JP2020040346A - Image formation device, image formation method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce load when inspecting an image that is formed on a sheet.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes: a scanner unit for scanning a sheet on which an image is formed by an image formation unit; an inspection unit for performing an inspection by analyzing the image that is scanned by the scanner unit; and a control unit for controlling an inspection by the inspection unit. The control unit executes an inspection that is different from a first inspection when the inspection by the inspection unit is re-inspection with respect to a sheet that has already been inspected.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 for performing an inspection for 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 includes a function of inspecting the image formed by the image forming apparatus itself for defects such as dirt and a function of inspecting whether the sheet is properly cut or the like.

  For the function to inspect the cutting of the paper, for example, it is checked whether or not the cutting marks printed on the four corners of the paper remain, and when the cutting marks remain on the paper, the cutting is not performed properly. It is determined. However, there is also a cutting method in which a cutting mark is intentionally left, and the content to be determined at the time of inspection differs depending on the setting of a printed material.

  At the time of inspection for judging whether the image itself is defective, for example, a correct image prepared in advance is compared with an image obtained by scanning a sheet on which an image has been formed, and if they do not match, dirt or printing failure is detected. A process for determining that the error has occurred is performed.

Patent Document 1 discloses that when an image formed on a sheet is inspected by an image forming apparatus, an extra-document area is added around the inspection image, and an area of a predetermined pixel value of the inspection image is converted to an extra-document area. There is described a technique for performing inspection as an area outside the original.
According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to inspect an area outside the document such as a cutting mark.

JP 2013-166556 A

  Inspection of the content of the image performed when the image forming apparatus inspects the printed matter is a process that requires a relatively long time because the correct image prepared in advance and the printed image are compared in pixel units. However, there is a problem that the load as an inspection device is large.

On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus performs an inspection, an inspection step is performed after performing a step of forming an image on a sheet and a post-processing step such as cutting of the sheet performed after the image forming step. There are cases where the inspection process is performed by performing only the post-processing process on the paper on which the image has been formed.
Here, in the conventional image forming apparatus, even if the sheet conveyed to the inspection apparatus at the time of the inspection step is a sheet conveyed through any process, the inspection of the image content and the cutting of the sheet such as a cutting mark are performed. It was intended to perform both state checks.

  Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus, even if the printed matter to be inspected is supplied to the inspection apparatus through any process, both the inspection of the image content and the inspection of the state of the sheet are performed. There was a problem that the burden was large.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and a program that can reduce a burden when performing an image inspection.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention performs an inspection by analyzing an image read by a scanner unit, an image forming unit that forms an image on a conveyed sheet, a scanner unit that reads a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit, An inspection unit, and a control unit that controls the inspection by the inspection unit and executes an inspection different from the first inspection when the inspection by the inspection unit is a re-inspection of a sheet that has already been inspected.

  Further, the image forming method of the present invention reads the sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming process, performs an inspection process of analyzing the read image and performs an inspection, and an inspection in the inspection process is performed on the already inspected paper. In the case of the re-inspection, a control process for executing an inspection different from the first inspection is included.

  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, it is possible to reduce the load at the time of inspection by performing an inspection different from the first inspection on a sheet on which an image has been formed and once inspected by the image forming apparatus. . For example, in the second inspection, the inspection for the image forming state that has already been performed is omitted, and only a partial inspection of the peripheral region or the like is sufficient.

1 is a configuration diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of an inspection unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an inspection process according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a portion to be cut by cutting and an example of a cutting mark according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list according to an embodiment of the present invention. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a test process (Modification 1) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example (Modification 2) of a job list according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a job list (after re-examination in Modification 2) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a display example (modification 3) of an inspection result according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example (Modification 4) of a tray selection screen according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as “present example”) will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[1. System configuration example]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the image forming system of the present embodiment.
The image forming system according to the present embodiment includes a main body 10 of the image forming apparatus, and devices connected to the main body 10. The devices connected to the main body 10 include a paper feed unit 20, a post-processing unit 30, an inspection unit 40, and a paper discharge unit 50.
The paper feed unit 20 includes a plurality of paper feed trays and transports paper to the main body 10. A printer unit 500 is built in the main body 10, and forms an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit 20. An ADF unit (Auto Document Feeder) 300 for feeding a document and an operation display unit 400 are connected to the paper feeding unit 20.

  The sheet on which an image has been formed by the printer unit 500 in the main body 10 is transported to the post-processing unit 30. The post-processing unit 30 performs post-processing instructed in advance on the conveyed sheet. The post-processing performed by the post-processing unit 30 includes various processes such as a sheet folding process, a paper binding process, and a cutting process. The post-processing unit 30 includes a paper feed tray 31 that feeds paper to the post-processing unit 30 directly without passing through the main body 10 of the image forming apparatus.

The sheet subjected to the post-processing by the post-processing unit 30 is supplied to the inspection unit 40. The paper supplied from the main body 10 to the inspection unit 40 via the post-processing unit 30 may be supplied without performing any post-processing in the post-processing unit 30.
The inspection unit 40 inspects an image formed on the supplied paper. The sheet that has passed the inspection unit 40 is discharged to discharge trays 51 and 52 prepared in the discharge unit 50. The paper discharge tray 51 is a tray on which paper determined to be non-defective in the inspection by the inspection unit 40 is discharged, and the paper discharge tray 52 is a tray for paper determined to be abnormal in the inspection by the inspection unit 40. This is the tray where the paper is discharged.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of a main part of the image forming apparatus.

The main body 10 includes a control unit 100, a scanner unit 200, an operation display unit 400, a printer unit 500, and an image processing unit 600.

  The control unit 100 controls an image control CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, a read processing unit 105, a write processing unit 106, and a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) control. It comprises a unit 107, a compression unit 108, a decompression unit 109, and an image memory 110.

  The image control CPU 101 reads various processing programs, such as a system program, an image forming processing program, and a paper discharging processing program, stored in the ROM 102 and develops them on the RAM 103, and operates the image forming apparatus and peripheral devices according to the developed programs. Control.

  For example, the image control CPU 101 performs a print job based on image information input from the scanner unit 200 or the image processing unit 600 and setting information input via the operation display unit 400 connected to the control unit 100. Generate Then, an image is formed on a sheet by executing this job. Here, a job refers to a series of operations related to image formation. For example, in the case of creating a copy including a predetermined number of documents, a series of operations related to image formation of a predetermined number of documents is one job.

  The ROM 102 is configured by a nonvolatile memory or the like such as a semiconductor memory, and stores a system program corresponding to the image forming apparatus and various processing programs such as an image forming processing program executable on the system program and a paper discharging processing program. ing. These programs are stored in the form of computer-readable program codes, and the image control CPU 101 sequentially executes operations according to the program codes.

  The RAM 103 forms a work area for temporarily storing various programs executed by the image control CPU 101 and data relating to these programs, and stores a job queue, various operation settings, and the like.

The reading processing unit 105 performs various processes such as analog signal processing, A / D conversion processing, and shading processing on the analog image signal input from the scanner unit 200, generates digital image data, and outputs the digital image data to the compression unit 108. .
The write processing unit 106 generates a PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) signal based on the image data input from the decompression unit 109 and outputs the signal to the printer unit 500.

  The DRAM control IC 107 controls the compression processing of the image data by the compression unit 108 and the expansion processing of the compressed data by the expansion unit 109 based on the control from the image control CPU 101, and controls the input / output of the image data in the image memory 110. I do. For example, when storage of image data read by the scanner unit 200 is instructed, the DRAM control IC 107 causes the compression unit 108 to execute compression processing of the image data input from the read processing unit 105, and converts the compressed image data. It is stored in the compression memory 111 of the image memory 110.

  Further, when an instruction to form an image of the compressed image data stored in the compression memory 111 is issued, the DRAM control unit 107 reads out the compressed image data from the compression memory 111, causes the decompression unit 109 to execute decompression processing, and To memorize. Further, DRAM control section 107 reads out the image data stored in page memory 112 and outputs it to write processing section 106.

The compression unit 108 performs a compression process on the input image data under the control of the DRAM control unit 107.
The decompression unit 109 performs decompression processing on the input compressed image data under the control of the DRAM control unit 107.

  The image memory 110 is composed of, for example, a DRAM that is a volatile memory, and has a compression memory 111 and a page memory 112. The compression memory 111 is a memory for storing compressed image data, and the page memory 112 is a memory for temporarily storing compressed image data related to image formation before image formation.

  The scanner unit 200 includes an image sensor such as a CCD 201 and a scanner control unit 202. The scanner control unit 202 controls driving of each unit of the scanner unit 200 based on a control signal from the image control CPU 101. Specifically, exposure scanning is performed on the surface of the original placed on the contact glass, and the reflected light is imaged by the CCD 201 to read an image. Then, the optical signal thus formed is photoelectrically converted to generate an analog image signal and output to the read processing unit 105.

The operation display unit 400 includes an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 401, an operation display control unit 402, an operation key group (not shown), and a touch panel.
The LCD 401 displays various setting screens, image status display, operation status of each function, and the like on the screen according to a display control signal from the operation display control unit 402. Further, on the screen of the LCD 401, a pressure-sensitive (resistive film pressure) touch panel having transparent electrodes arranged in a grid pattern is configured, and the XY coordinates of a force point operated by a finger or a touch pen are detected by a voltage value. , And outputs the detected position signal to the operation display control unit 402 as an operation signal.

  The operation display control unit 402 controls display on the LCD 401 based on a control signal from the image control CPU 101. For example, various setting screens for paper used for image forming processing, various processing results, and the like are displayed on the LCD 401. Further, the operation display control unit 402 outputs an operation signal input from the touch panel on the LCD 401 or an operation key group to the image control CPU 101.

  The user can use the LCD 401 of the operation display unit 400 to browse a basic screen for inputting print conditions for image forming processing, a list of jobs reserved for the image forming apparatus, and the like. By operating a touch panel or the like on the LCD 401, the user can change various settings related to the image forming process to desired settings.

  The printer unit 500 corresponds to an image forming unit, includes an LD unit (Laser Diode) 501, and a printer control unit 502, and forms an image on a sheet based on image data input from the writing processing unit 106.

  The LD unit 501 includes an LD, a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, an exposure unit, a developing unit, a transfer unit, a cleaning unit, a fixing unit, and the like. Further, the LD unit 501 includes various rollers such as a paper feed roller, a registration roller, and a paper discharge roller for transporting a sheet along a transport path in the LD unit 501, a transport path switching plate, a reversing unit, and the like. The transport unit of the LD unit 501 feeds the paper specified in the job from the paper feed tray under the control of the printer control unit 502, and transports the fed paper to the transport path.

  A plurality of sensors are provided on the transport path of the LD unit 501. These sensors generate a detection signal when a sheet passes, and output this to the printer control unit 502.

  The printer control unit 502 receives a control signal from the image control CPU 101 and controls the operation of each unit of the LD unit 501. The printer control unit 502 counts the number of sheets fed for each job based on a detection signal from a sensor provided on the transport path, and outputs the number to the image control CPU 101.

  In the printer section 500, the surface of the photosensitive drum is charged by the charging section based on an instruction from the printer control section 502, and laser light is applied to the surface of the photosensitive drum by the LD based on the PWM signal input from the writing processing section. To form an electrostatic latent image. Then, toner is attached to a region including the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoconductor drum in the developing unit, and the toner is transferred to a sheet by the transfer unit to form an image. Then, after the transferred image is fixed by the fixing unit, the sheet on which the image has been formed is transported to the post-processing unit 30 by the discharge roller.

The image processing unit 600 includes a controller control unit 601, a DRAM control unit 602, an image memory 603, a LAN interface 604, a hard disk drive (HDD) 605, and the like.
The controller control unit 601 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit, and distributes data input from the external information terminal 60 to the control unit 100 via the LAN interface 604 as a job.

  The DRAM control unit 602 controls storage of data received by the LAN interface 604 in the image memory 603 and reading of data from the image memory 603. Further, the DRAM control unit 602 is connected to the DRAM control unit 107 of the control unit 100 via a bus, reads out data to be image-formed from the image memory 603 according to an instruction from the controller control unit 601, and sends the read data to the DRAM control unit 107. Output.

The image memory 603 is formed of a DRAM, and temporarily stores data input to the image memory 603.
The LAN interface 604 is a communication interface for connecting to a network, and receives image information, jobs, and the like from the information terminal 60 via the network, and outputs the information to the DRAM control unit 602.
The HDD 605 stores image information and job details. Note that the HDD 605 is also used as a data storage unit of the control unit 100.

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the inspection unit 40 shown in FIG.
The inspection unit 40 includes a LAN interface 701, an inspection control unit 702, a scanner unit 703, a colorimetry unit 704, a data storage unit 705, and an analysis unit 706.
The LAN interface 701 communicates with the main body 10 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.
The inspection control unit 702 performs an inspection of an image read by the scanner unit 703 based on an instruction from the control unit 100 or the like of the main body 10. In addition, the inspection control unit 702 performs an inspection of the color read by the colorimetric unit 704 as needed.

Data necessary for inspection is stored in the data storage unit 705. For example, the data of the correct answer image as the comparison source is stored in the data storage unit 705. The inspection processing result is also stored in the data storage unit 705.
The analysis unit 706 performs an analysis process of comparing the image read by the scanner unit 703 and the correct image stored in the data storage unit 705 under the control of the inspection control unit 702. In the case of this example, there are a case where the entire image formed on the sheet is analyzed and a case where only a partial area (for example, a peripheral area) of the sheet is analyzed.
The inspection control unit 702 determines the analysis result of the analysis unit 706, and determines whether or not the image formed by the printer unit 500 has a defect. The inspection result determined by the inspection control unit 702 is stored in the data storage unit 705 and transmitted to the main body 10 of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG.

[2. Process flow during inspection]
Next, with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 4, a flow when an inspection is performed by the inspection unit 40 of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.
After the image is formed on the sheet by the printer unit 500 of the image forming apparatus, the inspection unit 40 inspects the image formed on the sheet by conveying the image-formed sheet to the inspection unit 40. . However, as shown in FIG. 1, a sheet on which the image forming process is not performed, such as a sheet fed from the sheet feeding tray 31 of the post-processing unit 30 provided between the main body 10 and the inspection unit 40 is used. Even when supplied to the inspection unit 40, the inspection unit 40 may perform the inspection. The paper that passes through the printer unit 500 and is supplied to the inspection unit 40 may be supplied in a state where the image forming process is not performed by the printer unit 500. However, the paper supplied to the inspection unit 40 without performing these image forming processes is basically the same as the paper that has already undergone image formation once and has been discharged from the discharge tray 51 or 52. It is loaded on the tray 31 or the like.

In the image forming apparatus of the present example, for the sheet on which the image has been formed once and conveyed to the inspection unit 40 again, the inspection unit 40 omits the inspection of the item once performed, and Only the inspection is automatically performed.
That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the inspection control unit 702 of the inspection unit 40 determines whether the sheet conveyed from the post-processing unit 30 in the execution of the inspection job at that time is the already inspected sheet. (Step S11). If it is determined that the sheet is not the inspected sheet (NO in step S11), the inspection control unit 702 instructs the analysis unit 706 to perform an analysis process of comparing the image read by the scanner unit 703 with the correct image, and performs a normal process. An inspection process is performed (Step S12).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S11 that re-inspection of the inspected paper is to be performed (YES in step S11), the inspection control unit 702 uses the stored data of the corresponding past inspection job to execute An examination type is acquired (step S13). The data on the past inspection job is stored in, for example, the HDD 605 (FIG. 2).
Then, the inspection control unit 702 selects an inspection item so as to perform an inspection other than the inspection type that has been performed in step S13, and performs an inspection of the corresponding item on the analysis unit 706 (step S14). .

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an image of the inspection state in steps S12 and S14 of the flowchart of FIG.
Here, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 5, another sheet cutting machine (not shown) or a post-processing unit 30 Is used to cut the edge of the sheet along the line L1.

The lower side of FIG. 5 shows an area where the entire sheet is cut.
By performing the processing of cutting along all the four sides as described above, the edge of the four sides of the sheet becomes an area X as shown in the lower part of FIG. Only the region Y remains. Here, as shown at the lower left of FIG. 5, cutting marks M1, M2, M3, and M4 indicating cutting positions are provided at the four corners of the sheet before cutting at the time of image forming processing by the printer unit 500.

At the time of the first inspection by the inspection unit 40 in step S12 of the flowchart of FIG. 4, the presence or absence of a defect, dirt, or the like in the printed image is determined by comparing the image printed in the area Y with the correct image. . The inspection also determines whether or not the cutting marks M1, M2, M3, and M4 have been printed correctly.
On the other hand, at the time of the second inspection by the inspection unit 40 in step S12 of the flowchart of FIG. 4, the inspection of the region Y is not performed. That is, the inspection of the image formed in the area Y for the defect or the stain is not performed. Then, the inspection unit 40 determines whether or not the cutting marks M1, M2, M3, and M4 remain in the area X around the area Y. If any of the cutting marks M1, M2, M3, and M4 remains, the inspection unit 40 determines that the cutting of the sheet is not appropriate.

As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when performing a plurality of inspections on the same sheet, for the second and subsequent inspections, the inspection of the image performed in the first inspection is omitted. Only the inspection required for post-processing such as the inspection described above is executed. Therefore, during the second and subsequent inspections, the inspection unit 40 does not execute the inspection of the area Y that occupies most of the area of the image read by the scanner unit 703, and inspects the area Y that is the peripheral part of the sheet. Only done. Thus, the range in which the analysis is performed by the analysis unit 706 can be significantly reduced.
As a result, the processing load required for the inspection in the inspection unit 40 can be significantly reduced, and the inspection time can be shortened. In addition, since the image data to be stored as the inspection result is only the image data around the paper for the second time, it also contributes to the reduction of the data storage capacity.

[3. Example of screen during inspection job execution]
FIG. 6 shows an example of a job list when an inspection job is executed by the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. The screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed, for example, on LCD 401 (FIG. 1) of operation display unit 400.
FIG. 6 shows an example in which a list of inspection jobs performed in the past by the image forming apparatus is displayed.
The user selects a specific list item R1 from the list of past inspection jobs shown in FIG. 6, and the inspection control unit 702 re-inspects the sheet that has already been inspected in step S11 of the flowchart of FIG. Is determined to be.

[4. Modification]
In the processing shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the inspection is performed for the second time or later, the area around the sheet is automatically inspected. On the other hand, when an instruction to execute an inspection job for instructing re-inspection of a sheet that has been inspected in the past is given, only when an instruction for re-inspection of a sheet with a cutting mark is given, An automatic inspection may be performed.
That is, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the inspection control unit 702 determines whether reinspection of the inspected paper is instructed (step S21), and when the reinspection is instructed (YES in step S21). ), It is determined whether or not the inspection is for a sheet having a cutting mark (step S22).
Here, when it is the re-inspection of the sheet having the cutting mark (YES in step S22), the inspection control unit 702 automatically selects the inspection item so as to perform only the inspection on the periphery of the sheet (step S23). .
On the other hand, when it is the re-inspection of the sheet without the cutting mark (NO in step S22), the inspection control unit 702 acquires the inspection type executed in the first inspection from the stored data (step S24). An inspection other than the inspection type executed in the inspection is executed (step S25).

By performing the inspection type selection process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7, the items to be inspected are automatically and appropriately set based on the history at that time.
The cutting marks M11 to M14 at the four corners shown in FIG. 5 are generally used to determine that correct cutting has been performed because the absence of the cutting marks M11 to M14 after cutting. On the other hand, there is a case where cutting is performed while leaving the cutting marks M11 to M14 at the four corners in order to clarify the size standard. Therefore, it is preferable to be able to switch which of the presence and absence of the cutting mark is determined to be correct.
Alternatively, it may be configured to determine which cutting mark has been added from the history selected on the screen as shown in FIG. 6 and automatically switch the checking method.

The first inspection history and the second inspection history for the same sheet may be displayed on the screen in association with each other.
That is, for example, it is assumed that the user instructs re-examination of one specific item R2 in the history list while the inspection history list in FIG. 8 is displayed.
A re-examination is performed according to this instruction, and when the examination is completed, a display as shown in FIG. 9 is performed as an examination history list. Here, an item R2 indicating the first inspection and an item R3 indicating the second inspection on the same sheet are displayed vertically adjacent to each other.
In this manner, by displaying the inspections performed a plurality of times on the same printed matter in association with the inspection history, the items checked in the first inspection (here, “dirt”) and the items checked in the second inspection are checked. The item (here, “cut mark”) can be easily identified from the history display.

  Further, the inspection unit 40 may cause the data storage unit 705 to store an image read by the scanner unit 703 at each inspection. When the image read in this way is stored, for example, when the detail display of the item R2 or the item R3 is selected by the user from the inspection history screen shown in FIG. 9, the image read in each inspection is displayed on the screen. You may.

  FIG. 10 shows an example in which images read by two inspections are displayed side by side. In the example of FIG. 10, the image of the first inspection is shown as a primary inspection A11, and the date and time when the first inspection was performed are displayed. Further, the image of the second inspection is shown as a secondary inspection A12, and the date and time when the second inspection was performed are displayed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the re-execution of the inspection job executed in the past is determined to be the second inspection, and a partial inspection such as the inspection of the peripheral area is performed. On the other hand, it may be determined whether or not the re-inspection is to be performed by selecting the sheet transport source at the time of performing the inspection.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of a paper feed tray selection screen when an inspection is performed. Here, 11 paper feed trays T11 to T21 are displayed on the screen. Here, the sheet feed tray T21 is the sheet feed tray 31 (FIG. 1) that does not pass through the printer section 500, and the sheet fed from this sheet feed tray T21 is selected, and the inspection start button B1 is pressed. In this case, the inspection control unit 702 determines that the inspection is for an inspected sheet at the time of the determination in step S11 in FIG.

  Note that the screens shown in FIG. 6 and the like described so far are merely examples, and other screens may be used as screens at the time of an inspection instruction. Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the operation display unit 400 included in the main body 10 performs the screen at the time of the instruction for the inspection is described. However, for example, the external information terminal 60 illustrated in FIG. You may do so.

  In the above-described embodiment, only the peripheral region is inspected as the inspection process performed at the time of the second inspection. However, the inspection other than the peripheral region may be performed differently from the first inspection. Good. For example, in the first inspection, a precise inspection may be performed on the image other than the peripheral image, and in the second inspection, an inspection may be performed to reduce the accuracy and detect a stain on the image other than the peripheral image.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the inspection unit 40 connected to the image forming apparatus performs the inspection according to an instruction from the image forming apparatus. However, for example, the inspection processing described in the above-described embodiment may be performed. 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.
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the inspection unit 40 incorporated in the image forming apparatus performs the inspection, but an inspection apparatus separate from the image forming apparatus may perform the same inspection processing. Good. Alternatively, in the case of the configuration illustrated in FIG. 1, instead of the inspection control unit 702 (FIG. 3) included in the inspection unit 40 performing control for a plurality of inspections, the control unit 100 or the external information terminal 60 illustrated in FIG. However, the control of the inspection items and the like at the time of performing the inspection a plurality of times may be performed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Main body, 20 ... Paper feed part, 30 ... Post-processing part, 40 ... Inspection part, 50 ... Paper discharge part, 60 ... Information terminal, 100 ... Control part, 500 ... Printer part, 600 ... Image processing part, 702 ... Inspection control unit, 703: scanner unit, 706: analysis unit

Claims (8)

An image forming unit that forms an image on a conveyed sheet;
A scanner unit that reads a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit,
An inspection unit that analyzes the image read by the scanner unit and performs an inspection;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a control unit configured to control an inspection performed by the inspection unit, and to perform an inspection different from the first inspection when the inspection performed by the inspection unit is a re-inspection of a sheet that has already been inspected. A display unit for displaying an inspection history in the inspection unit,
An operation unit for selecting execution of re-inspection of the inspected job from the inspection history displayed by the display unit,
The control unit, when execution of re-inspection of the inspected job is selected by the operation unit, without performing image formation in the image forming unit on the paper loaded in a predetermined tray, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed such that reading by the unit and inspection of the read image by the inspection unit are performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit executes the inspection of only a peripheral area of the sheet by the inspection unit when the inspection is a re-inspection of the already inspected sheet. A display unit for displaying an inspection history in the inspection unit,
An operation unit for selecting execution of re-inspection of the inspected job from the inspection history displayed on the display unit,
The control unit, when execution of re-inspection of the inspected job is selected by the operation unit, and when the selected job is re-inspection of a sheet having a cutting mark, the inspection unit arranges the cutting mark. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inspection is performed only on a peripheral area of the sheet. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when displaying the result of the re-examination, the control unit also displays the first inspection history on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit, when receiving an instruction to inspect a sheet that does not pass through the image forming unit, performs an inspection of only a peripheral area of the sheet with the inspection unit. An inspection process of reading a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming process and performing an inspection by analyzing the read image;
A control process for executing a different inspection from the first inspection when the inspection in the inspection process is a re-inspection for a sheet already inspected. In a program for causing a computer to execute a procedure for inspecting an image formed on a sheet,
An inspection procedure for reading a sheet on which an image is formed and performing an inspection by analyzing the read image;
A control procedure for performing an inspection different from the first inspection when the inspection in the inspection procedure is a re-inspection for a sheet already inspected.