JP6878951B2 - Image forming device, image reading device, image processing method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention performs an image forming apparatus for performing additional printing on a transfer medium having a background image, an image reading device for reading an image on the transfer medium for additional printing, and processing an image for additional printing. Regarding image processing methods and programs.

In the field of an image forming apparatus, a technique for determining the quality of an image on paper by reading an image on paper and comparing the read data acquired with the data for printing is known.
However, when performing follow-up printing in which a printed image is printed on a paper on which an image is formed in advance, the scanned data includes a background image, so even if the scanned data and the print data are compared, it is defective. Cannot be determined.
Therefore, a method has been proposed that can detect the quality of the image of the output product in the reprint printing.

For example, in Patent Document 1, image data related to an image (first image) formed in advance on a paper is obtained by reading the paper before image formation, and input image data and image data related to the first image are obtained. It is described that the image data obtained by superimposing the above is compared with the image data related to the second image read by the reading unit after the image formation to detect the misprint in the image forming unit.
In Patent Document 2, the image data obtained by reading the pre-printed paper on which the pre-printing element is pre-printed and the image data of the post-printing printed paper obtained by reading the paper on which the post-printing element is printed are calculated. By generating an inspection target image with the pre-printing elements in the image data of the post-printing paper reduced, and comparing the image data of the inspection target image with the image data of the reprinting element, the quality of the reprinting result can be determined. It is stated that it will be inspected.
Further, Patent Document 3 describes that a printed image already printed on a printable object is read, and the printed image is enlarged or reduced based on the read printed image. Further, based on the read printed image, it is determined whether the print object is upside down and the printed image is upside down, and when the print object is upside down, printing is performed. It is described that the object is ejected without being sent to the image output means, and the printed image is rotated 180 degrees when the printed image is turned upside down.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-252647 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-70548 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-232887

However, in all of the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, a reading unit is provided in front of the image forming unit in order to read the data on the paper before printing with the reading device after feeding the data and before forming the image. It has to be costly. In addition, it is possible to judge whether the print result, paper, and print data are correct, but there is a problem that downtime becomes long because the output of the device is stopped regardless of which part is inconsistent. is there.

The present invention has been made against the background of the above problems, and is an image forming apparatus and an image capable of detecting defects in a background image and a printed image in reprint printing in which an image is printed on a transfer medium having a background image. One of the purposes is to provide a forming method, an image reader and a program.

That is, the first aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of reprint printing that forms a printed image on a transfer medium having a background image.
An image forming unit that forms an image on the transfer medium based on the job,
A control unit that controls the image forming apparatus is provided.
The control unit acquires the background image data of the background image and the print image data of the printed image, and further acquires the reprint image data obtained by reading the reprint image of the transfer medium on which the reprint printing is performed.
The background image data for comparison relating to the image excluding the print image from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the print image data, and the background image excluded from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the background image data. Create comparative print image data related to the image,
It is characterized in that the quality of an image is determined by comparing the background image data and the comparison background image data and comparing the printed image data with the comparison printed image data.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, when the control unit compares the image data with a difference of a predetermined value or more, the image is defective and the difference is a predetermined value or more. It is characterized in that it is determined that the image is normal when the image is not provided.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit is different in comparing the background image data with the comparison background image data and comparing the printed image data with the comparison printed image data. It is characterized in that a predetermined value is used.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit stops the output of the job when there is a difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison between the background image data and the comparison background image data. It is characterized by.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, when the control unit has a difference of a predetermined value or more in comparison between the background image data and the comparison background image data, the background image data or the above-mentioned One of the background image data for comparison is converted so that the image is rotated 180 degrees, and the converted image data is used to compare the background image data with the comparison background image data to determine the correctness of printing. It is characterized by doing.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit converts the printed image data so that the image rotates 180 degrees when there is no difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison result after the rotation. The feature is that the user can select whether to continue the output of the job based on the image data.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit converts the printed image data so that the image rotates 180 degrees when there is no difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison result after the rotation. It is characterized by outputting a job based on image data.

The invention of another form of the image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit includes a notification prompting the notification to switch the vertical orientation of the transfer medium housed in the paper feed tray. ..

The invention of another form of the image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the said form, the control unit restarts a job according to a user's operation instruction.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, when the control unit has a difference of at least a predetermined value or more in comparison between the printed image data and the comparative printed image data, the difference is at least a predetermined value or more. It is characterized in that the page of the transfer medium that has been used is printed.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, when the control unit has a difference of a predetermined value or more in comparison between the printed image data and the comparative printed image data, the transfer medium in the machine is used. After pre-purging, printing is performed from the page of the transfer medium having a difference of a predetermined value or more.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, when there is a difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison, the control unit uses a transfer medium other than the normal job output as the output destination of the normal output of the job. It is characterized in that the paper is ejected to a different ejection destination.

The invention of the image forming apparatus of another form is characterized in that, in the said form, the control unit gives a notification about the transfer medium used for the printing when the printing is performed.

The invention of another form of the image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit includes, in the notification, a notification regarding the amount of transfer medium at the time of reprinting at the paper feed source.

The invention of the image forming apparatus of another form is characterized in that, in the said form, the control unit compares the background image data with the comparison background image data for each predetermined number of output sheets.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit performs the background image data and the comparison background image data before comparing the printed image data with the comparison printed image data. It is characterized by making a comparison with.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, when the control unit does not have a difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison between the background image data and the comparison background image data, the printed image data and the said It is characterized in that comparison with print image data for comparison is performed.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit prints a printed image on the transfer medium based on the comparison result of the background image data and the comparison background image data. It is characterized by making it possible to select.

In the invention of another form of the image forming apparatus, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit compares the background image data with the comparison background image data at least on the first transfer medium or supply at the start of the job. It is characterized in that it is performed on the first transfer medium when the paper tray is switched.

In the invention of another form of the image forming apparatus, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit outputs the printed image to at least one transfer medium before the job output at the time of starting the job or the time of switching the paper feed tray. It is characterized in that the background image data and the comparison background image data are compared without being formed.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit has a difference of a predetermined value or more in comparison between the background image data and the comparison background image data on a transfer medium on which a printed image is not formed. If the above is not provided, the job is output from the paper feed tray at which the job is started or switched with the subsequent transfer medium.

In the invention of the image forming apparatus of another form, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit compares the background image data with the comparison background image data on the first transfer medium, and the comparison is performed at a predetermined value or more. If there is no difference, after the comparison, the second and subsequent transfer media are fed at a normal transport speed.

The invention of another form of the image forming apparatus, in the said form, allows the control unit to select whether to form a print image on the transfer medium at the start of the job or at the time of switching the paper feed tray. It is characterized by that.

The invention of another form of the image forming apparatus is characterized in that, in the above form, the control unit makes the selection feasible before the start of the job.

Among the image reading devices of the present invention, the first mode is an image reading unit that reads an image on a transfer medium.
A reading control unit that controls the image reading unit is provided.
The reading control unit acquires the background image data of the background image and the printed image data of the printed image, and further acquires the reprint image data from the image reading unit.
Exclude the background image from the reprint image based on the comparison background image data related to the image excluding the print image from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the print image data, and the reprint image data and the background image data. It is characterized in that a comparative print image data related to the created image is created.

In the invention of the image reading device of another form, in the above-described embodiment, the reading control unit compares the background image data with the comparison background image data and compares the printed image data with the comparison printed image data. The feature is to judge the quality of an image.

The first aspect of the image processing method of the present invention is an image processing method for a transfer medium in which a printed image is formed on a transfer medium having a background image.
Steps to acquire the background image data of the background image and the print image data of the print image,
The step of acquiring the reprint image data of the reprint image obtained by reading the image of the transfer medium on which the print image is formed, and
Exclude the background image from the reprint image based on the comparison background image data related to the image excluding the print image from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the print image data, and the reprint image data and the background image data. Steps to create comparative print image data related to the image
It is characterized by having a step of comparing the background image data and the background image data for comparison, and comparing the printed image data with the print image data for comparison.

The invention of another form of the image processing method is characterized in that, in the said form, the quality of the image on the transfer medium is determined based on the comparison.

The first aspect of the program of the present invention is a program executed by a control unit that controls an image forming apparatus capable of reprinting to form a printed image on a transfer medium on which a background image is formed.
Steps to acquire the background image data of the background image and the print image data of the print image,
The step of acquiring the reprint image data of the reprint image obtained by reading the image of the transfer medium on which the reprint printing is performed, and
Exclude the background image from the reprint image based on the comparison background image data related to the image excluding the print image from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the print image data, and the reprint image data and the background image data. Steps to create comparative print image data related to the image
It is characterized by having a step of comparing the background image data and the background image data for comparison, and comparing the printed image data with the print image data for comparison.

According to the present invention, in a transfer medium on which reprint printing has been performed, it is possible to determine whether the background image is defective or the printed image is defective, and it is possible to perform processing according to the determination result. is there.

It is a figure which shows the outline of the mechanical structure of the image forming apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a block diagram which shows a functional structure. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the procedure at the time of performing the reprint printing. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the procedure at the time of creating the background image data for comparison. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the procedure at the time of creating the print image data for comparison. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the example of the reprint image when the background image is different. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the example of the reprint image when the printed image is different. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the notification screen which prompts a user to confirm the paper. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the example of the notification screen which notifies a user of the number of sheets of paper used for reprinting. Similarly, it is a flowchart which shows the procedure of determining the quality of an image in each of a background image and a print image. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the notification screen which prompts a user to confirm the setting direction of a paper. Similarly, it is a flowchart including a procedure for determining the quality of an image by rotating the background image by 180 degrees when it is determined that the background image is defective. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the notification screen which asks a user whether or not to print a printed image upside down. Similarly, it is a flowchart including a procedure of rotating the background image by 180 degrees to determine the quality of the image, and rotating the printed image by 180 degrees and reprinting the printed image when it is not defective. Similarly, it is a figure which shows the screen which selects whether to perform printing on the first sheet of paper. Similarly, it is a flowchart including a procedure for determining the quality of a background image without printing on the first sheet of paper.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a mechanical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 10, a reading device 20, and a paper feeding device 30. The paper feeding device 30 is arranged at the uppermost stage, the device main body 10 is connected to the rear stage, and the reading device 20 is connected to the rear stage of the device main body 10. The devices are electrically and mechanically connected to enable paper transfer and communication between the devices.

The paper feed device 30 has a plurality of large-capacity paper feed stages, and paper is stored in each large-capacity paper feed stage. The paper corresponds to the transfer medium of the present invention. In the present invention, it is possible to use a medium other than paper as the transfer medium, and for example, a medium made of cloth or plastic can be used. The same applies to the following. The paper in each paper feed stage is supplied to the transport path of the apparatus main body 10.

The device main body 10 has a transport path 13 connected to the paper feeding device 30 in the housing, and a main body feeding unit having a plurality of paper feeding stages for storing paper in the lower part of the device main body 10. 12 is provided. The main body paper feed unit 12 is connected to the transport path 13, and the paper in each paper feed stage is supplied to the transport path 13.
The transport path 13 transports the paper supplied from the large-capacity paper feed stage of the paper feed device 30 or the paper feed stage of the main body paper feed unit 12.

An image forming unit 151 is provided in the middle of the transport path 13. The image forming unit 151 has a photoconductor 151A, and a charger (not shown), a LD 151B (shown in FIG. 2), a developing unit, a transfer unit, and the like are provided around the photoconductor 151A. A fuser 151C is provided in the transport path 13 on the downstream side of the photoconductor 151A.
In the image forming unit 151, a latent image is formed by the LD on the photoconductor 151A uniformly charged by the charger, and the latent image is developed by the developing device to become a toner image. The toner image is transferred to the paper by the transfer unit, and the transferred toner image is fixed by applying heat and pressure by the fixing device 151C. By this series of operations, an image can be formed on paper by an electrophotographic method. The toner material remaining on the photoconductor 151A is removed by a cleaning unit (not shown).

In the transport path 13, the reversal path 16 branches on the downstream side of the fuser 151C. In the reversing path 16, the return flow path 18 branches in the middle, and the downstream side of the return flow path 18 joins the transport path 13 on the downstream side from the position where the reversing path 16 branches.
The reversing path 16 has a reversing portion 17 on the downstream side of the position where the return flow path 18 branches, so that the paper can be reciprocated. The reversing path 16 joins the transport path 13 on the downstream side and on the upstream side of the image forming unit 151.
When an image is formed on the back surface of the paper, the image-formed paper is conveyed to the reversing path 16, the entire paper is further fed to the reversing portion 17, and then conveyed in the opposite direction to the downstream side of the conveying path 13. Will be sent to. By this operation, the front and back of the paper are switched and the front and back are reversed. The paper that has been turned upside down is recirculated in the transport path 13, and the image forming unit 151 enables image formation on the back surface side.
When the paper is fed to the reversing path 16 and printing is not performed on the back surface of the paper, the paper is transported to the reversing path 16 and then transported in the opposite direction at a position past the branch point of the return flow path 18. It is sent back to the return flow path 18 and returned to the transport path 13. At this time, the front and back of the paper are switched and the front and back are reversed.
If the paper is not flipped, the paper is straight and conveyed along the transport path 13. The downstream end of the transport path 13 is connected to the transport path of the reading device 20.

Further, the apparatus main body 10 is provided with an operation unit 140 at the upper part of the housing. The operation unit 140 is composed of an LCD provided with a touch panel, and can display information and input operations. The operation unit 140 also serves as a display unit and an operation unit of the present invention. In this form, the display unit and the operation unit are integrated, but the operation unit can be configured by a mouse, a tablet, or the like, and can be configured separately from the display unit. Further, the LCD 141 may be movable.

Further, the apparatus main body 10 includes a control unit 100 that controls the image forming apparatus 10. The control unit 100 is composed of a CPU, a program running on the CPU, a storage unit, and the like. The hardware of the control unit 100 corresponds to a computer on which the program of the present invention is executed.

In the apparatus main body 10, paper having a background image can be stored in the paper feeding stage of the paper feeding device 30 or the main body feeding unit 12, and reprint printing can be performed using the paper.
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to perform reprint printing on a paper having a background image, but the reprint printing method of the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the apparatus main body 10 A background image may be formed by another image forming apparatus different from the above, and reprint printing may be performed by the apparatus main body 10.

The reading device 20 has a transport path 23 connected to a transport path 13 of the device main body 10.
In the middle of the transport path 23, an image reading unit 24 located on the lower side of the transport path 23 to read the upper surface of the paper and an image reading unit 25 located on the upper side of the transport path 23 to read the lower surface of the paper are provided. Has been done. The image reading units 24 and 25 can be configured by a line sensor composed of a CMOS sensor, a CCD sensor, or the like, and can read an image of paper transported along the transport path 23. The reading result obtained by reading is transmitted to the control unit 100 of the apparatus main body 10, and can be used in the apparatus main body 10 to determine the quality of the image on the paper.
Further, in the reading device 20, the transport path 23A branches from the transport path 23 at a position on the downstream side of the image reading units 24 and 25. The transport path 23 is connected to the first paper ejection section 21, and the transport path 23A is connected to the second paper ejection section 22, and each of the conveyed papers is ejected to the paper ejection section. Paper ejection is controlled by the control unit 100 of the device main body 10.

A network 3 is connected to the image forming apparatus 1, and the image forming apparatus 1 can communicate with other devices connected to the network 3. In this embodiment, the communication standard is Ethernet (registered trademark), but the communication standard is not limited to Ethernet. The network may be a LAN, WAN, or the like, and may be a network that communicates wirelessly.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus is described as being composed of the paper feeding device 30, the apparatus main body 10, and the reading device 20, but in the present invention, the number of devices constituting the image forming apparatus 1 And the type are not limited to these, and the image forming apparatus 1 may be provided with another device such as a post-processing device, or may not be provided with the paper feeding device 30. Further, the image forming apparatus may be configured only by the apparatus main body 10, and the image reading apparatus or the like may be connected to the image forming apparatus.

Next, the electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the functional block diagram of FIG.
The apparatus main body 10 includes an overall control block unit 110, a communication unit 120, an operation unit 140, a printer unit 150, and a controller 160 as a main configuration.
The overall control block unit 110 controls image processing and an image forming apparatus.
The communication unit 120 communicates with an external device or the like via the network 4.
The operation unit 140 displays information and accepts operation input.
The controller 160 processes image data and the like input and output to and from an external device (for example, an external device 5) connected to the network 3.

First, the overall control block unit 110 will be described.
The overall control block unit 110 includes a control CPU 113. The control CPU 113 includes a ROM, a non-volatile memory, and the like (not shown), and the control CPU 113 executes a program stored in the ROM. The control CPU 113 can control each part of the image forming apparatus 1 based on the program, acquire the reading result acquired by the image reading apparatus 20, calculate the reading result, and determine an abnormality based on the reading result.
A storage unit (not shown) is connected to the control CPU 113, and the storage unit is connected to a program for controlling each unit in the image forming apparatus 1, read image data, reprint image data, and background image acquired by the reader 20. Programs and various parameters for performing operations such as arithmetic processing, image comparison, and pass / fail judgment using the above data are stored.
The control CPU 113, the program operated by the control CPU 113, the storage unit in which the program is stored, and the like correspond to the control unit 100 of the present invention, and the hardware in the control unit 100 corresponds to the computer in which the program of the present invention is executed. To do.
The program may be stored in a storage medium inside the device main body 10, but may be stored in a storage unit outside the image forming device 1, a removable storage medium, or the like.

A DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the control CPU 113.
The DRAM control IC 111 is connected to the image memory 114, and can write the image data to the image memory 114 and read the image data from the image memory 114.
The image memory 114 is a storage area for image information, print conditions, and file information, and stores information on jobs to be printed. Image information and the like can be acquired via a network 3 or the like, can be acquired by reading an image through a document reading unit (not shown), or can be acquired through a removable storage medium. It is not particularly limited.

Further, a PCI bus 112 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111. The DRAM control IC of the controller 160 and the HDD 115 are connected to the PCI bus 112.
A write processing unit 117 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111. The writing processing unit 117 is connected to the LD 151B of the image forming unit 151, and processes the data used for the operation of the LD 151B.
Various types of data can be stored in the HDD 115, and job data, image data, programs, and the like can be stored. Examples of the image data include background image data, scanned image data, rotation-converted image data described later, comparison background image data, and comparison reprint image data. Further, the image information stored in the HDD can also be acquired via the network 3 or the like, can be acquired by reading an image through a document reading unit (not shown), or can be acquired through a removable storage medium, similarly to the image memory 114. The acquisition method is not particularly limited in the present invention.

The communication unit 120 has a communication control unit 121 and a NIC 122 (network interface card). The communication control unit 121 is connected to the control CPU 113, and controls the communication unit 120 under the control of the control CPU 113. A network 4 is connected to the NIC 122, and the communication control unit 121 sends data such as image information, instruction information, and image quality parameters passed from the control CPU 113 to the network 4 through the NIC 122. In addition, data such as image information and instruction information sent from the network 4 is received through the NIC 122 and sent to the control CPU 113. An external device 5 or the like may be connected to the network 4. In this case, the external device 5 can function as a device for controlling the image forming device, and the program of the present invention may be executed by the computer provided in the external device 5.

Next, the operation unit 140 will be described.
The operation unit 140 includes an LCD 141 and an operation unit control unit 142. The operation unit control unit 142 is connected to the control CPU 113, and can control the entire operation unit 140 by receiving control from the control CPU 113. The LCD 141 is provided with a touch panel, and the LCD 141 can display information and accept operation input, display a message to the user, and accept operation input by the user. The operation unit control unit 140 is composed of a CPU and a program that operates on the CPU.

Next, the printer unit 150 will be described.
The printer unit 150 has an LD 151B and a printer control unit 152. The printer control unit 152 is connected to the control CPU 113, and controls the printer unit 150 in response to an instruction from the control CPU 113.
The LC 151B is connected to the writing processing unit 117, receives the image data processed by the writing processing unit 117, and writes the image to the photoconductor 151A of the image forming unit 151 based on the image data. In the image forming unit 151, the image of the photoconductor is developed, transferred and fixed on the paper, and the image is formed on the paper.

Next, the controller 160 will be described.
The controller 160 can receive image data and job data from an external device 5 or the like connected to the network 3. For example, the controller 160 acquires print image data or background image data for performing reprint printing on the device main body 10. can do.
The controller 160 has a DRAM control IC 161. The DRAM control IC 161 is connected to the PCI bus 112, and data can be transmitted and received to and from the DRAM control IC 111 of the overall control block unit 110 through the PCI bus 112.
An image memory (DRAM) 162 is connected to the DRAM control IC 161. The image memory (DRAM) 162 is composed of a DRAM and can store image data received from the external device 5.
Further, the controller control CPU 163 and the LAN interface 165 are connected to the DRAM control IC via a common bus. The controller control CPU 163 is composed of a CPU and a program, a memory, or the like that operates on the CPU, and can control each part of the controller 160.
The LAN interface 165 is connected to the network 3, and can receive job data, image data, and the like from the external device 5 connected to the network 3.

The reading device 20 includes a CCD 201, a reading processing unit 202, and a scanner control unit 200. The CCD 201 is connected to the reading processing unit 202, and the reading processing unit 202 is connected to the DRAM control IC 111 of the overall control block unit 110. The CCD 201 is a general representation of the CCDs provided in the image reading units 24 and 25. The scanner control unit 200 is connected to the control CPU 113 of the overall control block unit 110.
The reading device 20 can read an image of the paper conveyed along the transport path, acquire the reading result, and transmit the reading result to the control CPU 113.
The scanner control unit 200 is connected to the control CPU 113 of the device main body 10, and can control the entire reading device 20 under the control of the control CPU 113. The scanner control unit 200 is composed of a CPU, a memory, a program running on the CPU, and the like.
The CCD201 can optically scan the paper to acquire image data. A reading processing unit 202 is connected to the CCD 201, and the read image data is sent to the reading processing unit 202 to perform predetermined processing, and then the image data is transmitted to the control CPU 113.

Next, the basic operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described.
First, the operation of acquiring image data will be described.
When the image information and the print information are acquired from the outside, for example, the job information transmitted from the external device 5 or the like through the network 3 is stored in the image memory 162 by the DRAM control IC 161 via the LAN interface 165.
The print data of the image memory 162 is stored in the image memory 114 or the HDD 115 via the DRAM control IC 161, the PCI bus 112, and the DRAM control IC 111 under the control of the controller control CPU 163 in the controller 160. When the print data is page description data, the print data can be converted into a raster image by RIP processing by the controller control CPU 163.
Further, the image information and the print information can be acquired from another image forming apparatus or an external device through the NIC 122. The job information is temporarily stored in the image memory 114 or the HDD 115 via the DRAM control IC 111.

The image information stored in the image memory 114 is compressed via the DRAM control IC 111 and stored in the image memory 114 via the DRAM control IC 111. When it is stored in the HDD 115, it is compressed via the DRAM control IC 111 and stored in the HDD 115. These job information are managed by the control CPU 113 in the same manner as described above. In job management, print conditions are set and stored in the image memory 114 and HDD 115 in association with the image information.

When the image forming apparatus 1 outputs an image, the data is read from the image memory 114 and the image data is transmitted to the writing processing unit 117 via the DRAM control IC 111. After that, the writing processing unit 117 converts the data into data for writing to the photoconductor, sends the data to the LD151B of the printer unit 150, and the LD151B writes to the photoconductor. After that, the image is transferred from the photoconductor to the paper, the transferred image is fixed, and the image is formed on the paper.
As the image formation, it is possible to perform additional printing to form a printed image on a paper having a background image. The type and method of forming the background image are not limited, and the paper on which the background image is formed may be stored in the paper feed tray for printing, and another image forming device may be connected to the front stage of the apparatus main body 10. The background image may be formed by the image forming apparatus in the previous stage. The present invention is not particularly limited in the method of forming the background image.

Next, a method of determining the quality of the reprint printing based on the reading result acquired by the reading device 20 in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.
As shown in FIG. 3, the print image I2 is formed on the paper having the background image I1, and the paper on which the follow-up image I3 is printed is obtained.
In the present embodiment, the paper on which the reprint image I3 is formed is read by the image reading unit 24 or 25, and the reprint image data is acquired. In the figure, it is displayed as an image.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the print image data related to the print image I2 is subtracted from the image data related to the reprint image I3 to create the image data of the background image IA1 for comparison.
As for the subtraction, the positions of the reprint image and the print image (for example, the upper left) are aligned, and the same density as the print image is subtracted from the data on the reprint image for the portion where the pixel exists on the print image. be able to. When the printed image is divided into colors (YMCK), the read reprint image may be converted to the same format, and the pixels may be viewed for each color and subtraction may be performed.
Further, in the same manner, as shown in FIG. 5, the background image data of the background image I1 is subtracted from the background image data of the reprint image I3 to generate the image data of the comparative print image IA2. The method of creating the comparison base image IA1 and the comparison print image IA2 is not limited to subtraction, and the calculation may be performed by a known method using division, integration, or the like.

After that, the background image data of the background image I1 and the comparison background image data of the comparison background image IA1 are compared, and the quality of the background image is determined based on the difference. Further, the print image data of the print image I2 and the comparison print image data of the comparison print image IA2 are compared, and the quality of the print image is determined based on the difference. The determination may be made by comparing whether or not there is a difference of a predetermined value or more for each pixel on each image data. It is possible to calculate the difference for each pixel of the image to be compared and perform the difference based on whether the difference value is equal to or more than a predetermined value. When the image is divided into colors (YMCK), it is possible to compare by looking at the pixels for each color.
It should be noted that different values may be used between the predetermined value in the comparison between the background image data and the comparison background image data and the predetermined value in the comparison between the print image data and the comparison print image data. Alternatively, the predetermined value may be set to 0, and it may be determined that even a slight difference is defective. The predetermined value can be set as appropriate, and the user may be able to set a desired predetermined value.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which the background image is defective.
In this example, in the reprint image I5, the comparative background image I4 is different from the original background image I1 (rotated by 180 degrees). In this determination, the print image data of the print image I2 is subtracted from the print image data of the follow-up image I5 to generate the background image data for comparison, which is compared with the background image data of the background image I1. As a result of the comparison, if there is a difference of a predetermined value or more between the background image data and the background image data for comparison, it is determined that the background image is defective.

FIG. 7 shows an example in which the printed image is defective.
In this example, in the reprint image I6, the stain G is present in the area of the printed image. In this case, when the background image data of the background image I1 is subtracted from the background image data of the reprint image I6 and compared with the print image data of the print image I2, the printed image has a difference of a predetermined value or more. It is determined to be defective.

If there is a difference of a predetermined value or more between the image data of the background image and the image data of the background image for comparison, it is determined that the background image is defective. If it becomes defective, it is possible that the paper or the paper setting direction is different.
For this reason, a notification prompting the user to check the paper by stopping the paper feeding and controlling the paper for which an abnormality is detected and the paper in the machine to be discharged to a tray different from the tray for outputting printed matter as spoiled paper. It can be performed. The notification can be performed not only on the LCD 141 of the operation unit 140 but also on another device connected to the network, and the notification method is not particularly limited. Depending on the cause of the defect, the paper on which the image has been formed may be used as spoiled paper, and the paper on which the image has not been formed may be used for printing.

In this embodiment, the control unit 100 determines the quality of the image using the background image data, the printed image data, and the reprint image data read by the reading unit. However, the reading control of the image reading device The same control may be performed in the unit. For example, the background image data and the printed image data are transmitted from the apparatus main body 10, and the printed image is excluded from the additional printed image based on the additional printed image data and the printed image data by using the additional printed image data read by the own machine. Create a comparative background image data related to the image and the comparative printed image data related to the image obtained by excluding the background image from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the background image data.
Further, the background image data and the comparison background image data may be compared, and the print image data and the comparison print image data may be compared. At that time, the comparison result may be transmitted to the main body of the apparatus, and the control unit 100 may determine the quality of the image, or the reading control unit may determine the quality of the image.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an operation screen for performing notification. The notification may be displayed on the LCD 141 of the operation unit 140, may be displayed on the operation unit of the external device 5, or the like, or may be notified to other terminals or the like by e-mail or the like.
On the operation screen, the display is performed when it is determined that the background image is defective. The pop-up screen 1410 is displayed on the operation screen 1400, and the message display unit 1411 of the pop-up screen 1410 displays "Check the paper." Please do. ”Is displayed. The user can check the paper according to the screen. The pop-up screen can be closed by pressing the OK button 1412. The job may be reprinted by pressing the OK button 1412. At the time of this notification, for example, by replacing the paper loaded in the paper feed tray with the scheduled paper and then pressing the OK button 1412, printing can be performed with a normal background image.

Further, as a result of comparing the print image data of the print image I2 and the comparison print screen data of the comparison print image IA2, if there is a difference of a predetermined value or more, it is determined that the print image is defective. In this case, since it is possible that the image data to be printed is dirty, the paper feeding is stopped, and the paper judged to be defective is discharged to a tray different from the tray for discharging the normal job printed matter. At this time, the paper remaining in the machine can be pre-purged and then reprinted. Further, the paper after the image formation may be discharged to a tray different from the tray for discharging the normal job printed matter, and the paper before the image formation may be reprinted.
As another example of the case where there is a difference of a predetermined value or more between the image data of the printed image I2 and the image data of the comparative printed image IA2, a case where different printed images are printed may occur.

When reprinting is performed because the printed image is defective, it is possible to notify the number of sheets to be ejected as the defective printed image. Users will be able to refill paper before it runs out.
FIG. 9 shows a screen for displaying the number of sheets to be ejected and the number of sheets to be pre-purged as defects in the printed image when reprinting is performed. In this figure, the pop-up screen 1510 is displayed in the center of the operation screen 1500, and the message "m sheets of paper in the tray n are used for reprinting" is displayed on the message display unit 1511 of the pop-up screen 1510. .. This display allows the user to replenish the appropriate paper as needed. After confirming the message, the pop-up screen can be closed by pressing the OK button 1512. The process for reprinting may be started by pressing the OK button.

The procedure of each of the above operations will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. This procedure is controlled by a program that runs on the computer. At the start of printing, the background image data and the printed image data are acquired.
In this flowchart, whether or not there is a difference of more than a predetermined value in the image data is simply indicated by simply having a difference, but when the predetermined value is set to other than 0, it is based on this predetermined value. It shall be determined whether there is a difference. The same applies hereinafter.

With the start of printing, the printed image is printed on the paper having the background image (step s1). Next, the printing paper on which the image is printed is read, and the image data of the reprint image is acquired (step s2). The print image data is subtracted from the image data of the reprint image to create the image data related to the background image for comparison (step s3), and the background image data is subtracted from the image data of the reprint image to print the comparison print image. Create image data according to (step s4).
After that, the image data of the background image and the image data of the background image for comparison are compared, and it is determined whether there is a difference (step s5). If there is a difference (steps 5, Yes), it is determined that the background image is defective, and the process proceeds to step s6 to stop paper feeding. If there is no difference (steps 5, No), the process proceeds to step s9. Compare printed images.
In step s5, it is determined that there is a difference between the background image for comparison and the background image (step s5, No), and after the paper feeding is stopped (step s6), the paper in the machine is placed in a tray different from the output tray of the normal job. (Step s7), and a notification indicating that the paper has been confirmed is given (step s8). Then end the procedure.

In step s5, it is assumed that there is no difference between the background image for comparison and the background image (steps 5, No), and when the image data of the print image for comparison and the image data of the print image are compared (step s9), the difference is If there is (step s9, Yes), it is determined that the printed image is defective, the paper is ejected to a tray different from the output tray of the normal job (step s10), and the defective page is reprinted. (Step s11). At this time, the paper in the machine may be pre-purged to another tray, and the pages after the defective page may be printed. After reprinting, the process proceeds to step s2 to read the reprinted paper.
If there is no difference in the comparison between the image data of the printed image and the image data of the print image for comparison (steps 9, No), it is determined that both the background image and the printed image are normal, and it is determined whether the printing of all pages is completed. (Step s12). If the printing of all pages is completed (step s12, Yes), the procedure is completed, and if the printing of all pages is not completed (step s12, No), the process proceeds to step s1 and the next page is printed. ..

By the above operation, it is possible to judge the quality of the background image and the printed image, and if the printed image is defective, the image forming apparatus can be reprinted and the process can proceed without stopping the image forming apparatus. Time can be reduced.

(Embodiment 2)
If the background image is defective, the background image may be rotated 180 degrees as in the example of FIG. In such a case, it is assumed that the paper is stored in the paper feed tray in a state of being rotated 180 degrees. Therefore, when it is determined that the background image is defective, the image data of the inverted background image obtained by converting the background image data so that the image is rotated 180 degrees is created and compared with the image data of the inverted background image. The presence or absence of the difference may be determined by comparing with the image data of the background image. Further, instead of rotating the background image data side, the image may be rotated 180 degrees on the printed image data side to perform the same comparison.
If there is a difference in the above comparison, it is determined that the background image is defective, and as shown in FIG. 9, the message "Please check the paper" is displayed to notify the user. On the other hand, if there is no difference, it is determined that the background image on the paper is rotated 180 degrees, and a message stating "Please check the paper loading direction" is also displayed.

In addition, different notifications may be given in the above comparison results.
FIG. 11 shows an operation screen 1600 that gives a notification prompting confirmation of the paper setting direction. The notification may be displayed on the LCD 141 of the operation unit 140, or may be displayed on the operation unit of the external device 5.
On the operation screen 1600, if there is no difference between the inverted background image and the comparison background image, the screen of the pop-up screen 1610 is displayed, and the message display unit 1611 of the pop-up screen 1610 displays "Please check the paper. Please check the direction. ”Is displayed. With this display, the user can easily start operations such as confirmation of the paper setting direction, paper reloading, and paper replacement based on the notification. The pop-up screen 1610 is closed by pressing the OK button 1612. According to this display, the user can switch the top and bottom of the paper and press the OK button 1612 to execute printing.

The printing procedure accompanied by the above operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The procedure is performed under the control of a program running on the computer. Prior to printing, the background image data and the printed image data have been acquired.
When printing is started, the printed image is printed on the paper having the background image (step s21). Next, the printing paper on which the image is printed is read to acquire the image data of the reprint image (step s22). The image data of the printed image is subtracted from the image data of the reprint image to create the image data related to the background image for comparison (step s23). Next, the background image data is subtracted from the image data of the reprint image to create the image data related to the comparative print image (step s24).
After that, the image data of the background image for comparison and the image data of the background image are compared, and it is determined whether there is a difference (step s25). If there is a difference (step s25, Yes), it is assumed that the background image is defective, and the process proceeds to step s26 to stop the paper feeding. If there is no difference (steps s25, No), it is assumed that the background image is normal, and the process proceeds to step s31 to compare the printed images.

If there is a difference in the background image (step s25, Yes), after stopping the paper feeding (step s26), the paper in the machine is discharged to a tray different from the output tray of the normal output (step s27). Further, the background image data is converted so that the image is rotated 180 degrees and compared with the image data of the comparison background image, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference (step s28). If there is a difference (step s28, Yes), the paper confirmation is displayed (step s29), and if there is no difference (step s28, No), the paper confirmation and the paper setting direction confirmation are displayed. (Step s30). After completing step s29 or step s30, the procedure ends.

When there is no difference between the background image and the comparison background image in step s25 (step s25, No), the image data of the comparison print image and the image data of the print image are compared and it is determined whether there is a difference (step). s31). If there is a difference (step s31, Yes), it is determined that the printed image is defective, the paper is ejected to a tray different from the output tray of the normal job (step s32), and the defective page is reprinted. (Step s33). When reprinting, the paper in the machine may be pre-purged and then reprinted.
After reprinting, the process proceeds to step s22, and the reprinted paper is read.

In step s31, the image data of the printed image is compared with the image data of the print image for comparison, and if there is no difference (step s31, No), it is determined whether the printing of all pages is completed (step s34). .. If printing of all pages is completed (step s34, Yes), the procedure is completed, and if printing of all pages is not completed (step s34, No), the process proceeds to step s21 and printing of the next page is performed. Do.

In the above operation, the image data of the background image and the image data of the background image for comparison are compared, and when there is a difference, the image data of the inverted background image and the image data of the background image are compared. , The image data of the print image for comparison and the image data of the print image are compared, and if there is a difference, the image data of the inverted base image is subtracted from the image data of the reprint image of the second print image for comparison. Image data may be created and the image data of the second comparative printed image and the image data of the printed image may be compared.
In this case, if there is no difference in the comparison between the image data of the second print image for comparison and the image data of the print image, it is determined that the background image on the paper is rotated 180 degrees, and the paper setting direction is confirmed. Make a notification to urge.
By this operation, the user can easily start the work such as confirming the paper setting direction, resetting the paper, and exchanging the paper based on the notification.

(Embodiment 3)
In the second embodiment, when it is determined that the background image is defective, the background image is rotated 180 degrees for comparison, and when it is determined that there is no difference, it is determined that the paper setting direction is incorrect. However, printing may be performed with the printed image rotated 180 degrees.
If the paper is rotated 180 degrees, it may be automatically rotated 180 degrees and output without notifying. However, depending on the type of post-processing, if the paper is rotated 180 degrees, proper post-processing cannot be performed (staple punch, etc.), so the user can select whether to allow printing when a defect is detected. It is desirable to do.

FIG. 13 is an example of a screen for confirming whether to print the printed image upside down. The operation screen 1700 may be displayed on the LCD 141 of the operation unit 140, may be displayed on the operation unit of the external device 5, and the like.
On the operation screen 1700, a pop-up screen 1710 is displayed in the center for confirmation, and the message display section 1711 of the pop-up screen 1710 states that "Paper is set upside down. The printed image is printed upside down. The message "Are you sure?" Is displayed. An "Yes" button 1712 and a "No" button 1713 are operably provided under the message display unit 1711. When printing is performed upside down, the "Yes" button 1712 is selected and pressed. If you do not want to print, select "No" and press it.
With this screen display, the user can appropriately select whether to invert the image data and output it or to reload the paper.
The program may automatically determine the processing based on the presence or absence and type of post-processing.

The procedure of the above operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following steps are performed under the control of a program running on the computer.
When printing is started, the printed image is printed on the paper having the background image (step s41). Next, the printing paper on which the image is printed is read to acquire a reprint image (step s42). Further, the data of the print image is subtracted from the reprint image to create the background image for comparison (step s43), and the data of the background image is subtracted from the reprint image to create the print image for comparison (step s44).
After that, the data of the background image for comparison and the data of the background image are compared, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference of a predetermined value or more (step s45). If there is a difference, the process proceeds to step s46 to stop the paper feeding, and if there is no difference, the process proceeds to step s52 to compare the printed images.

If there is a difference between the background image and the comparison background image (step s45, Yes), it is determined that the background image is defective, paper feeding is stopped (step s46), and the paper in the machine is set to the output tray of the normal job. The paper is ejected to another tray different from the above (step s47). After that, the background image data is converted so that the image is rotated 180 degrees, the converted background image is compared again with the comparison background image, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference (step s48). If there is a difference (step s48, Yes), a paper confirmation message is displayed (step s49), and the procedure ends. When there is no difference (step s48, No), it is determined whether to rotate the printed image by 180 degrees and output it (step s50). The determination may be made based on the user's selection, or may be determined programmatically based on the job setting information.
When the printed image is rotated 180 degrees and output (step s50, Yes), the printed image is rotated 180 degrees and reprinted (step s54). After that, the process proceeds to step s42, and the reprinted printing paper is read again.

If the printed image is not rotated 180 degrees and output in step s50 (step s50, No), a message indicating that the paper is confirmed and the paper setting direction is confirmed is displayed (step s51), and the procedure ends.
When it is determined in step s45 that there is no difference between the background image and the comparison background image (step s45, No), the data of the comparison print image and the print image are compared, and it is determined whether there is a difference (step). s52). If there is a difference (step s52, Yes), it is determined that the printed image is defective, and the paper is ejected to a tray different from the output tray of the output product of the normal job (step s53), which is defective. The page is reprinted (step s54). The reprint may be performed after pre-purging the paper remaining on the machine. After reprinting, the process proceeds to step s42, and the reprinted paper is read.
In step s52, when there is no difference in the comparison between the printed image and the print image for comparison (step s52, No), it is determined whether the printing of all pages is completed (step s55). When the printing of all pages is completed (step s55, Yes), the procedure is completed, and when the printing of all pages is not completed (step s55, No), the process proceeds to step s41 and printing is resumed.

(Embodiment 4)
In the above mode, the quality of the background image and the printed image is judged during the execution of the job, but at the start of the job, the first sheet of the job has a space between sheets to confirm the paper setting direction. It is also possible to open and pass the paper to determine the quality of the image, and to feed the second and subsequent sheets at a normal transport speed (between papers).
At this time, the user may be able to select whether to print the print image on the first sheet of paper before the start of the job. By determining the quality without printing the first sheet, it is possible to first detect whether or not the background image is defective. Since no printed image is printed on the used paper, it can be returned to the input tray and used again.
Further, the background image may be determined on the first sheet of paper, and if it is not defective, only the printed image may be compared on the second and subsequent sheets to determine the quality. Thereby, the processing can be reduced.

FIG. 15 shows an operation screen 1800 in which the user sets whether to print a print image on the first sheet of the job.
On the operation screen 1800, when the first job print setting is performed, the "Yes" button 1811 and the "No" button 1812 are displayed on the screen so that they can be operated. At the bottom right of the screen, the OK button 1814 and the cancel button 1813 are operably displayed.
When either the "Yes" button 1811 or the "No" button 1812 is pressed and the OK button 1814 is pressed, the selected content is determined and the determined content is saved. If you do not want to save the settings, select the cancel button 1813. If any of them is set by default, processing is performed according to the default unless the setting is changed. The operation screen 1800 may be displayed on the LCD 141 of the operation unit 140, or may be displayed on the operation unit of the external device 5.

The procedure of the above operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The following procedure is executed by a program running on a computer.
When printing is started, it is determined whether to print the printed image on the first sheet of paper (step s61). The user can set in advance whether or not to print the printed image. When printing a printed image (step s61, Yes), printing is performed (step s62), and the process proceeds to step s63 to read the printed image and acquire a reprint image. When the printed image is not printed (step s61, No), the paper is passed through without forming an image, and the process proceeds to step s63.

In step s63, the printing paper is read, and then it is determined whether the paper is the first sheet (step s64). If the paper is the first sheet, the process proceeds to step s65 to create a background image, and if the paper is not the first sheet, the process proceeds to step s72 to create a background image.
When the paper is the first sheet (step s64, Yes), the image data of the printed image is subtracted from the image data of the reprint image to create the image data related to the comparison base image (step s65), and the comparison base is created. The image data of the image and the image data of the background image are compared, and it is determined whether there is a difference (step s66). If there is a difference (step s66, Yes), it is determined that the background image on the paper is defective, and the result is displayed (step s67). When displaying the result, it may be displayed to prompt the confirmation of the paper. Then end the procedure.

In step s66, when there is no difference in the comparison between the image data of the background image and the image data of the background image for comparison (step s66, No), it is determined whether or not the print image is printed on the paper (step s68). If the printed image is not printed (steps s68, Yes), the process proceeds to step s69 to inquire whether to continue printing, and if the printed image is printed, the process proceeds to step s70 to compare the printed image. Create image data for.
In the determination of whether to continue printing (step s69), the user may make a selection, or the determination may be made based on the job settings. Further, printing may be continued without inquiring about printing continuation.

When printing is not continued (step s69, No), the comparison result between the image data of the background image and the image data of the background image for comparison is displayed (step s67), and the procedure ends.
When printing is continued (step s69, Yes), it is determined whether printing of all pages is completed (step s81). When printing of all pages is completed (step s81, Yes), when the procedure is completed and the output of all pages is not completed (step s81, No), the process proceeds to step s62 to print on paper. Do.

In step s68, when the printed image is printed (step s68, No), the image data of the background image is subtracted from the image data of the reprint image to create the image data of the comparative print image (step s70), and the image is printed. The image data of the image and the image data of the print image for comparison are compared, and it is determined whether there is a difference (step s71). If there is a difference (step s71, Yes), it is determined that the printed image is defective, and the image is reprinted (step s80). Image reprinting can be done after pre-purging the in-flight paper. Bad or pre-purged paper can be ejected to a different tray than the normal job output destination. After reprinting, the process proceeds to step s63 to read the reprinted paper.
When there is no difference between the printed image and the print image for comparison (steps 71, No), it is determined that there is no defect in the image, and it is determined whether the output of all pages is completed (step s81). When printing of all pages is completed (step s81, Yes), when the procedure is completed and the output of all pages is not completed (step s81, No), the process proceeds to step s62 and printing is performed on paper. ..

When it is determined in step s64 that the paper is not the first sheet (step s64, No), the image data of the printed image is subtracted from the image data of the reprint image to create the image data related to the background image for comparison (step s64, No). Step s72), the image data of the background image is subtracted from the image data of the reprint image to create the image data related to the comparative print image (step s73).
After that, the image data of the background image and the image data of the background image for comparison are compared, and it is determined whether there is a difference (step s74). If there is a difference, it is judged that the background image is defective. The process proceeds to step s75 to stop the paper feeding, and if there is no difference, the process proceeds to step s78 to compare the printed images.
After there is a difference in the background image (step s74, Yes) and the paper feeding is stopped (step s75), the paper in the machine is ejected to a tray different from the output tray of the normal job (step s76), and the paper is confirmed. Is displayed (step s77), and the procedure ends.

When it is determined in step s74 that there is no difference in the background image (step s74, No), the image data of the printed image is compared with the image data of the print image for comparison, and it is determined whether or not there is a difference (step). s78). If there is a difference (step s78, Yes), it is determined that the printed image is defective, the paper is ejected to a tray different from the output destination tray of the normal job (step s79), and the defective page is re-issued. Printing is performed (step s80). Reprinting may be performed after pre-purge the paper remaining in the machine. After the reprinting, the process proceeds to step s63 to read the paper.
In step s78, if there is no difference in the comparison between the image data of the printed image and the image data of the print image for comparison (step s78, No), it is determined whether the printing of all pages is completed (step s81). If the printing of all pages is completed (step s81, Yes), the procedure is completed, and if the printing of all pages is not completed (step s81, No), the process proceeds to step s62 to print the next page. Do.

In this mode, the determination is made without printing the print image on the first sheet of the job, but the same procedure may be performed even when the paper feed source is changed. This makes it possible to judge the quality of the image when the paper feed tray is changed in the middle of the job and the background image is different.

In each of the above embodiments, the quality of the additional printing is determined using only the read data obtained by scanning the image of the paper after the image formation, and whether the background image is defective or the printed image after the additional printing is defective. The control can be changed according to the judgment result to reduce the downtime.

Although the present invention has been described above based on the above-described embodiment, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the contents described in the above-described embodiment, and the above-described embodiment is not limited to the scope of the present invention. Can be changed as appropriate.

1 Image forming device 3 Network 4 Network 5 External device 10 Device main body 12 Main body feeding unit 13 Transport path 20 Reader 21 1st paper ejection tray 22 2nd paper ejection tray 23 Transport path 24 Image reading unit 25 Image reading unit 30 Supply Paper device 100 Control unit 110 Overall control block unit 111 DRAM control IC
113 control CPU
120 Communication unit 140 Operation unit 141 LCD
142 Operation unit Control unit 151 Image forming unit 160 Controller I1 Base image I2 Printed image I3 Overprint image 1410 Pop-up screen 1411 Message display unit 1510 Pop-up screen 1511 Message display unit 1610 Pop-up screen 1611 Message display unit 1710 Pop-up screen 1711 Message display unit 1800 Operation screen

Claims (30)

An image forming apparatus capable of additional printing that forms a printed image on a transfer medium having a background image.
An image forming unit that forms an image on the transfer medium based on the job,
A control unit that controls the image forming apparatus is provided.
The control unit acquires the background image data of the background image and the print image data of the printed image, and further acquires the reprint image data of the reprint image obtained by reading the image of the transfer medium on which the reprint printing is performed. ,
The background image data for comparison relating to the image excluding the print image from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the print image data, and the background image excluded from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the background image data. Create comparative print image data related to the image,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that the quality of an image is determined by comparing the background image data with the background image data for comparison and comparing the printed image data with the print image data for comparison. In the comparison of the image data, the control unit determines that the image is defective when there is a difference of more than a predetermined value in the image data, and that the image is normal when there is no difference of more than a predetermined value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image according to claim 2, wherein the control unit uses different predetermined values when comparing the background image data and the comparison background image data and comparing the printed image data with the comparison printed image data. Forming device. The control unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit stops the output of the job when there is a difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison between the background image data and the comparison background image data. The image forming apparatus according to the description. When there is a difference of a predetermined value or more between the background image data and the comparison background image data, the control unit rotates the image by 180 degrees with either the background image data or the comparison background image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image data converted as described above is used to compare the background image data with the comparison background image data to determine the correctness of printing. When there is no difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison result after the rotation, the control unit selects whether to continue the output of the job by the image data obtained by converting the printed image data so that the image rotates 180 degrees. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus can be used. 5. The control unit is characterized in that, when there is no difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison result after the rotation, the control unit outputs a job based on the image data obtained by converting the printed image data so that the image rotates 180 degrees. Or the image forming apparatus according to 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the control unit notifies the comparison result after the rotation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the control unit includes the notification prompting the transfer medium housed in the paper feed tray to be oriented up and down. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control unit restarts a job according to a user's operation instruction. The control unit is characterized in that when there is a difference of at least a predetermined value in comparison between the printed image data and the comparison printed image data, the page of the transfer medium having a difference of at least a predetermined value or more is printed. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10. When there is a difference of a predetermined value or more between the printed image data and the comparative printed image data, the control unit pre-purges the transfer medium in the machine, and then the transfer medium has a difference of the predetermined value or more. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein printing is performed from a page. The control unit is characterized in that, when there is a difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison, a transfer medium other than the normal job output is discharged to a paper destination different from the normal output of the job. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11 or 12. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the control unit notifies the transfer medium used for the printing when the printing is performed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the control unit includes a notification regarding the amount of transfer medium at the time of reprinting at the paper feed source. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the control unit compares the background image data with the comparison background image data for each predetermined number of output sheets. Claims 1 to 16 are characterized in that the control unit compares the background image data with the comparison background image data before comparing the printed image data with the comparison print image data. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above items. The control unit is characterized in that when there is no difference of a predetermined value or more in comparison between the background image data and the comparison background image data, the print image data is compared with the comparison print image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 17. 17 or 18 according to claim 17, wherein the control unit enables the user to select whether to print a printed image on a transfer medium based on a comparison result between the background image data and the comparison background image data. The image forming apparatus according to. The control unit compares the background image data with the comparison background image data at least on the first transfer medium at the start of the job or the first transfer medium when the paper feed tray is switched. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized in that. The control unit does not form the print image on at least the first transfer medium before the job output at the start time of the job or the switching time of the paper feed tray, and the background image data and the comparison background image The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the image forming apparatus is compared with data. When the control unit does not have a difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison between the background image data and the comparison background image data on the transfer medium on which the print image is not formed, the control unit starts a job on the subsequent transfer medium. The image forming apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the job is output from the switched paper feed tray. The control unit compares the background image data with the comparison background image data on the first transfer medium, and if there is no difference of a predetermined value or more in the comparison, the transfer media on the second and subsequent sheets are compared. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the image is fed at a normal transport speed. Any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the control unit allows the user to select whether to form a print image on the transfer medium at the start of the job or when the paper feed tray is switched. The image forming apparatus according to. The image forming apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the control unit enables the selection to be executed before the start of a job. An image reader that reads the image on the transfer medium,
A reading control unit that controls the image reading unit is provided.
The reading control unit acquires the background image data of the background image and the printed image data of the printed image, and further acquires the reprint image data from the image reading unit.
Exclude the background image from the reprint image based on the comparison background image data related to the image excluding the print image from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the print image data, and the reprint image data and the background image data. An image reading device characterized by creating comparative printed image data related to the image. 26. The 26th aspect, wherein the reading control unit determines the quality of an image by comparing the background image data with the comparison background image data and comparing the printed image data with the comparison printed image data. Image reader. An image processing method for a transfer medium in which a printed image is formed on a transfer medium having a background image.
Steps to acquire the background image data of the background image and the print image data of the print image,
The step of acquiring the reprint image data of the reprint image obtained by reading the image of the transfer medium on which the print image is formed, and
Exclude the background image from the reprint image based on the comparison background image data related to the image excluding the print image from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the print image data, and the reprint image data and the background image data. Steps to create comparative print image data related to the image
An image processing method comprising: comparing the background image data with the background image data for comparison, and comparing the printed image data with the print image data for comparison. The image processing method according to claim 28, wherein the quality of the image on the transfer medium is determined based on the comparison. A program executed by a control unit that controls an image forming apparatus capable of reprinting to form a printed image on a transfer medium on which a background image is formed.
Steps to acquire the background image data of the background image and the print image data of the print image,
The step of acquiring the reprint image data of the reprint image obtained by reading the image of the transfer medium on which the reprint printing is performed, and
Exclude the background image from the reprint image based on the comparison background image data related to the image excluding the print image from the reprint image based on the reprint image data and the print image data, and the reprint image data and the background image data. Steps to create comparative print image data related to the image
A program characterized by having a step of comparing the background image data and the background image data for comparison, and comparing the printed image data with the print image data for comparison.

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