JP2024028314A - image forming system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image inspecting device, an image forming system, an image inspecting method and a program that can suppress a recording medium form being wasted.

SOLUTION: An image inspecting device is provided with: area-setting obtaining means that obtains settings of a specific inspection area that is subjected to a specific inspection in an image formed by image forming means; abnormality discriminating means that performs the specific inspection on the basis of specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area of read data obtained by reading the image, and discriminates presence or absence of an abnormality relating to the specific inspection and a kind of the abnormality; and processing means that executes processing for making the image forming means re-form the image in which the abnormality is detected, when the abnormality discriminating means discriminates that the kind of the abnormality is a prescribed first kind, and executes processing for making the image forming means cancel the formation of the image, when the abnormality discriminating means discriminates that the kind of the abnormality is a prescribed second kind.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

COPYRIGHT: (C)2024,JPO&INPIT

Description

The present invention relates to an image inspection apparatus, an image forming system, an image inspection method, and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an image inspection apparatus that compares read data of an image formed on a recording medium by an image forming apparatus with predetermined reference image data to determine whether there is an abnormality in the image. In addition, if the image inspection device determines that there is an abnormality in the image, reprinting (recovery) of the necessary pages will be performed depending on the nature of the abnormality (for example, blank pages, missing pages, replaced pages, distorted images, etc.). There is a known technology (for example, Patent Document 1).

Furthermore, a variable printing technique is known in which only a portion of the formed image is replaced for each recording medium. In a variable area of the image that can be replaced for each recording medium, different numbers, barcodes, etc. are formed for each recording medium, for example. These numbers and barcodes usually have a relationship that follows a predetermined rule for each recording medium (for example, numbers, character strings, or numerical values represented by barcodes are arranged in ascending or descending order for each recording medium). ). Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the image based on whether the information represented by the reading result of the variable area has consistency according to the above rules. For example, if the numerical values represented by the variable areas are not arranged in ascending or descending order for each recording medium, it can be determined that there is an abnormality and recovery processing can be started.

Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-15627

However, if there is an inconsistency in the data of the document prepared by the user, the same abnormality will be detected even after the recovery process is performed, and the recording medium will be wasted.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image inspection apparatus, an image forming system, an image inspection method, and a program that can suppress wasteful consumption of recording media.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of an image inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
area setting acquisition means for acquiring the settings of a specific inspection area that is a target of a specific inspection in the image formed by the image forming unit;
Performing the specific inspection based on specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area among the read data obtained by reading the image, and determining the presence or absence of an abnormality related to the specific inspection and the type of the abnormality. an abnormality determination means for
When the type of abnormality is determined to be a predetermined first type by the abnormality determining means, a process for causing the image forming means to form the image in which the abnormality is detected again is executed, processing means for executing a process for stopping image formation by the image forming means when the type of abnormality is determined by the determining means to be a predetermined second type;
It is characterized by having the following.

The invention according to claim 2 is the image inspection apparatus according to claim 1,
The abnormality determining means determines that the type of abnormality is the second type when the specific inspection area data is data indicating that the specific inspection area is blank. .

The invention according to claim 3 is the image inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The abnormality determining means determines that the type of abnormality is the first type when information indicated by a portion of the image within the specific inspection area cannot be identified through analysis of the specific inspection area data. It is characterized by

The invention according to claim 4 is the image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The abnormality determining means analyzes the specific inspection area data to identify information indicated by a portion of the image that is within the specific inspection area, and corresponds to a plurality of specific inspection areas in one or more of the images. The present invention is characterized in that the presence or absence of the abnormality is determined based on whether or not the plural pieces of information have a relationship according to a predetermined rule.

The invention according to claim 5 is the image inspection apparatus according to claim 4,
The area setting acquisition means acquires the setting of the order of the two or more specific inspection areas set in one of the images,
The information is a numerical value or a character string,
The abnormality determining means determines whether the two or more pieces of information corresponding to the two or more specific inspection areas are arranged in ascending order or descending order according to the order,
If it is determined that the two or more pieces of information are not arranged in ascending order or descending order, it is determined that the type of abnormality is the second type.

The invention according to claim 6 is the image inspection apparatus according to claim 4 or 5,
The information is a numerical value or a character string,
The abnormality determining means determines whether the plurality of pieces of information corresponding to the plurality of specific inspection areas in the plurality of images are arranged in ascending order or descending order for each recording medium,
If it is determined that the plurality of pieces of information are not arranged in ascending order or descending order, it is determined that the type of abnormality is the second type.

The invention according to claim 7 is the image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
The image forming means forms images on the front and back sides of the recording medium, respectively,
The abnormality determining means includes:
When the area setting acquisition means acquires the corresponding settings of the specific inspection area in each of the front image and the back image, a pair of the information corresponding to the specific inspection areas on the front side and the back side. determine whether they match,
If it is determined that the pair of information is different, it is determined that the type of abnormality is the second type.

The invention according to claim 8 is the image inspection apparatus according to claim 2,
The processing means performs processing for causing a predetermined notification means to issue a notification regarding the deficiency in designation of the specific inspection area when the abnormality is determined by the abnormality determination means to be of the second type. It is characterized by execution.

The invention according to claim 9 is the image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
The processing means executes processing for causing a predetermined notification means to issue a notification regarding a defect in the data of the image when the abnormality determining means determines that the abnormality is of the second type. It is characterized by

The invention according to claim 10 is the image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The specific inspection area data is characterized in that it includes image data of a barcode.

The invention according to claim 11 is the image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
The specific inspection area data is characterized in that it includes image data of numbers or character strings.

The invention according to claim 12 is the image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The present invention is characterized by comprising an image reading means for reading the image and generating the read data.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the invention of an image forming system according to claim 13,
An image inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
an image forming means for forming an image;
It is characterized by having the following.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the invention of an image inspection method according to claim 14,
an area setting acquisition step of acquiring the settings of a specific inspection area that is a target of a specific inspection in the image formed by the image forming means;
Performing the specific inspection based on specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area among the read data obtained by reading the image, and determining the presence or absence of an abnormality related to the specific inspection and the type of the abnormality. an abnormality determination step,
If it is determined in the abnormality determination step that the type of abnormality is a predetermined first type, a process is executed to cause the image forming means to form the image in which the abnormality has been detected again, and a processing step of executing a process for stopping image formation by the image forming means when the type of the abnormality is determined to be a predetermined second type in the determining step;
It is characterized by including.

Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the invention of the program according to claim 15,
The computer installed in the image inspection equipment,
area setting acquisition means for acquiring the settings of a specific inspection area that is a target of a specific inspection in the image formed by the image forming unit;
Performing the specific inspection based on specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area among the read data obtained by reading the image, and determining the presence or absence of an abnormality related to the specific inspection and the type of the abnormality. abnormality determination means,
When the type of abnormality is determined to be a predetermined first type by the abnormality determining means, a process for causing the image forming means to form the image in which the abnormality is detected again is executed, processing means for executing processing for stopping image formation by the image forming means when the type of abnormality is determined by the determining means to be a predetermined second type;
It is characterized by functioning as

According to the present invention, there is an effect that wasteful consumption of recording media can be suppressed.

1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an inline scanner. 1 is a block diagram showing the main functional configurations of an image forming apparatus and an image inspection apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a front-back matching test. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating ascending and descending order inspection (area number order). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating ascending and descending order inspection (between pages). It is a flowchart which shows the control procedure by the main body control part of specific inspection area setting processing. It is a figure showing an inspection area setting screen. It is a figure showing an abnormality notification screen. It is a figure showing an abnormality notification screen. It is a figure showing an abnormality notification screen. It is a figure showing an abnormality notification screen. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a control procedure performed by an image inspection control unit in inspection processing.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of an image inspection apparatus, an image forming system, an image inspection method, and a program according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Configuration of image forming system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10, an image inspection apparatus 20, a purge unit 30, a finisher 40, and the like.

The image forming apparatus 10 receives data of a document to be printed (in this case, bitmap data generated by an RIP (raster image processor)) from the external device 2, and prints an image on a recording medium based on the data of the document. Form (print). The image forming apparatus 10 includes a main body control section 11, an image forming section 12 (image forming means), an operation display section 13 (notifying means), and the like. The image forming section 12 includes an intermediate transfer belt 121, an image forming unit 122, a paper feed tray 123, a conveyance path 124, a transfer roller 125, a fixing device 126, and the like.

The intermediate transfer belt 121 is an endless belt-shaped member that extends around a plurality of rollers and moves around it.

The image forming unit 122 is arranged along the intermediate transfer belt 121, and transfers toner images of each color of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) to an intermediate level based on print data. It is formed on the transfer belt 121.

The paper feed tray 123 places a recording medium on which an image is formed. As the recording medium, various materials capable of fixing toner, such as paper and resin sheets, can be used. The recording medium placed on the paper feed tray 123 is conveyed along a conveyance path 124 that passes through the nip between the intermediate transfer belt 121 and the transfer roller 125 and the fixing device 126 . When the recording medium passes through the nip between the intermediate transfer belt 121 and the transfer roller 125, a toner image is transferred to the recording medium to form an image.

The image forming section 12 has a reversing mechanism (not shown) that reverses the front and back sides of the recording medium. After the image is formed on the front surface of the recording medium, the image forming unit 12 uses a reversing mechanism to reverse the image, and returns the recording medium to the upstream side of the transfer roller 125 in the conveyance path 124, thereby further forming an image on the rear surface. It is now possible to form.

The fixing device 126 fixes the toner onto the recording medium by sandwiching the recording medium between a pair of fixing rollers and applying heat and pressure to the recording medium.

The operation display unit 13 includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, and an input device such as operation keys and a touch panel placed over the screen of the display device. The operation display section 13 displays various information such as the operation status and processing results of the image forming system 1 on the display device, and also converts a user's input operation on the input device into an operation signal and outputs it to the main body control section 11 .

The image forming apparatus 10 is not limited to the tandem type electrophotographic type as described above, and any method for forming an image on a recording medium may be used.
The image forming apparatus 10 sends the recording medium on which the image has been formed by the image forming section 12 to the image inspection apparatus 20.

The image inspection apparatus 20 includes an image inspection control section 21 (area setting acquisition means, abnormality determination means, processing means), an inline scanner 22 (image reading means), and the like. The image inspection device 20 scans (images) both sides of the recording medium delivered from the image forming device 10 with an inline scanner 22, optically reads images on both sides of the recording medium, and generates image data ( (hereinafter also referred to as read data) is stored in the storage unit 213 (see FIG. 3). The image inspection control unit 21 also analyzes the read data and determines whether there is an abnormality in the read image. The image inspection apparatus 20 also sends the recording medium that has been read to the purge unit 30 at the subsequent stage.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the inline scanner 22. As shown in FIG.
The inline scanner 22 includes a lower side line image sensor 221 that reads the back side (lower side) of the recording medium, an upper side line image sensor 222 that reads the front side (upper side) of the recording medium, and conveys the recording medium along a conveyance path 224. It is equipped with a conveyance roller 223 and the like. The lower side line image sensor 221 and the upper side line image sensor 222 are arranged at different positions along the conveyance direction of the recording medium.
The inline scanner 22 includes a lower line image sensor 221 and an upper line image sensor 222, so that it can read both sides of the recording medium in one pass.

The lower surface side line image sensor 221 and the upper surface side line image sensor 222 read a reading range extending in the width direction intersecting the transport direction at a predetermined reading position on the transport path 224. The lower surface side line image sensor 221 and the upper surface side line image sensor 222 read the entire surface of the recording medium two-dimensionally by repeating the operation of reading the recording medium passing through the reading range.

Returning to FIG. 1, the purge unit 30 transports the recording medium handed over from the image inspection apparatus 20, and sends it to the finisher 40 at the subsequent stage. Further, the purge unit 30 distributes and discharges recording media in which image abnormalities have been detected by the image inspection device 20 to the first paper discharge tray T1.

The finisher 40 performs specified post-processing on the recording medium delivered from the purge unit 30, and then discharges the recording medium to the second paper discharge tray T2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main functional configurations of the image forming apparatus 10 and the image inspection apparatus 20.

The image forming apparatus 10 includes a main body control section 11 having a CPU 111 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 112 (Random Access Memory), and a storage section 113, an image forming section 12, an operation display section 13, an interface 14, and a communication section. 15 and the like, and these parts are connected via a bus 16. Below, description of the configuration that has already been described will be omitted.

The CPU 111 reads and executes the program 113a stored in the storage unit 113, and performs various calculation processes.

The RAM 112 provides a working memory space for the CPU 111 and stores temporary data.

The storage unit 113 includes a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), a flash memory, a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. The storage unit 113 stores a program 113a, various setting data, document data input from the outside via the communication unit 15, and the like.

The main body control section 11 centrally controls each section of the image forming apparatus 10 according to a program 113a. For example, the main body control section 11 causes the image forming section 12 to form an image on a recording medium based on the document data stored in the storage section 113. Further, a control signal is output to the operation display unit 13 to cause various displays to be performed.

The interface 14 is a means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the image inspection apparatus 20, and is configured by, for example, various serial interfaces.

The communication unit 15 communicates with computers such as the external device 2 and other image forming apparatuses on the network and transmits and receives image data, etc., in accordance with control signals from the main body control unit 11.

The image inspection apparatus 20 includes an image inspection control section 21 having a CPU 211, a RAM 212, and a storage section 213, an inline scanner 22, an interface 23, and the like, and these sections are connected via a bus 24. In the following, description of the components already described will be omitted.

The CPU 211 reads and executes the program 213a stored in the storage unit 213, and performs various calculation processes.

The RAM 212 provides a working memory space for the CPU 211 and stores temporary data.

The storage unit 213 is composed of DRAM, flash memory, ROM, etc. The storage unit 213 stores a program 213a, various setting data, read data generated by the inline scanner 22, and the like.

The image inspection control section 21 centrally controls each section of the image inspection apparatus 20 according to the program 213a. For example, the image inspection control unit 21 causes the inline scanner 22 to read an image formed on a recording medium. The image inspection control unit 21 also analyzes the read data to determine whether there is an abnormality in the image, and executes various processes depending on the determination results.

The interface 23 is a means for transmitting and receiving data to and from the image forming apparatus 10, and is configured by, for example, various serial interfaces.

(Image inspection method)
Next, an image inspection method using the image inspection apparatus 20 will be described.
In the image inspection by the image inspection device 20, the read data of the image acquired by the inline scanner 22 is compared with predetermined standard image data, and if there is a difference exceeding a predetermined standard, the image is inspected. An anomaly is detected. For example, if the formed image has disturbances such as dirt or image chipping, the difference from the reference image data is detected and it is determined that the image has an abnormality.
Note that in the case of forming images on a plurality of recording media, the read data of the image on the first recording medium may be used as the reference image data.

Further, in the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 can perform variable printing in which only a part of the formed image is replaced for each recording medium. Hereinafter, an area of an image formed on a recording medium whose contents can be replaced for each recording medium in variable printing will be referred to as a variable area.

In the variable area, for example, different numbers and barcodes are formed for each recording medium, and these numbers and barcodes have a relationship according to a predetermined rule for each recording medium. For example, when an image of numbers or character strings is formed in a variable area, the numbers or character strings are arranged in ascending or descending order for each recording medium. Furthermore, when a barcode image is formed in the variable area, the numerical values and character strings obtained by decoding the barcode are arranged in ascending or descending order for each recording medium.

In the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the range in which numbers and barcodes are formed in the variable area is set as a specific inspection area R, and this specific inspection area R is separately compared with reference image data. , certain tests are performed.
In this specific inspection, after identifying the information (contents of information) indicated by the portion of the image formed on the recording medium that corresponds to the specific inspection area R, multiple pieces of information corresponding to the multiple specific inspection areas R are identified. , it is determined whether the relationship conforms to the above-mentioned predetermined rules.
Hereinafter, the information indicated by the portion corresponding to the specific inspection area R of the image formed on the recording medium will also be simply referred to as "information indicated by the specific inspection area R" or "information on the specific inspection area R." Furthermore, the fact that the plurality of pieces of information indicated by the plurality of specific inspection regions R have a relationship according to a predetermined rule is also referred to as "having consistency." If the plural pieces of information do not have consistency, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the formed image.

In a specific inspection, information indicated by the specific inspection area R is specified by analyzing specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area R out of the read data of the entire image.
For example, if an image of a number or character string is formed in the specific inspection area R, the number or character string can be identified by performing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing on the specific inspection area data. .
In addition, if an image of a barcode (one-dimensional barcode, two-dimensional barcode, etc.) is formed in the specific inspection region R, a predetermined method for acquiring the information represented by the barcode is applied to the specific inspection region data. By performing the decoding process, the information (numeric value, character string, etc.) represented by the barcode is specified.
Then, it is determined whether the information (numeric values or character strings) respectively specified from the plurality of specific inspection regions R has consistency.
The above analysis of the specific inspection area data and determination of the analysis results are performed by the image inspection control unit 21 of the image inspection apparatus 20.

In the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the following (1) to (3) are performed as specific inspections.
(1) In the case where corresponding specific inspection areas R are set on the front and back sides of a recording medium, checking whether the information of the specific inspection areas R on the front and back sides match. In the following, it will also be referred to as "front and back matching test."
(2) When two or more specific inspection areas R are set in one image formed on a recording medium, the information on the two or more specific inspection areas R is arranged in ascending order or in accordance with the order of the specific inspection areas R. Checks whether they are arranged in descending order. In the following, it is also referred to as "ascending and descending order inspection (area number order)."
(3) Inspecting whether information on specific inspection areas R in a plurality of images formed on a plurality of recording media is arranged in ascending order or descending order for each recording medium (that is, between pages). In the following, it will also be referred to as "ascending and descending order inspection (between pages)."
Below, these specific tests will be specifically explained.

(1) Front and back matching test FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the front and back matching test.
FIG. 4 shows images formed on the front and back surfaces of the first to Nth recording media, respectively. Further, the specific inspection area R included in the image and the information indicated by the specific inspection area R (analysis result of the specific inspection area data, here a numerical value) are shown.

A region number (denoted as "region No." in the figure) is set for each specific inspection region R. Specific inspection areas R having the same area number are called corresponding specific inspection areas R. In FIG. 4, a pair of corresponding specific inspection areas R (“area No. 1”) are set on the front and back sides of the recording medium.

In the front and back matching test, it is determined whether the information indicated by the corresponding specific inspection areas R on the front and back sides of each recording medium match. In the example of FIG. 4, the information (numerical value) indicated by the specific inspection area R on the front side of the second recording medium is "2", whereas the information indicated by the specific inspection area R on the back side is "1". , the front and back sides are different. Therefore, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image on the second recording medium.

(2) Ascending order descending order inspection (in order of area number)
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating ascending and descending order inspection (in order of area number).
FIG. 5 shows images formed on the surfaces of the first to Nth recording media. In FIG. 5, three specific inspection regions R, "region No. 1" to "region No. 3", are set in one image. That is, an order is set for two or more specific inspection regions R set in one image.

In ascending descending order inspection (area number order), it is determined whether the information of the specific inspection areas R of "area No. 1" to "area No. 3" is arranged in ascending order or descending order according to the order of the specific inspection areas R. be done. Furthermore, it is also determined whether the information in the specific inspection area R is continuous in ascending or descending order between recording media (pages). That is, the information of the specific inspection area R of "area No. 3" of a certain recording medium and the information of the specific inspection area R of "area No. 1" of the next recording medium have a relationship in ascending or descending order. It is determined whether or not they are continuous.

In the example of FIG. 5, the information on the specific inspection areas R of "Area No. 1" to "Area No. 3" of the first recording medium is arranged in ascending order from "1" to "3". Further, the information on the specific inspection areas R of "Area No. 1" to "Area No. 3" of the second recording medium are arranged in ascending order from "4" to "6". Furthermore, from the first sheet to the second sheet, the information of the six specific inspection areas R is "1" to
They are arranged in ascending order as "6". Therefore, it is determined that there is no abnormality in the first and second images.
On the other hand, on the third recording medium, the information of the specific inspection areas R of "Area No. 1" to "Area No. 3" is "7", "7", "9", in ascending order. have no relationship with Therefore, it is determined that the third image has an abnormality.

Note that in the ascending/descending order inspection (area number order), only the relationship between two or more specific inspection areas R within the same recording medium may be inspected. For example, in a case where the information of the specific inspection area R of "Area No. 1" to "Area No. 3" is set as "1" to "3" on all recording media, two Only the relationship in the above specific inspection area R is inspected, and the continuity of information with the specific inspection area R of the next recording medium is not inspected.

(3) Ascending and descending order inspection (between pages)
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating ascending/descending order inspection (between pages).
FIG. 6 shows images formed on the surfaces of the first to Nth recording media. In FIG. 6, two specific inspection regions R, "region No. 1" and "region No. 2", are set in one image.

In the ascending/descending order inspection (between pages), it is determined whether the information of a plurality of specific inspection areas R corresponding to a plurality of recording media (a plurality of images) are arranged in ascending order or descending order for each recording medium.
In the example of FIG. 5, the information of the specific inspection area R of “area No. 1” of each recording medium is arranged in ascending order as “1”, “2”, etc., and for the Nth recording medium, “N ”.
Also, the information of the specific inspection area R of "Area No. 2" of each recording medium is arranged in ascending order as "101", "102", etc., and for the Nth recording medium, it is "100+N". There is. However, in the third recording medium, according to the rules, it should be "103", but it is "102", and there is no ascending relationship between the second and third recording media. . Therefore, it is determined that the image of the third recording medium has an abnormality.

(Specific inspection area setting process)
Next, specific inspection area setting processing for setting the specific inspection area R will be explained. The specific inspection area R is set by the main body control unit 11 based on an input operation from the user.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the control procedure by the main body control unit 11 of the specific inspection area setting process.
The specific inspection area setting process is executed when data of a document to be printed is transmitted from the external device 2 or the like to the image forming apparatus 10 and an image forming operation and an image inspecting operation are started.

When the specific inspection area setting process is started, the main body control unit 11 causes the operation display unit 13 to display an inspection area setting screen 51 for setting the specific inspection area R (step S101).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the inspection area setting screen 51.
In the inspection area setting screen 51, a setting panel 51a for setting a specific inspection area R is displayed on the right side of the screen, and the contents of the image Im to be formed are displayed in the remaining area. Further, the image Im also displays the specific inspection area R that is being set.

The setting panel 51a includes a region type selection section 511, a target surface selection section 512, a region setting section 513, an ascending/descending order examination setting section 514, a setting cancel button 515, and a setting completion button 516.

The area type selection section 511 is a drop-down list for selecting the type of image included in the specific inspection area R. Using this drop-down list, the type of image included in the specific inspection area R can be selected from a "barcode area" that includes a barcode, and a "text area" that includes numbers and character strings.

The target surface selection section 512 is a drop-down list for selecting whether to set the specific inspection area R on the front surface or the back surface of the recording medium. From this drop-down list, the surface on which the specific inspection area R is set can be selected from "front" and "back".

The region setting section 513 includes a group of buttons for setting the range, direction, and other detailed settings of the specific inspection region R. The area setting section 513 includes a text box 513a, drop-down lists 513b to 513e, a delete button 513f, and a confirm button 513g.
By inputting the position and width of the specific inspection area R in the vertical and horizontal directions in the text box 513a, the range of the specific inspection area R in the image to be formed can be specified.
The drop-down list 513b is used to set the region number (region number) of the specific inspection region R.
The drop-down list 513c is used to set the orientation of the specific inspection area R. By setting the orientation of the specific inspection area R, it is possible to easily identify numbers or character strings by OCR processing.
The drop-down list 513d is used to set whether or not a front-back matching test is necessary. The drop-down list 513d should be selected only when a specific inspection area R having the same area number as the specific inspection area R being set (corresponding specific inspection area R) has already been set on the opposite side. is now possible.
Drop-down list 513e is used to specify the type of barcode. By specifying the barcode type in advance, decoding processing can be performed more reliably.
By performing an input operation to select the delete button 513f, the setting contents in the area setting section 513 can be deleted (discarded).
By performing an input operation to select the confirm button 513g, the specific inspection region R is set according to the selection contents at that time in the region type selection section 511, target surface selection section 512, and region setting section 513.
After selecting the confirm button 513g, a specific inspection region R with a different region number can be successively set.

The ascending/descending order inspection setting section 514 is a drop-down list for selecting whether or not ascending/descending order inspection is necessary and the type of ascending/descending order inspection. From this drop-down list, the setting for the ascending/descending order inspection can be selected from "ascending/descending order inspection (area number order)", "ascending/descending order inspection (between pages)", or "do not execute".

By performing an input operation to select the setting cancel button 515, the contents of the settings up to that point on the setting panel 51a can be cleared.
By performing an input operation to select the setting completion button 516, all the setting contents for the setting panel 51a, including the setting contents of each specific inspection region R, can be registered as setting data. This setting data is stored in the storage unit 113 of the image forming apparatus 10. Note that the setting data may be stored in the storage unit 213 of the image inspection apparatus 20.

Returning to FIG. 7, the main body control unit 11 sets the type (barcode area/text area) of the specific inspection area R according to the input operation to the area type selection unit 511 of the inspection area setting screen 51 (step S102). .
Further, the main body control section 11 sets the target surface (front/back surface) of the specific inspection region R in response to an input operation to the target surface selection section 512 (step S103).
Further, the main body control unit 11 sets the region number of the specific inspection region R according to the input operation to the drop-down list 513b (step S104).
Further, the main body control unit 11 sets the range of the specific inspection region R according to the input value to the text box 513a (step S105). Note that the method for specifying the range of the specific inspection region R is not limited to using the text box 513a, and for example, the range of the specific inspection region R can be specified by dragging the mouse pointer within the range of the image Im. You can leave it there.
Further, the main body control unit 11 sets whether or not a front-back matching test is necessary in response to an input operation on the drop-down list 513d (step S106).
The processes of steps S102 to S106 do not necessarily have to be performed in this order, but are performed sequentially according to the user's input operation on the inspection area setting screen 51. Although not shown in FIG. 7, the orientation of the specific inspection region R is also set using the drop-down list 513c, and the type of barcode is specified using the drop-down list 513e.

The main body control unit 11 determines whether or not the confirm button 513g is selected (step S107), and if it is determined that the confirm button 513g is not selected (“NO” in step S107), steps S102 to The setting process of S106 is continued. If it is determined that the confirm button 513g has been selected (“YES” in step S107), the main body control unit 11 sets the specific inspection region R according to the settings in steps S102 to S106 (step S108).

When the input operation related to the setting of the next specific inspection area R is started on the inspection area setting screen 51 (“YES” in step S109), the main body control unit 11 returns the process to step S102 and starts the next specific inspection area R. Processing related to setting the specific inspection area R is executed.
If the input operation related to the setting of the next specific inspection area R is not started (“NO” in step S109), the main body control unit 11 selects the ascending order/descending order inspection according to the input operation to the ascending/descending order inspection setting unit 514. The necessity and type are set (step S110).

The main body control unit 11 stores and registers the setting data related to the setting contents from steps S102 to S110 in the storage unit 113 in response to the input operation of selecting the setting completion button 516 (step S111).
When the process of step S111 is completed, the main body control unit 11 ends the specific inspection area setting process.

(Specific inspection procedures)
Next, a procedure for a specific inspection targeting the specific inspection area R will be explained.
The specific inspection is performed in real time in parallel with image formation by the image forming apparatus 10.
In the specific inspection, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the specific inspection area R is determined based on the analysis result of the specific inspection area data, and whether the abnormality is of a predetermined first type or a predetermined second type. It is determined whether
If it is determined that the abnormality is of the first type, a recovery process is executed to cause the image forming apparatus 10 to form the image in which the abnormality has been detected again.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the abnormality is of the second type, a cancellation process is executed to stop the image forming apparatus from forming an image.
Below, types of abnormalities and processes performed in response to each type of abnormality will be explained.

<First type of abnormality>
If the specific inspection area R is not blank and the information indicated by the portion within the specific inspection area R cannot be specified by analysis of the specific inspection area data, it is determined that there is a first type of abnormality.
Here, that the specific inspection area R is blank means that no image is formed in the specific inspection area R. For example, when the specific inspection area data corresponds to a blank sheet of paper, it can be determined that the specific inspection area R is blank. In addition, cases where the information indicated by the part within the specific inspection area R cannot be identified by analyzing the specific inspection area data include, for example, cases where the number or character string cannot be identified from an image of the number or character string by OCR processing, or a case where the number or character string cannot be identified from the image of the number or character string by OCR processing, This refers to the case where the information indicated by the barcode cannot be obtained through the decoding process. These problems may occur when an image such as a number, a character string, a bar code, etc. is formed in the specific inspection area R, but the image is disturbed due to adhesion of dirt or image chipping.

If the first type of abnormality occurs, a normal image may be obtained by reprinting (forming again) the image in which the abnormality was detected, so recovery processing is performed. . The recording medium in which an abnormality has been detected is sorted and discharged to the first paper discharge tray T1 by the purge unit 30. If the reprinted image is determined to be normal by the recovery process, it is ejected to the second paper ejection tray T2 as usual.

If it is determined that the abnormality is of the first type, an abnormality notification screen 52 shown in FIG. 9, for example, is displayed on the operation display unit 13. The abnormality notification screen 52 displays contents indicating that decoding of the specific inspection area R has failed and that recovery processing is being executed.

<Second type of abnormality>
If the specific inspection area R is blank, it is determined that there is a second type of abnormality.
If the specific inspection area R is blank, it is possible that the range of the specific inspection area R has been inappropriately designated by the user, that is, the specified specific inspection area R is outside the variable area. Therefore, even if recovery processing is executed and reprinting is performed, there is a high possibility that a specific inspection cannot be performed appropriately. Therefore, the recovery process is not performed, and a cancellation process for stopping image formation is executed.
Further, an abnormality notification screen 53 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the operation display unit 13. On the abnormality notification screen 53, content indicating that the specific inspection area R is blank and content urging reconfirmation of the settings of the specific inspection area R are displayed.
The notification on the abnormality notification screen 53 on the operation display unit 13 corresponds to "notification regarding a deficiency in the designation of a specific inspection area."

In addition, when an abnormality is detected in the front and back matching test, that is, when the information indicated by the specific inspection area R on the front and back sides of the recording medium is different, as in the case of the second recording medium in FIG. It is determined that this is a type 2 abnormality.
If an abnormality is detected in the front-to-back matching test, there is a high possibility that the document data itself prepared by the user is defective. Therefore, even if the recovery process is executed and reprinting is performed, an abnormality will be detected again in the front-back matching test, and the recording medium will be wasted. Therefore, the recovery process is not performed, and a cancellation process for stopping image formation is executed.
Further, an abnormality notification screen 54 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the operation display unit 13. The abnormality notification screen 54 displays content indicating that an error has occurred in the front-back matching test and content prompting confirmation of the printed manuscript (data of the manuscript).

Further, even when an abnormality is detected in the ascending/descending order inspection, it is determined that the abnormality is of the second type. That is, when it is detected that the information indicated by the specific inspection area R is not arranged in ascending order or descending order, as in the case of the third recording medium in FIG. 5 or the third recording medium in FIG. It is determined that this is the second abnormality.
If an abnormality is detected in the ascending/descending order inspection, there is a high possibility that the data itself of the document prepared by the user is defective. Therefore, even if the recovery process is executed and reprinting is performed, an abnormality will be detected again in the front-back matching test, and the recording medium will be wasted. Therefore, the recovery process is not performed, and a cancellation process for stopping image formation is executed.
Further, an abnormality notification screen 55 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the operation display unit 13. The abnormality notification screen 55 displays content indicating that an error has occurred in the ascending/descending order inspection and content prompting confirmation of the printed document.
The notification on the abnormality notification screen 53 on the operation display unit 13 corresponds to "notification regarding defective image data."

(Inspection processing)
Next, a control procedure for inspection processing for performing a specific inspection will be described. This inspection process is executed by the image inspection control unit 21 of the image inspection apparatus 20.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure by the image inspection control unit 21 for inspection processing.
The inspection process is started when the above-described specific inspection area setting process is completed and image formation by the image forming apparatus 10 is executed.

When the inspection process is started, the image inspection control unit 21 receives and acquires the setting data of the specific inspection area R from the image forming apparatus 10 (step S201: area setting acquisition step). Here, when two or more specific inspection regions R are set in one image, as in the examples of FIGS. 5 and 6, the image inspection control unit 21 controls the Also get the order settings.

The image inspection control unit 21 acquires specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area R from the image read data generated by the inline scanner 22 (step S202). Here, the image inspection control unit 21 specifies and acquires specific inspection area data included in the read data based on the range of the specific inspection area R specified by the setting data acquired in step S201.

The image inspection control unit 21 determines whether the specific inspection area R is blank from the acquired specific inspection area data (step S203).

If it is determined that the specific inspection region R is blank (“YES” in step S203), the image inspection control unit 21 determines that there is an abnormality in the image and that the abnormality is a second type of abnormality. It is determined that In addition, the image inspection control unit 21 executes a process for canceling image formation, and also performs a process for displaying an abnormality notification screen 53 (FIG. 10) on the operation display unit 13 indicating that there is a defect in the setting of the specific inspection area R. (Step S204: abnormality determination step, processing step). The canceling process executed in step S204 is a process of transmitting a control signal to the main body control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 to instruct the canceling of image formation. Further, the process for displaying the abnormality notification screen 53 is a process of transmitting a control signal instructing the display of the abnormality notification screen 53 to the main body control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 .

If it is determined that the specific inspection area R is not blank (“NO” in step S203), the image inspection control unit 21 executes a decoding process of the specific inspection area data (step S205). Note that if the type of the specific inspection area R is a "text area", OCR processing is performed in step S205.

The image inspection control unit 21 determines whether decoding has failed (step S206). If it is determined that the decoding has failed (“YES” in step S206), the image inspection control unit 21 determines that there is an abnormality in the image, and also determines that the abnormality is of the first type. do. In addition, the image inspection control unit 21 executes the above-mentioned recovery process, and also executes a process for displaying an abnormality notification screen 52 (FIG. 9) on the operation display unit 13 indicating that the recovery process is being executed ( Step S207: abnormality determination step, processing step). The recovery process executed in step S207 is a process of transmitting a control signal to the main body control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 to instruct reprinting of the image in which an abnormality has been detected. Further, the process for displaying the abnormality notification screen 52 is a process of transmitting a control signal instructing the main body control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 to display the abnormality notification screen 52.

If it is determined that the decoding is successful (“NO” in step S206), the image inspection control unit 21 determines that the setting of the front and back matching test is ON (setting to be executed) and that the result of the front and back matching test is abnormal. It is determined whether or not there is (step S208). If the front and back matching test setting is ON and it is determined that there is an abnormality in the result of the front and back matching test (“YES” in step S208), the image test control unit 21 determines that there is an abnormality in the image. At the same time, it is determined that the abnormality is of the second type. The image inspection control unit 21 also causes the image forming apparatus 10 to cancel image formation, and causes the operation display unit 13 to display an abnormality notification screen 54 (FIG. 11) indicating that there is a defect in the document data. (Step S209: abnormality determination step, processing step). The process for displaying the abnormality notification screen 54 is a process of transmitting a control signal instructing the main body control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 to display the abnormality notification screen 54.

If the setting of the front-back matching test is OFF (setting not to be performed) or if it is determined that the result of the front-back matching test is normal (“NO” in step S208), the image testing control unit 21 performs the ascending order It is determined whether the setting for the descending order test is ON and there is an abnormality in the result of the ascending order/descending order test (step S210). If the setting of the ascending/descending order inspection is ON and it is determined that there is an abnormality in the result of the ascending/descending order inspection (“YES” in step S210), the image inspection control unit 21 determines that there is an abnormality in the image. At the same time, it is determined that the abnormality is of the second type. The image inspection control unit 21 also causes the image forming apparatus 10 to cancel image formation, and causes the operation display unit 13 to display an abnormality notification screen 55 (FIG. 12) indicating that there is a defect in the document data. (Step S211: abnormality determination step, processing step). The process for displaying the abnormality notification screen 55 is a process of transmitting a control signal instructing the main body control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 to display the abnormality notification screen 55.

If it is determined that the setting for ascending/descending order inspection is OFF, or the result of ascending/descending order inspection is normal (“NO” in step S210), or any one of steps S204, S207, S209, and S211 has ended. In this case, the image inspection control unit 21 ends the inspection process.

(Modification 1)
Next, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.
In the image forming system 1 of the embodiment described above, the image forming apparatus 10 and the image inspection apparatus 20 are provided separately, but instead of this, an inline scanner 22 is provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and The specific tests mentioned above may also be performed. In this case, the main body control section 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes various processes that were executed by the image inspection control section 21 in the above embodiment.

(Modification 2)
Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.
The image forming system 1 only needs to have at least the image forming apparatus 10 and the image inspection apparatus 20, and the purge unit 30 and finisher 40 may be omitted.
Furthermore, when the components of the image inspection apparatus 20 are included in the image forming apparatus 10 as in Modification 1, the image forming system 1 may be configured only by the image forming apparatus 10.

As described above, the image inspection apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment includes the image inspection control section 21, and the image inspection control section 21 is configured to identify images to be inspected from among the images formed by the image forming section 12. Acquires the settings of the inspection area R (area setting acquisition means), performs a specific inspection based on the specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area R among the read data obtained by reading the image, and performs the specific inspection. The presence or absence of an abnormality and the type of abnormality are determined (anomaly determining means), and when the type of abnormality is determined to be a predetermined first type, the image in which the abnormality is detected is transferred to the image forming unit 12. performs a recovery process to form the image again, and when the abnormality determining means determines that the type of abnormality is a predetermined second type, a cancel process to stop the image forming unit 12 from forming the image; (processing means).
According to this, when it is determined that there is an abnormality in a specific test on the specific test region R, appropriate processing can be performed depending on the type of the abnormality. In other words, the recovery process is executed when there is a possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery process, and the process of canceling image formation is executed when there is no possibility or there is a low possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery process. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being wasted due to unnecessary recovery processing.

Furthermore, when the specific inspection area data is data indicating that the specific inspection area R is blank, the image inspection control unit 21 determines that the type of abnormality is the second type (abnormality determination means). . If the specific inspection area R is blank, there is a high possibility that the range of the specific inspection area R was inappropriately specified by the user, and even if the recovery process is executed and reprinted, the specific inspection cannot be performed properly. It is highly unlikely that it will be possible to do so. Therefore, by determining that it is the second type of abnormality and stopping image formation without performing recovery processing, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being wasted.

Further, the image inspection control unit 21 determines that the type of abnormality is the first type when the information indicated by the portion within the specific inspection area R of the image cannot be specified by analyzing the specific inspection area data. (Abnormality determination means). If the information on the specific inspection area R cannot be identified in this way, the image may be distorted due to dirt or image chipping, and there is a possibility that a normal image can be obtained by reprinting the image. There is. Therefore, recovery from the abnormality can be attempted by determining that the abnormality is of the first type and performing recovery processing.

In addition, the image inspection control unit 21 analyzes the specific inspection area data to identify information indicated by a portion within the specific inspection area R of the image, and corresponds to a plurality of specific inspection areas R in one or more images. The presence or absence of an abnormality is determined based on whether or not a plurality of pieces of information have a relationship according to a predetermined rule (abnormality determination means). According to this, it is possible to check the consistency of information replaced in the variable area.

Further, the above information is a numerical value or a character string, and the image inspection control unit 21 acquires the setting of the order of two or more specific inspection regions R set in one image (area setting acquisition means), and the It is determined whether two or more pieces of information corresponding to two or more specific inspection areas R are arranged in ascending order or descending order according to the order, and when it is determined that the two or more pieces of information are not arranged in ascending order or descending order, , determines that the type of abnormality is the second type (abnormality determining means). In this way, if the information on the specific inspection region R is not arranged in ascending order or descending order according to the region number, there is a high possibility that the data itself of the document prepared by the user is defective. Therefore, by determining that it is the second type of abnormality and stopping image formation without performing recovery processing, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being wasted.

Further, the image inspection control unit 21 determines whether the plurality of pieces of information corresponding to the plurality of specific inspection areas R in the plurality of images are arranged in ascending order or descending order for each recording medium, If it is determined that they are not lined up, it is determined that the type of abnormality is the second type (abnormality determining means). In this way, if the information on the specific inspection area R is not arranged in ascending order or descending order for each recording medium, there is a high possibility that the data itself of the document prepared by the user is defective. Therefore, by determining that it is the second type of abnormality and stopping image formation without performing recovery processing, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being wasted.

In addition, the image forming unit 12 forms images on the front and back sides of the recording medium, and the image inspection control unit 21 acquires the settings of the corresponding specific inspection area R for each of the front and back images. In this case, it is determined whether or not the pair of information corresponding to the specific inspection area R on the front and back sides match, and if it is determined that the pair of information is different, the type of abnormality is the second type. (abnormality determination means). In this way, if the information on the front and back sides is different in the front-back matching test, there is a high possibility that the data of the document prepared by the user itself is defective. Therefore, by determining that it is the second type of abnormality and stopping image formation without performing recovery processing, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being wasted.

In addition, when it is determined that the abnormality is of the second type, the image examination control unit 21 causes the operation display unit 13 to display the abnormality notification screen 53 (notification regarding a deficiency in the designation of the specific examination region R). (processing means). According to this, the user can easily recognize that there is a possibility that the specification of the specific inspection region R is flawed.

In addition, when it is determined that the abnormality is of the second type, the image inspection control unit 21 causes the operation display unit 13 to display abnormality notification screens 52, 54, and 55 (notification regarding deficiencies in image data). (processing means). According to this, the user can easily recognize that there is a possibility that there is a defect in the data of the manuscript.

Further, the specific inspection area data includes barcode image data. According to this, when the contents of the barcode formed in the specific inspection area R are replaced for each recording medium, the consistency of the information in the specific inspection area R can be inspected.

Further, the specific inspection area data includes image data of numbers or character strings. According to this, when the contents of the numbers or character strings formed in the specific inspection area R are replaced for each recording medium, the consistency of the information in the specific inspection area R can be inspected.

The image inspection apparatus 20 also includes an inline scanner 22 that reads images and generates read data. According to this, it is possible to generate image read data within the image inspection apparatus 20 and obtain specific inspection area data from the read data.

Further, the image forming system 1 of this embodiment includes the above-described image inspection device 20 and an image forming section 12 that forms an image. According to such an image forming system 1, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in a formed image, and to perform appropriate processing depending on the type of abnormality.

Further, the image inspection method of the present embodiment includes a region setting acquisition step of acquiring the settings of a specific inspection region R that is a target of a specific inspection among the images formed by the image forming unit 12, and an abnormality determination step of performing a specific inspection based on specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area R out of the read data, and determining the presence or absence of an abnormality related to the specific inspection and the type of the abnormality; If it is determined that the type of abnormality is a predetermined first type, the image forming unit 12 executes a process for forming the image in which the abnormality is detected again, and the type of abnormality is determined in the abnormality determination step. A processing step of executing processing for stopping image formation by the image forming section 12 when it is determined that the image forming apparatus is of a predetermined second type. According to this method, when it is determined that there is an abnormality in a specific test on the specific test region R, appropriate processing can be performed depending on the type of the abnormality. In other words, the recovery process is executed when there is a possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery process, and the process of canceling image formation is executed when there is no possibility or there is a low possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery process. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being wasted due to unnecessary recovery processing.

The program 213a of the present embodiment also controls the image inspection control unit 21 as a computer provided in the image inspection apparatus 20 to perform a specific inspection area R that is a target of a specific inspection in the image formed by the image forming unit 12. Area setting acquisition means for acquiring the settings of the image, performs a specific inspection based on the specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area R among the read data obtained by reading the image, and determines whether or not there is an abnormality related to the specific inspection. , and an abnormality determining means for determining the type of abnormality, and when the abnormality determining means determines that the type of abnormality is a predetermined first type, causing the image forming unit 12 to re-form an image in which the abnormality is detected. processing means for executing processing for causing the image forming unit 12 to stop forming an image when the abnormality determining means determines that the type of abnormality is a predetermined second type; function as By causing such a program to be executed by the image inspection control unit 21, when it is determined that there is an abnormality in a specific inspection on the specific inspection region R, appropriate processing can be performed depending on the type of abnormality. In other words, the recovery process is executed when there is a possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery process, and the process of canceling image formation is executed when there is no possibility or there is a low possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery process. By doing so, it is possible to prevent the recording medium from being wasted due to unnecessary recovery processing.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes are possible.
For example, in the embodiment described above, the specific inspection area R is set based on the input operation from the user. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the image inspection control unit 21 sets the specific inspection area R may also be set. In this case, for example, the variable area may be specified from the data of the document, and the specified variable area may be set as the specific inspection area R.

Further, in the above embodiment, the explanation has been given using an example in which the main body control unit 11 executes the specific inspection area setting process, but the invention is not limited to this, and the image inspection control unit 21 may execute the specific inspection area setting process. . Alternatively, the specific inspection area setting process may be executed in the external device 2, and the setting data of the specific inspection area R may be transmitted from the external device 2 to the image forming device 10 or the image inspection device 20.

Further, in the above embodiment, the predetermined rule followed by the information indicated by the specific inspection region R is an ascending order or a descending order. It can be a rule.

Further, the information indicated by the specific inspection region R (information obtained by analyzing the specific inspection region data) is not limited to numerical values or character strings, but includes any information that can be arranged according to a predetermined rule.

Further, in the embodiment described above, the display of the abnormality notification screens 52 to 55 by the operation display unit 13 has been described as an example of notification by the notification means, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the notification by the notification means may include turning on a warning light, generating an alarm sound, or sending a message such as an email to an external terminal operated by the user.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof. .

1 Image forming system 2 External device 10 Image forming device 11 Main body control section 111 CPU
112 RAM
113 Storage unit 113a Program 12 Image forming unit 13 Operation display unit (notification means)
14 Interface 15 Communication unit 16 Bus 20 Image inspection device 21 Image inspection control unit (area setting acquisition means, abnormality determination means, processing means)
211 CPU
212 RAM
213 Storage unit 213a Program 22 Inline scanner (image reading means)
23 Interface 24 Bus 30 Purge unit 40 Finisher 51 Inspection area setting screen 51a Setting panels 52 to 55 Abnormality notification screen Im Image R Specific inspection area T1 First paper output tray T2 Second paper output tray

The present invention relates to an image forming system .

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system that can perform recovery processing when there is a possibility that an abnormality may be resolved by recovery processing .

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of an image forming system according to claim 1,
an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
reading means for reading the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image forming means and outputting read data;
Decoding the barcode image data of the read data corresponding to a specific inspection area to identify the information indicated by the barcode, and/or decoding the barcode image data of the read data that corresponds to a specific inspection area; identification means for identifying numbers or character strings by OCR processing;
control means for controlling the image forming means to form the image again when the identification means cannot identify the image;
has .

According to the present invention, there is an effect that the recovery process can be executed when there is a possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery process .

Claims (15)

area setting acquisition means for acquiring the settings of a specific inspection area that is a target of a specific inspection in the image formed by the image forming unit;
Performing the specific inspection based on specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area among the read data obtained by reading the image, and determining the presence or absence of an abnormality related to the specific inspection and the type of the abnormality. an abnormality determination means,
When the type of abnormality is determined to be a predetermined first type by the abnormality determining means, a process for causing the image forming means to form the image in which the abnormality is detected again is executed, processing means for executing a process for stopping image formation by the image forming means when the type of abnormality is determined by the determining means to be a predetermined second type;
An image inspection device comprising: The abnormality determining means determines that the type of abnormality is the second type when the specific inspection area data is data indicating that the specific inspection area is blank. The image inspection device according to claim 1. The abnormality determining means determines that the type of abnormality is the first type when information indicated by a portion of the image within the specific inspection area cannot be identified through analysis of the specific inspection area data. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The abnormality determining means analyzes the specific inspection area data to identify information indicated by a portion within the specific inspection area of the image, and corresponds to a plurality of the specific inspection areas in one or more of the images. The image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the presence or absence of the abnormality is determined based on whether or not the plurality of pieces of information have a relationship according to a predetermined rule. The area setting acquisition means acquires the setting of the order of the two or more specific inspection areas set in one of the images,
The information is a numerical value or a character string,
The abnormality determining means determines whether the two or more pieces of information corresponding to the two or more specific inspection areas are arranged in ascending order or descending order according to the order,
The image inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when it is determined that the two or more pieces of information are not arranged in ascending order or descending order, it is determined that the type of abnormality is the second type. The information is a numerical value or a character string,
The abnormality determining means determines whether the plurality of pieces of information corresponding to the plurality of specific inspection areas in the plurality of images are arranged in ascending order or descending order for each recording medium,
The image inspection apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein when it is determined that the plurality of pieces of information are not arranged in ascending order or descending order, it is determined that the type of abnormality is the second type. . The image forming means forms images on the front and back sides of the recording medium, respectively,
The abnormality determining means includes:
When the area setting acquisition means acquires the corresponding settings of the specific inspection area in each of the front image and the back image, a pair of the information corresponding to the specific inspection areas on the front side and the back side. determine whether they match,
The image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein when it is determined that the pair of information is different, it is determined that the type of abnormality is the second type. The processing means performs processing for causing a predetermined notification means to issue a notification regarding the deficiency in designation of the specific inspection area, when the abnormality is determined by the abnormality determination means to be of the second type. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image inspection apparatus executes the image inspection apparatus. The processing means executes processing for causing a predetermined notification means to issue a notification regarding a defect in the data of the image when the abnormality determining means determines that the abnormality is of the second type. The image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7. The image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the specific inspection area data includes barcode image data. The image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the specific inspection area data includes image data of numbers or character strings. The image inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising an image reading unit that reads the image and generates the read data. An image inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 12,
an image forming means for forming an image;
An image forming system comprising: an area setting acquisition step of acquiring the settings of a specific inspection area that is a target of a specific inspection in the image formed by the image forming means;
Performing the specific inspection based on specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area among the read data obtained by reading the image, and determining the presence or absence of an abnormality related to the specific inspection and the type of the abnormality. an abnormality determination step,
If it is determined in the abnormality determination step that the type of abnormality is a predetermined first type, a process is executed to cause the image forming means to form the image in which the abnormality has been detected again, and a processing step of executing a process for stopping image formation by the image forming means when the type of the abnormality is determined to be a predetermined second type in the determining step;
An image inspection method characterized by comprising: The computer installed in the image inspection equipment,
area setting acquisition means for acquiring the settings of a specific inspection area that is a target of a specific inspection in the image formed by the image forming unit;
Performing the specific inspection based on specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area among the read data obtained by reading the image, and determining the presence or absence of an abnormality related to the specific inspection and the type of the abnormality. abnormality determination means,
When the type of abnormality is determined to be a predetermined first type by the abnormality determining means, a process for causing the image forming means to form the image in which the abnormality is detected again is executed, processing means for executing processing for stopping image formation by the image forming means when the type of abnormality is determined by the determining means to be a predetermined second type;
A program characterized by functioning as

Images