JP2022181550A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image formation apparatus which performs printing of an image by suppressing reduction in yield rate and reduction in productivity.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus comprises: a printer 300 which generates a printed matter; a first reading unit 5051a which reads an image formed on the printed matter; a printing inspection device 500 which inspects the quality of the image formed on the printed matter on the basis of the image reading result by the first reading unit 5051a; and a controller 400 which receives input of the inspection content of the quality to cause the printing inspection device 500 to perform inspection on the basis of the inspection content. The controller 400 calculates the yield rate of the printed matter on the basis of the result of the inspection by the printing inspection device 500, performs notification that urges change in the inspection content when the calculated yield rate is reduced with respect to a prescribed target value, and causes the printing inspection device 500 to perform inspection of the quality with the changed inspection content without stopping a job according to the notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a print inspection function for inspecting the quality of an image printed on paper.

An image forming apparatus prints an image on a sheet of paper based on image data representing an image to be printed to generate a printed matter. The print inspection device inspects whether or not the image printed on the paper by the image forming device is formed as instructed by the image data. The print inspection apparatus uses image data as reference data and scan data obtained by reading an image printed on paper with a sensor such as a scanner as inspection image data, and compares both data. The print inspection device determines the print quality of the printed material based on the degree of matching between the reference data and the inspection image data.

When the print inspection apparatus performs image determination based on many inspection items, the time required for determination becomes long. This may lead to a decrease in productivity in image formation. Patent Literature 1 discloses an inspection apparatus that automatically determines inspection items based on the time available for quality inspection and the inspection time of each of a plurality of inspection items.

JP 2005-205693 A

The inspection apparatus of Patent Document 1 allows the operator to set inspection items. However, an operator unfamiliar with image quality inspection may lack an understanding of the importance of each inspection item, and may not be able to set appropriate inspection items. For example, an inexperienced operator may conduct a quality inspection at a very strict level even for a printed matter for which the inspection level for inspection items does not need to be strict. As a result, the yield rate of printed matter may decrease and paper and toner may be wasted. Further, when changing the inspection items in order to improve the yield rate, the print job that has been started is temporarily stopped, and then the inspection items are reset. As a result, it takes a long time to create printed matter, resulting in a decrease in productivity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus that prints an image while suppressing a decrease in yield rate and productivity.

The image forming apparatus of the present invention comprises printing means for forming an image on a sheet to generate a printed material, reading means for reading the image formed on the printed material, and based on the result of reading the image by the reading means, inspection means for inspecting the quality of the image formed on the printed matter; and control means for receiving an input of inspection details of the quality and causing the inspection means to perform the inspection based on the inspection details, The control means calculates the yield rate of the printed matter based on the result of the inspection by the inspection means, and sends a notification prompting a change of the inspection contents when the calculated yield rate is lower than a predetermined target value. and making the inspection unit inspect the quality with the changed inspection contents without stopping the job in response to the notification.

According to the present invention, it is possible to change inspection items without stopping a job even during job processing, so that it is possible to prevent a decrease in yield rate and productivity.

1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system; FIG. FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory diagram of a controller; FIG. 4 is a configuration explanatory diagram of an inspection control unit; (a) and (b) are illustrations of operation screens. (a) and (b) are illustrations of operation screens. (a) and (b) are illustrations of operation screens. 4 is a flowchart showing print processing including inspection print processing; 4 is a flowchart showing print processing including inspection print processing;

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming system including a print inspection apparatus of this embodiment. The image forming system 1 includes an operation section 200 , a printer 300 , a controller 400 , a print inspection device 500 , a stacker 600 and a finisher 700 .

The operation unit 200 is a user interface having an input interface and an output interface. The input interface is, for example, an input key, a touch panel, or the like. The output interface is, for example, a display, a speaker, or the like. The operation unit 200 transmits instructions and data input from the input interface to the controller 400 . Further, the operation unit 200 outputs information from the output interface according to instructions from the controller 400 .

The controller 400 controls the operations of the printer 300, the print inspection device 500, the stacker 600, and the finisher 700 based on instructions and data input from the operation unit 200 or instructions and data acquired from an external device via a network. do. For example, the controller 400 transmits an image formation instruction to the printer 300 when forming an image. Details of the controller 400 will be described later.

(printer)
The printer 300 of this embodiment is a color image forming apparatus that prints a color image on paper. The printer 300 includes image forming units Y, M, C, and K, an intermediate transfer member 306, a transfer unit 307, a fixing device 308, paper feed cassettes 311 and 312, and a paper feeding mechanism. The image forming unit Y forms a yellow (Y) image. The image forming section M forms a magenta (M) image. The image forming section C forms a cyan (C) image. The image forming unit K forms a black (K) image. Images of respective colors formed by the image forming units Y, M, C, and K are superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer member 306 . A transfer unit 307 transfers the image carried on the intermediate transfer member 306 onto a sheet. A fixing device 308 fixes the image transferred to the paper onto the paper.

The image forming units Y, M, C, and K have the same configuration and form images by similar operations. Here, the configuration of the image forming section Y will be described, and the description of the configuration of the image forming sections M, C, and K will be omitted.

The image forming unit Y includes a photosensitive drum 301Y, a charger 302Y, an exposure device 303Y, and a development device 304Y. The photosensitive drum 301Y is a drum-shaped photosensitive member having a photosensitive layer on its surface. The photosensitive drum 301Y rotates about the drum axis in the direction of arrow R during operation. The charger 302Y uniformly charges the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 301Y. The exposure device 303Y acquires image data representing a yellow image from the controller 400, and outputs laser light according to the image data. The laser beam output from the exposure device 303Y scans the charged surface of the photosensitive drum 301Y in the axial direction of the drum. By scanning the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 301Y with the laser beam, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to yellow image data is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 301Y. The developing device 304Y contains a yellow developer (for example, toner), and develops the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 301Y with the developer. As a result, a yellow image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 301Y. The developing device 304Y is configured such that developer can be constantly replenished from a toner cartridge (not shown).

Similarly, a magenta image is formed on the photosensitive drum 301M of the image forming section M. FIG. A cyan image is formed on the photosensitive drum 301C of the image forming section C. FIG. A black image is formed on the photosensitive drum 301K of the image forming unit K. FIG.

The intermediate transfer member 306 is an endless belt member and rotates clockwise in the figure. The intermediate transfer member 306 is in contact with each of the photosensitive drums 301Y, 301M, 301C and 301K. As the intermediate transfer member 306 rotates, images of respective colors are sequentially transferred from the respective photosensitive drums 301Y, 301M, 301C, and 301K so as to be superimposed. A full-color image is thus formed on the intermediate transfer member 306 . The intermediate transfer member 306 conveys the full-color image it carries to the transfer unit 307 by rotating.

Sheets are stored in paper feed cassettes 311 and 312, and are transported from the paper feed cassettes 311 and 312 to the transfer unit 307 by a feeding mechanism. Conveyance of the paper is performed according to the timing at which the image carried on the intermediate transfer member 306 is conveyed to the transfer unit 307 . A transfer unit 307 transfers an image from the intermediate transfer member 306 to a sheet. A cleaner 309 is arranged downstream of the transfer unit 307 in the rotation direction of the intermediate transfer member 306 . A cleaner 309 removes developer remaining on the intermediate transfer body 306 after transfer.

The sheet onto which the image has been transferred is conveyed from the transfer unit 307 to the fixing device 308 . A fixing device 308 includes a heater and a pressure roller. A fixing device 308 melts and fixes an image on a sheet by heat from a heater and pressure from a pressure roller.

Conveyance paths 313 , 314 and 315 , a double-sided conveyance path 316 , and a discharge roller 317 are provided downstream of the fixing device 308 in the paper conveyance direction. The sheet that has passed through the fixing device 308 is once conveyed from the conveying path 313 to the conveying path 314 . After the trailing edge of the sheet passes through the conveying path 313 , the conveying direction is reversed and the sheet is conveyed from the conveying path 315 to the discharge roller 317 . By such transport, the paper is discharged from the printer 300 by the discharge roller 317 with the surface on which the image is formed facing downward (face down). The printed matter, which is the paper on which the image has been formed, is discharged from the printer 300 by the discharge roller 317 and transferred to the print inspection device 500 .

When double-sided printing is performed on the paper, the paper conveyed to the conveying path 314 is conveyed to the double-sided conveying path 316 after the trailing edge passes through the conveying path 313 . The paper is transported again to the transfer section 307 via the double-sided transport path 316 . By passing through the double-sided transport path 316, the image-formed side of the paper is reversed. An image is formed on the reversed surface of the paper by performing image transfer processing by the transfer unit 307 and fixing processing by the fixing device 308 . The paper on which images are formed on both sides is discharged from the printer 300 by the discharge rollers 317 as a printed matter and transferred to the print inspection device 500 .

(Print inspection device)
The print inspection apparatus 500 includes a conveying path 501, an inspection control section 510, a first reading section 5051a, and a second reading section 5051b. The inspection control unit 510 controls the operation of the print inspection apparatus 500 under the control of the controller 400 . Details of the inspection control unit 510 will be described later. The first reading unit 5051a and the second reading unit 5051b are arranged at positions facing each other with the conveying path 501 interposed therebetween.

A first reading unit 5051 a and a second reading unit 5051 b read printed images from printed matter conveyed on the conveying path 501 . The first reading unit 5051 a and the second reading unit 5051 b transmit the results of reading the printed matter to the inspection control unit 510 . The inspection control unit 510 inspects the quality of the image printed on the printed matter based on the result of reading the printed matter. Since the first reading unit 5051a and the second reading unit 5051b are arranged to face each other via the transport path 501, the images printed on both sides of the printed material are read in one transport of the printed material. The printed matter whose image has been read is conveyed from the print inspection device 500 to the stacker 600 .

(stacker, finisher)
Stacker 600 includes large capacity tray 610 and purge tray 620 . The stacker 600 discharges the printed matter to one of the large-capacity tray 610 , the finisher 700 , and the purge tray 620 based on the instruction from the controller 400 and the result of the quality inspection by the inspection control unit 510 .

The finisher 700 includes a printed matter transport section 710 including a plurality of transport rollers and transport paths, an upper discharge tray 701 , a middle discharge tray 702 , and a lower discharge tray 703 . The printed material transport unit 710 includes switching mechanisms 711 and 712 for switching the output destination of the printed material. The finisher 700 sequentially takes in the printed materials from the stacker 600 and discharges the printed materials to any one of an upper paper output tray 701 , a middle paper output tray 702 , and a lower paper output tray 703 according to instructions from the controller 400 . Note that the finisher 700 may be configured to perform post-processing such as stapling processing for bundling and binding a plurality of printed materials, bookbinding processing for the bundled printed materials, and cutting processing for the bundled printed materials.

(controller)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the controller 400. As shown in FIG. The controller 400 is connected to the printer 300 , the print inspection apparatus 500 , and the operation unit 200 , as well as the storage 4100 and the power control unit 4500 . The controller 400 has a storage I/F 4318, an operation unit I/F 4306, a power control I/F 4308, an inspection unit I/F 4317, a printer communication I/F 4307, and a printer I/F 4316 as interfaces with these connected units. Prepare. Moreover, the controller 400 is provided with communication I/F4305 in order to communicate with an external device via a network. A storage I/F 4318 , an operation unit I/F 4306 , a power control I/F 4308 , an inspection unit I/F 4317 , a printer communication I/F 4307 and a communication I/F 4305 are connected to the system bus 4319 .

The controller 400 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 4301 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 4302 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 4303 . The CPU 4301 controls operations of the image forming system 1 by executing computer programs stored in the ROM 4302 . A RAM 4303 provides a work area for the CPU 4301 to execute processing. The RAM 4303 is also used as an image memory for temporarily storing image data and the like. CPU 4301 , ROM 4302 and RAM 4303 are also connected to system bus 4319 . An NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM) 4304 and a timer 4309 are also connected to the system bus 4319 . The NVRAM 4304 stores various control parameters. A timer 4309 holds the current time and monitors the passage of set time.

An operation unit I/F 4306 controls communication with the operation unit 200 . The operation unit I/F 4306 receives inputs such as print jobs, commands, and print settings from the operation unit 200 to the controller 400 and transmits them to the CPU 4301 . An operation unit I/F 4306 causes the operation unit 200 to display various screens and the state of the image forming system 1 under the control of the CPU 4301 . A printer communication I/F 4307 controls communication with the printer 300 under the control of the CPU 4301 . The power control I/F 4308 instructs the power control unit 4500 to supply/stop various types of power according to commands from the CPU 4301 . A power control unit 4500 supplies power to the printer 300 . The inspection unit I/F 4317 controls communication with the print inspection apparatus 500 under the control of the CPU 4301 . The storage I/F 4318 controls communication with the storage 4100 under the control of the CPU 4301 . The storage 4100 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive).

A communication I/F 4305 is connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network), and performs communication control such as transmission/reception of e-mail and input/output of PDL data from an external device. Also, the communication I/F 4305 has an NVRAM (not shown), and holds various parameters related to communication control such as MAC addresses.

A system bus 4319 is connected to the image bus 4311 via a bus I/F 4310 . A bus I/F 4310 is a bridge that connects the system bus 4319 and an image bus 4311 for transferring image data to the printer 300 . A printer I/F 4316 , an image compression unit 4312 , an image rotation unit 4313 , and a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 4314 are connected to the image bus 4311 .

The image compression unit 4312 performs compression/decompression processing such as JPEG, JBIG, MMR, and MH. The image rotation unit 4313 performs image rotation processing. The RIP unit 4314 develops the PDL code into a bitmap raster image. A printer I/F 4316 transmits image data to the printer 300 . This image data is generated by the controller 400 performing image processing for the printer 300, such as correction of the printer 300 and resolution conversion, on the image data for print output.

(Inspection control unit)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the configuration of the inspection control unit 510 provided in the print inspection apparatus 500. As shown in FIG. The inspection control unit 510 controls operations of the first reading unit 5051a and the second reading unit 5051b. The inspection control unit 510 analyzes the reading results of the first reading unit 5051 a and the second reading unit 5051 b, controls the operation of the print inspection apparatus 500 , and performs processing such as communication with the controller 400 .

The inspection control unit 510 includes a CPU 5001 , a ROM 5002 , a RAM 5003 , a storage I/F 5004 , a motor control unit 5009 , a read image processing unit 5008 , an image processing unit 5006 , an RTC 5012 , a host I/F 5007 and a sensor control unit 5010 . Each part is connected to the system bus 5005 . The read image processing unit 5008 is connected to the first reading unit 5051a via the first reading I/F 5052a, and is connected to the second reading unit 5051b via the second reading I/F 5052b.

The host I/F 5007 controls communication with the inspection unit I/F 4317 of the controller 400 . When the inspection control unit 510 and the controller 400 communicate with each other, data is transmitted and received between the host I/F 5007 and the inspection unit I/F 4317 . For example, the host I/F 5007 acquires image data used for the image forming operation of the printer 300 from the controller 400 . Image data is stored in the storage 5011, for example.

The CPU 5001 controls the operation of the print inspection apparatus 500 by executing computer programs stored in the ROM 5002 . A RAM 5003 provides a work area for the CPU 5001 to execute processing. A storage I/F 5004 controls communication with a storage 5011 connected to the inspection control unit 510 . A storage 5011 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD or SSD.

Under the control of the CPU 5001, the read image processing unit 5008 acquires the result of reading the printed image from the first reading unit 5051a via the first reading I/F 5052a. Also, under the control of the CPU 5001, the read image processing unit 5008 acquires the result of reading the image of the printed matter from the second reading unit 5051b via the second reading I/F 5052b. Under the control of the CPU 5001, the read image processing unit 5008 performs scaling processing, gamma correction processing, and the like on the read result (read data) of the printed image obtained from the first reading unit 5051a and the second reading unit 5051b. It generates read image data and stores it in the RAM 5003 . The first reading unit 5051a and the second reading unit 5051b are configured to have sensor arrays, and are capable of reading the entire area of the printed material conveyed on the conveying path 501 . The first reading unit 5051a reads the image on the first side of the printed matter, and the second reading unit 5051b reads the image on the second side of the printed matter.

The first reading section 5051a and the second reading section 5051b are composed of a light emitting section and a light receiving section. The light emitting unit is composed of, for example, a white LED (Light Emitting Diode), and the light receiving unit is composed of, for example, a CMOS sensor with RGB color filters. Under the control of the CPU 5001 , the light emitting unit irradiates the printed material conveyed on the conveying path 501 with light. The light-receiving unit receives the light reflected by the printed material by separating it into three color components of RGB by a color filter, and outputs read data as a light-receiving result (reading result). The read data is transmitted to the read image processing unit 5008 .

A motor control unit 5009 controls operations of various motors provided in the print inspection apparatus 500 under the control of the CPU 5001 . Under the control of the CPU 5001 , the sensor control unit 5010 controls operations of various sensors provided in the print inspection apparatus 500 and notifies the CPU 5001 of detection results of the sensors. Under the control of the CPU 5001, the image processing unit 5006 compares the image data stored in the storage 5011 (hereinafter referred to as "reference image data") with the read image data stored in the RAM 5003 to inspect the quality of the printed matter. conduct. The reference image data is generated from the result of reading the reference image in advance and stored in the storage 5011 before the quality inspection is performed. Alternatively, the reference image data may be image data used in the image forming operation of printer 300 . For example, the luminance value and density value for each color of each pixel derived from the image data used in the image forming operation are used as the reference image data. The image processing unit 5006 performs position correction processing on the reference image data and the read image data at the time of comparison. The RTC 5012 is a real-time clock and holds the current time with high precision.

(Inspection setting process)
4 to 6 are exemplary diagrams of operation screens displayed on the display of the operation unit 200 during inspection print processing, which is print processing involving quality inspection of printed matter. Using these operation screens displayed on the display, the operator uses the operation unit 200 to set items for quality inspection and instruct execution of the inspection printing process.

FIG. 4A shows a setting screen for print processing, on which it is possible to set whether or not to perform a quality inspection. The operator can use this setting screen to select printing color (color/black and white), select the type of paper, and set the output destination of the printed matter. The setting of the output destination of the printed material is performed by the “set output tray” button 104 . By pressing the "start printing (with inspection)" button 101, the operator can set the quality inspection of the printed matter. When the "start printing (with inspection)" button 101 is pressed, the screen for setting inspection items shown in FIG. When the "start printing (no inspection)" button 102 is pressed, the formation of printed matter is started without performing the quality inspection. When the “cancel” button 103 is pressed, the setting is canceled and a predetermined initial screen is displayed on the display of the operation unit 200 .

On the inspection item setting screen of FIG. 4B, it is possible to set the contents of the quality inspection such as the item of the quality inspection, the inspection level, and the inspection area.

The inspection area setting unit 401 displays the image of the reference image data as the reference image. In the inspection area setting unit 401, when an area to be inspected is set for the reference image, this inspection area is indicated by a broken line. An inspection area setting button 404 is provided in the inspection area setting unit 401 . The operator can set the inspection area from the reference image while the inspection area setting button 404 is selected. For example, the operator operates the display screen area of the inspection area setting unit 401 with a finger or a stylus pen, or operates a cursor on the screen to select an area to set the inspection area. If the operator can set the inspection area, the setting method is not specified.

The inspection item setting unit 402 enables selection of items to be inspected in the inspection area set by the inspection area setting unit 401 . A check box is provided for each item in the inspection item setting unit 402, and an inspection item is set by checking the check box. In FIG. 4B, image stains (spots, streaks) and image defects can be set as inspection items.

The inspection level setting unit 403 enables selection of inspection levels for the inspection items set by the inspection item setting unit 402 . The inspection level setting unit 403 is provided with a number and a check box corresponding to each inspection item, and the inspection level is set by checking the check box.

An allowable yield rate input field 407 is an input area for an allowable yield rate at the time of quality inspection of printed matter. When the yield rate falls below the allowable yield rate, a message to that effect is displayed in the message display section 412 . The yield rate is displayed on the yield rate display portion 411 . The yield rate is the ratio of the number of printed materials determined to be of good quality to the number of printed materials subjected to quality inspection.

A required number setting field 408 is an input area for setting the required number of printed materials. As a result of the quality inspection, the number of printed materials determined to be of good quality is displayed on the OK number display portion 409 . An OK number display unit 409 displays the number of printed materials determined to be good, with the required number of sheets as the denominator and the number of printed materials determined to be good as the numerator. As a result of the quality inspection, the number of printed materials determined to be of poor quality is displayed in the NG number display section 410 .

A "determine" button 405 is a button for determining inspection contents such as inspection area, inspection item, inspection level, allowable yield rate, required number of sheets, and the like. When the operator presses the "determine" button 405, inspection print processing is started. The "determine" button 405 cannot be pressed until each item is entered. A “cancel” button 406 is a button for canceling the examination contents. When the operator presses a "cancel" button 406, the examination contents are canceled, and the setting screen for print processing shown in FIG. 4A is displayed on the display.

FIG. 5(a) exemplifies an examination-in-progress screen displayed on the display of the operation unit 200 while the "determine" button 405 is pressed in FIG. 4(b) and the examination printing process is being performed. During the inspection printing process, except for the OK number display section 409, the NG number display section 410, the yield rate display section 411, and the message display section 412, the remaining portions are grayed out, and the inspection content cannot be changed. In addition, "under inspection" is displayed on the upper part of the screen during inspection. Note that a "change setting" button 413 is displayed in a grayed out area in order to change the inspection contents during the inspection printing process. When the operator presses a "change setting" button 413, the examination contents can be changed.

FIG. 5B exemplifies an in-inspection screen displayed on the display of the operation unit 200 when the yield rate falls below the allowable yield rate during the inspection printing process. When the yield rate falls below the allowable yield rate, the message display unit 412 displays a notice prompting a change in inspection details. In addition, the part grayed out in FIG. 5(a) is released, and the examination contents can be changed.

FIG. 6A is an example of an inspection screen displayed on the display of the operation unit 200 during inspection print processing after changing the inspection level and inspection area of each inspection item from the inspection screen of FIG. 5B. do. In FIG. 6A, compared with the setting in FIG. 5B, the inspection level is lowered and the inspection area is also limited in order to improve the yield rate. Since the examination contents have been changed, the "OK" button 405 for reflecting the changed contents can be pressed.

FIG. 6B exemplifies a screen during inspection displayed on the display of the operation unit 200 while the “OK” button 405 is pressed in FIG. 6A and inspection print processing is being performed. A portion similar to that in FIG. 5A is grayed out. In FIG. 6B, the yield rate during the inspection printing process exceeds the allowable yield rate, and the message display section 412 does not display a notice prompting change of inspection items.

(Inspection printing process)
7 and 8 are flowcharts showing print processing including inspection print processing. This processing is executed by the CPU 4301 of the controller 400 . This process is started when the operator presses the "start printing (with inspection)" button 101 or the "start printing (without inspection)" button 102 in FIG. 4A.

The CPU 4301 checks whether a print job has been requested by pressing the "start printing (with inspection)" button 101 or the "start printing (without inspection)" button 102 (S501). If there is no request (S501: N), the CPU 4301 waits until there is a request. If there is a request (S501: Y), the CPU 4301 determines whether or not to inspect the quality of the printed matter (S502). The CPU 4301 makes this determination depending on whether the "start printing (with inspection)" button 101 or the "start printing (without inspection)" button 102 is pressed.

If the "start printing (no inspection)" button 102 is pressed, the CPU 4301 determines that quality inspection is unnecessary (S502: N). In this case, the CPU 4301 causes the printer 300 to print an image that does not require quality inspection on paper (S511). The CPU 4301 discharges the printed material to the discharge tray set by the "set discharge tray" button 104 in FIG. 4A (S512). If the quality inspection is not performed, the printing process ends by discharging the printed material.

If the "start printing (with inspection)" button 101 has been pressed, the CPU 4301 determines that quality inspection is necessary (S502: Y). In this case, the CPU 4301 performs inspection item setting processing (S503). FIG. 8 shows the inspection item setting process.

In the inspection item setting process, the CPU 4301 first prints a reference image, which serves as a standard for quality inspection, on paper using the printer 300 (S520). The CPU 4301 controls the inspection control unit 510 to read the reference image printed on the paper by the print inspection apparatus 500 (S521). As a result, the storage 5011 stores the reference image data generated from the reading result of the reference image. The paper on which the reference image is printed is discharged to the purge tray 620 (S522). Note that if the image data used in the image forming operation of the printer 300 is used as the reference image data, the processing of S520 to S522 may be omitted.

After reading the reference image, the CPU 4301 displays the inspection item setting screen shown in FIG. 4B on the display of the operation unit 200 (S523). A message or the like prompting the operator to input inspection items is displayed in the message display portion 412 of the inspection item setting screen. When the inspection item is input on the inspection item setting screen (S524: Y), the CPU 4301 makes the "determine" button 405 ready to be pressed (S525). When the "determine" button 405 is pressed (S526: Y), the CPU 4301 sets the inspection item settings on the inspection item setting screen to an unchangeable state (grayed out), and displays the "change settings" button 413 (S527). ). In other words, the CPU 4301 displays an examination-in-progress screen as shown in FIG. 5(a) on the display. Thus, the inspection item setting process is completed.

When the inspection item setting process is completed, the CPU 4301 forms an image on a sheet of paper according to the print job by using the printer 300 to generate a printed matter (S504). The printed matter is conveyed from the printer 300 to the print inspection device 500 . The CPU 4301 controls the inspection control unit 510 to read the image printed on the paper by the print inspection apparatus 500 (S505). The read image is stored in the RAM 5003 as read image data. The CPU 4301 compares the reference image data stored in the storage 5011 and the read image data stored in the RAM 5003 under the conditions set in the inspection item setting process by the inspection control unit 510 to inspect the quality of the printed matter. (S506).

As a result of the quality inspection, if the quality of the printed matter is determined to be good (S507: N), the CPU 4301 confirms whether or not inspection items have been reset during the print job (S513). If resetting has not been performed (S513: N), the CPU 4301 discharges the printed material to the large-capacity tray 610 of the stacker 600 (S515). If resetting has been performed (S513: Y), the CPU 4301 discharges the printed material to the paper discharge tray set by the "set paper discharge tray" button 104 in FIG. 4A (S514). For example, if the yield rate is below the allowable yield rate at this point, inspection items are reset during the print job. In this case, the printed matter is discharged to a paper discharge destination different from the large-capacity tray 610 in order to distinguish the printed matter before and after the inspection item is changed. It should be noted that the large-capacity tray 610 can also be set with the “set paper discharge tray” button 104 . A large-capacity tray 610 may be set when there is no need to distinguish between printed materials before and after inspection items are changed.

The CPU 4301 counts the number of printed materials judged to be of good quality. When the counted number of printed sheets reaches the required number set by the required number setting unit 408 (S509: Y), the CPU 4301 clears the inspection item settings (S510) and ends the printing process.

As a result of the quality inspection, if the quality of the printed matter is determined to be poor (S507: Y), the CPU 4301 discharges the printed matter to the purge tray 620 (S508). The CPU 4301 calculates the yield rate (S516). The CPU 4301 also calculates the yield rate (S516) even when the number of printed materials has not reached the required number set by the required number setting unit 408 (S509: N).

The CPU 4301 determines whether the calculated yield rate is below the allowable yield rate (S517). If the yield rate exceeds the allowable yield rate (S517: N), the CPU 4301 returns to the process of S504 and continues to print images on paper according to the print job. When the yield rate is lower than the allowable yield rate (S517: Y), the CPU 4301 displays an inspection screen shown in FIG. 5B on the display. This inspection-in-progress screen urges the operator to change the inspection item, enabling the operator to reset the inspection item (S518, S519). When the inspection item is to be reset, the CPU 4301 performs the processing after S524 in FIG. 8, and returns to the processing of S504 when resetting is completed.

The image forming system 1 of the present embodiment as described above notifies the operator when the yield rate of printed matter is lower than the target value (allowable yield rate), and provides the operator with inspection items, inspection levels, inspection areas, etc. to change the contents of the examination. The inspection content can be changed even during execution of the print job without stopping the print job. By changing the inspection content, the yield rate is improved from the target value, and wastage of developer and paper is prevented. Moreover, since it is not necessary to temporarily stop the print job, the image forming system 1 can prevent a decrease in processing efficiency of the inspection print process.

It should be noted that the image forming system 1 may temporarily stop the inspection printing process when the yield rate is significantly lower than the predetermined target value. In addition, the image forming system 1 may temporarily stop the inspection printing process even when a large number of printed materials that are determined to be defective as a result of the quality inspection are continuously generated. In these cases, a problem may have occurred in the printer 300 . Therefore, in such a case, the image forming system 1 temporarily stops the inspection printing process and instructs the operator to inspect or clean the printer 300 .

Claims (10)

a printing means for forming an image on paper to generate a printed matter;
reading means for reading the image formed on the printed matter;
inspection means for inspecting the quality of the image formed on the printed matter based on the result of reading the image by the reading means;
a control means for receiving an input of inspection details of the quality and causing the inspection means to perform the inspection based on the inspection details;
The control means calculates the yield rate of the printed matter based on the result of the inspection by the inspection means, and sends a notification prompting a change of the inspection contents when the calculated yield rate is lower than a predetermined target value. and causing the inspection means to inspect the quality with the inspection contents changed without stopping the job in response to the notification,
Image forming device. further comprising a plurality of output trays from which the printed matter is output;
The control means discharges printed matter judged to be of good quality by the inspection details before the change and printed matter judged to be of good quality by the inspection details after the change to different paper ejection trays. characterized by
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The control means discharges the printed matter judged to be of poor quality as a result of the inspection by the inspection means to a paper discharge tray different from the paper discharge tray to which the printed matter judged to be of good quality is discharged. to be
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. It further has a stacker with a large capacity tray,
The control means discharges the printed matter judged to be of good quality by the inspection contents before the change to the large-capacity tray,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3. The control means displays a setting screen for inputting the inspection content on a predetermined display, and receives the inspection content set by the setting screen,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. When the yield rate exceeds the target value, the control means disables the change of the inspection content on the setting screen,
6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5. The control means enables the inspection content to be changed on the setting screen when the yield rate is lower than a predetermined target value,
7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 or 6. The control means causes the printing means to form a reference image on a sheet of paper, the reading means to read the reference image from the sheet on which the reference image is formed, and based on the reading result of the reference image, the inspection means. is characterized by generating reference image data used when performing the inspection and storing it in a predetermined storage means,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The printing means forms an image on the paper based on the image data,
Based on the image data, the control means generates reference image data used when the inspection means inspects the quality of the image formed on the printed matter, and stores the reference image data in a predetermined storage means. do,
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7. The inspection means inspects the quality by comparing the read image data based on the reading result of the image by the reading means and the reference image data,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9.

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