JP2020032729A - Image formation device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To suppress deterioration in work efficiency of image formation operation when a failure is detected while effectively using a failure detection result from a formed image, in an image formation device.SOLUTION: An image formation device reads an image that is formed on a medium with an image formation part, performs reprinting if any failure is detected from the read image, and varies a reprinting method depending on when a first failure is detected from the read image and when a second failure that is different from the first failure is detected from the read image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to an image forming apparatus that detects an abnormality in an image formed on a recording medium and a program for controlling such an image forming apparatus.

  In recent years, an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium and detects an abnormality in the image formed on the recording medium has been proposed.

  For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-331669 (Patent Literature 1) discloses an image forming apparatus that, when an abnormality is detected by the above-described sensor, outputs an instruction to stop image output and request maintenance. ing.

  Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2010-42521 (Patent Document 2) discloses that when the above-described sensor detects an abnormality, pages after the page where the abnormality is detected are discharged to a different discharge destination than before. An image forming apparatus that temporarily stops is disclosed. At the time of resumption, the image forming apparatus performs reprinting from the page where the abnormality is detected.

JP 2005-331669 A JP 2010-42521 A

  As described above, in the conventional image forming apparatus, when an abnormality occurs in a formed image, the image forming operation is interrupted. As a result, there is a problem that the image forming operation is delayed, so that the working efficiency in the image forming operation is reduced. On the other hand, if the image forming operation is continued without taking any measures despite the occurrence of an abnormality in the formed image, the detection of the abnormality becomes meaningless.

  The present disclosure has been conceived in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present disclosure is to form an image when an abnormality is detected while effectively utilizing an abnormality detection result in a formed image in an image forming apparatus. The purpose is to suppress a decrease in operation efficiency of the operation.

  According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium, a reading unit that reads an image formed on a medium by the image forming unit, and an abnormality is detected in the image read by the reading unit A control unit that controls an operation of reprinting, wherein the control unit determines whether a first abnormality is detected in an image read by the reading unit, and sets a first abnormality in the image read by the reading unit. An image forming apparatus is provided in which the reprinting method is different between when a second abnormality different from the abnormality is detected.

Preferably, the first abnormality is image noise.
Preferably, the second abnormality is an abnormality that occurs continuously for a predetermined number of pages or more.

Preferably, the predetermined number of pages can be specified by a user input.
Preferably, when an abnormality occurs continuously for a predetermined number of pages or more, the control unit reprints from the first page of the print job.

  Preferably, the reprinting method includes reprinting from the page where the error is detected, reprinting the page where the error is detected after printing the running print job to the end, and Reprint from the page.

  According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a program executed by a computer, wherein the computer reads an image formed on a medium by an image forming unit, and when an abnormality is detected in the read image, Controlling the reprinting operation by the image forming unit; and controlling the reprinting operation, the step of controlling the reprinting operation is different from the case where the first abnormality is detected in the read image. A program is provided that includes a method of reprinting differently when a second abnormality is detected.

Preferably, the first abnormality is image noise.
Preferably, the second abnormality is an abnormality that occurs continuously for a predetermined number of pages or more.

Preferably, the predetermined number of pages can be specified by a user input.
Preferably, the step of controlling the reprint operation includes reprinting from the first page of the print job when an abnormality has occurred continuously for a predetermined number of pages or more.

  Preferably, the reprinting method includes reprinting from the page where the error is detected, reprinting the page where the error is detected after printing the running print job to the end, and Reprint from the page.

  According to the present disclosure, an image formed on a medium is read by the image forming unit. When an abnormality is detected in the read image, reprinting is performed. The method of reprinting differs between a case where the first abnormality is detected in the read image and a case where a second abnormality different from the first abnormality is detected in the read image.

  As a result, in the image forming apparatus, a reduction in work efficiency of the image forming operation when an abnormality is detected can be suppressed while effectively using the detection result of the abnormality in the formed image.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system that is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming system. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed by a central control unit when executing a print job. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that notifies that an abnormality has occurred in an output page. It is a figure showing an example of a screen for selecting a recovery method. 4 is a flowchart of a subroutine of a recovery operation of FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed in the image forming system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on a display unit in order to receive a setting input by a central control unit in the third embodiment.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information processing apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts and components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, the description will not be repeated.

[First Embodiment]
<1. Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an image forming system 40 as an embodiment of the image forming apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 40 includes a paper feeding unit 14, a paper feeding adjusting unit 81, a main unit 10, a paper discharging adjusting unit 90, an image checking unit 80, and the paper discharging unit 16. An arrow A01 in FIG. 1 indicates a paper feeding direction of the continuous paper 18. The paper discharge unit 16 is an example of a “winding unit”. The paper discharge adjusting unit 90 and the image checking unit 80 are examples of a “storage unit”.

  The paper feed unit 14 is a mechanism for holding the continuous paper 18. In the image forming system 40 according to the first embodiment, the continuous paper 18 is a roll paper. The paper supply unit 14 includes a receiving shaft 20 for the continuous paper 18 and rollers 22 and 24 for tension and guide. The operation of the paper supply unit 14 including the rotation of the receiving shaft 20 is controlled by a computer (a paper supply control unit 40A in FIG. 2 described later) in the paper supply unit 14 (not shown).

  The paper feed adjusting unit 81 functions as a buffer for absorbing a minute difference between the transport speeds of the continuous paper 18 in the paper feed unit 14 and the main unit 10 and a deviation in the continuous paper 18. The paper feed adjusting section 81 includes rollers 82 and 83. The operation of the paper feed adjustment unit 81 is controlled by a computer (a paper feed adjustment control unit 40B in FIG. 2 described later) in the paper feed adjustment unit 81 (not shown).

  The main unit 10 includes an image forming unit 150 that forms an image on the continuous paper 18, an operation panel 160 for inputting an instruction to the image forming system 40, and a document transport that transports a document that causes the image forming unit 150 to read an image. The apparatus includes an apparatus 170 and an original reading apparatus 180 that reads an image of an original using a charge coupled device (CCD) or the like.

  Operation panel 160 includes a display unit 161 including a liquid crystal display device and the like, and an input unit 162 for receiving input of information. The input unit 162 includes hardware buttons and / or software buttons displayed on the display unit 161. In the first embodiment, the operation panel 160 is fixed to the image forming unit 150, but may be detachable from the image forming unit 150. The operation panel 160 may be a terminal such as a smartphone that can communicate with the image forming system 40.

  The image forming unit 150 is provided with a central control unit 900 that controls the operation of the main unit 10. The central control unit 900 includes an arithmetic unit (a processor 901 in FIG. 2 described later) such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Central control unit 900 is an example of a “control unit”.

  The image forming unit 150 forms an image by an electrophotographic process, and transfers the image to a medium such as continuous paper. More specifically, the image forming unit 150 includes an image holding unit 46 that holds toner images for each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (BK); And an intermediate transfer belt 47 to which the toner image carried by the unit 46 is primarily transferred. The image transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 47 is secondarily transferred to the continuous paper 18.

  The image forming unit 150 further includes a fixing unit 56 that fixes the transferred image on the continuous paper 18 and an image reading unit 84 that reads an image formed on the continuous paper 18. The image reading unit 84 is an example of a “reading unit”. Further, a specific example of the image reading unit 84 is a CCD. Note that various adjustment operations in the image forming system 40 can be started without waiting for the continuous paper 18 to pass through the fixing unit 56.

  The paper discharge adjusting unit 90 functions as a buffer in the image forming system 40 by adjusting the speed at which the continuous paper 18 discharged from the image forming unit 150 is fed. The discharge adjusting unit 90 includes rollers 91 to 98. The operation of at least a part of the rollers 91 to 98 in the paper discharge adjustment unit 90 is controlled by a computer (discharge adjustment control unit 40C in FIG. 2 described later) in the paper discharge adjustment unit 90 (not shown).

  The image checking unit 80 is a part for allowing a user to check the continuous paper 18 discharged from the image forming unit 150. When the continuous paper 18 passes above the image checking unit 80, the user looks at the continuous paper 18 and checks, for example, an image on the continuous paper 18.

  The paper discharge unit 16 includes a shaft 26 that winds up the continuous paper 18 sent from the paper discharge adjustment unit 90 via the image checking unit 80, and rollers 28 and 30 that feed the continuous paper 18 to the shaft 26. The rotation of the paper discharge unit 16 by the rollers 28 and 30 and the shaft 26 is controlled by a computer (discharge control unit 40D in FIG. 2 described later) in the paper discharge unit 16 (not shown).

  As described above with reference to FIG. 1, in the image forming system 40, the continuous paper 18 supplied from the paper supply unit 14 is sent to the image forming unit 150 via the paper supply adjustment unit 81. The image forming unit 150 forms an image on the continuous paper 18 and outputs the image to the discharge adjusting unit 90. The paper discharge adjusting unit 90 sends the continuous paper 18 to the image checking unit 80. The continuous paper 18 sent to the image checking unit 80 is further sent to the paper discharge unit 16 and wound up on the shaft 26.

<2. Functional Block>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the image forming system 40.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the image forming system 40, the central control unit 900 includes a processor 901, a program storage unit 902 that stores a program executed by the processor 901, and various types used for executing the program. A data storage unit 903 for storing data. Note that the program executed by the processor 901 may be stored in a storage device other than the central control unit 900 in some cases. Further, a program executed by the processor 901 may be temporarily stored in a storage medium that is detachable from the main unit 10.

  The central control unit 900 controls the image forming unit 150, the operation panel 160, the document feeding device 170, and the image reading device 180 in the main unit 10 by the processor 901 executing a given program. In particular, the central control unit 900 receives the image read by the image reading unit 84, and determines whether or not the image formed on the continuous paper 18 has an abnormality based on the image. Then, when the central control unit 900 determines that the image formed on the continuous paper 18 has an abnormality, the central control unit 900 appropriately executes a recovery operation. The details of the recovery operation will be described later.

  The central control unit 900 further controls the paper feed control unit 40A, the paper feed adjustment control unit 40B, the paper discharge adjustment control unit 40C, and the paper discharge control unit 40D. The paper feed control unit 40A controls the paper feed unit 14. The paper feed adjustment control unit 40B controls the paper feed adjustment unit 81. The paper discharge adjustment control section 40C controls the paper discharge adjustment section 90. The paper discharge control unit 40D controls the paper discharge unit 16. That is, the central control unit 900 controls the image forming system 40 as a whole.

<3. Processing Flow>
When executing a print job, the image forming system 40 according to the first embodiment uses two lists (“user confirmation waiting image list” and “JOB completion reprint page list”).

  The “user confirmation waiting image list” is a page on the continuous paper on which an image has been formed by a print job, and is a page determined to have an abnormality, and the user has yet to confirm that the abnormality has been confirmed on the page. This is a list of pages that have not been entered.

  The “Job completion reprint page list” is a list of pages that are to be printed again among pages determined to be abnormal.

  Both the “user confirmation waiting image list” and the “reprint page list after JOB completion” are stored in the data storage unit 903, for example.

  Next, the contents of processing executed by the central control unit 900 when executing a print job will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example of the process.

  Referring to FIG. 3, in step S100, central control unit 900 determines whether a new print job (“new JOB”) has been input to image forming system 40 or not. Central control unit 900 receives a print job by, for example, transmission over a network, reading of a document image by image reading device 180, or inputting a print instruction for a file stored in data storage unit 903. . The central control unit 900 keeps the control in step S100 until it determines that a new print job has been input, and advances the control to step S110 when it determines that a new print job has been input.

  In step S110, central control unit 900 starts an image forming operation of the input print job. In a print job, the pages to be image-formed are managed by the counter value “pageCount”. The count value is stored, for example, in the data storage unit 903. In step S110, central control unit 900 sets the value of pageCount to “1”. Then, the control proceeds to step S120.

  In step S120, central control unit 900 determines whether the value of pageCount has exceeded the “total number of printed pages” specified in the print job. If the central control unit 900 determines that the value of pageCount has not yet exceeded the total number of printed pages, the control proceeds to step S130. On the other hand, when the central control unit 900 determines that the value of pageCount exceeds the total number of printed pages, the control proceeds to step S200.

  In step S130, central control unit 900 causes image forming unit 150 to form an image of a page having a pageCount value on continuous paper 18. Then, the control proceeds to step S140.

  In step S140, central control unit 900 writes information specifying the page in the margin of the page on which the image was formed in step S130. The information for specifying a page is, for example, a page number. Then, the control proceeds to step S150.

  In step S150, the central control unit 900 causes the image confirmation unit 80 to read the image of the page formed in step S130. Then, the control proceeds to step S160.

  In step S160, central control unit 900 determines whether or not the image read in step S150 has an abnormality. When the central control unit 900 determines that there is an abnormality in the read image, the control proceeds to step S240, and when it determines that there is no abnormality, the control proceeds to step S170.

  The central control unit 900 compares, for example, the read image with the image of the corresponding page in the print job, and determines that the read image contains image noise of a predetermined level or more. It is determined that there is an abnormality (image defect). On the other hand, if the central control unit 900 determines that the read image does not include image noise of a predetermined level or more, it determines that there is no abnormality.

  In step S240, central control unit 900 adds a page having the current value of pageCount to the image list waiting for user confirmation. Then, the control proceeds to step S250.

  In step S250, central control unit 900 determines whether or not the user is already checking for an abnormality. If central control unit 900 determines that the user is checking for an abnormality, control proceeds to step S170. On the other hand, when the central control unit 900 determines that the user has not confirmed the abnormality yet, the control proceeds to step S260.

  Central control unit 900 outputs, for example, a screen notifying that an abnormality has occurred in the output page to display unit 161 and determines whether or not the user has performed an input indicating that the screen has been checked. to decide.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen that notifies that an abnormality has occurred in the output page. The screen 400 in FIG. When the user operates the button 401, the central control unit 900 displays a screen for selecting a method for recovering the display on the display unit 161 from the occurring abnormality.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for selecting a recovery method. The screen 500 in FIG. 5 includes a title 501 of the screen 500, a message 502 for prompting the user to select a recovery method, and buttons 503 to 506 corresponding to each of the four options. By touching any one of the buttons 503 to 506, the central control unit 900 determines that the recovery method corresponding to the touched button has been selected.

  A button 503 is used to specify, as a recovery method, to continue printing without reprinting a page in which an error is detected.

  The button 504 designates, as a recovery method, stopping the image forming operation by the image forming unit 150, and restarting the image formation from the page where the abnormality is detected, after the recovery operation for the image forming system 40.

  The button 505 specifies, as a recovery method, that the image forming operation by the image forming unit 150 is continued until the end of the print job being executed, and then the image is formed again from the page where the abnormality is detected.

  A button 506 is used as a recovery method to specify that the image forming operation by the image forming unit 150 is to be terminated at that time, and that the image be formed again from the first page of the print job.

  Returning to FIG. 3, in step S250, for example, if button 401 in FIG. 4 is operated (during confirmation of an abnormality), central control unit 900 advances the control to step S170. On the other hand, if the button 401 in FIG. 4 has not been operated yet, for example, the central control unit 900 advances the control to step S260. The central control unit 900 may display the button 401 on the display unit 161 until operated by the user. That is, even when the content displayed on the display unit 161 is switched, the central control unit 900 may continue to display the button 401 on the display unit 161.

  In step S260, the central control unit 900 controls the winding of the continuous paper 18 by the shaft 26 of the paper discharging unit 16 at the timing when the portion having the pageCount value as the page number in the continuous paper 18 is conveyed to the image checking unit 80. To stop. However, the central control unit 900 continues to output the continuous paper 18 from the image forming unit 150 to the paper discharge adjusting unit 90. As a result, the portion of the continuous paper 18 on which a page subsequent to the page where the abnormality is detected is printed is stored in the paper discharge adjustment unit 90. Then, control proceeds to step S270.

  In step S270, central control unit 900 prompts the user to select an abnormality occurrence and a recovery method. For example, central control unit 900 prompts to operate button 401 in FIG. 4 by outputting a sound or the like. Then, the control proceeds to step S170.

  That is, for example, when the central control unit 900 detects the occurrence of an abnormality in step S160, the central control unit 900 displays the button 401 (FIG. 4) on the display unit 161. When the user operates button 401, central control unit 900 advances the control from step S250 to step S170. On the other hand, if the user has not operated button 401, central control unit 900 advances the control from step S250 to step S260.

  In step S170, central control unit 900 adds 1 to the value of pageCount, and proceeds to step S180.

  In step S180, central control unit 900 determines whether or not the user has selected a recovery method. The user selects a recovery method corresponding to the touched button, for example, by touching any of the buttons 503 to 506 in FIG. Then, when determining that the user has selected the recovery method, the central control unit 900 advances the control to step S190. On the other hand, if the central control unit 900 determines that the user has not yet selected a recovery method, the control returns to step S120.

  In step S190, central control section 900 performs a recovery operation. Here, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the subroutine of step S190 in FIG. Hereinafter, the recovery operation of step S190 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in step S900, the central control unit 900 specifies the recovery method selected by the user, and advances the control according to the specified method.

  More specifically, if the recovery method is “continue printing without reprinting the page in which the abnormality is detected” (corresponding to button 503 in FIG. 5), central control unit 900 The control proceeds to step S940.

  The recovery method is that “the image forming operation by the image forming unit 150 is stopped, and after the work for the recovery of the image forming system 40, the image forming is restarted from the page where the abnormality is detected” (the button 504 in FIG. 5). , The central control unit 900 advances the control to step S910.

  The recovery method is that “the image forming operation by the image forming unit 150 is continued until the end of the print job being executed, and then the image is formed again from the page where the abnormality is detected” (corresponding to the button 505 in FIG. 5). If there is, the central control unit 900 advances the control to step S920.

  If the recovery method is “to end the image forming operation by the image forming unit 150 at that point and perform image forming again from the first page of the print job” (corresponding to the button 506 in FIG. 5), the central control unit 900 Advances the control to step S930.

  The control in step S910 to step S914 includes the recovery method “stopping the image forming operation by the image forming unit 150 and restarting the image forming from the page where the abnormality is detected after the work for the recovery of the image forming system 40. Is a control corresponding to "."

  In step S910, central control unit 900 stops the image forming operation by image forming unit 150, and advances the control to step S912.

  In step S912, the central control unit 900 waits for completion of the recovery work by the worker (user). One example of the recovery operation is to cut out the abnormal output page portion from the continuous paper 18. Then, control proceeds to step S914. Note that, for example, when the user inputs information indicating that the recovery work has been completed, the central control unit 900 advances the control to step S914.

  In step S914, the central control unit 900 changes the value of pageCount to the page number of the page for which the user is currently confirming the abnormality (for example, the page with the lowest number in the user confirmation waiting image list). Further, the central control unit 900 clears the page registered in the image list waiting for user confirmation. Then, the image forming unit 150 restarts the image forming operation. As a result, the image forming unit 150 resumes the image forming operation from the page where the abnormality has occurred. Then, control proceeds to step S940.

  Steps S920 to S922 are controls corresponding to the recovery method "continue to the end of the print job in which the image forming operation by the image forming unit 150 is being executed, and then perform image formation again from the page where the abnormality is detected". .

  In step S920, central control unit 900 returns the value of pageCount to “1” and advances the control to step S922.

  In step S922, the central control unit 900 clears the image list waiting for user confirmation and the reprint page list after the job is completed, and proceeds to step S940.

  Step S930 is control corresponding to the recovery method “end the image forming operation by the image forming unit 150 at that point and perform image formation again from the first page of the print job”.

  In step S930, the reprinted page list after the job is completed is added to the page number of the page for which the user is currently confirming the abnormality, and the control proceeds to step S940.

  In step S940, the central control unit 900 deletes the number of the page for which the user is currently confirming the abnormality from the reprint page list after the completion of the job, and advances the control to step S950.

  In step S950, central control unit 900 determines whether there is a page waiting for confirmation (selection of a recovery method) by the user or not. For example, if one or more pages are still registered in the image list waiting for user confirmation, the central control unit 900 determines that there is a page waiting for confirmation by the user, and registers the page in the image list waiting for user confirmation. If there is no page, it is determined that there is no page waiting for confirmation by the user. If central control unit 900 determines that there is a page waiting for confirmation by the user, control proceeds to step S970. On the other hand, when the central control unit 900 determines that there is no page waiting for confirmation by the user, the control proceeds to step S960.

  In step S960, central control unit 900 restarts winding of continuous paper 18 by shaft 26 of paper discharge unit 16, and returns control to step S120 (FIG. 3).

  In step S970, the central control unit 900 moves the continuous paper 18 onto the shaft 26 of the paper discharge unit 16 until the portion of the continuous paper 18 on which the next page to be checked is formed is conveyed to the image confirmation unit 80. , The winding by the shaft 26 is stopped. Then, central control section 900 urges the user to select a recovery method by, for example, displaying screen 500 in FIG. 5 on display section 161. Then, central control unit 900 returns the control to step S120 (FIG. 3).

  Returning to FIG. 3, when the value of pageCount exceeds the total number of printed pages of the print job in step S120, central control unit 900 advances the control to step S200.

  In step S200, central control unit 900 determines whether there is any page registered in the reprint page list after the completion of the job. Then, when determining that there is such a page, central control unit 900 advances the control to step S210. On the other hand, if central control unit 900 determines that there is no such page, control proceeds to step S280.

  In step S210, the central control unit 900 forms an image of the first page registered in the reprint page list after the completion of the job in the image forming unit 150 on the continuous paper 18, and proceeds to step S220.

  In step S220, central control unit 900 prints information (for example, a page number) specifying the page in the margin of the page on which the image is formed in step S210, and proceeds to step S230.

  In step S230, the central control unit 900 deletes the page on which the image is formed in step S210 from the reprint page list after the completion of the job. Then, control returns to step S200.

  Under the control of steps S200 to S230, after the printing of the job is completed, the image of each page listed in the reprint page list after the completion of JOB is printed together with information specifying each page.

  In step S280, central control unit 900 stops the image forming operation by image forming unit 150, and ends the processing in FIG.

  According to the above-described processing, when the central control unit 900 detects an abnormality in the formed image, the central control unit 900 continues discharging the image until the recovery operation (Step S190) for the abnormality is performed, and continues discharging. The winding of the continuous paper 18 by the shaft 26 of the paper unit 16 is stopped. As a result, the paper discharge adjustment unit 90 buffers the printed pages from the occurrence of the abnormality until the execution of the recovery operation.

[Second embodiment]
In the image forming system 40 according to the second embodiment, information for specifying a recovery method is stored in the data storage unit 903 in advance. Then, when detecting an abnormality in the formed image, the image forming system 40 performs a recovery operation according to a recovery method specified by information stored in advance.

  In the image forming system 40 according to the second embodiment, the processing illustrated in FIG. 3 for the first embodiment may be changed to the processing illustrated in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process performed in the image forming system 40 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in step S160, the central control unit 900 of the second embodiment determines whether there is an abnormality in the image read in step S150. Then, when determining that the read image has an abnormality, the central control unit 900 advances the control to step S190 to execute a recovery operation. On the other hand, in step S160, when central control unit 900 determines that there is no abnormality, control proceeds to step S170.

  After executing the recovery operation in Step S190, the central control unit 900 returns the control to Step S120.

  In step S170, after adding 1 to the value of pageCount, central control unit 900 returns the control to step S120.

  Also in the second embodiment, the recovery operation in step S190 can be realized by the flowchart shown in FIG. In step S900 of the second embodiment, central control unit 900 advances control to step S910, step S920, step S930, or step S940 according to a recovery method specified by information stored in advance.

  In the second embodiment, the “preset recovery method” may be a default recovery method set in the image forming system 40. That is, the “preset recovery method” does not necessarily have to be selected by the user.

[Third Embodiment]
In the third embodiment, the central control unit 900 receives a reference setting for determining whether or not the formed image (the image read by the image reading unit 84) is abnormal. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 161 in order for the central control unit 900 to accept the input of the setting.

  On the screen 600 in FIG. 8, the central control unit 900 accepts setting designations for eight items starting with “no detection”. When displaying two or more options for each item, the screen 600 in FIG. 8 highlights the selected option.

  More specifically, the item “not detected” includes two options of “detected” and “not detected”. “Detected” specifies that an abnormality in the image read by the image reading unit 84 is detected. “No detection” specifies that no abnormality is detected in the image read by the image reading unit 84. When the detection of the abnormality is designated, the image forming system 40 executes the control shown in FIG. When it is specified that the abnormality is not detected, the image forming system 40 continues the print job regardless of whether or not the image formed on the continuous paper 18 has an abnormality.

  The item “image noise detection level” includes three options of “high level”, “medium level”, and “low level” for the noise level. Each option is displayed as a software button. The user can select an option by touching. The data storage unit 903 stores information for specifying three types of noise levels corresponding to “high level”, “medium level”, and “low level”. The central control unit 900 detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in an image based on information corresponding to a specified level among “high level”, “medium level”, and “low level”. The specified level specifies, for example, the level of noise determined to be abnormal. That is, as the designated level is higher, it is not determined that an abnormality has occurred until higher-level noise is detected.

  The item “image misalignment detection level” includes three options of “level high”, “medium level”, and “level low” regarding the dislocation of the formed image on the continuous paper 18. Each option is displayed as a software button. The user can select an option by touching. The data storage unit 903 stores information for specifying three types of levels corresponding to “high level”, “medium level”, and “low level” with respect to misalignment. The central control unit 900 detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in an image based on information corresponding to a specified level among “high level”, “medium level”, and “low level”. That is, as the designated level is higher, it is not determined that an abnormality has occurred until the positional deviation of the formed image on the continuous paper 18 increases.

  The item “image density abnormality detection level” includes three options of “level high”, “medium level”, and “level low” for image unevenness. Each option is displayed as a software button. The user can select an option by touching. The data storage unit 903 stores information for specifying three types of image unevenness levels corresponding to “high level”, “medium level”, and “low level” for “image density abnormality detection level”. The central control unit 900 detects the presence or absence of an abnormality in an image based on information corresponding to a specified level among “high level”, “medium level”, and “low level”. That is, as the designated level is higher, it is not determined that an abnormality has occurred until the image unevenness increases.

  The item “number of consecutive abnormal output” specifies the number of continuous pages required to be detected as occurrence of an abnormality. The user inputs settings for the item by, for example, inputting a numerical value. For example, when the numerical value “3” is set, the central control unit 900 causes an abnormality in image formation until the image formed on the continuous paper 18 is determined to be abnormal for three consecutive pages. Do not judge. That is, for example, even if an abnormality is detected in the image of two pages continuously, if no abnormality is detected in the image of the next page, the central control unit 900 does not detect the occurrence of the abnormality, The winding of the paper continues.

  The item “output operation when an abnormality occurs” includes two options of “stop” and “continue without stopping”. “Stop” designates that, when an abnormality of an image formed on the continuous paper 18 is detected, the image forming operation in the image forming system 40 is stopped and the user waits for a recovery operation. . “Continue without stopping” designates that the image forming operation in the image forming system 40 is continued without being stopped even if the abnormality is detected.

  The item “recovery method” specifies a recovery method to be stored in the data storage unit 903 in advance, as described in the second embodiment. The items include three options: “reprint after abnormal image page”, “reprint only abnormal image page after completion of JOB”, and “reprint from beginning of JOB”. The user can select one of the three options by touching one of the options.

  The item “recovery count” sets the number of times a recovery operation is performed for the same print job. For example, when “2 times” is set as the “recovery count”, when an error occurs during execution of the print job, central control unit 900 executes reprinting (first time) after the print job is completed as a recovery operation. Then, if an abnormality occurs in the reprint, reprint (second time) is executed as a recovery operation. However, even if an abnormality occurs in the second reprint, the central control unit 900 stops the image forming operation without performing any further recovery operation. In such a case, the central control unit 900 may, for example, display on the display unit 161 that the number of recovery operations specified as the number of recovery times has already been performed.

  In the third embodiment, the central control unit 900 determines threshold values (items “image noise detection level”, “image misalignment detection level”, “image density detection level”, “image density”) on the screen 600 of FIG. The user's settings for the abnormality detection level, the number of continuous abnormal outputs, and the recovery method are accepted. In the image forming system 40, different recovery methods may be set for each of the different threshold settings.

  That is, when detecting noise having a size equal to or larger than the level (threshold) set for the item “image noise detection level”, the central control unit 900 performs a recovery operation according to the recovery method “reprint after the abnormal image page”. On the other hand, if it is determined that an image having a continuous number of pages equal to or greater than the value set for the item “number of consecutive abnormal output” is abnormal, the recovery method “reprint from the beginning of the job” is performed. Recovery operation may be performed.

  The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims. Further, it is intended that the inventions described in the embodiments and the respective modified examples are implemented alone or in combination as much as possible.

  10 main unit, 14 paper feeding unit, 16 paper discharging unit, 18 continuous paper, 20, 26 axes, 40 image forming system, 80 image checking unit, 81 paper feeding adjusting unit, 90 paper discharging adjusting unit, 150 image forming unit, 160 operation panel, 161 display unit, 162 input unit, 170 document feeder, 180 document reader.

Claims (12)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a medium,
A reading unit that reads an image formed on the medium by the image forming unit;
When an abnormality is detected in the image read by the reading unit, a control unit that controls a reprint operation,
The control unit is configured to detect a case where a first abnormality is detected in an image read by the reading unit and to detect a second abnormality different from the first abnormality in an image read by the reading unit. An image forming apparatus in which the method of reprinting differs depending on the case.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first abnormality is image noise.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second abnormality is an abnormality that occurs continuously for a predetermined number of pages or more.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined number of pages can be specified by a user input.   5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an abnormality occurs continuously for a predetermined number of pages or more, the control unit reprints from a first page of the print job. 6.   The reprinting method includes reprinting from the page where the error is detected, reprinting the page where the error is detected after printing the print job in progress to the end, and starting from the first page of the print job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein reprinting is performed. A program executed by a computer, the computer comprising:
Reading an image formed on the medium by the image forming unit;
Controlling the reprinting operation by the image forming unit when an abnormality is detected in the read image,
The step of controlling the reprinting operation is performed when a first abnormality is detected in the read image and when a second abnormality different from the first abnormality is detected. A program that includes different ways of doing.   The program according to claim 7, wherein the first abnormality is image noise.   9. The program according to claim 7, wherein the second abnormality is an abnormality that occurs continuously for a predetermined number of pages or more.   The program according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined number of pages can be specified by a user input.   The method according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the step of controlling the reprinting operation includes reprinting from the first page of the print job when an error occurs continuously for a predetermined number of pages or more. The program described in section.   The reprinting method includes reprinting from the page where the error is detected, reprinting the page where the error is detected after printing the print job in progress to the end, and starting from the first page of the print job. The program according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the program is to reprint.