JP2019034528A - Image formation system and control program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image formation system and control program which can suppress the increase in the number of mark sheets even when a large number of waste sheets is detected.SOLUTION: An image formation system 100 includes a sheet conveyance unit 410, an image formation unit 320, a discharge unit 430 and a control unit 380. The sheet conveyance unit 410 has a sheet conveyance path 411 and conveys the sheets. The image formation unit 320 forms the image on the sheet. The discharge unit 430 discharges the sheet formed with the image by the image formation unit. The control unit 380 determines whether or not the sheet conveyed in the sheet conveyance path is the waste sheet, performs control so as to print on a mark sheet the information for specifying the waste sheet from the plurality of sheets discharged to the discharge unit 430 when determining that the sheet is the waste sheet, and discharge the mark sheet to the discharge unit. The control unit 380 performs control so as to print the information on the previously-selected position or position designated by a user on the mark sheet.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system and a control program.

  In recent years, production printing has attracted attention in printing departments and print shops in companies. In production printing, for example, an image forming system in which a paper feeding device, an image forming device, and a post-processing device are connected in series is used, and high-quality image formation is performed at high speed.

  In this connection, in order to maintain the image quality of printing by production printing above a certain level, a technique for enabling a user to easily identify paper that does not satisfy a certain image quality after printing is known. (For example, the following patent document 1).

  In the technique of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228688, when a paper sheet that has a predetermined degree of bending of the paper being conveyed, which is a factor that affects the image quality of printing, is detected, information for specifying the paper is used as a predetermined mark paper. Print at the position and eject the mark paper. Based on the information on the mark sheet, the user specifies the scrap sheet from the plurality of sheets discharged to the sheet discharge tray.

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, information for specifying the spot paper is printed at a predetermined position of the mark paper. Therefore, when the same mark paper is reused, past information is overwritten with new information and the information cannot be read. End up. Therefore, when a large number of paper sheets are detected due to a large amount of printing or the like, a large number of mark sheets may be required accordingly.

JP 2010-2463 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system and a control program capable of suppressing an increase in the number of mark sheets even when a large number of scrap sheets are detected.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following.

  (1) A sheet conveying section that includes a sheet conveying path, conveys the sheet, an image forming section that forms an image on the sheet, a discharge section that discharges the sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming section, and the sheet Information for determining whether the paper transported on the transport path is scraped paper, and when the paper is determined to be scraped paper, information for specifying the scraped paper from a plurality of sheets discharged to the discharge unit A control unit for printing the mark sheet on the mark sheet and controlling the mark sheet to be discharged to the discharge unit, and the control unit prints the information at a preselected position on the mark sheet. Or an image forming system that controls to print the information at a position specified by a user.

  (2) When the control unit determines that the paper is a waste paper, the control unit interrupts the printing process being executed, discharges the waste paper to the discharge unit, and then restarts the interrupted printing process. The image forming system according to (1) above.

  (3) It further includes a paper feed unit that accommodates a plurality of mark sheets, and the control unit is configured to restart the interrupted printing process when the paper feed unit detects that the mark sheet is out of paper. The image forming system according to (2), wherein a position for printing the information on the mark sheet is updated.

  (4) A paper feeding unit that accommodates a plurality of mark sheets is further included, and the control unit supplies replenishment when it is detected that the user has performed an operation of replenishing mark paper to the paper feed unit. The information described in (1) or (2), wherein the user is prompted to confirm a position where the information can be printed with respect to the mark paper previously stored in the paper feeding unit and the newly supplied mark paper. Image forming system.

  (5) The mark sheet has a printed area in which an image has already been printed and a blank area other than the printed area, and the control unit causes the user to designate the printed area, and The image forming system according to (1) or (2), wherein the information is controlled to be printed at any position in the blank area.

  (6) When the information is printed so as to overlap the printed area of the mark paper, the control unit determines that the mark paper is a blank paper, and the information is printed on the mark paper. In any one of the above (1) to (5), the user is notified that printing is performed overlapping the area, and the position where the information is printed on the newly supplied mark sheet is updated. The image forming system described.

  (7) In addition to the information, the control unit controls to print at least one of a date, time, a file name, and a user name on which the error is detected on the landmark sheet, (1) to (6) The image forming system according to any one of the above.

  (8) The image forming system according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the control unit causes a user to set a color for printing the information.

  (9) Procedure (a) for determining whether or not the paper transported through the paper transport path of the image forming system is a spear paper, and if it is determined that the paper is a spear paper, the paper is discharged to the discharge section. A step (b) of printing information for specifying the gap paper from a plurality of papers at a position selected in advance on the mark paper, or at a position designated by the user; and A control program for causing the image forming system to execute a procedure (c) of discharging to the discharge unit.

  (10) In the step (b), when it is determined that the paper is scraped paper, the printing process being executed is interrupted, and the printing paper that has been interrupted after discharging the scraped paper to the discharge unit is interrupted. The control program according to (9), wherein the control is resumed.

  (11) In the step (b), when it is detected that the mark sheet stored in the sheet feeding unit is out of paper, the information on the mark sheet is printed when the interrupted printing process is resumed. The control program according to (10), wherein the position is updated.

  (12) When it is detected that the user has performed an operation of replenishing the mark paper to the paper feed unit, the mark paper stored in the paper feed unit before the refill and the newly supplied mark paper The control program according to (9) or (10), further including a step (d) for prompting the user to confirm a position where the information can be printed.

  (13) The mark sheet has a printed area where an image has already been printed and a blank area other than the printed area, and allows the user to designate the printed area in the step (b). The control program according to (9) or (10), wherein the information is printed at any position of the blank area.

  (14) When the information is printed so as to overlap the printed area of the mark paper, it is determined that the mark paper is a scraped paper, and the information is printed while overlapping the printed area of the mark paper. Any one of the above (9) to (13), which further includes a procedure (e) of notifying the user that the information has been printed and updating the position where the information is printed on the newly fed mark sheet. Control program described in one.

  (15) In the step (b), in addition to the information, at least one of a date, a time, a file name, and a user name at which the error is detected is controlled to be printed on the mark paper. The control program according to any one of (14).

  (16) The control program according to any one of (9) to (15), wherein in the step (b), the user sets a color for printing the information.

  According to the present invention, the position for printing the information specifying the gap sheet is changed so as not to overlap the printed area of the mark sheet. Therefore, since the mark paper can be reused, an increase in the number of mark papers can be suppressed even when a large number of scrap papers are detected.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of an image forming system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 1. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a control method of the image forming system illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart following FIG. 3A. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the division | segmentation pattern area | region set with respect to mark paper. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the division | segmentation pattern area | region set with respect to mark paper. It is a schematic diagram which illustrates a sample chart and printed mark paper about the case where a user designates a printed area. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating designation | designated of the printed area. It is a schematic diagram which shows an example of the printing of leak information. It is a schematic diagram which shows the other example of the printing of leak information. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a control method of the image forming system according to the second embodiment. It is a flowchart following FIG. 9A. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a detection of a deviation on a mark sheet.

  Embodiments of an image forming system and a control program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same members. In addition, the dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may be different from the actual ratios. Further, in this specification, the upstream or downstream in the paper conveyance direction in the paper conveyance path in the image forming system may be simply written as “upstream” or “downstream”, respectively.

(First embodiment)
<Image Forming System 100>
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of the image forming system 100 illustrated in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming system 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a paper feeding device 200, an image forming device 300, and a post-processing device 400 that are connected in series along the X direction. The configuration of the image forming system 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an example, and the type and number of apparatuses included in the image forming system 100 are not limited to the examples illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

<Paper Feeder 200>
The paper feeding device 200 supplies paper to the image forming apparatus 300 in accordance with instructions from the image forming apparatus 300. The paper feeding device 200 is arranged at the uppermost stream in the image forming system 100 and includes a paper feeding unit 210, a paper transport unit 220, a communication unit 230, and a control unit 240. These components are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 250.

  The paper supply unit 210 supplies paper as a recording material used for printing. The paper feeding unit 210 has a plurality of paper feeding trays 211 and can accommodate a large amount of papers of different types such as size, color, thickness, and basis weight. In the present embodiment, the paper feed unit 210 includes, for example, one paper feed tray 211 in each of the upper, middle, and lower stages, and the three paper feed trays 211 store sheets of different sizes.

  The paper transport unit 220 includes a paper transport path 221 and a plurality of transport rollers, and transports the paper supplied from the paper feed unit 210 along the paper transport path 221 and discharges it to the image forming apparatus 300. In addition, a sensor for detecting the passage of the paper is disposed at a predetermined position in the paper conveyance path 221, and the detection result is transmitted to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 300.

  The communication unit 230 is communicably connected to other devices of the image forming system 100 via the communication line 101 between the devices, and transmits and receives data.

  The control unit 240 controls the paper feed unit 210, the paper transport unit 220, and the communication unit 230. The control unit 240 includes an auxiliary storage device (not shown), a memory, and a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Each of these components is connected to be communicable with each other via a bus.

  The auxiliary storage device includes a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory, and stores a control program for the sheet feeding device. The memory includes a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory).

  In the control unit 240, the CPU controls the paper feeding unit 210, the paper transport unit 220, and the communication unit 230 by executing a control program for the paper feeding device, and realizes various functions.

<Image forming apparatus 300>
The image forming apparatus 300 reads an image from a document and forms (prints) the read image on a sheet. Further, the image forming apparatus 300 receives a print job including print data and print setting data in a PDL (Page Description Language) format from an external client terminal 500 through a network, and forms an image on a sheet based on the print job.

  The print settings include, for example, settings relating to paper type, paper size, duplex / single-sided printing, paper orientation, post-processing, and the like. The client terminal 500 can be, for example, a personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like.

  The image forming apparatus 300 is disposed between the paper feeding device 200 and the post-processing device 400, and includes an image reading unit 310, an image forming unit 320, a paper feeding unit 330, a communication unit 340, a paper transport unit 350, a discharge unit 360, An operation display unit 370 and a control unit 380 are provided. These components are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 390.

  The image reading unit 310 includes an optical system including a mirror and a lens, a reading sensor, a reading processing unit, a compression IC, a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and an expansion IC. The image reading unit 310 reads an original placed on a reading surface or an original conveyed by an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and outputs an image signal.

  The image signal is converted into a digital signal (image data signal) by the reading processing unit, then compressed by a compression IC, and stored in the DRAM as print image data. The image reading unit 310 rasterizes the print job received through the communication unit 340, generates print image data, and stores the print image data in the DRAM.

  On the other hand, when print image data is output, the print image data in the DRAM is decompressed by the decompression IC and then transmitted to the image forming unit 320.

  The image forming unit 320 forms an image on a sheet based on the print image data by using a known image forming process such as an electrophotographic process including charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing processes. .

  The paper supply unit 330 supplies paper as a recording material used for printing. The paper feed unit 330 has a plurality of paper feed trays 331, and each of the paper feed trays 331 contains standard paper such as A4 size or B5 size.

  In the present embodiment, the paper feed unit 330 stores mark paper in any of the paper feed trays 331. The mark paper is discharged by a user to a paper discharge tray 431 (described later) of the post-processing device 400 when a paper whose quality of the printed material does not satisfy a prescribed standard (hereinafter referred to as a “paper paper”) is detected. This is a sheet that is inserted as a mark so as to make it easy to distinguish the gap sheet from other effective sheets. Details of the mark sheet will be described later.

  Each of the paper feed trays 331 is provided with a sensor for detecting the out-of-sheet paper, and the detection result is transmitted to the control unit 380.

  The communication unit 340 connects to the client terminal 500 via a network and transmits / receives data such as a print job. The network includes various networks such as a local area information network (LAN), a wide area information network (WAN) in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line, the Internet, and combinations thereof. The LAN standard is, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, or FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface). The communication protocol is, for example, TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol).

  The communication unit 340 is communicably connected to other apparatuses of the image forming system 100 via a communication line 101 between apparatuses, and transmits and receives data.

  The paper transport unit 350 transports paper in the image forming apparatus 300. The paper transport unit 350 includes a paper transport path 351 and a plurality of transport rollers.

  The paper supplied from the paper supply device 200 or the paper supply unit 330 is conveyed to the image forming unit 320 through the paper conveyance path 351. In the image forming unit 320, the sheet on which the image is formed is discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 300 through the discharge unit 360 and is supplied to the post-processing device 400. A sensor for detecting the passage of the paper is disposed at a predetermined position in the paper transport path 351, and the detection result is transmitted to the control unit 380.

  The operation display unit 370 includes, for example, a display (display unit) and a keyboard or a touch panel, and functions as an input unit and an output unit. The keyboard has a plurality of keys such as a selection key for designating the paper size, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a start key for instructing start of operation, and a stop key for instructing stop of operation. The input unit is used by the user to perform various instructions (inputs) such as character input, various settings, and a start instruction. The output unit is used for presenting a user with a device configuration, a print job execution status, a paper jam occurrence status, an error occurrence status, a setting that can be changed at present.

  The control unit 380 includes an auxiliary storage device (not shown), a memory, and a CPU. Each of these components is connected to be communicable with each other via a bus. The auxiliary storage device includes a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory. The memory includes a RAM and a ROM. The RAM stores calculation results accompanying the execution of the CPU.

  In control unit 380, the CPU executes a control program for the image forming apparatus. The control program for the image forming apparatus is stored in the auxiliary storage device, and is loaded into the RAM of the memory when executed by the CPU. The CPU controls the image reading unit 310, the image forming unit 320, the paper feeding unit 330, the communication unit 340, the paper transport unit 350, the discharge unit 360, and the operation display unit 370 according to the control program, and performs various functions. Realize.

  For example, the control unit 380 manages the position of the paper transported through each paper transport path in the paper transport unit 220, the paper transport unit 350, and the paper transport unit of the post-processing device 400 described later. In the present embodiment, the control unit 380 determines whether or not the paper transported through the paper transport path of the paper transport unit of the post-processing device 400 is a spear paper. When the control unit 380 determines that the paper is a paper sheet, the control unit 380 controls the information for specifying the paper to be printed on the mark paper, and discharges the mark paper to the discharge tray. Based on the above information on the mark sheet, the user can easily specify the gap sheet from these sheets even if a plurality of sheets are discharged to the discharge tray 431 of the post-processing device 400.

  Further, the control unit 380 controls to print the information at a position selected in advance on the mark sheet, or to print the information at a position designated by the user.

  Further, when the control unit 380 determines that the paper is a waste paper, the control unit 380 interrupts the print process being executed, discharges the waste paper to the paper discharge tray 431 of the post-processing device 400, and then the interrupted print. Resume processing.

<Post-processing device 400>
The post-processing apparatus 400 conveys or post-processes the paper supplied from the image forming apparatus 300 according to an instruction from the image forming apparatus 300 and discharges the paper to the outside of the image forming system 100. The post-processing device 400 is disposed on the most downstream side in the image forming system 100 and includes a paper transport unit 410, a post-processing unit 420, a discharge unit 430, a communication unit 440, an image adjustment unit 450, and a control unit 460. These components are communicably connected to each other via an internal bus 470.

  The paper transport unit 410 includes a paper transport path 411 and a plurality of transport rollers, and transports the paper supplied from the image forming apparatus 300 to the discharge unit 430 along the paper transport path 411. Further, the paper transport unit 410 transports the paper supplied from the image forming apparatus 300 to the post-processing unit 420 and transports the post-processed paper to the discharge unit 430. A sensor that detects the passage of a sheet is disposed at a predetermined position in the sheet conveyance path 411, and the detection result is transmitted to the control unit 380 of the image forming apparatus 300.

  The post-processing unit 420 performs post-processing on the paper. In the present embodiment, post-processing includes, for example, punch processing, stapling processing, curl correction processing, inversion processing, and the like.

  The discharge unit 430 includes a discharge tray 431. The discharge unit 430 discharges the paper transported by the paper transport unit 410 onto the paper discharge tray 431.

  The communication unit 440 is communicably connected to other apparatuses of the image forming system 100 via a communication line 101 between apparatuses, and transmits and receives data.

  The image adjustment unit 450 includes an upstream scanner 451, a downstream scanner 452, and a spectrocolorimeter 453. The image adjustment unit 450 functions as an ICCU (Image Calibration Control Unit), and performs real-time front / back adjustment and gradation adjustment. By using the ICCU, the image position on the paper can be adjusted with high accuracy, and stable color reproduction can be realized. In addition, since the adjustment becomes easy, the work by the user is reduced, the image quality is stabilized, and the adjustment time is shortened (downtime is reduced).

  The upstream scanner 451 and the downstream scanner 452 respectively read images on different sides of the sheet on the sheet conveyance path 411 close to the supply port for supplying the sheet discharged from the image forming apparatus 300 with the sheet conveyance path 411 interposed therebetween. Arranged to do.

  The upstream scanner 451 and the downstream scanner 452 are provided with a line image sensor, a lens optical system, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) light source, a housing for storing these, and the like, and read an image printed on a conveyed paper. When reading an image, the light from the LED light source irradiates the surface of the paper passing through the reading position on the paper transport path 411. The image at the reading position is guided by a lens optical system, formed on a line image sensor, and read.

  When the print setting is set to duplex printing, the upstream scanner 451 reads an image on the lower side of the sheet, and the downstream scanner 452 reads an image on the upper side of the sheet. Therefore, both sides of the double-sided printed paper can be read by one transport. On the other hand, when the print setting is set to single-sided printing, the image on the front side of the paper is read only by the downstream scanner 452.

  The control unit 380 performs real-time front / back adjustment from the image data obtained by the upstream scanner 451 and the downstream scanner 452. More specifically, a register mark (solid output) is printed on the cutting margin portion of the paper, and all sides are read by the ICCU (upstream scanner 451 / downstream scanner 452) and fed back to the print job being output. The correction target is, for example, a main scanning shift (positional deviation in a direction orthogonal to the paper passing direction), a sub-scanning shift (positional deviation in the paper passing direction), a paper passing direction magnification, and a paper passing direction magnification (perpendicular to the paper passing direction). Direction magnification), tilt, and rotation. In the real-time front / back adjustment, the image position is adjusted with respect to the target value independently for the front surface / back surface.

  The control unit 380 performs tone adjustment from the image data obtained by the upstream scanner 451 and the downstream scanner 452. A gradation patch (YMCK / RGB Pb) is printed on the edge of the paper at the cutting margin of the paper, and is read by the ICCU (downstream scanner). The reading position of the gradation patch is detected based on the corner / center registration mark. The correction value has the same conditions as the output paper density adjustment (for each sensor for each screen / paper type / paper color) and performs correction. As the correction value, the gradation correction value is calculated with the data of “YMCK” and “RGB Pb” (8 types of patches) as one set.

  The spectrocolorimeter 453 spectrally measures the color of each color patch of the color evaluation image formed on the paper by the image forming unit 320, and calculates the spectral reflectance of each wavelength in the visible light region and the vicinity thereof. get. The colorimetric data can be output in a color system such as XYZ.

  The control unit 460 controls the paper transport unit 410, the post-processing unit 420, the discharge unit 430, the communication unit 440, and the image adjustment unit 450. The control unit 460 includes an auxiliary storage device (not shown), a memory, and a CPU. Each of these components is connected to be communicable with each other via a bus. The auxiliary storage device includes a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive or a flash memory, and stores a control program for the post-processing device. The memory includes a RAM and a ROM.

  In the control unit 460, the CPU controls the paper transport unit 410, the post-processing unit 420, the discharge unit 430, the communication unit 440, and the image adjustment unit 450 by executing a control program for the post-processing device, and various functions. Is realized.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the post-processing device 400 includes the post-processing unit 420 is illustrated, but the post-processing device 400 does not necessarily have the post-processing unit 420. In that case, the post-processing device 400 functions as a paper transport device that transports the paper supplied from the image forming apparatus 300 to the paper discharge tray 431.

<Control Method of Image Forming System 100>
Next, with reference to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, the control method of the image forming system 100 of this embodiment will be described in detail. 3A is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the control method of the image forming system 100 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 3B is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 3A. Each process of the control method shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B is realized by the control unit 380 mainly executing a control program for the image forming apparatus and cooperating with the other control units 240 and 460.

  The image forming system 100 receives a print job from the client terminal 500 or the like and starts print processing. When the print job extends over a plurality of pages, the control unit 380 controls the paper feeding device 200 to sequentially supply paper to the image forming apparatus 300. The control unit 380 executes a slip detection process described below, and monitors the paper transported through the paper transport path 411.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, print setting of the error information is performed (step S101). In addition to the number of files, the file information may include, for example, a date / time (hereinafter simply referred to as “date / time”), a “file name”, and a “user name” when the paper is detected. The number of sheets is the detected number of sheets, and the number of sheets already fed to the image forming apparatus 300 at the time when the sheet is detected.

  The user can select an item to be printed as error information. By including at least one of “date / time”, “file name”, and “user name” as the date information, the mark paper is reused, and even when past date information is printed on the mark paper, The user can more easily find the latest information.

  The control unit 380 prompts the user to set the print position, print color, and print content when printing the misprint information on the mark sheet through the operation display unit 370 as necessary. Details of the print position, print color, and print contents will be described later.

  Next, the deviation number counter N is initialized (step S102). The deviation number counter N is a variable for counting the number of deviations. The control unit 380 initializes the deviation number counter N by substituting zero.

  Next, it is determined whether or not a paper sheet is detected (step S103). More specifically, the upstream scanner 451 and the downstream scanner 452 respectively capture the back surface and front surface of the paper that passes through the reading position on the paper transport path 411. The control unit 380 determines whether or not the sheet should be handled as a scrap sheet based on the read image data of the sheet acquired by imaging. For example, the control unit 380 compares the read image data with the print image data, and determines that the paper should be treated as a waste paper when the misalignment of the paper image exceeds a predetermined threshold, and detects the waste paper. Judge.

  If the control unit 380 does not detect the spear paper (step S103: NO), the control unit 380 waits until the spear paper is detected. On the other hand, if the control unit 380 detects a paper misfeed (step S103: YES), the control unit 380 increments the file counter N (step S104). The control unit 380 increments the deviation number counter N (N ← N + 1) in order to count one detected deviation sheet.

  Next, paper feeding is stopped (step S105). The control unit 380 stops the paper feeding from the paper feeding device 200 and interrupts the printing process being executed. At this time, the control unit 380 holds the print image data for which the printing process has been interrupted for the time when the printing process is resumed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there is a sheet that has already been fed and is supplied to the conveyance path after the detected sheet paper (step S106). The paper can be supplied to the conveyance path of the image forming apparatus 300 after the detected paper is detected until the paper is detected and paper feeding is stopped. The number of sheets to be supplied varies depending on the number of pages of the print job in which the printing process is interrupted, the execution status, the timing at which the sheet feeding is stopped, and the like. In the present embodiment, in order to maintain the quality of the printed material, in addition to the detected lay paper, the paper that has already been fed following the detected lay paper is also handled as the lay paper. If there is no paper that has already been fed after the detected paper sheet (step S106: NO), the process proceeds to step S110.

  On the other hand, if there is a paper that has already been fed after the detected paper sheet (step S106: YES), it is determined whether or not one sheet of fed paper has been discharged (step S107). When one sheet of fed paper is not discharged (step S107: NO), the control unit 380 waits until one sheet of fed paper is discharged (step S107: NO).

  If one fed sheet has been discharged (step S107: YES), the deviation number counter N is incremented (step S108). The control unit 380 increments the deviation number counter N (N ← N + 1) to count one sheet that has been fed.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the discharge of all the fed sheets has been completed (step S109). If the discharging of all the fed sheets has not been completed (step S109: NO), the process proceeds to step S107.

  On the other hand, when the discharge of all the fed sheets has been completed (step S109: YES), the control unit 380 acquires “file name” and “user name” from the print job (step S110).

  Next, the control unit 380 obtains the current “date / time” from an RTC (Real Time Clock) (step S111).

  Next, the mark sheet is fed (step S112). The control unit 380 controls the paper supply unit 330 to supply the mark paper to the image forming unit 320.

  Next, the gap information is printed on the mark sheet (step S113). The control unit 380 is set at the set print position with the set print color and the number of creases (sag count counter N), among “date / time”, “file name”, and “user name”. Print the item. The number of spear sheets is information for specifying a spear paper when a mark paper is discharged together with a plurality of spoil papers to the same paper discharge tray 431.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the mark sheet has been discharged (step S114). If the mark sheet is not discharged (step S114: NO), the control unit 380 waits until the mark sheet is discharged.

  On the other hand, when the mark sheet is discharged (step S114: YES), the control unit 380 controls the sheet feeding device 200 to resume sheet feeding (step S115), and ends the slip detection process (end). . The image adjustment unit 450 calculates a correction value for correcting the misregistration based on the detected misregistration of the image of the paper.

  Then, the control unit 380 uses the calculated correction value and starts executing a reprint process (recovery print process) based on the print image data for which the print process has been interrupted. When resuming the interrupted printing process, the control unit 380 updates the position where the misprint information is printed on the mark sheet when detecting that the mark sheet stored in the sheet feeding unit 330 is out of paper. The update of this position will be described later.

  Therefore, it is possible to prevent the new printing information from being overwritten on the printing information previously printed in the recovery printing process.

  As described above, according to the processing of the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the control unit 380 determines whether or not the paper transported through the paper transport path 411 is spear paper. If the control unit 380 determines that the paper is a paper sheet, the control unit 380 prints information for specifying the paper from a plurality of sheets discharged to the paper discharge tray 431 on the mark paper, and discharges the mark paper. Control is performed so that the tray 431 is discharged.

<Print setting for sag information>
As described above, in the present embodiment, the print position, the print color, and the print content can be set as the print setting for the error information.

[Print position setting]
With reference to FIGS. 4 to 6B, setting of the print position of the mark sheet will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a divided pattern area set for a mark sheet, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating another example of a divided pattern area set for a mark sheet. FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram illustrating a sample chart and a printed mark sheet when the user designates a printed area, and FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram for explaining designation of the printed area.

  In the present embodiment, the print position of the error information is any one of “user specifies print position”, “user specifies printed area”, and “image forming system 100 automatically sets print position” Is set by

[1] When the user designates a print position The control unit 380 sets a plurality of areas that do not overlap each other on the mark sheet, and allows the user to designate any area as the print position. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 380 divides the mark paper into three equal parts in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, and divides the mark paper into nine parts (hereinafter referred to as “first divided pattern area”). ) To allow the user to specify one of these areas as the print position. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the user selects the upper left area.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 380 divides the mark paper into 12 equal parts in the vertical direction and sets a 12-divided area (hereinafter referred to as “second divided pattern area”) to the user. Any one of these areas is designated as a print position. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a case where the user selects the 10th row (10/12) region is shown.

  In order to allow the user to refer to the plurality of areas when designating the print position, for example, a diagram (chart) in which the plurality of areas illustrated in FIG. 4 or FIG. Alternatively, the image forming unit 320 may be configured to print. Alternatively, the plurality of areas may be superimposed on the preview image of the mark sheet and displayed on the operation display unit 370, and the user may select the print position by a touch operation.

[2] When the user designates a printed area As shown in FIG. 6A, when the user designates a printed area, the user prepares a sample chart and a printed mark sheet. The sample chart is, for example, a sheet on which “second divided pattern region” is printed, and can be printed by the image forming system 100.

  The mark sheet may be, for example, a printed sheet that has become unnecessary or a mark sheet that has been reused. In the example shown in FIG. 6A, printed paper on which a picture of lightning and clouds is printed is used as the mark paper.

  As shown in FIG. 6B, the user compares the sample chart with a printed sheet to be used as a mark sheet, confirms the printed area on the mark sheet, and designates the printed area through the operation display unit 370. . A blank area that is not printed on the mark sheet can be used as a print position, but a printed area cannot be used as a print position.

  The control unit 380 sets, for example, 3/12 of the blank area as the first print position. Further, when the next paper is detected next, the control unit 380 sets the print position to any one of the blank areas 5/12, 10/12, 11/12, and 12/12.

  As described above, the user can preliminarily designate an area that cannot be used as the print position, thereby preventing the error information from being overwritten on the printed area.

  In the above example, the case where the user compares the sample chart with the printed mark sheet and the user designates the printed area has been described. However, the designation of the printed area is not limited to such a case. The image forming system 100 may read the printed mark sheet as an image, and compare the image of the mark sheet with a sample chart to designate the printed area.

[3] When the image forming system 100 automatically updates the print position The control unit 380 sets a plurality of areas that do not overlap each other on the mark sheet, and sets the print position in the blank area among them.

  For example, it is assumed that “second division pattern area” is set for the mark sheet, and 1/12 and 2/12 are blank areas.

  First, the control unit 380 sets the print position of the mark sheet to 1/12. Note that the first print position may be specified by the user. The user sets a set of a plurality of mark sheets (for example, the mark sheet is a blank sheet at this time) on the sheet feed tray 331 of the sheet feed unit 330.

  Subsequently, when the scrap paper is detected, the mark paper is discharged. The user keeps the mark paper for reuse. When the mark sheet in the sheet feed tray 331 runs out of paper, the user sets a set of a plurality of mark sheets stored in the sheet feed tray 331.

  Subsequently, the control unit 380 updates the print position to 2/12, which is the next blank area. Further, when the area after 3/12 is also blank, the paper is detected, and when the mark sheet in the paper feed tray 331 is out of paper, 3/12, 4/12, 5/12,. Set the print position in the order of.

  As described above, when the mark sheet runs out of paper and the mark sheet is replenished to the paper feed tray 331, it is necessary to change the printing position. The print position is updated in the blank area.

  In addition, when mark paper is replenished, if there is mark paper remaining in the paper feed tray 331, there is a possibility that paper having different print positions may be mixed. The control unit 380 displays a warning such as “Current print position is line 2/12. Check the print position of the paper to be set.”

  As described above, the printing position of the mark sheet stored in the paper feed tray 331 before the replenishment and the newly refilled mark sheet are urged to confirm the position where the misprint information can be printed, so that the print positions are different. It is possible to prevent or suppress the mixing of sheets.

[Print color and print content settings]
With reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the setting of the printing color and the printing content when printing the gap information on the mark sheet will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of printing of file information, and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing another example of printing of file information.

  “First division pattern area” is set for landscape mark paper in the landscape orientation, and in the first printing, the print position is “upper left”, the print color is “black”, and the date, Set to print file name and user name.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, in the first printing, the mark paper is black at the upper left of the mark paper, the number of burrs is “3”, the date is “2017/05/30”, and the file name is “test.doc”. ", The information of the user name" aueda "is printed.

  Next, in the second printing, the print position is “center”, the print color is “red”, and the date, the file name, and the user name are printed as the error information in addition to the error number.

  As a result, in the second printing, in the center of the mark paper, the color is red, the number of burrs is “5”, the date is “2017/06/06”, the file name is “sample.doc”, and the user name is “aueda” Is printed.

  Next, in the third printing, the print position is “bottom right”, the print color is “blue”, and the date, the file name, and the user name are printed as the error information in addition to the error number.

  As a result, in the third printing, in the lower right corner of the mark paper, the color is blue, the number of burrs is “8”, the date is “2017/06/15”, the file name is “text.doc”, and the user name is “ "aueda" error information is printed.

  When the print position is changed, the control unit 380 stores the print position before the change. The control unit 380 forms an image so that a cancellation line is drawn on the first printing 601 when the second printing 602 is printed, and a cancellation line is drawn on the second printing 602 when the third printing 603 is printed. The unit 320 is controlled. In this way, by drawing a strike-through line in the past error information, the user can easily understand that the third printing is the latest.

  As shown in FIG. 8, an area divided into M in the vertical direction is set for a horizontally oriented mark sheet, and an M-divided area is set. In the first printing, the print position is “first line” and the print color is “ As black information, the deviation information is set to print the date, file name, and user name in addition to the number of deviations.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, in the first printing, the first line of the mark paper is black, the number of burrs is “3”, the date is “2017/05/30”, and the file name is “test”. .Doc "and the user name" aueda "are printed.

  Next, in the second printing, the print position is “second line”, the print color is “red”, and the date, the file name, and the user name are set in addition to the number of errors as the error information.

  As a result, in the second printing, the second line of the mark paper is red, the number of creases is “5”, the date is “2017/06/06”, the file name is “sample.doc”, and the user name is The error information “aueda” is printed.

  Next, in the third printing, the print position is “third line”, the print color is “blue”, and the date, the file name, and the user name are set to be printed as the error information in addition to the number of errors.

  As a result, in the third printing, the third line of the mark sheet is blue, the number of burrs is “8”, the date is “2017/06/15”, the file name is “text.doc”, and the user name is The error information “aueda” is printed.

  When the print position is changed, the control unit 380 stores the print position before the change. The control unit 380 forms an image so as to draw a cancel line on the first print 604 when the second print 605 is printed, and draw a cancel line on the second print 605 when the third print 606 is printed. The unit 320 is controlled. In this way, by drawing a strike-through line in the past error information, the user can easily understand that the third printing is the latest.

  In addition, in order to make the latest information easy to understand, an example in which a strike line is drawn on the past file information has been shown. However, the past file information is not limited to the strike line. What is necessary is just to make it in a state where it can be seen at a glance.

  The image forming system 100 of the present embodiment described above has the following effects.

  The position for printing the deviation information is changed so as not to overlap the printed area of the mark sheet. Therefore, since the mark paper can be reused, an increase in the number of mark papers can be suppressed even when a large number of scrap papers are detected.

  In addition, since it is in a state where it can be seen at a glance that past deviation information is invalid, the user can easily understand which deviation information printed on the mark sheet is the latest.

(Second Embodiment)
In the second embodiment, a description will be given of a case where the spot detection process is performed also on the mark sheet. In the following, detailed description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be omitted in order to avoid duplication of description.

  A control method of the image forming system of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A to 10. FIG. 9A is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the control method of the image forming system in the present embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a flowchart subsequent to FIG. 9A. Each process of the control method illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B is realized by the control unit 380 executing a control program.

<Control Method of Image Forming System 100>
Each process of step S201 to step S209 shown in FIG. 9A is the same as each process of step S101 to step S109 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. Also, Step S210 to Step S214 shown in FIG. 9B are the same as the processes of Step S110 to Step S114 of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 9B, in step S215, it is determined whether or not the mark paper has been detected. The detection of the mark paper slippage will be described later. If no spot is detected for the mark sheet (step S215: NO), the control unit 380 controls the sheet feeder 200 to resume sheet feeding (step S216), and ends the spot detection process (end). . The image adjustment unit 450 calculates a correction value for correcting the misregistration based on the detected misregistration of the image of the paper.

  Then, the control unit 380 uses the calculated correction value and starts executing a reprint process (recovery print process) based on the print image data for which the print process has been interrupted. When resuming the interrupted printing process, the control unit 380 updates the position where the misprint information is printed on the mark sheet when detecting that the mark sheet stored in the sheet feeding unit 330 is out of paper.

  On the other hand, when a gap is detected for the mark paper (step S215: YES), the print position of the mark paper is updated (step S217). The control unit 380 notifies the user that the error information is printed in an overlapped portion where the image has already been formed when the error information is printed in an overlapped portion where the image has already been formed. At the same time, the position for printing the error information on the mark sheet is updated. Then, the control unit 380 proceeds to the process of step S210, and re-feeds the marker paper, prints the error information, and performs the error detection again for the new marker paper on which the error information is printed. repeat. Hereinafter, the detection of the mark paper slippage will be described.

<Spot detection of mark paper>
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the detection of deviation on the mark sheet. Spot detection on the mark paper is a countermeasure when the printed area of the mark paper to be replenished and the set print position overlap when the user refills the mark paper already printed on the paper feed tray 331. To be implemented.

  If the spot information is printed over the printed area of the supplied mark sheet, it may not be possible to determine the spot information when the user looks at the mark sheet. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 380 also performs a spot detection process for the mark sheet. When the mark sheet is detected, the control unit 380 automatically changes the print position, and then removes the mark sheet again. Feed the paper and print the error information. More specifically, it is as shown below.

  As shown in FIG. 10, x is a sheet on which printing is detected, and (x + 1) to (x + n) are sheets that have already been fed at the time of detection of printing.

  When the spot detection is not performed on the mark sheet, the control unit 380 prints and outputs (n + 1) as the number of spots on the mark sheet, and then feeds the next sheet to execute the recovery printing process. The image that was to be formed on the paper x is formed.

  On the other hand, in the case where the spot detection is performed on the mark sheet, the control unit 380 supplies another mark sheet when the mark sheet on which (n + 1) is printed is detected as the number of shift sheets, (N + 2) is printed and discharged. The detection of the mark paper misalignment can be determined by, for example, reading the mark paper with an upstream scanner or a downstream scanner, performing an OCR (Optical Character Recognition) process, and determining whether the misfire information can be determined. Thereafter, the control unit 380 feeds the next sheet, executes recovery printing processing, and forms an image that was to be formed on the scraped sheet x.

  According to the image forming system 100 of the present embodiment, in addition to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  When it is determined that the mark sheet is a scrap sheet, the mark sheet is discharged as a scrap sheet, and the spot information can be printed on a new mark sheet and discharged.

  As described above, in the embodiment, the image forming system and the control program of the present invention have been described. However, it goes without saying that the present invention can be appropriately added, modified, and omitted by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea.

  For example, in the first and second embodiments described above, the upstream and downstream scanners installed along the paper transport path of the post-processing apparatus capture images of the paper transported through the paper transport path, and the image is misaligned. The description has been given of the case where the paper is detected based on the above. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case, and other paper may be used to detect the waste paper. For example, the judgment of the paper is made by determining the paper conveyance state (skew, width direction position) by a sensor provided in the paper conveyance path and detecting the edge position in the paper width direction (perpendicular to the conveyance direction). You can also. Further, it can be configured to detect a paper sheet based on a detection result of a paper bending sensor that is installed along the paper conveyance path of the image forming apparatus and detects the paper bending of the conveyed paper.

  Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the post-processing apparatus includes one discharge tray has been described. In particular, the present invention makes it easy for the user to print the information on the mark paper by printing the information for specifying the paper on the mark paper in a situation where the effective paper and the paper are discharged to one specific paper discharge tray. The effect that can be specified is exhibited. However, even when the post-processing apparatus includes a plurality of paper discharge trays, the same effect can be achieved when the effective paper and the waste paper are discharged to one specific paper discharge tray.

  In the first and second embodiments described above, the case where the mark sheet is supplied from the sheet feeding unit of the image forming apparatus has been described. However, the mark sheet may be configured to be supplied from, for example, a sheet feeding device, or may be configured to be supplied from a manual feed tray.

  Further, as information for specifying the gap paper, what is printed on the mark paper is not limited to the number of the gap paper, but may be information indicating how many sheets ahead of the mark paper.

  The control program for the image forming apparatus may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory, a flexible disk, or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred and stored in a memory or storage. In addition, this control program may be provided as, for example, a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software of each apparatus as a function of the image forming apparatus.

100 image forming system,
200 paper feeder,
210 paper feeder,
220 paper transport section,
230 communication unit,
240 controller,
300 image forming apparatus,
310 image reading unit,
320 image forming unit,
330 paper feeder,
340 communications department,
350 paper transport section,
360 discharge section,
370 operation display section,
380 control unit,
400 aftertreatment devices,
410 paper transport section,
420 post-processing section,
430 discharge section,
440 communication unit,
450 image adjustment unit,
460 Control unit.

Claims (16)

A paper transport path having a paper transport path and transporting paper;
An image forming unit for forming an image on the paper;
A discharge unit for discharging the paper on which the image is formed by the image forming unit;
It is determined whether or not the paper transported through the paper transport path is scraped paper, and if the paper is determined to be scraped paper, the scraped paper is identified from a plurality of sheets discharged to the discharge unit. A control unit that prints the information to be printed on the mark sheet and controls the mark sheet to be discharged to the discharge unit,
The controller is
An image forming system that controls to print the information at a position selected in advance on the mark sheet or to print the information at a position designated by a user. The controller is
2. The image according to claim 1, wherein when the paper is determined to be scrap paper, the printing process being executed is interrupted, and the interrupted printing process is resumed after discharging the scrap paper to the discharge unit. Forming system. It further has a paper feed unit that accommodates a plurality of mark sheets,
The controller is
When the paper feed unit detects that the mark paper is out of paper,
The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein when the suspended printing process is resumed, a position where the information is printed on the mark sheet is updated. It further has a paper feed unit that accommodates a plurality of mark sheets,
The controller is
When it is detected that the user has performed an operation of replenishing the mark paper to the paper feeding unit,
3. The image formation according to claim 1, wherein the user is prompted to confirm a position where the information can be printed with respect to the mark paper stored in the paper feeding unit and the newly supplied mark paper before supply. system. The marker paper is
A printed area in which an image has already been printed and a blank area other than the printed area;
The controller is
3. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein control is performed such that a user designates the printed area and the information is printed at any position of the blank area. The controller is
If the information is printed over the printed area of the mark paper, it is determined that the mark paper is a blank paper, and the information is printed over the printed area of the mark paper. 6. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system updates the position of printing the information on a newly fed mark sheet while notifying the user of the fact. The controller is
The image formation according to claim 1, wherein in addition to the information, control is performed so that at least one of a date, time, file name, and user name when the error is detected is printed on the mark sheet. system. The controller is
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein a user sets a color for printing the information. A procedure (a) for determining whether or not the paper transported through the paper transport path of the image forming system is a spear paper;
When it is determined that the paper is a paper, the information for specifying the paper from a plurality of papers discharged to the discharge unit is printed at a preselected position on the mark paper, or the user Printing at the position specified by (b),
A step (c) of discharging the mark sheet to the discharge unit;
Is a control program that causes the image forming system to execute.   If it is determined in step (b) that the paper is a waste paper, the printing process being executed is interrupted, the waste paper is discharged to the discharge unit, and the interrupted printing process is resumed. The control program according to claim 9. In the step (b), when it is detected that the mark sheet stored in the sheet feeding unit is out of paper,
The control program according to claim 10, wherein when the suspended printing process is resumed, a position for printing the information on the landmark sheet is updated. When it is detected that the user has performed an operation to replenish landmark paper to the paper feeder,
The method further comprises a step (d) for prompting the user to confirm a position where the information can be printed with respect to the mark paper stored in the paper supply unit and the newly supplied mark paper before supply. Or the control program of 10. The marker paper is
A printed area in which an image has already been printed and a blank area other than the printed area;
The control program according to claim 9 or 10, wherein, in the step (b), a user specifies the printed area, and the information is printed at any position of the blank area.   If the information is printed over the printed area of the mark paper, it is determined that the mark paper is a blank paper, and the information is printed over the printed area of the mark paper. The control program according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising a step (e) of notifying the user of the fact and updating a position where the information is printed on a newly supplied mark sheet. .   In the step (b), in addition to the information, at least one of a date, a time, a file name, and a user name at which an error is detected is controlled to be printed on the mark sheet. The control program according to item 1.   The control program according to any one of claims 9 to 15, which causes a user to set a color for printing the information in the step (b).