JP2014155193A - Image forming apparatus, image formation method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, an image formation method, and a program capable of realizing resource saving and cost reduction.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises: re-printing means 154 which, when detection means 153 detects a defect in an image on a printing recording medium, controls a printer 12 to perform re-printing corresponding to image data relating to the image; and history information storage means 155 which stores in a storage medium 18 reprinting history information including the type of the defect in the image to be reprinted by the re-printing means 154 and a result of detection by the detection means 153 after the re-printing. When performing re-printing, the re-printing means 154 uses the re-printing history information stored in the storage medium 18 to determine whether or not to perform re-printing.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus in the field of production printing that prints a large number of sheets continuously is known. In such an image forming apparatus in the field of production printing, there is a demand for a function of automatically checking the quality of an output image, selecting and excluding defective images, and performing reprinting as necessary.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that automatically performs reprinting based on a predetermined condition when the quality determination result of a print recording medium is NO for the purpose of effective use of resources and cost reduction. Has been.

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, when reprinting is performed automatically based on a predetermined condition, even if software-like adjustment is clearly not possible, recovery is performed once or more. Since printing is sometimes performed, there is a problem that wasteful resources and costs are generated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program capable of realizing resource saving and cost reduction.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention is printed by a printing unit that controls a printing unit that prints an image according to image data on a print recording medium. A reading unit that controls a reading unit that reads an image on the print recording medium, a detection unit that detects a defect of the image read by the reading unit, and a defect detected in the image by the detection unit, A reprinting unit that controls the printing unit to perform reprinting according to the image data relating to the image; a defect type of an image that is reprinted by the reprinting unit; and the detection unit after reprinting History information storage means for storing reprint history information including the detection result by the storage medium, and the reprint means is stored in the storage medium when printing is performed again. Serial and determining whether or not material to print the re-printing history information again.

  According to the present invention, when reprinting is performed, if it is clearly not possible to recover even if software adjustment is performed, reprinting is not performed, so that resource saving and cost reduction can be realized. , Has the effect.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram exemplarily showing a table showing conditions for reprint processing when a defect is detected during printing. FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplarily showing a log table that stores a log related to reprinting. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the reprint process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of defect log investigation processing. FIG. 6 is a diagram exemplarily showing a log table when the check on all reprint logs is completed. FIG. 7 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a log table that stores a log related to reprinting according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram exemplarily showing a table showing conditions for reprint processing when a defect is detected during printing. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of defect log investigation processing. FIG. 10 is a diagram exemplarily showing a log table when the checks for all reprint logs are completed. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the first and second embodiments.

  Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the image forming apparatus in the production printing field of the present embodiment is an application of a multifunction machine having at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an input interface 11, a printing unit 12, a reading unit 13, a print recording medium holding unit 14, a control unit 15, an operation panel 16, and an internal storage device 18. Are connected by a bus 17.

  The input interface 11 receives image data of an image (hereinafter referred to as an input image) input to the image forming apparatus 10 and outputs the received image data to the printing unit 12 and the control unit 15.

  For example, in the case of the copy function, image data of an input image obtained by reading a printed matter with a reading device (not shown) is input to the input interface 11. In the case of a printer function, image data of an input image is input to the input interface 11 from an electronic device such as a personal computer.

  The printing unit 12 includes a photoconductor and a photoconductor drum, prints input image data output from the input interface 11 on a print recording medium such as paper, and sends the printed print recording medium to the print recording medium conveyance path A. To do.

  The reading unit 13 includes a CCD or the like, and reads an image printed on the print recording medium sent to the print recording medium conveyance path A by the printing unit 12 as data. An image read by the reading unit 13 (hereinafter referred to as a verify image) is output to the control unit 15 in order to determine whether the result printed by the printing unit 12 is satisfactory.

  The print recording medium holding unit 14 receives and holds the print recording medium conveyed from the print recording medium conveyance path A. In addition to the discharge tray 14a and the waste tray 14b provided in the downstream direction with respect to the transport direction, the print recording medium holding unit 14 selectively switches between the discharge tray 14a or the waste tray 14b and prints any of these trays. A transport path switching mechanism (sorting means) 14c is provided so that the recording medium can be received.

  The control unit 15 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that constitutes the main unit of the control unit 15, a memory for temporarily storing data, and can be read and written by instructions from the CPU, and stores programs, data, and the like. Each unit is configured by a storage unit or the like, and controls each unit constituting the image forming apparatus 10.

  The storage unit of the control unit 15 stores reprint processing conditions when a defect is detected during printing, which will be described later. FIG. 2 is a table T1 showing conditions for reprint processing when a defect is detected during printing. In the table T1 shown in FIG. 2, the detected defect type, the minimum log constant minNum necessary for automatically determining whether or not to perform reprinting defined by the user in advance, and the reprinting defined by the user in advance. The severity C of the determination condition for performing is shown. The table T1 shown in FIG. 2 shows an example in which the defect type is color difference, minNum is 3, and C is 0.5.

  The operation panel 16 is configured with a touch panel or the like, and notifies the control unit 15 of the content of the operation received from the user.

  The internal storage device 18 functions as a storage medium, and includes an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like, and stores various functions and logs of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Further, a communication interface 19 that controls connection to the network N and an external storage device interface 20 that controls connection to the external storage device 30 are also connected to the bus 17 of the image forming apparatus 10. In other words, the image forming apparatus 10 is connected to the network N via the communication interface 19 and connected to the external storage device 30 via the external storage device interface 20.

  Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. The control unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 includes a printing unit 151, a reading unit 152, a detection unit 153, a reprinting unit 154, and a history information storage unit 155.

  The printing unit 151 controls the printing unit 12 that prints an image corresponding to image data on a print recording medium.

  The reading unit 152 controls the reading unit 13 to read an image on the print recording medium printed by the printing unit 12 under the control of the printing unit 151, and the result of printing the read verify image by the printing unit 12 is good. In order to determine whether or not there is, it outputs to the detecting means 153.

  The detection unit 153 detects defects in the verification image printed by the printing unit 12 and read by the reading unit 13 by comparison with the image data received from the input interface 11. Here, the defect of the verify image is a color difference, an image defect, or the like.

  The reprinting unit 154 determines whether to reprint or not reprint the input image when the detection unit 153 detects a defect in the verification image by performing software adjustment. More specifically, when a defect is detected in the verification image by the detection unit 153, the reprint unit 154 controls the printing unit 12 according to the determination using the table T1 indicating the conditions of the reprint process illustrated in FIG. Then, reprinting is performed according to the image data relating to the input image.

  The history information storage unit 155 stores, in the internal storage device 18, a log (reprint history information) including a defect type of an image related to reprinting by the reprinting unit 154 and a detection result by the detecting unit 153 after reprinting. .

  The log storage destination by the history information storage unit 155 is not limited to the internal storage device 18, but an external storage device 30 connected to the image forming apparatus 10 or an external server (not shown) connected to the network N. Etc. As described above, the external storage device 30 or an external server (not shown) connected to the network N is used as a storage medium, and the log (reprint history information) is stored in the external storage device 30 or the external server. Can share information with

  FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplarily showing a log table T2 that stores a log (reprint history information) related to reprinting. As shown in FIG. 3, in the log table T2, a log (reprint history information) related to reprinting such as a reprinting date and time, a final printing result, and a defect type is recorded in a table format.

  “Reprint date” in FIG. 3 represents the date and time when reprinting was performed. The “final print result” in FIG. 3 indicates whether or not a good result has been obtained as a result of reprinting. Here, “OK” indicates a case where reprinting is performed and finally good results are obtained, and “NG” indicates that reprinting is performed and finally good results are not obtained. The “defect type” in FIG. 3 indicates the type of defect detected when each reprint is performed. In this example, the color difference and the image defect are assumed, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  In addition, a variable countOK and a variable countNG are recorded in the log table T2 in association with each log (reprint history information). Here, countOK is a total value when the final print result is OK, and countNG is a total value when the final print result is NG.

  In the log table T2, specific or all logs (reprint history information) may be reset according to hardware adjustment or repair.

  The printing unit 151, the reading unit 152, the detection unit 153, the reprinting unit 154, and the history information storage unit 155 that constitute the control unit 15 of the image forming apparatus 10 are programs executed by the CPU. It may be a module.

  That is, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (printing unit 151, reading unit 152, detection unit 153, reprinting unit 154, history information storage unit 155). As the actual hardware, the CPU reads out the program from the storage unit and executes it, so that the above-described units are loaded on the memory, and the printing unit 151, the reading unit 152, the detection unit 153, and the reprinting unit 154 and history information storage means 155 are generated on the memory.

  A program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like. You may comprise so that it may record and provide on a computer-readable recording medium.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  Reprint processing in the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of reprint processing in the control unit 15 (reprint unit 154) of the image forming apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, when the detection unit 153 detects a defect in the verification image read by the reading unit 13 (Yes in step S1), the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) displays the detected verification image. A past log is examined for defects (step S2).

  Note that the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) checks the past log for the defect of the verification image, the internal storage device 18, the external storage device 30, or an external server (not shown) connected via the network N. The past reprint log stored in any of the above is examined. That is, the past log (reprint history information) to be checked may be a log (reprint history information) output by another image forming apparatus.

  Here, the defect log investigation process for examining the past log for the defect of the verification image in step S2 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) first executes an initialization process (step S11). Here, in the initialization process, the variables countOK and countNG are initialized with “0”. Here, countOK is used as a total value when the final print result is OK, and countNG is used as a total value when the final print result is NG.

  Next, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) executes a process of repeating steps S13 to S16 described later for all reprint logs (step S12).

  First, the control unit 15 (reprinting means 154) determines whether or not the detected defect matches the type of log defect (step S13). If the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that they match (Yes in step S13), it proceeds to step S14. If it determines that they do not match (No in step S13), it returns to step S12. Compare the next reprint log.

  In step S14, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines whether or not the final printing result is OK. If the final print result is OK (Yes in step S14), the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) proceeds to step S15, and if the final print result is NG (step S14). No), the process proceeds to step S16.

  In step S15, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) adds “1” to countOK. On the other hand, in step S16, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) adds “1” to countNG.

  Here, FIG. 6 shows a storage example of the log table T2 when the checks (steps S13 to S16) for all reprint logs are completed. In the log table T2 shown in FIG. 6, the results of steps S15 and S16 are added to the items of countOK and countNG, respectively, with respect to the log (reprint history information) shown in FIG.

  When the checks (steps S13 to S16) for all reprint logs are completed, the control unit 15 (reprint unit 154) determines whether or not countOK + countNG is larger than a constant minNum (step S17). Here, the constant minNum is a constant defined in advance by the user, and indicates the minimum number of logs necessary for automatically determining whether to perform reprinting.

  If the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that countOK + countNG is greater than the constant minNum (Yes in step S17), the process proceeds to step S18. On the other hand, if the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that countOK + countNG is smaller than the constant minNum (No in step S17), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S19, sets the reprint flag to TRUE, and ends the process. To do.

  In step S18, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines whether countOK / (countOK + countNG) is larger than a constant C. Here, the constant C is a constant defined in advance by the user, and indicates the severity of the determination condition for performing reprinting.

  If the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that countOK / (countOK + countNG) is greater than the constant C (Yes in step S18), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S20, sets the flag for reprinting to TRUE, and performs processing. Exit.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that countOK / (countOK + countNG) is smaller than the constant C (No in step S18), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S21 and sets the reprint flag to FALSE. The process is terminated.

Specifically, according to the conditions for the reprint process of the table T1 shown in FIG. 2 and the log table T2 shown in FIG. 6, in step S17,
CountOK = 3
CountNG = 1
CountOK + countNG = 3 + 1 = 4
4> minNum = 3
Therefore, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that countOK + countNG is larger than the constant minNum (Yes in step S17), and proceeds to step S18.

In step S18,
countOK / (countOK + countNG) = 3 / (3 + 1) = 0.75
And
0.75> C = 0.5
Therefore, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that countOK / (countOK + countNG) is larger than the constant C (Yes in step S18), proceeds to step S20, and sets a flag for performing reprinting to TRUE.

  In the defect log investigation process shown in FIG. 5, whether or not to perform reprinting is determined from the past log (reprint history information) based on the ratio of reprint results of the same defect type. Judgment criteria may be used. Further, if the reprint log (reprint history information) of the same defect type is less than the minimum number of logs specified by the user, the reprint is performed. However, another criterion may be added.

  Furthermore, in the defect log investigation process shown in FIG. 5, all reprint logs (reprint history information) are targeted, but it is assumed that the range of logs (reprint history information) targeted by the user can be specified. Also good.

  With the above processing, the defect log investigation processing in step S2 is completed.

  Returning to FIG. 4, when the defect log investigation process in step S <b> 2 is completed, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) receives the result of the defect log investigation process in step S <b> 2 and performs reprinting by adjusting software. It is determined whether or not there is a possibility that a good image can be obtained (step S3).

  When the flag for performing reprinting is TRUE, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that a good image may be obtained by performing software adjustment and performing reprinting (Step S15). In step S3, the process proceeds to step S4 to perform reprinting.

  On the other hand, when the reprint flag is FALSE, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that a good image cannot be obtained by performing software adjustment and performing reprinting (step S3). No), the process proceeds to step S5, and printing is stopped.

  Finally, the control unit 15 (history information storage unit 155) records in the log table T2 whether or not the defect can be recovered by reprinting in association with the detected defect type or job type (step S6).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the internal storage device 18 stores the log (reprint history information) including the defect type of the image to be printed again and the detection result of the defect of the printed image by the detection unit 153 after the printing again. The reprinting unit 154 determines whether or not to perform reprinting using the log (reprint history information) stored in the internal storage device 18 or the like when performing reprinting as a determination material. To do. In other words, whether or not good results were obtained by reprinting and the type of defect were recorded as a past reprint log (reprint history information), and the recorded log (reprint history information) was used. It is determined whether or not there is a possibility of recovery by performing software adjustment and reprinting to determine whether or not to reprint. As a result, it is possible to prevent the reprinting from being performed when the recovery is clearly not expected even after the software adjustment, and thus resource saving and cost reduction can be realized.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus of the present invention has been described by taking an example in which the image forming apparatus is applied to a multifunction machine having at least two functions among a copy function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The present invention can be applied to any image forming apparatus such as a printer and a facsimile apparatus.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The same parts as those in the first embodiment described above are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is also omitted.

  In the first embodiment, the reprint date and time, the final print result, and the defect type are recorded as the log for reprinting. However, in this embodiment, the reprinting is further determined. A parameter is added.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram exemplarily illustrating a log table T3 that stores a log (reprint history information) related to reprinting according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the parameters shown in the log table T2 of FIG. 3 for the reprint date and time, the final print result, and the defect type, the log table T3 includes a paper type, a job type, and a paper feed tray. A log (reprint history information) relating to reprinting including parameters relating to print information concerning reprinting such as reprinting is recorded in a table format.

  “Reprint date and time” in FIG. 7 represents the date and time when reprinting was performed. “Final print result” in FIG. 7 indicates whether or not a good result is obtained as a result of reprinting. Here, “OK” indicates a case where reprinting is performed and finally good results are obtained, and “NG” indicates that reprinting is performed and finally good results are not obtained. “Defect type” in FIG. 7 indicates the type of defect detected when each reprinting is performed. In this example, the color difference and the image defect are assumed, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  In addition, “paper type” in FIG. 7 indicates the paper type when reprinting is performed. “Job type” in FIG. 7 indicates a job type when reprinting is performed. A “paper feed tray” in FIG. 7 indicates a paper feed tray used when reprinting is performed. Note that the parameters to be recorded as a log at the time of reprinting may not be all of these, and may include other parameters.

  In addition, a variable countOK and a variable countNG are recorded in the log table T3 in association with each log (reprint history information). Here, countOK is a total value when the final print result is OK, and countNG is a total value when the final print result is NG.

  In the log table T3, specific or all logs (reprint history information) may be reset according to hardware adjustment or repair.

The storage unit of the control unit 15 stores reprint processing conditions when a defect is detected during printing, which will be described later. FIG. 8 is a table T4 showing conditions for reprinting processing when a defect is detected during printing. The table T4 shown in FIG. 8 automatically determines whether the detected defect type, the paper type at the time of printing, the type of job at the time of printing, the paper feed tray at the time of printing, and whether or not reprinting defined by the user is performed The minimum log constant minNum necessary for performing, the severity C of the determination condition for performing reprinting predefined by the user, and the weight coefficients f ₁ , f ₂ , and f ₃ for each condition predefined by the user are shown. Has been. In Figure 8, the color defect type difference, paper type A4, the job type color, the paper feed tray is Tray1, _{f 1} is 0.5, _{f 2} is 0.5, _{f 3} is 0.2, MinNum 3 , C shows an example of 0.5.

  Next, the defect log investigation process using the log as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) first executes an initialization process (step S31). Here, in the initialization process, the variables countOK and countNG are initialized with “0”. Here, countOK is used as a total value when the final print result is OK, and countNG is used as a total value when the final print result is NG.

  Next, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) executes a process of repeating steps S32 to S42 described later for all reprint logs (step S32).

  First, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) initializes the variable tmp with “0” (step S33). Here, tmp is a variable that is temporarily used to consider the weight of each parameter when calculating the total value of the final print result that is OK and the result that is NG.

  Next, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines whether or not the detected defect matches the type of log defect (step S34). If the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that they match (Yes in Step S34), the control unit 15 proceeds to Step S35. If it determines that they do not match (No in Step S34), it returns to Step S32. Compare the next reprint log.

  In step S35, the control unit 15 (reprinting means 154) stores “1” in the variable tmp, and proceeds to step S36 to check all parameters other than the reprint date and time, the final print result, and the defect type. I do.

  If the information on the parameters other than the reprint date / time, the final print result, and the defect type matches (Yes in step S37), the process proceeds to step S38, and the log other than the reprint date / time, the final print result, and the defect type. Therefore, in order to increase the weight, the variable 1 is multiplied by the variable tmp.

  On the other hand, if the reprint date and time, the final print result, and the parameter information other than the defect type do not match (No in step S37), the process proceeds to step S39, and the reprint date and time, the final print result, and the defect type other than Since the log information does not match, the coefficient fn is multiplied by the variable tmp in order to reduce the weight. Here, the coefficient fn is a constant defined in advance by the user for each parameter.

  In subsequent step S40, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines whether or not the final printing result is OK. If the final print result is OK (Yes in step S40), the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) proceeds to step S41, and if the final print result is NG (step S40). No), the process proceeds to step S42.

  In step S41, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) adds the value of tmp to countOK. On the other hand, in step S42, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) adds the value of tmp to countNG.

  Here, FIG. 10 is a storage example of the log table T3 when the checks (steps S32 to S42) for all reprint logs are completed. In the log table T3 shown in FIG. 10, the results of steps S41 and S42 are added to the items of countOK and countNG, respectively, with respect to the log (reprint history information) shown in FIG.

  When the checks for all reprint logs (steps S32 to S42) are completed, the control unit 15 (reprint unit 154) determines whether or not countOK + countNG is larger than a constant minNum (step S43). Here, the constant minNum is a constant defined in advance by the user, and indicates the minimum number of logs necessary for automatically determining whether to perform reprinting.

  If the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that countOK + countNG is greater than the constant minNum (Yes in step S43), the process proceeds to step S44. On the other hand, when the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that countOK + countNG is smaller than the constant minNum (No in step S43), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S45, sets the flag for performing reprinting to TRUE, and ends the process. To do.

  In step S44, the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines whether countOK / (countOK + countNG) is larger than a constant C. Here, the constant C is a constant defined in advance by the user, and indicates the severity of the determination condition for performing reprinting.

  If the control unit 15 (reprinting means 154) determines that countOK / (countOK + countNG) is larger than the constant C (Yes in step S44), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S46, sets the reprint flag to TRUE, and performs processing. Exit.

  On the other hand, when the control unit 15 (reprinting unit 154) determines that countOK / (countOK + countNG) is smaller than the constant C (No in step S44), the control unit 15 proceeds to step S47 and sets the reprint flag to FALSE. The process is terminated.

  Specifically, according to the conditions of the reprinting process of the table T4 shown in FIG. 8 and the log table T3 shown in FIG. 10, the reprinting of 2011/09/12, the defect type, the paper type, the job type, Since the paper feed trays match and the final print result is OK, “1” is added to countOK. For example, for reprinting on 2011/09/16, the defect types match, but the paper type, job type, and paper feed tray do not match, so the coefficients are 0.5 and 0.5, respectively. , 0.2 is multiplied, and the final print result is OK, so 0.05 is added to countOK.

Therefore, in step S43,
CountOK = 1.3
CountNG = 1
CountOK + countNG = 1.3 + 1 = 2.3
2.3 <minNum = 3
Therefore, the control unit 15 (reprinting means 154) determines that countOK + countNG is smaller than the constant minNum, and that in this case, there are few logs for automatically determining reprinting (No in step S43), and the process proceeds to step S45. Proceed and set the flag for reprinting to TRUE.

  In the defect log investigation process shown in FIG. 9, whether or not to perform reprinting is determined based on a ratio of weighting reprinting results of the same defect type from past logs. Other criteria may be used. In addition, when the reprint log of the same defect type is less than the minimum number of logs specified by the user, the reprint is performed. However, another determination criterion may be added.

  Furthermore, in the defect log investigation process shown in FIG. 9, all reprint logs are targeted, but the user may be able to specify a target log range. Further, in the defect log investigation process shown in FIG. 9, all parameters are targeted. However, the user may be able to designate desired parameters.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the log (including the defect type of the image related to reprinting, the detection result of the defect of the print image by the detection unit 153 after reprinting, and the print information about reprinting ( (Reprint history information) is stored in the internal storage device 18 or the like, and the reprint unit 154 uses the log (reprint history information) stored in the internal storage device 18 or the like when performing reprinting as a determination material. It is determined whether or not printing is performed again. In other words, whether or not good results were obtained by reprinting and the type of defect were recorded as a past reprint log (reprint history information), and the recorded log (reprint history information) was used. It is determined whether or not there is a possibility of recovery by performing software adjustment and reprinting to determine whether or not to reprint. As a result, it is possible to prevent the reprinting from being performed when the recovery is clearly not expected even after the software adjustment, and thus resource saving and cost reduction can be realized.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first and second embodiments. As shown in the figure, the image forming apparatus 10 which is a multifunction peripheral has a configuration in which a controller 110 and an engine unit (Engine) 160 are connected by a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) bus. The controller 110 is a controller that controls the entire image forming apparatus 10 and controls drawing, communication, and input from an operation unit (not shown). The engine unit 160 is a printer engine that can be connected to a PCI bus, and is, for example, a monochrome plotter, a 1-drum color plotter, a 4-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit. The engine unit 160 includes an image processing unit such as error diffusion and gamma conversion in addition to a so-called engine unit such as a plotter.

  The controller 110 includes a CPU 111, a north bridge (NB) 113, a system memory (MEM-P) 112, a south bridge (SB) 114, a local memory (MEM-C) 117, and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). 116 and a hard disk drive (HDD) 118, and the north bridge (NB) 113 and the ASIC 116 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 115. The MEM-P 112 further includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 112a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112b.

  The CPU 111 performs overall control of the image forming apparatus 10 and includes a chip set including the NB 113, the MEM-P 112, and the SB 114, and is connected to other devices via the chip set.

  The NB 113 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 111 to the MEM-P 112, SB 114, and AGP 115, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 112, a PCI master, and an AGP target.

  The MEM-P 112 is a system memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, a memory for developing programs and data, a printer drawing memory, and the like, and includes a ROM 112a and a RAM 112b. The ROM 112a is a read-only memory used as a memory for storing programs and data, and the RAM 112b is a writable and readable memory used as a program and data development memory, a printer drawing memory, and the like.

  The SB 114 is a bridge for connecting the NB 113 to a PCI device and peripheral devices. The SB 114 is connected to the NB 113 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) unit and the like are also connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 116 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP 115, the PCI bus, the HDD 118, and the MEM-C 117. The ASIC 116 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that is the core of the ASIC 116, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 117, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory) that perform rotation of image data by hardware logic or the like. Access Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 160 via the PCI bus. An FCU (Facsimile Control Unit) 130, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 140, and an IEEE 1394 (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface 150 are connected to the ASIC 116 via a PCI bus. The operation display unit 120 is directly connected to the ASIC 116.

  The MEM-C 117 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 118 is a storage for storing image data, programs, font data, and forms. It is.

  The AGP 115 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed for speeding up graphics processing. The AGP 115 speeds up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 112 with high throughput. .

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Printing part 13 Reading part 18 Storage medium 151 Printing means 152 Reading means 153 Detection means 154 Reprinting means 155 History information storage means

JP 2008-236177 A

Claims (9)

A printing unit that controls a printing unit that prints an image according to image data on a print recording medium;
A reading unit that controls a reading unit that reads an image on the print recording medium printed by the printing unit;
Detecting means for detecting defects in the image read by the reading means;
When a defect is detected in the image by the detection unit, a reprint unit that controls the printing unit to perform reprinting according to the image data related to the image;
History information storage means for storing, in a storage medium, reprint history information including a defect type of an image for reprinting by the reprinting means and a detection result by the detection means after reprinting;
With
When the reprinting unit performs printing again, the reprinting history information stored in the storage medium is used as a determination material for determining whether to perform printing again.
An image forming apparatus. The reprinting unit determines whether to perform reprinting based on a ratio of reprinting results of the same defect type included in the reprinting history information;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The history information storage means includes print information about reprinting by the reprinting means with respect to the reprint history information,
Whether or not the reprinting unit performs reprinting at a weighted ratio according to the degree of coincidence of the print information with respect to a reprint result of the same defect type included in the reprint history information judge,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The reprinting unit includes a desired parameter included in the print information as a determination material for determining whether or not to perform reprinting among the print information included in the reprint history information stored in the storage medium. Can be specified selectively,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The reprinting unit determines to perform printing again when the number of the reprint history information including the same defect type is less than a predetermined number;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The reprinting unit can selectively designate the reprint history information as a determination material for determining whether or not to perform reprinting among the reprint history information stored in the storage medium.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The history information storage means has a function of resetting part or all of the reprint history information.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. An image forming method executed by an image forming apparatus,
The image forming apparatus includes a printing unit, a reading unit, and a storage medium.
A printing step of controlling the printing unit to print an image according to image data on a print recording medium;
A reading step of controlling the reading unit to read an image on the print recording medium printed by the printing step;
A detection step of detecting defects in the image read by the reading step;
When a defect is detected in the image by the detection step, a reprinting step of controlling the printing unit to perform reprinting according to the image data relating to the image;
A history information storage step of storing in the storage medium reprint history information including a defect type of an image to be printed again by the reprinting step and a detection result by the detection step after the second printing;
Including
In the reprinting process, when reprinting is performed, the reprinting history information stored in the storage medium is used as a determination material for determining whether to perform reprinting.
An image forming method. Computer
A printing unit that controls a printing unit that prints an image according to image data on a print recording medium;
A reading unit that controls a reading unit that reads an image on the print recording medium printed by the printing unit;
Detecting means for detecting defects in the image read by the reading means;
When a defect is detected in the image by the detection unit, a reprint unit that controls the printing unit to perform reprinting according to the image data related to the image;
History information storage means for storing, in a storage medium, reprint history information including a defect type of an image for reprinting by the reprinting means and a detection result by the detection means after reprinting;
Function as
When the reprinting unit performs printing again, the reprinting history information stored in the storage medium is used as a determination material for determining whether to perform printing again.
A program characterized by that.

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