereof, and has an image forming section C as image forming means at a lower portion thereof. The seat deck D is attached to the lower part.
[0015]
The scanner unit B includes a scanning system light source 201, a platen glass 202, a document pressure plate 203 that can be opened and closed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body 100, a mirror 204, a lens 205, a light receiving element (photoelectric conversion element) 206, an image processing unit, and the like. Is configured. Then, a book original or a sheet original such as a book, thick paper, curled paper, or the like is placed on the platen glass 202 with the original surface facing down, the back surface is pressed by the original pressing plate 203, and the original is set in a stationary state, and reading is started. When the key is pressed, the scanning system light source 201 scans the lower part of the platen glass 202 in the direction of arrow a in FIG. Image information of the document read by the scanning light source 201 is processed by an image processing unit, converted into an electric signal, and transmitted to the laser scanner 111.
[0016]
Here, the image forming apparatus main body 100 functions as a copier if a processing signal of the image processing unit is input to the laser scanner 111, and functions as a printer if an output signal of the computer is input. Further, if a signal from another facsimile apparatus is received or a signal from the image processing unit is transmitted to another facsimile apparatus, the apparatus functions as a facsimile apparatus.
[0017]
On the other hand, a sheet cassette 1 is mounted below the image forming unit C. In the present embodiment, two feeding units U1 and U2 are mounted and four cassettes 1a, 1b, 1c and 1d are mounted. Like that. The sheets accommodated in the cassettes 1a and 1b are fed out by a pickup roller 3 serving as a feed rotating body, and are separated and fed one by one by a cooperative action of a feed roller 4 and a retard roller 5. The sheet is conveyed by conveying rollers 104 and 105, guided by a registration roller 106, and fed to the image forming section C by the roller 106 in synchronization with the image forming operation.
[0018]
The sheet set on the manual tray 6 can be fed to the image forming section C by the feed roller 7.
[0019]
The image forming section C includes an electrophotographic photosensitive drum 112, an image writing optical system 113, a developing device 114, a transfer charger 115, and the like. Then, a laser beam corresponding to the image information emitted from the laser scanner 111 is scanned by the image writing optical system 113 on the surface of the photosensitive drum 112 uniformly charged by the charger to form a latent image. A toner image is formed on the image by the developing device 114, and the toner image is transferred to the first surface of the sheet by the transfer charger 115 on the sheet conveyed in synchronization with the rotation of the photosensitive drum 112 by the registration roller 106.
[0020]
Reference numeral 117 denotes a conveyance unit that conveys the sheet on which the toner image is formed, 118 denotes a fixing device, and 119 denotes a discharge roller. The sheet on which the toner image has been formed is conveyed to the fixing device 118 by the conveying unit 117, and is heated and pressed to fix the toner image on the sheet surface.
[0021]
The fixing device 118 includes, as shown in FIG. 1, a fixing heat roller 118a for applying heat necessary for fixing an image on a sheet, and a pressing roller 118b for pressing the sheet against the fixing heat roller 118a to convey the sheet. The image is fixed by applying heat and pressure to the sheet.
[0022]
When an image is recorded on both sides of the sheet, the sheet discharged from the fixing device 118 is nipped by the discharge roller 119, and when the rear end of the sheet passes through the branch path 207, the discharge roller 119 reversely rotates. After being once placed on the sheet double-sided tray 121, the sheet is conveyed by the conveying rollers 104 and 105, reaches the registration roller 106, and the inverted sheet is formed on the second surface in the same manner as described above. Is discharged. Further, the branch path 207 also constitutes a reverse discharge means, through which a sheet having an image formed on one side can be reversely discharged.
[0023]
全体 Overall configuration of post-processing device｝
Next, the post-processing device 300 will be described with reference to FIG. The post-processing device 300 receives the sheet discharged from the inspection device 500 from the entrance roller pair 302 and conveys the sheet to the inside. A transport roller pair 303 is provided downstream of the entrance roller pair 302, and a sheet detection sensor 331 is provided between the entrance roller pair 302 and the transport roller pair 303.
[0024]
Downstream of the transport roller pair 303 is a punch unit 350, and downstream of the punch unit 350 are disposed a large transport roller 305 and pressing rollers 312, 313, and 314 that press and transport the surrounding sheet.
[0025]
The switching flapper 311 switches between the non-sort path 321 and the sort path 322. The switching flapper 310 at the entrance of the sort path 322 switches between the sort path 322 and a buffer path 323 for temporarily storing sheets.
[0026]
A transport roller 306 is provided in the sort path 322. On an intermediate tray (hereinafter, referred to as a “processing tray”) 308 as a stacking tray disposed downstream of the sort path 322, temporary accumulation, alignment, stapling, and the like of sheets can be performed.
[0027]
A discharge roller 307 at the exit of the sort path 322 discharges a sheet onto the processing tray 308. The upper bundle discharge roller 318b is supported by the swing guide 315, and when the swing guide 315 moves to the closed position, cooperates with the lower bundle discharge roller 318a disposed on the processing tray 308 to remove the sheet on the processing tray 308. The bundle is conveyed and discharged on the stack tray 320.
[0028]
That is, the swing guide 315 is inclined, and the lower bundle discharge roller 318a and the upper bundle discharge roller 318b form a roller pair to convey the sheets on the processing tray 308 in a bundle.
[0029]
全体 Overall configuration of inspection equipment｝
Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the overall schematic configuration of the inspection device according to the first embodiment will be described.
[0030]
Reference numeral 504 denotes a conveyance path for receiving a sheet output from the image forming apparatus 100. The transport path 504 is connected to an exit for transferring the sheet to the post-processing device 300 described above.
[0031]
Reference numeral 501a denotes an upper surface reading means for reading sheet information (image defect, skew of the image, wrinkles and creases of the sheet, density defect, color shift, etc.) on the upper surface of the sheet, and 501b, the lower surface of the sheet. A lower surface reading unit that reads sheet information such as an image, a color, and an outer shape. Each of the reading means 501a and 501b has a built-in CCD, CIS, and the like. The reading width is equal to or greater than the maximum sheet width to be supplied, and is sufficient to read the outer shape of the sheet.
[0032]
Each of the reading units 501a and 501b compares an image recording signal for controlling the recording of an image with a read image signal obtained by reading an image recorded and output by the image recording signal, thereby detecting an image due to a defect inside the main body of the image forming apparatus. By detecting turbulence, and by reading the outer shape information and color information of the sheet together with the read image signal, it is possible to detect the conveyance state such as skew of the sheet, the image registration, and the difference in the color of the sheet. It is.
[0033]
Numerals 506 and 507 are flappers for switching the sheet conveying direction. The flapper 506 guides the sheet to the branch path 513, and is disposed at a position separated by at least the maximum sheet length supplied from the reading units 501a and 501b.
[0034]
Reference numerals 502 and 505 denote trays for stacking sheets guided by the flappers 506 and 507. A re-feed unit 503 is provided on the buffer tray 502 serving as the second holding unit. Sheets are guided to the buffer tray 502 by a transport path 508. The tray 502 and the transport path 508 are arranged so that the sheet re-fed from the tray 502 passes through the reading units 501a and 501b again. On the other hand, the inspection tray 505 serving as the first holding unit holds the sheets guided by the transport path 509 and is exposed outside the inspection apparatus main body.
[0035]
A storage device 511 stores the image data read by the reading units 501a and 501b. Reference numeral 512 denotes a comparison device for comparing the read image with reference data. Reference numeral 510 denotes a CPU that controls the operation of the inspection device, the image forming apparatus main body 100, and the post-processing device 300. An operation unit 514 is used when the state of the inspection device or an operation instruction to be described later is issued.
[0036]
｝ Operation of inspection equipment｝
Next, the schematic operation of the inspection device 500 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0037]
The sheet output from the image forming apparatus main body 100 passes through the conveyance path 504. Immediately thereafter, information on the upper surface of the sheet is read by the reading means 501a, and information on the lower surface of the sheet is read by the reading means 501b. The read information is converted into data and compared with the original data stored in the storage device in advance. If the result of the comparison is OK, the sheet passes through the conveyance path 504 as it is, is conveyed in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 1, and is sent to the post-processing device 300. At this time, the inspection OK is displayed on the operation unit 514, and the user is notified that the output is in order. This operation is sequentially repeated.
[0038]
Next, a case where the result of the comparison is NG will be described. In response to the NG signal, the CPU 510 switches the flapper 506 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1 and guides a sheet determined to be defective (hereinafter, a defective sheet) to the branch path 513. Further, the flapper 507 is switched in the direction of arrow C to guide the defective sheet in the direction of the transport path 509. As a result, the defective sheet is discharged to the inspection tray 505.
[0039]
The inspection tray 505 is exposed outside the inspection device, and the discharged sheet can be immediately visually recognized by a person. At this time, several sheets, such as the next sheet that has already passed through the fixing device, the sheet on which an image is being formed, and the sheet fed from the sheet cassette 1, are being processed in the image forming apparatus main body 100 at this time. Existing. For this reason, the CPU 510 sends a command to the CPU (not shown) of the image forming apparatus main body 100 to perform processing from image formation in process to fixing and temporarily stop the subsequent operations. Then, a substitute sheet for the defective sheet is fed again, and an instruction is issued to form an image.
[0040]
On the other hand, when the sheet in progress is guided to the inspection device 500, information on the upper surface of the sheet is read by the upper surface reading means 501a, and information on the lower surface of the sheet is read by the lower surface reading means 501b. If OK, the CPU 510 switches the flapper 506 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. As a result, the sheets in progress are guided to the buffer tray 502 and are sequentially stacked.
[0041]
Thereafter, the sheet re-output as the substitute sheet for the defective sheet is sent to the inspection device 500, passes the reading means 501a, 501b, and the information is read. If the information is OK, the CPU 510 switches the flapper 506 in the direction of arrow B. Switching is performed so that the sheet is conveyed in the direction of arrow E. Then, the sheet is guided to the post-processing device 300.
[0042]
Thereafter, the work-in-progress sheets stacked on the buffer tray 502 are sequentially fed by the re-feeding means 503, passed through the conveyance path 504, and guided to the post-processing device 300. At this time, the information is read again by the reading means 501a and 501b, and it is checked whether double feeding, folding, or the like has occurred. Thereafter, CPU 510 instructs CPU of image forming apparatus main body 100 to perform the remaining jobs.
[0043]
Of course, when a sheet re-output from the image forming apparatus or a sheet re-fed from the buffer tray becomes inspection NG again, it is discharged to the inspection tray 505 and output to the CPU of the image forming apparatus main body 100 again. Instruct. A series of subsequent operations are as described above.
[0044]
As described above, the inspection device of the present embodiment can detect the conveyance state such as skew of the sheet, the image registration, the difference in the color of the sheet, and the like by the reading unit.
[0045]
Then, by outputting the defective sheet to the inspection tray, the user can easily recognize what the defective sheet is. In the case of continuous output, non-defective sheets of the in-process sheets in the image forming apparatus main body are stored in the buffer tray without being discarded, and a substitute sheet for the defective sheet is re-output from the image forming apparatus main body. After that, the sheets stored in the buffer tray are re-fed, so even if a defective sheet occurs, it can be recovered automatically without stopping the device, and the user does not need to be stationed in front of the device to produce The performance is improved.
[0046]
Since there is no sheet to be discarded other than the defective sheet, waste is eliminated. Also, in the case where bookbinding processing or the like is performed by a post-processing device or the like, since a defective sheet is not conveyed to the post-processing device, it is possible to guarantee that the bound product is good.
[0047]
Then, the lower surface reading means 501b on the side of the fixing heat roller 118a is placed downstream in the sheet conveying direction with respect to the upper surface reading means 501a on the opposite side. Thus, it is possible to read the more cooled sheet surface first, which is advantageous for the temperature rise of the reading means 501a and 501b.
[0048]
When the fixing heat roller 118a is disposed on the pressure roller 118b side, the same effect can be obtained by disposing the upper surface reading unit 501a downstream of the lower surface reading unit 501b in the sheet conveying direction.
[0049]
As described above, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the reading units 501a and 501b from rising, prevent the reading unit from being damaged, and perform highly accurate inspection.
[0050]
[Second embodiment]
With reference to FIG. 6, the overall schematic configuration of the inspection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
[0051]
In the present embodiment, a part of the configuration is changed and a new configuration is added to the first embodiment described above, and only the characteristic portions will be described in detail.
[0052]
Note that the configuration and the like of the entire apparatus are the same as those described in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 6, in a configuration in which the sheet is heated and fixed by the fixing device 118 and then the sheet is reversed and discharged by the branch path 207, the reading unit 501b on the fixing heat roller 118a side is connected to the reading unit 501a on the opposite side. , In the sheet conveying direction.
[0054]
In the above-described configuration, the sheet that has passed through the fixing device 118 enters the branch path 207, is switched back and forth, and is reversely discharged to the transport path 504 by the discharge roller 119. As a result, the sheet surface side, which is opposite to the heat roller contact side surface and is more cooled, can be read first by the reading unit 501b, which is advantageous for the temperature rise of the reading units 501a and 501b.
[0055]
In the case where 118b is a fixing heat roller, the same effect can be obtained by disposing the lower surface reading unit 501b downstream of the upper surface reading unit 501a in the sheet conveyance direction.
[0056]
As described above, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the reading units 501a and 501b from rising, prevent the reading unit from being damaged, and perform highly accurate inspection.
[0057]
[Other embodiments]
In the above-described embodiment, the inspection device has been described as an independent device, but it goes without saying that the inspection device may be integrated with the image forming apparatus main body. In addition, the post-processing device is mounted after the inspection device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is a matter of course that a simple stacking unit such as a stacker may be used. In addition, although the CCD and the CIS are used as the reading unit, the reading unit is not limited thereto.
[0058]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, as described above, a defective sheet can be detected by the reading means and eliminated.
[0059]
Further, by holding the sheet conveyed subsequent to the defective sheet in the second holding unit, the sheet serving as a substitute for the defective sheet is conveyed and subsequently held in the second holding unit. By transporting the sheet, it is possible to eliminate a waste sheet other than the defective sheet, thereby eliminating waste.
[0060]
In addition, if the arrangement of the reading means for detecting the information on the sheet is changed according to the heat source of the fixing means, it is possible to prevent the temperature of the reading means from rising, thereby preventing the reading means from being damaged and further improving the accuracy. High quality inspection is possible [Brief description of drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory sectional view of a sheet inspection device.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a sheet inspection operation.
FIG. 3 is an overall explanatory diagram of an image processing apparatus including a sheet inspection device.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory sectional view of a sheet post-processing apparatus.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of a sheet inspection device according to a second embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
B: scanner unit C: image forming unit D: sheet decks U1, U2: feeding unit 1: sheet cassette 3: pickup roller 4: feed roller 5: retard roller 6: manual tray 7: feeding roller 100: image forming apparatus 104, 105: Conveying roller 106: Registration roller 111: Laser scanner 112: Photoconductor drum 113: Optical system 114: Developing unit 115: Transfer charger 117: Conveying unit 118: Fixing device 118a: Fixing heat roller 118b: Pressure roller 119 discharge roller 121 sheet double-sided tray 201 scanning light source 202 platen glass 203 document pressure plate 204 mirror 205 lens 206 photoelectric conversion element 207 branch path 300 post-processing device 302 entrance row Roller pair 303 Transport roller pair 305 Large transport roller 306 Transport roller 307 Discharge roller 308 Processing tray 310 Switching flapper 311 Switching flapper 312, 313, 314 Press roller 315 Swing guide 318a Lower bundle discharge Roller 318b Upper bundle discharge roller 320 Stack tray 321 Non-sort path 322 Sort path 323 Buffer path 331 Sheet detection sensor 350 Punch unit 500 Inspection device 501a, 501b Reading means 502 Buffer tray 503 Resupply Sending means 504 ... Conveying path 505 ... Inspection tray 508 ... Conveying path 509 ... Conveying path 510 ... CPU
511 storage device 512 comparison device 513 branch path 514 operation unit

Claims (6)

In a sheet inspection device that sorts out defective sheets from the sheets conveyed on the conveyance path,
A reading unit configured to read information on the conveyed sheet; conveying a defective sheet detected according to the information read by the reading unit to the first holding unit; A sheet inspection device configured to be conveyed to a holding unit. When the defective sheet is transported to the first holding unit, a substitute sheet that substitutes for the defective sheet is transported to the transport path, and then the sheet held by the second holding unit is transported to the transport path. The sheet inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sheet inspection apparatus is configured as described above. An image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet and heat-fixes the image by a fixing unit;
The sheet inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a defective sheet is selected from sheets conveyed from the image forming apparatus to a conveyance path.
An image processing apparatus comprising: The reading means has a first reading means for reading information on a first surface side of a sheet conveyed on a conveyance path, and a second reading means for reading information on a second surface side of a sheet conveyed on the conveyance path. And
Among the first reading means and the second reading means, a reading means for reading information on a sheet surface on a side heated by the fixing means is arranged downstream of the other reading means in a sheet conveying direction. The image processing device according to claim 3. The image forming apparatus has a reversing transport unit that reverses and transports the sheet after the image is fixed by the fixing unit,
The reading unit includes a first reading unit that reads information on a first surface side of a conveyed sheet, and a second reading unit that reads information on a second surface side of a conveyed sheet,
The first reading unit and the second reading unit are arranged such that a reading unit that reads information on a sheet surface on a side heated by the fixing unit is located upstream of the other reading unit in a sheet conveying direction. The image processing device according to claim 3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a sheet post-processing apparatus configured to process a sheet conveyed from the sheet inspection apparatus.

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