JP6592928B2 - Inspection apparatus, image forming apparatus, image forming system, inspection program - Google Patents

Description

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

  There is an inspection technique in which an image formed on a recording material such as paper by an image forming apparatus is read by an inline sensor or the like provided in the image forming apparatus or the post-processing apparatus to determine the quality of the image.

  In relation to this, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2004-228561 determines the type of image from PDL (page description language) data of the original image, determines the inspection item based on the determined type of image, and determines the quality of the image. Techniques to do this have been proposed. According to this technique, since unnecessary inspection items can be removed based on the type of image, it is possible to reduce the processing burden when determining the quality of the image.

JP2013-111946A

  However, in the above technique, the inspection item used for determining the quality of the image is determined based on the type of image that can be discriminated from the PDL data of the original image, that is, information determined before printing. Since only information determined before printing is used, for example, if data including color information is determined from the PDL data of the original image, monochrome printing may be set whether color printing is set during actual printing. Therefore, “color reproduction of color” is determined as one of the inspection items.

  Inspecting “color reproduction” for monochrome printing cannot correctly determine the quality of the printed image. As described above, in the above technique, since the inspection item is determined based only on the information determined before printing, there is a problem that the reliability of the determination of the image quality is low.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an inspection apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an inspection program with high image quality determination reliability.

(1) A reading unit that reads an image formed on a recording material to generate read image data, an acquisition unit that acquires an image forming condition determined when an image is formed on the recording material, and the acquisition unit Based on the image forming conditions acquired by the above, a determination unit that determines an inspection item for inspecting the read image data by removing unnecessary inspection items from all inspection items, and the determination unit based on the inspection item, it has a, an inspection unit for inspecting the read image data, the image forming condition is a color mode indicating whether to use color for image formation test apparatus.

( 2 ) A reading unit that reads an image formed on a recording material to generate read image data, an acquisition unit that acquires an image forming condition determined when an image is formed on the recording material, and the acquisition unit Based on the image forming conditions acquired by the above, a determination unit that determines an inspection item for inspecting the read image data by removing unnecessary inspection items from all inspection items, and the determination unit The inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection item, and the image forming condition is a printing rate indicating a ratio of a color material on the surface of the recording material. Inspection equipment.

( 3 ) The inspection apparatus according to (1) or (2) , wherein the image forming condition is determined by performing rasterization processing on original image data for forming the image.
( 4 ) The inspection apparatus according to (1) or (2) , wherein the image forming condition is determined based on print setting information.

( 5 ) An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material, a reading unit that reads the image formed on the recording material and generates read image data, and a confirmation when the image is formed on the recording material An image acquisition condition to be acquired, and an inspection unit for inspecting the read image data by removing unnecessary inspection items from all inspection items based on the image formation condition acquired by the acquisition unit. or a determination unit for determining a test item, based on the inspection item determined by the determination unit, have a, an inspection unit for inspecting the read image data, the image forming conditions, using a color in the image forming An image forming apparatus which is a color mode indicating whether or not .

( 6 ) An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material, a reading unit that reads the image formed on the recording material and generates read image data, and a confirmation when the image is formed on the recording material An image acquisition condition to be acquired, and an inspection unit for inspecting the read image data by removing unnecessary inspection items from all inspection items based on the image formation condition acquired by the acquisition unit. A determination unit that determines an inspection item; and an inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection item determined by the determination unit, wherein the image forming condition is a color material on the surface of the recording material The image forming apparatus according to the above ( 5 ), which is a printing rate indicating a ratio occupied by.

( 7 ) The image forming apparatus according to (5) or (6) , wherein the image forming condition is determined by rasterizing the original image data for forming the image.

( 8 ) An image forming apparatus group including a plurality of image forming apparatuses according to any one of ( 5 ) to ( 7 ), and a server that manages the image forming apparatus group, A history creation unit that creates an inspection history by associating the inspection result of the read image data by the inspection unit of each image forming apparatus and the image forming conditions of the image related to the inspection result, and a new image A selection unit that acquires a new image forming condition related to the formation and selects an image forming apparatus that obtains the best inspection result when image formation is performed based on the new image forming condition, based on the inspection history; An image forming system comprising: a control unit that instructs the image forming apparatus selected by the selection unit to form an image based on the new image forming condition.

( 9 ) An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material, a reading unit that reads the image formed on the recording material and generates read image data, and a confirmation when the image is formed on the recording material An acquisition unit that acquires the image forming conditions to be performed, a determination unit that determines an inspection item for inspecting the read image data based on the image formation conditions acquired by the acquisition unit, and the determination unit An image forming apparatus group including a plurality of image forming apparatuses having an inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection item, and a server that manages the image forming apparatus group, and the server Is a history creation unit that creates an inspection history by associating the inspection result of the read image data by the inspection unit of each of the image forming apparatuses and the image forming conditions of the image related to the inspection result. Based on the inspection history, the image forming apparatus that obtains the new image forming conditions related to the new image formation and obtains the best inspection result when the image is formed according to the new image forming conditions is selected. And a control unit that instructs the image forming apparatus selected by the selecting unit to form an image based on the new image forming condition, and the selecting unit is configured based on the inspection history. Of the image forming apparatuses that have already performed image formation under the same conditions as the new image forming conditions, the image forming apparatus with the lowest frequency of defective inspection results is selected as the image forming apparatus that provides the best inspection results. An image forming system.

( 10 ) The selection unit, based on the inspection history, of image forming apparatuses that have performed image formation under the same conditions as the new image forming conditions, image formation with no defects in the latest inspection results. The image forming system according to ( 8 ) or ( 9 ), wherein the apparatus is selected as an image forming apparatus that can obtain the best inspection result.

( 11 ) The selection unit may have formed an image under the same condition as the new image forming condition based on the inspection history, and the latest among image forming apparatuses having no defective inspection result. The image forming system according to any one of the above ( 8 ) to ( 10 ), wherein the image forming apparatus having the history is selected as an image forming apparatus that can obtain the best inspection result.

( 12 ) A procedure (a) of reading an image formed on a recording material to generate read image data, and whether to use color for image formation, which is determined when the image is formed on the recording material. The step (b) of acquiring the image forming condition that is the color mode shown and the reading by removing unnecessary inspection items from all the inspection items based on the image forming condition acquired by the step (b) Step (c) for determining an inspection item for inspecting image data and step (d) for inspecting the read image data based on the inspection item determined in step (c) are executed on a computer. Inspection program to let you.
(13) A procedure (a) of reading an image formed on a recording material to generate read image data, and a ratio of color materials on the surface of the recording material determined when an image is formed on the recording material The procedure (b) for obtaining the image forming condition that is the printing rate indicating the above, and removing the unnecessary inspection items from all the inspection items based on the image forming conditions acquired by the step (b), A procedure (c) for determining an inspection item for inspecting the read image data and a step (d) for inspecting the read image data based on the inspection item determined in the step (c) Inspection program to be executed.

  According to the inspection apparatus, the image forming apparatus, the image forming system, and the inspection program according to the present invention, an image formed on a recording material such as a sheet for determining an inspection item based on an image forming condition determined at the time of image formation. The reliability of quality judgment can be improved.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming main body. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a test | inspection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example which classified and displayed the image formation conditions. It is a figure which shows the list of the test | inspection item used for the test | inspection of read image data. 3 is an operation flowchart of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an image for determining image quality by an image forming apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an inspection item determination process. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an inspection result obtained by inspecting read image data when an image forming condition of “low printing rate” is included. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an inspection result obtained by inspecting read image data when an image forming condition of “monochrome printing” is included. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming system. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a server. It is a figure which shows the image of a test result log | history. It is an operation | movement flowchart of a server. It is a figure which shows the image which selects each image forming apparatus with a server.

  Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation, and may differ from actual ratios.

[First Embodiment]
(Configuration of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus 10 includes a paper feeding device 100, an image forming main body 200, and an inspection device 300.

  The paper feeding device 100 supplies paper to the image forming main body 200. The paper feeding device 100 has a plurality of paper feeding cassettes, and each cassette can store paper having different characteristics (type, size, etc.).

  The image forming main body 200 forms an image on a sheet supplied from the sheet feeding device 100. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming main body 200 may form an image on a sheet supplied from a paper feed tray incorporated in the image forming main body 200, for example.

  The inspection apparatus 300 reads an image formed on a sheet by the image forming main body 200 to generate read image data, and inspects the read image data to generate an inspection result.

  The configurations of the image forming main body 200 and the inspection apparatus 300 will be described in detail below.

(Image forming body 200)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming main body 200. The image forming main body 200 includes a control unit 210, a storage unit 220, a communication unit 230, and an image forming unit 240, which are connected to each other via a bus for exchanging signals.

  The control unit 210 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and executes control of each of the above components and various arithmetic processes according to a program. Each function of the image forming main body 200 is exhibited when the control unit 210 executes a program corresponding to the function.

  The storage unit 220 stores ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various programs and various data in advance, RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores programs and data as a work area, and stores various programs and various data. It consists of a hard disk.

  The communication unit 230 is an interface for communicating with other devices (for example, a client terminal device and an inspection device) via a network. Standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi, FDDI, and token ring are used for communication.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming unit 240 uses a photosensitive drum (Y, M, C, K) and an intermediate transfer belt B as an image carrier. The intermediate transfer belt B is an endless belt and is supported by a plurality of rollers so as to be able to travel. The toner images of the respective colors formed on the photosensitive drum are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B, and a toner image (color image) in which the layers of the respective colors are superimposed is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B. Then, a toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred onto the sheet by applying a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the transfer roller, and is then fixed by the fixing unit T.

  The image forming main body 200 may also have other configurations such as a touch panel that can be used for displaying various information and inputting various instructions, an operation panel including a numeric keypad, a start / stop button, and the like. The image forming body 200 can constitute an MFP (Multi-Function Peripheral) having a copy function, a scan function, a facsimile function, and the like in addition to the image forming function.

  In the image forming main body 200, the control unit 210 receives, for example, original image data and various print setting information set by the user from the client terminal device. The control unit 210 also rasterizes (RIP) the original image data in accordance with various types of print setting information and functions that can be realized by the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 210 further determines image forming conditions based on various print setting information and rasterized data after RIP processing, and controls the image forming unit 240 to form an image on a sheet with the determined image forming conditions. To do. The determined image forming conditions are stored in the storage unit 220. The confirmed image forming conditions are also transmitted to the inspection apparatus 300 via the communication unit 230. Details of the image forming conditions will be described later.

(Inspection apparatus 300)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the inspection apparatus 300. The inspection apparatus 300 includes a control unit 310, a storage unit 320, a communication unit 330, and an imaging unit 340, which are connected to each other via a bus for exchanging signals. Note that the storage unit 320 and the communication unit 330 have the same functions as the storage unit 220 and the communication unit 230 of the image forming main body 200, and thus the description thereof is omitted to avoid duplication of description.

  The control unit 310 executes control of each of the above components and various arithmetic processes according to a program. As a reading unit, the control unit 310 controls the imaging unit 340 to read an image formed on a sheet and generate read image data. The read image data is stored in the storage unit 320.

  The imaging unit 340 captures an image formed on a sheet in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 310. The imaging unit 340 uses, for example, a line sensor or an area sensor that uses an element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS).

  In the inspection apparatus 300, the control unit 310 acquires, as an acquisition unit, image forming conditions that are determined when an image is formed on a sheet by the image forming main body 200.

  Further, the control unit 310 determines an inspection item for inspecting the read image data based on the image forming condition acquired from the image forming main body 200 as a determining unit. Details of the inspection item and the method of determining the inspection item will be described later.

  Further, the control unit 310, as an inspection unit, inspects the read image data based on the determined inspection item, and generates an inspection result. The inspection result is transmitted to the image forming main body 200 or another device via the communication unit 330 and used for determining the image quality.

  The image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above forms an image on a sheet by the image forming main body 200, reads an image formed on the sheet by the inspection apparatus 300, generates read image data, and reads the read image data. To generate a test result. In addition, the inspection items used for the inspection of the read image data are determined based on the image forming conditions determined at the time of image formation.

  Next, image forming conditions and inspection items will be described in detail.

(Image formation conditions)
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which image forming conditions determined when forming an image are classified and displayed. The image forming conditions are determined by various print setting information set by the user and functions that can be realized by the image forming apparatus 10. The image forming conditions can be classified into, for example, “color mode”, “printing ratio”, “paper information”, “screen information”, and the like.

  “Color mode” refers to color information used during printing, such as “color printing”, “monochrome printing”, “monocolor (two colors) printing”, and the like. That is, the “color mode” is an image forming condition indicating whether or not colors are used during image formation. For example, the user can set “color printing” as the print setting information when instructing the client terminal device to print the original image data. The image forming main body 200 can determine “color printing” as one of the image forming conditions from the print setting information. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming body 200 may determine the “color mode” from the number of types of rasterized data after the PDL data of the original image is RIP processed. For example, when the rasterized data after RIP processing is one type (K only), the image forming main body 200 can determine “monochrome printing” as one of the image forming conditions. When the rasterized data after the RIP process is four types (Y, M, C, K), the image forming main body 200 can determine “color printing” as one of the image forming conditions.

  “Print rate” means the total area of the printed portion (dots on which color materials such as toner and ink are printed) relative to the total area of the printed paper such as “low print rate” and “high print rate”. Refers to the ratio. That is, the “printing rate” is an image forming condition indicating the proportion of the color material on the paper surface. For example, when printing is performed on 10% or less of the entire area of the sheet, the image forming main body 200 can determine “low printing rate” as one of the image forming conditions. The image forming main body 200 can calculate the “printing ratio” from the rasterized data after RIP processing of the PDL data of the original image. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming main body 200 can calculate the “printing rate” using dedicated software.

  “Paper information” refers to the characteristics of the paper to be printed, such as paper type, basis weight, thickness, and whiteness, and “screen information” refers to the screen (halftone dot) used during printing. Refers to the characteristics of In particular, an AM screen (amplitude modulation) indicates an angle, the number of lines, and a halftone dot shape, and an FM screen (frequency modulation) indicates a frequency characteristic. These image forming conditions are also obtained from various print setting information set by the user during actual image formation and rasterized data after RIP processing of PDL data of the original image.

  If the image forming conditions are determined, the control unit 210 controls the image forming unit 240 to form an image based on the determined image forming conditions.

(Inspection item)
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a list of inspection items used for inspection of read image data. The inspection items can be classified into, for example, “color reproduction”, “noise”, “position”, “defect”, and the like. These inspection items are stored in advance in the storage unit 320, for example.

  “Color reproduction” includes “color reproduction of color” and “monochrome color reproduction”. “Color color reproduction” refers to the reproducibility of each color of the read image data of each pixel of the original image data by the toner of each color. For example, “color reproduction of color” is an important inspection item for an original image such as a color printed photograph. On the other hand, it is often unnecessary to inspect “color reproduction” of an original image consisting solely of characters for the purpose of information transmission. “Monochrome color reproduction” refers to the reproducibility by toner at each pixel of the read image data of the black color density of each pixel of the original image data. For example, “monochrome color reproduction” is an important inspection item for original images such as photographs printed in monochrome. Similarly, it is often unnecessary to inspect “monochrome color reproduction” for an original image composed solely of characters intended for information transmission.

  “Noise” includes “streaks”, “spots”, “dirt” and the like. The “position” includes “print position accuracy”, and the “deletion” includes “character defect”, “image defect”, and the like.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment removes unnecessary inspection items from the inspection items shown in FIG. 5 on the basis of image forming conditions determined when forming an image on a sheet, and reads the read image. Examine the data.

(Operation of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the image forming apparatus 10. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an image for determining the image quality by the image forming apparatus 10. Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  First, the control unit 210 receives original image data and print setting information (step S101). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 210 receives PDL data of the original image and various print setting information set by the user from the client terminal device. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 210 can receive original image data by the scan function of the image forming apparatus 10 and can also receive various print setting information from the user via the operation panel.

  Subsequently, the control unit 210 performs rasterization (RIP) processing on the original image data received in step S101 (step S102). Specifically, the control unit 210 performs RIP processing on the original image data according to the accepted print setting information and the functions that can be realized by the image forming apparatus 10. For example, the control unit 210 accepts “color printing” as the print setting information, and corresponds to each color when the image forming apparatus 10 can realize multicolor (for example, Y, M, C, K) color printing. Generate rasterized data. Further, the control unit 210 receives “monochrome printing” as the print setting information, or generates rasterized data corresponding to a single color when the image forming apparatus 10 can realize only a monochrome (K) monochrome print.

  Subsequently, the control unit 210 determines an image forming condition for forming an image based on the original image data on the sheet by the image forming unit 240 (step S103). Specifically, the control unit 210 determines the image forming conditions based on the accepted print setting information and the rasterized data generated in step S102. For example, when the rasterized data is only one type of single color, the control unit 210 determines “monochrome printing” as the image forming condition. Further, the control unit 210 determines “color printing” as the image forming condition when the rasterized data is of many types of multiple colors. The control unit 210 can also determine the “color mode” from the received print setting information. The control unit 210 also analyzes the rasterized data to determine “low printing rate” or “high printing rate”. For example, from the value of each pixel in the rasterized data, it is determined whether or not the pixel has printing, the number of pixels with printing is integrated, and the “printing rate” is calculated by dividing the integrated value by the number of all pixels. It can be confirmed. Note that the control unit 210 can determine the “printing rate” even with dedicated software. In addition, the control unit 210 determines image forming conditions relating to “paper information”, “screen information”, and the like from the received print setting information. The determined image forming conditions are stored in the storage unit 220.

  Subsequently, the control unit 210 controls the image forming unit 240 to form an image on the paper supplied from the paper feeding device 100 (step S104). Specifically, the control unit 210 controls the image forming unit 240 to form an image based on the original image on the paper according to the image forming conditions determined in step S103. The sheet on which the image is formed is conveyed to the inspection apparatus 300.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 of the inspection apparatus 300 generates read image data (step S105). Specifically, as a reading unit, control unit 310 controls image pickup unit 340 to read an image formed on a sheet and generate read image data. The control unit 310 can also perform image processing such as shading correction and filtering (for example, noise removal) on the read image data.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 determines an inspection item for inspecting the read image data (step S106). Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the control unit 310 acquires image forming conditions that are determined when an image is formed on a sheet, and based on the acquired image forming conditions, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Remove unnecessary inspection items from unnecessary inspection items. Details of the inspection item determination process will be described later.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 inspects the read image data based on the inspection item determined in step S106 (step S107). For example, the control unit 310 compares the original image data and the read image data, and generates inspection results that determine the quality of each inspection item.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 outputs the inspection result generated in step S107 (step S108). For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the controller 310 feeds back the inspection result to the image forming main body 200. In the image forming main body 200, for example, the inspection result by the inspection apparatus 300 is displayed on the operation panel. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 310 can also transmit the inspection result to other devices via the communication unit 330.

(Inspection item decision processing)
Next, the inspection item determination process (step S106) will be described in detail.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the inspection item determination process. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the inspection result obtained by inspecting the read image data when the image forming condition of “low printing rate” is included. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the inspection result obtained by inspecting the read image data when the image forming condition of “monochrome printing” is included.

  First, the control unit 310 acquires all inspection items (step S201). For example, the control unit 310 reads all the inspection items stored in the storage unit 320 in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 310 can also obtain inspection items from other external devices.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 acquires the image forming conditions determined in step S103 (step S202). Specifically, the control unit 310 acquires the image forming conditions stored in the storage unit 220 of the image forming main body 200 by communicating with the image forming main body 200 via the communication unit 330. The image forming conditions can also be acquired by determining the image forming conditions in step S103 and then receiving the image forming conditions from the image forming main body 200 via the communication unit 330 by the control unit 310.

  Subsequently, the control unit 310 determines whether or not “low printing rate” is included in the image forming conditions acquired in step S202 (step S203). When “low printing rate” is included in the image forming conditions (step S203: YES), the control unit 310 removes “color reproduction of color” and “monochrome color reproduction” from all inspection items (step S204). The process proceeds to step S107 in FIG. When “low printing rate” is included in the image forming conditions, “color reproduction of color” and the like are removed from the inspection items for the following reason. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the original image data is composed only of characters including data edited in red, and is color-printed by the image forming main body 200. As described above, it is not necessary to inspect “color reproduction of color” or “monochrome color reproduction” for an original image composed solely of characters for the purpose of information transmission. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 9B, for example, the inspection items included in the “color reproduction” classification are removed from the list of inspection items shown in FIG. 5, and the inspection result is generated.

  On the other hand, when “low printing rate” is not included in the image forming condition acquired in step S202 (step S203: NO), the control unit 310 determines whether “monochrome printing” is included in the image forming condition. (Step S205).

  When “monochrome printing” is included in the image forming conditions (step S205: YES), the control unit 310 removes “color reproduction of color” from all inspection items (step S206), and performs the process of step S107 in FIG. Proceed to When “monochrome printing” is included in the image forming conditions, “color reproduction of color” is removed from the inspection items for the following reason. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, the original image data includes data edited in red (the portion surrounded by parentheses in the figure), but the entire original image data is printed in monochrome by the image forming main body 200. Has been. As described above, when “monochrome printing” is included in the image forming condition, since there is no color in the first place, it is not necessary to inspect “color reproduction of color”. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, for example, the inspection item “color reproduction of color” is removed from the list of inspection items shown in FIG. 5, and the inspection result is generated.

  On the other hand, when “monochrome printing” is not included in the image forming condition (step S205: NO), the control unit 310 proceeds to the process of step S107 in FIG. 6 without performing any special process.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, since the inspection items are determined based on the image forming conditions determined at the time of image formation, the inspection items can be determined more appropriately. Therefore, it is possible to improve the reliability of the determination of the quality of the image formed on the paper.

  In the first embodiment, the imaging unit 340 is installed in the inspection apparatus 300, and the inspection apparatus 300 acquires image forming conditions through communication with the image forming main body 200, and the inspection result of the read image data is displayed as the image forming main body 200. To give feedback. However, the first embodiment is not limited thereto, and the imaging unit 340 may be installed in the image forming main body 200, and the function of the control unit 310 may be achieved by the control unit 210. Alternatively, the inspection apparatus 300 may include only the imaging unit 340, and the imaging unit 340 may be controlled by the control unit 210 of the image forming main body 200. In this case, the control unit 310 of FIG. 3 can be omitted.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the inspection item for inspecting the read image data is determined based on the image forming condition determined when the image is formed on the paper, and the read image data is determined based on the determined inspection item. An image forming apparatus for inspecting the image is provided. In the second embodiment, an image forming system including an image forming apparatus group including a plurality of image forming apparatuses according to the first embodiment and a server that manages the image forming apparatus group is provided.

(Configuration of image forming system)
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the image forming system. The image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus group including a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10 a to 10 n and a server 20, which are connected to each other via a network 30 so as to communicate with each other. The server 20 performs centralized management (group management) of information of each image forming apparatus (for example, function information that can be realized by each image forming apparatus). Each image forming apparatus forms an image on a sheet in response to the selection of the server 20, generates read image data, performs an inspection, and transmits the inspection result to the server 20. Each image forming apparatus can use the same one as the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, and can achieve the same function. Therefore, only the configuration and operation of the server 20 will be described below.

(Configuration of server 20)
FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the server 20. The server 20 includes a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication unit 23. Note that the storage unit 22 and the communication unit 23 have the same functions as the storage unit 220 and the communication unit 230 of the image forming main body 200 of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. Description is omitted.

  The control unit 21 is, for example, a CPU, and executes control of the above-described components, various arithmetic processes, and the like according to a program. Each function of the server 20 is exhibited when the control unit 21 executes a corresponding program.

  As the history creation unit, the control unit 21 creates an inspection history by associating the inspection result of the read image data by the inspection unit of each image forming apparatus and the image forming condition of the image related to the inspection result. The created inspection history is stored in the storage unit 22.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image of an inspection history. In the inspection history, the inspection date and time when the inspection is executed, the image forming apparatus, the image forming conditions, the inspection result, and the like are associated with each other. The control unit 21 receives the inspection result from each image forming apparatus, generates and updates the inspection history, and causes the storage unit 22 to store the latest inspection history. In FIG. 13, the inspection history is shown in the order of the image forming conditions. a1 to a3 are inspection histories in the image forming condition A of the image forming apparatus 10a, and b1 to b3 are inspection histories in the image forming condition A of the image forming apparatus 10b. Further, c1 to c3 are inspection histories in the image forming condition A of the image forming apparatus 10c, and d1 to d3 are inspection histories in the image forming condition A of the image forming apparatus 10d.

  Further, the control unit 21 acquires, as the selection unit, an image forming apparatus that obtains a new image forming condition relating to a new image forming and obtains the best inspection result when the image is formed under the new image forming condition. Select based on the inspection history.

  The control unit 21 further instructs the selected image forming apparatus to form an image based on a new image forming condition.

(Operation of server 20)
The operation of the server 20 will be described.

  FIG. 14 is an operation flowchart of the server 20. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an image for selecting an image forming apparatus that can obtain the best results when the server 20 performs image formation from the image forming apparatus group under new image forming conditions. Hereinafter, the operation of the server 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 13 and 15 based on the operation flowchart of FIG.

  First, the control unit 21 receives original image data and print setting information (step S301). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15, the control unit 21 receives PDL data of an original image and various print setting information set by the user from the client terminal device. The control unit 21 also acquires new image forming conditions related to new image formation based on various print setting information set by the user and information on each image forming apparatus managed by the group.

  Subsequently, the control unit 21 refers to the inspection history (step S302) and selects an image forming apparatus (step S303). Specifically, the control unit 21 selects an image forming apparatus that obtains the best inspection result when image formation is performed under the new image formation conditions acquired in step S301. For example, when acquiring a new image forming condition (hereinafter referred to as image forming condition A), the control unit 21 refers to the inspection history in FIG. One is selected from the devices 10a to 10d.

  An example of a method for selecting an image forming apparatus will be described. For example, based on the inspection history, the control unit 21 selects an image forming apparatus having the lowest frequency of defective inspection results among image forming apparatuses that have performed image formation under the same conditions as the new image forming conditions. select. For example, in the inspection history of FIG. 13, in the inspection history (a1 to a3) of the image forming apparatus 10a under the image forming condition A, the good inspection result is twice (a1, a2) and the defective inspection result is once ( a3). On the other hand, in the inspection history (b1 to b3) of the image forming apparatus 10b under the same image forming condition A, the good inspection result is once (b2) and the defective inspection result is twice (b1, b3). If the inspection histories of the image forming apparatus 10a and the image forming apparatus 10b under the image forming condition A are compared, the frequency of the defective inspection result of the image forming apparatus 10a is low. Therefore, when the new image forming condition is the image forming condition A, the control unit 21 selects the image forming apparatus 10a.

  Another example of a method for selecting an image forming apparatus will be described. For example, based on the inspection history, the control unit 21 selects an image forming apparatus having no defect in the latest inspection result from among the image forming apparatuses that have performed image formation under the same conditions as the new image forming conditions. To do. For example, in the inspection history of FIG. 13, in the inspection histories (a1 to a3, c1 to c3) of the image forming apparatus 10a and the image forming apparatus 10c under the image forming condition A, all of the good inspection results are two times and are defective. The test result is once. However, the timing at which a defective inspection result is obtained is at the time of the latest inspection (inspection history a3) in the image forming apparatus 10a, and at the time of the second previous inspection (inspection history) in the image forming apparatus 10c. c1). If the inspection histories of the image forming apparatus 10a and the image forming apparatus 10c under the image forming condition A are compared, there is no defect in the latest inspection result of the image forming apparatus 10c. Therefore, if the new image forming condition is the image forming condition A, the control unit 21 selects the image forming apparatus 10c.

  Still another example of a method for selecting an image forming apparatus will be described. For example, based on the inspection history, the control unit 21 has performed image formation under the same conditions as the new image formation conditions, and the latest history among the image forming apparatuses having no defective inspection results. An image forming apparatus having the same is selected. For example, in the inspection history of FIG. 13, in the inspection histories (c1 to c3 and d1 to d3) of the image forming apparatus 10c and the image forming apparatus 10d under the image forming condition A, both of the good inspection results are two times and the defect is bad. The test result is once. Further, the latest inspection histories (c3, d3) of the image forming apparatus 10c and the image forming apparatus 10d are both good inspection results. However, the latest inspection history d3 of the image forming apparatus 10d is a newer inspection history (the inspection date is closer) than the inspection history c3 of the image forming apparatus 10c. If the inspection histories of the image forming apparatus 10c and the image forming apparatus 10d in the image forming condition A are compared, the inspection history d3 having a good inspection result of the image forming apparatus 10d is the latest history. Therefore, if the new image forming condition is the image forming condition A, the control unit 21 selects the image forming apparatus 10d.

  The control unit 21 can also select an image forming apparatus by combining the above-described selection methods for various image forming apparatuses.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart in FIG. 14, the control unit 21 instructs the image forming apparatus selected in step S303 to form an image based on the new image forming conditions acquired in step S301 (step S304). Specifically, the control unit 21 transmits the original image data and the print setting information to the image forming apparatus selected in step S303, and instructs the image formation under the new image forming conditions. As shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 21 selects an image forming apparatus according to image forming conditions. The selected image forming apparatus proceeds with the process according to the operation flowchart of FIG. 6 and generates an inspection result. The inspection result generated by each image forming apparatus is transmitted to the control unit 21.

  Subsequently, the control unit 21 receives the inspection result from each image forming apparatus (step S305) and updates the inspection history (step S306). For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the control unit 21 receives the inspection results from each image forming apparatus, and associates the image forming conditions with the inspection results and executes the inspection and information such as the inspection date and time. Is added to update the inspection history of FIG.

  As described above, according to the image forming system 1 according to the second embodiment, the server 20 performs group management of each image forming apparatus and creates a new image based on the inspection history in which the image forming conditions and the inspection results are associated with each other. An image forming apparatus that forms an image is selected according to the forming conditions. For this reason, the operating rate of each image forming apparatus can be maximized, and efficient management of the image forming apparatus that achieves both productivity and quality is enabled.

  In each of the above embodiments, the case where the operations of the image forming apparatus and the server are executed by software has been described. However, all processing may not be realized by software, but a part may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit, or may be executed by a plurality of hardware.

  The program for operating the image forming apparatus and the server may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory, a flexible disk, or a CD-ROM, or provided online via a network such as the Internet. Also good. Further, this program may be provided as, for example, a single application software, or may be incorporated in the software as one function of the image forming apparatus and the server.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but these are examples for explaining the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not intended to be limited to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various modes different from the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 image forming system,
10, 10a, 10n image forming apparatus,
20 servers,
21, 210, 310 control unit,
22, 220, 320 storage unit,
23, 230, 330 communication unit,
30 network,
100 paper feeder,
200 Image forming body,
240 image forming unit,
300 inspection equipment,
340 Imaging unit.

Claims (13)

A reading unit that reads an image formed on a recording material and generates read image data;
An acquisition unit for acquiring an image forming condition determined when an image is formed on the recording material;
Based on the image forming conditions acquired by the acquisition unit, by removing unnecessary inspection items from all inspection items, a determination unit that determines inspection items for inspecting the read image data;
An inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection item determined by the determination unit ;
The inspection apparatus , wherein the image forming condition is a color mode indicating whether or not colors are used for image formation . A reading unit that reads an image formed on a recording material and generates read image data;
An acquisition unit for acquiring an image forming condition determined when an image is formed on the recording material;
Based on the image forming conditions acquired by the acquisition unit, by removing unnecessary inspection items from all inspection items, a determination unit that determines inspection items for inspecting the read image data;
An inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection item determined by the determination unit ;
The image forming condition is an inspection apparatus that is a printing rate indicating a ratio of a color material to the recording material surface . The image forming condition inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 is determined by rasterizing processing original image data for forming the image. The image forming condition inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 is determined based on the print setting information. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material;
A reading unit that reads the image formed on the recording material and generates read image data;
An acquisition unit for acquiring an image forming condition determined when an image is formed on the recording material;
Based on the image forming conditions acquired by the acquisition unit, by removing unnecessary inspection items from all inspection items, a determination unit that determines inspection items for inspecting the read image data;
An inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection item determined by the determination unit ;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming condition is a color mode indicating whether or not colors are used for image formation. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material;
A reading unit that reads the image formed on the recording material and generates read image data;
An acquisition unit for acquiring an image forming condition determined when an image is formed on the recording material;
Based on the image forming conditions acquired by the acquisition unit, by removing unnecessary inspection items from all inspection items, a determination unit that determines inspection items for inspecting the read image data;
An inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection item determined by the determination unit ;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming condition is a printing rate indicating a ratio of a color material to the recording material surface . The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the image forming condition is determined by rasterizing original image data for forming the image. An image forming apparatus group including a plurality of image forming apparatuses according to any one of claims 5 to 7 ,
A server for managing the group of image forming apparatuses;
Have
The server
A history creation unit that creates an inspection history by associating the inspection result of the read image data by the inspection unit of each of the image forming apparatuses and the image forming conditions of the image according to the inspection result;
Based on the inspection history, an image forming apparatus that obtains a new image forming condition related to the new image formation and obtains the best inspection result when the image is formed according to the new image forming condition is selected. A selection section;
A control unit that instructs the image forming apparatus selected by the selection unit to perform image formation under the new image forming condition;
An image forming system. An image forming unit that forms an image on a recording material;
A reading unit that reads the image formed on the recording material and generates read image data;
An acquisition unit for acquiring an image forming condition determined when an image is formed on the recording material;
A determination unit that determines an inspection item for inspecting the read image data based on the image forming condition acquired by the acquisition unit;
An inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection item determined by the determination unit;
An image forming apparatus group including a plurality of image forming apparatuses having
A server for managing the group of image forming apparatuses;
Have
The server
A history creation unit that creates an inspection history by associating the inspection result of the read image data by the inspection unit of each of the image forming apparatuses and the image forming conditions of the image according to the inspection result;
Based on the inspection history, an image forming apparatus that obtains a new image forming condition related to the new image formation and obtains the best inspection result when the image is formed according to the new image forming condition is selected. A selection section;
A control unit that instructs the image forming apparatus selected by the selection unit to form an image under the new image forming condition;
The selection unit selects an image forming apparatus having the lowest frequency of defective inspection results among image forming apparatuses that have performed image formation under the same conditions as the new image forming conditions based on the inspection history. The image forming system is selected as an image forming apparatus that can obtain the best inspection result. Based on the inspection history, the selection unit selects an image forming apparatus having no defect in the latest inspection result among image forming apparatuses that have performed image formation under the same conditions as the new image forming conditions. 10. The image forming system according to claim 8 , wherein the image forming system is selected as an image forming apparatus that can obtain the best inspection result. The selection unit has performed image formation under the same conditions as the new image formation conditions based on the inspection history, and the latest history among the image forming apparatuses having no defective inspection results. The image forming system according to any one of claims 8 to 10 , wherein the image forming apparatus is selected as an image forming apparatus that provides the best inspection result. A procedure (a) of reading an image formed on a recording material and generating read image data;
A procedure (b) of acquiring an image forming condition which is a color mode which is determined when an image is formed on the recording material and which indicates whether or not to use color for image formation;
A procedure (c) for determining an inspection item for inspecting the read image data by removing unnecessary inspection items from all inspection items based on the image forming conditions acquired in the step (b); ,
A procedure (d) for inspecting the read image data based on the inspection item determined by the procedure (c);
Inspection program to make computer execute. A procedure (a) of reading an image formed on a recording material and generating read image data;
A procedure (b) for obtaining an image forming condition which is a printing rate indicating a ratio of a color material on the surface of the recording material, which is determined when an image is formed on the recording material ;
A procedure (c) for determining an inspection item for inspecting the read image data by removing unnecessary inspection items from all inspection items based on the image forming conditions acquired in the step (b); ,
A procedure (d) for inspecting the read image data based on the inspection item determined by the procedure (c);
Inspection program to make computer execute.