JP7647858B2 - Image forming system, image forming method, image inspection device and program - Google Patents

Description

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

Conventionally, there is an image inspection device that compares the read data of an image formed on a recording medium by an image forming device with predetermined reference image data to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the image. In addition, when an image inspection device determines that there is an abnormality in the image, a technology is known that reprints the necessary pages (recovery processing) depending on the nature of the abnormality (e.g., blank pages, missing pages, page swapping, image distortion, etc.) (for example, Patent Document 1).

There is also a known variable printing technique in which only a portion of an image formed is replaced for each recording medium. In the variable area of the image that is replaced for each recording medium, for example, different numbers or barcodes are formed for each recording medium. These numbers and barcodes usually have a relationship that follows a predetermined rule for each recording medium (for example, the characters or values represented by the numbers or barcodes are arranged in ascending or descending order for each recording medium). For this reason, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the image can be determined based on whether the information represented by the reading results of the variable area has consistency that follows the above rules. For example, if the numbers represented by the variable area are not arranged in ascending or descending order for each recording medium, it can be determined that there is an abnormality and a recovery process can be initiated.

JP 2016-15627 A

However, if there is an inconsistency in the manuscript data itself prepared by the user, the same anomaly will be detected even if recovery processing is performed, resulting in unnecessary consumption of recording media.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system , an image forming method, an image inspection device, and a program that are capable of executing recovery processing when there is a possibility that an abnormality can be resolved by the recovery processing.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming system comprising:
an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
a reading means for reading the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image forming means, and outputting read data;
a determination unit that performs a decoding process on image data of a barcode in the read data corresponding to a specific inspection area to determine information indicated by the barcode;
a control means for controlling the image forming means to form the image again when the image cannot be identified by the identification means;
a type designation means for designating a type of the barcode based on a user's input operation on a screen displaying an area including an image of the barcode with respect to the specific inspection area;
has.
The present invention relates to an image forming system according to the first aspect of the present invention,
The type designation means designates the type of barcode using a drop-down list.
The present invention relates to an image forming system according to claim 3, further comprising:
The apparatus further comprises a direction setting means for setting the direction of the specific inspection area based on an input operation by a user.
The invention described in claim 4 is the image forming system described in any one of claims 1 to 3,
The apparatus has an area setting means for setting the range of the specific inspection area based on an input operation by a user.
The present invention relates to an image forming system comprising:
The area setting means sets the range of the specific inspection area based on an input operation by a user into a text box.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system according to the fourth aspect,
The area setting means sets the range of the specific inspection area based on an input operation by a user by dragging a mouse pointer.
The present invention relates to an image forming system comprising:
The identification means has a display unit that displays that identification has not been made.
The invention described in claim 8 is the image forming system described in any one of claims 4 to 6,
The area setting means sets the range of the specific inspection area for the image displayed on the screen.
The present invention relates to an image forming system according to any one of claims 4 to 6 and 8,
The type designation means designates a type of barcode corresponding to the specific inspection area set by the area setting means.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming method comprising the steps of:
an image forming step of forming an image on a recording medium by an image forming means;
a reading step of reading the recording medium on which the image is formed and outputting read data;
a type designation step of designating a type of the barcode based on a user's input operation on a screen displaying an area including an image of the barcode with respect to the specific inspection area;
a identifying step of identifying information indicated by a barcode by decoding image data of the barcode in the read data corresponding to the specific inspection area;
a re-forming step of forming the image again by the image forming means when the image cannot be identified in the identifying step;
has.
In order to achieve the above object, the invention of an image inspection device according to claim 11 comprises:
a determination unit that performs a decoding process on image data of a barcode in read data corresponding to a specific inspection area among read data outputted by reading a recording medium on which an image has been formed by an image forming unit, and determines information indicated by the barcode;
a transmitting means for transmitting a control signal to the image forming means for causing the image forming means to form the image again when the identifying means cannot identify the image;
a type designation means for designating a type of the barcode based on a user's input operation on a screen displaying an area including an image of the barcode with respect to the specific inspection area;
has.
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a program as set forth in claim 12,
A control unit for controlling the image inspection device,
a type designation step of designating a type of the barcode based on a user's input operation on a screen displaying an area including an image of the barcode with respect to the specific inspection area;
a determining step of determining information indicated by the barcode by decoding image data of the barcode in the read data corresponding to the specific inspection area among the read data outputted by reading the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means;
a transmitting step of transmitting a control signal to the image forming means for forming the image again by the image forming means when the image cannot be identified by the identifying step;
Execute the command.

According to the present invention, there is an advantage that recovery processing can be executed when there is a possibility that the abnormality can be eliminated by the recovery processing .

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an in-line scanner. 1 is a block diagram showing main functional configurations of an image forming apparatus and an image inspection apparatus; FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a front and back consistency inspection. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining ascending and descending order inspection (in the order of area numbers). FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining ascending and descending order inspection (between pages). 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a specific inspection region setting process by a main body control unit. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an inspection area setting screen. FIG. 13 illustrates an abnormality notification screen. FIG. 13 illustrates an abnormality notification screen. FIG. 13 illustrates an abnormality notification screen. FIG. 13 illustrates an abnormality notification screen. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the inspection process by an image inspection control unit.

The following describes embodiments of the image inspection device, image forming system, image inspection method, and program of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

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

The image forming device 10 receives data of an original to be printed (here, bitmap data generated by a RIP (raster image processor)) from an external device 2, and forms (prints) an image on a recording medium based on the data of the original. The image forming device 10 comprises a main body control unit 11, an image forming unit 12 (image forming means), an operation display unit 13 (notification means), etc. The image forming unit 12 comprises an intermediate transfer belt 121, an image forming unit 122, a paper feed tray 123, a transport path 124, a transfer roller 125, a fixing unit 126, etc.

The intermediate transfer belt 121 is an endless belt-shaped member that is stretched around multiple rollers and moves in a circular motion.

The image forming units 122 are arranged along the intermediate transfer belt 121 and form toner images of the colors C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black) on the intermediate transfer belt 121 based on the print data.

The paper feed tray 123 holds the recording medium on which the image is to be formed. The recording medium may be made of various materials, such as paper or a resin sheet, to which toner can be fixed. The recording medium placed on the paper feed tray 123 is transported along a transport path 124 that passes through the nip between the intermediate transfer belt 121 and the transfer roller 125, and the fixing device 126. When the recording medium passes through the nip between the intermediate transfer belt 121 and the transfer roller 125, a toner image is transferred to the recording medium to form an image.

The image forming unit 12 has an inversion mechanism (not shown) that inverts the recording medium. After an image is formed on the front side of the recording medium, the image forming unit 12 inverts the recording medium using the inversion mechanism and returns the recording medium to the upstream side of the transfer roller 125 on the transport path 124, so that an image can be formed on the back side.

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

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

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

The image inspection device 20 includes an image inspection control unit 21 (area setting acquisition means, abnormality determination means, processing means), and an inline scanner 22 (image reading means). The image inspection device 20 scans (images) both sides of the recording medium delivered from the image forming device 10 using the inline scanner 22 to optically read the images on both sides of the recording medium, and stores image data relating to the reading results (hereinafter also referred to as read data) in the storage unit 213 (see FIG. 3). The image inspection control unit 21 also analyzes the read data to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the read image. The image inspection device 20 also sends the recording medium after reading has been completed to the downstream purge unit 30.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the in-line scanner 22. As shown in FIG.
The in-line scanner 22 includes a lower-side line image sensor 221 that reads the back surface (lower surface) of the recording medium, an upper-side line image sensor 222 that reads the front surface (upper surface) of the recording medium, and a transport roller 223 that transports the recording medium along a transport path 224. The lower-side line image sensor 221 and the upper-side line image sensor 222 are disposed at different positions along the transport direction of the recording medium.
The in-line scanner 22 has a lower line image sensor 221 and an upper line image sensor 222, and is therefore capable of reading both sides of a recording medium in one pass.

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

Returning to FIG. 1, the purge unit 30 transports the recording medium delivered from the image inspection device 20 and sends it to the downstream finisher 40. The purge unit 30 also sorts and discharges recording media for which image abnormalities have been detected by the image inspection device 20 onto the first discharge tray T1.

The finisher 40 performs the specified post-processing on the recording medium delivered from the purge unit 30 and then ejects it onto the second paper output tray T2.

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main functional configuration of the image forming device 10 and the image inspection device 20.

The image forming device 10 includes a main body control unit 11 having a CPU 111 (Central Processing Unit), a RAM 112 (Random Access Memory), and a storage unit 113, an image forming unit 12, an operation display unit 13, an interface 14, a communication unit 15, etc., and these units are connected via a bus 16. In the following, the configuration already described will not be described.

The CPU 111 reads and executes the program 113a stored in the memory unit 113 to perform various calculation processes.

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

The storage unit 113 is composed of a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a flash memory, a read only memory (ROM), etc. The storage unit 113 stores a program 113a, various setting data, and data of a manuscript input from the outside via the communication unit 15, etc.

The main body control unit 11 controls each unit of the image forming device 10 in accordance with the program 113a. For example, the main body control unit 11 causes the image forming unit 12 to form an image on a recording medium based on the data of a document stored in the memory unit 113. The main body control unit 11 also outputs a control signal to the operation display unit 13 to cause it to perform various displays.

The interface 14 is a means for sending and receiving data with the image inspection device 20, and is composed of, for example, various serial interfaces.

The communication unit 15 communicates with computers such as external devices 2 on the network and other image forming devices in accordance with control signals from the main body control unit 11 to send and receive image data, etc.

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

The CPU 211 reads and executes the program 213a stored in the memory unit 213 to perform various calculation processes.

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

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

The image inspection control unit 21 controls each unit of the image inspection device 20 in accordance with the program 213a. For example, the image inspection control unit 21 causes the inline scanner 22 to read an image formed on a recording medium. The image inspection control unit 21 also analyzes the read data to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the image, and executes various processes according to the determination result.

The interface 23 is a means for sending and receiving data with the image forming device 10, and is composed of, for example, various serial interfaces.

(Image inspection method)
Next, a method for inspecting an image using the image inspection device 20 will be described.
In the image inspection by the image inspection device 20, the scanned image data acquired by the in-line scanner 22 is compared with predetermined reference image data, and an image abnormality is detected if there is a difference exceeding a predetermined standard. For example, if the formed image has a disturbance such as a stain or missing image, a difference from the reference image data is detected and the image is determined to be abnormal.
When images are formed on a plurality of recording media, the read data of the image on the first recording medium may be used as the reference image data.

In addition, in the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the image forming device 10 can perform variable printing in which only a portion of the image formed is replaced for each recording medium. Hereinafter, the area of the image formed on the recording medium, whose contents are replaced for each recording medium in variable printing, is referred to as the variable area.

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

In the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the range in the variable area where numbers or barcodes are formed is set as a specific inspection area R, and a specific inspection is performed on this specific inspection area R separately from the comparison with the reference image data.
In this specific inspection, the information (information content) indicated by the part of the image formed on the recording medium that corresponds to the specific inspection area R is identified, and then it is determined whether the multiple pieces of information corresponding to the multiple specific inspection areas R have a relationship that follows the above-mentioned specified rule.
Hereinafter, the information indicated by the portion of the image formed on the recording medium that corresponds to the specific inspection area R will be referred to simply as "information indicated by the specific inspection area R" or "information of the specific inspection area R." In addition, the fact that a plurality of pieces of information indicated by a plurality of specific inspection areas R have a relationship that follows a predetermined rule will also be referred to as "having consistency." If the plurality of pieces of information do not have consistency, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the formed image.

In the specific inspection, the information indicated by the specific inspection area R is identified by analyzing the specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area R among the read data of the entire image.
For example, when an image of a number or a character string is formed in the specific inspection area R, the number or the character string is identified by performing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing on the specific inspection area data.
In addition, when an image of a barcode (one-dimensional barcode, two-dimensional barcode, etc.) is formed in the specific inspection area R, a predetermined decoding process is performed on the specific inspection area data to obtain the information represented by the barcode, and the information represented by the barcode (numbers, character strings, etc.) is identified.
Then, it is determined whether the information (numeric values or character strings) identified from each of the multiple specific inspection regions R has consistency.
The analysis of the specific inspection area data and the judgment of the analysis results are performed by the image inspection control unit 21 of the image inspection device 20.

In the image forming system 1 of this embodiment, the following (1) to (3) are performed as specific inspections.
(1) In the case where corresponding specific inspection areas R are set on the front and back of a recording medium, an inspection is performed to check whether the information in the specific inspection areas R on the front and back matches. Hereinafter, this is also referred to as a "front and back matching inspection."
(2) When two or more specific inspection areas R are set within one image formed on a recording medium, checking whether the information of the two or more specific inspection areas R is arranged in ascending or descending order according to the order of the specific inspection areas R. Hereinafter, this is also referred to as "ascending or descending order inspection (in order of area number)."
(3) Inspection as to whether the information of the specific inspection area R in a plurality of images formed on a plurality of recording media is arranged in ascending or descending order for each recording medium (i.e., between pages). Hereinafter, this is also referred to as "ascending or descending order inspection (between pages)."
These particular tests are described in detail below.

(1) Front and Back Matching Inspection FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the front and back matching inspection.
4 shows images formed on the front and back surfaces of the first to Nth recording media, respectively, and also shows a specific inspection area R included in the image and information indicated by the specific inspection area R (analysis results of the specific inspection area data, here, numerical values).

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

In the front/back consistency test, it is determined whether the information indicated by the corresponding specific inspection areas R on the front and back of each recording medium matches. In the example of Figure 4, the information (numeric value) indicated by the specific inspection area R on the front of the second recording medium is "2," while the information indicated by the specific inspection area R on the back is "1," meaning that the front and back are different. For this reason, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the image on the second recording medium.

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

In ascending and descending order inspection (in order of area number), it is determined whether the information of the specific inspection areas R of "Area No. 1" to "Area No. 3" is arranged in ascending or descending order according to the order of the specific inspection areas R. In addition, it is also determined whether the information of the specific inspection areas R is continuous in ascending or descending order between recording media (between pages). In other words, it is determined whether the information of the specific inspection area R of "Area No. 3" on one recording medium and the information of the specific inspection area R of "Area No. 1" on the next recording medium are continuous in ascending or descending order.

In the example of FIG. 5, the information on the specific inspection areas R of "Area No. 1" to "Area No. 3" on the first recording medium is arranged in ascending order from "1" to "3". Also, the information on the specific inspection areas R of "Area No. 1" to "Area No. 3" on the second recording medium is arranged in ascending order from "4" to "6". Furthermore, the information on the six specific inspection areas R from the first to the second sheets is arranged in ascending order from "1" to "3".
The numbers are arranged in ascending order starting with “6.” Therefore, it is determined that there is no abnormality in the first and second images.
On the other hand, in the third recording medium, the information of the specific inspection areas R of "Area No. 1" to "Area No. 3" are "7", "7", and "9", which are not in ascending order. Therefore, it is determined that there is an abnormality in the third image.

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

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

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

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

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

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

The setting panel 51a has an area type selection section 511, a target surface selection section 512, an area setting section 513, an ascending/descending inspection setting section 514, a setting cancel button 515, and a setting completion button 516.

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

The target surface selection section 512 is a drop-down list for selecting whether the specific inspection area R is to be set on the front or back side of the recording medium. This drop-down list allows the user to select the surface on which the specific inspection area R is to be set from "front side" and "back side."

The region setting section 513 includes a group of buttons for setting the range, orientation, and other details of the specific inspection region R. The region setting section 513 has a text box 513a, drop-down lists 513b to 513e, a delete button 513f, and a confirm button 513g.
By inputting the vertical and horizontal positions and width of the specific inspection region R in the text box 513a, the range of the specific inspection region R in the image to be formed can be specified.
The drop-down list 513b is used to set the area number (area No.) of the specific inspection area R.
The drop-down list 513c is used to set the orientation of the specific inspection area R. Setting the orientation of the specific inspection area R makes it easier to identify numbers or character strings by OCR processing.
The drop-down list 513d is used to set whether or not a front/back consistency inspection is required. The drop-down list 513d can be selected only when a specific inspection area R (corresponding specific inspection area R) having the same area number as the specific inspection area R being set has already been set on the opposite side.
The drop-down list 513e is used to specify the type of barcode. By specifying the type of barcode in advance, the decoding process can be performed more reliably.
By performing an input operation to select the delete button 513f, the settings in the area setting section 513 can be deleted (discarded).
By performing an input operation of selecting the confirm button 513g, a specific inspection region R is set according to the selections made at that time in the region type selection section 511, the target surface selection section 512, and the region setting section 513.
After selecting the confirm button 513g, it is possible to subsequently set a specific inspection region R with a different region number.

The ascending/descending order inspection setting section 514 is a drop-down list for selecting whether or not ascending/descending order inspection is required, and the type of ascending/descending order inspection. This drop-down list allows the user to select the ascending/descending order inspection setting from "Ascending/descending order inspection (by area number)", "Ascending/descending order inspection (between pages)", and "Not performed".

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

Returning to FIG. 7, the main body control unit 11 sets the type of the specific inspection area R (barcode area/character area) in response to an input operation to the area type selection section 511 of the inspection area setting screen 51 (step S102).
Furthermore, the main body control unit 11 sets the target surface (front surface/rear surface) of the specific inspection region R in response to an input operation to the target surface selection unit 512 (step S103).
Furthermore, the main body control unit 11 sets the region number of the specific examination region R in response to an input operation on the drop-down list 513b (step S104).
Furthermore, the main body control unit 11 sets the range of the specific inspection region R in accordance with the input value in the text box 513a (step S105). Note that the method of specifying the range of the specific inspection region R is not limited to using the text box 513a, and the range of the specific inspection region R may be specified, for example, by dragging the mouse pointer within the range of the image Im.
Furthermore, the main body control unit 11 sets whether or not a front/back match check is required in response to an input operation on the drop-down list 513d (step S106).
The processes of steps S102 to S106 do not necessarily have to be performed in this order, but are performed sequentially in response to the user's input operation on the inspection area setting screen 51. Although omitted in Fig. 7, the setting of the orientation of the specific inspection area R using the drop-down list 513c and the specification of the type of barcode using the drop-down list 513e are also performed at the same time.

The main body controller 11 determines whether the Confirm button 513g has been selected (step S107), and if it is determined that the Confirm button 513g has not been selected (step S107: NO), it continues the setting process of steps S102 to S106. If it is determined that the Confirm button 513g has been selected (step S107: YES), the main body controller 11 sets the specific examination region R with the settings made in steps S102 to S106 (step S108).

When an input operation related to setting the next specific inspection area R is started on the inspection area setting screen 51 ("YES" in step S109), the main body control unit 11 returns the processing to step S102 and executes the processing related to setting the next specific inspection area R.
If the input operation for setting the next specific examination area R is not started ("NO" in step S109), the main body control unit 11 sets whether or not ascending or descending examination is required and the type in accordance with the input operation to the ascending or descending examination setting unit 514 (step S110).

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

(Specific Testing Procedures)
Next, a procedure for a specific inspection targeting the specific inspection region R will be described.
The particular inspection is performed in real time in parallel with the formation of an image by the image forming device 10 .
In the specific inspection, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the specific inspection area R is determined based on the analysis results of the specific inspection area data, and it is also determined whether the abnormality is a predetermined first type or a predetermined second type.
If the abnormality is determined to be of the first type, a recovery process is executed to cause the image forming apparatus 10 to form again the image in which the abnormality was detected.
On the other hand, if it is determined that the abnormality is of the second type, a stop process is executed to stop the image formation by the image forming apparatus.
The following describes types of abnormalities and the processes performed in response to each type of abnormality.

First type of abnormality
If the specific inspection area R is not blank and information indicated by a portion within the specific inspection area R cannot be identified by analysis of the specific inspection area data, it is determined that a first type of abnormality exists.
Here, the specific inspection area R being blank means that no image is formed in the specific inspection area R. For example, when the specific inspection area data is data corresponding to a blank sheet of paper, the specific inspection area R can be determined to be blank. In addition, when the information indicated by a portion within the specific inspection area R cannot be identified by analyzing the specific inspection area data, it means, for example, when numbers or character strings cannot be identified from an image of numbers or character strings by OCR processing, and when information indicated by a barcode cannot be obtained by decoding the barcode. These defects can occur when an image of a number, character string, barcode, or the like is formed in the specific inspection area R, but the image is distorted due to the adhesion of dirt or missing images.

When such a first type of abnormality occurs, a recovery process is executed because there is a possibility that a normal image can be obtained by reprinting (reforming) the image in which the abnormality was detected. The recording medium in which the abnormality was detected is sorted and discharged to the first discharge tray T1 by the purge unit 30. If the reprinted image is determined to be normal by the recovery process, it is discharged to the second discharge tray T2 as usual.

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

<Second type of abnormality>
If the specific inspection region R is blank, it is determined that a second type of abnormality exists.
If the specific inspection area R is blank, it is considered that the user has inappropriately specified the range of the specific inspection area R, that is, the set specific inspection area R is outside the variable area. Therefore, even if recovery processing is performed and reprinting is performed, it is highly likely that the specific inspection cannot be performed properly. For this reason, recovery processing is not performed, and a stop processing is executed to stop image formation.
10 is displayed on the operation display unit 13. The abnormality notification screen 53 displays a message indicating that the specific inspection region R is blank and a message prompting the user to reconfirm the setting of the specific inspection region R.
The notification on the abnormality notification screen 53 on the operation display unit 13 corresponds to a "notification regarding an improper designation of a specific inspection area."

In addition, if an abnormality is detected in the front/back consistency test, that is, if the information indicated by the specific inspection area R differs between the front and back of the recording medium, as in the case of the second recording medium in Figure 4, it is determined to be a second type of abnormality.
If an abnormality is detected in the front and back consistency check, there is a high possibility that there is a problem with the document data itself prepared by the user. Therefore, even if recovery processing is performed and reprinting is performed, an abnormality will be detected again in the front and back consistency check, and recording media will be wasted. For this reason, recovery processing is not performed, and a stop processing is performed to stop image formation.
11 is displayed on the operation display unit 13. The abnormality notification screen 54 displays information indicating that an error has occurred in the front/back consistency inspection and information prompting the user to check the print document (document data).

Also, when an abnormality is detected in the ascending and descending order inspection, it is determined to be the second type of abnormality. That is, when it is detected that the information indicated by the specific inspection region R is not arranged in ascending or descending order, as in the third recording medium in Fig. 5 and the third recording medium in Fig. 6, it is determined to be the second type of abnormality.
If an abnormality is detected in the ascending and descending order inspection, there is a high possibility that there is a problem with the document data itself prepared by the user. Therefore, even if recovery processing is performed and reprinting is performed, an abnormality will be detected again in the front and back consistency inspection, and recording media will be wasted. For this reason, recovery processing is not performed, and a stop processing is performed to stop image formation.
12 is displayed on the operation display unit 13. The error notification screen 55 displays a message indicating that an error has occurred in the ascending/descending order inspection and a message prompting the user to check the print document.
The notification on the abnormality notification screen 53 on the operation display unit 13 corresponds to a "notification regarding a defect in image data."

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

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

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

The image inspection control unit 21 determines whether the specific inspection area R is blank or not from the acquired specific inspection area data (step S203).

If it is determined that the specific inspection area R is blank ("YES" in step S203), the image inspection control unit 21 determines that there is an abnormality in the image and that the abnormality is a second type of abnormality. The image inspection control unit 21 also executes a process to stop image formation and executes a process to display an abnormality notification screen 53 (FIG. 10) on the operation display unit 13 indicating that there is an error in the setting of the specific inspection area R (step S204: abnormality determination step, processing step). The stop process executed in step S204 is a process to send a control signal to the main body control unit 11 of the image forming device 10 to instruct the image formation to be stopped. The process to display the abnormality notification screen 53 is a process to send a control signal to the main body control unit 11 of the image forming device 10 to instruct the display of the abnormality notification screen 53.

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

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

If it is determined that the decoding is successful ("NO" in step S206), the image inspection control unit 21 determines whether the setting for the front and back coincidence test is ON (set to execute) and whether there is an abnormality in the result of the front and back coincidence test (step S208). If the setting for the front and back coincidence test is ON and it is determined that there is an abnormality in the result of the front and back coincidence test ("YES" in step S208), the image inspection control unit 21 determines that there is an abnormality in the image and that the abnormality is a second type of abnormality. In addition, the image inspection control unit 21 executes a process to stop image formation by the image forming device 10 and executes a process to display an abnormality notification screen 54 (FIG. 11) on the operation display unit 13 indicating that there is an error in the data of the document (step S209: abnormality determination step, processing step). The process to display the abnormality notification screen 54 is a process to transmit a control signal to the main body control unit 11 of the image forming device 10 instructing the display of the abnormality notification screen 54.

If the front/back consistency test setting is OFF (not performed) or if the result of the front/back consistency test is determined to be normal ("NO" in step S208), the image inspection control unit 21 determines whether the ascending/descending test setting is ON and whether there is an abnormality in the result of the ascending/descending test (step S210). If the ascending/descending test setting is ON and there is an abnormality in the result of the ascending/descending test ("YES" in step S210), the image inspection control unit 21 determines that there is an abnormality in the image and that the abnormality is a second type of abnormality. In addition, the image inspection control unit 21 executes a process to stop image formation by the image forming device 10 and executes a process to display an abnormality notification screen 55 (FIG. 12) indicating that there is an error in the data of the document on the operation display unit 13 (step S211: abnormality determination step, processing step). The process for displaying the abnormality notification screen 55 is a process for sending a control signal to the main body control unit 11 of the image forming device 10 instructing it to display the abnormality notification screen 55.

If the ascending/descending order inspection setting is OFF, or if the result of the ascending/descending order inspection is determined to be normal ("NO" in step S210), or if any of steps S204, S207, S209, and S211 has ended, the image inspection control unit 21 ends the inspection process.

(Variation 1)
Next, a first modification of the above embodiment will be described.
In the image forming system 1 of the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 and the image inspection apparatus 20 are provided separately, but instead, an in-line scanner 22 may be provided in the image forming apparatus 10, and the above-mentioned specific inspection may be performed in the image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the main body control unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10 executes the various processes executed by the image inspection control unit 21 in the above embodiment.

(Variation 2)
Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described.
The image forming system 1 needs to have at least the image forming device 10 and the image inspection device 20, and the purge unit 30 and the finisher 40 may be omitted.
Furthermore, in the case where the components of the image inspection device 20 are included in the image forming device 10 as in the first modified example, the image forming system 1 may be configured by the image forming device 10 alone.

As described above, the image inspection device 20 of this embodiment is equipped with an image inspection control unit 21, which acquires the setting of a specific inspection area R that is to be the subject of a specific inspection in the image formed by the image forming unit 12 (area setting acquisition means), performs a specific inspection based on the specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area R from the read data obtained by reading the image, determines the presence or absence of an abnormality related to the specific inspection and the type of abnormality (abnormality discrimination means), and if the type of abnormality is determined to be a predetermined first type, executes a recovery process to cause the image forming unit 12 to form again the image in which the abnormality was detected, and if the abnormality discrimination means determines that the type of abnormality is a predetermined second type, executes a stop process to stop the formation of the image by the image forming unit 12 (processing means).
This makes it possible to carry out appropriate processing according to the type of abnormality when it is determined that there is an abnormality in a specific inspection of the specific inspection region R. In other words, by carrying out the recovery processing when there is a possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery processing, and carrying out processing to stop image formation when there is no possibility or a low possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery processing, it is possible to prevent recording media from being wasted by unnecessary recovery processing.

Furthermore, the image inspection control unit 21 determines that the type of abnormality is the second type when the specific inspection area data indicates that the specific inspection area R is blank (abnormality determination means). If the specific inspection area R is blank, it is highly likely that the user specified the range of the specific inspection area R inappropriately, and even if recovery processing is performed and reprinting is performed, it is highly likely that the specific inspection cannot be performed properly. For this reason, by determining that it is the second type of abnormality, not performing recovery processing, and stopping image formation, it is possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of recording media.

Furthermore, the image inspection control unit 21 determines that the type of abnormality is the first type when the analysis of the specific inspection area data fails to identify information indicated by a portion of the image within the specific inspection area R (abnormality determination means). When the information of the specific inspection area R cannot be identified in this way, the image may be distorted due to dirt or missing image, and a normal image may be obtained by reprinting the image. For this reason, it is possible to attempt to recover from the abnormality by determining that it is the first type of abnormality and performing recovery processing.

The image inspection control unit 21 also analyzes the specific inspection area data to identify information indicated by a portion of the image within the specific inspection area R, and determines whether or not there is an abnormality based on whether or not multiple pieces of information corresponding to multiple specific inspection areas R in one or more images have a relationship that follows a predetermined rule (anomaly determination means). This makes it possible to inspect the consistency of the information replaced in the variable area.

The information is a numerical value or a character string, and the image inspection control unit 21 acquires the setting of the order of two or more specific inspection areas R set in one image (area setting acquisition means), determines whether the two or more pieces of information corresponding to the two or more specific inspection areas R are arranged in ascending or descending order according to the order, and determines that the type of abnormality is the second type if it is determined that the two or more pieces of information are not arranged in ascending or descending order according to the area number (abnormality determination means). In this way, if the information of the specific inspection area R is not arranged in ascending or descending order according to the area number, there is a high possibility that there is a defect in the data of the original prepared by the user. For this reason, by determining that it is the second type of abnormality, not performing recovery processing, and stopping image formation, it is possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of recording media.

The image inspection control unit 21 also determines whether the multiple pieces of information corresponding to the multiple specific inspection areas R in the multiple images are arranged in ascending or descending order for each recording medium, and if it is determined that the multiple pieces of information are not arranged in ascending or descending order, determines that the type of abnormality is the second type (abnormality determination means). In this way, if the information for the specific inspection area R is not arranged in ascending or descending order for each recording medium, there is a high possibility that there is a defect in the data of the original prepared by the user. For this reason, by determining that it is the second type of abnormality, not performing recovery processing, and stopping image formation, it is possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of recording media.

The image forming unit 12 also forms images on the front and back sides of the recording medium, and when the settings of the corresponding specific inspection areas R are acquired for each of the front and back images, the image inspection control unit 21 determines whether the pair of information corresponding to the specific inspection areas R on the front and back sides match, and when it is determined that the pair of information is different, it determines that the type of abnormality is the second type (abnormality determination means). In this way, when the information on the front and back sides differs in the front and back consistency test, there is a high possibility that there is a defect in the data of the original prepared by the user. For this reason, by determining that it is the second type of abnormality, not performing recovery processing, and stopping image formation, it is possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of recording media.

When the image inspection control unit 21 determines that the abnormality is of the second type, the image inspection control unit 21 executes a process (processing means) for causing the operation display unit 13 to display the abnormality notification screen 53 (notification of an error in the designation of the specific inspection area R). This allows the user to easily recognize that there may be an error in the designation of the specific inspection area R.

When the image inspection control unit 21 determines that the abnormality is of the second type, it executes a process (processing means) to cause the operation display unit 13 to display abnormality notification screens 52, 54, 55 (notification of an image data defect). This allows the user to easily recognize that there may be an error in the document data.

The specific inspection area data also includes image data of the barcode. This makes it possible to check the consistency of the information in the specific inspection area R when the content of the barcode formed in the specific inspection area R is replaced for each recording medium.

The specific inspection area data also includes image data of numbers or characters. This makes it possible to check the consistency of the information in the specific inspection area R when the content of the numbers or characters formed in the specific inspection area R is replaced for each recording medium.

The image inspection device 20 also includes an inline scanner 22 that reads an image and generates read data. This allows the image read data to be generated within the image inspection device 20, and specific inspection area data to be obtained from the read data.

The image forming system 1 of this embodiment also includes the image inspection device 20 and the image forming unit 12 that forms an image. With this type of image forming system 1, it is possible to determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the formed image and to perform appropriate processing depending on the type of abnormality.

The image inspection method of this embodiment includes an area setting acquisition step of acquiring the setting of a specific inspection area R that is the target of a specific inspection in an image formed by the image forming unit 12, an abnormality determination step of performing a specific inspection based on specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area R among the read data obtained by reading the image, and determining the presence or absence of an abnormality related to the specific inspection and the type of the abnormality, and a processing step of executing a process to cause the image forming unit 12 to form the image in which the abnormality was detected again when the type of abnormality is determined to be a predetermined first type in the abnormality determination step, and executing a process to stop the formation of the image by the image forming unit 12 when the type of abnormality is determined to be a predetermined second type in the abnormality determination step. According to this method, when it is determined that there is an abnormality in a specific inspection of the specific inspection area R, appropriate processing can be performed according to the type of abnormality. That is, by executing a recovery process when there is a possibility that the abnormality can be eliminated by the recovery process, and executing a process to stop the formation of the image when there is no possibility or a low possibility that the abnormality can be eliminated by the recovery process, it is possible to suppress the wasteful consumption of recording media by unnecessary recovery processes.

In addition, the program 213a of this embodiment causes the image inspection control unit 21, which is a computer provided in the image inspection device 20, to function as: an area setting acquisition means for acquiring the setting of a specific inspection area R that is the target of a specific inspection in an image formed by the image forming unit 12; an abnormality discrimination means for performing a specific inspection based on specific inspection area data corresponding to the specific inspection area R among the read data obtained by reading the image, and for discriminating the presence or absence of an abnormality and the type of abnormality related to the specific inspection; and a processing means for executing a process to cause the image forming unit 12 to form again the image in which the abnormality was detected when the abnormality discrimination means determines that the type of abnormality is a predetermined first type, and for executing a process to cause the image forming unit 12 to stop forming the image when the abnormality discrimination means determines that the type of abnormality is a predetermined second type. By causing the image inspection control unit 21 to execute such a program, appropriate processing can be performed according to the type of abnormality when it is determined that there is an abnormality in a specific inspection of the specific inspection area R. In other words, by executing recovery processing when there is a possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery processing, and by executing processing to stop image formation when there is no possibility or a low possibility that the abnormality can be resolved by the recovery processing, it is possible to prevent unnecessary consumption of recording media by unnecessary recovery processing.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible.
For example, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the specific inspection area R is set based on an input operation from the user, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the image inspection control unit 21 may set the specific inspection area R based on data of the document. In this case, for example, a variable area may be specified from the data of the document, and the specified variable area may be set as the specific inspection area R.

In addition, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the main body control unit 11 executes the specific inspection area setting process, but this is not limited thereto, and the image inspection control unit 21 may execute the specific inspection area setting process. In addition, the specific inspection area setting process may be executed in the external device 2, and the setting data for the specific inspection area R may be transmitted from the external device 2 to the image forming device 10 or the image inspection device 20.

In addition, in the above embodiment, the predetermined rule that the information indicated by the specific inspection area R follows is exemplified as an ascending or descending arrangement, but this is not limited to this, and any rule that can be used to determine whether the information is correct or not by the image inspection control unit 21 can be used.

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

In the above embodiment, the display of the abnormality notification screens 52-55 by the operation display unit 13 has been described as an example of a notification by the notification means, but this is not limited to this. For example, the notification by the notification means may be the illumination of a warning light, the generation of an alarm sound, or the sending of a message such as an email to an external terminal operated by the user.

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

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

Claims (12)

an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
a reading means for reading the recording medium on which an image has been formed by the image forming means, and outputting read data;
a determination unit that performs a decoding process on image data of a barcode in the read data corresponding to a specific inspection area to determine information indicated by the barcode;
a control means for controlling the image forming means to form the image again when the image cannot be identified by the identification means;
a type designation means for designating a type of the barcode based on a user's input operation on a screen displaying an area including an image of the barcode with respect to the specific inspection area;
An image forming system comprising: 2. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the type designation means designates the type of the barcode using a drop-down list. a direction setting means for setting the direction of the specific inspection area based on an input operation from a user;
3. The image forming system according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising an area setting unit that sets the range of the specific inspection area based on an input operation by a user. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the area setting means sets the range of the specific inspection area based on an input operation by a user into a text box. 5. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the area setting means sets the range of the specific inspection area based on an input operation by a user by dragging a mouse pointer. 7. The image forming system according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays that the identifying unit has failed to identify the target object. 7. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the area setting means sets the range of the specific inspection area for the image displayed on a screen. 9. The image forming system according to claim 4, wherein the type designation means designates a type of barcode corresponding to the specific inspection area set by the area setting means. an image forming step of forming an image on a recording medium by an image forming means;
a reading step of reading the recording medium on which the image is formed and outputting read data;
a type designation step of designating a type of the barcode based on a user's input operation on a screen displaying an area including an image of the barcode with respect to the specific inspection area;
a identifying step of identifying information indicated by a barcode by decoding image data of the barcode in the read data corresponding to the specific inspection area;
a re-forming step of forming the image again by the image forming means when the image cannot be identified in the identifying step;
The image forming method according to claim 1, a determination unit that performs a decoding process on image data of a barcode in read data corresponding to a specific inspection area among read data outputted by reading a recording medium on which an image has been formed by an image forming unit, and determines information indicated by the barcode;
a transmitting means for transmitting a control signal to the image forming means for causing the image forming means to form the image again when the identifying means cannot identify the image;
a type designation means for designating a type of the barcode based on a user's input operation on a screen displaying an area including an image of the barcode with respect to the specific inspection area;
An image inspection device having the above structure. A control unit for controlling the image inspection device,
a type designation step of designating a type of the barcode based on a user's input operation on a screen displaying an area including an image of the barcode with respect to the specific inspection area;
a determining step of determining information indicated by the barcode by decoding image data of the barcode in the read data corresponding to the specific inspection area among the read data outputted by reading the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming means;
a transmitting step of transmitting a control signal to the image forming means for forming the image again by the image forming means when the image cannot be identified by the identifying step;
A program that executes the following.

Images