JP2019209538A - Image quality inspection system and display control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image quality inspection system and display control method which can support a user who tries to grasp the reason of the image defect.SOLUTION: An image quality inspection system includes: an image formation part which forms an image on a sheet; an image reading part which reads the formed image on the sheet; an image inspection part which inspects whether or not the image defect occurs in the read image; an occurrence cycle identification part which identifies the occurrence cycle of the image defect when the image defect occurs in the plurality of images; and a control part which performs control to display a plurality of pieces of image-related information respectively associated with the plurality of images where the image defect occurs in an arrangement manner based on the identified occurrence cycle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image quality inspection system and a display control method.

  Conventionally, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a combination of these) that forms a toner image on a sheet and an output image reading apparatus equipped with a scanner are connected inline or integrally. Devices or systems. Here, the output image reading apparatus reads an output product (that is, an image on paper, the same applies hereinafter) output by the image forming apparatus with a scanner or the like, and feeds back information on color and misregistration to the image forming apparatus. It functions as a post-processing device for correcting.

  In recent years, in addition to a system of an image forming apparatus and an output image reading apparatus, a quality inspection apparatus (also referred to as an automatic inspection apparatus) that automatically inspects the quality of an output product output by the image forming apparatus is inline or integrated. A system provided is proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2).

  Such a quality inspection apparatus executes an inspection job based on inspection data (inspection image data) to inspect the quality of an output product (inspection). Here, as the inspection image data, reference data as a reference or correct image and image information of an actually printed output (read image data of the output image reading device) are used. That is, the quality inspection apparatus acquires input image data input to the image forming apparatus as reference data when an inspection job is executed, and also outputs image information (read image data) of an output read by the output image reading apparatus. get. Then, the quality inspection apparatus inspects the quality of the image printed on the paper (in other words, whether there is an abnormality in the image) by comparing the acquired read image data with the corresponding reference data. According to such a system (hereinafter referred to as an image quality inspection system), it is automatically inspected whether the output matter (image on the paper) output by the image forming apparatus is printed with the quality desired by the customer. (Inspection) can be done.

JP 2008-139500 A JP 2005-266244 A

  By the way, when a specific abnormality (for example, image defects such as image streaks and density unevenness) is repeatedly detected in a printed image in an image quality inspection system, the cause of occurrence of such image defects (typically image formation). It is necessary to identify the mechanical failure in the apparatus and perform maintenance (adjustment, replacement of parts, repair, etc.) of the identified machine. In this case, in order to specify a machine that is a maintenance target, it is effective to detect the generation period of an abnormal image (hereinafter also referred to as “image defect”) as described in Patent Document 1 and the like. Conventionally, various techniques for detecting such a generation cycle have been proposed because they can serve as clues.

  On the other hand, in order to identify mechanical defects, it is considered that conventional techniques such as Patent Document 1 do not provide sufficient judgment materials to users aiming for normalization of images, and grasp the cause of image defects. It is not easy.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image quality inspection system and a display control method capable of assisting a user who wants to grasp the cause of occurrence of an image defect.

An image quality inspection system according to the present invention includes:
An image forming unit for forming an image on paper;
An image reading unit that reads an image on the formed paper;
An image inspection unit that inspects whether an image defect has occurred in the read image;
When an image defect has occurred in a plurality of the images, an occurrence period identifying unit that identifies an occurrence period of the image defect;
A control unit that performs control to display a plurality of pieces of image-related information, which are respectively related to the plurality of images in which image defects have occurred, in an arrangement based on the identified generation periods;
Is provided.

The display control method according to the present invention includes:
An image forming unit that forms an image on paper, an image reading unit that reads an image on the formed paper, and an image inspection unit that inspects whether or not an image defect has occurred in the read image. A display control method in a quality inspection system provided,
If an image defect has occurred in a plurality of the images, specify the occurrence period of the image defect,
A plurality of pieces of image related information respectively related to the plurality of images in which image defects have occurred are displayed in an arrangement based on the specified generation period.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the user who is going to grasp | ascertain the cause of image defect generation can be supported.

1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an image quality inspection system in the present embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the principal part of the control system in the image quality inspection system in this Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of processing of an inspection job. It is a figure explaining the case where an abnormal image has generate | occur | produced on the specific page in image printing of multiple copies. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of a display mode when an abnormal image is generated every 50 sheets of image printing, and FIG. 5B is a diagram showing another display mode in the same case as FIG. 5A. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode when an abnormal image generate | occur | produces every 1000 sheets of image printing. It is a figure which shows an example of the display mode when an abnormal image generate | occur | produces for every 1500 sheets of image printing. It is a figure which shows an example of the display aspect when the abnormal image for 1 page generate | occur | produces for every 1000 sheets of image printing, and the abnormal image for several pages generate | occur | produces for every 1500 sheets of image printing. It is a figure which shows an example of the screen which sets the image abnormality used as display object. It is a figure explaining the example which switches the display of an abnormal image. It is a figure explaining the example which sets the page range used as the display object of an abnormal image. It is a flowchart explaining the process which analyzes and displays the periodicity of an abnormal image.

  Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of an image quality inspection system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the main part of the control system for explaining the flow of signals between the devices constituting the image quality inspection system 1 in the present embodiment.

  The image quality inspection system 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 forms (outputs) an image on the paper S by the image forming apparatus 20, then reads the image of the paper S, and determines the quality of the output image based on the read result. It is inspected for pass / fail (the presence or absence of occurrence of an abnormal image), and processing such as display of the inspection result is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image quality inspection system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 20 that forms an image based on input image data on a sheet S, a sheet feeding apparatus 10 that feeds the sheet S to the image forming apparatus 20, and an image forming apparatus. 20 includes an image reading device 30 that reads an image of the paper S discharged from 20, and a post-processing device 40 having a plurality of paper discharge trays (42, 43).

In the image quality inspection system 1, the paper feeding device 10, the image forming device 20, the image reading device 30, and the post-processing device 40 are physically connected in order from the upstream side in the transport direction of the paper S (the device main bodies are connected to each other). Are connected), the conveyance path P of the sheet S is configured to be continuous between the plurality of apparatuses. The conveyance path P is the sorting portion 41 of the post-processing apparatus 40, a path P ₁ connecting to the discharge tray 42 of the lower, the path P ₂ continuing onto the paper output tray 43 is branched into.

For simplicity, the conveyance path P in the image forming apparatus 20 is indicated by a single line in FIG. 1, but the actual image forming apparatus 20 is provided with a duplex conveyance path for duplex printing. Further, for the sake of simplicity, in FIG. 1, _two paths P ₁ and P ₂ are branched in the post-processing device 40, but more branch paths are provided according to the number of discharge trays and the like. be able to.

  The paper feeder 10 can store paper S of various sizes and types. The paper feeding device 10 includes a paper feeding roller for feeding the stored (stacked) paper S one by one, a motor for driving the paper feeding roller, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 20 includes an intermediate transfer type image forming unit 21 using an electrophotographic process technology. In this example, the image forming unit 21 uses Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black) toner images formed on a photosensitive drum (not shown) as an intermediate transfer belt (not shown). 1), the four color toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt, and then secondarily transferred onto the paper S to form a toner image. Further, a toner image is secondarily transferred to the downstream side of the image forming unit 21 in the conveyance direction of the paper S, and the fixing unit 22 that fixes the toner image on the paper S by heating and pressurizing the conveyed paper S. Is arranged. Since the image forming unit 21 and the fixing unit 22 have a known configuration, detailed description thereof is omitted. Further, the image forming method in the image forming apparatus 20 is not limited to the above method, and other various methods can be applied.

  The apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus 20 includes an operation display unit 25. The operation display unit 25 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a touch panel, and functions as a display unit 26 and an operation unit 27. The display unit 26 displays various operation screens, image states, operation states of functions, and the like according to a display control signal input from the control unit 200 described later. The operation unit 27 includes various operation keys (so-called hardware switches) such as a numeric keypad and a start key, receives various input operations by the user, and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 200. The display unit 26 displays various icons (so-called software switches) that can be selected with a cursor (pointer) on various screens to be described later, accepts various input operations by the user, and sends operation signals to the control unit 200. Output to.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 200 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 20. The control unit 200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, and the like, in addition to the image forming unit 21, the fixing unit 22, and the operation display unit 25 described above. The operation of each unit provided in the image forming apparatus 20 is controlled. That is, the CPU 201 of the control unit 200 reads out a program corresponding to the processing content from the ROM 202 and expands it in the RAM 203, and cooperates with the expanded program to form the image forming unit 21, the fixing unit 22, the operation display unit 25, and the image forming unit. The operation of other blocks in the apparatus 20 is centrally controlled.

  Other blocks provided in the image forming apparatus 20 include an image processing unit that performs various corrections such as gradation correction on input image data, a paper transport unit that drives a plurality of transport rollers that transport the paper S, and communication. Examples include a communication unit that communicates with an external device through a network or the like. Further, the image forming apparatus 20 is configured as a copying machine that copies a document image onto a sheet S, that is, a configuration including an automatic document feeder such as an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) and a document image scanning device (scanner). Also good. Since these blocks described above have a known configuration, their illustration and description are omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image reading device 30 includes an output image reading unit 31 that optically reads an image (toner image) of the paper S discharged from the image forming device 20. Specifically, the output image reading unit 31 optically scans the paper S and forms an image of reflected light from the paper S on a light receiving surface of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor (not shown). The double-sided image is read, and read image data is generated based on the read result. The read image data generated by the output image reading unit 31 is input to the quality inspection device 50 described later.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the post-processing device 40 includes a transport roller that transports the paper S on which an image is read by the image reading device 30, a plurality of paper discharge trays 42 and 43 that discharge the paper S, and A sorting unit 41 for switching the discharge destination (conveyance route) of the paper S is provided. For the sake of simplicity, FIG. 2 illustrates a configuration including two paper discharge trays 42 and 43, but the number of paper discharge trays is arbitrary, and more paper discharge trays may be provided. Sorting unit 41, a switching gate for switching the discharge destination of the sheet S (the conveying route) to one of the paths P ₁ and path P _2, a driving source such as a solenoid that drives the switching gate, the image forming apparatus 20 and the inspection apparatus 50 And an interface for sending and receiving data.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image quality inspection system 1 determines whether the quality of the output image formed (output) on the sheet S is based on the read image data generated by the image reading device 30 (presence / absence of an abnormal image). ) Is provided. The quality inspection apparatus 50 includes a hardware processor such as a CPU, a ROM, a data storage unit 51 to be described later, and the like. The CPU reads and executes a program stored in the ROM so that the quality of the output image is good (abnormal). A job (hereinafter referred to as an inspection job) for inspecting the presence or absence of an image is executed. The quality inspection apparatus 50 corresponds to the “image inspection unit” of the present invention.

  The quality inspection device 50 can be physically incorporated in a housing of the image reading device 30, the post-processing device 40, and the image forming device 20 or the like, or a device that is physically independent of these devices, for example. It can also be configured as. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the quality inspection apparatus 50 is the latter, that is, a physically independent apparatus, and is configured to be electrically connected to a control unit 200 or the like, which will be described later, of the image forming apparatus 20.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the image quality inspection system 1 uses reference data (reference image or correct image data) as input image data and data of printing conditions (various user setting values such as printing method and number of copies). As a PC 60. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the PC 60 supplies the reference data to both the image forming apparatus 20 (control unit 200) and the quality inspection apparatus 50. As another example, a relay device that bifurcates the reference data transmitted from the PC 60 and transmits the reference data to the control unit 200 and the quality inspection device 50 may be provided.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2, the image quality inspection system 1 includes data storage units 51 and 52 for storing various data such as the reference data described above. Among these, the data storage unit 51 is a part of the quality inspection device 50 and is used for temporarily storing reference data. Further, the data storage unit 51 stores various data related to the abnormal image detected by the quality inspection device 50. On the other hand, the data storage unit 52 is provided in the main body (housing) of the image forming apparatus 20 and is connected to the control unit 200 and the CPU of the quality inspection apparatus 50 via an interface (not shown). These data storage units 51 and 52 can use various data storage media such as an HDD and a semiconductor memory.

  Next, the flow of inspection job processing executed by the quality inspection apparatus 50 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  In step S <b> 10, the quality inspection apparatus 50 (the CPU of the quality inspection apparatus 50 shown in FIG. 2, hereinafter the same) acquires the above-described reference data as the image forming apparatus 20 executes the print job. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the quality inspection device 50 receives reference data transmitted from the PC 60 and stores the received reference data in the data storage unit 51.

  As another aspect of the inspection job, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a scanner that reads a document, and images of a plurality of documents read by the scanner are copied by the image forming apparatus 20 and output by copy printing. In some cases, the quality of the scanned image is inspected. In such a case, as a pre-processing for copy printing, the image of the original is read in advance by a scanner, and the read data is stored in the data storage unit 51 as reference data (correct image data).

  In step S <b> 20, the quality inspection device 50 acquires the read image data generated by the output image reading unit 31 of the image reading device 30. In the present embodiment, the quality inspection device 50 directly receives the generated read image data from the image reading device 30. As another configuration example, when the relay device described above is provided, the quality inspection device 50 may receive the read image data via the relay device.

  In step S30, the quality inspection apparatus 50 compares the read image data acquired in step S20 with the corresponding reference data acquired in step S10, thereby determining the identity between the reference image (correct image) and the read image. inspect.

  In step S40, the quality inspection apparatus 50 determines whether the image quality of the read image data is acceptable (OK). Such determination processing differs depending on items relating to the degree of coincidence between the correct image and the read image (the type of defect in the read image, that is, the type of abnormal image UI described later), the reference value (threshold value) for pass / fail, and the like. Since it is the same as the method, detailed description of the determination method is omitted. The defect of the read image is synonymous with an abnormal image UI described later, and the type of the defect (abnormal image UI) will be described later (see FIG. 9).

  Here, if the quality inspection apparatus 50 determines that the image quality of the read image data is acceptable (OK) (step S40, YES), the sheet S corresponding to the read image data that has passed is set in advance. The post-processing device 40 is notified to discharge to the first tray (for example, the discharge tray 42 in FIG. 1). Then, the quality inspection apparatus 50 repeats the processing from step S20 to step S40 until the print job relating to the inspection is completed, and ends the processing when the print job is completed. In this case, the quality inspection apparatus 50 notifies the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20 that, for example, “image quality has passed on all printed pages”.

  On the other hand, when the quality inspection apparatus 50 determines that the image quality of the read image data is unacceptable (NG) (step S40, NO), the quality inspection apparatus 50 proceeds to step S50.

  In step S <b> 50, the quality inspection apparatus 50 transmits a message such as “An abnormal image has occurred on the 100th printed page” to the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20. At this time, the quality inspection apparatus 50 transmits the abnormality type, the position of the abnormality in the sheet S, and the like to the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20 together. Further, the quality inspection device 50 is configured to output the paper S corresponding to the read image data that has failed to be discharged to a preset second tray (for example, the paper discharge tray 43 in FIG. 1). 40 is notified. Then, the quality inspection apparatus 50 repeats the processing from step S20 to step S50 until the print job related to the inspection is completed, and ends the processing when the print job is completed.

  The post-processing device 40 that has received the notification about the pass / fail of the image quality from the quality inspection device 50 sets the switching gate of the sorting unit 41 so that the target paper S is discharged to the corresponding discharge tray (42 or 43). To drive.

  As another example, the quality inspection apparatus 50 notifies the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20 of whether the image quality of the read image data is acceptable or not, and discharges the corresponding paper S (discharge tray 42 or 43) may be instructed from the control unit 200 to the post-processing device 40.

  The quality inspection apparatus 50 repeatedly performs the above-described processing of step S20 to step S50 until the inspection job is completed. When the inspection job is completed (completed), the inspection result is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20, Finish the inspection job normally. Typically, the quality inspection apparatus 50 continuously performs the inspection job by repeatedly performing the above-described steps S20 to S50 on all printed materials printed by the image forming apparatus 20 by executing the print job. After execution, the process ends normally as described above.

  By the way, in such an image quality inspection system 1, when a specific abnormality (for example, image streak or density unevenness) is repeatedly detected in the printed image, the cause of occurrence of such abnormality (mostly, It is necessary to specify the mechanical failure in the image forming apparatus 20 and perform maintenance (adjustment, replacement of parts, repair, etc.) of the specified machine. In this case, in order to specify a machine that is a maintenance target, detecting a cycle (interval) in which an abnormal image is generated can be an effective clue.

  For this reason, the present embodiment is also configured to detect (specify) a generation cycle (hereinafter simply referred to as “cycle”) in which abnormal images (hereinafter simply referred to as “abnormal images”) appear repeatedly. In the present embodiment, when a plurality of pages of abnormal images are detected (when defective images occur in a plurality of images), the period of the abnormal image is specified by the CPU of the quality inspection device 50. That is, in the present embodiment, the quality inspection device 50 (CPU) corresponds to the “occurrence period specifying unit” of the present invention.

  Moreover, the method similar to the conventional method can be used as a method for detecting the period of abnormal images (occurrence period of image defects). In one specific example, when the result of determination in step S40 described above is NO, the quality inspection apparatus 50 (CPU) determines that an abnormal image has occurred, and sets the image data of the abnormal image as the value of the print page ( For example, it is stored in the data storage unit 51 together with a value indicating the number of printed materials from the start of operation of the image forming apparatus 20.

  The quality inspection apparatus 50 compares the abnormal images with each other when abnormal images for a plurality of pages appear (that is, when image data of a plurality of abnormal images is stored in the data storage unit 51). Determine the identity of the type. Here, when the quality inspection apparatus 50 determines that the types of abnormalities are the same (for example, when the abnormal images for a plurality of pages are all “image streaks”), the quality inspection apparatus 50 is based on the printed pages of the abnormal images. Then, the presence or absence of periodicity in the abnormality is determined, and if there is periodicity, the value of the period is calculated.

  For example, when an “image streak” occurs as an abnormal image periodically (or regularly) such as page 103, page 106, page 109, page 112,. It is determined that the property is “present”, and “3 (page)” is output as the cycle value. On the other hand, when the image streak occurs irregularly (or randomly) such as pages 103, 104, 110, 189,..., The quality inspection apparatus 50 determines that the periodicity is “none”. To do.

  Depending on the type of abnormality detected and the calculated cycle, the causative machine part may be identified with a certain high probability. For example, when the above-described photosensitive drum of the image forming unit 21 is scratched, an image stripe having a shape corresponding to the scratch appears in a short cycle (in the above example, a small page cycle). Therefore, in such a case, the quality inspection apparatus 50 estimates a machine part (unit or the like) of the image forming apparatus 20 that is a candidate for the cause of the abnormal image, based on the detected abnormality type and the calculated period. To do.

  On the other hand, in many cases, it is not always easy to accurately identify a machine part (mechanical failure) that causes an abnormal image to appear based on the calculated period. In this regard, according to the prior art, the period of the abnormal image calculated by the processor is displayed on the operation display unit 25 or the like and presented to the user, while the user observes the paper S on which the abnormal image is output, By the rules and inferences, the causal machine part was identified by trial and error.

  However, for a user who wants to more surely grasp a machine part that causes an abnormal image in the image forming apparatus 20 that is generally configured by a very large number of parts, the conventional system has a judgment material for the user. It is thought that is not sufficiently presented. In other words, in the conventional image quality inspection system, when the abnormal image occurs, the present inventors are able to grasp the cause of the abnormality (such as a defective part of the machine) as early as possible. I found that there is not enough mechanism to support

  Therefore, in the image quality inspection system 1 of the present embodiment, the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20 is arranged in a manner based on the period specified by the quality inspection apparatus 50. Control is performed to display a plurality of pieces of image-related information, each related to an image. In addition, the quality inspection device 50 (occurrence period specifying unit) determines that each of the types of abnormalities (image defects) when image defects occur in a plurality of images (that is, when abnormal images for a plurality of pages are detected). Specify the period.

  In the present embodiment, the image-related information is an image on the paper S in which an image defect has occurred, and an example of this will be described later with reference to FIG. The image-related information can also be a mark for identifying the type of image defect. This example will be described later with reference to FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the control unit 200 controls the operation display unit 25 to display the image related information on the display unit 26 described above of the own device (that is, the image forming apparatus 20). As another control example, the control unit 200 may control the external device so that the abnormal image is displayed on the display unit of the external device such as the PC 60.

  FIG. 4 shows a specific example of an aspect in which the image inspection apparatus 50 detects image defects (abnormal images) for a plurality of pages and displays an abnormal image with a specified period on the display unit 26. In the example shown in FIG. 4, an abnormal image of such a printed matter, that is, an image of the printed matter, that is, an image forming apparatus 20 performs a print job for six copies of a 30-page original (that is, prints each image on 180 sheets of paper S). The result of having inspected the presence or absence of image defect by the quality inspection apparatus 50 is shown. In FIG. 4, an abnormal image is indicated by a symbol UI, and the subscripts (p7) and (p28) in the symbol UI represent the number of pages. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis represents the number of pages, and the vertical axis represents the number of copies.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, the control unit 200 is a graph having two axes each indicating an abnormal image UI and parameters representing the progress of image formation by the image forming apparatus 20 (image forming unit 21). Are displayed so as to be arranged according to the period along the axis.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, specific pages (in this example, the seventh page and the 28th page) in each printed part (six parts) are displayed as an abnormal image UI. The read images on page 7 and page 28 are completely different from the corresponding correct images ”. In addition, the quality inspection apparatus 50 considers the regularity of occurrence of the abnormal image UI, and in the biaxial graph with the horizontal axis representing the number of pages and the vertical axis representing the number of copies, the seventh page and the 28th page in each part. Display data (hereinafter referred to as “panel drawing data”) incorporating the read image (that is, an abnormal image) is generated and transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20.

  In such a case, there is usually a problem with the reference image (correct image). For example, in the above-described pre-processing of copy printing, the order of the document images is wrong (in this example, pages 7 and 28 are switched). Registered). Therefore, the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20 that has received the above notification and panel drawing data displays a message such as “Please check page 7 and page 28 of the document set on the scanner” in FIG. It is displayed on the display unit 26 so as to be added to the inside and outside of the graph shown.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show another specific example of the display mode of the abnormal image UI displayed on the display unit 26. In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, when an inspection job is executed by the quality inspection apparatus 50 while images for several hundred pages (sheets) are continuously printed by the image forming apparatus 20, some sort is performed every 50 sheets. A case where an abnormal image is detected by the quality inspection apparatus 50 is assumed. In FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, the subscripts A, B, C, D... H in the abnormal image code UI are codes for identifying printing on different sheets S. Then, each pair of the abnormal images UI _A and UI _G , the abnormal images UI _B and UI _H , the abnormal images UI _C and UI _E , and the abnormal images UI _D and UI _F were printed based on the same correct image. It is an image. In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, both the horizontal axis and the vertical axis represent the number of pages, and this is the same in the examples of FIGS. 6 to 8, and FIGS.

In the example shown in FIG. 5A, an abnormal image in the printed material from the first sheet (first page) to the 200th sheet (page 200) is displayed in the first row (from the bottom), and from the 201st sheet (page 201). An abnormal image in the 400th printed page (400th page) is displayed in the second row. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 5B, the generated abnormal images UI (UI _A , UI _B , UI _C ...) Are arranged in a vertical line from the bottom in order to make the generation order of the abnormal images (UI) easier to see. doing. Such a display method (how to set the scale of each axis in the biaxial graph (two-dimensional coordinates)) depends on the number of copies and the number of prints, the number of occurrences of abnormal images, etc. It is preferable that the user can arbitrarily switch the operation. That is, the control unit 200 switches the display of the scale (numerical value) of each axis in the biaxial graph according to the operation of the operation unit 27 by the user, and changes the arrangement of the abnormal image UI in accordance with the display switching. The display unit 26 is controlled. Therefore, the operation unit 27 has a function as a display interval setting unit that sets a display interval between abnormal images UI displayed on the display unit 26.

  In the example shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the abnormal image UI is generated for every fixed number of pages and at a relatively short cycle (50 pages). In such a case, it is considered that the abnormal image UI is highly likely to be generated due to mechanical factors of the image forming unit 21. Therefore, in such a case, the control unit 200 displays a message such as “It may be necessary to perform mechanical adjustment of the image forming unit (21) of the image forming apparatus (20)” on the display unit 26, for example. indicate.

In addition, the control unit 200 displays maintenance information such as component replacement and adjustment execution of the image forming apparatus 20 performed when the abnormal image UI is generated in the past when the type of abnormality, the number of printed pages, and the period are detected. The data is stored in the data storage unit 52 together with the period information. In such a configuration, when an abnormal image UI (UI _A , UI _B , UI _C ...) As shown in FIG. 5A or the like is generated, the control unit 200 performs the type and cycle of the abnormality (in this example, every 50 sheets). ) Is searched from the data storage unit 52. Then, when a past case similar to the current case is searched, the control unit 200 displays maintenance information such as part replacement and adjustment performed in the past on the display unit 26 as a current work candidate. .

  FIG. 6 shows another specific example of the display mode of the abnormal image UI displayed on the display unit 26. In the display example shown in FIG. 6, when an inspection job is executed while images for 10,000 pages (sheets) are continuously printed by the image forming apparatus 20, the density decrease or cycle is repeated every 1000 pages (sheets). A case where an abnormal image (image defect) such as density unevenness is detected by the quality inspection apparatus 50 is assumed.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the abnormal image UI is generated at a very long cycle as compared to the example illustrated in FIG. 5A and the like, and the abnormal image UI is generated for every certain printed page. In such a case, there is a high possibility that the abnormal image UI is generated due to mechanical performance deterioration of the image forming unit 21. Further, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 20 as described above, there is a high possibility that an image abnormality (density reduction, density unevenness, etc.) may occur due to insufficient toner amount or developer deterioration. Therefore, in such a case, for example, the control unit 200 displays a message such as “Density reduction (density unevenness) has occurred. It is highly possible that the cause is toner or developer” on the display unit 26. .

As described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 200 forms a plurality of abnormal images UI detected by the quality inspection device 50 (image quality inspection unit). The graph is displayed on the display unit 26 together with a graph having two axes indicating parameters indicating the progress of printing by the apparatus 20. Specifically, the control unit 200 displays the detected abnormal images UI (UI _A , UI _B , UI _C ...) For a plurality of pages along at least one axis of a graph having two axes. The images are displayed on the display unit 26 so as to be arranged according to the cycle of the image. By performing such a display, the cycle of the abnormal image UI becomes easier to understand visually, so that it is possible to assist a user who wants to grasp the cause of the occurrence of the abnormal image UI.

Further, when the user designates one of the abnormal images UI (UI _A , UI _B , UI _C ...) Displayed on the display unit 26 with a pointer or the like and performs a predetermined operation with the operation unit 27, the control unit 200 Displays the specified abnormal image UI on the display unit 26 in an enlarged manner. At this time, the control unit 200 may arrange an abnormal part (for example, an image streak) in the abnormal image UI in the center of the display unit 26 and display the type of abnormality. By performing such display, it is possible to provide further convenience to the user who does not understand the cause of occurrence of the abnormal image UI.

  In addition, when the quality inspection device 50 detects a plurality (page) of abnormal images UI and specifies the period of the abnormal image UI, the control unit 200 detects the abnormal image UI corresponding to the length of the period. A process of selecting or discriminating the cause of occurrence and displaying on the display unit 26 is performed. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to provide a more reliable clue to a user who performs maintenance of the apparatus and obtains a normal printed matter.

  FIG. 7 shows another specific example of the display mode of the abnormal image UI displayed on the display unit 26. In FIG. 7, the subscript “(P1500 to Pn), etc.” of the abnormal image UI represents the number of printed sheets (number of pages) since the initial operation of the image forming apparatus 20.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, the abnormal image UI is continuously generated every 1500 sheets from the initial operation of the image forming apparatus 20, and the user (skilled serviceman) is displayed on the display unit 26 each time the abnormal image UI is displayed. It is assumed that the cause of the abnormality is investigated from the above and maintenance work is performed (total 3 times). In addition, the service person inputs the contents of the maintenance work that has been performed through a user management screen or the like (not shown) at each time, and at this time, the control unit 200 uses the input contents as maintenance information, and determines the type of abnormality, It is stored (accumulated) in the data storage unit 52 together with the period information.

Hereinafter, the contents of the example shown in FIG. 7 will be described in more detail. In this example, a normal image is continuously output from the initial operation of the image forming apparatus 20 to 1499 pages (sheets), and an abnormal image UI is continuously displayed by the quality inspection apparatus 50 in printing from 1500 pages (sheets). ₍ See abnormal image UI _{(P1500 to Pn) in} FIG. 7). At this time, the quality inspection device 50 (occurrence period specifying unit) did not specify the period of abnormality in the abnormal image UI _{(P1500 to Pn)} . After that, as a result of confirming the type of abnormality by appropriately enlarging the abnormal image UI _(P1500 to _Pn) displayed on the display unit 26 by the service person, it is necessary to replace the photosensitive drum of the image forming unit 51. Therefore, the photoconductor drum was replaced, and the image quality adjustment work associated with the replacement was performed. In addition, the control unit 200 stores the contents of the maintenance work (here, “photoconductor replacement” and “image quality adjustment”) input by the service person in the data storage unit 52. The above maintenance work was successful, and after that, a normal image continued to be output in printing up to 2999 pages (sheets) in the image forming apparatus 20.

However, in printing from 3000 pages (sheets), the abnormal image UI was continuously detected again by the quality inspection apparatus 50 ₍ see the abnormal image UI _{(P3000 to Pn) in} FIG. 7). At this time, the quality inspection apparatus 50 detects (identifies) the period of the abnormal image UI (in this example, “page 1500”). In addition, the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20 includes the abnormal image UI _{(P1500 to Pn)} , the content of maintenance work (“photoconductor replacement” and “image quality adjustment”), and the abnormal image UI _{( P3000} to _Pn) are displayed on the display unit 26 together with the biaxial graph.

Thereafter, the service person visually confirmed the above-described content displayed on the display unit 26, and appropriately enlarged the abnormal image UI _(P3000 to _Pn) to confirm the type and state of the abnormality. As a result, the service person determined that the developer in the image forming unit 51 (developing unit) needs to be replaced, and performed the replacement of the developer and the image quality adjustment associated with the replacement. Further, the control unit 200 stores the contents of the maintenance work (here, “developer replacement” and “image quality adjustment”) input by the service person in the data storage unit 52. The above maintenance work was successful, and after that, normal images continued to be output in printing up to 4499 pages (sheets) in the image forming apparatus 20.

Furthermore, the abnormal image UI was continuously detected by the quality inspection apparatus 50 again after printing from 4500 pages (sheets) ₍ see the abnormal image UI _{(P4500 to Pn) in} FIG. 7). At this time, the quality inspection apparatus 50 again detects (identifies) the period (page 1500) of the abnormal image UI. The control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20, in the display content of FIG. 7, the contents of the abnormal image _{UI (P1500～Pn)} and maintenance ( "photoreceptor exchange" and "Image"), abnormal image _{UI (P3000 To Pn)} , the contents of the maintenance work ("developer replacement" and "image quality adjustment"), and the abnormal image UI _(P4500 to _Pn) are displayed on the display unit 26 together with the biaxial graph.

Thereafter, the service person visually confirmed the above-mentioned content displayed on the display unit 26, and appropriately enlarged the abnormal image UI _(P4500 to _Pn) to confirm the type and state of the abnormality. As a result, the service person determined that the toner in the image forming unit 51 (development unit) needs to be replaced, and performed toner replacement and image quality adjustment work associated with the replacement. In addition, the control unit 200 stores the contents of the maintenance work (here, “toner replacement” and “image quality adjustment”) input by the service person in the data storage unit 52. This maintenance work was successful, and normal images were output in subsequent printing.

  In such a case, the display mode shown in FIG. 7 is a case where the user operates the operation display unit 25 at any time after the three maintenance operations, and the case regarding the abnormal image UI that has occurred in the past. A list is displayed on the display unit 26. The control unit 200 that has received the operation signal reads the abnormal image UI stored (accumulated) in the data storage unit 52 and related information (here, the period and the content of the maintenance work), and the abnormal image UI generated in the past is read out. The list is displayed in time series on the display unit 26 so that the period can be visually recognized.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 200 displays the abnormal image UI along a time series in a graph having two axes, and visually recognizes the page and cycle of the generated abnormal image UI. It displays on the display part 26 so that it can do. Further, in the example illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 200 displays the abnormal image UI together with the content of the maintenance work performed to eliminate the occurrence of the abnormal image UI (additional display). The unit 26 is controlled.

  According to the present embodiment in which such display control is performed, it is possible to easily recognize that abnormal images UI are continuously generated when a predetermined number of sheets (1500 sheets in this example) is printed after the maintenance work. .

  In addition, according to the present embodiment in which such display control and past maintenance work data are accumulated, the durability state of the current image forming apparatus 20 (in this example, the photosensitive drum, developer, and toner). In addition, it is possible to easily predict when the next abnormal image UI occurs (in this example, the 6000th sheet).

  Therefore, the control unit 200 stores the maintenance work data stored (accumulated) in the data storage unit 52 when an abnormal image UI (image defect) is detected by the quality inspection apparatus 50 during the execution of the next inspection job. Referring to the maintenance image candidate for eliminating the abnormal image UI, the candidate may be added to the abnormal image UI and displayed.

  As a specific example, when an abnormal image UI is detected by the quality inspection apparatus 50 at the time of executing the next inspection job, the control unit 200 determines that the number of printed pages (counter information) from which the abnormal image UI is detected is 6000 pages. It is determined whether it is after. If the control unit 200 determines that the page number is after 6000 pages, the control unit 200 regards that the abnormal image UI having the cycle of 1500 pages illustrated in FIG. 7 is generated again, and performs a past operation to eliminate the abnormal image UI. Read all maintenance work data (see FIG. 7). Furthermore, the control unit 200 extracts candidate maintenance work (for example, “photoreceptor replacement” and “image quality adjustment”) from the read data, and sets the extracted maintenance work candidate as the abnormal image. The information is displayed on the display unit 26 so as to be added to the UI.

  On the other hand, if the control unit 200 determines that the detected number of pages of the abnormal image UI is not after 6000 pages (for example, 4000 pages or less, it is less than 6000 pages), the abnormalities of the 1500 page cycle illustrated in FIG. It is regarded as not an image UI. In this case, the control unit 200 stores the abnormal image having the 1000 page cycle described above with reference to FIG. 6 and data of maintenance work performed in the past to eliminate the abnormal image UI. If so, the same processing as described above is performed.

  FIG. 8 shows another specific example of the display mode of the abnormal image UI displayed on the display unit 26.

  The case shown in FIG. 8 is a case where 10,000 pages (sheets) of images are continuously printed by the image forming apparatus 20 and an inspection job is executed by the quality inspection apparatus 50, as in the case described above with reference to FIG. Is assumed. On the other hand, in the example shown in FIG. 8, a specific type of abnormal image (for example, an image streak) is detected by the quality inspection apparatus 50 at a cycle of 1000 sheets, and another abnormal image (for example, a density at a cycle of 1500 sheets). It is assumed that (deterioration) is detected continuously (clusterly) by the quality inspection apparatus 50.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the user can visually recognize details of the abnormality by specifying and enlarging the individual abnormal images UI displayed on the display unit 26. On the other hand, for example, when the content of the maintenance work to be performed is a clear type of image abnormality UI, or when the type of abnormality in the abnormal image UI that has occurred is relatively small, as shown in FIG. A mark corresponding to the type of the abnormal image UI that has been displayed may be added to the abnormal image UI and displayed.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, as the image-related information, an identification frame CF that is different for each type of abnormal image UI is displayed so as to surround the abnormal image UI. In Figure 8, the identification frame CF ₁ indicated by a bold frame indicates that the type of the abnormal image UI is an image streak. On the other hand, the identification frame CF ₂ indicated by a dotted line indicates that the type of the abnormal image UI is density reduction. Incidentally, it may be as different colors of the identification frame CF for each type of abnormal image UI, for example, red identification frame CF _1, an identification frame CF ₂ may as a green.

  As described above, a plurality of marks (identification frame CF in this example) that are different for each type of abnormal image UI are displayed as image related information by adding them to the abnormal image UI. Even when a type of abnormal image UI is detected, the period of each abnormality can be easily visually confirmed.

  Furthermore, although illustration is omitted, when the user performs a predetermined operation from the display form shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 200 displays only a mark (identification frame CF in the above example) corresponding to the type of the abnormal image UI. A process of switching to a form in which the image is displayed on the display unit 26 as image related information and the corresponding abnormal image UI is not displayed is performed. Such a display form avoids the trouble of enlarging and displaying the details of individual abnormal images in detail when, for example, the number and types of abnormal image UIs generated are large. it can. In addition, since each abnormal image UI is not displayed, in this case, the control unit 200 can prohibit the operation of enlarging and displaying the abnormal image UI. For this reason, for example, it is possible to avoid a situation in which enlarged display which is not originally necessary due to a user's erroneous operation is performed.

  In general, there are various types of abnormal images (image defects). For example, in the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 20 as in this example, as an example of an abnormal read image (that is, an abnormal image UI) that may be caused by a defect in the image forming unit 21 (that is, development and transfer of a toner image), “ “Image streaks”, “Image blank”, “Density reduction”, “Density unevenness”, “Transfer defects”, “Period unevenness”, “Transfer missing”, “Fireflies” (white spots appear in solid images) ), “Backside dirt” and the like.

  With respect to these abnormal images UI, as described above with reference to FIG. 3, the quality inspection apparatus 50 identifies the above abnormalities and more types of abnormalities by inspecting the identity of the correct image and the read image ( Detection or detection). Furthermore, as described above, depending on the defect cycle of the read image, not only an image abnormality but also a specific mechanical failure such as a photoconductor drum scratch (photoconductor scratch) may be detected. In addition, the type of abnormal image UI may be caused by a malfunction of the fixing unit 22 such as “fixing unevenness”, for example.

  On the other hand, when all types of abnormal images UI detected by the quality inspection apparatus 50 in the past (and abnormal factors such as photoconductor scratches, hereinafter simply referred to as “abnormal factors”) are displayed on the display unit 26 at a time. The cycle corresponding to the type of abnormality may be difficult for the user to visually recognize.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the user can select a target to be displayed on the display unit 26 among all types of abnormal images UI and abnormal factors detected in the past by the quality inspection device 50. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 9 is an example of a setting screen as a priority setting unit for the user to set the abnormal image UI displayed on the display unit 26 and the type and priority of the abnormal factor. In the display area on the left side of the setting screen (hereinafter referred to as the left column), items of all types of abnormal images UI (and abnormal factors such as photoconductor scratches) that can be detected by the quality inspection apparatus 50 are selected. Listed as possible icons.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, the above-mentioned “photoreceptor scratches”, “image streaks”, “image whiteout”, “density reduction”, “density unevenness”, “transfer defect”, “periodic unevenness”, “transfer missing” , “Firefly”, “Backside Dirt”, 10 items from the top are selected. By this selection, the selected item is displayed in the display area on the right side of the setting screen (hereinafter referred to as the right column).

  Subsequently, the user selects any one of the items displayed on the right side of the setting screen and selects the “raise” button 252 or the “lower” button 253 so that the selected item is displayed on the setting screen. It is displayed to change the position in the vertical direction on the right side. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the priority of “transfer defect” among the seven items selected in the left column is set to the highest, and then “density unevenness”, “photoreceptor scratch”, and “image blank”. , “Density reduction”, “Image streak”, “Period unevenness” are set in the order of priority. In this state, when the “OK” button 250 displayed on the lower right side is selected, a screen as described in FIG. 10 is displayed. On the other hand, when the “Cancel” button 251 is selected from this state, the right column is reset, and the selection operation in the left column can be performed again.

In FIG. 10, for the sake of simplicity, three items of “image streak”, “density reduction”, and “periodic variation” are selected in the left column of the setting screen of FIG. 9, and the priority is set in this order in the right column. Shows a transition screen when the OK button 250 is selected. FIG. 10 is an abnormal image having a period of 1000 sheets as described above with reference to FIG. 6, and an abnormal image UI (UI _{A to} UI _J ) having “image streaks” is displayed. In the state shown in FIG. 10, when the “density reduction” button is selected and the OK button 250 is selected, the control unit 200 displays an abnormal image UI with “density reduction” in accordance with the operation content. The display content of the display unit 26 is switched.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a setting screen for setting a period section detected by the quality inspection apparatus 50. In the example shown in FIG. 11, settings are made to designate the start page and the end page of the page range of the printed matter inspected by the quality inspection apparatus 50. In FIG. 11, the start page is designated as 5000 pages and the end page is designated as 10,000 pages. From this state, the “up” button 252 254 or “down” button 253, 255 is selected to start and end the page. The page can be changed as appropriate. When the OK button 250 is selected from the state shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 200 displays a periodic abnormal image UI detected in the past by the quality inspection apparatus 50 in the designated page range ( In the example of FIG. 11, display control is performed on the display unit 260 so that the abnormal images UI _{A to} UI _E are excluded from display targets. As another example, when the OK button 250 is selected from the state illustrated in FIG. 11, the quality inspection apparatus 50 may perform the determination of the presence or absence of periodicity again.

  According to such a configuration, when a large number of abnormal images UI are detected and accumulated by the quality inspection apparatus 50, the user wants to specify a section that the user wants to display, such as the latest thousands of pages or the past thousands of pages. The abnormal image UI in the designated section and its cycle can be displayed on the display unit 26. As a result, it becomes easy to grasp the tendency of the abnormal image UI that is likely to occur in the image forming apparatus 20 and to predict maintenance work that will occur in the near future.

  The various functions described above included in the image quality inspection system 1 according to the present embodiment can be combined as appropriate.

  Next, the flow of processing for analyzing the periodicity of the abnormal image UI and displaying it on the display unit 26 in the image quality inspection system 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, execution of a print job is started by the image forming apparatus 20 (step S100). At this time, the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20 controls the image forming unit 21 so as to develop and primarily transfer the toner image according to the input image data onto the intermediate transfer belt. Further, the control unit 200 controls the paper feeding device 10 so as to feed the paper S into the apparatus, and the toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt is secondarily transferred onto the fed paper S. The conveyance of the paper S is controlled so as to transfer. Further, the control unit 200 controls the fixing unit 22 so as to fix the toner image on the paper S.

  Along with the start of the print job, the control unit 200 outputs an instruction (job start command) to the quality inspection apparatus 50 to start execution of the inspection job (step S120). Upon receiving this job start command, the quality inspection apparatus 50 starts executing the inspection job as described above with reference to FIG. 3 (Steps S10 to S50). That is, the quality inspection device 50 obtains the reference data transmitted from the PC 60 and the read image data generated by the output image reading unit 31 of the image reading device 30, respectively, and the read image data corresponds to the corresponding reference data. In comparison, the inspection of whether or not an image defect has occurred in the read image (presence or absence of the abnormal image UI described above) is started. Here, when the quality inspection apparatus 50 determines that a specific type of abnormal image UI has been detected for a plurality of pages (step S140, YES), the quality inspection apparatus 50 performs the processing from step S160.

  In step S160, the quality inspection apparatus 50 analyzes the periodicity of each abnormal image UI for each type of the abnormal image UI. In one specific example, the quality inspection apparatus 50 sets, as the generation cycle of the abnormal image UI, the page interval at which the abnormal image UI is generated for each type of abnormal image UI (in this example, “image streak” described above, “density reduction”). "Every time ...".

  In subsequent step S180, the quality inspection apparatus 50 determines whether or not the page intervals of the aggregated abnormal images UI have periodicity. The determination in step S180 is performed for each type of abnormal image UI (that is, for each “image streak”, “density reduction”,...). When the quality inspection apparatus 50 determines that the page interval of any type of abnormal image UI has periodicity (step S180, YES), the quality inspection apparatus 50 proceeds to step S200.

  On the other hand, when the quality inspection apparatus 50 determines that there is no periodicity in the page interval of any type of detected abnormal image UI (step S180, NO), all of the aggregated abnormal images UI are displayed in FIG. The processing is terminated assuming that the above-described display is not performed in FIG. In this case, the quality inspecting apparatus 50, for example, “image blank on page 101, page 103, and page 110, stain on the back surface on page 110, and density reduction on page 125, respectively. "Not detected." Is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 20. The control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20 displays the notification received from the quality inspection apparatus 50 on the display unit 26.

  As can be seen from the example described above with reference to FIG. 7, the occurrence of the abnormal image UI may be found by the execution of the inspection job for the subsequent print job. Therefore, even when the quality inspection apparatus 50 determines that there is no periodicity in the page interval of any type of abnormal image UI (step S180, NO), the quality inspection apparatus 50 displays information on the number of pages in which the abnormal image UI is generated as abnormal. Each type of (image defect) is stored in a memory (data storage unit 51 or the like). Then, the quality inspection apparatus 50 reads the stored information when executing a subsequent inspection job, and uses the read information during the processes in steps S160 and S180.

  In step S200, the quality inspection apparatus 50 displays panel drawing data to be displayed on the display unit 26 so as to incorporate the data of the abnormal image UI determined to have periodicity into the biaxial graph as described above. Generate. The generated panel drawing data is transmitted from the quality inspection apparatus 50 to the image forming apparatus 20 and stored in the data storage unit 52 of the image forming apparatus 20. Alternatively, the generated panel drawing data may be stored in the data storage unit 51 of the quality inspection device 50.

  Thereafter, when the user's operation input as described above with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11 and the like is performed, the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20 reads the panel drawing data from the data storage unit 52 and the like, and sets the user operation contents. Process the displayed content accordingly. Here, as an example of processing, the abnormal image UI to be displayed is thinned out from the panel drawing data according to the user's designation, etc., and the format of the biaxial graph (such as the interval between pages displayed on the axis) is changed. Adding a mark (identification frame CF) as described above with reference to FIG.

  The panel drawing data processed in this way is displayed on the display unit 26 in various forms as described above with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, in the image quality inspection system 1 according to the present embodiment, image defects occur in a manner of arrangement based on the period of abnormal images UI specified by the quality inspection apparatus 50 (occurrence period for each type of image defect). Control is performed to display a plurality of pieces of image related information respectively related to the plurality of images being processed. According to such a configuration, the user can easily recognize the generation cycle of the abnormal image UI, and the user who wants to understand the cause of the occurrence of the abnormal image UI (image defect) can be supported.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the number of “pages” (page interval) is mainly used as the unit of the period of the abnormal image UI detected by the quality inspection apparatus 50 has been described. As another example of the unit of the period of the abnormal image UI, the number of “parts” (part interval) may be used or used together (see FIG. 4), and the sizes of the intermediate transfer belt, the photosensitive drum, the transport roller, etc. A machine-specific period such as (the length of one round) may be used, or a date or date / time may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the main body that detects the period of the abnormal image UI (occurrence period of image failure) is the CPU of the quality inspection apparatus 50 has been described. On the other hand, the main body that detects the period of the abnormal image UI may be the control unit 200 of the image forming apparatus 20 or another dedicated processor.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the paper feeding device 10, the image reading device 30, and the post-processing device 40 are separate devices from the image forming device 20 has been described, but these devices may be integrated. Of course it is good.

  In the above embodiment, the configuration example in which the image reading device 30 is connected to the subsequent stage of the image forming device 20 has been described. On the other hand, the image reading device 30 (output image reading unit 31) may be disposed in the main body of the image forming apparatus 20, and may be additionally or alternatively provided between the image forming unit 21 and the fixing unit 22, for example. You may arrange.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, all have shown only an example of actualization in implementing this invention, and the technical scope of this invention should not be limitedly interpreted by these. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the gist or the main features thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image quality inspection system 10 Paper feeder 20 Image forming apparatus 21 Image forming part 22 Fixing part 25 Operation display part 26 Display part 27 Operation part 30 Image reading apparatus 31 Output image reading part (image reading part)
40 Post-processing device 41 Sorting unit 42, 43 Paper discharge tray 50 Quality inspection device (image inspection unit, generation period specifying unit)
60 pcs
51, 52 Data storage unit 200 Control unit (control unit) of image forming apparatus
201 CPU
202 ROM
203 RAM
UI abnormal image _{CF (CF} 1, CF 2) identification frame

Claims (14)

An image forming unit for forming an image on paper;
An image reading unit that reads an image on the formed paper;
An image inspection unit that inspects whether an image defect has occurred in the read image;
When an image defect has occurred in a plurality of the images, an occurrence period identifying unit that identifies an occurrence period of the image defect;
A control unit that performs control to display a plurality of pieces of image-related information, which are respectively related to the plurality of images in which image defects have occurred, in an arrangement based on the identified generation periods;
An image quality inspection system comprising: The generation period specifying unit specifies the generation period for each type of image defect,
The image quality inspection system according to claim 1. The control unit displays the plurality of image related information side by side along at least one axis of a graph having two axes each indicating a parameter indicating a progress of image formation by the image forming unit.
The image quality inspection system according to claim 1 or 2. The control unit displays the image related information corresponding to the image defect of the generation cycle selected by the user when the generation cycle of the plurality of types of image defects is specified by the generation cycle specifying unit.
The image quality inspection system according to claim 2. When the image defect occurs, the control unit displays information on past maintenance work performed by the user in order to eliminate the image defect.
The image quality inspection system according to claim 1. The image related information is an image on the paper on which the image defect has occurred,
The image quality inspection system according to claim 1. The image-related information is a mark for identifying the image on the paper in which the image defect has occurred, and the type of the image defect.
The image quality inspection system according to claim 6. The image related information is a mark for identifying the type of the image defect in the image on the paper on which the image defect has occurred.
The image quality inspection system according to claim 1. The controller is
When the generation period is specified by the generation period specifying unit, based on the information on the past maintenance work, display maintenance work candidates for eliminating the image defect,
The image quality inspection system according to claim 5. The control unit performs control to selectively display the plurality of image related information according to the priority set for each type of the image defect.
The image quality inspection system according to claim 2. The control unit performs control to display the image related information for the page section specified by the user.
The image quality inspection system according to claim 1. The control unit performs control to display the plurality of image related information at a display interval specified by a user.
The image quality inspection system according to claim 1. The control unit enlarges and displays the image related information according to a user instruction.
The image quality inspection system according to claim 6 or 7. An image forming unit that forms an image on paper, an image reading unit that reads an image on the formed paper, and an image inspection unit that inspects whether or not an image defect has occurred in the read image. A display control method in a quality inspection system provided,
If an image defect has occurred in a plurality of the images, specify the occurrence period of the image defect,
Displaying a plurality of pieces of image-related information respectively related to the plurality of images in which image defects have occurred in an arrangement based on the identified generation period;
Display control method.