JP2020037201A - Image forming apparatus, image formation method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To enable proper inspection to be performed even when editing affecting an image is performed.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: an analysis unit which performs an inspection by comparing an image obtained by using a scanner unit to read a sheet in which an image is formed by an image formation unit with a beforehand prepared correct image for analysis; an operation unit which performs the editing of the image formed by the image formation unit; and a control unit which automatically starts an updating job for updating the correct image when the image for image formation is changed with the editing by the operation unit. Automatic starting of the updating job allows for prevention of the generation of waste sheets due to no updating of the correct image after image editing, and allows for prevention of the increase in the unnecessary work processes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program for forming an image on a sheet, and more particularly, to a technique applied when an inspection is performed during image formation.

2. Description of the Related Art As an image forming apparatus which forms an image on a sheet to obtain a printed matter, there is an image forming apparatus having an inspection function (inspection function) for inspecting a printed matter having an image formed on a sheet for defects.
The inspection function compares the correct image linked in advance with the printed matter to be inspected, identifies defective printed matter such as dirt, bent corners, wrinkles, and paper skew, and automatically rejects defective products (so-called waste paper). The sheet is discharged to a tray different from the non-defective one. Here, the correct image is an image obtained by printing one copy of a printed matter to be inspected and reading it with a scanner.

  Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique for displaying a recommended function such as a sample output on a screen according to the content of a change when a setting related to printing is changed.

JP-A-2006-215511

  As described above, in the inspection function, the correct image prepared in advance and the printed matter are compared to determine whether the product is good or defective. Therefore, only one copy is printed first, the printed matter is read by a scanner, and a correct image is obtained. After that, if the user again edits the image to be printed, the correct image is printed. Also need to be modified.

  However, since the operation of correcting the correct image is an operation performed by the editor arbitrarily, the user often forgets to correct the correct image after editing the image. If the operation of correcting the correct image is not performed, all the printed matter thereafter does not match the correct image even if the inspection is performed, and all of the printed matter is discharged to the defective tray. In such a case, wasted paper is generated, and it is necessary to take measures such as re-inspection of the defective printed matter, which results in extra work time.

  As described in Patent Literature 1, it is conventionally known that a user is notified of a recommended function such as a sample output when a setting related to printing is changed. It only informs the recommended function when the setting is changed. Therefore, when there is a change such as image editing, it has been difficult with the conventional method to reliably prevent a situation where a proper inspection cannot be performed at the time of printing after the change.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program capable of reliably performing an appropriate inspection when editing affecting an image is performed.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a data storage unit that stores an image to be printed, an image forming unit that forms an image stored in the data storage unit on a sheet to be conveyed, and an image forming unit that is formed on a sheet by the image forming unit. A scanner unit that reads an image, an analysis unit that performs an inspection by comparing and analyzing the image read by the scanner unit with a correct image prepared in advance, and an operation unit that edits an image stored in the data storage unit A control unit that automatically starts an update job for updating the correct image when an image stored in the data storage unit is changed by editing in the operation unit.

  Further, the image forming method of the present invention includes a data storing process for storing an image to be printed, an image forming process for forming an image stored in the data storing process on a conveyed sheet, and an image forming process for forming an image on a sheet. A reading process for reading the read image, an analysis process for performing an inspection by comparing the image read in the reading process with a previously prepared correct image, and an editing process for the image stored in the data storage process are performed. And a control process for automatically starting an update job for updating the correct image when the image stored by the data storage process is changed.

  Further, a program of the present invention is a program having a procedure for executing each processing included in the above-described image forming method.

  According to the present invention, when an image editing operation is performed, an update job for automatically updating the correct image for inspection is executed, and the occurrence of waste paper due to forgetting to update the job can be prevented. It is possible to prevent unnecessary work time due to re-execution of inspection.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure at the time of image editing according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen at the time of image editing according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list screen after image editing according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job selection screen after image editing according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure showing the example of the management screen of the correct image after image edit by one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list screen after image editing according to an embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure at the time of image editing according to a modification of the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[1. System configuration example]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment.
The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment performs printing for forming an image on a sheet, and inspects the printed sheet.
The image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes a sheet feeding unit 101, an image forming unit 102, a fixing unit 103, a scanner unit 104, a colorimetric unit 105, a post-processing unit 106, and a sheet discharging unit 107. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 111, an analysis unit 112, a data storage unit 113, a display unit 114, and an operation unit 115.

The sheet feeding unit 101 performs an operation of loading sheets to be printed and transporting the sheets one by one to the image forming unit 102 by executing the image forming operation.
The image forming unit 102 performs an image forming process of forming an image by attaching toner or ink to the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 101.
The fixing unit 103 fixes the image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 102. Note that the fixing unit 103 may not be provided depending on the method of forming an image.

The scanner unit 104 performs a process of reading an image formed on a sheet by the image forming unit 102 (read process).
The colorimeter 105 measures the color of the image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 102. The color measurement unit 105 may be omitted.
The post-processing unit 106 performs the set post-processing on the sheet on which the image is formed. In this post-processing, for example, a process of closing or folding a sheet is performed.
The paper discharge unit 107 discharges the paper conveyed from the post-processing unit 106.

The control unit 111 controls the operation of each unit in the image forming apparatus 100.
The analysis unit 112 compares the image read by the scanner unit 104 with a correct image prepared in advance, and checks whether or not the image formation has been properly performed. The correct image here is obtained by first printing only one copy and reading the printed matter by the scanner unit 104. The process of acquiring the correct image is executed before starting the actual printing based on the control by the control unit 111.

  The data storage unit 113 performs a storage process of storing data of an image to be formed on a sheet by the image forming unit 102 and data such as setting conditions at the time of image formation. Further, the data storage unit 113 also stores the data of the correct image required at the time of the inspection by the analysis unit 112. The data storage unit 113 can store image data of a plurality of print jobs, and the data of the correct image is stored for each print job in principle.

  The display unit 114 and the operation unit 115 are integrally formed, and the display unit 114 displays a screen indicating an operation state for printing, an editing state of an image to be printed, and the like. A touch is detected and an operation input is accepted.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the shape of the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 2 illustrates not only the outer shape of the apparatus but also a schematic configuration of a part of the image forming unit 102 and the like.
As shown in FIG. 2, a sheet is conveyed from a sheet feeding unit 101 to an image forming unit 102, and a color image or an image of a predetermined color is formed by toner or ink on the front or back surface of the sheet in the image forming unit 102. The image formed on the sheet by the image forming unit 102 is an image based on image data stored in advance in the data storage unit 113 (FIG. 1) by an operation using the operation unit 115 or the like.
The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 102 is conveyed to the fixing unit 103, and the image on the sheet is fixed.

  The sheet on which the fixing process has been performed by the fixing unit 103 is conveyed to the scanner unit 104, the reading process is performed by the scanner unit 104, and the image read by the scanner unit 104 is analyzed by the analysis unit 112 (FIG. 1). An analysis process for comparing the prepared correct image is performed. The paper on which the reading process has been performed by the scanner unit 104 is further sent to the color measurement unit 105, and the color measurement unit 105 performs a color measurement process of measuring the color of the image. The color measurement processing in the color measurement unit 105 may be omitted.

Then, the sheet on which the colorimetric processing has been performed by the colorimetric section 105 is conveyed to the post-processing section 106, where post-processing such as closing the sheet and folding is performed.
The sheet subjected to the post-processing by the post-processing unit 106 is discharged from the sheet discharging unit 107. Here, the image forming apparatus 100 includes two paper output trays 107a and 107b as shown in FIG. For example, a sheet determined to be non-defective in the inspection by the analysis unit 112 is discharged to a discharge tray 107a, and a sheet determined to be defective is discharged to a discharge tray 107b.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a display unit 114 and an operation unit 115, and a user can instruct registration of an image to be printed or start of printing by operating the operation unit 115. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can edit an image stored in the data storage unit 113 for printing by displaying on the display unit 114 and operating on the operation unit 115. As the image editing, for example, editing such as a shift amount change, an imposition change, a tone curve change, or the like that changes the contents of the image to be formed can be performed.

  Although the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 is an example in which the image forming apparatus 100 is integrally configured as one apparatus, the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured by a plurality of devices. For example, a main unit including the image forming unit 102, an inspection unit including the scanner unit 104, and a post-processing unit including the post-processing unit 106 are separately configured, and these units are connected to form one apparatus. It may be made to function as.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2, image editing is performed using the display unit 114 and the operation unit 115 mounted on the apparatus main body, but information such as a computer device connected to the image forming apparatus 100 is displayed. Image editing may be performed using the display unit and the operation unit provided in the processing device.

[2. Processing flow when editing images]
Next, with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3, a description will be given of a flow of processing when the image stored in the data storage unit 113 for printing is edited in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.
First, the user displays a job editing screen for editing an image stored in the data storage unit 113 on the display unit 114 (step A11). A specific example of the job editing screen will be described later. Various image editing is performed by a user operation using the operation unit 115.

Thereafter, when an operation of pressing an overwrite button for overwriting the image stored in the data storage unit 113 with the edited image is detected, the edited image is overwritten and stored in the data storage unit 113 (step A12).
When the image data is overwritten and saved, the control unit 111 determines whether or not the editing at this time is a correction that affects the correct image (step A13). Here, if the edited image is not a correction that affects the correct image (NO in step A13), the image editing process ends without correcting the correct image.

If it is determined in step A13 that the edited image is a correction that affects the correct image (YES in step A13), the update job for creating the correct image of the corresponding image is set as the reserved job. The corresponding update job is automatically started under the control of the stacking and control unit 111 (step A14). Note that when the update job is automatically started, a character or the like indicating “update job start” may be displayed on the screen of the display unit 114 under the control of the control unit 111.
At the start of the update job, only one copy of the edited image is printed, and the image printed and formed on the paper is read by the scanner unit 104. Then, the read image is stored in the data storage unit 113 as a correct image (step A15).

Next, the control unit 111 determines whether the image associated with the saved correct image is only the image on which the job editing has been performed in step A11, or whether another image is associated with the image (step A11). Step A16).
If it is determined in step A16 that the correct image is also linked to an image of a job other than the one job edited in step A11 (YES in step A16), the control unit 111 proceeds to step A15. Is saved as a new correct image (step A17). Then, the control unit 111 performs a linking process using the correct image stored in step A17 as a correct image for inspecting the image of one job edited in job A11, and ends the image editing process. (Step A18). At this time, for the correct image before the update, the processing of releasing the association with the job associated in step A18 and performing only the association with other jobs is performed.

  If it is determined in step A16 that the correct image has been linked to only one job edited in step A11 (NO in step A16), the control unit 111 sets the correct image stored in step A15. The image is replaced with the correct image before editing, overwritten and saved, and the image editing process ends (step A19).

[3. Example of screen when editing]
FIG. 4 shows an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 114 when an image is edited.
The user displays the editing screen shown in FIG. The job called here is a job called “correct image name: correct α” as described in the output setting column substantially at the center of the left end of the screen.
When the user performs an operation of calling “correct image name: correct α”, various setting states regarding printing of the corresponding job are displayed on the screen. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, there are items such as paper setting, printing surface setting, output setting, image quality adjustment, and other settings.

  Here, for example, it is assumed that the user has changed the tone curve adjustment, which is one item of the image quality adjustment. This change is to change the setting in S11 on the screen from ON to OFF. When the image quality is adjusted in this manner, it is determined in step A13 in the flowchart of FIG. 3 that the edited portion is a correction that affects the correct image. In addition, when settings that are not related to image quality, such as paper settings, print surface settings, and output settings, are changed, the edit portion does not affect the correct image, as determined in step A13 of the flowchart in FIG. Is determined.

  Then, when the user presses the overwrite save button at the lower right of the screen in FIG. 4 (button operation in S12 on the screen), the control unit 111 updates the correct image in step A15 in the flowchart in FIG. To start.

When the update job of the correct image is started, the display unit 114 displays a screen indicating the start of the update job shown in FIG.
Here, it is displayed in the job column that the update job of the correct image has been reserved (display of S13). When the corresponding job is executable, that is, when the image forming unit 102 is capable of forming an image on a sheet, an image is formed on the sheet as a reserved update job, and a scanner unit of the formed image is used. The reading process at 104 is performed.

  By executing the update job in this way, when an image is edited, the correct answer image for inspection of the image is automatically updated. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to manually update the correct image for inspection after performing the image editing, and it is possible to prevent the occurrence of waste paper due to forgetting to update the correct image. In addition, it is not necessary to take measures such as re-inspection of a defective printed matter generated due to the failure to update the correct image, and it is possible to prevent unnecessary work time from being generated.

6 to 8 show examples of screens when there are a plurality of job images linked to the correct image.
The process when there are a plurality of job images associated with the correct image is performed in the flowchart of FIG. 3 when the correct image is also associated with an image of a job other than one job edited ( This corresponds to (YES in step A16).

FIG. 6 shows an example of a screen showing a list of print jobs.
The screen of FIG. 6 shows a state in which two print jobs Ja and Jb are stored. Both the print job Ja and the print job Jb use the same correct image α at the time of inspection. The print job Ja and the print job Jb have different settings other than the image.

  It is assumed that, in a state where such a print job is prepared, for example, image editing is performed on the print job Jb, and editing on an image such as image quality is performed. At this time, an update job for updating the correct image α is executed, but the correct image α is not overwritten and stored, and the updated correct image is stored as another correct image β.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a correct image management screen in this case.
As shown in FIG. 7, two correct images, a correct image α corresponding to the print job Jb and a correct image β corresponding to the print job Jb, are stored in the data storage unit 113.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the print job list screen is updated to two, that is, a print job Ja in which the correct image α is registered, and an edited print job Jb ′ in which the correct image β is registered. .

[4. Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, an example is described in which the update job for updating the correct image is immediately executed. However, when the image forming apparatus 100 is executing a print job, the update job is not immediately executed. There is also.
In this case, the update job of the correct image is registered as one of the reserved jobs, and is executed at a timing when the registered reserved job can be executed.

  As described above, when an update job for updating a correct image is reserved, image editing may be further performed during the reservation. When there is image editing during the reservation of the update job, the control unit 111 cancels the reserved update job and changes the reservation to a correct image update job reservation based on the edited image again.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing flow in this case.
9, the processing in steps A11 to A19 is the same as the processing in steps A11 to A19 in FIG. 3, and a description thereof will be omitted.
Then, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, when the control unit 111 determines in step A13 that the edited image is a correction that affects the correct image (YES in step A13), the correct instruction instructing execution under the same condition is performed. It is determined whether there is an image update reservation job (step A20).

If there is no correct image update reservation job instructed to be executed under the same conditions (NO in step A20), the control unit 111 shifts to the process of step A14, and performs the same process as the flowchart of FIG. Is done.
On the other hand, if it is determined in step A20 that there is a correct image update reservation job instructed to be executed under the same conditions (YES in step A20), the control unit 111 newly edits the content of the corresponding reservation job. The updated content is updated (step A21). Thereafter, when the execution timing of the reserved job comes, the control unit 111 shifts to the process of step A15 and executes the corresponding reserved job.

  If the correct image update job is reserved and the image editing is further performed, only the latest correct image update job is executed, and the update job may be redundantly repeated a plurality of times. Disappears.

  When the editing of the image based on the operation on the display unit 114 and the operation unit 115 is the editing of only a specific page of a printed material including a plurality of pages, the update job that is automatically executed includes the editing job. Alternatively, only the correct image of the specific page on which the above has been performed may be updated.

  Furthermore, when an image is edited based on an operation on the operation unit 115 and there is a setting to turn off the automatic inspection, the automatic start of the update job for updating the correct image may not be performed.

  Furthermore, the screens shown in FIG. 4 and the like are merely examples, and other configurations may be used as a screen at the time of image editing or a screen at the time of correct answer image update processing.

  In the embodiment described above, the image forming apparatus is configured to automatically update the correct image at the time of image editing. However, for example, the image forming apparatus automatically performs the update of the correct image described in the above-described embodiment. By creating a program to be executed and mounting the program on an existing image forming apparatus, the existing image forming apparatus may perform the same operation. The program in this case can be realized, for example, by recording it on various recording media and mounting it on a computer that controls the image forming apparatus.

  100 image forming apparatus, 101 paper feeding unit, 102 image forming unit, 103 fixing unit, 104 scanner unit, 105 colorimetric unit, 106 post-processing unit, 107 paper discharging unit, 111 control unit , 112: analysis unit, 113: data storage unit, 114: display unit, 115: operation unit

Claims (9)

A data storage unit for storing an image to be printed;
An image forming unit that forms an image stored in the data storage unit on the conveyed sheet;
A scanner unit that reads an image formed on a sheet by the image forming unit,
An analysis unit that performs an inspection by comparing the image read by the scanner unit with a correct image prepared in advance and analyzing the image.
An operation unit for editing an image stored in the data storage unit,
A control unit configured to automatically start an update job for updating the correct image when an image stored in the data storage unit is changed by editing in the operation unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when editing by the operation unit is determined, the control unit displays a warning screen for starting an update job for updating a correct image, and starts a corresponding update job. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the start of the update job is reserved, when the image is re-edited by the operation unit, the re-edited content is reflected in the reserved update job. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when editing of an image on the operation unit is performed only on a specific page, the update job updates only a correct image of the specific page. 3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at the time of editing an image in the operation unit, when there is a setting for turning off automatic inspection in the analysis unit, an update job for updating a correct image is not automatically started. . 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in a state where the start of the update job is reserved, when the image is returned to an original image by the editing of the operation unit again, the reserved update job is deleted. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the correct image is associated with a plurality of inspection jobs, a new inspection job is created without executing the update job. A storage process for storing an image to be printed;
An image forming process for forming an image stored in the storage process on the conveyed sheet;
A reading process of reading an image formed on a sheet in the image forming process;
An analysis process of performing an inspection by comparing the image read in the reading process with a correct image prepared in advance and analyzing the image,
A control process for automatically starting an update job for updating the correct image when the image stored in the storage process is edited and the image stored in the storage process is changed. In a program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for forming an image on paper,
A storage procedure for storing an image to be printed;
An image forming procedure for forming an image stored in the storage procedure on a sheet to be transported;
A reading step of reading an image formed on a sheet in the image forming step,
An analysis procedure for performing an inspection by comparing the image read in the reading procedure with a correct image prepared in advance, and analyzing the image.
And a control procedure for automatically starting an update job for updating the correct image when the image stored in the storage procedure is edited and the image stored in the storage procedure is changed.