JP5250844B2 - Image recording system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording system, and more particularly to an image recording system that records an image including a fixed image and a variable image sequentially on a recording medium, and reads the recorded image with a sensor or the like for inspection.

Conventionally, in an image recording system, after an image is recorded on a recording medium by an image recording apparatus, the recorded image is inspected for defects such as a recording failure.
When a plurality of pages are continuously recorded, a fixed image that is an image common to each page and a variable image that is an image that changes for each page are mixed. There is a need for a technique for appropriately inspecting an image in which a fixed image and a variable image are mixed.

  In this regard, for example, when an image in which a fixed image and a variable image are mixed is recorded and the inspection is performed afterwards, the variable image portion of the image data is excluded and only the fixed image portion is inspected. Those are known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

However, not only the fixed image portion but also the variable image portion such as the serial number and page number cannot be maintained unless the quality of the recorded image can be maintained.
In this regard, according to the method described in Patent Document 1, the variable image portion cannot be inspected, and the recorded image cannot be maintained at high quality.

  In view of this, there has been proposed a method in which inspection is performed without distinguishing between a fixed image portion and a variable image portion to detect whether there is ink dripping or ink loss in a recorded image (for example, see Patent Document 2).

Further, an inspection unit that inspects the fixed image portion and an inspection unit that inspects the variable image portion are separately provided, and the fixed image portion and the variable image portion are inspected by different inspection units, respectively (for example, And Patent Document 3).
This is preferable in that both the fixed image portion and the variable image portion can be inspected with high accuracy.

JP 2007-226616 A JP 2003-94627 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-54096

However, in the method described in Patent Document 2, the fixed data that is the data of the fixed image portion and the variable data that is the data of the variable image portion are not distinguished from each other, and all of one page including the fixed data is included in each page. Since the data is transferred to the inspection unit, it takes time to transfer the data. If the recording speed is high, the transfer of the inspection data may not be in time.
Further, when the fixed image portion and the variable image portion are inspected by different inspection means, there is a problem that the entire system becomes large and the apparatus cost increases due to the provision of a plurality of inspection means. . In addition, since the inspection is performed by a separate apparatus, there is a problem that it takes time for the image inspection.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and is an image recording capable of inspecting both a fixed image portion and a variable image portion with high accuracy and speed without providing a plurality of inspection means. The purpose is to provide a system.

In order to solve the above problem, the image recording system according to claim 1,
An image supply device, an image recording device for recording image data for recording supplied from the image supply device on a recording medium, and a recorded image recorded on the recording medium by the image recording device. An image inspection system comprising: an image inspection apparatus that inspects whether or not recording has been performed normally by collating with inspection image data supplied from an image supply apparatus,
The image supply device separates the recording image data into recording fixed data common to a plurality of pages and non-common recording variable data and transmits the separated data to the image recording device, and the inspection image data is recorded in the recording data The inspection fixed data corresponding to the fixed data for inspection and the inspection variable data corresponding to the recording variable data are transmitted separately to the image inspection apparatus,
The image recording apparatus includes a fixed data memory that holds the fixed data for recording for at least one page, and a variable data memory that holds the variable data for recording for at least one page, which is held in the fixed data memory An image recording unit that synthesizes the recorded fixed data and the recording variable data held in the variable data memory one page at a time and records the data on a recording medium;
The image inspection apparatus includes an image capturing unit that captures a recorded image recorded on a recording medium by the image recording apparatus, a fixed data memory that holds the inspection fixed data for at least one page, and at least for one page. Obtained by combining the inspection fixed data held in the fixed data memory and the inspection variable data held in the variable data memory. An image inspection unit that inspects the recorded image by comparing the image for inspection with the recorded image captured by the image capturing unit;
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data to the image recording device once when recording a plurality of pages of images, and supplies the inspection fixed data to the image inspection device once .
When the image inspection apparatus determines that the inspected page is defective, the image inspection apparatus notifies the image supply apparatus of the result,
When the image supply device receives a defect notification from the image inspection device, the image supply device supplies the recording variable data after the defective page again to the image recording device,
The image recording apparatus records the pages after the defective page again based on the recording variable data re-supplied from the image supply apparatus .
The image recording system according to claim 2,
An image supply device, an image recording device for recording image data for recording supplied from the image supply device on a recording medium, and a recorded image recorded on the recording medium by the image recording device. An image inspection system comprising: an image inspection apparatus that inspects whether or not recording has been performed normally by collating with inspection image data supplied from an image supply apparatus,
The image supply device separates the recording image data into recording fixed data common to a plurality of pages and non-common recording variable data and transmits the separated data to the image recording device, and the inspection image data is recorded in the recording data The inspection fixed data corresponding to the fixed data for inspection and the inspection variable data corresponding to the recording variable data are transmitted separately to the image inspection apparatus,
The image recording apparatus includes a fixed data memory that holds the fixed data for recording for at least one page, and a variable data memory that holds the variable data for recording for at least one page, which is held in the fixed data memory An image recording unit that synthesizes the recorded fixed data and the recording variable data held in the variable data memory one page at a time and records the data on a recording medium;
The image inspection apparatus includes an image capturing unit that captures a recorded image recorded on a recording medium by the image recording apparatus, a fixed data memory that holds the inspection fixed data for at least one page, and at least for one page. Obtained by combining the inspection fixed data held in the fixed data memory and the inspection variable data held in the variable data memory. An image inspection unit that inspects the recorded image by comparing the image for inspection with the recorded image captured by the image capturing unit;
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data to the image recording device once when recording a plurality of pages of images, and supplies the inspection fixed data to the image inspection device once.
The image inspection apparatus notifies the image recording apparatus of the determination result of the inspected page,
The image recording apparatus holds the variable data for recording corresponding to the page until it is notified that the inspection result of the recorded page is good, and when the inspection result of the recorded page is notified as defective, the defective page The subsequent pages are recorded again.

The invention according to claim 3 is the image recording system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The variable data memory of the image recording apparatus has a capacity for holding the variable data for recording for at least two pages, and cyclically sequentially changes the memory area of the page after recording, and the variable data for recording of a new page It is used for holding.

The invention according to claim 4 is the image recording system according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The image recording apparatus has N common data areas including a fixed data area for storing the fixed data for recording corresponding to N pages (N ≧ 2) of recorded images and a variable data area for holding the variable data for recording. A memory, and a variable data area management unit that manages in which area of the common memory the variable data for recording is held,
Prior to image recording, the fixed data for recording supplied from the image supply device is held in the N common memories, and variable data indicating a storage area of the variable data for recording supplied from the image supply device Holding the position information in the variable data area management unit,
The variable data area management unit cyclically holds the variable data for recording supplied from the image supply apparatus in a cyclic manner for each page in the variable data area of the N common memories based on the variable data position information. And
The image recording unit cyclically reads the fixed data for recording and the variable data for recording held in the N common memories for each page and records them on a recording medium.

The invention according to claim 5 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The variable data memory of the image inspection apparatus has a capacity for holding the inspection variable data for at least two pages, and sequentially repeats the memory area of the page after the inspection, and the inspection variable data of a new page It is used for holding.

The invention according to claim 6 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The image inspection apparatus includes N common data areas including a fixed data area for storing the inspection fixed data corresponding to inspection images for N pages (N ≧ 2) and a variable data area for storing the inspection variable data. A memory, and a variable data area management unit that manages in which area of the common memory the variable data for inspection is held;
Prior to image inspection, the inspection fixed data supplied from the image supply device is held in the N common memories, and variable data indicating a storage area of the inspection variable data supplied from the image supply device Holding the position information in the variable data area management unit,
The variable data area management unit sequentially and sequentially holds the inspection variable data supplied from the image supply device for each page in the variable data area of the N common memories based on the variable data position information. And
The image inspection unit cyclically reads the inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data held in N common memories for each page, and collates them with a recorded image captured by the image imaging unit. Then, the recorded image is inspected.

The invention described in claim 7 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data and the recording variable data corresponding to the recording resolution of the image recording device to the image recording device, and the recording resolution of the image recording device and the image inspection device The inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data corresponding to the imaging resolution are supplied to the image inspection apparatus.

The invention according to claim 8 is the image recording system according to claim 7 ,
The imaging resolution of the image inspection apparatus is lower than the recording resolution of the image recording apparatus, and the number of gradations of imaging data of the image inspection apparatus is higher than the number of recording gradations of the image recording apparatus.

The invention according to claim 9 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 ,
The image recording apparatus is a color image recording apparatus capable of recording a plurality of color materials,
The image inspection apparatus is a color image inspection apparatus including color imaging means capable of capturing an image by decomposing an image into a plurality of color components, and capable of collating and inspecting a color image having a plurality of color components,
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data and the recording variable data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording device to the image recording device, and the color characteristics of the image recording device and the image inspection device. The inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data corresponding to color characteristics are supplied to the image inspection apparatus.

The invention according to claim 10 is the image recording system according to claim 2 ,
When the distance along the recording medium conveyance path between the recording position of the image recording apparatus and the imaging position of the image inspection apparatus is L, and the length of one page is P, the image recording apparatus is (L / The variable data memory or the common data memory having a capacity for holding the recording variable data of P + 1) pages or more is provided.

The invention according to claim 11
An image supply device, an image recording device that records image data for recording supplied from the image supply device on a recording medium, and an image that is recorded on the recording medium by the image recording device. An image inspection system comprising: an image inspection apparatus that inspects whether or not recording has been normally performed by collating with transferred inspection image data,
The image supply device separates the recording image data into recording fixed data common to a plurality of pages and recording variable data not common, and transmits the separated data to the image recording device,
The image recording apparatus includes a fixed data memory that holds the fixed data for recording for at least one page, and a variable data memory that holds the variable data for recording for at least one page, which is held in the fixed data memory An image recording unit that synthesizes the recorded fixed data and the recording variable data held in the variable data memory one page at a time and records the data on a recording medium;
The image inspection apparatus includes an image imaging unit that captures a recorded image recorded on a recording medium by the image recording apparatus, and a fixed data memory that holds at least one page of inspection fixed data. The inspection image obtained by synthesizing the inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data of the inspection image data held in the image and the recorded image captured by the image capturing unit are collated. It has an image inspection unit that performs inspection,
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data to the image supply device once when recording a plurality of pages of images, and the image recording device supplies the inspection fixed data to the image inspection device once. An image recording system characterized by the above.

The invention according to claim 12 is the image recording system according to claim 11 ,
The variable data memory of the image recording apparatus has a capacity for holding the variable data for recording for at least two pages, and cyclically sequentially changes the memory area of the page after recording, and the variable data for recording of a new page It is used for holding.

The invention according to claim 13 is the image recording system according to claim 11 ,
The image recording apparatus includes N common data areas including a fixed data area for storing the fixed data for recording corresponding to recorded images for N pages (N ≧ 2) and a variable data area for holding the variable data for recording. A memory, and a variable data area management unit that manages in which area of the common memory the variable data for recording is held,
Prior to image recording, the fixed data for recording supplied from the image supply device is held in the N common memories, and variable data indicating a storage area of the variable data for recording supplied from the image supply device Holding the position information in the variable data area management unit,
The variable data area management unit cyclically holds the variable data for recording supplied from the image supply apparatus in a cyclic manner for each page in the variable data area of the N common memories based on the variable data position information. And
The image recording unit cyclically reads the fixed data for recording and the variable data for recording held in the N common memories for each page and records them on a recording medium.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording system according to any one of the eleventh to thirteenth aspects,
The image inspection apparatus includes a variable data memory that holds the inspection variable data for at least two pages, and cyclically sequentially stores the memory area of the page after the inspection to hold the inspection variable data of a new page. It is characterized by using.

The invention according to claim 15 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 11 to 13 ,
The image inspection apparatus has N common areas having a fixed data area for storing the inspection fixed data corresponding to inspection images for N pages (N ≧ 2) and a variable data area for storing the inspection variable data. A memory, and a variable data area management unit that manages in which area of the common memory the variable data for inspection is held;
Prior to the image inspection, the inspection fixed data supplied from the image recording apparatus is held in N common memories, and a variable data position indicating a storage area of the inspection variable data supplied from the image recording apparatus Information is held in the variable data area management unit,
The variable data area management unit sequentially holds the inspection variable data supplied from the image recording apparatus in a cyclic manner for each page in the variable data area of the N common memories based on the variable data position information. And
The image inspection unit cyclically reads the inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data held in N common memories for each page, and collates them with a recorded image captured by the image imaging unit. Then, the recorded image is inspected.

The invention according to claim 16 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 11 to 15 ,
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data and the recording variable data corresponding to the recording resolution of the image recording device to the image recording device,
The image recording apparatus supplies the inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data corresponding to the imaging resolution of the image inspection apparatus to the image inspection apparatus.

The invention according to claim 17 is the image recording system according to claim 16 ,
The imaging resolution of the image inspection apparatus is lower than the recording resolution of the image recording apparatus, and the number of gradations of imaging data of the image inspection apparatus is higher than the number of recording gradations of the image recording apparatus.

The invention according to claim 18 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 11 to 17 ,
The image recording apparatus is a color image recording apparatus capable of recording a plurality of color materials,
The image inspection apparatus is a color image inspection apparatus including color imaging means capable of capturing an image by decomposing an image into a plurality of color components, and capable of collating and inspecting a color image having a plurality of color components,
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data and the recording variable data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording device to the image recording device;
The image recording apparatus supplies the inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image inspection apparatus to the image inspection apparatus.

The invention according to claim 19 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 11 to 18 ,
When the image inspection apparatus determines that the inspected page is defective, the image inspection apparatus notifies the image supply apparatus of the result,
When the image supply device receives a defect notification from the image inspection device, the image supply device supplies the recording variable data after the defective page again to the image recording device,
The image recording apparatus records the pages after the defective page again based on the recording variable data re-supplied from the image supply apparatus.

The invention according to claim 20 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 11 to 18 ,
The image inspection apparatus notifies the image recording apparatus of the determination result of the inspected page,
The image recording apparatus holds the variable data for recording corresponding to the page until it is notified that the inspection result of the recorded page is good, and when the inspection result of the recorded page is notified as defective, the defective page The subsequent pages are recorded again.

The invention according to claim 21 is the image recording system according to claim 20 ,
When the distance along the recording medium conveyance path between the recording position of the image recording apparatus and the imaging position of the image inspection apparatus is L, and the length of one page is P, the image recording apparatus is (L / A variable data memory or a common data memory having a capacity for holding the recording variable data of P + 1) pages or more is provided.

The invention according to claim 22 is the image recording system according to claim 1 , claim 2 , claim 19 , or claim 20 ,
A defect mark recording device for recording a defect mark on a recording medium based on the control of the image supply device is provided downstream of the image inspection device in the recording medium conveyance direction,
When the image supply device receives a defect notification from the image inspection device, the image supply device controls the defect mark recording device to record a defect mark on all pages from the defective page until the page is re-recorded. It is characterized by doing.

The invention according to claim 23 is the image recording system according to claim 1 , claim 2 , claim 19 , or claim 20 ,
The recording medium is a sheet-like recording medium, and includes a recording medium sorting device that sorts recorded recording media based on control of the image supply device,
When the image supply device receives a notification of failure from the image inspection device, the recording medium is configured to sort all pages from the defective page until the page is re-recorded separately from normal pages. It controls the sorting device.

The invention according to claim 24 is the image recording system according to claim 1 , claim 2 , claim 19 , or claim 20 ,
The recording medium is a strip-shaped recording medium, and includes a recording medium transport device that transports the strip-shaped recording medium based on control of the image supply device,
When the image supply device receives a notification of failure from the image inspection device, the image supply device controls the recording medium transport device to reversely send the belt-shaped recording medium portion on which the defective page is recorded to the image recording unit. The recording apparatus records a defect mark on a subsequent page that has already been recorded from the defective page, and restarts recording from the page that has been notified of the defect in an unrecorded portion of the subsequent recording medium.

The invention according to claim 25 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 24 , wherein:
The recording medium is a band-shaped recording medium, and the image recording apparatus records a position reference mark for each page,
The image inspection apparatus detects the position reference mark and determines the recording image capturing timing.

The invention according to claim 26 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 24 , wherein:
The recording medium is a band-shaped recording medium, and the image recording apparatus detects a position reference mark formed in advance on the band-shaped recording medium or a shape of the recording medium by a detection unit, and determines an image recording timing. ,
When the image inspection apparatus detects the position reference mark or the shape of the recording medium by the detection means and determines the recording image capturing timing, the detection timing of the position reference mark or the shape of the recording medium detected by the detection means Storage means for storing a plurality of pages, and from detecting the position reference mark or the shape of the recording medium by the detection means until imaging the page corresponding to the position reference mark or the shape of the recording medium, When the position reference mark of the next page or the shape of the recording medium is detected, the detection timing is stored in the storage means.

The invention according to claim 27 is the image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 24 , wherein:
The recording medium is a band-shaped recording medium, and the image recording apparatus detects a position reference mark or a shape of the recording medium previously formed on the band-shaped recording medium with a first detection unit, and performs image recording timing. Decide
The image inspection apparatus detects the shape of the position reference mark or the recording medium by a second detection unit installed near the image inspection apparatus rather than the first detection unit, and determines a recording image capturing timing. And

The invention according to claim 28 is the image recording system according to claim 27 ,
The image inspection apparatus is characterized in that the inspection is continued without updating the variable data of the first page held in the variable data memory until the captured image is determined to be the image of the first page.

The invention according to claim 29 is the image recording system according to claim 28 , wherein
If the image of the first page is not determined even after inspecting a predetermined page or more set in advance, the recorded image of the first page is determined to be defective.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the fixed image portion and the variable image portion can be simultaneously inspected by one image inspection apparatus, so that the system configuration can be simplified and the apparatus cost can be reduced. Even when a fixed image and a variable image are mixed in the recorded image, the inspection can be performed quickly and with high accuracy.
Further, since it is not necessary to transfer fixed data to the image recording apparatus and the image inspection apparatus every page, image recording and image inspection can be speeded up.
Further, since the page determined to be defective by the image inspection apparatus is recorded again, there is no missing page.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the fixed image portion and the variable image portion can be simultaneously inspected by one image inspection apparatus, so that the system configuration can be simplified and the apparatus cost can be reduced. Even when a fixed image and a variable image are mixed in the recorded image, the inspection can be performed quickly and with high accuracy.
Further, since it is not necessary to transfer fixed data to the image recording apparatus and the image inspection apparatus every page, image recording and image inspection can be speeded up.
Further, since the page determined to be defective by the image inspection apparatus is recorded again, there is no missing page. Further, since it is not necessary to retransmit the variable data of the page to be re-recorded from the image supply device to the image recording device, the re-recording of the defective page can be started immediately.

According to the third aspect of the invention, since the image recording apparatus has a variable data memory for two pages or more, data transfer from the image supply apparatus to the image recording apparatus is temporarily interrupted or the transfer speed is reduced. Even if it does, image recording can be continued without stopping. Further, since only variable data is stored for two pages or more, a small memory capacity is required. Furthermore, since the memory is used cyclically, data transfer of the next page can be performed during image recording, and image recording can be speeded up.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the fixed data and the variable data are held in the common memory of the image recording apparatus, so that the fixed data and the variable data can be synthesized with a simple configuration to perform image recording. In addition, since there is a common memory for N pages (N ≧ 2), even if the data transfer from the image supply device to the image recording device is temporarily interrupted or the transfer speed is reduced, the image recording is stopped. You can continue without In addition, since only variable data is transferred for each page and only the variable data area on the common memory is updated, transfer data is small and image recording can be speeded up. Furthermore, since the common memory for N pages is used cyclically, data transfer of the next page can be performed during image recording, so that it is possible to further speed up image recording.

According to the invention described in claim 5 , since the image inspection apparatus has a variable data memory for two pages or more, data transfer from the image supply apparatus to the image inspection apparatus is temporarily interrupted or the transfer speed is reduced. The image inspection can be continued even if it is done. Further, since only variable data is stored for two pages or more, a small memory capacity is required. Further, since the memory is used cyclically, data transfer of the next page can be performed during the image inspection, and the image inspection can be speeded up.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the fixed data and the variable data are held in the common memory of the image inspection apparatus, whereby the fixed data and the variable data are synthesized with a simple configuration and collated and inspected with the captured image. Can do. In addition, since the common memory for N pages (N ≧ 2) is provided, image inspection is continued even when data transfer from the image supply device to the image inspection device is temporarily interrupted or the transfer speed is reduced. it can. Further, since only variable data is transferred for each page and only the variable data area on the common memory is updated, the amount of transfer data is small, and the image inspection can be speeded up. Since the common memory for N pages is used cyclically, data transfer of the next page can be performed during the image inspection, and the image inspection can be speeded up.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the image supply apparatus supplies the image recording apparatus with fixed data and variable data corresponding to the recording resolution of the image recording apparatus. Can be recorded at high speed. In addition, the image supply device supplies fixed data and variable data corresponding to the recording resolution of the image recording device and the imaging resolution of the image inspection device to the image inspection device, so the image inspection device can measure the size of the captured image with a simple configuration. Inspection including it can be performed at high speed.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, even if the imaging resolution of the image inspection apparatus is lower than the recording resolution of the image recording apparatus, the number of gradations is high, so that a local recording failure of the image recording apparatus can be accurately detected. can do.

According to the invention described in claim 9 , since the image supply device supplies fixed data and variable data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording device to the image recording device, the image recording device has a simple configuration and the target color. An image having characteristics can be recorded at high speed. In addition, the image supply device supplies fixed and variable data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording device and the color characteristics of the image inspection device to the image inspection device, so the image inspection device has a simple configuration and the color characteristics of the captured image. Can be performed at high speed.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the image recording apparatus can hold the variable data for re-recording until receiving a good inspection result notification from the image inspection apparatus.

According to the invention described in claim 11 , since both the fixed image portion and the variable image portion can be inspected simultaneously by one image inspection apparatus, the system configuration can be simplified and the apparatus cost can be reduced. Even when a fixed image and a variable image are mixed in the recorded image, the inspection can be performed quickly and with high accuracy.
Further, since it is not necessary to transfer fixed data to the image recording apparatus and the image inspection apparatus every page, it is possible to speed up image recording and image inspection.

According to the twelfth aspect of the invention, since the image recording apparatus has a variable data memory for two pages or more, data transfer from the image supply apparatus to the image recording apparatus is temporarily interrupted or the transfer speed is reduced. Even if it does, image recording can be continued without stopping. Further, since only variable data is stored for two pages or more, a small memory capacity is required. Furthermore, since the memory is used cyclically, data transfer of the next page can be performed during image recording, and image recording can be speeded up.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the fixed data and the variable data can be combined and recorded with a simple configuration by holding the fixed data and the variable data in the common memory of the image recording apparatus. In addition, since there is a common memory for N pages (N ≧ 2), even if the data transfer from the image supply device to the image recording device is temporarily interrupted or the transfer speed is reduced, the image recording is stopped. You can continue without In addition, since only variable data is transferred for each page and only the variable data area on the common memory is updated, transfer data is small and image recording can be speeded up. Since the common memory for N pages is used cyclically, data transfer of the next page can be performed during image recording, and image recording can be speeded up.

According to the invention described in claim 14 , since the image inspection apparatus has a variable data memory for two pages or more, the data transfer from the image recording apparatus to the image inspection apparatus is temporarily interrupted or the transfer speed is lowered. The image inspection can be continued even if it is done. Further, since only variable data is stored for two pages or more, a small memory capacity is required. Further, since the memory is used cyclically, data transfer of the next page can be performed during the image inspection, and the image inspection can be speeded up.

According to the invention described in claim 15 , by holding fixed data and variable data in the common memory of the image inspection apparatus, the fixed data and the variable data are synthesized with a simple configuration and collated and inspected with the captured image. Can do. In addition, since there is a common memory for N pages (N ≧ 2), image inspection is continued even when data transfer from the image recording device to the image inspection device is temporarily interrupted or the transfer speed is reduced. it can. Further, since only variable data is transferred for each page and only the variable data area on the common memory is updated, the amount of transfer data is small, and the image inspection can be speeded up. Since the common memory for N pages is used cyclically, data transfer of the next page can be performed during the image inspection, and the image inspection can be speeded up.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the image supply apparatus supplies the image recording apparatus with fixed data and variable data corresponding to the recording resolution of the image recording apparatus. Can be recorded at high speed. Further, the image recording apparatus re-converts the fixed data and variable data once converted in accordance with the recording resolution of the image recording apparatus and supplies them to the image inspection apparatus in accordance with the imaging resolution of the image inspection apparatus. The inspection apparatus can perform inspection including the dimensions of the captured image at high speed with a simple configuration.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, even if the imaging resolution of the image inspection apparatus is lower than the recording resolution of the image recording apparatus, the number of gradations is high, so that a local recording failure of the image recording apparatus can be accurately detected. can do.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the image supply device supplies fixed data and variable data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording device to the image recording device. An image having characteristics can be recorded at high speed. Further, the image recording apparatus re-converts the fixed data and the variable data once converted corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording apparatus and supplies them to the image inspection apparatus corresponding to the color characteristics of the image inspection apparatus. The inspection apparatus can perform inspection including the color characteristics of the captured image at high speed with a simple configuration.

According to the nineteenth aspect of the present invention, since a page determined to be defective by the image inspection apparatus is recorded again, there is no missing page.

According to the twentieth aspect of the invention, since the page determined to be defective by the image inspection apparatus is recorded again, there is no missing page. Further, since it is not necessary to retransmit the variable data of the page to be re-recorded from the image supply device to the image recording device, the re-recording of the defective page can be started promptly.

According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the image recording apparatus can hold variable data for re-recording until receiving a good inspection result notification from the image inspection apparatus.

According to the twenty-second aspect , since the defective mark is recorded on the defective page, it becomes easy to remove the defective page later. Moreover, if a defective page is removed based on the defective mark, normal pages are continued.

According to the invention of claim 23 , defective pages are sorted separately, and only normal pages are sorted continuously.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, since the defect mark is recorded on the defective page, it becomes easy to remove the defective page later. Moreover, if a defective page is removed based on the defective mark, normal pages are continued. In addition, a new device for recording the defect mark is not required, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the invention of claim 25 , since the position reference mark recorded by the image recording apparatus is detected and the recording image capturing timing is determined, the positional relationship between the captured image and the collation image can be collated and inspected with high accuracy. it can.

According to the invention of claim 26 , the image recording apparatus detects a mark formed in advance on the recording medium or the shape of the recording medium, determines an image recording timing, performs image recording, and an image inspection apparatus. Is a storage unit that stores the detection timing of the mark or the shape of the recording medium detected by the detection unit for a plurality of pages when the detection unit detects the shape of the mark or the recording medium and determines the recording image capturing timing. And detecting the shape of the mark or the recording medium of the next page after the detection means detects the shape of the mark or the recording medium and images the page corresponding to the shape of the mark or the recording medium. In that case, since the detection timing is stored in the storage means, even if continuously recording pages shorter than the interval between the detection means and the image inspection apparatus, Correctly captured the recording pages, it can be collated and inspection.

According to the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the image recording apparatus detects the mark formed in advance on the recording medium or the shape of the recording medium by the first detecting means, determines the image recording timing, and records the image. In addition, the image inspection apparatus detects the shape of the mark or the recording medium by the second detection unit installed in the vicinity of the image inspection apparatus rather than the first detection unit, and determines the recording image capturing timing. The positional relationship between the image and the collation image can be collated and inspected with high accuracy.

According to the invention of claim 28 , the image inspection apparatus continues the inspection without updating the variable data of the first page held in the variable data memory until the captured image is determined to be the image of the first page. Therefore, it is not necessary to correct the misalignment between the page of the recorded image and the inspection image corresponding to the positional relationship between the image recording device and the image inspection device. There is no risk that it will be judged as bad.

According to the twenty- ninth aspect of the present invention, if it is not determined that the image of the first page is detected even if the predetermined predetermined page or more is inspected, it is determined that the image is defective. It is possible to detect a defect even at a certain time.

1 is a principal block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of an image recording system according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image recording system according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the recording image recorded with the image recording system shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing explaining the procedure which converts fixed bitmap data into fixed data for recording. It is explanatory drawing explaining the procedure which converts fixed text data into fixed data for recording. It is explanatory drawing explaining the procedure which converts barcode data into the fixed data for recording. It is explanatory drawing explaining the procedure which converts the fixed data for recording into the fixed data for inspection. It is the figure which showed an example of the defect mark recorded on a recording image. It is a flowchart explaining the effect | action of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the effect | action of 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the effect | action of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the whole structure of the modification of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the whole structure of the image recording system in 2nd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the trigger mark recorded on a strip | belt-shaped recording medium. It is a flowchart explaining a processing procedure in the case where an image recording apparatus also serves as a defect mark recording apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the defect mark recorded by the process shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of a strip | belt-shaped recording medium. It is explanatory drawing which shows the modification of a strip | belt-shaped recording medium. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the positional relationship of a trigger mark and a trigger sensor. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the positional relationship of a trigger mark and a trigger sensor. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the whole structure of the image recording system in 3rd Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the positional relationship of the trigger mark and trigger sensor in the image recording system shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the modification of the image inspection apparatus in FIG. It is a principal part block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image recording device in 4th Embodiment. It is a principal part block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image inspection apparatus in 4th Embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the common data memory in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the common data memory in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the specific example of the common data memory in FIG. It is a principal part block diagram which shows schematic structure of the image recording system in 5th Embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the image supply apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the image supply apparatus shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the image recording device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the image recording device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the image recording device shown in FIG. It is a flowchart explaining the process of the image recording device shown in FIG. FIG. 30 is a main block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modification of the image recording system shown in FIG. 29. FIG. 30 is a main block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modification of the image recording system shown in FIG. 29.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that embodiments to which the present invention is applicable are not limited to this.

[First embodiment]
First, a first embodiment of an image recording system according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. However, embodiments to which the present invention can be applied are not limited to the illustrated examples.

FIG. 1 shows the flow of data processing of the image recording system in this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image recording system configuration in the present embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image recording system 100 includes an image supply device 1 that supplies recording image data, and an image recording that records the recording image data supplied from the image supply device 1 on a recording medium. Image data for inspection supplied from the image supply device 1, which is provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction X of the recording medium from the device 3 and the image recording device 3 and is recorded by the image recording device 3 And an image inspection device 5 for inspecting whether or not the recording has been normally performed. Further, a defective mark recording device 7 that records a defective mark f when the image inspection device 5 determines that the recording is defective is provided downstream of the image inspection device 5 in the conveyance direction X of the recording medium. ing. Further, the image recording system 100 is configured to appropriately supply and convey a recording medium by the recording medium conveying device 8.
In the present embodiment, an image recording system 100 that performs image recording and inspection of a recorded image using a sheet-like recording medium will be described.

In the present embodiment, the image supply device 1 is connected to the image recording device 3, the image inspection device 5, and the defect mark recording by a general-purpose interface such as USB or Ethernet (registered trademark) or a dedicated interface. The apparatus 7 is connected to the recording medium conveying apparatus 8 and the like.
Note that the image inspection apparatus 5 may be housed in the same housing as the image recording apparatus 3. In this case, the image supply device 1, the image recording device 3, and the image inspection device 5 are connected by the same interface cable, and are distributed to the image recording signal and the image inspection signal within the casing. It is good also as a form.

  The image supply apparatus 1 includes a PC (personal computer) or the like, and includes a control unit 10, an image data memory 11, an image data conversion unit 12, an operation unit 13, and the like.

The image data memory 11 stores and stores original image data (hereinafter referred to as “original image data”) to be recorded and inspected in the image recording system 100. The original image data is stored in, for example, a bitmap data format, but the data format is not limited to this. The image data memory 11 is, for example, an HDD (not shown) built in the image supply apparatus 1.
The image data memory 11 is not limited to the case where it is built in the image supply device. For example, the image data memory 11 may be provided in a server or data storage device connected to the image supply device 1 via a network.

In the present embodiment, the original image data includes fixed data and variable data, for example, as shown in FIG.
Here, the fixed data is fixed image data that is recorded in common on each page when a plurality of pages are recorded. For example, as shown in FIG. Fixed bitmap data, etc. The variable data is variable image data that changes for each page (that is, not common to a plurality of pages) when a plurality of pages are recorded. For example, the variable data changes with a serial number, a page number, a serial number, or the like. Data such as a barcode in the case.
Although FIG. 3 illustrates the case where the barcode is a variable image, when recording a common barcode on a plurality of pages, the barcode is a fixed image and the data is treated as fixed data. .

The operation unit 13 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. When the user operates the operation unit 13 (this is referred to as an operator operation), the original image data stored in the image data memory 11 is stored. Arbitrary original image data can be selected from the inside.
Original image data selected by operating the operation unit 13 is appropriately converted by an image data conversion unit 12 described later, and transmitted (output) to the image recording device 3 and the image inspection device 5 via an interface (not shown). It has become so.

  The image data conversion unit 12 has a function of converting image data stored in the image data memory 11 into recording image data for transmission to the image recording device 3 and inspection image data for output to the image inspection device 5. Part.

The image data conversion unit 12 appropriately converts original image data to be recorded and inspected so as to be applied to the image recording device 3 and the image inspection device 5.
First, the fixed data conversion process of the original image data conversion process by the image data conversion unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

  The image data converter 12 converts the original image data so as to be compatible with the image recording apparatus 3 and generates recording image data.

Specifically, for the fixed bitmap data (marked part in FIG. 3) of the original image data shown in FIG. 3, the image data conversion unit 12 first converts the original image data to the recording resolution of the image recording device 3. Convert according to color characteristics. For example, when the image recording apparatus 3 has a recording resolution of 300 dpi, each pixel has binary ink (whether or not to eject ink) of four colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). In the case of an inkjet printer capable of recording, the bitmap data of the original image is converted into binary CMYK 4-color bitmap image data of 300 dpi. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the bitmap data of the original image is data of 8 bits for each color of RGB according to the sRGB standard (standard RGB standard) of 600 dpi, first, the RGB data of each color of 300 dpi is converted into RGB data of 8 bits for each color. Resolution conversion is performed by a known method such as bilinear or bicubic.
Next, color conversion processing is performed to convert the image data into 8-bit CMYK 4-bit bitmap image data of 300 dpi according to the color characteristics of the image recording apparatus 3. In order to perform color conversion in accordance with the color characteristics of the image recording apparatus 3, a known method is used, such as using a color profile created by measuring the color patch output from the image recording apparatus 3 in advance. be able to.
Then, using a known method such as error diffusion, dithering, etc., binarization processing is performed for converting this into image data of CMYK 4 colors of 300 bits per color (2 bits). Thereby, fixed data for recording based on the fixed bitmap data is generated.

As for fixed text data (“sample ABC” portion in FIG. 3) of the original image data shown in FIG. 3, the image data converter 12 converts the original image data into font data as shown in FIG. Are expanded into a CMYK 4-color bitmap image of 1 bit (binary) for each color at a specified size of 300 dpi with the specified font.
If the character is color, the original image data is first expanded into 300-bit bitmap data of 8 bits for each RGB, and color conversion processing and binary processing are performed on this as in the case of the fixed bitmap data. To obtain CMYK 4 color bitmap image data of 1 bit (binary) for each color corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording apparatus 3. Thereby, fixed data for recording based on fixed text data is generated.

Similarly, when the barcode as fixed data is included in the original image data, as shown in FIG. 6, the image data conversion unit 12 refers to the barcode information for each color at 300 dpi. The image is expanded into a 1-bit (binary) CMYK 4-color bitmap image.
When the barcode is color, first, it is first expanded into 300-bit bitmap data of 8 bits for each RGB, and the color conversion processing and binarization processing are performed as in the case of the bitmap data described above. In this manner, 1-bit (binary) CMYK 4 color bitmap image data of each color corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording apparatus 3 is obtained. Thereby, fixed data for recording based on the barcode data is generated.

Fixed data (fixed data for recording) such as fixed bitmap data, fixed text data, and barcode data converted by the image data converter 12 is transferred to the image recording apparatus 3 via the interface.
In the present embodiment, even when a plurality of pages are recorded, the fixed data (fixed data for recording) is transmitted from the image supply device 1 to the image recording device 3 only once before starting the recording operation. Note that “one time” here means the number of times of normal transmission. For example, when retransmission is performed due to a data transfer error or the like, even if multiple times of transmission are performed, the number of times of transmission is not counted. Think of it as a single transmission.

  The conversion processing for converting the original image data so as to be compatible with the image recording apparatus 3 is preferably performed in the order shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 because the lack of information amount is small. It doesn't matter.

  Next, the image data conversion unit 12 converts the original image data so as to be compatible with the image inspection apparatus 5 and generates inspection image data. For example, when the imaging resolution of the imaging unit 51 of the image inspection apparatus 5 is 600 dpi and three color signals of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) are output at 8 bits (256 gradations) for each color, 600 dpi. RGB data of 8 bits for each color is generated.

When generating inspection image data, the image data conversion unit 12, as shown in FIG. 7, transmits 300 dpi 1-bit (binary) CMYK 4-color bitmap image data (that is, binary image data). The fixed data for inspection) is first subjected to color conversion processing into 8-bit RGB data of 300 dpi corresponding to the color characteristics of an image capturing unit 51 (see FIG. 1) described later of the image inspection apparatus 5. In order to perform such color conversion in accordance with the color characteristics of the image capturing unit 51, a method using a color profile created by capturing a color patch output from the image recording device in advance by the image capturing unit 51, or The color profile of the image recording device 3 created by measuring the color patch output by the image recording device 3, and the color profile of the image capturing unit 51 created by imaging the color patch measured in color by the image capturing unit 51 A well-known method can be used such as using a color profile generated by synthesizing.
Then, the resolution is converted into 600 dpi 8-bit RGB data using a known method such as bilinear or bicubic. Thereby, fixed data for inspection is generated.

The inspection fixed data converted by the image data converter 12 is transferred to the image inspection apparatus 5 via the interface.
In the present embodiment, even when a plurality of pages are recorded, the fixed data (inspection fixed data) is transmitted from the image supply apparatus 1 to the image inspection apparatus 5 only once before starting the inspection. Note that “one time” here means the number of times of normal transmission. For example, when retransmission is performed due to a data transfer error or the like, even if multiple times of transmission are performed, the number of times of transmission is not counted. Think of it as a single transmission.

  Note that the conversion processing is preferably performed in the order shown in FIG. 7 because the amount of information is small, but it may be performed in another order.

In the present embodiment, the recording fixed data transferred to the image recording device 3 is used as the original image to be converted into the inspection fixed data. In this way, the recording fixed data is used as the original image for inspection fixing. When the data is generated, it is preferable to generate the data in consideration of the recording resolution and color characteristics of the image recording apparatus 3 and to improve the accuracy of the image inspection, rather than generating the inspection fixed data directly from the original image data.
For example, when the original image data is directly converted into RGB data (fixed data for inspection) corresponding to the color characteristics of the image capturing unit 51, data in a color gamut that cannot be actually recorded by the image recording device 3 may be included. If this is used as collation data at the time of inspection, there is a possibility that an image recorded normally is erroneously determined as defective. Further, when 600 dpi 8-bit data (fixed data for inspection) matching the resolution of the image capturing unit 51 is directly generated from the original image data, an image with higher definition than the 300 dpi binary recorded image actually recorded. If this is used as verification data at the time of inspection, a normally recorded image may be erroneously determined as defective. On the other hand, in order to determine that this is normal, it is necessary to determine with reduced matching accuracy. In this case, even if there is an actual recording failure, it may be determined to be normal.

Here, as the image capturing unit 51, the image capturing unit 51 that captures images with a higher resolution than the image recording device 3 has been described as an example. However, a cheaper low-resolution image capturing unit 51 can also be used. . When the resolution of the image capturing unit 51 is lower than the resolution of the image recording device 3, the number of gradations (bit number) of the imaging data obtained from the image capturing unit 51 is greater than the number of gradations (bit number) of the image recording device 3. It is desirable to increase the height.
For example, when the image recording apparatus 3 performs recording with 1 bit (0 or binary value of 1) of 300 dpi, and the image imaging unit 51 performs imaging with a resolution of 150 dpi, one pixel of the imaging data Corresponds to four recorded pixels ((360/180) ² = 4), and 150 dpi inspection fixed data transferred to the image inspection apparatus 5 has five values (0 to 1 × 4). If the number of gradations is 5 or more, even if a part of the four recording pixels is defective, it can be detected as a gradation value defect.

In principle,
(The number of gradations of the image capturing unit 51) ≧ (the number of gradations of the image recording device 3−1) × ((resolution of the image recording device 3) / (resolution of the image capturing unit 51)) ² +1
However, it is desirable that the number of gradations of the image capturing unit 51 is larger in consideration of the nonlinearity of the gradation characteristics of the image recording device 3 and the image capturing unit 51.

The image data converter 12 converts the variable data of the original image data into variable recording data suitable for the image recording apparatus 3 and inspection variable data compatible with the image inspection apparatus 5 in the same manner as the fixed data. Convert. The converted variable data for recording and variable data for inspection are transferred from the image supply device 1 to the image recording device 3 and the image inspection device 5, respectively.
In the present embodiment, the image supply device 1 transfers the recording variable data to the image recording device 3 (hereinafter referred to as variable image recording device transfer processing) and transfers the inspection variable data to the image inspection device 5. Processing (hereinafter referred to as variable image inspection device transfer processing) is executed in parallel by the multitask function of the PC constituting the image supply device 1.

In the variable image recording device transfer process, the image data conversion unit 12 converts the variable data of each page according to the recording resolution and color characteristics of the image recording device 3. That is, for example, the variable number “0001” shown in FIG. 3 is generated as binary bitmap image data (that is, variable data for recording) at a specified size of 300 dpi with a font specified as text data. Further, data of a predetermined barcode (see FIG. 3) corresponding to the variable number “0001” is generated as binary bitmap image data (that is, recording variable data) of 300 dpi with a specified dimension.
If the text data of the variable number and the barcode data corresponding to the variable number are each color, the color conversion process and the binarization process are once expanded into RGB 8-bit 300 dpi bitmap data. And CMYK 4 color bitmap image data (that is, recording variable data) of 1 bit (binary) for each color corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording apparatus 3.

The converted variable data for recording is transferred from the image supply apparatus 1 to the image recording apparatus 3 via the interface.
Note that the image supply apparatus 1 retains the transferred data as original data for generating inspection variable data for the image inspection apparatus even after the recording variable data is transferred to the image recording apparatus 3. It is desirable.

  In the variable image inspection device transfer process, the image data conversion unit 12 converts the recording variable data of each page transferred to the image recording device 3 to the imaging resolution of the image inspection device 5 as in the case of the fixed data described above. And convert according to color characteristics. Thus, the inspection variable data transferred to the image inspection apparatus 5 is data reflecting the color characteristics and resolution of the image actually recorded by the image recording apparatus 3.

  The converted variable data for inspection is transferred from the image supply apparatus 1 to the image inspection apparatus 5 via the interface.

The control unit 10 of the image supply device 1 controls each functional unit of the image supply device 1.
The control unit 10 makes an inquiry to the image recording apparatus 3 and the image inspection apparatus 5 as to whether or not the fixed data memories 32 and 52 and the variable data memories 33 and 53 are empty. The timing at which fixed data and variable data are transferred to the image recording apparatus 3 and the image inspection apparatus 5 is adjusted depending on whether or not the memory is free.

  As will be described later, when the image inspection apparatus 5 determines that the image recorded by the image recording apparatus 3 is defective, the image inspection apparatus 5 sends a defect and a defective portion (defects are generated) to the control unit 10. When the controller 10 receives this failure notification from the image inspection apparatus 5, the control variable data that has already been transferred to the image recording apparatus 3 is notified. If there is, a notice is given to discard it, and the variable data for recording of the portion (page) after the occurrence of the defect is transferred again to the image recording apparatus 3.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 10 can control the defect mark recording device 7, and records a defect mark f on the defect mark recording device 7 when receiving a defect notification from the image inspection device 5. Instructed to do so.

For example, when the image supply apparatus 1 receives a defect notification indicating that the 10th page is defective from the image inspection apparatus 5, the image supply apparatus 1 controls the defect mark recording apparatus 7 to detect the defective 10th page and the image recording apparatus 3. The portion recorded in front of the 10th page re-recorded by (i.e., when the image recording apparatus 3 has already recorded the 11th page when the image inspection apparatus 5 detects the defect of the 10th page) The defect mark f is recorded on the recording medium of the 11th page).
As a result, the defect mark f is recorded on all of the defective pages (parts) and the subsequent pages (parts) to be discarded, and the pages (parts) on which the defect marks f are recorded are removed later. Normal pages (parts) will continue.

Here, the image supply apparatus 1 is configured to transfer the variable data for recording after the page (part) determined to be defective when receiving a defect notification from the image inspection apparatus 5 to the image recording apparatus 3 again. The configuration for re-recording the page (part) is not limited to this.
For example, the image recording device 3 is configured to receive a notification of the determination result from the image inspection device 5, and the corresponding variable data for recording is held in the variable data memory 33 until a good notification of the recorded page is received. When the notification that the inspection result is defective is received, the variable data for recording on the page may be combined with the fixed data for recording in the fixed data memory 32 and recorded. In this case, since it is not necessary to retransmit the image data from the image supply device 1, re-recording of the defective page (part) can be started promptly.
When such a configuration is adopted, the distance along the recording medium conveyance path between the recording position of the image recording apparatus 3 and the imaging position of the image inspection apparatus 5 is L, and the length of one page is P. If a variable data memory 53 having a capacity of (L / P) pages for holding re-recording variable data, one page for storing recording variable data, and a total of (L / P + 1) pages or more is provided. Good.

  The image recording apparatus 3 records an image based on recording image data composed of fixed recording data and variable recording data transferred from the image supply apparatus 1 on a recording medium with a predetermined resolution and color characteristics.

In the present embodiment, the image recording apparatus 3 will be described below. Each pixel binary (ink ink) is printed with cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) inks at a recording resolution of 300 dpi. The case where an ink jet printer capable of recording whether or not to discharge is applied will be described.
As an ink jet printer, a configuration in which recording heads are provided corresponding to the recording width (line printing method) is preferable because the recording speed is high, but in a direction orthogonal to the recording medium conveyance direction while synchronizing the recording head with the recording medium conveyance. A form (serial printing method) in which recording is performed by scanning may be used.
The ink jet printer applicable as the image recording apparatus 3 is not limited to a color printer, and may be a single color printer. The image recording apparatus 3 is not limited to an ink jet printer, and various recording apparatuses of an electrophotography, a thermal transfer method, or other methods can be applied.

  In the present embodiment, the image recording apparatus 3 includes a recording head (not shown) corresponding to four colors of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K), and performs image recording. Unit 31, fixed data memory 32 that stores recording fixed data for one page, variable data memory 33 that can store variable data for recording for four pages, and trigger sensor 35 that detects the leading edge of the recording medium, It has. The trigger sensor 35 can be applied by any method as long as it can detect the leading edge of the recording medium, and is not particularly limited.

  When performing image recording, when the trigger sensor 35 detects the leading edge of the recording medium, the image recording apparatus 3 takes a predetermined delay corresponding to the distance between the trigger sensor 35 and the recording position, and then the fixed data memory 32. The fixed recording data stored in the memory and the variable recording data stored in the variable data memory 33 are combined to generate recording image data for each page, and the recording image data is sequentially recorded in the image. By outputting to the unit 31, image recording is performed in synchronization with the conveyance of the recording medium.

  Here, the delay from when the trigger sensor 35 detects the leading edge of the recording medium to when recording is started may be the time required for the recording medium to be transported from the trigger sensor 35 to the recording position. Even when the conveyance speed of the recording medium fluctuates, the number of pulses output from the encoder 82 rotating integrally with the conveying roller 81 is counted by the number of pulses corresponding to the distance from the trigger sensor 35 to the recording position. This is desirable because the recording start position can be determined accurately. Similarly, it is desirable to record an image in synchronism with the pulse output from the encoder 82 because an image without distortion can be recorded even when the recording medium conveyance speed fluctuates.

  The image inspection device 5 captures and reads the recorded image recorded by the image recording device 3, the image capturing data memory 54 that stores the captured image data acquired by the image capturing unit 51, and one page The fixed data memory 52 for storing the inspection fixed data, the variable data memory 53 capable of storing the variable data for inspection for four pages, and whether the recorded image recorded by the image recording device 3 is normal or not is determined. An image inspection unit 55 and a trigger sensor 56 that detects the leading edge of the recording medium are provided. The trigger sensor 56 can be applied by any method as long as it can detect the leading edge of the recording medium, and is not particularly limited.

The image capturing unit 51 is a camera using a two-dimensional image sensor such as a monochrome or color CCD area sensor, or a scanner using a line sensor such as a CCD line sensor.
In the present embodiment, the image capturing unit 51 applies a signal that outputs three color signals of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) at 8 bits each with a resolution of 600 dpi. The image capturing unit 51 applicable to the present system is not limited to this.

  The imaging data memory 54 temporarily stores RGB 8-bit captured image data output from the image imaging unit 51. The imaging data memory 54 is preferably capable of storing data for a plurality of pages (parts).

The image inspection unit 55 collates the captured image data stored in the captured data memory 54 with inspection image data composed of inspection fixed data and inspection variable data, so that the recorded image recorded by the image recording device 3 is recorded. It is a functional unit that determines whether or not it is normal.
When the recorded image is defective, the image inspection unit 55 notifies the image supply apparatus 1 to that effect.

  The image inspection apparatus 5 takes a predetermined delay corresponding to the distance between the trigger sensor 56 and the imaging position after the trigger sensor 56 detects the leading edge of the recording medium, and then records the recorded image recorded on the recording medium. The captured image data obtained by the imaging unit 51 is stored in the imaging data memory 54.

  Here, the delay from when the trigger sensor 56 detects the leading edge of the recording medium to when imaging is started may be the time required for the recording medium to be conveyed from the trigger sensor 56 to the imaging position. It is more accurate to count the pulses output from the encoder 82 rotating together with the roller 81 by the number of pulses corresponding to the distance from the trigger sensor 56 to the imaging position even when the recording medium conveyance speed fluctuates. This is desirable because the imaging start position can be determined.

  When a camera using a two-dimensional image sensor such as a CCD area sensor is used as the image capturing unit 51, an image may be captured by opening an electronic shutter or a mechanical shutter at the imaging start timing, or a strobe at the imaging start timing. The image may be captured by emitting light. Further, when imaging is performed using a line sensor such as a CCD line sensor as the image capturing unit 51, there is a change in the conveyance speed of the recording medium when imaging is performed in synchronization with the pulse output from the encoder 82 from the imaging start timing. Even in this case, it is desirable because an image without distortion can be accurately captured.

When the imaged image data of each page is stored in the imaged data memory 54, the image inspecting unit 55 of the image inspecting apparatus 5 combines the images in the fixed data memory 52 and the variable data memory 53, and stores the images in the imaged data memory 54. The captured image data is collated to determine whether the recorded image is defective, and the determination result is notified to the image supply device 1.
As a determination method in the image inspection unit 55, for example, the absolute value of the difference between the data of the corresponding pixels of both images or the square value of the difference is integrated for all the pixels, and if this value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, it is determined as defective. For example, a well-known method can be used.

The defect mark recording device 7 includes a defect mark recording unit 71 and records the defect mark f on a portion (page) determined to be defective by the image inspection device 5 under the control of the control unit 10 of the image supply device 1. is there.
The recording method of the defective mark f by the defective mark recording device 7 is not particularly limited. For example, a predetermined defective mark f is recorded by an ink jet or other printer, or the defective mark f is recorded by contacting a stamp or a plate. Or a predetermined defect mark f is engraved with a laser or the like. Alternatively, the defect mark recording device 7 may be configured by a processing machine such as a punching machine, and a defect mark f may be recorded by processing a hole or notch having a predetermined shape in a portion (page) determined to be defective. Good.
The defect mark recording apparatus 7 is not an essential component of the image recording system 100, and may be configured so as not to be provided.

The recording medium conveying device 8 includes a plurality of conveying rollers 81 and an encoder 82 that rotates integrally with the conveying rollers 81, and conveys the recording medium in a predetermined conveying direction X. The recording medium supplied from the recording medium supply unit 83 by the recording medium conveying device 8 is discharged through the image recording unit 31 of the image recording device 3, the image capturing unit 51 of the image inspection device 5, and the defective mark recording device 7. The tray 84 is conveyed.
The recording medium conveyance device 8 is configured to supply recording media one by one from the recording medium supply unit 83 in accordance with an instruction signal from the control unit 10 of the image supply device 1 and sequentially convey the recording medium at a predetermined timing. Yes.

Next, the operation of the image capturing system 100 in this embodiment will be described.
Here, the case where 1000 images of a card of 101.6 mm × 76.2 mm are printed as an example made up of fixed text, fixed bitmap, variable number, and variable barcode shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The image supply device 1 reads the original image data (see FIG. 3) designated by the operator's operation from the image data memory 11 of the image supply device 1, or from a server or data storage device on the network (step S1).
The image data conversion unit 12 of the image supply device 1 converts the fixed data of the original image data in FIG. 3 into CMYK four colors of 300 bits for each color corresponding to the recording resolution and color characteristics of the image recording device 3 and 2 bits. Conversion into bitmap image data (that is, fixed data for recording) (step S2).
Then, the image supply device 1 transfers the fixed data for recording such as the bitmap and text converted by the image data conversion unit 12 to the image recording device 3 (step S3), and the image recording device 3 transfers the transferred recording data. The fixed data for use is stored in the fixed data memory 32.

Next, the image data converter 12 converts the 300 dpi 1-bit (binary) CMYK 4 color bitmap image data (that is, fixed data for recording) transferred to the image recording device 3 to the imaging resolution of the image inspection device 5. And in accordance with the color characteristics, 600 dpi 8-bit RGB 3-color inspection fixed data is generated (step S4).
Then, the image supply device 1 transfers the inspection fixed data converted by the image data conversion unit 12 to the image inspection device 5 (step S5), and the image inspection device 5 transfers the transferred inspection fixed data to the fixed data. Store in the memory 52.

  Further, the image data conversion unit 12 converts the variable data of the original image data of FIG. 3 into the recording variable data by executing the variable image recording device transfer processing and the variable image inspection device transfer processing in parallel. Are transferred to the image recording apparatus 3 (step S6), and the variable data is converted into inspection variable data and transferred to the image inspection apparatus 5 (step S7).

Here, the variable image recording device transfer process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
In the variable image recording apparatus transfer process, 1 is set to the number of pages n (step S11), and the recording variable data corresponding to the first page is 1 bit (300 dpi for each color corresponding to the recording resolution and color characteristics of the image recording apparatus 3). (Binary) CMYK 4-color bitmap image data (that is, variable data for recording) is converted (step S12).

The image supply device 1 inquires of the image recording device 3 whether or not there is a free space in the variable data memory 33 (step S13). The image supply device 1 confirms the response from the image recording device 3, and if the variable data memory 33 is not available (step S13: NO), the determination is repeated until the variable data memory 33 is available. On the other hand, if the variable data memory 33 is empty (step S13: YES), the converted variable data for recording is transferred to the image recording apparatus 3 (step S14).
For example, in this embodiment, since the image recording apparatus 3 has the variable data memory 33 for four pages, all the memories are free before starting image recording. Therefore, the image recording device 3 responds to the image supply device 1 when the variable data memory 33 is empty.

  When the recording variable data is transferred from the image supply device 1, the image recording device 3 stores the recording variable data in the first page of the variable data memory 33. When an instruction signal is sent from the image supply device 1 or the image recording device 3 to the recording medium conveyance device 8, one recording medium is supplied from the recording medium supply unit 83, and the recording medium is supplied from the conveyance roller 81 to the recording medium conveyance device 8. The paper is conveyed from the image recording unit 31 to the paper discharge tray 84 through the image inspection unit 55 of the image inspection device 5 and the defect mark recording device 7.

When the variable data for recording of the first page is transferred to the image recording device 3, the image supply device 1 checks whether there is a failure notification from the image inspection device 5 (step S15), and if there is no failure notification (step S15). : NO), it is confirmed whether or not all pages have been transferred (step S16). If not transferred (step S16: NO), the page number n is incremented by 1 and set to 2 (step S17). Return.
Then, the image supply device 1 converts the recording variable data of the second page according to the recording resolution and color characteristics of the image recording device 3 in the same manner as the recording variable data of the first page (step S12).
The image supply device 1 inquires of the image recording device 3 whether or not the variable data memory 33 has a free space (step S13), and the image recording device 3 has three pages of the variable data memory 33 having four pages. Since there is a free space, the image supply device 1 is responded when there is a free space. The image supply device 1 confirms a response indicating that there is a vacancy from the image recording device 3 (step S13: YES), and transfers the converted variable data for recording in S12 to the image recording device 3 (step S14).
In this manner, the image supply device 1 repeats the processing from step S12 to step S17, and the recording variable data up to the fourth page is stored in the image recording device 3 until the variable data memory 33 of the image recording device 3 runs out. Forward.

  When the image recording of the first page is completed, the image recording device 3 releases the variable data memory 33 of the first page and responds to the image supply device 1 that there is a free space. When the image supply apparatus 1 confirms a response indicating that there is a vacancy from the image recording apparatus 3, it transfers the variable data for recording of the fifth page to the image recording apparatus 3. Thereafter, the image supply device sequentially transfers variable data for recording of subsequent pages to the image recording device 3 in synchronization with the recording of the image recording device 3.

Next, the variable image inspection apparatus transfer process will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
In the variable image inspection device transfer process, 1 is set to the page number n (step S31), and the variable data of the first page transferred to the image recording device 3 is captured by the image inspection device 5 in the same manner as the conversion of the fixed image. It is converted into RGB 3-color bitmap image data (that is, variable data for inspection) of 600 dpi corresponding to each resolution and color characteristic (step S32).

The image supply device 1 inquires of the image inspection device 5 whether or not the variable data memory 53 is free (step S33). The image supply device 1 confirms the response from the image inspection device 5, and if there is no space in the variable data memory 53 (step S33: NO), the determination is repeated until there is space in the variable data memory 53. On the other hand, if the variable data memory 53 is empty (step S33: YES), the converted inspection variable data is transferred to the image inspection apparatus 5 (step S34).
For example, in the present embodiment, since the image inspection apparatus 5 has the variable data memory 53 for four pages, all the memories are free before starting image recording. Therefore, the image inspection apparatus 5 responds to the image supply apparatus 1 when the variable data memory 53 is empty.

When the inspection variable data is transferred from the image supply device 1, the image inspection device 5 stores the inspection variable data in the first page of the variable data memory 53.
When the captured image data of the first page is stored in the captured data memory 54, the image inspection unit 55 of the image inspection apparatus 5 combines the images of the first page of the fixed data memory 52 and the variable data memory 53 to capture the image. The captured image data in the data memory 54 is collated to determine whether or not the recorded image is defective, and the determination result is notified to the image supply device 1.
When the variable data of the first page is transferred to the image inspection apparatus 5, the image supply apparatus 1 checks whether or not all pages have been transferred (step S35), and if not transferred, increments the page number n by one. 2 (step S36), the process returns to step S32.

Then, the image supply device 1 applies the inspection variable data for the second page in accordance with the recording resolution and color characteristics of the image recording device 3 and the color characteristics of the image inspection device 5 in the same way as the inspection variable data for the first page. Convert (step S32)
The image supply device 1 inquires of the image inspection device 5 whether or not there is a free space in the variable data memory 53 (step S33), and the image inspection device 5 has 3 pages out of the variable data memory 53 having 4 pages. Since there is a free space, the image supply device 1 is responded when there is a free space. The image supply device 1 confirms a response indicating that there is an empty from the image inspection device 5 (step S33: YES), and transfers the converted variable data for inspection in S32 to the image inspection device 5 (step S34).
The image supply device 1 repeats the processing from step S32 to step S36, and transfers the inspection variable data up to the fourth page to the image inspection device 5 until the variable data memory 53 of the image inspection device 5 runs out.

  When the image inspection for the first page is completed, the image inspection apparatus 5 releases the variable data memory 53 for the first page and responds to the image supply apparatus 1 that there is a free space. When the image supply device 1 confirms a response indicating that there is a vacancy from the image inspection device 5, the image supply device 1 transfers variable data for inspection on the fifth page to the image inspection device 5. Thereafter, the image supply device 1 sequentially transfers the variable data for inspection of subsequent pages to the image inspection device 5 in synchronization with the inspection of the image inspection device 5.

In this way, the image supply device 1 supplies the recording variable data for the subsequent page to the image recording device 3 and the inspection variable data to the image inspection device 5, respectively. The image recording device 3 supplies the supplied recording variable data. Is combined with the fixed recording data and recorded on the recording medium, and the image inspection apparatus 5 captures the inspection image obtained by combining the supplied inspection variable data with the inspection fixed data and the image capturing unit 51. Check with the captured image.
Here, returning to FIG. 10, for example, when the image inspection unit 55 of the image inspection apparatus 5 determines that the captured image of the 10th page is defective, the image inspection apparatus 5 supplies an image indicating that the 10th page is defective. The device 1 is notified (S15: YES).

For example, when the image inspection unit 55 determines that the recorded image on the 10th page is defective, the image supply device 1 has already transferred the recording variable data on the 11th, 12th, and 13th pages to the image recording device 3. Assume that the image recording unit of the image recording apparatus 3 is recording the 11th page.
In this case, in the variable image recording device transfer process of the image supply device 1, when the defect notification is received from the image inspection device 5 in step S15, the image recording device 3 is notified to discard the already transferred variable data for recording. (Step S18), the defective page 10 is set to the number of pages n (Step S19), the variable data for recording of the 10th page is generated (Step S12), and the variable data memory 33 of the image recording apparatus 3 has an empty space. After confirming that it exists (step S13), it is transferred to the image recording apparatus 3 (step S14).

The image recording apparatus 3 discards the transferred variable data for the 12th and 13th pages, and stores the retransmitted variable data for the 10th page in the variable data memory 33. The image recording apparatus 3 interrupts the recording of the eleventh page being recorded or completes the recording, and then combines the retransmitted variable data for the tenth page with the fixed data for recording in the fixed data memory 32. Re-record on the next page of the recording medium.
In addition, when receiving a failure notification that the 10th page is defective, the control unit 10 of the image supply device 1 controls the failure mark recording device 7 so that the defect mark f is recorded on the 10th page of the defective recording medium. Record. Further, the image supply device controls the defect mark recording device 7 and records up to the page recorded before the 10th page that has been re-recorded, that is, when the image inspection device 5 detects a defect on the 10th page. The defect mark f is also recorded on the 11th page.
As a result, the defective mark f is recorded on the defective page and the subsequent page to be discarded, and the normal pages are subsequently continued by removing the page on which the defective mark f is recorded.

  In the case where the image recording apparatus 3 is an ink jet printer, it is desirable to perform re-recording after cleaning the recording head portion that ejects ink because the possibility of re-recording a defective image is reduced. At that time, it is desirable to clean only the portion of the recording head corresponding to the defective portion with reference to the inspection result, because it saves ink and reduces the time consumed for cleaning. Further, the image recording apparatus 3 includes an optical droplet detector for inspecting whether ink is normally ejected from the recording head, and whether ink is normally ejected from the recording head before or after cleaning. If there is a defect, it is desirable to clean the recording head because it will not wastefully record a defective image on the recording medium.

  The control unit 10 of the image supply apparatus 1 determines whether or not all pages have been transferred (step S8 in FIG. 9 and step S16 in FIG. 10), and whether or not all pages have been inspected (step S9 in FIG. 9). 10 and step S23) in FIG. 10, and as the variable image recording device transfer process, the process from step 12 to step 23 in FIG. 10 is repeated until the transfer of all pages is completed and the inspection of all pages is completed. Further, the variable image inspection apparatus transfer process of the image supply apparatus 1 repeats the process of FIG. 11 until the transfer of all pages is completed. Thereby, recording and inspection are performed for all pages.

As described above, in the present embodiment, both the fixed image portion and the variable image portion can be simultaneously inspected by one image inspection apparatus 5, so that the system configuration can be simplified and the apparatus cost can be reduced. In addition, even when a fixed image and a variable image are mixed in the recorded image, the inspection can be performed quickly and with high accuracy.
Further, the fixed recording data and the inspection fixed data common to each page need only be transferred to the image recording device 3 and the image inspection device 5 once, and need not be transferred every page. In addition, the image inspection can be speeded up.

  In addition, since the image recording device 3 and the image inspection device 5 have variable data memories for four pages, data transfer from the image supply device 1 to the image recording device 3 or the image inspection device 5 may be temporarily interrupted. Even when the transfer speed decreases, image recording and image inspection can be continued without stopping. Also, since only four pages of variable data are stored, a small memory capacity is sufficient. Further, since the memory is used cyclically, data transfer of the next page can be performed during image recording or image inspection, and the speed of image recording and image inspection can be increased.

Further, since the image supply device 1 supplies the recording fixed data and the recording variable data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording device 3 to the image recording device 3, the image recording device 3 has a simple configuration and a desired size. An image having color characteristics can be recorded at high speed.
Further, since the image supply apparatus 1 supplies the inspection inspection data and the inspection variable data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording apparatus 3 and the color characteristics of the image inspection apparatus 5 to the image inspection apparatus, the image inspection apparatus 5 is simple. A highly accurate inspection including the color characteristics of the captured image can be performed at a high speed with a simple configuration.

Further, since the pages that are determined to be defective by the image inspection apparatus 5 are recorded again, there is no missing page.
Further, since a defect mark f is attached to a page that the image inspection apparatus 5 determines to be defective, the defective page can be easily removed later.

In the present embodiment, the defect mark recording device 7 is provided on the downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction X in the image inspection device 5, but the method of sorting defective pages is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, instead of disposing a defective mark recording device on the most downstream side in the recording medium conveyance direction X in the recording medium conveyance device 8, a non-defective product discharge tray 91, a defective product discharge tray 92, A recording medium sorting device 9 including a sorting gate 93 for switching the recording medium discharge destination may be provided.
In this case, when the image supply apparatus 1 receives a defect notification from the image inspection apparatus 5, the image supply apparatus 1 controls the recording medium sorting apparatus 9, from the defective page to a page immediately before the page is reprinted (in the above example, 10 , The 11th page) is discharged to the defective product discharge tray 92 and the other non-defective products are discharged to the non-defective product discharge tray 91. Then, the image supply device 1 controls the recording medium sorting device 9 to switch the sorting gate 93 to the original position so that the reprinted 10th page and thereafter are discharged again to the non-defective product discharge tray 91.
Thus, the defective page and the subsequent page to be discarded are discharged to the defective product discharge tray 92, and only the non-defective product is discharged to the good product discharge tray 91 in the correct page order.

  In the present embodiment, the variable data memories 33 and 53 correspond to four pages of recorded images. However, the variable data memories 33 and 53 have at least two pages (that is, N pages). It is sufficient that it corresponds to the recorded image of (N ≧ 2)), and its capacity is not particularly limited.

  In addition, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment, and can be changed suitably.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that image recording and image inspection of the recorded image are performed using a band-shaped recording medium. Therefore, the first embodiment will be particularly described below. A different point from a form is demonstrated.

In the present embodiment, the image recording system performs image recording and image inspection on a strip-shaped recording medium. As shown in FIG. A recording medium supply unit 111 and a recording medium winding unit 112 that winds the recording medium after image recording.
The recording medium conveyance device 110 is configured to sequentially convey the belt-shaped recording medium from the recording medium supply unit 111 to the recording medium winding unit 112 based on the control of the image supply device 1.

In the present embodiment, the image supply device 1 transfers the data of the trigger mark m as shown in FIG. 14 to the image recording device 3 as a part of the fixed data. It is desirable to record the trigger mark m for both the fixed image and the variable image.
Here, the trigger mark m is a position reference mark serving as a reference for the position of each page, and the image inspection apparatus 5 detects the trigger mark m and determines the imaging timing.

  In this case, the image inspection apparatus 5 detects the trigger mark m recorded by the image recording apparatus 3 with the trigger sensor 56 and then takes a predetermined delay corresponding to the distance between the trigger sensor 56 and the imaging position. Then, an image recorded on the recording medium is captured by the image capturing unit 51 to acquire captured image data, and collated and inspected with the inspection image data transferred from the image supply device 1.

  Also in this embodiment, when the recorded image is determined to be defective by the image inspection device 5, the defect mark f is recorded on the defective page by the defect mark recording device 7.

Since other configurations are substantially the same as those shown in the first embodiment, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
In addition, the image recording and image inspection methods are the same as those in the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, even when image recording is performed using a belt-shaped recording medium, it is possible to accurately grasp the page break position and inspect the recorded image quickly and with high accuracy. it can.

When such a belt-like recording medium is used, the defect mark f may be recorded not only on the image as shown in FIG. 8, but also outside the margin as shown in FIG. 16, for example. . Further, the defect mark f may not be recorded on the image but may be recorded only outside the margin.
In the case of a strip-shaped recording medium, it is assumed that after recording, this is used separately for each page. Therefore, it is only necessary to record a defect mark f so that it can be understood which part was defective at that time, It is not always necessary to record the defect mark f on the recorded image, and it is sufficient to record a mark that can identify good / bad at a minimum.

In this embodiment, the defect mark recording device 7 for recording the defect mark f is provided separately from the image recording device 3, but the defect mark recording device 7 is not provided separately, and the image recording device 3 It is good also as a structure which combines a defect mark recording device.
For example, in the case of an image recording system in which recording is performed using a strip-shaped recording medium as shown in FIG. 13, if a defect is detected by the image inspection apparatus 5 after recording by the image recording apparatus 3, the recording medium is removed. The defect mark f can be recorded by rewinding to the position of the image recording apparatus 3. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the cost of the system and reduce the size of the entire system because it is not necessary to separately provide the defective mark recording device 7.

FIG. 15 shows a specific processing procedure when the image recording apparatus 3 is also used as a defect mark recording apparatus. Steps S41 to S44 are the same as steps S11 to S14 in FIG.
When the image inspection device 5 detects a defect, it notifies the image supply device 1 of the defective page (step S45: YES). For example, when the image inspection apparatus 5 determines that the 10th page is defective, the image supply apparatus 1 is notified that the 10th page is defective. Upon receiving the defect notification from the image inspection apparatus 5, the image supply apparatus 1 notifies the image recording apparatus 3 to discard the variable data on and after the 10th page and stop recording (step S46), and the recording medium conveying apparatus. 8 is controlled to reversely feed the recording medium, and the head of the defective page 10 is returned to the recording position (step S47).
For example, the control unit 10 of the image supply apparatus 1 transfers the data of the defect mark f1 and the defect mark f2 shown in FIG. 16 to the variable data memory 33 of the image recording apparatus 3 and instructs the recording of the defect mark f (step S48). Then, the recording medium conveying device 8 is controlled to convey the recording medium in the forward direction again (step S49), and the defect mark f1 and the defect mark f2 are overwritten and recorded on the 10th page and the 11th page as shown in FIG. Let Further, the control unit 10 sets the page for which re-recording is to be started continuously from the page determined as defective (step S50), and sets the variable data for recording on and after the tenth page to be re-printed as the variable data of the image recording apparatus 3. The data is transferred to the memory 33 (step S44), and re-recording is started from the 10th page.
On the other hand, when there is no defect notification from the image inspection apparatus 5 (step S45: NO), it is determined whether or not the transfer of all pages has been completed (step S51), and if not completed (step S51: NO). The number of pages is incremented by 1 (step S51), and the process returns to step S42. If all pages have been completed (step S51: YES), it is further determined whether or not there is a failure notification from the image inspection apparatus 5 (step S53). If there is a failure notification (step S53: YES). The same processing as that in step S46 to step S50 is performed (step S54 to step S58). If there is no defect notification (step S53: NO), it is determined whether or not all pages have been inspected (step S59). If not completed (step S59: NO), the process returns to step S53. The process is repeated until all pages have been inspected. If all pages have been inspected (step S59: YES), the process ends.
As a result, the defective mark f1 and the defective mark f2 are recorded on the defective page, and the reprinted page continues thereafter. Continuous pages.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14, the trigger mark m for the image inspection device 5 to determine the imaging timing is recorded on a plain recording medium by the image recording device 3. However, as shown in FIG. A strip-shaped recording medium on which a trigger mark m indicating an image recording position is recorded is used, the trigger mark m is detected by the trigger sensor 35 in FIG. 13 to determine the image recording timing, and the trigger mark m is detected by the trigger sensor. The imaging timing may be determined by detecting at 56.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 18, half-cut tack paper cut out in correspondence with an image for recording only the tack paper of the band-shaped recording medium in which the tack paper coated with the adhesive on the back surface is bonded to the release paper is obtained. When used, the punching position (that is, the shape of the recording medium) may be detected by the trigger sensor 35 and the trigger sensor 56 to determine the recording timing and the imaging timing, respectively.

  As described above, when a band-shaped recording medium on which the trigger mark m indicating the image recording position is recorded in advance is used, or the die cutting position (that is, the shape of the recording medium) is replaced with the trigger mark m as a position reference mark. In the case of using the image recording apparatus 3, the trigger mark m and the punching position determine not only the imaging timing of the image inspection apparatus 5, but also the image recording timing when the image recording apparatus 3 performs image recording. Also used as

In this case, for example, when image recording and inspection are started from the position shown in FIG. 19, the trigger sensor 35 of the image recording apparatus 3 detects the trigger mark m1 and puts the first page image at the first page recording position. Although it is recorded, the trigger sensor 56 of the image inspection apparatus 5 may detect the trigger mark m0 to image the imaging position of the first page, and collate this with the inspection image data of the first page. In such a case, nothing has been recorded yet in the portion imaged by the image inspection apparatus 5, so that it is determined to be defective.
As shown in FIG. 20, when a new image is recorded continuously from the previously recorded image, the image inspection device 5 detects and captures the trigger mark m0 corresponding to the end of the previously recorded image. Since it does not coincide with the first page of the new image, it is determined to be defective.

  Therefore, in these cases, the imaging of the image inspection apparatus 5 may be delayed according to the distance between the trigger sensor 35 and the trigger sensor 56 and the interval between the trigger marks m. If the distance between the trigger sensor 35 and the trigger sensor 56 is not an integral multiple of the interval between the trigger marks m, for example, the trigger sensor 35 may be used. When the distance between the trigger sensor 56 and the trigger sensor 56 is 1.5 times the interval of the trigger mark m, the trigger mark m is placed between the trigger sensor 35 and the trigger sensor 56 when starting image recording and inspection. There are cases where there is one and two cases, and this changes the delay amount from when the trigger sensor 2 detects the first trigger mark m to when imaging and verification are actually started. That there is a need, it is difficult to set the amount of delay properly. In such a case, an image captured with the trigger mark m first detected by the trigger sensor 56 as a reference is collated with the image on the first page. If they do not match, the image is captured with the next detected trigger mark m as a reference. The image is collated with the image on the first page, and this is repeated until they match, and after matching, the images picked up based on the trigger mark m to be detected thereafter are sequentially collated with the images on the second and subsequent pages. However, if the image on the first page is not recorded correctly, the images do not match. Therefore, if the images do not match a predetermined number of times, the recorded image on the first page may be determined to be defective.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The third embodiment differs from the first embodiment and the second embodiment in the configuration of the trigger sensor and the like, and in the following, particularly the points different from the first embodiment and the second embodiment explain.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the image recording system of the present embodiment, unlike the image recording systems of the first and second embodiments, the image recording device 3 and the image inspection device 5 have a common trigger sensor 120. Based on this signal, the image recording timing and the imaging timing are determined.
That is, the image recording apparatus 3 starts image recording after a delay corresponding to the distance from the trigger sensor 120 to the recording position after the trigger sensor 120 detects the trigger mark m. No. 5 starts imaging after a delay corresponding to the distance from the trigger sensor 120 to the imaging position after the trigger sensor 120 detects the trigger mark m.
As described in the first embodiment, each delay may be a time required for the recording medium to be conveyed from the trigger sensor 120 to the recording position or the imaging position. If the number of pulses corresponding to the distance from the trigger sensor 120 to the recording position or imaging position is counted for the pulses output by the encoder 82, the recording start position is determined more accurately even when the recording medium conveyance speed fluctuates. It is desirable because it is possible.
With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 22, even when the trigger mark m exists between the image recording device 3 and the image inspection device 5 at the start of image recording and inspection, the image recording start position and the image inspection start are performed. There is no possibility that the position is shifted and the image inspection apparatus 5 erroneously determines that the part before the start of image recording is defective.

However, as shown in FIG. 22, if the interval between the trigger marks m, that is, the page interval of the recorded image is shorter than the distance between the recording position and the imaging position, the trigger sensor 120 detects the trigger mark m and delays the image inspection. The trigger mark m on the next page reaches the trigger sensor 120 while applying.
Therefore, in order to capture each page at the correct timing even in such a case, for example, as shown in FIG. 23, the trigger timing at which the trigger sensor 120 can hold the timing at which the trigger mark m is detected for a plurality of pages. An imaging timing determination unit 123 that determines the imaging timing based on the memory 122 and the timing data held in the memory 122 is provided, and the trigger mark m of the next page is detected even while the imaging timing of the previous page is delayed. If the imaging timing determining means 123 is configured to determine the imaging timing of the next page with a delay based on the detection timing of the trigger mark m stored after imaging the previous page. Good. The trigger timing memory 122 may be provided in a number greater than the number obtained by dividing the distance between the trigger sensor 120 and the imaging position by the interval of the trigger mark m, that is, the page interval of the recorded image.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment to the third embodiment in the configuration of the memory and the like. Therefore, in the following, differences from the first embodiment to the third embodiment will be particularly described. To do.

  In the image recording system of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 24, the image recording apparatus 3 includes a common memory 130 that stores both fixed recording data and variable recording data, and in which area of the common memory 130 the recording is performed. And a variable data area management unit 131 that manages whether to store variable data.

The common memory 130 has a fixed data area for storing recording fixed data and a variable data area for holding recording variable data, and has a capacity corresponding to N pages (N ≧ 2) of recorded images. doing.
FIG. 24 illustrates the case where the common memory 130 is provided for four pages.

The variable data area management unit 131 holds variable data position information indicating a storage area of recording variable data supplied from the image supply apparatus 1, and records variable data supplied from the image supply apparatus as variable data. Based on the position information, each page is cyclically and sequentially held in the variable data area of each common memory 130.
When image recording is performed, the image recording unit 31 cyclically reads the recording fixed data and the recording variable data held in each common memory 130 for each page and records them on the recording medium. .

  In the image recording system of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25, the image inspection apparatus 5 includes a common memory 133 that stores both inspection fixed data and inspection variable data, and any area of the common memory 133. And a variable data area management unit 134 for managing whether to store inspection variable data.

The common memory 133 has a fixed data area for storing inspection fixed data and a variable data area for holding inspection variable data, and has a capacity corresponding to recorded images of N pages (N ≧ 2). doing.
FIG. 25 illustrates a case where four pages of common memory 133 are provided.

The variable data area management unit 134 holds variable data position information indicating the storage area of the inspection variable data supplied from the image supply apparatus 1, and the inspection variable data supplied from the image supply apparatus 1 is variable. Based on the data position information, each page is cyclically held in a variable data area of each common memory 133 sequentially.
When performing image inspection, the image inspection unit 55 cyclically reads out inspection fixed data and inspection variable data held in each common memory 133 for each page and inspects a recorded image. .

  In the present embodiment, the common memory 130, 133 is provided as an example for four pages. However, the common memories 130, 133 may correspond to N pages (N ≧ 2) of recorded images. The capacity is not particularly limited.

The image recording apparatus 3 and the image inspection apparatus 5 are controlled by the image supply apparatus 1 according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 9, for example, as described in the first embodiment.
That is, the image supply device 1 transfers the fixed recording data to the image recording device 3 in step S3 shown in FIG. 9, and the transferred fixed data is stored in the common memory of the image recording device 3 as shown in FIG. 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d.

  In the present embodiment, since the fixed recording data is stored in the four common memories 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d as described above, the image supply device 1 transfers the same fixed data to the image recording device 3 four times. However, the transfer from the image supply device 1 to the image recording device 3 is performed only once and stored in the common memory 130a, and the image recording device 3 stores the data in the image recording device 3 as data 130b, 130c, 130d. It is preferable to make a copy at a speed higher than that of transferring four times between the image supply apparatus 1 and the image recording apparatus 3 that are separated from each other, and is not affected by noise. Furthermore, if the transfer from the image supply device 1 to the image recording device 3 is performed only once and the transferred data is distributed to the common memories 130a, 130b, 130c, and 130d and stored simultaneously, the transfer time is further shortened. Therefore, it is more preferable.

Similarly, the inspection fixed data is transferred to the image inspection apparatus 5 in step S5 shown in FIG. 9, and the transferred inspection fixed data is stored in the common memories 133a, 133b, 133c, and 133d of the image inspection apparatus 5.
The image supply device 1 transfers the recording variable data for the first page to the common memory 130a of the image recording device 3 in step S14 of FIG. 10 illustrating the variable image recording device transfer process. At this time, the recording position of the recording variable data is notified to the variable data area management unit 131, and the variable data area management unit 131 corresponds the transferred recording variable data of the first page to the variable image recording position of the common memory 130a. Save to the specified area. Similarly, in step S14, the image supply device 1 sequentially transfers the variable data for recording of the second to fourth pages to the common memories 130b, 130c, and 130d of the image recording device, and the variable data area management unit 131 is transferred. The recording variable data for the second to fourth pages are sequentially stored in the areas corresponding to the variable image recording positions of the common memories 130b to 130d. (See Figure 27)

  Thereafter, when the image of the first page is recorded and the common memory 130a becomes free, the image supply device 1 transfers the variable data for recording of the fifth page to the common memory 130a of the image recording device 3 in step S14, and the variable data area The management unit 131 overwrites and saves the transferred recording variable data of the fifth page in the area corresponding to the variable image recording position where the recording variable data of the first page of the common memory 130a is stored. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is assumed that the variable data for recording is recorded in the same size at the same position on all pages. (See Figure 28)

  Thereafter, with the progress of image recording, the recording variable data of the subsequent page is sequentially overwritten and saved in the vacant common memory variable data area.

  Similarly, the image supply device 1 transfers the inspection variable data of the first page to the common memory 133a of the image inspection device 5 in step S34 of the variable image inspection device transfer process shown in FIG. At this time, the recording position of the inspection variable data is notified to the variable data area management unit 134, and the variable data area management unit 134 corresponds the transferred inspection variable data of the first page to the variable image recording position of the common memory 133. Save to the specified area. Similarly, in step S34 of FIG. 11, the image supply device 1 sequentially transfers the inspection variable data for the second to fourth pages to the common memories 133b, 133c, and 133d of the image inspection device 5, and the variable data area management unit 134. Sequentially stores the transferred inspection variable data for the second to fourth pages in the area corresponding to the variable image recording position in the common memories 133b to 133d.

  Thereafter, when the image of the first page is recorded and the common memory 133a becomes free, the image supply device 1 transfers the inspection variable data of the fifth page to the common memory 133a of the image inspection device 5 in step S34 of FIG. The variable data area management unit 134 overwrites and saves the transferred inspection variable data of the fifth page in the area corresponding to the variable image recording position where the inspection variable data of the first page of the common memory 133a is stored.

  Thereafter, with the progress of image recording and inspection, the variable data of the subsequent pages are sequentially overwritten and saved in the variable data area of the vacant common memory.

Thus, by holding fixed data and variable data in the common memories 130 and 133, the fixed data and variable data can be synthesized and recorded and inspected with a simple configuration. In addition, since there is a common memory for N pages (N ≧ 2), data transfer from the image supply device 1 to the image recording device 3 or the image inspection device 5 is temporarily interrupted or the transfer speed is reduced. However, image recording and image inspection can be continued without stopping.
In addition, since only variable data is transferred for each page and only the variable data area on the common memories 130 and 133 is updated, transfer data is small and image recording and inspection can be speeded up. Since the common memory for N pages is used cyclically, data transfer of the next page can be performed during image recording or image inspection, and image recording and image inspection can be speeded up.

  In this embodiment, the image recording apparatus 3 and the image inspection apparatus 5 are both provided with the common memories 130 and 133 and the variable data area management units 131 and 134. However, the image recording apparatus or the image inspection apparatus is used. Only one of 5 may have a common memory and a variable data area management unit, and the other may have a fixed data memory and a variable data memory.

[Fifth Embodiment]
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The fifth embodiment differs from the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment in the configuration of the memory and the like, and in the following, differences from the first embodiment to the fourth embodiment will be particularly described. To do.

FIG. 29 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of the image recording system in the present embodiment.
In the image recording system according to the present embodiment, the image recording device 3 generates inspection image data based on the recording image data transferred from the image supply device 1 and transfers it to the image inspection device 5.
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 29, the image recording apparatus 3 includes an image recording unit 31, a recording fixed data memory 150 that holds recording fixed data, and a recording variable data memory 151 that holds recording variable data. , An inspection data generation unit 155 and an image recording apparatus overall control unit 156 for controlling each part of the apparatus. The image inspection apparatus 5 includes an image capturing unit 51, an imaging data memory 54, and an image inspection unit 55, an inspection fixed data memory 157 that stores inspection fixed data, and inspection variable data that stores inspection variable data. A memory 158 is provided.

30 and 31 are flowcharts illustrating an example of processing of the image supply apparatus 1 in the present embodiment, and FIGS. 32 to 35 are flowcharts illustrating an example of processing of the image recording apparatus 3.
As shown in FIG. 30, the image supply device 1 reads image data (step S61), converts the fixed data according to the recording resolution and color characteristics of the image recording device 3 (step S62), and converts the fixed data after conversion. (Fixed data for recording) is transferred to the image recording apparatus 3 (step S63).

  As shown in FIG. 32, when the image recording apparatus 3 receives fixed data (fixed data for recording) from the image supply apparatus 1 (step S81: YES), it stores it in the fixed data memory for recording 150 (step S81: YES). Step S82). The inspection data generation unit 151 converts the recording fixed data stored in the recording fixed data memory 150 according to the imaging resolution and color characteristics of the image inspection device 5, and the inspection fixed data of the image inspection device 5. Store in the memory 157 (step S83). Further, the image recording apparatus 3 starts a variable data reception process (step S84), an image recording process (step S85), and a variable data memory release process (step S86), and executes each process in parallel. The image recording apparatus 3 determines whether the inspection has been completed for all pages (step S87), and repeats the process until the inspection is completed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 30, the image supply device 1 starts variable image recording device transfer processing (step S64). In the variable image recording device transfer process, 1 is set to the number of pages n (step S71), and the variable data of the first page is converted according to the recording resolution and color characteristics of the image recording device 3 (step S72). It is confirmed that there is a free space in the recording variable data memory 151 of the recording device 3 (step S73). If there is a free space in the variable recording data memory 151 (step S73: YES), the converted variable of the first page is converted. Data (variable data for recording) is transferred to the image recording apparatus 3 (step S74). Thereafter, the image supply device 1 sequentially converts the variable data on and after the second page according to the recording resolution and color characteristics of the image recording device 3 by repeating the processing from step S72 to step S76, and the recording of the image recording device 3 When the variable data memory 151 becomes available (step S73: YES), the converted variable data (recording variable data) is transferred to the image recording apparatus 3.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 33, in the variable data receiving process by the image recording apparatus 3, first, it is determined whether or not there is a free space in the recording variable data memory 151 (step S91), and the recording variable data memory 151 is determined. When it is confirmed that there is a vacant space (step S91: YES), it is determined whether there is variable reception data from the image supply device 1 (step S92). If there is reception variable data (step S92: YES), the variable data of the first page is received and stored in the recording variable data memory 151 (step S93). Then, the inspection data generation unit 155 converts the variable data (recording variable data) of the first page stored in the recording variable data memory 151 in accordance with the imaging resolution and color characteristics of the image inspection apparatus 5, and The data is stored in the inspection variable data memory 158 of the inspection device 5 (step S94). Thereafter, in the variable data reception process, the processes from step S91 to step S94 are repeated, and when the recording variable data memory 151 becomes available, the variable data for the second and subsequent pages are stored in the recording variable data memory 150, and the inspection data is stored. The generation unit 155 converts the image according to the imaging resolution and color characteristics of the image inspection apparatus 5 and stores them in the inspection variable data memory 158 of the image inspection apparatus 5.

  In the image recording process of the image recording apparatus 3, as shown in FIG. 34, first, 1 is set to the page number n (step S101), and it is determined whether or not there is a defect notification from the image inspection unit (step S102). . When it is confirmed that there is no defect notification (step S102: NO), it is determined whether or not the recording of all pages is completed (step S103), and when it is confirmed that the recording of all pages is not completed (step S103). S103: NO) It is confirmed whether or not it is the first page (step S104). If it is the first page (step S104: YES), it is confirmed whether or not reception of the variable data of the first page has been completed (step S104). S106) When reception of variable data for the first page is completed (step S106: YES), recording of a composite image of variable data for the first page and fixed data is started (step S107).

  When the image inspection apparatus 5 captures the image of the first page, it stores the captured data in the captured data memory, and collates it with image data composed of fixed data and variable data transferred from the image recording apparatus, and the recorded image is normal. Is determined and notified to the overall control unit of the image recording apparatus.

  The image recording process of the image recording apparatus 3 repeats the process from step S102 to step S108, confirms that there is no defect notification from the image inspection apparatus 5, and when the recording of the previous page is completed, the recording of the next page received The image variable recording is sequentially performed by combining the variable data with the fixed recording data.

  As shown in FIG. 35, in the variable data memory releasing process of the image recording apparatus 3, when a good notification is received from the image inspection unit 55 (step S121), the variable for recording in which the variable data for recording of the corresponding page is stored is stored. The data memory 151 is released, and the recording variable data memory 151 is made empty (step S122). As a result, in step S73 of the variable image recording device transfer process, the image supply device 1 confirms that the recording variable data memory 151 of the image recording device 3 has a free space, and stores the recording variable data of the new page as the image recording device 3. Will be transferred to. Further, in step S91 of the variable data reception process, the image recording apparatus 3 confirms that the recording variable data memory 151 has a free space, and receives new page recording variable data.

  When the image recording device 3 receives a defect notification from the image inspection unit 55, the image recording apparatus 3 branches from step S 102 to step S 109 of the image recording process, stops recording the currently recorded page, and then records the next page to be recorded in step S 110. The number of defective pages is set to the number n, and recording of defective pages is started in step S107. In the variable data memory release process, the recording variable data memory 151 in which the page is stored is not released until the page receives a good notification. Therefore, the variable data memory release process does not transfer the recording variable data from the image supply device 1 again. Immediately, the recording of the defective page can be resumed.

  Here, in order to hold the recording variable data in the recording variable data memory 151 until the inspection is completed, a recording medium conveyance path between the recording position of the image recording apparatus 3 and the imaging position of the image inspection apparatus 5 is used. When the distance along the line is L and the length of one page is P, (L / P) pages for holding inspection data, one page for storing recording data, and more than total (L / P + 1) pages It suffices to have a variable data memory 151 for recording of the capacity.

  When the recording variable data memory 151 is opened immediately after the image recording is completed, the image supply apparatus 1 is notified that the inspection result of the page is defective, and the recording variable data of the page is recorded. In this case, the capacity of the variable data memory does not have to be equal to or larger than (L / P + 1) pages.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the image supply device 1, the image recording device 3, and the image inspection device 5 operate in cooperation, and image recording is performed until all pages are determined to be good.

  In this embodiment, the image recording apparatus 3 includes the inspection data generation unit 155, converts the image data for recording according to the resolution and color characteristics of the inspection apparatus imaging unit, and transfers the image data to the image inspection apparatus 5. The image inspection device 5 includes an inspection data generation unit, the image recording device 3 transfers the recording image data to the image inspection device 5, and the image inspection device 5 transfers the recording image data to the image capturing unit. The image data transferred according to the resolution and color characteristics of 51 may be converted to generate detection image data.

In the present embodiment, the image inspection apparatus 5 includes the inspection variable data memory 158 that stores the inspection variable data. However, the inspection variable data memory 158 is not an essential component and is illustrated in FIG. This can be omitted.
That is, for example, when the time required for generating inspection data is shorter than the time required for image recording, when performing image inspection, the variable data for recording is sequentially converted into inspection data, A configuration may be adopted in which an image for inspection is generated by combining and inspection is performed by collating this with imaging data. Thus, when the variable data memory for inspection is not provided, the cost can be reduced accordingly.

  As shown in FIG. 37, the image recording apparatus 3 or the image inspection apparatus 5 has common memories 160 and 161 for storing fixed data and variable data, and variable data area management for managing variable data storage areas. Sections 162 and 163, and the variable data area management sections 162 and 163 may manage variable data storage areas in accordance with variable data recording positions.

  In any of the above embodiments, if a specific test chart image is transferred from the image supply device 1 to the image recording device 3 and recorded, and inspected by the image inspection device 5, the image recording of the image recording device 3 is performed. It is possible to diagnose whether or not the part 31 is defective.

  In addition, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image recording system 1 Image supply apparatus 3 Image recording apparatus 5 Image inspection apparatus 7 Defective mark recording apparatus 8 Recording medium conveyance apparatus 9 Recording medium sorting apparatus 10 Control part 11 Image data memory 12 Image data conversion part 31 Image recording part 32 Fixed data Memory 33 Variable data memory 51 Image capturing unit 52 Fixed data memory 53 Variable data memory 54 Image capturing data memory 55 Image inspection unit 82 Encoder 83 Recording medium supply unit 84 Discharge tray 93 Sorting gate

Claims (29)

An image supply device, an image recording device for recording image data for recording supplied from the image supply device on a recording medium, and a recorded image recorded on the recording medium by the image recording device. An image inspection system comprising: an image inspection apparatus that inspects whether or not recording has been performed normally by collating with inspection image data supplied from an image supply apparatus,
The image supply device separates the recording image data into recording fixed data common to a plurality of pages and non-common recording variable data and transmits the separated data to the image recording device, and the inspection image data is recorded in the recording data The inspection fixed data corresponding to the fixed data for inspection and the inspection variable data corresponding to the recording variable data are transmitted separately to the image inspection apparatus,
The image recording apparatus includes a fixed data memory that holds the fixed data for recording for at least one page, and a variable data memory that holds the variable data for recording for at least one page, which is held in the fixed data memory An image recording unit that synthesizes the recorded fixed data and the recording variable data held in the variable data memory one page at a time and records the data on a recording medium;
The image inspection apparatus includes an image capturing unit that captures a recorded image recorded on a recording medium by the image recording apparatus, a fixed data memory that holds the inspection fixed data for at least one page, and at least for one page. Obtained by combining the inspection fixed data held in the fixed data memory and the inspection variable data held in the variable data memory. An image inspection unit that inspects the recorded image by comparing the image for inspection with the recorded image captured by the image capturing unit;
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data to the image recording device once when recording a plurality of pages of images, and supplies the inspection fixed data to the image inspection device once .
When the image inspection apparatus determines that the inspected page is defective, the image inspection apparatus notifies the image supply apparatus of the result,
When the image supply device receives a defect notification from the image inspection device, the image supply device supplies the recording variable data after the defective page again to the image recording device,
The image recording apparatus records the pages after the defective page again based on the variable data for recording re-supplied from the image supply apparatus .   An image supply device, an image recording device for recording image data for recording supplied from the image supply device on a recording medium, and a recorded image recorded on the recording medium by the image recording device. An image inspection system comprising: an image inspection apparatus that inspects whether or not recording has been performed normally by collating with inspection image data supplied from an image supply apparatus,
  The image supply device separates the recording image data into recording fixed data common to a plurality of pages and non-common recording variable data and transmits the separated data to the image recording device, and the inspection image data is recorded in the recording data The inspection fixed data corresponding to the fixed data for inspection and the inspection variable data corresponding to the recording variable data are transmitted separately to the image inspection apparatus,
  The image recording apparatus includes a fixed data memory that holds the fixed data for recording for at least one page, and a variable data memory that holds the variable data for recording for at least one page, which is held in the fixed data memory An image recording unit that synthesizes the recorded fixed data and the recording variable data held in the variable data memory one page at a time and records the data on a recording medium;
  The image inspection apparatus includes an image capturing unit that captures a recorded image recorded on a recording medium by the image recording apparatus, a fixed data memory that holds the inspection fixed data for at least one page, and at least for one page. Obtained by combining the inspection fixed data held in the fixed data memory and the inspection variable data held in the variable data memory. An image inspection unit that inspects the recorded image by comparing the image for inspection with the recorded image captured by the image capturing unit;
  The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data to the image recording device once when recording a plurality of pages of images, and supplies the inspection fixed data to the image inspection device once.
  The image inspection apparatus notifies the image recording apparatus of the determination result of the inspected page,
  The image recording apparatus holds the variable data for recording corresponding to the page until it is notified that the inspection result of the recorded page is good, and when the inspection result of the recorded page is notified as defective, the defective page An image recording system which records the subsequent pages again. The variable data memory of the image recording apparatus has a capacity for holding the variable data for recording for at least two pages, and cyclically sequentially changes the memory area of the page after recording, and the variable data for recording of a new page The image recording system according to claim 1 , wherein the image recording system is used to hold the image. The image recording apparatus has N common data areas including a fixed data area for storing the fixed data for recording corresponding to N pages (N ≧ 2) of recorded images and a variable data area for holding the variable data for recording. A memory, and a variable data area management unit that manages in which area of the common memory the variable data for recording is held,
Prior to image recording, the fixed data for recording supplied from the image supply device is held in the N common memories, and variable data indicating a storage area of the variable data for recording supplied from the image supply device Holding the position information in the variable data area management unit,
The variable data area management unit cyclically holds the variable data for recording supplied from the image supply apparatus in a cyclic manner for each page in the variable data area of the N common memories based on the variable data position information. And
The image recording unit cyclically reads the fixed data for recording and the variable data for recording held in the N common memories for each page and records them on a recording medium. The image recording system according to claim 1 or 2 . The variable data memory of the image inspection apparatus has a capacity for holding the inspection variable data for at least two pages, and sequentially repeats the memory area of the page after the inspection, and the inspection variable data of a new page The image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the image recording system is used for holding the image. The image inspection apparatus includes N common data areas including a fixed data area for storing the inspection fixed data corresponding to inspection images for N pages (N ≧ 2) and a variable data area for storing the inspection variable data. A memory, and a variable data area management unit that manages in which area of the common memory the variable data for inspection is held;
Prior to image inspection, the inspection fixed data supplied from the image supply device is held in the N common memories, and variable data indicating a storage area of the inspection variable data supplied from the image supply device Holding the position information in the variable data area management unit,
The variable data area management unit sequentially and sequentially holds the inspection variable data supplied from the image supply device for each page in the variable data area of the N common memories based on the variable data position information. And
The image inspection unit cyclically reads the inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data held in N common memories for each page, and collates them with a recorded image captured by the image imaging unit. 5. The image recording system according to claim 1, wherein the recorded image is inspected. The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data and the recording variable data corresponding to the recording resolution of the image recording device to the image recording device, and the recording resolution of the image recording device and the image inspection device The image recording system according to claim 1 , wherein the inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data corresponding to the imaging resolution are supplied to the image inspection apparatus. Claims imaging resolution of the image inspecting apparatus is lower than the recording resolution of the image recording apparatus, the number of gradations of the image pickup data of the image inspection device is characterized by higher than the recording number of shades of the image recording apparatus 8. The image recording system according to 7 . The image recording apparatus is a color image recording apparatus capable of recording a plurality of color materials,
The image inspection apparatus is a color image inspection apparatus including color imaging means capable of capturing an image by decomposing an image into a plurality of color components, and capable of collating and inspecting a color image having a plurality of color components,
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data and the recording variable data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording device to the image recording device, and the color characteristics of the image recording device and the image inspection device. 9. The image recording system according to claim 1 , wherein the inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data corresponding to color characteristics are supplied to the image inspection apparatus. When the distance along the recording medium conveyance path between the recording position of the image recording apparatus and the imaging position of the image inspection apparatus is L, and the length of one page is P, the image recording apparatus is (L / 3. The image recording system according to claim 2 , further comprising the variable data memory or the common data memory having a capacity for holding the recording variable data of P + 1) pages or more. An image supply device, an image recording device that records image data for recording supplied from the image supply device on a recording medium, and an image that is recorded on the recording medium by the image recording device. An image inspection system comprising: an image inspection apparatus that inspects whether or not recording has been normally performed by collating with transferred inspection image data,
The image supply device separates the recording image data into recording fixed data common to a plurality of pages and recording variable data not common, and transmits the separated data to the image recording device,
The image recording apparatus includes a fixed data memory that holds the fixed data for recording for at least one page, and a variable data memory that holds the variable data for recording for at least one page, which is held in the fixed data memory An image recording unit that synthesizes the recorded fixed data and the recording variable data held in the variable data memory one page at a time and records the data on a recording medium;
The image inspection apparatus includes an image imaging unit that captures a recorded image recorded on a recording medium by the image recording apparatus, and a fixed data memory that holds at least one page of inspection fixed data. The inspection image obtained by synthesizing the inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data of the inspection image data held in the image and the recorded image captured by the image capturing unit are collated. It has an image inspection unit that performs inspection,
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data to the image supply device once when recording a plurality of pages of images, and the image recording device supplies the inspection fixed data to the image inspection device once. An image recording system characterized by the above. The variable data memory of the image recording apparatus has a capacity for holding the variable data for recording for at least two pages, and cyclically sequentially changes the memory area of the page after recording, and the variable data for recording of a new page The image recording system according to claim 11 , wherein the image recording system is used to hold the image. The image recording apparatus has N common data areas including a fixed data area for storing the fixed data for recording corresponding to N pages (N ≧ 2) of recorded images and a variable data area for holding the variable data for recording. A memory, and a variable data area management unit that manages in which area of the common memory the variable data for recording is held,
Prior to image recording, the fixed data for recording supplied from the image supply device is held in the N common memories, and variable data indicating a storage area of the variable data for recording supplied from the image supply device Holding the position information in the variable data area management unit,
The variable data area management unit cyclically holds the variable data for recording supplied from the image supply apparatus in a cyclic manner for each page in the variable data area of the N common memories based on the variable data position information. And
Wherein the image recording section, claims and performing recording on said N common memory and the recording fixed data held in the said record variable data cyclically read per page recording medium Item 12. The image recording system according to Item 11 . The image inspection apparatus includes a variable data memory that holds the inspection variable data for at least two pages, and cyclically sequentially stores the memory area of the page after the inspection to hold the inspection variable data of a new page. The image recording system according to claim 11 , wherein the image recording system is used. The image inspection apparatus includes N common data areas including a fixed data area for storing the inspection fixed data corresponding to inspection images for N pages (N ≧ 2) and a variable data area for storing the inspection variable data. A memory, and a variable data area management unit that manages in which area of the common memory the variable data for inspection is held;
Prior to the image inspection, the inspection fixed data supplied from the image recording apparatus is held in N common memories, and a variable data position indicating a storage area of the inspection variable data supplied from the image recording apparatus Information is held in the variable data area management unit,
The variable data area management unit sequentially holds the inspection variable data supplied from the image recording apparatus in a cyclic manner for each page in the variable data area of the N common memories based on the variable data position information. And
The image inspection unit cyclically reads the inspection fixed data and the inspection variable data held in N common memories for each page, and collates them with a recorded image captured by the image imaging unit. The image recording system according to claim 11, wherein the recorded image is inspected. The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data and the recording variable data corresponding to the recording resolution of the image recording device to the image recording device,
The image recording apparatus, claim 15 claim 11, characterized by supplying the fixed data and variable data for the inspection the inspection corresponding to the imaging resolution of the image inspection apparatus to the image inspection device The image recording system according to one item. Claims imaging resolution of the image inspecting apparatus is lower than the recording resolution of the image recording apparatus, the number of gradations of the image pickup data of the image inspection device is characterized by higher than the recording number of shades of the image recording apparatus 16. The image recording system according to 16 . The image recording apparatus is a color image recording apparatus capable of recording a plurality of color materials,
The image inspection apparatus is a color image inspection apparatus including color imaging means capable of capturing an image by decomposing an image into a plurality of color components, and capable of collating and inspecting a color image having a plurality of color components,
The image supply device supplies the recording fixed data and the recording variable data corresponding to the color characteristics of the image recording device to the image recording device;
The image recording apparatus, any one of claims 17 claim 11, characterized by supplying the test fixed data and variable data for the test corresponding to the color characteristics of the image inspection apparatus to the image inspection device The image recording system according to one item. When the image inspection apparatus determines that the inspected page is defective, the image inspection apparatus notifies the image supply apparatus of the result,
When the image supply device receives a defect notification from the image inspection device, the image supply device supplies the recording variable data after the defective page again to the image recording device,
19. The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 18 , wherein the page after the defective page is recorded again based on the variable data for recording re-supplied from the image supply apparatus. The image recording system described. The image inspection apparatus notifies the image recording apparatus of the determination result of the inspected page,
The image recording apparatus holds the variable data for recording corresponding to the page until it is notified that the inspection result of the recorded page is good, and when the inspection result of the recorded page is notified as defective, the defective page The image recording system according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the subsequent pages are recorded again. When the distance along the recording medium conveyance path between the recording position of the image recording apparatus and the imaging position of the image inspection apparatus is L, and the length of one page is P, the image recording apparatus is (L / 21. The image recording system according to claim 20 , further comprising a variable data memory or a common data memory having a capacity for holding the recording variable data of P + 1) pages or more. A defect mark recording device for recording a defect mark on a recording medium based on the control of the image supply device is provided downstream of the image inspection device in the recording medium conveyance direction,
When the image supply device receives a defect notification from the image inspection device, the image supply device controls the defect mark recording device to record a defect mark on all pages from the defective page until the page is re-recorded. The image recording system according to claim 9, 10, 20, or 21 . The recording medium is a sheet-like recording medium, and includes a recording medium sorting device that sorts recorded recording media based on control of the image supply device,
When the image supply device receives a notification of failure from the image inspection device, the recording medium is configured to sort all pages from the defective page until the page is re-recorded separately from normal pages. the image recording system according to claim 1, claim 2, claim 19, or claim 20, wherein the controller controls the sorting device. The recording medium is a strip-shaped recording medium, and includes a recording medium transport device that transports the strip-shaped recording medium based on control of the image supply device,
When the image supply device receives a notification of failure from the image inspection device, the image supply device controls the recording medium transport device to reversely send the belt-shaped recording medium portion on which the defective page is recorded to the image recording unit. the recording apparatus, according to claim 1 in which the the bad page, already bad mark recorded in a recorded of the subsequent page, and wherein the resuming the recording from the notified pages the defective unrecorded portion of the subsequent recording medium The image recording system according to claim 2 , claim 19 , or claim 20 . The recording medium is a band-shaped recording medium, and the image recording apparatus records a position reference mark for each page,
The image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 24 , wherein the image inspection apparatus detects the position reference mark and determines an imaging timing of a recorded image. The recording medium is a band-shaped recording medium, and the image recording apparatus detects a position reference mark formed in advance on the band-shaped recording medium or a shape of the recording medium by a detection unit, and determines an image recording timing. ,
When the image inspection apparatus detects the position reference mark or the shape of the recording medium by the detection means and determines the recording image capturing timing, the detection timing of the position reference mark or the shape of the recording medium detected by the detection means Storage means for storing a plurality of pages, and from detecting the position reference mark or the shape of the recording medium by the detection means until imaging the page corresponding to the position reference mark or the shape of the recording medium, The image according to any one of claims 1 to 24 , wherein when the position reference mark of the next page or the shape of the recording medium is detected, the detection timing is stored in the storage means. Recording system. The recording medium is a band-shaped recording medium, and the image recording apparatus detects a position reference mark or a shape of the recording medium previously formed on the band-shaped recording medium with a first detection unit, and performs image recording timing. Decide
The image inspection apparatus detects the shape of the position reference mark or the recording medium by a second detection unit installed near the image inspection apparatus rather than the first detection unit, and determines a recording image capturing timing. The image recording system according to any one of claims 1 to 24 . Claim wherein the image inspecting apparatus, until the image captured is determined that the first page of the image, which without updating the variable data of the first page to be held in the variable data memory, and wherein the continue testing 27. The image recording system according to 27 . 29. The image recording system according to claim 28 , wherein if the image of the first page is not determined even after inspecting a predetermined predetermined page or more, the recorded image of the first page is determined to be defective.

Images