JP2023128858A - printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To discharge a medium so as to easily re-print an abnormal image and replace the image, when image abnormality occurs.SOLUTION: A printing system includes: a first printer 20 and a second printer 40 for performing printing; an inspection device 50 which is provided on the downstream of the second printer 40, reads out an image from a medium M printed by the first printer 20 and the second printer 40, and inspects the read-out image whether or not the image is abnormal; a medium discharge device 60 for offsetting the medium M which is inspected by the inspection device 50 and is conveyed forward and backward in the conveyance direction of the medium M, and loading the medium M; and a control part 151 for controlling the medium discharge device 60 so that the medium M is offset and loaded, when the inspection device 50 determines that the read-out image is abnormal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a printing system that includes an inspection device that inspects printed matter printed by a printing device to determine whether a printed image is normal or not.

2. Description of the Related Art Printing systems that include an inspection device that inspects printed matter printed by a printing device to determine whether the printed image is normal or not are well known.

For example, Patent Document 1 states that when an inspection device determines that an image is abnormal, the output destination of the printed matter of the abnormal image page and the output destination of the printed matter after the abnormal image page can be switched according to the job type of the printed matter. , a technique has been disclosed that facilitates paper ejection processing after the abnormal image page without bothering the user.

Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses that when conveying paper on a belt conveyor, the acceleration and deceleration of the belt conveyor are adjusted depending on the paper loading conditions (paper type, paper size, paper direction, number of sheets loaded). A technique has been disclosed in which paper is transported while preventing the deterioration of the paper stacking state (paper collapse) by switching the speed of fast transport.

JP 2021-130553 Publication JP2020-015610A

However, in the techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above, when the inspection device determines that the image is abnormal, the abnormal image is discharged to the purge tray. At that time, if the output destination of printed matter after the page determined to be an abnormal image is stacked on top of the normal image and printing continues, the user may have to reprint the page with the abnormal image or adjust the page order. There is a concern that it will be a hassle to search for the page to insert into the page.

Furthermore, the techniques described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 described above have a configuration that includes a purge tray, and cannot be applied to the configuration that includes the belt conveyor paper discharge of the present proposal.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing system that can eject a medium so that when an image abnormality occurs, the abnormal image can be easily reprinted and replaced. With the goal.

In order to achieve the above object, the printing system according to the present invention has the following features:
A printing department that performs printing,
an image inspection section that is provided downstream of the printing section and reads an image from a medium printed by the printing section and tests whether or not the read image is abnormal;
a medium discharge section that loads the medium inspected and conveyed by the image inspection section on a conveyor while offset back and forth with respect to the conveyance direction of the medium;
a control unit that controls the medium discharge unit to offset and stack the medium when the image inspection unit determines that the read image is abnormal;
The goal is to prepare for

According to the features of the printing system according to the present invention, when an image abnormality occurs, the medium can be ejected so that the abnormal image can be easily reprinted and replaced.

1 is a configuration diagram showing a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a control configuration of a part of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of a control unit of a printing system in an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The same or equivalent parts and components are given the same or equivalent symbols throughout the drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and may differ from the reality. Furthermore, the drawings include portions that differ in dimensional relationships and ratios.

In addition, the embodiments shown below exemplify devices etc. for embodying the technical idea of this invention, and the technical idea of this invention is that the arrangement of each component is as follows. It is not specific to The technical idea of this invention can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a printing system 1 in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a part of the control configuration of the printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 1 includes a medium supply device 10, a first printing device 20, an intermediate conveyance device 30, a second printing device 40, an inspection device 50, and a medium ejecting device 60. .

The medium supply device 10, the first printing device 20, the intermediate conveyance device 30, the second printing device 40, the inspection device 50, and the medium discharge device 60 are arranged in series in the conveyance path (conveyance direction D) of the medium M, which is paper, for example. It is located.

Note that a plurality of the medium supply device 10, the first printing device 20, the intermediate conveyance device 30, the second printing device 40, the inspection device 50, and the medium ejection device 60 are arranged integrally in a common housing. Good too. For example, the inspection device 50 may be arranged as part of the medium ejection device 60.

In FIG. 1, the straight transport routes R1, R4-1, and R5 of the medium M are shown as solid lines in the first printing device 20, the intermediate transport device 30, the second printing device 40, and the medium ejecting device 60, and the circular transport routes are shown as solid lines. R2 and R6 are shown by two-dot chain lines, and reverse routes R3, R4-2, and R7 are shown by broken or dotted lines, respectively.

The medium supply device 10 includes a mounting table 11 on which a medium M before printing is loaded. Although not shown, the medium supply device 10 includes a supply roller that feeds out and conveys the topmost medium M among the plurality of media M loaded on the mounting table 11, a motor that drives this supply roller, etc. A supply driving means (actuator) is arranged.

The first printing device 20 includes a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 21 , a first printing section 22 , a suction conveyance section 23 , conveyance path switching sections 24 and 25 , a switchback roller pair 26 , and a discharge section 27 .

A plurality of conveyance roller pairs 21 are arranged in the first printing device 20 and convey the medium M while nipping the medium M.

The first printing unit 22 prints on the medium M using basic color inks such as CMYK and gray, for example. The first printing unit 22 is an example of a printing unit that prints on the medium M. The first printing unit 22 has, for example, line head type inkjet heads (not shown) for each color used for printing. Note that the printing method of the first printing unit 22 may be a printing method other than the inkjet printing method.

The suction conveyance section 23 is arranged to face the first printing section 22 . The suction conveyance unit 23 conveys the medium M with a belt while sucking the medium M.

One conveyance path switching section 24 switches the conveyance path of the medium M printed by the first printing section 22 into a straight conveyance path R1 that continues to the intermediate conveyance device 30, and a circular conveyance that continues to the discharge section 27 and reversal path R3. Switch to route R2.

The other conveyance path switching section 25 switches the circulation conveyance path R2 of the medium M into a conveyance path that continues to the discharge section 27 and a reversal path R3 in which the medium M is turned over by a pair of switchback rollers 26. Note that the medium M whose front and back sides have been reversed in the reversal path R3 is conveyed to the first printing section 22 again.

The medium M that is not discharged to the medium discharge device 60 is loaded on the discharge section 27 .

The intermediate conveyance device 30 includes a plurality of conveyance roller pairs 31 , a switchback roller pair 32 , and a conveyance path switching section 33 .

The transport roller pair 31 transports the medium M discharged from the first printing device 20 while nipping the medium M.

The conveyance path switching unit 33 has a straight conveyance path R4-1 in which the medium M ejected from the first printing device 20 is conveyed as it is to the second printing device 40, and a reversal path in which the medium M is turned over by a pair of switchback rollers 32. The transport route is switched to route R4-2. Note that the intermediate conveyance device 30 may be omitted and the medium M may be conveyed directly from the first printing device 20 to the second printing device 40.

The configuration of the second printing device 40 can be similar to the configuration of the first printing device 20. For example, like the first printing device 20, the second printing device 40 includes a pair of conveyance rollers 41, a second printing section 42, a suction conveyance section 43, a conveyance path switching section 44, and a pair of switchback rollers 45. has. Note that, unlike the first printing device 20, the second printing device 40 does not have a discharge section 27 and a conveyance path switching section 25 for switching the conveyance path in this discharge section 27; It may also include a discharge section 27 and a conveyance path switching section 25.

Furthermore, the printing system 1 includes a total of two printing units, the first printing unit 22 of the first printing device 20 and the second printing unit 42 of the second printing device 40; The above printing unit may be provided.

A plurality of conveyance roller pairs 41 are arranged in the second printing device 40 and convey the medium M while nipping the medium M.

The second printing unit 42 prints on the medium M. The second printing unit 42 prints on the medium M using basic color inks such as CMYK and gray, for example. The second printing unit 42 is an example of a printing unit that prints on the medium M similarly to the first printing unit 22.

The suction conveyance section 43 is arranged to face the second printing section 42 . The suction conveyance section 43 conveys the medium M with a belt while sucking the medium M.

The conveyance path switching unit 44 switches the conveyance path of the medium M printed by the second printing unit 42 to a straight conveyance path R5 that continues to the inspection device 50 and a circular conveyance path R6 that continues to the reversal path R7.

The switchback roller pair 45 turns the medium M upside down in the turning path R7. The medium M whose front and back sides have been reversed in the reversal path R7 is conveyed to the second printing section 42 again.

The inspection device 50 includes a first conveyance section 51, a second conveyance section 52, a first inspection section 53, a second inspection section 54, a medium detection sensor 55, and pressing rollers 56a and 56b.

The first transport unit 51 is disposed on the lower surface side (an example of the first surface side) of the medium M, and transports the medium M. The first conveyance section 51 is, for example, a suction conveyance section that conveys the medium M with a belt while sucking the medium M.

The second conveyance section 52 is disposed adjacent to the first conveyance section 51 on the upper surface side (an example of the second surface side) of the medium M on the downstream side of the first conveyance section 51 in the conveyance direction D. transport. The second transport section 52 can be configured by reversing the orientation of the first transport section 51 vertically. For example, the second conveyance section 52 is a suction conveyance section that conveys the medium M with a belt while adsorbing the medium M, like the first conveyance section 51 .

The first inspection unit 53 is arranged above the first conveyance unit 51 and inspects the image printed on the upper surface (an example of the second side) of the medium M being conveyed by the first conveyance unit 51. The first inspection unit 53 includes an imaging unit such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) that captures an image printed on the medium M. The first inspection section 53 is an example of an inspection section that performs an image inspection of the image printed on the medium M by the first printing section 22 and the second printing section 42.

The second inspection section 54 is disposed below the second conveyance section 52 and inspects the lower surface (an example of the first surface) of the medium M being conveyed by the second conveyance section 52 . The second inspection section 54 includes an imaging section such as a CIS, which captures an image printed on the medium M. The second inspection section 54 is an example of an inspection section that performs an image inspection of the image printed on the medium M by the first printing section 22 and the second printing section 42, like the first inspection section 53.

The medium detection sensor 55 is arranged upstream of the first inspection section 53 in the transport direction D, and detects the medium M.

The pressing roller 56a presses the medium M downward against the first conveyance section 51 in order to prevent the leading edge of the medium M conveyed to the first conveyance section 51 from lifting up. The holding roller 56a rotates, for example, as the belt 51a of the first conveyance section 51 rotates.

The pressing roller 56b presses the medium M upward against the second conveyance section 52 in order to prevent the leading end of the medium M conveyed to the second conveyance section 52 from sagging. The pressing roller 56b rotates, for example, as the belt 52a of the second conveyance section 52 rotates.

The medium discharge device 60 has a first conveyor 61 and a second conveyor 62. The medium ejecting device 60 also includes a control section 151, a storage section 152, an interface section 153, a first conveyor drive section 131, and a second conveyor drive section 132.

The first conveyor 61 has a belt 63 and rollers 64 and 65.

Belt 63 is stretched between rollers 64 and 65. As described above, the medium M discharged from the inspection device 50, that is, the printed medium M is loaded on the belt 63. In this way, the media M discharged from the printing devices (the first printing device 20 and the second printing device 40) are sequentially stacked on the first conveyor 61 (belt 63). In other words, the first conveyor 61 also functions as a paper discharge tray.

Further, the belt 63 conveys the medium M at a timing when a control section 151, which will be described later, controls the first conveyor drive section 131. Furthermore, the belt 63 can operate to transport the medium M in the transport direction D, or can operate to transport the medium M in the opposite direction to the transport direction D. Thereby, the medium M can be offset and stacked with respect to the transport direction D.

One of the rollers 64 and 65 is a drive roller to which power is transmitted from a first conveyor drive unit 131, which will be described later, and the other is a driven roller.

The second conveyor 62 includes a belt 66 , rollers 67 and 68 , and a mounting table 69 .

Belt 66 is stretched between rollers 67 and 68. Further, the belt 66 is disposed downstream of the belt 63 of the first conveyor 61 in the conveyance direction D, and conveys the medium M conveyed from the belt 63 to the center of the belt 66 in the conveyance direction D, for example. Media M is then received by the user. Note that a third conveyor may be arranged further downstream of the second conveyor 62 in the conveyance direction D. In this case, the second conveyor 62 will convey the medium M to the third conveyor.

One of the rollers 67 and 68 is a driving roller to which power is transmitted from a second conveyor driving section 132, which will be described later, and the other is a driven roller.

The installation stand 69 is installed so that the height of the belt 66 matches the height of the belt 63 during conveyance.

The control unit 151 shown in FIG. 2 includes a processor (for example, a CPU: Central Processing Unit) that functions as an arithmetic processing unit, and includes media such as the reversing path switching unit F10, the first conveyor drive unit 131, and the second conveyor drive unit 132. Controls each part of the discharge device 60. Note that a control section (not shown) of the printing system 1 may also serve as the control section 151.

As will be described in detail later, when the image read by the inspection device 50 is determined to be abnormal, the control unit 151 controls the first conveyor drive unit 131 and the first conveyor drive unit 131 to offset the medium M and place it on the installation table 69. The second conveyor drive section 132 is controlled.

The storage unit 152 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), which is a read-only semiconductor memory in which predetermined control programs are recorded in advance, and a working storage area as needed when the processor executes various control programs. These include RAM (Random Access Memory), which is a semiconductor memory that is used and can be written and read at any time.

The interface unit 153 exchanges various information with external equipment such as the inspection device 50.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the control unit 151 of the printing system 1 in one embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, when the image read by the inspection device 50 is determined to be abnormal, the control unit 151 controls the first conveyor drive unit 131 and the second conveyor drive unit 132 to offset and place the medium M. control.

Here, there are three patterns, the first pattern to the third pattern, as operation patterns for offsetting the medium M, and each of them will be explained below.

3(a) and 3(b) show examples of the first pattern, FIGS. 3(c) and 3(d) show examples of the second pattern, and FIGS. 3(e), Figure (f) shows an example of the third pattern.

<First pattern>
When the image read by the inspection device 50 is determined to be abnormal, it is assumed that the medium M corresponding to the image is the medium ME.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the control unit 151 controls the first conveyor drive unit 131 so that the medium M1 previously loaded on the first conveyor 61 and the medium ME determined to be abnormal are offset. Control. Specifically, the control unit 151 controls the first conveyor 61 so that the medium ME is stacked on the medium M1 after the belt 63 conveys the medium M1 by 10 to 20 (mm) in the conveying direction D. .

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3(b), the control unit 151 moves the belt 63 of the first conveyor 61 by 10 to 20 mm in the opposite direction to the conveying direction D so as to return the belt 63 to its original position. ) after conveying the medium M1 and the medium ME, the first conveyor 61 is controlled so that the medium M2 is stacked on the medium ME.

As a result, when an image abnormality occurs, the medium ME in which the image abnormality has been detected will be stacked offset in the transport direction from the normally printed media M1 and M2, so the user can Since it can be easily discovered, the abnormal image corresponding to the medium ME can be reprinted and ejected so that it can be replaced.

<Second pattern>
When the image read by the inspection device 50 is determined to be abnormal, it is assumed that the medium M corresponding to the image is the medium ME.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the medium M1 previously loaded on the first conveyor 61 and the medium ME determined to be abnormal are not offset, and the medium ME is placed on the medium M1 in the conveyance direction D. The control unit 151 controls the first conveyor drive unit 131 so that the sheets are loaded at the same position.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3(d), the control unit 151 controls the first conveyor 61 so that the medium M1 and the medium ME loaded on the first conveyor 61 are offset from the medium M2 determined to be normal. Controls the conveyor drive section 131. Specifically, after conveying the medium M1 and ME by 10 to 20 (mm) in the conveying direction D with the belt 63, the control unit 151 controls the first conveyor 61 so that the medium M2 is stacked on the medium ME. Control.

As a result, when an image abnormality occurs, the medium ME on which the image abnormality was detected is stacked on top of the normally printed medium M1, and the medium M2 stacked on top of it is offset in the transport direction. Therefore, the user can easily find the medium ME, and can eject the abnormal image corresponding to the medium ME so that it can be reprinted and replaced.

<3rd pattern>
When the image read by the inspection device 50 is determined to be abnormal, it is assumed that the medium M corresponding to the image is the medium ME.

As shown in FIG. 3(e), when the image read by the inspection device 50 is determined to be abnormal, the medium M1 previously loaded on the first conveyor 61 and the medium ME determined to be abnormal are The control unit 151 controls the first conveyor drive unit 131 so that the medium ME is stacked on the medium M1 at the same position in the conveyance direction D without being offset.

Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 3F, the control unit 151 transports the medium M1 and the medium ME to the second conveyor 62.

Then, the control unit 151 controls the first conveyor 61 so that the medium M2 is newly loaded onto the belt 63.

As a result, when an image abnormality occurs, the medium ME in which the image abnormality has been detected is stacked offset in the transport direction from the normally printed medium M2, and is stacked on top of the medium M1. Since the user can easily discover the medium ME, the user can eject the abnormal image corresponding to the medium ME so that it can be reprinted and replaced.

Note that although the first to third patterns have been described here, they may be combined. For example, the third pattern may be used when an image abnormality occurs for the first time, and the first pattern or the second pattern may be used from the second time onwards.

(Additional note)
This application discloses the following invention.
(Additional note 1)
A printing department that performs printing,
an image inspection section that is provided downstream of the printing section and reads an image from a medium printed by the printing section and tests whether or not the read image is abnormal;
a medium discharge section that loads the medium inspected and conveyed by the image inspection section on a conveyor while offset back and forth with respect to the conveyance direction of the medium;
a control unit that controls the medium discharge unit to offset and stack the medium when the image inspection unit determines that the read image is abnormal;
A printing system characterized by:

As a result, when an image abnormality occurs, the medium is offset and stacked, so the user can easily find the medium and replace it by reprinting the abnormal image corresponding to the medium. can be discharged.

1 Printing system 10 Media supply device 20 First printing device (printing section)
30 Intermediate conveyance device 40 Second printing device (printing section)
50 Inspection equipment (image inspection department)
53 First inspection section 54 Second inspection section 60 Medium discharge device (medium discharge section)
61 First conveyor 62 Second conveyor 63, 66 Belt 69 Installation stand 131 First conveyor drive section 132 Second conveyor drive section 151 Control section 152 Storage section 153 Interface section

Claims (1)

A printing department that performs printing,
an image inspection section that is provided downstream of the printing section and reads an image from a medium printed by the printing section and tests whether or not the read image is abnormal;
a medium discharge section that loads the medium inspected and conveyed by the image inspection section on a conveyor while offset back and forth with respect to the conveyance direction of the medium;
a control unit that controls the medium discharge unit to offset and stack the medium when the image inspection unit determines that the read image is abnormal;
A printing system characterized by:

Images