JP2021169192A - Image formation device, image formation system, control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve accuracy of determination of quality of trimming processing.SOLUTION: An image formation device includes an image formation part for forming an image on a pre-trimming sheet, a trimming part for trimming the pre-trimming sheet into a plurality of post-trimming sheets, and a control part. The image formation part forms an identification image for identifying each of the plurality of post-trimming sheets at a position corresponding to the post-trimming sheet on the pre-trimming sheet. A target size and a target shape of the post-trimming sheet are associated with the identification image of each of the post-trimming sheets. The control part detects sizes and shapes of the one or more post-trimming sheets and the identification image from the reading image, compares the detected size and shape of at least one post-trimming sheet with the target size and the target shape associated with the identification image detected from the post-trimming sheet, and determines quality of trimming processing on the basis of a comparison result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present disclosure relates to the formation of images, and more specifically to techniques for cutting sheets.

In an image forming system, a cutting device such as a trimmer unit (TU) that cuts paper and performs post-processing such as forming creases and perforations in order to create business cards, tickets, coupons, etc. is known. ing. In the cutting device, it is necessary to set the cutting position on the paper.

Regarding the setting of the cutting position, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-6605 (Patent Document 1) states that "the recording material is conveyed by the input keys 13 and 14, and the tip margin from the tip of the recording material to the image region before the start of image formation". A means for displaying the amount and the amount of the rear end margin from the rear end of the image area to the cut position after the completion of image formation on the display 12 of the operation unit 10 is provided. ”The image forming apparatus is disclosed (see [Summary]), but is set. The technology for adjusting the cutting position is not disclosed.

On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-180228 (Patent Document 2) discloses an image forming system that corrects the cutting process. Specifically, the image forming system of Patent Document 2 is divided into an image reading unit that reads an image on split sheets 510 and 520 to obtain scanned image data and a divided image reading unit in order to correct the cutting process. Compare the shape and size of the dividing paper 510 and 520 calculated by the calculation unit with the calculation unit that calculates the shape and size of the paper 510 and 520, and the shape and size of the divided paper 510 and 520 specified by the job information. It has a shape comparison unit for determining the quality of the cutting process and a shape determination unit for determining the quality of the cutting process based on the comparison result by the shape comparison unit (see [Summary]).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-6605 JP-A-2018-180228

According to the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, the image inspection device optically reads the paper cut by the cutting device by the image reading unit, and is specified by the shape and size of the read paper and the job information. Inspect the quality of the cutting process using the shape and size. However, since the image reading unit is connected to the downstream side of the cutting device in the paper transport direction, the paper cut by the cutting device falls apart during the transport, or the papers overlap each other. there is a possibility. In that case, since it is not possible to identify the paper at which cutting position the scanned paper after cutting is from the scanned image data, it is also difficult to specify the shape and size of the paper from the job information. As a result, the accuracy of judging the quality of the cutting process is reduced. Therefore, a technique for improving the accuracy of judging the quality of the cutting process is required.

The present disclosure has been made in view of the above background. According to a certain aspect, a technique for improving the accuracy of judging the quality of the cutting process is disclosed.

An image forming apparatus according to a certain embodiment includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a pre-cutting sheet, a cutting unit that performs a cutting process on the pre-cutting sheet on which the image is formed, and cuts into a plurality of post-cutting sheets. It includes a control unit that controls the image forming apparatus. The image forming unit forms an identification image for identifying each of the plurality of post-cutting sheets at a position on the pre-cutting sheet corresponding to the post-cutting sheet. The identification image of each post-cutting sheet is associated with the target size and shape of the post-cutting sheet when the pre-cutting sheet is cut at the target cutting position. The control unit detects the size and shape of each of the one or more post-cut sheets and the identification image from the read image generated by reading one or more of the plurality of post-cut sheets. The detected size and shape of at least one post-cut sheet are compared with the target size and shape associated with the identification image detected from the post-cut sheet, respectively, and based on the result of the comparison, the above Judge the quality of the cutting process.

The control unit outputs information on the result of determining the quality of the cutting process.
Based on the result of the comparison, the control unit further determines a correction amount of the cutting position so that the cutting position of the cutting unit becomes the target cutting position, and outputs a notification indicating the correction amount. ..

The image forming apparatus further includes a transport unit for transporting the sheet. The cutting unit performs the cutting process on the sheet to be conveyed. Based on the result of the comparison, the control unit further determines the correction amount of the cutting position of the cutting unit so that the cutting position of the cutting unit becomes the target cutting position, and determines the corrected amount of the determined correction amount. It is used to control at least one of the cutting section and the conveying section so that the cutting position is corrected.

The control unit further stores the correction amount used for correcting the cutting position of the cutting unit in the storage unit in association with the target cutting position, and accepts a job including the cutting process of the pre-cutting sheet. In this case, the cutting unit and the transport unit are corrected so that the cutting position is corrected by using the correction amount associated with the target cutting position of the storage unit, which matches the target cutting position indicated by the job. Control at least one.

If the identification image cannot be detected from the read image, the control unit outputs a notification to that effect.

The image formed on the pre-cutting sheet includes a manuscript image based on the manuscript data. The image forming unit forms the identification image in a region different from the region where the original image is formed in the pre-cutting sheet.

The image forming unit forms a plurality of the identification images on the pre-cutting sheet without forming a manuscript image.

The image forming unit forms a plurality of the identification images on the pre-cutting sheet so that the identification images are arranged at predetermined positions on the post-cutting sheets.

The image forming unit sets the contrast between the identification image and the background image of the identification image and the background image at a predetermined position on the sheet after each cutting to be equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. Form as.

The control unit switches a plurality of operation modes of the image forming apparatus. In a predetermined first mode among the plurality of operation modes, the image forming unit corresponds to the identification image identifying each of the plurality of post-cutting sheets with the post-cutting sheet on the pre-cutting sheet. It is formed at the position where it is to be used. The identification image of each post-cutting sheet is associated with the target size and shape of the post-cutting sheet when the pre-cutting sheet is cut at the target cutting position. The control unit detects the size and shape of each of the one or more post-cut sheets and the identification image from the read image generated by reading one or more of the plurality of post-cut sheets. The detected size and shape of at least one post-cut sheet are compared with the target size and shape associated with the identification image detected from the post-cut sheet, respectively, and based on the result of the comparison, the above Judge the quality of the cutting process.

In a predetermined second mode of the plurality of operation modes, the image forming unit has a plurality of original images on the pre-cutting sheet so that the original image is arranged on each of the post-cutting sheets. To form. The control unit determines the quality of the original image from the read image generated by reading one or more of the plurality of cut sheets.

The image forming unit forms a plurality of the identification images on the pre-cutting sheet so that the identification image is arranged at a position designated by the user on each of the plurality of post-cutting sheets.

The image forming apparatus further includes a scanner. The scanner produces the scanned image by scanning one or more of the plurality of post-cut sheets. The scanner is provided on the downstream side or the upstream side of the cutting portion in the transport direction of the pre-cutting sheet.

According to other embodiments, an image forming system is provided. The image forming system includes the image forming apparatus and a scanner. The scanner produces the scanned image by scanning one or more of the plurality of post-cut sheets.

According to still other embodiments, a method of controlling the image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming portion that forms an image on a pre-cutting sheet, a cutting portion that performs a cutting process on the pre-cutting sheet on which the image is formed, and cuts into a plurality of post-cutting sheets. It includes a control unit that controls the device. The image forming unit forms an identification image for identifying each of the plurality of post-cutting sheets at a position on the pre-cutting sheet corresponding to the post-cutting sheet. The identification image of each post-cutting sheet is associated with the target size and shape of the post-cutting sheet when the pre-cutting sheet is cut at the target cutting position. In the control method, the control unit reads the size and shape of each of the one or more sheets after cutting from the read image generated by reading one or more of the plurality of sheets after cutting, and the identification image. And the step of detecting, and the control unit determines the detected size and shape of at least one of the post-cut sheets as the target size and the target size associated with the identification image detected from the post-cut sheet, respectively. The step of comparing with the shape and the step of the control unit determining the quality of the cutting process based on the result of the comparison are included.

According to still other embodiments, a program for controlling the image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit that forms an image on the pre-cutting sheet, and a cutting unit that performs a cutting process on the pre-cutting sheet on which the image is formed and cuts the plurality of post-cutting sheets. The image forming unit forms an identification image for identifying each of the plurality of post-cutting sheets at a position corresponding to the post-cutting sheet on the pre-cutting sheet, and the identification image of each post-cutting sheet is the cutting. When the front sheet is cut at the target cutting position, the target size and shape of the post-cut sheet are associated. The program describes the size and shape of each of the one or more post-cut sheets and the size and shape of each of the one or more post-cut sheets from a read image generated by reading one or more of the plurality of post-cut sheets by a computer of the image forming apparatus. The step of detecting the identification image and the detected size and shape of at least one post-cut sheet are compared with the target size and shape associated with the discriminating image detected from the post-cut sheet, respectively. The step of determining the quality of the cutting process and the step of determining the quality of the cutting process based on the result of the comparison are executed.

According to a certain embodiment, the accuracy of determining the quality of the cutting process can be improved. The above and other objectives, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present disclosure as understood in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the image formation system 50. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware composition of the control device 150 in association with other devices. It is a figure which shows typically how the pre-cutting sheet 310 is processed in an image forming unit 125, a cutting apparatus 130 and a reading apparatus 155. It is a block diagram explaining an example of the structure of the image formation system 50 for correcting the actual cutting position in the sheet before cutting. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing executed by the image forming apparatus 100. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process (step S445 of FIG. 5) in which a control device 150 determines a correction amount. It is a figure which shows the appearance that the identification images 605A to 605I are formed on the sheet 600 before cutting. It is a figure which shows the sheet 600A-I after cutting which each identification image 605A-605I was formed | formed. It is a figure which shows an example of the scanned image data. It is a figure which shows the appearance that the identification image is formed in the region different from the region where the original image is formed in the sheet after cutting. It is a figure which shows the appearance that the solid image is formed as the background image of the identification image by the image formation unit 125. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing executed by the image forming apparatus 100. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the process (step S1115 of FIG. 12) in which a control device 150 determines a correction amount and stores it in a storage unit. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the processing executed by the image forming apparatus 100. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure in a print job.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names are the same. Therefore, the detailed description of them will not be repeated. When referring to the number or quantity, the scope of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to the number or quantity, unless otherwise specified.

[Explanation of terms]
The main terms used in the present disclosure will be described below.

The "sheet" is a recording medium in which an image is formed on a sheet surface, and includes, for example, paper and a sheet-like recording medium made of a material other than paper.

The "pre-cutting sheet" represents one sheet before cutting, and the "post-cutting sheet" represents each sheet after one sheet is cut into a plurality of sheets.

The “target cutting position” is a position on the pre-cutting sheet and represents a position where the pre-cutting sheet should be cut according to the print job. The "actual cutting position" is a position on the pre-cutting sheet and represents a position where the pre-cutting sheet is actually cut. “Cut deviation” represents a deviation between the actual cutting position and the target cutting position.

The "size" of a sheet is information representing the length of each side of the sheet. For example, when the sheet is a quadrangle, the "size" is information representing the lengths of the four sides of the quadrangle. Further, the "shape" of the sheet is information representing the internal angle of the sheet. For example, when the sheet is a quadrangle, the "shape" is information representing the four internal angles of the quadrangle.

In addition, the "target position", "target size", and "target shape" of each post-cutting sheet are expected to be obtained when the pre-cutting sheet is cut at the target cutting position, respectively. Indicates the position of the sheet before cutting and the size and shape of the sheet after cutting. For example, the target position, the target size, and the target shape can be determined from the size and shape of the sheet before cutting and the target cutting position.

<Embodiment 1>
[Overview of hardware configuration of image formation system and its operation]
The hardware configuration of the image forming system 50 in the first embodiment and the data structure in the print job will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 15. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming system 50. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure in a print job.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 50 includes an image forming apparatus 100 and at least one client terminal 105. The image forming apparatus 100 receives, for example, a print job from the client terminal 105.

The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the client terminal 105 by a communication line 110. The communication line 110 may be wired or wireless.

In the example of FIG. 1, the client terminal 105 is shown as a stationary PC (Personal Computer). In another aspect, the client terminal 105 can be realized by an information processing device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal.

With reference to FIG. 15, the print job 60 includes manuscript data 62 and setting information 64. The manuscript data 62 includes data such as figures, characters, and symbols. As an example, the setting information 64 includes identification information 70A to 70D, a job ID 80, a file name 82, a target cutting position 84, a size and shape 86 of a sheet before cutting, and the number of copies (not shown). .. The setting information 64 of FIG. 15 includes four identification information (identification information 70A to 70D) corresponding to a case where four sheets after cutting are acquired, for example, but the number of identification information included in the setting information 64 is It is changed according to the number of sheets to be obtained after cutting.

The identification information 70A to 70D are information corresponding to the sheet after cutting, respectively, and include a target position 72A of the sheet after cutting, a target size 74A and a target shape 76A in association with the target position 72A. In the embodiment, the target position 72A of the post-cutting sheet can be uniquely determined from the size and shape of the pre-cutting sheet and the target cutting position 84. Therefore, the target position 72A of the post-cutting sheet is the post-cutting sheet. It can be used as identification information of.

In another aspect, the target position 72A of the post-cutting sheet may be represented by a target area indicating an area occupied by the post-cutting sheet in the pre-cutting sheet. In the following, in the description common to the identification information (for example, identification information 70A to 70D) of each sheet after cutting, such information is collectively referred to as identification information 70. Similarly, the target positions 72A to 72D, the target sizes 74A to 74D, and the target shapes 76A to 76D are also referred to as the target position 72, the target size 74, and the target shape 76, respectively.

Hereinafter, the control data including the setting information 64 may be referred to as a job ticket. The user can input or change the setting information 64 in the print job 60 by operating the client terminal 105.

With reference to FIG. 1 again, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a printer controller 115, a paper feeding unit 120, an image forming unit 125, cutting devices 130A and 130B, and a conveying device for conveying a sheet along a conveying path 136. It includes 135, a discharge tray 140, an operation panel 145, a control device 150 for controlling the image forming apparatus 100, and a reading device 155.

The printer controller 115 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing based on the original data 62 included in the print job 60 received by the image forming apparatus 100 from the client terminal 105, and generates RIP image data which is bitmap data. ..

The paper feed unit 120 accommodates the sheet. The sheets of the type specified by the print job 60 are taken out one by one from the paper feed unit 120 by the transfer device 135.

The image forming unit 125 forms an image on a sheet taken out from the paper feeding unit 120, that is, a sheet before cutting, based on the RIP image data generated by the printer controller 115. The method by which the image forming unit 125 forms an image on the sheet is not limited. The method may be, for example, an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

The cutting devices 130A and 130B are installed at positions facing each other with the transport path 136 in between. The cutting devices 130A and 130B cut the pre-cutting sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 125 according to the information of the target cutting position 84 in the print job 60. As a result, a plurality of post-cut sheets can be obtained. For example, when the image forming unit 125 prints a plurality of original images on one sheet, the cutting devices 130A and 130B cut the pre-cut sheet for each original image according to the target cutting position 84. Each manuscript image is an image based on the manuscript data 62. Hereinafter, when the cutting devices 130A and 130B are collectively referred to, they are referred to as the cutting device 130.

More specifically, after the transport device 135 temporarily stops the pre-cutting sheet in a predetermined area corresponding to the position where the cutting device 130 is installed in the transport path 136, the blades of the cutting devices 130A and 130B ( (Not shown) moves to cut a pre-cut sheet stopped in the predetermined area. As a result, the pre-cutting sheet is cut. The mode of installation of the cutting device 130 is not limited to the mode of installing the cutting device 130 at opposite positions across the transport path 136.

The transport device 135 has a roller pair 137 which is installed so as to face each other across the transport path 136. The roller pair 137 rotates the sheet in a predetermined direction while holding the sheet, thereby transporting the sheet along the transport path 136. Although one roller pair 137 is shown in FIG. 1 for simplification of the description, in reality, a plurality of roller pairs may be arranged in the transport path 136.

The operation panel 145 receives an operation input to the image forming apparatus 100 from the user. Further, the operation panel 145 displays a screen such as a setting screen based on a command from the control device 150. A more detailed hardware configuration of the operation panel 145 will be described with reference to FIG.

The reading device 155 generates the reading image data by optically reading the sheet on which the image is formed. In the example of FIG. 1, the reading device 155 generates the read image data by optically reading the sheet placed on the platen 157 or the ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 160. In a certain aspect, the reading device 155 is realized by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor.

In another aspect, the reading device 155 may be provided downstream of the cutting device 130 in the transport path 136 and between the cutting device 130 and the discharge tray 140. In this case, the transport device 135 transports the sheet after cutting in the order of the cutting device 130, the reading device 155, and the discharge tray 140. That is, the reading device 155 may be provided on either the downstream side or the upstream side of the cutting device 130 in the sheet conveying direction.

The platen 157 is a table that constitutes a surface for sandwiching the sheet together with the reading device 155. In one aspect, the platen 157 is composed of a glass surface. The reading device 155 generates read image data by, for example, irradiating a sheet placed on the platen 157 with light from a light source and receiving the light reflected from the sheet by an image pickup device or the like. The ADF 160 automatically sends the placed sheets to the reading device 155 in sequence.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the control device 150 in association with other devices. The control device 150 communicates with the printer controller 115, the cutting device 130, the reading device 155, the transport device 135, and the operation panel 145 connecting the image forming unit 125 via the bus 227.

The operation panel 145 includes an input device 230 and a display device 235. The operation panel 145 may be composed of a touch screen in which an input device 230 such as a plurality of touch sensors and a display device 235 such as a liquid crystal monitor are combined. The operation panel 145 may further include a plurality of physical keys as the input device 230.

The control device 150 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 205, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 210, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 212, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 215, and a bus 225 connecting these components. And.

The CPU 205 executes a control program for controlling the image forming apparatus 100.
The ROM 210 stores a program such as an OS (Operating System) executed by the CPU 200. In some aspects, the ROM 210 may be realized by an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) or a flash memory.

The RAM 212 stores an application program executed by the CPU 205 and referenced data. In a certain aspect, the RAM 212 can be realized by SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory).

The HDD 215 is an example of an auxiliary storage device, and stores various programs and data used in the image forming apparatus 100. In another aspect, SSD (Solid State Drive) or the like may be used instead of HDD 215.

When an external storage medium 218 such as an HDD is detachably attached, the data reader / writer 217 writes data or a program containing an image to the attached storage medium 218 based on a command from the CPU 205, or writes data or a program to the attached storage medium 218. , Read data or program from storage medium 218. The storage medium 218 is not limited to the HDD, and the information such as the program can be read electrically, magnetically, optically, and mechanically so that the computer or other device can read the information such as the recorded program. Or it includes a medium to be stored by chemical action.

The communication device 220 communicates with an external device such as the client terminal 105 via the communication line 110. In some aspects, the communication device 220 is implemented by a wired LAN (Local Area Network) port, a Wi-Fi® (Wireless Fidelity) module, and the like. The image forming apparatus 100 receives a job from an external device such as the client terminal 105 via the communication apparatus 220. The image forming apparatus 100 may include a plurality of communication devices 220.

[Specific example of operation of image formation system]
A specific example of the operation of the image forming system 50 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing how the pre-cutting sheet 310 is processed by the image forming unit 125, the cutting device 130, and the reading device 155.

The storage device 325 includes a ROM 210, a RAM 212, an HDD 220, and the like. The storage device 325 stores data such as a print job 60, for example.

The operation of the control device 150, the image forming unit 125, the transport device 135, the cutting device 130, and the reading device 155 is obtained by cutting the pre-cut sheet 310 and obtaining the post-cut sheets 310A and 310B. Cases corresponding to the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting will be described as an example.

The control device 150 receives the print job 60 transmitted by the client terminal 105 and stores it in the storage device 325. The control device 150 acquires the setting information 64 from the received print job 60.

The transport device 135 takes out the pre-cutting sheet 310 from the paper feed unit 120, and transports the taken-out pre-cutting sheet 310 to the image forming unit 125.

The image forming unit 125 forms impositioned original images 315A and 315B on the pre-cutting sheet 310 in accordance with a command from the control device 150. Here, imposition refers to a process of arranging a plurality of images on one sheet.

At this time, the image forming unit 125 acquires the identification information 70A and 70B of the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting from the setting information 64 of the print job 60, and based on the acquired identification information, the identification image 317A representing the identification information. , 317B are formed on the pre-cutting sheet 310 together with the original images 315A and 315B. The image forming unit 125 forms the identification image 317A in the region based on the target position 72A represented by the identification information 70A of the sheet 310A after cutting, and sets the identification image 317B in the target position 72B represented by the identification information 70B of the sheet 310B after cutting. Form in the base area. The identification image represents a character or a graphic.

In the embodiment, the image forming unit 125 forms an image based on the identifier of the post-cutting sheet as identification images 317A and 317B on the post-cutting sheet. Therefore, the identifier is acquired by reading (scanning) the identification images 317A and 317B on the sheet after cutting by the reading device 155. In the present embodiment, this identifier is, for example, the target position 72A, but is not limited to the target position 72A. Further, the control device 150 searches the setting information 64 for the target size 74A and the target shape 76A associated with the target position 72A based on the target position 72A read from the identification image of the sheet after cutting. As a result, the control device 150 can acquire the target position 72A, the target size 74A, and the target shape 76A of the post-cut sheet from the identification image formed on each post-cut sheet.

Regarding the formation of the image, more specifically, the printer controller 115 generates the first RIP image data by performing the RIP process on the original data 62. The printer controller 115 further generates the second RIP image data corresponding to the identification images 317A and 317B, and then superimposes the second RIP image data on the first RIP image data to add the second RIP image data to the third RIP image data. RIP image data is generated. The image forming unit 125 forms an image on the pre-cutting sheet 310 based on the third RIP image data. As a result, in the pre-cutting sheet 310, the identification images 317A and 317B are formed in the region based on each target position 72 described above. In another aspect, the image forming unit 125 does not have to form the impositioned original images 315A and 315B on the pre-cutting sheet 310. At this time, the image forming unit forms the identification images 317A and 317B on the sheet after cutting based on the second RIP image data.

After the image forming unit 125 forms the identification images 317A and 317B on the sheet after cutting, the transport device 135 transports the pre-cut sheet 310 on which the identification images 317A and 317B are formed to the cutting device 130. The cutting device 130 performs a cutting process for cutting the conveyed pre-cut sheet 310 in accordance with a command from the control device 150 based on the target cutting position 84 represented by the setting information 64. As a result, the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting are obtained. At this time, the corresponding identification images 317A and 317B are arranged on each of the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting.

After the cutting device 130 cuts the pre-cut sheet 310, the transport device 135 discharges the post-cut sheets 310A and 310B to the discharge tray 140. Then, for example, the user transports the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting to the reading device 155.

The method of transporting the sheets 310A and 310B to the reading device 155 after cutting is not limited to the transportation by the user, for example, the transportation by a robot may be used. In another aspect, when the reading device 155 is provided between the cutting device 130 and the discharge tray 140, the transport device 135 transports the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting from the cutting device 130 to the reading device 155.

The scanning device 155 generates scanned image data by optically reading the post-cut sheets 310A and 310B on which the original image 315A and the identification image 317A and the original image 315B and the identification image 317B are formed, respectively.

The control device 150 determines the quality of the cutting process using the image data read from the reading device 155, and determines the correction amount of the cutting position based on the result of the determination, as described with reference to FIG.

(Identification of misalignment of cutting position)
The control device 150 identifies the cutting deviation based on the read image data in order to determine the quality of the cutting process. To identify the cutting deviation, specify whether the actual cutting position deviates from the target cutting position 84 on the upstream side or the downstream side, and whether the actual cutting position is parallel or diagonal to the target cutting position 84. Includes identification of whether or not it is deviated in the direction of.

In embodiments, the target cutting position 84 within the pre-cut sheet 310 can be represented using, for example, the distance from the lower end or the upper end of the pre-cut sheet 310. The lower and upper ends of the pre-cutting sheet are the downstream end and the upstream end of the pre-cut sheet 310 with respect to the transport direction, respectively. The target cutting position 84 may also be represented by a distance from the right end of the pre-cut sheet 310 or a distance from the left end with respect to the transport direction.

Here, as a comparative case, a case where the image forming unit 125 does not form the identification images 317A and 317B on the pre-cutting sheet 310 will be described. For example, in FIG. 3, the original image 315A and the original image 315B are the same image, and as a result of not cutting at the target cutting position 84 on the pre-cut sheet 310, the size of the post-cut sheet 310A and the size of the post-cut sheet 310B Assume that the size is different. In this case, the image forming unit 125 does not form the identification images 317A and 317B including the information of the target cutting position 84 on the pre-cutting sheet 310. At this time, the control device 150 cannot identify how the actual cutting position of the pre-cutting sheet 310 and the target cutting position 84 are deviated from the read image data of the post-cutting sheets 310A and 310B.

For example, in the above case, as in the example of FIG. 3, the cutting device 130 cuts the pre-cut sheet 310 in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the pre-cut sheet 310. At this time, the control device 150 determines whether the actual cutting position of the pre-cutting sheet 310 is shifted to the downstream side or the upstream side with respect to the transport direction with respect to the target cutting position 84. It is not possible to specify which one.

On the other hand, in the embodiment, the image forming unit 125 forms the identification images 317A and 317B on the pre-cutting sheet 310, so that the control device 150 controls the post-cutting sheets 310A and 310B acquired from the identification images 317A and 317B. The target positions 72A and B and the target sizes 74A and B can be used to identify whether or not the cutting deviation has occurred and the mode of the cutting deviation.

More specifically, the control device 150 uses the read image data read from the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting by the reading device 155 to form the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting according to a known image processing program stored in the ROM 210. The size is detected, and the detected detected size is compared with the target sizes 74A and B of the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting, respectively. From the comparison results, the control device 150 can obtain information that, for example, the detection size of the sheet 310A after cutting is smaller than the target size 74A, and the detection size of the sheet 310B after cutting is larger than the target size 74B. You can get the size deviation information.

In the example of FIG. 3, the control device 150 has the target cutting positions 72A and B of the identification images 317A and 317B and the target cutting position 84 of the pre-cutting sheet 310. For example, the identification image 317A is larger than the target cutting position 84. It is possible to acquire information that the identification image 317B is on the upstream side with respect to the transport direction and is on the downstream side with respect to the transport direction from the target cutting position 84. In the control device 150, the actual cutting position on the pre-cutting sheet 310 is displaced upstream from the target cutting position 84 in the sheet transport direction based on the acquired information and the size deviation information described above. You can judge that you are.

Similarly, the control device 150 detects the shapes of the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting from the read image data, the detected shapes detected from the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting, and the target shapes 76A and B of the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting. And can be compared with each other, and from the result of the comparison, it can be determined whether or not the shapes of the two are different. For example, in the control device 150, when the target shapes 76A and B of the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting show a rectangle and the detected shapes of the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting show a trapezoid, the actual cutting position is the target cutting position. It can be determined that the deviation is diagonal compared to 84.

As described above, the control device 150 can determine whether or not the cutting deviation has occurred based on the detection size and the detection shape of the sheets 310A and 310B after cutting. Further, the control device 150 can identify how the actual cutting position deviates from the target cutting position 84 when the cutting deviation occurs. More specifically, in the control device 150, whether the actual cutting position deviates from the target cutting position 84 on the upstream side or the downstream side, and the actual cutting position is the target cutting position 84 in the sheet transport direction. It can be specified whether the deviation is parallel to the target cutting position 84 or diagonally with respect to the target cutting position 84.

(Operation during cutting and operation during correction)
The operation of each part when cutting the pre-cutting sheet 310 in the image forming apparatus 100 and the operation of each part when correcting the cutting position will be described.

First, when the pre-cutting sheet 310 is cut at the target cutting position 84, the control device 150 controls the cutting device 130 and the transport device 135 in accordance with a control command based on the target cutting position 84 of the print job 60. Specifically, the driver 305 of the cutting device 130 converts a control command from the control device 150 into a rotation amount (information such as the number of rotations, a rotation direction, and a rotation angle) of a motor (not shown) possessed by the cutting device 130. Then, a control signal indicating the amount of rotation is transmitted to the cutting device 130.

The motor of the cutting device 130 rotates according to the control signal, and the blade operates in conjunction with this rotation operation, that is, the position and posture (tilt, etc.) of the blade change. Therefore, the control device 150 sets the seat according to the control command. The cutting position can be adjusted. For example, the control device 150 can control the cutting device 130 according to a control command so that the actual cutting position becomes the target cutting position 84.

The control device 150 controls the transfer device 135 according to a control command. Specifically, the driver 300 of the transfer device 135 converts the control command from the control device 150 into the rotation amount of the motor (not shown) of the transfer device 135, and the motor controls based on the rotation amount after the conversion. Rotate according to the signal. The roller pair 137 connected to the motor rotates in conjunction with the rotational operation of the motor. As a result, the control device 150 can adjust the sheet transport direction and the transport speed in the transport path 136 according to the control command.

Further, when the pre-cutting sheet 310 detects that the sheet 310 has reached a predetermined area corresponding to the position where the cutting device 130 is installed in the transport path 136, the control device 150 sends a control signal for temporarily stopping the transport device 135. Is output. At this time, the control device 150 outputs a control signal for cutting the pre-cutting sheet 310 at the target cutting position 84 to the cutting device 130 together with the control signal. As a result, the pre-cutting sheet 310 is cut after being temporarily stopped in a predetermined area.

Next, the operation of each part at the time of correcting the cutting position will be described. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the control device 150 sets the actual cutting position of the pre-cutting sheet 310 to the target cutting position 84 based on the correction amount determined based on the read image data. Can be corrected.

For example, the control device 150 outputs a control signal based on the correction amount to the driver 305. The driver 305 outputs the amount of rotation according to the control signal to the cutting device 130. As a result, the position or orientation of the blade of the cutting device 130 is adjusted by the control signal based on the correction amount. As a result, the actual cutting position of the pre-cutting sheet 310 is corrected to be the target cutting position 84 by using the correction amount.

Here, the actual correction of the cutting position is not limited to the method performed by using the cutting device 130. For example, the correction may be performed by adjusting the position of the pre-cutting sheet 310 in a predetermined area by using the transport device 135.

Specifically, the control device 150 adjusts the sheet transfer speed and transfer timing in the transfer path 136 via the driver 300 and the transfer device 135 by outputting a control signal based on the correction amount. Thereby, the position of the pre-cutting sheet 310 in the predetermined area can be adjusted according to the correction amount.
[Configuration to realize correction of cutting position]
With reference to FIG. 4, the correction of the actual cutting position in the pre-cutting sheet will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image forming system 50 for correcting the actual cutting position on the pre-cutting sheet.

In FIG. 4, the image forming system 50 includes a control unit 400, a generation unit 402, and a storage unit 405.

The control unit 400 is realized by the CPU 205 reading a program stored in the ROM 210, the HDD 215, or the like and executing the program while expanding the program in the RAM 212.

The generation unit 402 is realized by the reading device 155. In another aspect, the generation unit 402 may be realized by a handy scanner which is a scanner in a housing different from the image forming apparatus 100 and which is mechanically offline from the image forming apparatus 100. At that time, the image forming apparatus 100 may acquire the read image data generated by the handy scanner via the data reader / writer 217.

The storage unit 405 is realized by a ROM 210, a RAM 212, an HDD 215, or the like. The storage unit 405 stores reference image data 458, standard data 460, history information 465, and operation information 470.

The reference image data 458 is image data that serves as a reference for each original image, which is used by the control unit 400 to determine the quality of the original image formed on each sheet after cutting. The reference image data will be described later with reference to FIG.

The standard data 460 is standard image data representing an identification image formed on the read and cut sheet. The storage unit 405 may store the standard data 460 corresponding to each of the plurality of identification images formed on the pre-cutting sheet. The number of standard data 460 is the same as the number of identification images formed on the pre-cutting sheet.

The history information 465 is information indicating the history of the actual correction of the cutting position performed by the image forming apparatus 100. The history information 465 includes a correction amount used for each correction. The history information will be described later with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

The operation information 470 indicates the operation results of the device related to the cutting process of the image forming device 100. The operation information 470 represents an operation record recorded for at least one of, for example, the cutting device 130 and the transport device 135 as the device related to the cutting process. The operation information 470 includes, but is not limited to, for example, the operation time of the at least one device, the total number of sheets transported or cut, and the like.

The control unit 400 includes a size detection unit 410, a shape detection unit 415, an information acquisition unit 420, a correction amount determination unit 425, and a signal generation unit 430. The correction amount determination unit 425 includes a calculation unit 435 and 440 and a determination unit 450.

In FIG. 4, the read image data is image data generated by the reading device 155 reading at least one of the sheets after cutting.

The size detection unit 410 detects the size of the read sheet after cutting from the read image data. More specifically, when the reading device 155 generates one read image data by reading a plurality of sheets after cutting, the read image data includes a plurality of partial image data. The size detection unit 410 detects the size of the corresponding post-cut sheet from each of the plurality of partial image data.

The partial image data is image data representing a portion of the read image data that represents a sheet after cutting. For example, when the reading device 155 generates one read image data by reading a plurality of post-cut sheets by one scan (reading operation), the read image data is the read multiple post-cut sheets. It may include partial image data corresponding to each.

The shape detection unit 415 detects the shape of the read sheet after cutting from the read image data. More specifically, when one read image data includes a plurality of partial image data, the shape detection unit 415 detects the shape of the corresponding post-cut sheet from each of the plurality of partial image data.

The information acquisition unit 420 acquires the identification information indicated by the identification image from the reading image data and the identification image formed on the read sheet after cutting. More specifically, when one read image data includes a plurality of partial image data, the information acquisition unit 420 obtains an identification image formed on the corresponding post-cutting sheet from each of the plurality of partial image data. By detecting, the identification information represented by the identification image is acquired. That is, the information acquisition unit 420 acquires the target position 72, the target size 74, and the target shape 76 of the post-cutting sheet on which the identification image is formed.
(Method of determining the amount of correction)
The correction amount determination unit 425 is so large that correction is necessary based on the evaluation value according to the detection size of the sheet after cutting detected by the size detection unit 410 and the detected shape of the sheet after cutting detected by the shape detection unit 415. It is determined whether or not "cutting deviation" has occurred, and the correction amount is determined based on the result of the determination.

First, the evaluation of the detection size of the sheet after cutting will be described. The calculation unit 435 calculates a first evaluation value indicating the degree of difference between the detected size of the sheet after cutting in the partial image data and the target size 74 represented by the identification image formed on the sheet after cutting. For example, the calculation unit 435 calculates an evaluation value from the target size 74 acquired from the identification image of the sheet after cutting by the information acquisition unit 420 and the detection size of the sheet after cutting detected by the size detection unit 410. ..

More specifically, the calculation unit 435 calculates the difference between the length of each side indicated by the detection size of the sheet after cutting and the length of the side indicated by the target size 74, and shows the calculated difference of each side. A vector evaluation value having a value as an element can be calculated as a first evaluation value. The method of calculating the first evaluation value is not limited to the method using the vector evaluation value.

For example, if the sheet after cutting is rectangular and the sheet is not tilted with respect to the transport direction, each of the elements will have sides corresponding to the top, bottom, right and left edges, respectively, with respect to the transport direction. Regarding length. More specifically, among the elements, the element related to the upper edge of the post-cut sheet is the length of the upper edge of the post-cut sheet in the partial image data and the post-cut element at the target size 74 represented by the corresponding identification image. It can be the difference from the length of the top edge of the sheet. The same applies to the elements related to the lower end, right edge, and left edge of the sheet after cutting.

Next, the evaluation of the detected shape of the sheet after cutting will be described. The calculation unit 440 calculates a second evaluation value indicating the degree of difference between the detected shape of the sheet after cutting in the partial image data and the target shape 76 represented by the identification image formed on the sheet after cutting. Specifically, the calculation unit 440 calculates the difference between each internal angle of the sheet after cutting indicated by the detected shape and the internal angle indicated by the target shape 76, and vector evaluation using the value of the difference corresponding to each internal angle as an element. The value can be calculated as a second evaluation value. The calculation unit 435 can calculate a second evaluation value for each of the read sheets after cutting.

For example, if a sheet after cutting is rectangular and the sheet is not tilted with respect to the transport direction, each of the elements will have a first angle, a second angle, and a second of the four angles, respectively. It relates to the magnitude of the third angle and the fourth angle. More specifically, when the sheet after cutting in the partial image data is rectangular and the shape represented by the identification image is also rectangular, the second evaluation value as the vector evaluation value is (0,0,0,0). Can be. The method of calculating the second evaluation value is not limited to the method using the vector evaluation value.

Based on the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value, the determination unit 450 determines whether the cutting process is good or bad, that is, whether or not the cutting deviation has occurred to the extent that correction is necessary, and determines the judgment result of the good or bad. Output. In this output mode, the determination result is output via the display device 235, is output via the client terminal 105, or the result of the quality determination of the cutting process is stored in the storage device 325 (storage unit 405) as history information 465. Includes aspects such as By outputting the judgment result of the quality of the cutting process, it is possible to output a notification to the user of the judgment result.

Specifically, the determination unit 450 calculates the cutting deviation based on the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value as the vector evaluation value. As an example, the determination unit 450 can calculate the cutting deviation of the pre-cutting sheet in the transport direction and the cutting deviation in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the pre-cutting sheet.

For example, when a certain post-cutting sheet is rectangular, the determination unit 450 determines that the lengths of the left and right edges of the post-cutting sheet indicated by the detection size of the post-cutting sheet are determined from the first evaluation value of the post-cutting sheet. To the same extent, it can be determined that the target size 74 of the sheet after cutting is smaller than the lengths of the left end and the right end so as to exceed a predetermined threshold value.

Further, the determination unit 450 determines from the second evaluation value of the post-cut sheet the four angles of the post-cut sheet indicated by the detected shape of the post-cut sheet and the four angles indicated by the target shape 76 of the post-cut sheet. It can be determined that the difference between the two and each is 0, which is less than a predetermined threshold value.

The determination unit 450 can determine that the cutting deviation is more than the threshold value in the transport direction from these determination results for the read post-cutting sheet and the target position 72 of the post-cutting sheet. Further, the determination unit 450 may determine that the angle of the cutting device 130 with respect to the pre-cutting sheet or the angle (orientation) of the post-cutting sheet with respect to the transport direction does not need to be corrected. From these determination results, since the cutting deviation exceeds the threshold value in the transport direction, the determination unit 450 determines that the cutting process is "defective".

At this time, the determination unit 450 calculates the amount of deviation of the cutting deviation in the transport direction based on the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value for the read sheet after cutting. The determination unit 450 determines the correction amount of the actual cutting position based on the calculated deviation amount of the cutting deviation. The determination unit 450 determines the correction amount by a predetermined calculation or by using a look-up table (not shown) stored in the storage unit 405.

In another aspect, the determination unit 450 determines the angle of the cutting device 130 with respect to the pre-cutting sheet, or the transport direction, when at least one of the elements of the second evaluation value as the vector evaluation value exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The correction amount of the angle of the sheet after cutting may be determined. The method for determining the actual correction amount of the cutting position is the same even when the cutting device 130 cuts the pre-cut sheet into three or more post-cut sheets.

Further, for example, there is a condition that the elements of the first evaluation value as the vector evaluation value are all less than the threshold value and the elements of the second evaluation value are all less than the threshold value for a certain post-cutting sheet. If so, the determination unit 450 may determine that the cutting deviation has not occurred to the extent that correction is required.

As described above, when the cutting unit 450 does not have a cutting deviation that requires correction based on at least one of the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value of the sheet after cutting, that is, the cutting process is ". When it is judged as "good", it is not necessary to determine the correction amount of the actual cutting position. In another aspect, the determination unit 450 may determine the correction amount of the actual cutting position even when the cutting deviation does not occur to the extent that the correction is necessary. In this case, the actual correction of the cutting position using the determined correction amount does not have to be performed.

The signal generation unit 430 generates a control command signal for operating at least one of the driver 300 and the driver 305 based on the correction amount determined by the determination unit 450. When at least one of the cutting device 130 and the conveying device 135 operates in accordance with the control command, the actual cutting position on the pre-cutting sheet is corrected so as to eliminate the cutting deviation, that is, to be the target cutting position 84.
(Other aspects of control unit operation)
In another aspect, the control unit 400 may use the operation information 470 to determine the correction amount. In general, the cutting device 130 and the transport device 135 may wear over time as the time during which the image forming device 100 operates increases. Therefore, the user may obtain the relationship between the operation information 470 and the amount of deviation between the target cutting position 84 and the actual cutting position, for example, by an experiment. The control unit 400 may determine the correction amount based on the deviation amount between the actual cutting position and the target cutting position 84 obtained from the read image data and the above relationship.

In still another aspect, the control unit 400 may output information indicating the correction amount to the user based on the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value for the read sheet after cutting. As described above, the determination unit 450 sets a threshold value in the transport direction between the actual cutting position on a certain post-cutting sheet and the target cutting position 84 based on the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value, for example. It can be determined that the deviation exceeds the limit. At this time, the control unit 400 may output a notification of information indicating the correction amount of the actual cutting position with respect to the transport direction.

At this time, the user can specify the correction amount via the input device 230 based on the output information. The user, for example, has a correction amount indicating how much the cutting position on the pre-cutting sheet is moved to the upstream side or the downstream side with respect to the transport direction of the pre-cutting sheet, or how much to move to the right or left side with respect to the transport direction. It is possible to specify a correction amount or the like indicating whether or not to make it. The user may specify at least one of the orientation of the cutting blade included in the cutting apparatus 130 and the orientation of the pre-cutting sheet with respect to the transport direction of the pre-cutting sheet as the correction amount. The control unit 400 corrects the actual cutting position of the pre-cutting sheet based on the designated correction amount.

In still another aspect, when the identification image cannot be recognized from the partial image data included in the read image data, the control unit 400 may output a notification to that effect. More specifically, the control unit 400 collates the area image data representing the identification image in a certain partial image data with each standard data 460 stored in the storage unit 405. The control unit 400 may output a notification that the identification image cannot be recognized based on the fact that the image of the standard data 460 that matches the identification image cannot be identified based on the collation result.

In such a case where the image of the standard data 460 that matches the identification image cannot be recognized, for example, the amount of toner and ink is reduced, and the density of the identification image formed on the pre-cutting sheet by the image forming unit 125 is reduced. It may be. Therefore, the output information motivates the user to check whether the remaining amount of toner, ink, or the like is insufficient.

The output destinations of the information indicating the correction amount and the information indicating that the identification image cannot be recognized include, for example, the display device 235, the client terminal 105, and the storage unit 405. The control unit 400 can notify the user of this information via the display device 235 or the client terminal 105. Further, the storage unit 405 stores this information as a history.

[Control structure for correcting the cutting position]
Hereinafter, the control structure of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a process (step S445 of FIG. 5) in which the control device 150 determines the correction amount.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing how the identification images 605A to 605I are formed on the pre-cutting sheet 600. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing post-cut sheets 600A to I on which identification images 605A to 605I are formed, respectively. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of scanned image data.

In a certain aspect, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 shown below is realized by the CPU 200 executing the control program stored in the ROM 210.

With reference to FIG. 5, in step S405, the control device 150 receives the print job 60 from the client terminal 105 via the communication device 220.

In step S410, the control device 150 acquires the original data 62 from the received print job 60. Further, the control device 150 acquires the setting information 64 from the job ticket included in the print job 60.

In step S415, the control device 150 transmits a control command to the printer controller 115 so as to generate a RIP image from the document data 62. The printer controller 115 generates a RIP image (first RIP image) from the document data 62 based on the control command.

In step S420, the control device 150 determines whether or not cutting is specified for the print job 60 based on, for example, whether or not the job ticket setting information 64 includes the target cutting position 84 (step S420). ). When the control device 150 determines that cutting is specified in the print job 60 (YES in step S420), the control device 150 advances the control to step S425. If not (NO in step S420), controller 150 advances control to step S435.

In step S425, the control device 150 controls the printer controller 115 so as to add a RIP image (second RIP image) corresponding to the plurality of identification images to the generated RIP image (first RIP image). Send a command. Each of the plurality of identification images is an identification image to be formed on the pre-cutting sheet together with each impositioned original image. The printer controller 115 generates a third RIP image by adding a second RIP image to the first RIP image.

In step S435, the control device 150 transmits a control command for printing the original image and the identification image on the pre-cutting sheet to the image forming unit 125 via the printer controller 115. The image forming unit 125 prints (forms) the original image and the identification image on the pre-cutting sheet based on the third RIP image according to the control command.

An example of the pre-cutting sheet 600 in which the identification image is formed by the image forming unit 125 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The image forming unit 125 forms the identification images 605A to 605I on the pre-cutting sheet 600. The left side of FIG. 7 shows the transport direction of the sheet 600 before cutting. In FIG. 7, a virtual Y-axis extending along the upper end 610 of the pre-cutting sheet 600, a virtual X-axis extending along the left end 615, and an origin O which is an intersection of the X-axis and the Y-axis are shown. .. Further, for the sake of simplification of the explanation, the original image formed on the pre-cutting sheet 600 is not shown.

In step S440, the control device 150 determines whether or not cutting is specified in the print job 60 based on the job ticket. When the control device 150 determines that cutting is specified (YES in step S440), the control device 150 advances the control to step S442. If it is determined that cutting is not specified (NO in step S440), the control device 150 advances control to step S455.

In step S442, the control device 150 cuts the pre-cut sheet 600 based on the target cutting position 84 (for example, the position of the broken line in FIG. 7) indicated by the job ticket setting information 64, and the cutting device 130 and the transfer device 150. Control device 135. As a result, the cutting device 130 carries out the cutting process, and as a result, the pre-cut sheets 600A to 600I as shown in FIG. 8 are obtained from the pre-cut sheets 600. Identification images 605A to 605I are formed on the sheets 600A to 600I after cutting, respectively. The transport device 135 discharges the sheets 600A to 600I to the discharge tray 140 after cutting.

In the cases of FIGS. 7 and 8, the cutting device 130 follows the target cutting position 84 shown by the broken line in FIG. 7, and the transport direction of the pre-cut sheet 310, that is, the direction in which the X-axis extends and the direction perpendicular to the transport direction. That is, by cutting the post-cut sheet 600 twice in each of the directions in which the Y-axis extends, nine post-cut sheets 600A to 600I can be obtained. In another aspect, the mode in which the cutting device 130 cuts the pre-cutting sheet may be different from the above case. For example, the number of sheets after cutting may be less than 9 or greater than 9.

In FIG. 7, the target cutting position 84 represented by the broken line is, for example, the target cutting position 84 in the X-axis direction is “x1” and “x2”. The target cutting positions 84 in the Y-axis direction are “y1” and “y2”. In other aspects, if the cutting position is at an angle to the X-axis or Y-axis, the cutting position may be represented by an equation, an image, or the like.

With reference to FIG. 8, the target position 72A of the cut sheet 600A on which the identification image 605A is formed uses, for example, the coordinate values of the origin O, x and y coordinates defined by the X and Y axes ( It may be expressed as O, x1, y2, y3). The target positions 72B to 72I of the post-cut sheet on which the other identification image is formed can also be shown in the same manner as the target positions 72A of the post-cut sheet 600A by using the values of the origin O, x coordinate and y coordinate. Here, the actual cutting position shown in FIG. 8 may deviate from the target cutting position 84 shown by the broken line in FIG. 7.

With reference to FIG. 5 again, in step S445, the control device 150 executes a process of determining the correction amount. Details of the process will be described later with reference to FIG.

In step S450, the control device 150, as the signal generation unit 430, sets the actual cutting position as the target cutting position 84 based on the target cutting position 84 represented by the setting information 64 and the correction amount determined in step S445. Is generated, and a control command is transmitted to at least one of the cutting device 130 and the transport device 135. The cutting device 130 cuts the pre-cutting sheet based on the control command.

In step S455, the control device 150 determines whether or not there is still a pre-cut sheet to be printed based on the job ticket. If there is still a pre-cut sheet to print (YES in step S455), the control device 150 returns control to step S435. If not (NO in step S455), the control device 150 ends a series of controls.

A process (step S445 of FIG. 5) in which the control device 150 determines the quality of the cutting process and determines the correction amount based on the result of the determination will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S510, the control device 150 transmits a control command to the reading device 155 so as to read the sheet after cutting on which the identification image is formed. The reading device 155, as the generation unit 402, generates the read image data by reading the sheet after cutting based on the command.

The scanned image data will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. For example, a case where the user places at least one or more of the discharged post-cut sheets on the platen 157 after the post-cut sheets are discharged to the discharge tray 140. When the user places the at least one or more post-cut sheets on the platen 157, the reading device 155 generates the scanned image data by reading the at least one or more post-cut sheets.

At this time, the user may place a plurality of post-cut sheets on the platen 157. In this case, the reading device 155 does not have to read all of the plurality of post-cut sheets at once.

For example, when the user carries the sheets 600A to 600I after cutting to the ADF 160 and then the ADF 160 sequentially sends the sheets after cutting to the reading device 155, the reading device 155 outputs the read image data corresponding to each of the sheets after cutting. Each can be generated. The same may apply when the reading device 155 is provided between the cutting device 130 and the discharge tray 140.

On the other hand, when the user places the post-cut sheets 600A, 600B, 600C on the platen 157, for example, the reading device 155 first of the nine post-cut sheets 600A to 600I, the post-cut sheets 600A, 600B, Read 600C. As a result, the reading device 155 generates the reading image data including the sheets after cutting.

The user may then place a portion of the remaining post-cut sheets, such as the post-cut sheets 600D, 600E, 600F, on the platen 157 instead of the post-cut sheets 600A, 600B, 600C.

At this time, the reading device 155 generates the read image data by reading the sheets after cutting them. The reading device 155 also generates reading image data for the remaining sheets after cutting. In such a case, the reading device 155 generates at least one or more scanned image data before reading all of the plurality of sheets 600A to 600I after cutting.

FIG. 9 shows the scanned image data 800 as an example of the scanned image data in step S510. The scanned image data 800 includes partial image data 810A, 810D and 810G. The partial image data 810A, 810D and 810G correspond to the sheets 600A, 600D and 600G after cutting, respectively. The partial image data 810A, 810D and 810G include region image data 815A, 815D and 815G representing the identification images 605A, 605D and 605G, respectively.

With reference to FIG. 6 again, in step S515, the control device 150 is based on the generated scanned image data, and the control device 150 is the size of the at least one post-cut sheet read by the size detector 410. Is detected. Further, the control device 150 detects the shape of at least one read sheet after cutting as the shape detection unit 415. In addition, the control device 150 acquires the identification information represented by the identification image, that is, the target size 74 and the target shape 76 as the information acquisition unit 420.

In step S517, the control device 150, as the calculation unit 435 and 440, first, for each sheet after cutting, based on the detection size, detection shape, target size 74, and target shape 76 acquired for the sheet after cutting. And the second evaluation value are calculated.

In the example of FIG. 9, the control device 150 is based on the detection size, detection shape, target size 74 and target shape 76 acquired from the partial image data 810A, 810D and 810G corresponding to the sheets 600A, 600D and 600G after cutting. After cutting, the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value corresponding to the sheets 600A, 600D and 600G are calculated. The control device 150 also calculates the first evaluation value and the second evaluation value for the other post-cut sheets 600B to 600I in the same manner as the post-cut sheets 600A, 600D and 600G.

In step S520, the control device 150 determines whether or not the cutting process is good or bad based on the calculated evaluation value, that is, whether or not the cutting deviation has occurred to the extent that correction is necessary. When the control device 150 determines that the cutting deviation has not occurred to the extent that correction is necessary, that is, the cutting process is “good” (NO in step S520), the control device 150 returns the control to step S455. When the control device 150 determines that the cutting deviation has occurred to the extent that correction is necessary, that is, the cutting process is not “good” (YES in step S520), the control device 150 advances the control to step S525.

In step S525, the control device 150 determines the correction amount as the determination unit 450 based on the calculated evaluation value. After that, the control device 150 returns the control to step S450.

For example, in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the control device 150, the lengths of the sides of the cut sheets 600B, 600E, 600H x1 to x2 are the sides indicated by the target size 74A of the identification information 70 of the cut sheets. While shorter than the length so as to exceed the threshold, the length of the sides of x2 to x3 of the sheets 600C, 600F, 600I after cutting is smaller than the length of the sides indicated by the target size 74A of the identification information 70 of the sheets after cutting. In the case where it is determined that the value exceeds the threshold value, the control device 150 determines the correction as follows, for example. Specifically, the control device 150 determines that the actual cutting position corresponding to the target cutting position "x2" is deviated in the transport direction to the extent that it needs to be corrected. Therefore, it is determined that the actual cutting position corresponding to the target cutting position "x1" does not need to be corrected, and that the actual cutting position corresponding to the target cutting position "x2" needs to be corrected. do.

The control device 150 calculates the correction amount of the actual cutting position corresponding to the cutting position "x2" from the determination result of the necessity of the correction. The control device 150, as the signal generation unit 430, uses the correction amount to generate a control signal in which the actual cutting position corresponding to “x2” is corrected in the direction opposite to the transport direction, and the cutting device 130 generates a control signal. And output to at least one of the transport devices 135.

[Effect of Embodiment 1]
According to the first embodiment, the image forming unit 125 forms an identification image associating the target position, the target size and the target shape of each post-cutting sheet on the pre-cutting sheet based on the target position. This is the case when the reading device 155 reads the post-cut sheet placed on the ADF or the platen in order to prevent the post-cut sheets from falling apart in the transport path or the post-cut sheets from overlapping each other. In addition, the control device 150 can accurately identify which target position the read post-cut sheet is the post-cut sheet from the identification image included in the read image. As a result, the target shape and the target size of the sheet after cutting can be accurately specified, and the accuracy of the cutting deviation calculated using the target shape and the target size is improved. As a result, the accuracy of judging the quality of the cutting process based on the cutting deviation is also improved.

Further, since the accuracy of the correction amount based on the cutting deviation is also improved, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the correction process in which the actual cutting position is set as the target cutting position by using the correction amount.

Furthermore, even if each of the original images impositioned on the pre-cutting sheet is the same image, those images can be distinguished by the identification information, so that the cause of the cutting position shift can be identified, and the actual cutting position can be targeted. It can be brought closer to the cutting position.

<Modification example 1>
Other aspects of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 11. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how the identification image is formed in a region different from the region where the original image is formed in the sheet after cutting.

On the left side of FIG. 10, the original images 910A and 915A are formed on the pre-cutting sheet 600A. On the right side of FIG. 10, in addition to the original images 910A and 915A, the identification image 605A is formed on the pre-cutting sheet 600A.

When the image forming unit 125 forms the identification image in the same area as the area where the original images 910A and 915A are formed on the pre-cutting sheet 600A, the control device 150 cannot distinguish the identification image from the original image, and as a result, recognizes the identification image. It may not be possible.

Therefore, the control device 150 may control the image forming unit 125 so as to form the identification image 605A in a region different from the region where the original images 910A and 915 are formed on the sheet 600A after cutting. The same applies to the other post-cut sheets 600B to 605I (FIG. 8). That is, the control device 150 can form the identification images 605A to 605I in the region different from the region where the original image is formed in the pre-cutting sheet 600.

In another aspect, the image forming unit 125 may form a plurality of identification images 605A to 605I on the pre-cutting sheet 600 without forming a document image.

As a result, the control device 150 can prevent the identification image from being indistinguishable from the original image in the scanned image data, and can improve the accuracy of recognizing the identification image.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing how a solid image is formed as a background image of the identification image by the image forming unit 125.

Since the left side of FIG. 11 is the same as the left side of FIG. 10, the description will not be repeated. On the right side of FIG. 11, in addition to the original images 910A and 915A, a solid image 1000 is formed as a background image of the identification image 605A, and an identification image 605A is further formed on the solid image 1000.

Depending on the original image formed on the sheet after cutting, the area where the original image is not formed is narrow, and as described above, the identification image may not be formed in a region different from the region where the original image is formed. be.

In this case, when the image forming unit 125 also forms the identification image in the region where the original image should be formed, the contrast between the identification image and the image of the peripheral portion of the identification image in the original image is controlled by the control device 150. Therefore, the identification image and the image of the surrounding portion may be indistinguishable. At this time, the control device 150 may not be able to recognize the identification image as a result of being unable to distinguish the identification image from the image of the surrounding portion.

Therefore, in the embodiment, in order to eliminate the possibility that the identification image cannot be recognized, for example, the control device 150 is predetermined on the post-cut sheet on the region where the original image should be formed. The image forming unit 125 is controlled so as to form an identification image together with a solid image as a background image at the position.

At this time, the control device 150 increases the contrast between the identification image and the solid image around the identification image so that the control device 150 distinguishes the identification image from the solid image. The image forming unit 125 is controlled so as to form. From this, it is possible to increase the possibility that the control device 150 succeeds in recognizing the identification image formed on the sheet after cutting, regardless of the contrast between the original image and the identification image.

The background image of the identification image is not limited to the solid image. The background image is not limited as long as the contrast between the identification image and the background image is high enough to distinguish the images by the control device 150, for example, higher than a predetermined threshold value.

<Modification example 3>
When the reading device 155 reads the sheet after cutting sent by the ADF 160, the position where the sheet sent after cutting to the reading device 155 by the ADF 160 may deviate from a predetermined reading position. At this time, if the edge of the sheet after cutting deviates from the predetermined reading position, the edge of the sheet after cutting may not be included in the scanned image data.

In this case, for example, when the image forming unit 125 forms an identification image near the edge of each cut sheet, those images may not be included in the read image data. At this time, the control device 150 cannot recognize those images from the read image data.

Therefore, the image forming unit 125 is placed on the pre-cutting sheet, for example, so that the identification information is arranged at a predetermined position different from the vicinity of the edge of each post-cutting sheet, for example, at the center of each post-cutting sheet. Multiple identification information can be formed. Thereby, even in the above case, the possibility that those images are not included in the read image data can be suppressed. As a result, the control device 150 can increase the possibility of recognizing those images in the read image data.

<Modification example 4>
In the embodiment described above, the identification image is an image based on the target position 72 of the sheet after cutting, and the control device 150 is associated with the target position from the setting information 64 based on the target position represented by the identification image. Although the target size 74 and the target shape 76 have been acquired, the method of acquiring the target position 72, the target size 74, and the target shape 76 of the sheet after cutting is not limited to this. For example, the identification image may be formed based on the target position 72, the target size 74, and the target shape 76 of the sheet after cutting, and the target position 72, the target size 74, and the target shape 76 may be read out from the identification information.

When the image forming apparatus 100 processes a plurality of print jobs, the identification image includes the job ID 80 of the print job 60. As a result, the control device 150 uses the setting information 64 of the print job 60 identified by the job ID 80 based on the job ID 80 and the target position 72 represented by the identification image to obtain the target size 74 and the target associated with the target position. The shape 76 can be obtained.

<Modification 5>
The user may specify the position where the identification image is placed on each post-cut sheet via the input device 230. At this time, the input device 230 accepts user input for designating the position where the identification image is arranged. The control device 150 transmits a command to the image forming unit 125 based on the input. The image forming unit 125 forms a plurality of identification images on the pre-cutting sheet so that the identification image is arranged at a designated position on each post-cutting sheet according to the instruction. Further, the position where the identification image is arranged may also be specified by the user who operates the client terminal 105.
<Embodiment 2>
The image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment corrects the actual cutting position by referring to the history information 465 indicating the history of the correction of the actual cutting position performed in the past print job 60. Further, when the image forming apparatus 100 determines the correction amount of the actual cutting position, the correction amount used for the correction of the cutting position in the received print job 60 is set to the target cutting position 84 in the print job 60. It is stored in the storage unit 405 as history information 465 in association with.

Here, the accepted print job 60 is referred to as a first print job. Further, it is a print job received before the first print job, and is set information 64 (identification information 70, target cutting position 84, and pre-cut sheet) for performing cutting with the first print job. A print job in which the size and shape 86) match and the correction is performed is referred to as a second print job.

The control device 150 stores the setting information 64 for the first print job for cutting the pre-cut sheet in the storage unit 405, whichever of the print jobs is received before the first print job. It is determined whether or not the setting information is matched.

The control device 150 uses the correction amount determined in the second print job based on the fact that the setting information for the first print job matches the setting information for the second print job. Control at least one of the cutting device 130 and the transport device 135 in the print job.

The hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the detailed description of the hardware will not be repeated.

The control structure of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 13. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing details of a process (step S1115 of FIG. 12) in which the control device 150 determines the correction amount and stores it in the storage device.

In a certain aspect, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 shown below is realized by the CPU 200 executing the control program stored in the ROM 210.

Since the processes of steps S405 to S440, S450 and S455 in FIG. 12 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 5, detailed description will not be repeated. In FIG. 12, steps S1105, S1110, S1112 and S1115, which are different from the processing of FIG. 5, will be mainly described.

When an image is formed on the pre-cutting sheet in step S425, in step S1105, the control device 150 sets the cutting in the first print job based on the job ticket in the first print job and the history information 465. It is determined whether or not the information 64 matches any of the cutting setting information stored in the storage unit. When the setting information 64 in the first job matches any of the cutting setting information stored in the storage unit 405 (YES in step S1105), the control device 150 advances the control to step S1110. If not (NO in step S1105), the controller 150 advances control to step S435.

In step S1110, the control device 150 corrects the cutting position of the pre-cutting sheet in the first print job based on the history information 465. More specifically, the control device 150 controls at least one of the cutting device 130 and the transport device 135 in the first print job using the correction amount determined in the second print job.

In step S1112, the control device 150 outputs a control signal to the cutting device 130 and the conveying device 135 so as to cut the pre-cutting sheet based on the correction amount of the history information 465. As a result, the actual cutting position can be brought closer to the target cutting position 84 without using the scanned image data. The control device 150 is stored in the storage unit 405, and uses the correction amount associated with the target cutting position 84 in the second print job to correct the cutting position 130 and the cutting position in the first print job. Controls at least one of the transport devices 135.

In step S1115, the control device 150 executes a process of determining the correction amount and storing it in the storage device. Details of the process will be described with reference to FIG.

In step S1117, the control device 150 controls the cutting device 130 so as to cut the sheet based on the overwritten correction amount.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a process of determining the correction amount and storing it in the storage device (step S1115 of FIG. 12).

Since the processing of steps S505 to S520 in FIG. 13 is the same as the case described with reference to FIG. 5, detailed description will not be repeated.

In step S1202, the control device 150 determines the correction amount based on the calculated evaluation value. The correction amount is the correction amount of the actual cutting position made in step S1112, and is overwritten from the correction amount based on the history information 465. Therefore, by determining the correction amount in step S1202, the actual cutting position can be further brought closer to the target cutting position 84.

In step S1205, the control device 150 stores the determined correction amount and the setting information 64 regarding the target cutting position 84 in the received print job 60 in the storage unit 405 as history information 465. After that, the control device 150 returns the control to step S450 of FIG.

[Effect of Embodiment 2]
According to the second embodiment, the control device 150 can correct the cutting position by using the correction amount determined in the past print job. Further, after that, since the actual cutting position on the pre-cutting sheet can be further corrected based on the scanned image data, the actual cutting position can be further brought closer to the target cutting position.

<Embodiment 3>
The image forming apparatus 100 of the first or second embodiment may perform a manuscript image determination process for determining whether or not an image defect has occurred in the manuscript image formed on the pre-cutting sheet.

The hardware configuration of the image forming system 50 and the image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment is the same as the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first and second embodiments. Therefore, the detailed description of the hardware will not be repeated.

The control device 150 may be configured so that a plurality of operation modes included in the image forming device 100 can be switched. The plurality of operation modes include a first mode for determining the quality of the cutting process and a second mode for determining the quality of the cutting process and performing the original image determination process as described in the first and second embodiments. Including modes.

In some aspects, the control device 150 may switch between a first mode and a second mode based on user designations specified via the input device 230. Further, the first mode and the second mode may be realized as test modes different from the operation mode for outputting a normal printed matter.

In the second mode, the control device 150 uses a known image processing program for detecting the quality of the image stored in the ROM 210 to cause an image defect in the original image formed on the sheet after cutting. It is possible to judge whether or not it is. More specifically, the control device 150, as the control unit 400, compares the reference image data 458 of the original image formed on the sheet after cutting with the original image in the partial image data corresponding to the sheet after cutting. Thereby, it is possible to determine whether or not the original image formed on the sheet after cutting has an image defect, that is, whether or not the original image is good or bad. Here, the reference image data 458 is, as described above, the reference image data used by the control unit 400 to determine the quality of the original image.

In another aspect, the identification information 72 of the identification image arranged on each sheet after cutting may include the information of the corresponding reference image data. At this time, the control device 150 may determine the quality of the original image formed on the sheet after cutting by acquiring the reference image data from the identification image in the read image data.

Hereinafter, the control structure of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the image forming apparatus 100. In a certain aspect, the operation of the image forming apparatus 100 shown below is realized by the CPU 200 executing the control program stored in the ROM 210.

The processing after step S1425 in FIG. 14 is the same as the processing described with reference to FIG. Therefore, those detailed explanations will not be repeated.

In step S1405, the control device 150 determines whether the operation mode in the received print job 60 is the first mode or the second mode. In another aspect, when the control device 150 is configured to be able to switch between three or more operation modes, the control device 150 determines which of the three or more operation modes is the operation mode in the job. May be judged.

When the operation mode is the first mode, the control device 150 advances the control to step S1410. In step S1410, the control device 150 instructs the printer controller 115 to generate the second RIP image corresponding to the plurality of identification images without generating the first RIP image corresponding to the document data 62. To send. The printer controller 115 generates a second RIP image in accordance with the command. After that, the control device 150 advances the control to step S1425.

In step S1425, the control device 150 transmits a control command to the image forming unit 125 to form an image on the pre-cutting sheet based on the RIP image generated in step S1410 or step S1420. The image forming unit 125 forms an image on the pre-cutting sheet based on the RIP image. The control device 150 then proceeds to control in step S440 of FIG.

On the other hand, when the operation mode is the second mode, the control device 150 advances the control to step S1415. Since the processes of steps S1415 and S1420 are the same as the processes of steps S415 and S425 described with reference to FIG. 5, respectively, the detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

In this case, after the control device 150 performs the process of step S1425 and advances the control to step S440 of FIG. 5, the steps of the document image determination process for determining the quality of the document image are from step S440 to step S455. It is provided between. Thereby, in the second mode, the quality of the original image can be determined. The step of the determination process may be before step S442 in which the pre-cutting sheet is cut or after the step.

[Effect of Embodiment 3]
The control device 150 can switch the operation mode, and in the second operation mode, it can determine the quality of the original image in addition to the judgment of the quality of the cutting process.

<Other variants>
5, FIG. 6, FIG. 12, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 show a configuration example for realizing the processing required for the CPU 205 to execute the program. In other aspects, some or all of these provided processes are implemented using dedicated hardware circuits (eg, dedicated circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or FPGAs (Field-Programmable Gate Arrays). May be done.

Further, in each embodiment, the program may be stored in the storage medium 218 instead of the ROM 210 or the HDD 215. The storage medium 218 includes a CD-ROM (Compact Disc --Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disk --Read Only Memory), a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a memory card, an FD (Flexible Disk), a magnetic tape, and the like. Cassette tape, MO (Magnetic Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), IC (Integrated Circuit) card (excluding memory card), optical card, mask ROM, EPROM, EEPROM (Electronically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), etc. It may be realized by a non-volatile storage medium. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 may acquire the program by downloading via, for example, the communication line 110.

Further, the program may be provided by being incorporated into a part of an arbitrary program, not as a stand-alone program. In this case, the processing according to each embodiment is realized in cooperation with an arbitrary program. Even a program that does not include such a part of modules does not deviate from the purpose of the program according to each embodiment. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 may be configured in the form of a so-called cloud service in which at least one server executes a part of the processing of the program.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description but by the scope of claims, and it is intended that all modifications are included in the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

50 Image forming system, 64 Setting information, 70 Identification information, 72 Target position, 74 Target size, 76 Target shape, 82 File name, 84 Cutting position, 100 Image forming device, 125 Image forming unit, 130 Cutting device, 135 Transfer device 145 Operation panel, 150 control device, 155 reader, 300, 305 driver, 310 pre-cutting sheet, 315A, 315B original image, 317A, 317B identification image, 400 control unit, 402 generator, 405 storage unit.

Claims (17)

It is an image forming device
An image forming part that forms an image on the sheet before cutting,
A cutting section that performs cutting processing on the pre-cut sheet on which the image is formed and cuts into a plurality of post-cut sheets.
A control unit that controls the image forming apparatus is provided.
The image forming part is
An identification image for identifying each of the plurality of post-cutting sheets is formed at a position on the pre-cutting sheet corresponding to the post-cutting sheet.
The identification image of each post-cutting sheet is associated with the target size and shape of the post-cutting sheet when the pre-cutting sheet is cut at the target cutting position.
The control unit
From the scanned image generated by reading one or more of the plurality of post-cut sheets, the size and shape of each of the one or more post-cut sheets and the identification image are detected.
The detected size and shape of at least one post-cut sheet was compared to the target size and shape associated with the identification image detected from the post-cut sheet, respectively.
An image forming apparatus that determines the quality of the cutting process based on the result of the comparison. The control unit
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which outputs information on the result of determining whether the cutting process is good or bad. The control unit further
Based on the result of the comparison, the correction amount of the cutting position is determined so that the cutting position of the cutting portion becomes the target cutting position.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which outputs a notification indicating the correction amount. The image forming apparatus further includes a transport unit for transporting the sheet.
The cutting section performs the cutting process on the sheet to be conveyed, and then performs the cutting process.
The control unit further
Based on the result of the comparison, the correction amount of the cutting position of the cutting part is determined so that the cutting position of the cutting part becomes the target cutting position, and the determined correction amount is used to determine the cutting position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which controls at least one of the cutting portion and the conveying portion so as to be corrected. The control unit further
The correction amount used for correcting the cutting position of the cutting unit is stored in the storage unit in association with the target cutting position.
When a job including the cutting process of the pre-cutting sheet is accepted, the cutting position is set by using the correction amount associated with the target cutting position of the storage unit, which matches the target cutting position indicated by the job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein at least one of the cutting portion and the conveying portion is controlled so as to be corrected. The control unit
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which outputs a notification to that effect when the identification image cannot be detected from the read image. The image formed on the pre-cutting sheet includes a manuscript image based on manuscript data, and includes a manuscript image.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image forming unit forms the identification image in a region different from the region where the original image is formed in the pre-cutting sheet. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the image forming unit forms a plurality of the identification images on the pre-cutting sheet without forming a manuscript image. The image forming unit forms a plurality of the identification images on the pre-cutting sheet so that the identification image is arranged at a predetermined position on each of the post-cutting sheets. The image forming apparatus according to any one item. The image forming part is
A claim for forming the identification image and its background image at a predetermined position on each of the cut sheets so that the contrast between the identification image and the background image becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. Item 9. The image forming apparatus according to Item 9. The control unit switches a plurality of operation modes of the image forming apparatus.
In a predetermined first mode among the plurality of operation modes,
The image forming part is
An identification image for identifying each of the plurality of post-cutting sheets is formed at a position on the pre-cutting sheet corresponding to the post-cutting sheet.
The identification image of each post-cutting sheet is associated with the target size and shape of the post-cutting sheet when the pre-cutting sheet is cut at the target cutting position.
The control unit
From the scanned image generated by reading one or more of the plurality of post-cut sheets, the size and shape of each of the one or more post-cut sheets and the identification image are detected.
The detected size and shape of at least one post-cut sheet was compared to the target size and shape associated with the identification image detected from the post-cut sheet, respectively.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the quality of the cutting process is determined based on the result of the comparison. In a predetermined second mode among the plurality of operation modes,
The image forming part is
A plurality of original images are formed on the pre-cut sheet so that the original image is arranged on each post-cut sheet.
The control unit
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the quality of the original image is determined from the read image generated by reading one or more of the plurality of cut sheets. The image forming part is
One of claims 1 to 12, wherein a plurality of the identification images are formed on the pre-cutting sheet so that the identification image is arranged at a position designated by the user on each of the plurality of post-cutting sheets. The image forming apparatus according to. The image forming apparatus further includes a scanner and the like.
The scanner produces the scanned image by scanning one or more of the plurality of post-cut sheets.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the scanner is provided on the downstream side or the upstream side of the cutting portion in the transport direction of the pre-cutting sheet. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and a scanner are included.
The scanner is an image forming system that generates the read image by reading one or more of the plurality of cut sheets. It is a control method of the image forming apparatus.
The image forming apparatus
An image forming part that forms an image on the sheet before cutting,
A cutting section that performs cutting processing on the pre-cut sheet on which the image is formed and cuts into a plurality of post-cut sheets.
A control unit that controls the image forming apparatus is provided.
The image forming part is
An identification image for identifying each of the plurality of post-cutting sheets is formed at a position on the pre-cutting sheet corresponding to the post-cutting sheet.
The identification image of each post-cutting sheet is associated with the target size and shape of the post-cutting sheet when the pre-cutting sheet is cut at the target cutting position.
The control method is
A step in which the control unit detects the size and shape of each of the one or more post-cut sheets and the identification image from the read image generated by reading one or more of the plurality of post-cut sheets. When,
A step in which the control unit compares the detected size and shape of at least one post-cut sheet with the target size and shape associated with the identification image detected from the post-cut sheet, respectively.
A control method including a step in which the control unit determines the quality of the cutting process based on the result of the comparison. A program for controlling an image forming apparatus
The image forming apparatus
An image forming part that forms an image on the sheet before cutting,
The pre-cutting sheet on which the image is formed is provided with a cutting section for cutting the pre-cutting sheet and cutting the plurality of post-cutting sheets.
The image forming part is
An identification image for identifying each of the plurality of post-cutting sheets is formed at a position on the pre-cutting sheet corresponding to the post-cutting sheet.
The identification image of each post-cutting sheet is associated with the target size and shape of the post-cutting sheet when the pre-cutting sheet is cut at the target cutting position.
The program
To the computer of the image forming apparatus
A step of detecting the size and shape of each of the one or more post-cut sheets and the identification image from the scanned image generated by reading one or more of the plurality of post-cut sheets.
A step of comparing the detected size and shape of at least one post-cut sheet with the target size and shape associated with the identification image detected from the post-cut sheet, respectively.
A program for executing a step of determining the quality of the cutting process based on the result of the comparison.

Images