JP2022042161A - Image inspection device and light source control method - Google Patents

Abstract

To extend the life of a light source of an image reading unit without performing complex control.SOLUTION: A light source control unit of an image inspection device of the present invention switches a first section in which it turns on or turns on and off a first light source and a second section in which it turns on or turns on and off a second light source at every predetermined time unit in a standby state of a first image forming apparatus and a second image forming apparatus, and turns off the second light source in the first section and turns off the first light source in the second section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

The present invention relates to an image inspection device and a light source control method.

Conventionally, an image inspection device for inspecting an image of a printed matter output from an image forming device has been known. The image inspection device inspects the quality of the image formed on the paper based on the reading result of the printed matter by the image reading unit provided with the light source and the light receiving element (imaging element). When the image inspection device reads an image, if the amount of light from the light source is not sufficient, the contrast of the image acquired by the sensor cannot be sufficiently obtained, and the reading result cannot be obtained appropriately.

Therefore, the image inspection device may be controlled to constantly turn on the light source (or blink at the cycle for image reading) not only while the image reading unit is reading the image but also in the idle state of the image inspection device. many.

However, the amount of light of the light source decreases as it is used for a long period of time. When the amount of light from the light source is reduced, the contrast of the image acquired by the image reading unit is also reduced, so that the original color of the printed matter cannot be reproduced in the reading result by the image reading unit. Therefore, the light source with reduced light intensity needs to be replaced with a new light source.

However, when a high-cost light source such as an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is used as the light source, a high cost is required at the time of replacement. Further, the replacement of the image reading unit including the light source and the image pickup device should be performed by a professional engineer, and the replacement also takes time. Further, after replacing the image reading unit, it is necessary to redo the image quality adjustment of the image forming apparatus, which is troublesome. Therefore, it is desirable for the user of the image inspection device to be able to use the image reading unit for as long as possible.

For example, in Patent Document 1, when the light receiving element does not detect the amount of light from the light source, the light source is intermittently lit with a duty such as 1/10 of the normal state at a light amount equal to or greater than the amount of light detected by the light receiving element. A step of fully lighting the light source when the light receiving element detects the amount of light from the light source, and a step of detecting the amount of light from the light source by the light receiving element after a lapse of a predetermined time after all the lights are turned on. The control method of the provided optical sensor is disclosed. According to the technique described in Patent Document 1, the lighting time can be suppressed with respect to the life of the light source, and the time from when the light source is turned on until the light amount becomes stable can be shortened.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-106525

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to perform complicated control such as changing the amount of light of the light source and changing the on / off duty of the light source.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object of the present invention is to extend the life of the light source of the image reading unit without performing complicated control.

In order to solve the above problems, the image inspection apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a first light source and a first image pickup element, and forms a first image on a first surface, which is one surface of a recording material. A first image reading unit for reading a first image formed by a first image forming apparatus, a second light source, and a second image pickup element are provided, and a first surface of the first image or recording material is provided. A second image reading unit that reads a second image formed by a second image forming apparatus that forms a second image on a second surface that is different from the surface, and a first light source and a second light source. It is provided with a light source control unit for controlling the lighting operation of. Then, the light source control unit turns on or blinks the first light source in the standby state of the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, and turns on or blinks the second light source. The second section is switched every predetermined time unit, the second light source is turned off in the first section, and the first light source is turned off in the second section.

Further, the light source control method of the image reading unit on one side of the present invention includes a first light source and a first image pickup element, and forms a first image on a first surface which is one surface of a recording material. A first image reading unit for reading a first image formed by the image forming apparatus 1, a second light source, and a second image pickup element are provided, and a first image or a first surface of a recording material is provided. Is a second image reading unit that reads a second image formed by a second image forming apparatus that forms a second image on a second surface, which is a different surface, and a first light source and a second light source. This is a light source control method using an image inspection device provided with a light source control unit for controlling a lighting operation. Then, in the standby state of the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, the light source control unit turns on or blinks the first light source in the first section and turns on or blinks the second light source. It includes a procedure of switching between the two sections at predetermined time units, turning off the second light source in the first section, and turning off the first light source in the second section.

According to the present invention, the life of the light source of the image reading unit can be extended without performing complicated control. Issues, configurations and effects other than those described above will be clarified by the following description of the embodiments.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the whole structure of the image formation system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the whole structure of the image forming part of the 1st image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a front view, a side view and a bottom view which show the structural example of the image reading part of the 1st image reading apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system of the 1st image forming apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The configuration of the control system of the first image reader according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the control system of the second image reader according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system of the 1st printer controller which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the control system of the 1st control apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the example of the transition of the light amount of a light source when the conventional light source control is performed. It is a graph which shows the example of the transition of the light amount of a light source when the control which turns off a light source is performed when a predetermined time elapses after the transition to a standby state. It is a figure which shows the example of the light source control by the light source control unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the procedure of the light source control processing by the conventional image formation system. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the procedure of the light source control processing by the light source control unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the example of the procedure of the light source alternating lighting control processing performed in step S28 and step S38 of FIG. 13 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a graph which shows the example of the transition of the light amount of the 1st light source and the 2nd light source when the light source control by the light source control unit which concerns on a modification is performed.

Hereinafter, examples of embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same function or configuration are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description of the components will be omitted.

<Structure of image formation system>
First, the overall configuration of the image forming system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing the overall configuration of the image forming system 1. It should be noted that FIG. 1 describes the elements required for the description of the present invention or related elements thereof, and the image forming system of the present invention is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 (an example of an image inspection device) includes a paper feeding device 10, a first image forming device 20, and a first image reading device 30 (an example of a first image reading unit). , A paper reversing unit 40, a second image forming device 50, a second image reading device 60 (an example of a second image reading unit), and a paper ejection device 70. Further, the image forming system 1 includes a first printer controller 101, a first control device 102, a second printer controller 103, and a second control device 104. Each of these devices constituting the image forming system 1 is communicably connected via a network N including a LAN (Local Area Network) or the like.

The paper feed device 10 has a plurality of paper feed trays in which paper of various paper types and paper sizes (an example of recording material) is stored, and the paper stored in the paper feed tray is used as the first image forming apparatus 20. Feed to.

The first image forming apparatus 20 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper by an inkjet method, and is a surface of paper (an example of the first surface) based on a print job input from the first printer controller 101. An image is formed (printed) on the paper. When the surface adjustment chart data is transmitted from the first printer controller 101, the first image forming apparatus 20 forms a surface adjustment chart (an example of the first image) on the surface of the paper.

The first printer controller 101 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing on drawing data included in a print job transmitted from a terminal device (not shown) to generate image data such as surface adjustment chart data. do. Then, the first printer controller 101 transmits the generated image data to the first image forming apparatus 20.

Further, the first printer controller 101 controls the first image forming apparatus 20 to perform image quality adjustment processing based on the surface adjustment data when the surface adjustment data is transmitted from the first control device 102. conduct. The image quality adjustment process is a process of reflecting the surface adjustment data in the image formation by the first image forming apparatus 20 from the next time onward.

The first image reading device 30 includes an image reading unit 330 (see FIG. 5), and is output from the first image forming device 20 on the entire surface of one page of a paper on which an image such as a surface adjustment chart is formed. To read. The first image reading device 30 transmits the scanned image obtained by reading the image reading unit 330 to the first control device 102.

The first control device 102 is a control device that controls the operation of the first image reading device 30. When the scanned image transmitted from the first image reading device 30 is a scanned image of the surface adjustment chart, the first control device 102 generates surface adjustment data based on the scanned image. Specifically, the first control device 102 decomposes an image for each color of the read image and for each image formed by each recording head (not shown) of the first image forming device 20. Then, the first control device 102 generates surface adjustment data based on the information obtained from each of the decomposed images, and transmits the surface adjustment data to the first printer controller 101.

Further, when the surface adjustment data is created, the first control device 102 causes a ejection failure in the nozzle of the recording head of the head unit 24 (see FIG. 2) of the first image forming device 20 based on the read image. Judge whether or not it is done. Then, when it is determined that a ejection defect has occurred in the nozzle, surface adjustment data for compensating for the ejection defect is generated. Complementing the ejection defect of the head can be performed, for example, by increasing the amount of ink ejected from the nozzle adjacent to the nozzle in which the ejection defect has occurred.

Further, the first control device 102 includes a lighting operation of the light source 331 (see FIG. 5: hereinafter also referred to as “first light source”) of the image reading unit 330 of the first image reading device 30 and a second image. It controls the lighting operation of the light source (see FIG. 6: hereinafter, also referred to as “second light source”) of the image reading unit 630 of the reading device 60. Specifically, the first control device 102 has a first section for turning on or blinking the first light source 331 and a second section for turning on or blinking the second light source in the standby state of the image forming system 1. The section is switched every predetermined time unit. At this time, the first control device 102 turns off the second light source in the first section and turns off the first light source 331 in the second section. The details of the light source control process by the first control device 102 will be described later.

When double-sided printing is instructed in the print job, the paper reversing unit 40 reverses the front and back of the paper output from the first image forming apparatus 20 and conveys the paper to the second image forming apparatus 50. On the other hand, when single-sided printing is instructed in the print job, the paper output from the first image forming apparatus 20 is conveyed to the second image forming apparatus 50 as it is without inverting the front and back sides. Even when single-sided printing is instructed in the print job, the paper reversing unit 40 reverses the front and back of the paper output from the first image forming apparatus 20 and conveys the paper to the second image forming apparatus 50. Sometimes. Further, the configuration of the paper reversing unit 40 may be any configuration as long as the front surface and the back surface of the paper can be inverted.

The second image forming apparatus 50 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on paper by an inkjet method, and is the back surface of the paper (an example of the second surface) based on a print job input from the second printer controller 103. Form an image. When the back side adjustment chart data is transmitted from the second printer controller 103, the second image forming apparatus 50 forms the back side adjustment chart (an example of the second image) on the back side of the paper.

The second printer controller 103 performs RIP processing on the drawing data included in the print job transmitted from the terminal device (not shown), and generates image data such as backside adjustment chart data. Then, the second printer controller 103 transmits the generated image data to the second image forming apparatus 50. Further, when the back surface adjustment data is transmitted from the second control device 104, the second printer controller 103 causes the second image forming apparatus 50 to reflect the front surface adjustment data in the next and subsequent image formation. Perform image quality adjustment processing.

The second image reading device 60 includes an image reading unit 630 (see FIG. 6), and covers the entire surface of one page of the paper on which an image such as an adjustment chart for the back surface is formed, which is output from the second image forming device 50. read. The second image reading device 60 transmits the scanned image obtained by reading the image reading unit 630 to the second control device 104.

The second control device 104 is a control device that controls the operation of the second image reading device 60. When the scanned image transmitted from the second image reading device 60 is a scanned image of the back surface adjustment chart, the second control device 104 generates back surface adjustment data based on the scanned image. Specifically, the second control device 104 decomposes an image for each color of the read image and for each image formed by each recording head (not shown) of the second image forming device 50. Then, the second control device 104 generates backside adjustment data based on the information obtained from each of the decomposed images, and transmits the backside adjustment data to the second printer controller 103.

The paper ejection device 70 includes a paper ejection tray 71 and a purge tray 72. Paper on which an image is normally formed is ejected to the output tray 71. Paper for which an image has not been formed normally is discharged to the purge tray 72.

<Structure of image forming unit of image forming apparatus>
Next, with reference to FIG. 2, a configuration example of the image forming unit 240 of the first image forming apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of the image forming unit 240 of the first image forming apparatus 20. Since the configuration of the image forming unit of the second image forming apparatus 50 is also the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 2, only the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 240 will be described here, and the second image forming apparatus 50 will be described. The description of the configuration of the image forming unit will be omitted.

The image forming unit 240 of the first image forming apparatus 20 shown in FIG. 2 ejects (injects) ink droplets from a plurality of nozzles provided in a recording head (not shown) of the head unit 24 onto paper. Form an image. The image forming unit 240 forms an image on paper by superimposing, for example, four colors of inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). The type of color used by the image forming unit 240 is not limited to the four types of Y, M, C, and K, and other colors may be used.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming unit 240 includes a paper supply unit 12, an image forming drum 21, a delivery unit 22, a heating unit 23, four head units 24, a fixing unit 25, a paper ejection unit 26, and the like.

The paper supply unit 12 supplies the paper fed from the paper feed device 10 to the image forming drum 21. The image forming drum 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape and is rotationally driven by a drive motor (not shown) to rotate counterclockwise (direction indicated by a semicircular arrow in the figure). Paper supplied from the paper feeding device 10 (see FIG. 1) is supported on the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21. Then, the image forming drum 21 conveys the paper by rotating while supporting the paper. The heating unit 23, the head unit 24, and the fixing unit 25 are arranged so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21, respectively.

The delivery unit 22 is provided between the paper supply unit 12 and the image forming drum 21. The delivery unit 22 includes a claw portion 221 and a cylindrical delivery drum 222 and the like. The claw portion 221 supports one end of the paper conveyed by the paper supply portion 12. The transfer drum 222 guides the paper supported on the claw portion 221 toward the image forming drum 21. As a result, the paper is delivered from the paper supply unit 12 to the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21 via the delivery unit 22.

A heating unit 23 is arranged on the downstream side of the delivery drum 222 in the paper transport direction. The heating unit 23 has, for example, a heating wire, and generates heat when energized. Under the control of the control unit 200 (see FIG. 4), the heating unit 23 heats the paper supported on the image forming drum 21 so that the paper passing in the vicinity of the heating unit 23 reaches a predetermined temperature.

A head unit 24 is provided on the downstream side of the heating unit 23 in the paper transport direction. Four head units 24 are provided corresponding to each color of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. The four head units 24 are arranged in the order of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black from the upstream side with respect to the paper transport direction.

The head unit 24 is a recording unit that ejects ink droplets from each of a plurality of nozzles of a plurality of recording heads (not shown) to form an image on paper. The length of the head unit 24 is set to a length (page width) that covers the entire paper in a direction orthogonal to the paper transport direction (paper width direction). That is, the first image forming apparatus 20 (and the second image forming apparatus 50) according to the present embodiment is a single-pass type line head type inkjet that forms an image by causing the head unit 24 to scan the paper only once. It is a recording device. The four head units 24 have the same configuration as each other except that the color of the ink to be ejected is different from each other.

The fixing portion 25 is arranged on the downstream side of the four head units 24 in the paper transport direction. As the fixing portion 25, for example, a fluorescent tube or the like that irradiates ultraviolet rays such as a low-pressure mercury lamp is applied. Then, the fixing unit 25 irradiates the paper conveyed by the image forming drum 21 with ultraviolet rays to cure the ink droplets ejected on the paper. As a result, the fixing unit 25 fixes the image formed on the paper.

The paper ejection unit 26 includes a cylindrical separation drum 261 and an ejection belt 262 and the like. The separation drum 261 separates the paper supported on the image forming drum 21 from the outer peripheral surface of the image forming drum 21. Then, the separation drum 261 guides the paper to the discharge belt 262.

The discharge belt 262 is formed in an endless shape and is rotatably supported by a plurality of rollers (not shown). The discharge belt 262 feeds the paper delivered by the separation drum 261 to the first image reading device 30 in the subsequent stage. In the case of the discharge belt 262 in the second image forming apparatus 50, the discharge belt 262 is sent out to the second image reading device 60.

<Structure of image reading unit of image reading device>
Next, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of the image reading unit 330 of the first image reading device 30 will be described. FIG. 3 is a front view, a side view, and a bottom view showing a configuration example of the image reading unit 330 of the first image reading device 30. Since the configuration of the image reading unit 630 of the second image reading device 60 is the same as the configuration of the image reading unit 330 of the first image reading device 30 shown in FIG. 3, here, the first image reading device is used. Only the configuration of the image reading unit 330 of the image reading unit 30 will be described, and the description of the configuration of the image reading unit 630 of the second image reading device 60 will be omitted.

The upper right side of FIG. 3 shows a front view of the image reading unit 330 of the first image reading device 30, a side view is shown on the left side thereof, and a bottom view is shown below the front view. The front view is a view of the image reading unit 330 as viewed from the front side in the paper transport direction. In the front view, "x" indicates the paper width direction (main scanning direction), "y" indicates the paper conveying direction (secondary scanning direction), and "z" indicates the vertical direction.

As shown in the front view of FIG. 3, the image reading unit 330 includes an image pickup element 332a and an image pickup element 332b. The image pickup element 332a and the image pickup element 332b are line cameras made of a CCD (Charge Coupled Device Image Sensor), a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Image Sensor), or the like.

The image sensor 332a and the image sensor 332b each have an angle of view in the range shown by the broken line in the drawing, and the width of the angle of view in the paper width direction (horizontal direction) is substantially the same as, for example, the A3 size paper width. Suppose there is. By arranging two image pickup elements 332a and image pickup elements 332b having such an angle of view side by side in the paper width direction, the image reading unit 330 can read the entire paper width of B2 size paper.

Further, as shown in the bottom view of FIG. 3, the image reading unit 330 includes a light source 331a and a light source 331b composed of LEDs and the like. The light source 331a and the light source 331b each have a substantially cubic shape having a rectangular surface, and the length in the longitudinal direction is the length obtained by adding the angles of view of the image sensor 332a and the image sensor 332b in the paper width direction. Is almost the same as. Further, the light source 331a and the light source 331b are arranged in parallel in the paper transport direction with a glass plate 333 sandwiched between them.

The image reading unit 330 having the above-described configuration reads an image formed on the paper by taking an image of the reflected light emitted from the light source 331a and the light source 331b and reflected on the paper by the image pickup element 332a and the image pickup element 332b. In the following description, when it is not necessary to individually identify the light source 331a and the light source 331b, these are collectively referred to as the light source 331, and when it is not necessary to individually identify the image pickup element 332a and the image pickup element 332b, the light source 331a and the light source 331b need not be individually identified. , These are collectively referred to as an image sensor 332.

<Structure of the control system of the first image forming apparatus>
Next, the configuration of the control system of the first image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the first image forming apparatus 20. Since the configuration of the control system of the second image forming apparatus 50 is the same as the configuration of the control system of the first image forming apparatus 20, only the configuration of the control system of the first image forming apparatus 20 will be described here. However, the description of the configuration of the control system of the second image forming apparatus 50 will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 4, the first image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 200. The control unit 200 is, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 202 used as a work area of the CPU 201, a program executed by the CPU 201, and the like. 203, storage unit 204 and the like are included.

The CPU 201 of the control unit 200 is connected to each unit constituting the first image forming apparatus 20 via the system bus B1 and controls the operation of each unit.

Further, the storage unit 204 is a large-capacity storage device including an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like. The storage unit 204 stores image data received from the first printer controller 101, data regarding the amount of ink droplets ejected from the nozzle group in a plurality of recording heads (not shown) (ink ejection amount data), and the like. To.

Further, the first image forming apparatus 20 includes a paper transport unit 210, an operation display unit 220, a communication I / F (Interface) unit 230, an image forming unit 240, and the like.

The paper transport unit 210 transports paper by driving a transport system mechanism such as a transfer unit 22 and a paper discharge unit 26 (see FIG. 2).

The operation display unit 220 is, for example, a touch panel in which a panel type display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display device and a position input device such as a touch pad are combined. It is composed. The operation display unit 220 displays an instruction menu for the user, information on the acquired image data, and the like.

The communication I / F unit 230 is connected to the first printer controller 101. Then, the communication I / F unit 230 receives the image data from the first printer controller 101, and supplies the received image data to the control unit 200 via the system bus B1.

The image forming unit 240 forms an image on the surface of the paper based on the image data transmitted from the first printer controller 101. When the data for the surface adjustment chart is transmitted from the first printer controller 101, the surface adjustment chart is formed on the surface of the paper. The head drive unit 241 in the head unit 24 drives a recording head (not shown). Since the other parts constituting the image forming unit 240 have already been described with reference to FIG. 2, the description thereof will be omitted here.

<Structure of control system of first image reader>
Next, the configuration of the control system of the first image reading device 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the first image reading device 30.

As shown in FIG. 5, the first image reading device 30 includes a control unit 300. The control unit 300 includes, for example, a CPU 301, a RAM 302 used as a work area of the CPU 301, a ROM 303 for storing a program or the like executed by the CPU 301, and the like.

The CPU 301 of the control unit 300 is connected to each unit constituting the first image reading device 30 via the system bus B3, and controls the operation of each unit. Further, the control unit 300 includes a storage unit 304 or the like as a large-capacity storage device including an HDD, an SSD, or the like.

Further, the first image reading device 30 includes a paper transport unit 310, a communication I / F unit 320, an image reading unit 330, and the like.

The paper transport unit 310 drives a mechanism of a transport system (not shown). The communication I / F unit 320 is connected to the first control device 102. Then, the communication I / F unit 320 receives the control signal transmitted from the first control device 102, and transmits the read image read by the image reading unit 330 to the first control device 102.

The image reading unit 330 includes a light source (first light source) 331 and an image pickup element 332 (an example of the first image pickup element). The light source 331 is the light source 331a and the light source 331b shown in FIG. 3, and the image pickup element 332 is the image pickup element 332a and the image pickup element 332b shown in FIG. Since these have already been explained with reference to FIG. 3, these explanations will be omitted here. The image reading unit 330 reads the entire surface of one page of the paper on which the image such as the surface adjustment chart is formed, and outputs the read image to the control unit 300.

<Structure of control system of second image reader>
Next, the configuration of the control system of the second image reading device 60 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the second image reading device 60. As shown in FIG. 6, the second image reading device 60 includes a control unit 600, a storage unit 604, a paper transport unit 610, a communication I / F unit 620, an image reading unit 630, and the like. The image reading unit 630 includes a light source (second light source) 631 and an image pickup element 632 (an example of the second image pickup element).

In the configuration of the control system of the second image reading device 60, the only difference from the configuration of the control system of the first image reading device 30 is the connection destination of the communication I / F unit 620. The communication I / F unit 620 of the second image reading device 60 is connected to the first control device 102 and the second control device 104. Then, the communication I / F unit 620 receives the control signal transmitted from the second control device 104, transmits the read image read by the image reading unit 630 to the second control device 104, and so on. A control signal for controlling a light source or the like is received from the control device 102 of 1.

<Configuration of control system of the first printer controller>
Next, the configuration of the control system of the first printer controller 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the first printer controller 101. Since the configuration of the second printer controller 103 is the same as the configuration of the first printer controller 101, only the configuration of the first printer controller 101 will be described here, and the configuration of the second printer controller 103 will be described. Is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the first printer controller 101 includes a control unit 110. The control unit 110 includes, for example, a CPU 111, a RAM 112 used as a work area of the CPU 111, a ROM 113 for storing a program or the like executed by the CPU 111, a storage unit 114, and the like.

The CPU 111 of the control unit 110 is connected to each unit constituting the first printer controller 101 via the system bus B5, and controls the operation of each unit.

Further, the control unit 110 includes a storage unit 114 as a large-capacity storage device including an HDD, an SSD, or the like. The storage unit 114 stores image data and the like transmitted to the first image forming apparatus 20.

Further, the first printer controller 101 includes a communication I / F unit 115, an operation input unit 116, a display unit 117, a RIP unit 118, and the like.

The communication I / F unit 115 is connected to the first image forming apparatus 20, and transmits the image data or the like generated by the RIP unit 118 to the first image forming apparatus 20. Further, the communication I / F unit 115 is connected to the first control device 102, and receives surface adjustment data and the like from the first control device 102.

The operation input unit 116 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and has a role as an input unit that receives various instructions, characters, numbers, and other data input by the user's operation. The display unit 117 is a panel-type display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device, and displays an instruction menu for the user, information on acquired image data, and the like.

The RIP unit 118 performs RIP processing on the drawing data included in the print job transmitted from the terminal device (not shown) to generate image data such as surface adjustment chart data.

<Structure of control system of first control device>
Next, the configuration of the control system of the first control device 102 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the control system of the first control device 102.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first control device 102 includes a control unit 120. The control unit 120 includes, for example, a CPU 121, a RAM 122 used as a work area of the CPU 121, a ROM 123 for storing a program or the like executed by the CPU 121, a storage unit 124, and the like.

The CPU 121 of the control unit 120 is connected to each unit constituting the first control device 102 via the system bus B7, and controls the operation of each unit. The storage unit 124 is composed of, for example, an HDD, an SSD, or the like, and the storage unit 124 stores a surface-read image or the like received from the first image reading device 30.

Further, the control unit 120 includes a storage unit 124, a communication I / F unit 125, an operation input unit 126, a display unit 127, an adjustment data generation unit 128, a light source control unit 129, and the like.

The communication I / F unit 125 is connected to the first image reading device 30, receives the surface-read image transmitted from the first image reading device 30, and refers to the first image reading device 30. Then, a control signal for controlling the light source and the like are transmitted. Further, the communication I / F unit 125 is connected to the first printer controller 101, and transmits the adjustment data and the like generated by the adjustment data generation unit 128 to the first printer controller 101. Further, the communication I / F unit 125 is connected to the paper reversing unit 40, and transmits a control signal or the like for preventing the paper from being inverted to the paper reversing unit 40. Further, the communication I / F unit 125 is connected to the second image reading device 60, and transmits a control signal for controlling a light source or the like to the second image reading device 60.

The operation input unit 126 is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, and has a role as an input unit that receives various instructions, characters, numbers, and other data input by the user's operation. The display unit 127 is a panel-type display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device, and displays an instruction menu for the user, information on acquired image data, and the like.

The adjustment data generation unit 128 generates surface adjustment data (example of first image adjustment data) based on the scanned image transmitted from the first image reading device 30. In the surface adjustment data, correction for nozzle ejection failure of the recording head (not shown), head tilt adjustment, nozzle overlap adjustment, voltage adjustment for adjusting the amount of ink ejection, and main scanning between the same colors. Adjustment of direction, adjustment of sub-scanning direction between the same colors, gamma correction, shading correction, etc. are instructed.

The light source control unit 129 performs a light source control process including each of the following controls (1) to (4).

(1) In the following sections (a) to (c) (waiting period of the device), control for blinking the first light source 331 or the second light source 631 at a cycle for reading an image.

(A) From when the power of the image forming system 1 is turned on until the initialization of the device is completed (b) From the end of the print job until a predetermined time elapses (c) The power saving state is released. From the time until the specified time elapses

During the initialization period of the image forming system 1 of (a) and the time from the release of the power saving state of (c) until a predetermined time elapses, the amount of light of the first light source 331 and the second It includes a time when the amount of light of the light source 631 is expected to be stable. That is, the light source control unit 129 of the first control device 102 reaches the time when the amount of light of the first light source 331 and the amount of light of the second light source 631 are expected to be stable during initialization and after the power saving state is released. Control is performed so that the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 are continuously blinked in a cycle for reading an image.

The image reading cycle is determined according to the time for the image sensor 332 and the image sensor 632 to accumulate an image and the size of the image to be read. For example, it is assumed that the image sensor 332 and the image sensor 632 have the ability to store an 8-bit image in 100 μs, and the target level of the white level is “180” when the maximum luminance level is “256”. In this case, the lighting time of the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 can be set to "70 μs, the extinguishing time can be set to 30 μs, etc. That is, the light source 331 and the second light source 631 can be set in the image reading cycle. Of 100 μs, which is one cycle of image reading, 70 μs is turned on and the remaining 30 μs is turned off, that is, blinks in this cycle.

In this embodiment, the light source control unit 129 controls to blink the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 at the cycle for reading an image during the period (a) to (c). However, the present invention is not limited to this. The light source control unit 129 may constantly turn on the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 during the period (a) to (c).

(2) The first light source 331 blinks (or lights up) in the standby state after the initialization of the image forming system 1 is completed and in the standby state after a predetermined time has elapsed from the end of the print job. Control to switch between the section of the above and the second section for blinking (or lighting) the second light source every predetermined time unit such as 5 minutes (hereinafter, this control is also referred to as "light source alternating lighting control"). .. In this light source alternating lighting control, the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 may be turned on instead of blinking.

(3) A control for blinking the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 at a cycle for image reading when the image is read by the first image reading device 30 or the second image reading device 60.

(4) A control for turning off the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 when a power saving request is input and the image forming system 1 is in a power saving state.

The procedure of the light source control process by the light source control unit 129 of the first control device 102 described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 12 to 14 described later.

The configuration of the control system of the second control device 104 is almost the same as the configuration of the control system of the first control device 102, but the point that the light source control unit is not provided and the connection destination of the communication I / F unit are , Different from the first control device 102. The communication I / F unit (not shown) of the second control device 104 is connected to the second image reading device 60 and the second printer controller 103.

<Light source control method by image formation system>
[Conventional light source control]
Next, with reference to FIG. 9, the conventional lighting control of the light source will be described. FIG. 9 is a graph showing an example of the transition of the light amount of the light source when the conventional light source control is performed. The vertical axis of the graph of FIG. 9 indicates the amount of light, and the horizontal axis indicates time.

In the example shown in FIG. 9, the control unit of the image forming system continuously turns on the light source (or blinks at a cycle for reading an image) from the time when the power of the image forming system is turned on until the reception of the power saving request. )do. In this way, if the light source is constantly lit after the power is turned on, the life of the light source will be shortened.

FIG. 10 is a graph showing an example of a transition of the light amount of the light source when the control of turning off the light source is performed when a predetermined time elapses after the transition to the standby state. In the graph of FIG. 10, the vertical axis indicates the amount of light and the horizontal axis indicates time. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the control unit is at a timing t13 in which the power of the device is turned on at the timing t11, the initialization is completed (t12), and a predetermined time has elapsed from the time of the initialization end (t12). Turn off the light source of 1. It is assumed that the print request is input at the timing t14 in the state where such control is performed.

In this case, the control unit turns on the first light source again, but when the light source once turned off is turned on again, until the light amount of the light source reaches the threshold light amount Lth suitable for image reading shown by the alternate long and short dash line in the figure. It takes time. That is, the amount of light from the light source is not stable during the period from timing t14 to timing t15, which is shaded in the figure.

Therefore, the image reading device cannot read the image during the period from the timing t14 to the timing t15. That is, there is a waiting time between the timing t14 when the print request is input and the timing t15 when the image reading starts.

[Outline of light source control of this embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIG. 11, the outline of the light source control by the light source control unit 129 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of light source control by the light source control unit 129.

The vertical axis of FIG. 11 shows the state (status) of the light source control, and the horizontal axis shows the time. "0" in the light source control state indicates a state in which the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 are turned off, and "1" indicates that the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 are constantly blinking. Indicates the state of being. “2” indicates a state in which the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 are blinking alternately (a state in which the light source alternating lighting control process is being performed), and “3” is the first light source 331. And the state where the second light source 631 is blinking.

As shown in FIG. 11, the light source control unit 129 has the first light source 331 and the second light source 331 until the image forming system 1 is turned on and ready for printing (during initialization). Control is performed so that the light source 631 is constantly blinking (or lit) at a cycle for reading an image (a section in which the control state is "1"). When the initialization is completed and the standby state in which printing is possible is entered, the light source control unit 129 performs a light source alternating lighting control process for alternately blinking the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 (the control state is "2"). "Section).

In the light source alternating lighting control process, the light source control unit 129 blinks the first light source 331 at a cycle for image reading for, for example, 5 minutes (an example of the first section), during which the second light source 631 is turned off. Let me. Then, in the next 5 minutes (an example of the second section), the second light source 631 is blinked at a cycle for reading an image, and during that time, the first light source 331 is turned off.

In this "5 minutes", which is the period for switching the lighting of the light source, the amount of light of the light source when the first light source 331 or the second light source 631 is turned on again after the time has elapsed after the light is turned off is within a predetermined threshold time. It is the time during which it is possible to reach a light source suitable for reading an image. Therefore, the time for switching the lighting state of the first light source 331 or the second light source 631 may be a time other than 5 minutes as long as the time satisfying this condition is satisfied.

When a print request is input in the standby state, printing is started in the first image forming apparatus 20 or the second image forming apparatus 50. At this time, the light source control unit 129 controls the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 to blink at a cycle for reading an image (the section where the control state is "3").

When printing (reading of an image) is completed and the standby state is entered again, the light source control unit 129 again performs a light source alternating lighting control process for alternately blinking the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 (control). The section where the state is "2"). Then, when the power saving request is input, the light source control unit 129 turns off the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 (the section where the control state is “0”).

[Procedure of conventional light source control processing]
Next, the procedure of the light source control process by the conventional image forming system will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of light source control processing by a conventional image forming system. First, the power of the image forming system is turned on (step S1). Then, initialization starts in the image forming system (step S2).

Next, the light source control unit of the image forming system blinks (or lights up) the light source of the first image reading device and the light source of the second image reading device at a cycle for image reading (step S3). Next, the light source control unit of the image forming system determines whether or not the initialization is completed (step S4). When it is determined in step S4 that the initialization has not been completed (when the determination in step S4 is NO), the light source control unit repeats the determination in step S4.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the initialization has been completed (YES in step S4), the light source control unit determines whether or not a print request has been input (step S5). If it is determined in step S5 that the print request has been input (YES in step S5), the first image forming apparatus prints an image (front image) on paper (step S6).

Next, the first image reader reads the surface image printed on the paper (step S7). Next, the paper reversing unit reverses the front and back of the paper (step S8). Next, the second image forming apparatus prints an image (backside image) on paper (step S9). Next, the second image reading device reads the back side image printed on the paper (step S10).

Next, the control unit of the image forming system determines whether or not the printing job by the second image reading device is completed (step S11). If it is determined in step S11 that the job has not been completed (NO in step S11), the control unit of the image forming system returns the process to step S6. That is, the first image forming apparatus is made to print the image.

On the other hand, when it is determined in step S11 that the job has been completed (when the determination in step S11 is YES), the control unit of the image forming system returns to step S5 to make a determination. That is, it is determined whether or not a print request has been input. If it is determined in step S5 that the print request has not been input (NO determination in step S5), the control unit of the image forming system determines whether or not the power saving request has been input (step S12).

When it is determined in step S12 that the power saving request has not been input (when the determination in step S12 is NO), the control unit of the image forming system repeats the determination in step S5. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S12 that the power saving request has been input (when the determination in step S12 is YES), the control unit of the image forming system transitions the state of the system to the power saving state (step S13). After the process of step S13, the light source control process by the image forming system ends.

In the conventional light source control process described above, the light source of the first image reader and the light source of the second image reader are constantly blinking (or) from the start of initialization of the image forming system to the time when the power saving state is entered. Light. Therefore, in the conventional method, the life of the light source of the first image reader and the light source of the second image reader is shortened.

[Procedure of light source control processing in this embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the procedure of the light source control method by the image forming system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the light source control process by the light source control unit 129.

Since the processes from step S21 to step S24 in FIG. 13 are the same as the processes in steps S1 to S4 in FIG. 12, the description of each of these processes will be omitted here.

If it is determined in step S24 that the initialization has been completed (YES in step S24), the light source control unit 129 determines whether or not a print request has been input (step S25). When it is determined in step S25 that the print request has not been input (NO determination in step S25), the light source control unit 129 determines whether or not the power saving request has been input (step S26).

When it is determined in step S26 that the power saving request has not been input (NO determination in step S26), the light source control unit 129 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S27).

If it is determined in step S27 that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO determination in step S27), the light source control unit 129 returns to step S25 and repeats the determination. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S27 that a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S27), the light source control unit 129 performs a light source alternating lighting control process (step S28). The procedure of the light source alternating lighting control process will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 14 below. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S26 that the power saving request has been input (when the determination in step S26 is YES), the system state is changed to the power saving state (step S29). After the process of step S29, the light source control process by the image forming system ends.

When it is determined in step S25 that the print request has been input (when the determination in step S25 is YES), the light source control unit 129 blinks the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 at a cycle for reading an image (when it is determined that the print request is input). Or turn on) (step S30).

Since the processes from step S31 to step S36 are the same as the processes from step S6 to step S11 in FIG. 13, the description of each of these processes will be omitted here. When it is determined in step S36 that the job has been completed (YES in step S36), the light source control unit 129 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S37).

If it is determined in step S37 that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO determination in step S37), the light source control unit 129 repeats the determination in step S37. On the other hand, when it is determined in step S37 that a predetermined time has elapsed (YES in step S37), the light source control unit 129 performs the light source alternating lighting control process again (step S38). After the process of step S38, the light source control unit 129 returns to step S25 and continues the determination.

Next, with reference to FIG. 14, the light source alternating lighting control process performed in steps S25 and S35 of FIG. 13 will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the light source alternating lighting control process performed in steps S28 and S38 of FIG.

First, the light source control unit 129 determines whether or not it is the blinking timing of the first light source 331 at the present time (step S41). For example, if the light source that was blinking at the time of the previous execution of the light source alternating lighting control process is the second light source 631, and the timing for switching the blinking state such as "5 minutes" has arrived, the time point is the second. It is the timing to blink the light source 331 of 1.

When it is determined in step S41 that the current time is the blinking timing of the first light source 331 (when the determination in step S41 is YES), the light source control unit 129 turns off the second light source 631 (step S42). Next, the light source control unit 129 blinks the first light source 331 at a cycle for reading an image (step S43). After the process of step S43, the light source control unit 129 returns the process to step S25 of FIG.

If it is determined in step S41 that the timing is not the blinking timing of the first light source 331 at present (when the determination in step S41 is NO), the light source control unit 129 turns off the first light source 331 (step S44). Next, the light source control unit 129 blinks the second light source 631 at a cycle for reading an image (step S45). After the process of step S45, the light source control unit 129 returns the process to step S25 of FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, the light source control unit 129 has a first section for turning on or blinking the first light source 331 and a second section for turning on or blinking the second light source 631 in the standby state of the image forming system 1. The section is switched at predetermined time units, the second light source 631 is turned off in the first section, and the first light source 331 is turned off in the second section. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the life of the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 provided in the image forming system 1 can be extended without performing complicated control.

Further, the blinking cycle of the first light source 331 in the standby state in the above embodiment is the same as the blinking cycle at the time of reading the surface adjustment chart in the first image reading device 30. Further, the blinking cycle of the second light source 631 in the standby state is the same as the blinking cycle at the time of reading the front surface adjustment chart (or the back surface adjustment chart) in the second image reading device 60. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to change the blinking cycle of the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 in the middle, and therefore, according to the present embodiment, control can be easily performed. , It is possible to suppress a large change in the amount of light of the first light source 331 and the second light source 631.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the extinguishing time of the second light source 631 in the first section is a time during which the amount of light of the second light source 631 does not fall below the amount of light suitable for reading an image, and is in the second section. The extinguishing time of the first light source 331 is a time during which the amount of light of the first light source does not fall below the amount of light suitable for reading an image. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the life of the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 can be extended, and the image can be read stably.

<Various deformation examples>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other application examples and modifications can be taken as long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

For example, the light source control unit 129 has a first image reading device 30 and a second image reading device as devices for reading the surface adjustment chart when an image (front surface adjustment chart) is formed only on the surface of the paper. Among the devices 60, an image reading device in which the light source is lit or blinking may be selected. By performing such control, it is possible to eliminate the waiting time during which the first image reading device 30 or the second image reading device 60 cannot read the image.

Further, for example, in the above-described embodiment, when the light source control unit 129 performs the light source alternating lighting control process, the timing at which one of the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 is turned off and the other light source are turned off. The present invention is not limited to this, although an example has been given in which the timing at which the light source is turned on is the same. Control may be performed to shift the timing of turning off one light source and the timing of turning on the other light source. For example, the light source control unit 129 has a first section second in the switching timing between the first section in which the first light source 331 is turned on or blinked and the second section in which the second light source 631 is turned on or blinked. Sections may be overlapped for a predetermined time.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the transition of the amount of light of the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 when the light source is controlled by the light source control unit 129 according to the modified example. In FIG. 15, the transition of the light amount of the first light source 331 is shown by a thick line, and the transition of the light amount of the second light source 631 is shown by a thin line.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, the light source control unit 129 first starts blinking the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 at the timing t21 when the power of the image forming system 1 is turned on, and is in the standby state. At the timing t23 when a predetermined time has elapsed from t22, only the first light source 331 is turned off. During this time, the second light source 631 is continuously blinked.

Next, the light source control unit 129 blinks the first light source 331 again at the timing t24 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the timing t23. During this time, the second light source 631 is also continuously blinking. Next, the light source control unit 129 turns off the first light source 331 at the timing t26 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the timing t24. During this time, the second light source 631 is continuously blinked.

Next, the light source control unit 129 blinks the first light source 331 at the timing t27 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the timing t26. Then, the light source control unit 129 turns off the second light source 631 at the timing t28 when a predetermined time required for stabilizing the light amount of the first light source 331 has elapsed from the timing t27.

Next, the light source control unit 129 turns off the first light source 331 at the timing t30 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the timing t28, but at the timing t29 before that, the second light source 631 is blinked first. .. That is, between the timing t29 and the timing t30, the first section in which the first light source 331 blinks and the second section in which the second light source 631 blinks overlap.

Next, the light source control unit 129 blinks the first light source 331 at the timing t31 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the timing t30. During this time, the second light source 631 remains blinking. Then, the light source control unit 129 turns off the second light source 631 at the timing t32 when a predetermined time required for stabilizing the light amount of the first light source 331 has elapsed from the timing t31.

Next, the light source control unit 129 blinks the second light source 631 at the timing t33 when a predetermined time has elapsed from the timing t32. Then, at the timing t34 when the power saving request is input and the power saving state is entered, the light source control unit 129 turns off the first light source 331 and the second light source 631.

By performing the light source lighting control shown in FIG. 15 by the light source control unit 129, there is no section in which the light source is turned off as a whole of the image forming system 1. This makes it possible to eliminate the waiting time during which the first image reading device 30 or the second image reading device 60 cannot read the image.

In the example shown in FIG. 15, the light source control unit 129 takes a predetermined time to stabilize the light intensity of the light source after one of the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 starts blinking. However, the present invention is not limited to this, although an example has been given in which the other light source is turned off after the lapse of time. Control may be performed to turn off the blinking light source at a stage before a predetermined time required for stabilizing the light amount of the light source has elapsed. That is, there may be a section in which both the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 are turned off.

Further, the light source control unit 129 transmits information on the lighting state of the first light source 331 and / or the second light source 631, that is, whether it is on (blinking) or off, via the communication I / F unit 125. Control may be performed to transmit the information to the image forming apparatus 20 or the like of No. 1 and display the information on the screen of the operation display unit 220 of the first image forming apparatus 20. The light source control unit 129 does not display the lighting state of the first light source 331 and / or the second light source 631 on the operation display unit, but forms the first image forming apparatus 20 or the second image. The user may be notified by changing the lighting mode of a lamp such as a patrol light (registered trademark) connected to the device 50.

In the above-described embodiment, the image inspection apparatus of the present invention is applied to the image formation system 1 including both the image forming apparatus and the image inspection apparatus, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The image inspection device of the present invention may be applied to an image inspection device that does not include an image forming device.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the first light source 331 and the second light source 631 are composed of LEDs has been given, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The light source of the present invention may be composed of other light sources such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence) and inorganic EL.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the first image forming apparatus 20 and the second image forming apparatus 50 are applied to an inkjet type image forming apparatus has been given, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus may be applied to other image forming apparatus such as a laser printer, an LED printer, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

1 ... Image forming system, 20 ... First image forming apparatus, 30 ... First image reading device, 40 ... Paper reversing unit, 50 ... Second image forming apparatus, 60 ... Second image reading device, 102 ... First control device, 129 ... light source control unit, 331 ... first light source, 631 ... second light source

Claims (7)

A first image formed by a first image forming apparatus having a first light source and a first image pickup device and forming a first image on a first surface, which is one surface of a recording material, is read. 1 image reader and
A second image formation comprising a second light source and a second image sensor and forming a second image on the first image or a second surface which is a surface different from the first surface of the recording material. A second image reading unit that reads the second image formed by the device,
A light source control unit for controlling the lighting operation of the first light source and the second light source is provided.
In the standby state of the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, the light source control unit turns on or lights up the first section for turning on or blinking the first light source and the second light source. An image inspection in which the blinking second section is switched at predetermined time units, the second light source is turned off in the first section, and the first light source is turned off in the second section. Device. The standby state is in the first image forming apparatus or the second image forming apparatus from the time when the light amount of the first light source and the light amount of the second light source after lighting are assumed to be stable. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1, which is a state in a section up to a time when image formation becomes possible. The blinking cycle of the first light source in the standby state is the same as the blinking cycle at the time of reading the first image in the first image reading unit, and the blinking cycle of the second light source in the standby state is the same. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the blinking cycle is the same as the blinking cycle when the first image or the second image is read by the second image reading unit. The extinguishing time of the second light source in the first section is a time during which the amount of light of the second light source does not fall below the amount of light suitable for reading an image, and the light amount of the first light source in the second section. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the extinguishing time is a time during which the amount of light of the first light source does not fall below the amount of light suitable for reading an image. When the image is formed only on the first surface of the recording material, the light source control unit is an image in which the light source is lit or blinking among the first image reading unit and the second image reading unit. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the reading unit reads the first image. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the light source control unit overlaps the first section and the second section for a predetermined time at the switching timing of the first section and the second section. .. A first image formed by a first image forming apparatus having a first light source and a first image pickup element and forming a first image on a first surface, which is one surface of a recording material, is read. 1 image reading unit, a second light source, and a second image pickup element, and a second image is printed on the first image or a second surface different from the first surface in the recording material. A second image reading unit that reads the second image formed by the second image forming apparatus to be formed, and a light source control unit that controls the lighting operation of the first light source and the second light source. It is a light source control method using an image inspection device provided.
In the standby state of the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, the light source control unit turns on or blinks the first light source and the second light source. A procedure for switching between the blinking second section and the blinking second section at predetermined time units, turning off the second light source in the first section, and turning off the first light source in the second section. Light source control method including.

Images