JP2022028119A - Image data processing device, image forming device, image data processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image data processing device, an image forming device, an image data processing method and a program which can perform image formation operation while dealing with an abnormal formation of an image more efficiently.SOLUTION: An image data processing device comprises: detecting means that detects an abnormal formation of a formed image from a formed image by a formation operation part that forms an image; range specifying means that specifies an abnormal image formation range in the formed image including a range of the detected abnormal formation; rearrangement setting means that arranges an inspection image for identifying a cause of the abnormal formation in the abnormal image formation range and sets image data in which an image not formed normally is rearranged, outside the abnormal image formation range; and correcting means that corrects the image formation operation corresponding to the abnormal formation, on the basis of the inspection image formed by the formation operation part in accordance with the image data created after the rearrangement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

The present invention relates to an image data processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image data processing method and a program.

There is an image forming apparatus that forms an image by applying a coloring material such as ink to a medium. Not only when each image is formed as a separate image on each medium, but also a plurality of images are integrated into one image data and collectively formed on a recording medium (imposition), and then cut or folded. In some cases. If there is a problem with image quality in the formed image or a problem such as jam occurs in the medium during such an image forming operation, it is useless to re-output all the images. On the other hand, there is known a technique of excluding an image that has already been normally output and relaying out the remaining image to form an image (Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2020-1358

When image formation is performed by the single-pass method by outputting the color material while the forming operation unit that outputs the color material and the medium are relatively moved, the image is formed at a specific position in the width direction perpendicular to the direction of the relative movement. Abnormalities may occur. Such abnormalities are likely to occur continuously, and it is necessary to identify the cause and take prompt action. However, in such an image forming apparatus, if the normal image forming operation is completely interrupted and the cause identification operation is performed, the consumption of the medium and time may increase, and the work efficiency is lowered. There is a problem.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image data processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image data processing method and a program capable of performing an image forming operation while coping with an image forming abnormality more efficiently.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is
A detection means for detecting a formation abnormality of the formed image from the formed image by the forming motion unit forming the image, and
A range specifying means for specifying an abnormal image forming range of the formed image including the detected range of the forming abnormality, and
A rearrangement setting means for arranging an inspection image for identifying the cause of the abnormal formation in the abnormal image formation range and setting image data in which an image that is not normally formed is rearranged outside the abnormal image formation range. When,
A correction means for correcting an image forming operation corresponding to the formation abnormality based on the inspection image formed by the forming operation unit according to the image data after the rearrangement.
It is an image data processing apparatus characterized by being provided with.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the image data processing apparatus according to claim 1.
Two or more predetermined number of images to be formed by the forming motion unit are assigned to each part on the medium on which the images are formed and arranged imposition.
The range specifying means is characterized in that the abnormal image forming range is specified for each range of the imposition-arranged images.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the image data processing apparatus according to claim 2.
When the malformation is detected and a part of the plurality of images to be formed is unformed, the rearrangement setting means includes the unformed image as the target of rearrangement. do.

The invention according to claim 4 is the image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
The rearrangement setting means is characterized in that the inspection image is arranged according to the type of the detected dysplasia.

Further, the invention according to claim 5 is the image data processing apparatus according to claim 4.
The type of dysplasia is characterized in that at least one of the uneven density of the image and the occurrence of streaks is included.

The invention according to claim 6 is the image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The forming operation unit has a plurality of inkjet heads for ejecting ink.
The range specifying means is characterized in that the range of the morphological abnormality is determined for each image forming range by each of the inkjet heads.

Further, the invention according to claim 7 is the image data processing apparatus according to claim 6.
The rearrangement setting means is characterized in that the inspection image formed only by the inkjet head corresponding to the range of the formation abnormality is arranged.

The invention according to claim 8 is the image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
If there is an intermediate image after the start of formation and before the detection of the dysplasia when the dysplasia is detected, the rearrangement setting means will perform the above after the abnormal image formation range of the intermediate image is specified. It is characterized by setting the rearrangement.

The invention according to claim 9 is the image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
When the dysplasia is detected in an image rearranged and reshaped at a position different from the initial arrangement by the relocation setting means, the range of the dysplasia in this image and the first dysplasia of the morphology It is characterized by comprising a selection means for selecting a subsequent process based on the result of comparison with the range of the dysplasia in the image at the time of detection.

The invention according to claim 10 is the image data processing apparatus according to claim 9.
Equipped with an operation reception unit
As a result of the comparison, when it is determined that the range of the dysplasia in the image is the same, the selection means selects the subsequent processing based on the content of the input operation received by the operation reception unit. It is a feature.

Further, the invention according to claim 11 is
The image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The forming motion part that forms the image and
It is an image forming apparatus characterized by having.

The invention according to claim 12 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 11.
A reading unit for reading the formed image is provided.
The detection means is characterized in that the formation abnormality is detected based on the reading data of the formation image by the reading unit.

Further, the invention according to claim 13 is
A detection step of detecting a formation abnormality of the formed image from the formed image by the forming motion unit forming the image,
A range specifying step for specifying an abnormal image forming range of the formed image including the detected range of the forming abnormality,
A rearrangement setting step in which an inspection image for identifying the cause of the abnormal formation is placed in the abnormal image formation range, and image data in which an image that is not normally formed is rearranged is set outside the abnormal image formation range. ,
A correction step of correcting an image forming operation corresponding to the formation abnormality based on the inspection image formed by the forming operation unit according to the image data after the rearrangement.
It is an image data processing method characterized by including.

Further, the invention according to claim 14 is
Computer,
A detection means for detecting a formation abnormality of the formed image from the formed image by the forming motion unit forming the image, and
A range specifying means for specifying an abnormal image forming range of the formed image including the detected range of the forming abnormality, and
A rearrangement setting means for arranging an inspection image for identifying the cause of the abnormal formation in the abnormal image formation range and setting image data in which an image that is not normally formed is rearranged outside the abnormal image formation range. When,
A correction means for correcting an image forming operation corresponding to the formation abnormality based on the inspection image formed by the forming operation unit according to the image data after the rearrangement.
It is a program characterized by functioning as.

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the image forming operation can be performed while dealing with the image formation abnormality more efficiently.

It is a perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment. It is a figure explaining the bottom surface which faces a medium of a head unit. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of an image forming apparatus. It is a figure explaining the imposition image. It is a chart explaining the data which concerns on the abnormality detection of the imposition image. It is a figure explaining the rearranged image. It is a figure which shows the example of the setting screen which concerns on inspection. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of an image formation control process. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the rearrangement setting process called in the image formation control process. It is a figure which shows the example of the case where the abnormality which may not be dealt with by the complement processing is detected. It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure of the relocation setting process of a modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment.

The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image by an inkjet method. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a conveying unit 10, a forming operation unit 20, an imaging unit 30 (reading unit), a control unit 40, and the like.

The transport unit 10 supplies the target medium M on which the image is formed, moves it to the image forming position, and discharges it. The transport unit 10 includes a drive roller 11, a transport belt 12, a driven roller 13, a transport motor 14, a holding roller 15, and the like.

The transport belt 12 is endless here, is passed between the drive roller 11 and the driven roller 13, and moves according to the rotation of the drive roller 11. The drive roller 11 rotates at a speed corresponding to the rotation operation of the transfer motor 14. The driven roller 13 rotates at a speed corresponding to the movement of the transport belt 12. An image is formed while the medium M is placed on the outer peripheral surface of the transport belt 12 at a predetermined position and moves, and is discharged at a predetermined position after the image is formed. The pressing roller 15 presses the medium M placed on the transport belt 12 against the transport belt 12 to remove the floating of the medium M due to wrinkles or the like. The pressing roller 15 may press the medium M against the transport belt 12 by its own weight and rotate according to the movement of the medium M and the transport belt 12. The medium M is, for example, printing paper. The type of paper may be appropriately selected from various types such as plain paper, high-quality paper, coated paper, thick paper, and embossed paper, and may be replaced as necessary. Further, the medium M is not limited to paper. For example, it may be a film resin, a plastic plate, or the like, or it may be a corrugated cardboard material or the like. The operation of each unit of the transport unit 10 may be adjusted according to the type of the medium M.

The forming operation unit 20 ejects ink to the medium M on the transport belt 12 to form an image. Although not particularly limited, here, the forming operation unit 20 includes a head unit 21C that ejects cyan ink, a head unit 21M that ejects magenta ink, a head unit 21Y that ejects yellow ink, and black. It has four colors of the head unit 21K that ejects the ink of. Hereinafter, a part or all of these will also be referred to as a head unit 21.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a bottom surface of the head unit 21 facing the medium M (outer surface of the transport belt 12).

The head unit 21 has a carriage 210 and a plurality of inkjet heads 211. The inkjet heads 211 are arranged in pairs over the entire width capable of forming an image in the width direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the medium M and fixed to the carriage 210 to form a line head. Nozzles 27 are opened on the bottom surface of each inkjet head 211, and ink is ejected from the medium M at predetermined intervals (distances in the height direction perpendicular to the transport direction and the width direction). Although the openings of the nozzles 27 are specified here for the sake of explanation, the size and spacing of the openings may actually be much smaller than this.

The image pickup unit 30 is positioned so that the image forming surface of the medium M can be imaged on the downstream side in the transport direction from the formation position (ink landing position) on the medium M by the formation operation unit 20. The image pickup unit 30 is, for example, a line sensor having a CMOS sensor (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor), a CCD sensor (Charge Coupled Device), or the like, and can image the maximum width in which an image of the medium M can be formed in the width direction. .. The surface of the medium M (that is, the formed image) can be read two-dimensionally by sequentially performing imaging while transporting the medium M.

The control unit 40 has a hardware processor that collectively controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 1.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
In addition to the above-mentioned transport unit 10, forming operation unit 20, image pickup unit 30, and control unit 40, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a drive waveform signal generation unit 29, a storage unit 50, a communication unit 60, and an operation reception unit 70. A display unit 80, a power supply unit 90, and the like are provided.

As described above, the transport unit 10 includes the transport motor 14, and by outputting an appropriate drive signal to the transport motor 14, the transport motor 14 is rotated at a speed corresponding to the drive signal.

The forming operation unit 20 includes a head drive unit 25. The head drive unit 25 outputs a drive signal to the selected piezoelectric element 26 to deform the piezoelectric element 26, apply pressure fluctuation to the ink in the nozzle 27, and discharge the ink to form an image.

The drive waveform signal generation unit 29 generates a drive waveform signal output by the head drive unit 25. The drive waveform signal is not particularly limited, but the digital signal data indicating the drive waveform is analog-converted, and the drive waveform signal amplified with voltage and current is output to the head drive unit 25.

The control unit 40 includes a CPU 41 (Central Processing Unit) and a RAM 42 (Random Access Memory). The CPU 41 performs various arithmetic processes to execute a control operation. The control operation includes control related to the image forming operation and control related to the abnormality handling operation related to the formation abnormality of the formed image by the forming operation unit 20. The RAM 42 provides a working memory space to the CPU 41 and stores temporary data. In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, in the present embodiment, the control unit 40 functions as a detecting means, a range specifying means, a rearrangement setting means, a correction means, and a selection means, and constitutes an image data processing device.

The storage unit 50 includes job data 51 including image data to be formed, inspection image data 52 for performing adjustment and inspection related to the operation of the formation operation unit 20, and a program related to abnormality detection and inspection of the formation image. Memorize 54 and so on. Further, the storage unit 50 stores the position information of the abnormal nozzle in which the ejection abnormality has occurred and the complementary setting 53 for dividing the ink originally ejected by the abnormal nozzle into the nearby nozzles. The job data 51 may be stored in a volatile memory such as RAM, and the inspection image data 52, the complement setting 53, the program 54, and the like may be stored in the non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory is, for example, a flash memory or the like, and may have an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like in addition to or instead of the flash memory. Further, the contents of the inspection image data 52, the complement setting 53, and the program 54 may be read out during operation and stored in the volatile memory as needed.

The communication unit 60 controls execution of communication with an external device. The communication unit 60 is connected to an external computer based on a communication standard such as TCP / IP, acquires job data including image data to be formed, and determines the status of image formation operation based on the job data. Output. Further, the communication unit 60 may be directly connected to a peripheral device by USB (Universal Serial Bus) or the like to transmit / receive data.

The operation reception unit 70 receives an input operation by a user or the like, and outputs the received content as an input signal to the control unit 40. The operation reception unit 70 includes, for example, a touch panel, a push button switch, and the like. The touch panel may be positioned so as to overlap the display screen of the display unit 80, and the operation content may be specified in synchronization with the display content on the display screen.

The display unit 80 displays a status, a selection menu, or the like to a user or the like based on the control of the control unit 40. The display unit 80 has, for example, a display screen and an indicator (lamp). The display screen is, for example, a liquid crystal display screen, and various characters and figures can be displayed in a dot matrix. The indicator is, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp, and may be switched on / off or blinking when indicating the presence / absence of power supply or the presence / absence of an operation abnormality.

The power supply unit 90 supplies electric power having a voltage corresponding to each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. A voltage corresponding to the peak voltage of each drive waveform is output to the drive board 212 of the forming operation unit 20. Alternatively, only the maximum peak voltage may be output and a plurality of voltage signals may be generated on the drive board 212.

Next, the imposition image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
In the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming range of two or more predetermined numbers (for example, four) of images to be formed is divided and assigned to each part of the supplied medium M, and the images are formed. be able to. When the job data is acquired, the control unit 40 allocates the image data to the image forming area according to the job setting and arranges the image data, and further, as the driving data for operating the forming operation unit 20 according to the arrangement setting. Convert. The driving data is output to the forming operation unit 20 at an appropriate timing, and an image forming operation is performed. When the number of images to be formed is five or more, a predetermined number of images are sequentially arranged on two or more recording media.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an imposition image.
As shown in FIG. 4A, when the medium M is divided into four and images are formed in each divided area, the 11 images represented by the numbers 1 to 11 are assigned to the three media M. And an imposition image is formed. In the third medium, 1/4 of the area remains, but when forming a plurality of sets of 11 images, the first of the next set may be continuously allocated.

In this imposition image formation, an image quality abnormality (formation abnormality) may occur in a part of the formed image due to an operation abnormality or an adjustment error of the forming operation unit 20. In particular, in the case of an abnormality depending on a specific nozzle 27 or the inkjet head 211, in the line head, an abnormality in the image quality in a streak or band shape (density unevenness, streaks, etc.) is limited to the position of the nozzle 27 or the inkjet head 211 in the width direction. ) Occurs. As shown in FIG. 4B, streaky abnormalities N occur at positions 2, 4, 6, and 8 of the imposition image. In this case, among the imposition images, the images 1, 3, 5, and 7 are normally formed.

When a part of the image is normally formed due to such a partial abnormality, it is useless to re-form the entire image including the normally formed image. On the other hand, if the cause of the abnormality is not promptly identified and a countermeasure is taken, normal image formation cannot be performed in the relevant portion and the efficiency is lowered.

In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when the above partial abnormality occurs, the presence or absence of the forming abnormality is determined for each range of the images arranged on the surface, and the image of the region where the abnormality has occurred (normally). The non-formed image) is moved to the non-abnormal part (outside the abnormal image formation range) and reformed, and in parallel with this, the abnormal image formation area (abnormal image formation range) is affected by the abnormality. Form an inspection image to identify the cause. The control unit 40 generates (rearranges) and sets the image data with such an allocation, and is formed by the formation operation unit 20. When the formed inspection image is imaged and analyzed by the image pickup unit 30 and the cause of the abnormality is identified, the drive setting for complementing the specific portion is performed and complemented as the correction operation of the image forming operation corresponding to the formation abnormality. It is registered in the setting 53, and then normal image formation is restarted based on the drive setting. The correction operation referred to here is for adjusting the operation of the forming operation unit 20, for example, changing the drive voltage (amplitude), the waveform of the drive signal (pulse width, etc.), and adjusting the image data. Any one of them or a combination thereof may be used.

FIG. 5 is a chart illustrating data related to abnormality detection of an imposition image.
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the imposition image is formed, the imposition area information assigned to each page of the medium M is set and held. Here, a single-sided image is formed on each page (medium M), and the single-sided image (surface) is evenly divided into 2 × 2 and imposition is performed. It is defined that images 1 and 2 are formed in a region on the downstream side (head side) in the transport direction (Y direction), and images 3 and 4 are formed in a region on the upstream side (tail side). This data is compared with the detection coordinates of the malformation detected from the image data captured by the image pickup unit 30, and the imposition region (abnormal image formation range) including the range of the malformation is specified.

The image forming surface of the medium M on which the image is formed is imaged by the image pickup unit 30 on the downstream side in the transport direction, and the control unit 40 performs an analysis process of detecting the presence or absence of a formation abnormality. The presence or absence of the formation abnormality and the detection of the range are not particularly limited, but are performed by comparing the image pickup data with the original image data that is the image formation target. For example, a portion where imaging data having a gradation value different from that of the original image data by a predetermined reference value or more may be obtained may be defined as a range of formation abnormality.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the presence or absence of abnormality detection is determined and stored in the imposition area for each job in substantially real time for the job during image formation. If there is no abnormality and it is detected normally, it is regarded as a normal output, and even if an abnormality occurs (occurs) in another part, it is defined as an image that does not require reimposition and re-image formation. On the other hand, when an abnormality is detected, it is regarded as an abnormality detection and relocation is required. Here, the image (intermediate image) from the start of image formation to the acquisition of abnormality detection from the imaging result is indicated as "not inspected during output", and is the case before the start of image formation (unformed). Is displayed as "not output".

As shown in FIG. 5C, normal processing is continued from the time when the abnormality is detected until the inspection of the image during formation or before the inspection after formation is completed when the detection is made. After all the presence or absence of abnormalities in the uninspected image during output is determined, the area where the abnormality is detected and the image that needs to be reformed are all determined. For images that have not been formed when an abnormality is detected, whether or not relocation is necessary is determined according to the number of images that need to be reshaped and the area occupied by the inspection image. That is, when the image is assigned to each imposition area without a margin in the medium M by the combination of the reformed image and the inspection image, the unformed image may be image-formed according to the original allocation. When a margin is generated, the imposition is reset (rearranged) by inserting an unformed image (included in the image that is not normally formed). Here, since there are four images for which reformation is "necessary" and the inspection image occupies two sides, two of the imposition areas are margins. Therefore, the unformed images 9 to 11 are rearranged.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a rearranged image.
As shown in FIG. 6A, in the rearrangement, the inspection image T is arranged in the right half of the first medium M in the figure in which the abnormality is detected first. Images 2 and 4 formed in the area where the abnormality is detected are moved to the left half of the figure in which the image is normally formed, and images 6 and 8 are arranged on the second medium M. .. The images 9 and later are arranged in order in the areas after the image 8. As described above, in the margin behind the image 11, the next set of images may be rearranged in order from image 1.

The inspection image T is selected according to the type of the detected abnormality. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the abnormality is determined (estimated) to be an abnormality of ejection by the nozzle 27, ink is individually ejected from each of the possible nozzles 27 to form a straight line. Then, the abnormality of the landing position and the landing amount of the ink from each nozzle 27 is specified. Since the landing positions of adjacent nozzles 27 overlap each other in the width direction and may overlap with the landing positions of two or more nozzles 27 apart from each other in consideration of the deviation width at the time of abnormality, several nozzles are used here. A ladder-shaped test pattern (ladder chart) whose position is shifted in the transport direction in units is output. Further, when an abnormality occurs only in a specific range in the width direction, the inspection image may be formed only by the inkjet head 211 corresponding to the range in which the abnormality occurs. As described above, when a plurality of (two) inkjet heads 211 are lined up in substantially the same range in the width direction, the plurality (two) inkjet heads 211 correspond to the range in which the abnormality has occurred. May be done. It should be noted that accurate discrimination (estimation) is not always made at the stage of abnormality detection, and the factors cannot always be narrowed down to one. Therefore, in some cases, a plurality of different types of inspection images T are formed. Alternatively, an inspection image for narrowing down the cause may be placed first. Depending on the size and number of inspection images T, test images may be formed over the same area of the second and subsequent media.

Regardless of the above, the user should set not to perform rearrangement or inspection in units of imposition images as in the past, or to not perform inspection in parallel with normal image formation. You can also.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen related to inspection.
This setting screen can be called, for example, by the user performing a predetermined input operation to the operation reception unit 70. Further, it may be possible to call the setting screen of the image forming apparatus 1 from a PC or the like outside the image forming apparatus 1 and open it by a predetermined input operation.

Here, it is possible to select whether or not to perform the inspection in units of the imposition image and whether or not to automatically perform the image correction in parallel with the formation of the normal image when an abnormality occurs. If an abnormality is detected in any part of the normal formed image when the selection is made not to perform the inspection in units of the imposition image, the formation of the normal image is completely stopped. The formation of the inspection image and the process of identifying the abnormality itself may be performed automatically, or may wait until the user commands the output of the desired inspection image via the input to the operation reception unit 70.

If the setting is not made to automatically correct the abnormality, after the abnormality is identified as described above, the content of the identified abnormality is displayed on the display unit 80 or the like, and the user is requested to respond (candidates are requested). It may be selected and selected), and the action is taken according to the input of the request.

Regardless of whether automatic correction is set or not, the type of identified abnormality cannot be dealt with by automatic adjustment or supplementary processing, for example, those that require replacement of parts or consumables, or those that require cleaning operation. In some cases, the subsequent image forming operation may be stopped and the user may be notified. It should be noted that the cleaning operation may be started only by the notification operation without the approval of the user.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the control unit 40 of the image formation control process executed by the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment. This image formation control process is included in the program 54, and includes the image data processing method of the present embodiment. The image formation control process is started when the job data is received or the received job data is called.

When the image formation control process is started, the control unit 40 (CPU 41) acquires the image data to be formed of the received job data (step S101). The control unit 40 processes the image data, converts it into driving data of the forming operation unit 20, and sets the arrangement with respect to the medium based on the imposition setting, the margin setting, and the like (step S102).

The control unit 40 (CPU 41) outputs drive data to the formation operation unit 20 and performs drive control to start the image formation operation (step S103). The control unit 40 also outputs a control signal to the transport unit 10 to start supplying and transporting the medium M.

The control unit 40 controls the image pickup unit 30 to capture an image on the medium M formed by the operation of the formation operation unit 20 (step S104). The control unit 40 determines whether or not the captured image includes an inspection image (step S105). If it is determined that it is included (“YES” in step S105), the control unit 40 analyzes the inspection image and identifies the location where the abnormality occurs (step S111). The control unit 40 adjusts the defective portion, prohibits ink ejection, sets complementary ejection by another nozzle, and the like according to the specified content (step S112; correction means, correction step). Then, the process of the control unit 40 shifts to step S106.

If it is determined that the captured image does not include the inspection image (“NO” in step S105), the processing of the control unit 40 proceeds to step S106.

When the process proceeds to step S106, the control unit 40 detects an abnormality in the normal image to be formed (step S106; detection means, detection step). As described above, the control unit 40 detects an abnormality by, for example, comparing the image pickup data with the original image data of the image to be formed. The control unit 40 determines whether or not there is an abnormality (step S107). If it is determined that there is an abnormality (“YES” in step S121), the control unit 40 calls and executes the relocation setting process. After that, the process of the control unit 40 returns to step S103.

If it is determined that there is no abnormality (“NO” in step S107), the control unit 40 determines whether or not all the target images have been formed (step S108). If it is determined that the process has not been completed (“NO” in step S108), the process of the control unit 40 returns to step S103. If it is determined that the image has been completed (“YES” in step S108), the control unit 40 ends the image formation control process.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the rearrangement setting process called in the image formation control process of FIG.

When the rearrangement setting process is called, the control unit 40 determines whether or not there is an image of an uninspected product that has been formed or is being formed (step S201). If it is determined to be present (“YES” in step S201), the control unit 40 interrupts the subsequent new image formation operation, and performs processing related to imaging of the remaining uninspected image and abnormality detection. (Step S202). Then, the process of the control unit 40 shifts to step S203. If it is determined that there is no uninspected image (“NO” in step S201), the process of the control unit 40 proceeds to step S203.

When the process proceeds to step S203, the control unit 40 extracts the abnormal portion in all the inspected images (step S203). The control unit 40 specifies an imposition area including an abnormal portion (step S204; range specifying means, range specifying step). The control unit 40 determines (estimates) the type of the detected abnormality (step S205).

The control unit 40 arranges an inspection image according to the type of the identified abnormality in the area where the abnormality is specified (step S206). The control unit 40 rearranges the abnormal image in the region where the normal image was formed (step S207). The control unit 40 determines whether or not there is an unformed image and a margin is generated in the medium M that has been rearranged as described above (step S208). When it is determined that a margin is generated (“YES” in step S208), the control unit 40 rearranges the formed images (step S209). Then, the control unit 40 ends the rearrangement setting process and returns the process to the image formation control process.
Even if the processing of steps S206 and S207 constitutes the relocation setting means (relocation setting step) of the present embodiment, and the relocation setting means (relocation setting step) includes the processing of steps S208 and S209. good.

When it is determined that no margin is generated (“NO” in step S209), the control unit 40 ends the rearrangement setting process and returns the process to the image formation control process. In this case, following the rearranged image forming operation, the image forming operation using the unformed arranged image data is continued. The unformed arranged image data may be moved behind and integrated with the rearranged image data.

When an abnormality is detected a plurality of times during image formation of a certain job, the relocation setting process may be called together with the abnormality detection each time. That is, the relocation setting process may be executed a plurality of times.

As described above, depending on the type of abnormality, it may not be possible to specify the type of abnormality in the inspection image, or it may be difficult to form a normal image by automatic response such as complementary processing related to the operation of the forming operation unit 20. be. In this case, the user of the image forming apparatus 1 needs to determine a desired response.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example when an abnormality that may not be dealt with by the complement processing is detected. In FIG. 10A, streaky abnormal Na is generated in the imposition region of images 2 and 4. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10B, the inspection image T is arranged in the imposition area where the abnormality is identified, and the images 2 and 4 are relocated to the areas of the images 1 and 3 in which the images are normally output. When the images are arranged and formed, the same abnormal Na is generated in the images 2 and 4 of the rearrangement destination. In this case, the abnormality is not specified from the inspection image T, that is, it is presumed that the abnormality is not the abnormality of the forming operation unit 20 or the conveying unit 10, and troubles in the driving image generation process or the like (converted from the data of the original formation target image). Incompatibility with processing, etc.) is assumed. However, it cannot be completely ruled out that a single anomaly may occur in succession at different locations and at the same location relative to images 2 and 4.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 10 (c), the setting selection screen related to the restart policy is displayed on the display unit 80, and awaits the operation of any selection input by the user. Here, for example, first, the inspection image T is rearranged in the imposition area of the rearranged images 2 and 4 in which the abnormality is detected as usual, and the image 2 and the image 2 are placed in the region of the inspection image T in which the abnormality is not identified. It is possible to select to restart the image formation by performing the rearrangement setting for returning 4. Further, it is possible to select to perform the formation of only the remaining unformed images by excluding the images 2 and 4 in which the abnormality not depending on the formation location is detected.

Alternatively, the images 2 and 4 are rearranged together with other unformed images, but the inspection image T is not arranged any more, and the images 2 and 4 are treated as normal output as they are, or even in the third image formation. If an abnormality occurs, it can be selected to exclude it as it is. If the abnormality is a part that does not appear, it may not always be necessary to deal with it. Further, when it is necessary to adjust or recreate the image data itself, the schedule delay may be smaller if the formation operation of another image is advanced in the meantime. Further, the option of canceling the entire job may be made. In this case, after that, a detailed inspection of the image forming apparatus 1 may be performed.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the rearrangement setting process of the modified example including the above process. In the rearrangement setting process of this modification, the processes of steps S211 to S215 and S221 are added to the above-mentioned rearrangement setting process. Other processes are the same, and detailed description of the same process contents will be omitted.

After the process of step S204, the control unit 40 (CPU 41) determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the imposition area of the rearranged and reshaped image (step S211). The reshaped image referred to here refers to an image arranged at a position different from the initial arrangement and formed again, and does not include an image formed only after being rearranged without being formed. If it is determined that there is no abnormality in the reformed image (“NO” in step S211), the process of the control unit 40 proceeds to step S205.

When it is determined that there is an abnormality in the regenerated image (“YES” in step S211), the abnormality detection position in the imposition area of the regenerated image and the imposition area at the time of the previous (first) abnormality detection. It is compared with the abnormality detection position and it is determined whether or not they are the same (step S212). If it is determined that they are not the same (“NO” in step S212), the processing of the control unit 40 proceeds to step S205.

When it is determined that the abnormality detection positions are the same (“YES” in step S212), the control unit 40 displays the restart setting selection screen on the display unit 80 and waits for the acceptance of the selection input operation. (Step S213). The control unit 40 determines whether or not the selection according to the content of the received input operation is the cancellation of the job (step S214). If it is determined to be canceled (“YES” in step S214), the control unit 40 cancels the rearrangement of the imposition image according to the input operation, and also sets the cancellation of the image forming operation (“YES”). Step S221). Then, the control unit 40 ends the rearrangement setting process and returns the process to the image formation control process.

When it is determined that the selection is not the cancellation of the job (“NO” in step S214), the control unit 40 determines the handling of the reformed image in which the abnormality is detected according to the selection content by the input operation (“NO”). Step S215). That is, in the example of FIG. 10C, it is determined whether to treat the abnormality in the same manner as the first abnormality detection, exclude it from the rearrangement target, or not form the inspection image T at the position after the reformation. do. Then, the process of the control unit 40 shifts to step S205.
In the present embodiment, when the processing of steps S214 and S215 branches to “YES” in step S212, it constitutes a means for selecting the subsequent processing.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the control unit 40. As a detection means, the control unit 40 detects a formation abnormality of the formation image from the formation image formed by the formation operation unit 20 that forms an image, and as a range specifying means, an abnormality image of the formation image including the range of the detected formation abnormality. As a means for specifying the formation range and setting the rearrangement, an inspection image T for identifying the cause of the formation abnormality is placed in the abnormal image formation range, and an image that is not normally formed is rearranged outside the abnormal image formation range. Set the image data. Further, as a correction means, the control unit 40 performs correction (complementary setting) corresponding to the formation abnormality based on the inspection image T formed by the formation operation unit 20 according to the image data after rearrangement.
In this way, when an image formation abnormality occurs, the image formation operation is advanced by avoiding the abnormal image formation range and reforming the image to be formed, and an inspection image is formed in the part where the abnormality occurs. Since the abnormality is identified and dealt with in parallel, the image forming operation can be efficiently advanced while eliminating the waste of recording medium, ink and time.

Further, two or more predetermined numbers (here, four) of images to be formed by the forming operation unit 20 are assigned to each part on the medium M on which the images are formed and arranged imposition. As a range specifying means, the control unit 40 specifies an abnormal image forming range for each range of the imposition-arranged images. In this way, especially when forming an imposition image, the presence or absence of an abnormality is determined for each imposition image, only the necessary image is reformed, and the inspection image is formed only in the necessary range, so that the image is easily and efficiently formed. The operation can proceed.

Further, when an image formation abnormality is detected and a part of a plurality of images to be formed specified in the job data is not formed, the control unit 40 is not formed as a rearrangement setting means. The image of may be included in the target of rearrangement. If a margin is generated in the medium M when the image within the abnormal image formation range and the inspection image are rearranged, the unformed image can also be rearranged to fill the margin to promote image formation more efficiently. can.

Further, the control unit 40 arranges the inspection image T according to the type of the detected dysplasia as the rearrangement setting means. Since the cause of many dysplasias can be estimated, by determining the type of inspection image according to the type of dysplasia and forming it, the cause of the dysplasia can be quickly identified, and a normal image can be dealt with. It can be restored to the forming operation.

In addition, the type of dysplasia includes at least one of the occurrence of uneven density and streaks in the image. These are morphological abnormalities that frequently occur even in image forming devices, and their causes are generally limited and can often be dealt with by complementary settings. Therefore, they are formed by setting inspection images so that they can be identified and dealt with. It is possible to greatly reduce the delay and labor of image formation work due to abnormalities.

Further, the forming operation unit 20 has a plurality of inkjet heads 211 for ejecting ink. The control unit 40 determines the range of the formation abnormality for each image formation range by each of the inkjet heads 211 as a range specifying means. In the inkjet type image forming apparatus 1, unevenness or abnormality often occurs in each inkjet head 211. Therefore, by defining the range of the formation abnormality in the inkjet head 211 as a unit, the abnormality can be dealt with efficiently. be able to.

Further, the control unit 40 may arrange an inspection image formed only by the inkjet head 211 corresponding to the range of the formation abnormality as the rearrangement setting means. As described above, since abnormalities are likely to occur in each inkjet head 211, it is often sufficient to form an inspection image only with the corresponding inkjet head 211, which saves more space for the inspection image than necessary. Moreover, it is not necessary to eject more ink than necessary.

Further, when there is an intermediate image after the start of formation and before the detection of the formation abnormality when the formation abnormality is detected, the control unit 40 specifies the abnormal image formation range of the intermediate image as the rearrangement setting means. Later, the relocation is set. If there is already an image in the process of formation, it is useless to discontinue the image in the middle if the image in the process can be formed normally, while other new abnormalities occur in the image in the process of formation. Even if only the anomaly that occurred earlier is dealt with without considering this, it will be necessary to form an inspection image, analyze it, and make complementary settings to deal with the new anomaly. It will be necessary. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of the image formation operation by completing the image formation of the intermediate image, detecting the abnormality, and then performing the rearrangement.

Further, when a dysplasia is detected in an image relocated to a position different from the initial arrangement and reshaped, the control unit 40, as a selection means, determines the range of the dysplasia in this image and the initial formation. Subsequent processing is selected based on the result of comparison with the range of morphological abnormalities in the image at the time of abnormality detection. If the abnormality continues to occur at the position corresponding to the image data instead of the position corresponding to the forming operation unit 20, it is assumed that the abnormality such as image data processing is not an abnormality of the forming operation unit 20 or the transport unit 10. In many cases, it cannot be dealt with by complementary processing without the intervention of users and administrators. Therefore, when an abnormality is detected in the reshaped image, the abnormal part is compared with the range of the original morphological abnormality to determine whether or not the position is abnormal according to the image data, thereby forming the image. It is possible to prevent the apparatus 1 from unnecessarily repeating a process having a high possibility of meaninglessness.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation receiving unit 70. As a result of the above comparison, when it is determined that the range of the formation abnormality in the image is the same, the control unit 40 selects the subsequent processing as the selection means based on the content of the input operation received by the operation reception unit 70. .. When there is a possibility that it is necessary to take the help of a user or an administrator, it is possible to reduce unnecessary time loss by promptly entrusting the user or the administrator to deal with it. In addition, depending on the judgment of the user or administrator, there are options such as starting over from the beginning or recreating only the necessary images and forming other images first, so we provide multiple options for the user's judgment. You may.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the above-mentioned image data processing apparatus (at least the control unit 40) and the forming operation unit 20 for forming an image. In such an image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to appropriately determine a forming abnormality and proceed with an image forming operation while efficiently dealing with the abnormality.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an imaging unit 30 that captures and reads the formed image. As a detection means, the control unit 40 detects the formation abnormality based on the reading data of the formation image by the imaging unit 30. By providing the image forming apparatus 1 in-line with the image pickup unit 30, it is possible to quickly read the formed image as it is, detect an abnormality, and deal with it. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately attach an image pickup unit to read and exchange abnormality detection information, and it does not take time and effort. Further, by appropriately arranging the image pickup unit 30, the time lag from image formation to abnormality detection can be reduced, and the number of intermediate images at the time of abnormality detection can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to shorten the interruption time of the normal image forming operation during the detection of an abnormality in the intermediate image. It is also possible to reduce the number of media M on which an image containing the same anomaly is formed.

Further, in the image data processing method of the present embodiment, the detection step of detecting the formation abnormality of the formation image from the formation image by the formation operation unit 20 forming the image, and the abnormality image of the formation image including the range of the detected formation abnormality. In the range identification step to specify the formation range, the inspection image for identifying the cause of the formation abnormality is placed in the abnormal image formation range, and the image data in which the image that is not normally formed is rearranged outside the abnormal image formation range is displayed. It includes a rearrangement setting step to be set, and a correction step of making corrections corresponding to the formation abnormality based on the inspection image formed by the forming operation unit 20 according to the image data after the rearrangement.
By such an image data processing method, waste of the medium and ink is eliminated, and the cause of the abnormality is identified and dealt with in parallel with the progress of the image forming operation, so that the image forming operation can be advanced more efficiently.

Further, by installing and starting the program 54 that executes each of the above processes, it is possible to detect and deal with the image formation abnormality generated in the image forming apparatus 1 without any special configuration. It is possible to obtain an appropriate formed image by increasing cost effectiveness and image forming efficiency.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
For example, in the above embodiment, the rearrangement and the formation of the inspection image are performed after the abnormality detection of the intermediate image is completed, but as soon as the formation abnormality is detected, the inspection image may be formed at the corresponding portion. good.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case where the image is formed on one side of the medium M has been described, but when the image is formed on both sides, the formation abnormality detection operation is performed after the image formation on the front surface and before the image formation on the back surface. Alternatively, the detection operation may be performed collectively after forming the images on both sides. When the formation abnormality detection operation is performed before the formation of the image on the back surface, the rearrangement setting may be made so that the inspection image related to the formation abnormality detected on the front surface is formed on the back surface.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case of forming an imposition image in which the surface of the medium M is divided into four equal parts has been described as an example, but the surface of the medium M does not necessarily have to be divided into four equal parts, and the surface is divided into uneven areas. It may be an image. In this case, the rearrangement of the position of the image may be restricted. Further, particularly in such a case, the order of rearrangement may be changed in the order in which the images can be rearranged, regardless of the order in which the images are formed.

Further, in the above embodiment, the case of forming the imposition image has been described, but the same rearrangement can be performed even in the case where a plurality (multiple) of the same image is formed on the medium in part or in whole. May be done. In addition, when the output size of the formed image is not limited due to the repetition of a pattern of a predetermined pattern, the normal image forming range of the recording target and the forming range of the inspection image are set even if the image is not an imposition image. Processing may be performed in parallel by setting appropriate division.

Further, in the above embodiment, it has been described that the selection operation by the operation receiving unit is accepted when the formation abnormality occurs at the same position with respect to the formed image even at the time of rearrangement, but the cause of the abnormality is not limited to this. If it cannot be specified or is difficult to specify, or if it is judged that it cannot be handled by the complementary settings, etc., it is possible to promptly seek the judgment of the user or administrator. Display the input reception screen on the display unit 80. May be good.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 may not include the imaging unit 30, and data captured by an external imaging device may be acquired.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 1 performs processing such as abnormality detection, identification, and correction (complementation), but even if at least a part of them is performed by an external computer or the like. good.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ink that forms an image is ejected by applying a coloring material, but a transparent ink or the like may be used. Further, the image referred to here is not limited to the drawing using the coloring material. A circuit wiring structure made of a specific conductor member may be included. In addition, a protective film on the base or top surface of the image may be included. Further, the image is not limited to a two-dimensional image, and may be intended to form irregularities such as embossing, and may further have a three-dimensional structure.

Further, in the above embodiment, it has been described as being an inkjet type image forming apparatus, but the present invention is not limited to this. It may be an image forming apparatus of another type. Further, the inkjet method is not limited to the piezo method in which ink is ejected by deformation of the piezoelectric element. The image may be formed by another method such as a thermal method.

Further, in the above description, a storage unit 50 made of a non-volatile memory such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory is taken as an example as a computer-readable medium for storing the program 54 related to the acquisition control of the positioning information of the present invention. As explained, but not limited to these. As other computer-readable media, other non-volatile memories such as MRAM and portable media such as CD-ROMs and DVD discs can be applied. Further, a carrier wave (carrier wave) is also applied to the present invention as a medium for providing the data of the program according to the present invention via a communication line.
In addition, the specific configuration, the content and procedure of the processing operation shown in the above embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 Image forming device 10 Conveying unit 11 Drive roller 12 Conveying belt 13 Driven roller 14 Conveying motor 15 Pressing roller 20 Forming operation unit 21, 21C, 21M, 21Y, 21K Head unit 210 Carriage 211 Inkjet head 212 Drive board 25 Head drive unit 26 Piezoelectric element 27 Nozzle 29 Drive waveform signal generation unit 30 Imaging unit 40 Control unit 41 CPU
42 RAM
50 Storage unit 51 Job data 52 Inspection image data 53 Complementary setting 54 Program 60 Communication unit 70 Operation reception unit 80 Display unit 90 Power supply unit M Medium T Inspection image

Claims (14)

A detection means for detecting a formation abnormality of the formed image from the formed image by the forming motion unit forming the image, and
A range specifying means for specifying an abnormal image forming range of the formed image including the detected range of the forming abnormality, and
A rearrangement setting means for arranging an inspection image for identifying the cause of the abnormal formation in the abnormal image formation range and setting image data in which an image that is not normally formed is rearranged outside the abnormal image formation range. When,
A correction means for correcting an image forming operation corresponding to the formation abnormality based on the inspection image formed by the forming operation unit according to the image data after the rearrangement.
An image data processing apparatus characterized by comprising. Two or more predetermined number of images to be formed by the forming motion unit are assigned to each part on the medium on which the images are formed and arranged imposition.
The image data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the range specifying means specifies the abnormal image forming range for each range of the imposition-arranged images. When the malformation is detected and a part of the plurality of images to be formed is unformed, the rearrangement setting means includes the unformed image as the target of rearrangement. 2. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 2. The image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rearrangement setting means arranges the inspection image according to the type of the detected dysplasia. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the type of dysplasia includes at least one of an image density unevenness and the occurrence of streaks. The forming operation unit has a plurality of inkjet heads for ejecting ink.
The image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the range specifying means defines a range of the formation abnormality for each image forming range by each of the inkjet heads. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the rearrangement setting means arranges the inspection image formed only by the inkjet head corresponding to the range of the formation abnormality. If there is an intermediate image after the start of formation and before the detection of the dysplasia when the dysplasia is detected, the rearrangement setting means will perform the above after the abnormal image formation range of the intermediate image is specified. The image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the rearrangement is set. When the dysplasia is detected in an image rearranged and reshaped at a position different from the initial arrangement by the relocation setting means, the range of the dysplasia in this image and the first dysplasia of the morphology The image data processing according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a selection means for selecting a subsequent processing based on the result of comparison with the range of the dysplasia in the image at the time of detection. Device. Equipped with an operation reception unit
As a result of the comparison, when it is determined that the range of the dysplasia in the image is the same, the selection means selects the subsequent processing based on the content of the input operation received by the operation reception unit. The image data processing apparatus according to claim 9. The image data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
The forming motion part that forms the image and
An image forming apparatus comprising. A reading unit for reading the formed image is provided.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the detecting means detects the formation abnormality based on the reading data of the formed image by the reading unit. A detection step of detecting a formation abnormality of the formed image from the formed image by the forming motion unit forming the image,
A range specifying step for specifying an abnormal image forming range of the formed image including the detected range of the forming abnormality,
A rearrangement setting step in which an inspection image for identifying the cause of the abnormal formation is placed in the abnormal image formation range, and image data in which an image that is not normally formed is rearranged is set outside the abnormal image formation range. ,
A correction step of correcting an image forming operation corresponding to the formation abnormality based on the inspection image formed by the forming operation unit according to the image data after the rearrangement.
An image data processing method comprising. Computer,
A detection means for detecting a formation abnormality of the formed image from the formed image by the forming motion unit forming the image, and
A range specifying means for specifying an abnormal image forming range of the formed image including the detected range of the forming abnormality, and
A rearrangement setting means for arranging an inspection image for identifying the cause of the abnormal formation in the abnormal image formation range and setting image data in which an image that is not normally formed is rearranged outside the abnormal image formation range. When,
A correction means for correcting an image forming operation corresponding to the formation abnormality based on the inspection image formed by the forming operation unit according to the image data after the rearrangement.
A program characterized by functioning as.

Images