JP7206164B2 - inspection device, image forming device, image forming system, inspection program - Google Patents

Description

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

2. Description of the Related Art There is an inspection technique for determining image quality by reading an image formed on a recording material such as paper by an image forming apparatus with an inline sensor or the like provided in the image forming apparatus or post-processing apparatus.

In relation to this, the following Patent Document 1 discloses a method for determining the type of image from PDL (page description language) data of an original image, determining inspection items based on the determined type of image, and determining image quality. A technique to do so has been proposed. According to this technique, unnecessary inspection items can be removed based on the type of image, so that the processing load when determining image quality can be reduced.

JP 2013-111946 A

However, in the above technique, inspection items used to determine image quality are determined based on the type of image that can be determined from the PDL data of the original image, that is, based on information determined before printing. Since only information determined before printing is used, for example, if data including color information is discriminated from the PDL data of the original image, it does not matter whether color printing is set or monochrome printing is set at the time of actual printing. , "color reproduction" is determined as one of the inspection items.

It is not possible to correctly determine the quality of the image after printing by inspecting the "color reproduction" for monochrome printing. As described above, in the above technique, since inspection items are determined based only on information determined before printing, there is a problem that the reliability of image quality determination is low.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an inspection apparatus, an image forming apparatus, an image forming system, and an inspection program that can determine image quality with high reliability.

(1) a reading unit that reads an image based on original image data formed on a recording material to generate read image data ; an acquisition unit for acquiring image forming conditions when forming an image based on original image data ; In determining an inspection item to be used for inspecting the read image data from a plurality of inspection items including a first inspection item different from the inspection item , the image forming condition is set to print the entire original image data in monochrome. If so, the first inspection item is determined as the inspection item excluding the second inspection item among the plurality of inspection items, and the image forming condition is set to print the original image data in color. a determination unit for determining the first inspection item and the second inspection item among the plurality of inspection items as the inspection items; and the read image based on the inspection items determined by the determination unit. and an inspection unit for inspecting data.

( 2 ) The inspection apparatus according to (1 ) above, wherein the image forming conditions are determined by rasterizing original image data for forming the image .

( 3 ) an image forming unit that forms an image based on original image data on a recording material, a reading unit that reads the image formed on the recording material to generate read image data, and printing that is set by a user an obtaining unit for obtaining image forming conditions for forming an image based on the original image data on the recording material, which are determined based on the setting information ; and based on the image forming conditions obtained by the obtaining unit, wherein an inspection item to be used for inspecting the read image data is determined from a plurality of inspection items including a second inspection item related to color reproduction and a first inspection item different from the second inspection item , wherein the image formation If a setting is made as a condition to print the entire original image data in monochrome, the first inspection item is determined as the inspection item excluding the second inspection item among the plurality of inspection items, and the image formation is performed. a determination unit configured to determine the first inspection item and the second inspection item among the plurality of inspection items as the inspection items when color printing of the original image data is set as a condition; an inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection items determined by the unit.

( 4 ) The image forming apparatus according to ( 3 ), wherein the image forming conditions are determined by rasterizing original image data for forming the image.

According to the inspection apparatus, the image forming apparatus, the image forming system, and the inspection program according to the present invention, the inspection items are determined based on the image forming conditions determined at the time of image formation. quality judgment can be improved.

1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image forming main body; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of an inspection apparatus. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example in which image forming conditions are classified and displayed; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a list of inspection items used for inspection of read image data; 4 is an operation flowchart of the image forming apparatus; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image of image quality determination by an image forming apparatus; It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of an inspection item determination process. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of inspection results of inspecting read image data when an image forming condition of “low print rate” is included; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection result of inspecting read image data when an image forming condition of “monochrome printing” is included; 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming system; FIG. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a server. It is a figure which shows the image of an inspection result log|history. It is an operation flowchart of a server. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an image of selecting each image forming apparatus by a server;

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

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

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

The image forming main body 200 forms an image on a sheet supplied from the sheet feeding device 100 . However, without being limited to this, the image forming main body 200 may form an image on a sheet supplied from a paper feed tray incorporated in the image forming main body 200, for example.

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

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

(Image forming main body 200)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming main body 200. As shown in FIG. The image forming main body 200 has a control section 210, a storage section 220, a communication section 230 and an image forming section 240, which are interconnected via a bus for exchanging signals.

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming section 240 uses photosensitive drums (Y, M, C, K) and an intermediate transfer belt B as image carriers. The intermediate transfer belt B is an endless belt and is movably supported by a plurality of rollers. The toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drum are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt B, and a toner image (color image) is formed on the intermediate transfer belt B in which the layers of each color are superimposed. By applying a bias having a polarity opposite to that of the toner to the transfer roller, the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt B is transferred onto the paper and then fixed by the fixing section T. FIG.

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

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

(Inspection device 300)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the inspection device 300. As shown in FIG. The inspection apparatus 300 has a control section 310, a storage section 320, a communication section 330 and an imaging section 340, which are interconnected via a bus for exchanging signals. Note that the storage unit 320 and the communication unit 330 have the same functions as the storage unit 220 and the communication unit 230 of the image forming main body 200, so description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication of description.

The control unit 310 executes control of each component described above and various kinds of arithmetic processing according to a program. Control unit 310, as a reading unit, controls imaging unit 340 to read an image formed on a sheet and generate read image data. The read image data is stored in storage unit 320 .

The imaging section 340 captures an image formed on a sheet according to an instruction from the control section 310 . The imaging unit 340 uses, for example, a line sensor or an area sensor using elements such as CCD (Charge Coupled Device) and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

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

Control unit 310 also serves as a determining unit to determine inspection items for inspecting read image data based on image forming conditions acquired from image forming main body 200 . The details of the inspection items and the method of determining the inspection items will be described later.

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

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

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

(Image forming conditions)
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of classifying and displaying image forming conditions determined when forming an image. The image forming conditions are determined by various print setting information set by the user, functions that can be realized by the image forming apparatus 10, and the like. The image forming conditions can be classified into, for example, "color mode", "printing rate", "paper information", and "screen information".

"Color mode" refers to color information used at the time of printing, such as "color printing", "monochrome printing", and "monocolor (two-color) printing". That is, the "color mode" is an image forming condition indicating whether or not to use color when forming an image. For example, the user can set "color printing" as the print setting information when instructing printing of the original image data from the client terminal device. The image forming main body 200 can determine "color printing" as one of the image forming conditions from the print setting information. However, without being limited to this, the image forming main body 200 may determine the “color mode” based on the number of types of rasterized data after RIP processing of the PDL data of the original image. For example, when there is one type of rasterized data (K only) after RIP processing, the image forming main body 200 can determine "monochrome printing" as one of the image forming conditions. Further, when there are four types of rasterized data (Y, M, C, K) after RIP processing, the image forming main body 200 can determine "color printing" as one of the image forming conditions.

"Printing rate" is the cumulative area of the printed part (dots printed with colored materials such as toner and ink) with respect to the area of the entire printed paper, such as "low printing rate" and "high printing rate". It refers to ratio. That is, the "printing ratio" is an image forming condition that indicates the proportion of the coloring material on the surface of the paper. For example, when printing is performed on 10% or less of the total area of the paper, the image forming main body 200 can determine "low printing rate" as one of the image forming conditions. The image forming main body 200 can calculate the “printing ratio” from the rasterized data obtained by performing RIP processing on the PDL data of the original image. However, not limited to this, the image forming main body 200 can calculate the "printing rate" using dedicated software.

"Paper information" refers to the characteristics of the paper to be printed on, such as paper type, basis weight, thickness, and whiteness. It refers to the characteristics of In particular, in the case of AM screen (amplitude modulation), it refers to the angle, number of lines, and halftone dot shape, and in the case of FM screen (frequency modulation), it refers to frequency characteristics and the like. These image forming conditions are also obtained from various print setting information set by the user at the time of actual image formation and from rasterized data after RIP processing of PDL data of the original image.

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

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

"Color reproduction" includes "color reproduction" and "monochrome color reproduction". The term "color reproduction" refers to the reproducibility of each pixel of the read image data of the color of each pixel of the original image data with the toner of each color. For example, "color reproduction" is an important inspection item for original images such as photographs printed in color. On the other hand, in many cases, it is not necessary to check the "color reproduction" of an original image consisting of only characters for the purpose of information transmission. "Monochrome color reproduction" refers to the reproducibility of toner in each pixel of read image data of black color density of each pixel of original image data. For example, "monochrome color reproduction" is an important inspection item for original images such as photographs printed in monochrome. Similarly, it is often not necessary to check "monochrome color reproduction" for original images consisting of only text that are intended to convey information only.

"Noise" includes "streaks", "spots", "dirt", and the like. "Position" includes "printing position accuracy", and "loss" includes "character loss", "image loss", and the like.

The image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment removes unnecessary inspection items from the inspection items shown in FIG. Inspect the data.

(Operation of image forming apparatus)
FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an image of judging image quality by the image forming apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described in detail based on the operation flowchart of FIG. 6 while referring to FIG.

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

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

Subsequently, the control unit 210 determines image forming conditions for forming an image based on the original image data on a sheet by the image forming unit 240 (step S103). Specifically, control unit 210 determines the image forming conditions based on the received print setting information and the rasterized data generated in step S102. For example, when the rasterized data is of only one type, which is a single color, control unit 210 determines "monochrome printing" as the image forming condition. Further, when the rasterized data is multi-color and multi-type, the control unit 210 determines “color printing” as the image forming condition. Note that the control unit 210 can also determine the “color mode” from the received print setting information. The control unit 210 also analyzes the rasterized data and determines "low print rate" or "high print rate". For example, by determining whether or not there is printing in the pixel from the value of each pixel in the rasterized data, accumulating the number of pixels with printing, and dividing the integrated value by the number of all pixels, the "printing rate" is calculated. can be determined. Note that the control unit 210 can determine the "printing ratio" by using dedicated software. In addition, control unit 210 determines image forming conditions related to “paper information” and “screen information” from the received print setting information. The determined image forming conditions are stored in the storage unit 220 .

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

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

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

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

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

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

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the procedure of inspection item determination processing. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection result of inspecting read image data when the image forming condition of "low print rate" is included. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection result of inspecting read image data when the image forming condition of "monochrome printing" is included.

First, the control unit 310 acquires all inspection items (step S201). Control unit 310 , for example, reads all inspection items stored in advance in storage unit 320 . However, not limited to this, the control unit 310 can also acquire inspection items from other external devices.

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

Subsequently, control unit 310 determines whether or not the image forming conditions acquired in step S202 include "low print rate" (step S203). If the image forming conditions include "low print rate" (step S203: YES), the control unit 310 removes "color reproduction" and "monochrome color reproduction" from all inspection items (step S204). , the process proceeds to step S107 in FIG. The reason why "color reproducibility" and the like are removed from the inspection items when "low print rate" is included in the image forming conditions is as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, the original image data consists of only characters including data edited in red, and is color-printed by the image forming main body 200 . As described above, there is no need to inspect "color reproduction" or "monochrome color reproduction" for an original image consisting of only characters intended solely for information transmission. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, for example, inspection items included in the category of "color reproduction" are removed from the list of inspection items shown in FIG. 5, inspection is performed, and inspection results are generated.

On the other hand, if the image forming conditions acquired in step S202 do not include "low print rate" (step S203: NO), control unit 310 determines whether or not the image forming conditions include "monochrome printing". (step S205).

If the image forming conditions include "monochrome printing" (step S205: YES), the control unit 310 removes "color reproduction" from all inspection items (step S206), and performs the processing of step S107 in FIG. proceed to The reason why "color reproduction" is removed from the inspection items when "monochrome printing" is included in the image forming conditions is as follows. For example, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the original image data includes data edited in red (parts surrounded by parentheses in the drawing), but the image forming main unit 200 prints the entire original image data in monochrome. It is As described above, when "monochrome printing" is included in the image forming conditions, there is no color in the first place, so there is no need to inspect "color reproduction". Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10B, for example, the inspection is performed by removing the inspection item "color reproduction" from the inspection item list shown in FIG. 5, and the inspection result is generated.

On the other hand, if the image forming conditions do not include "monochrome printing" (step S205: NO), the control unit 310 does not perform any particular process, and proceeds to the process of step S107 in FIG.

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

In the above-described first embodiment, the imaging unit 340 is installed in the inspection device 300, and the inspection device 300 acquires the image forming conditions through communication with the image forming main body 200, and transmits the inspection result of the read image data to the image forming main body 200. feedback to However, the first embodiment is not limited to this, and the imaging unit 340 may be installed in the image forming main body 200 and the control unit 210 may perform the function of the control unit 310 . Alternatively, inspection apparatus 300 may include only imaging section 340 , and imaging section 340 may be controlled by control section 210 of image forming main body 200 . In this case, the controller 310 of FIG. 3 can be omitted.

[Second embodiment]
In the first embodiment described above, inspection items for inspecting read image data are determined based on image forming conditions determined when an image is formed on paper, and read image data are inspected based on the determined inspection items. provides an image forming apparatus for inspecting The second embodiment provides an image forming system having an image forming apparatus group including a plurality of image forming apparatuses according to the first embodiment and a server that manages the image forming apparatus group.

(Configuration of image forming system)
FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an image forming system. The image forming system 1 has an image forming apparatus group including a plurality of image forming apparatuses 10a to 10n and a server 20, which are connected via a network 30 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The server 20 centrally manages (group manages) information on each image forming apparatus (for example, information on functions that can be implemented by each image forming apparatus). Each image forming apparatus receives a selection from the server 20 and forms an image on a sheet, generates read image data, performs inspection, and transmits the inspection result to the server 20 . Each image forming apparatus can be similar to the image forming apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment, and can achieve similar functions. Therefore, only the configuration and operation of the server 20 will be described below.

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

The control unit 21 is, for example, a CPU, and executes control of each component described above and various kinds of arithmetic processing according to a program. Each function of the server 20 is exhibited by the control unit 21 executing a corresponding program.

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

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an image of inspection history. In the inspection history, the inspection date and time, the image forming apparatus, the image forming conditions, the inspection result, etc. when the inspection was performed are associated with each other. The control unit 21 receives inspection results from each image forming apparatus, generates and updates an inspection history, and stores the latest inspection history in the storage unit 22 . Note that FIG. 13 shows the inspection history in the order of the image forming conditions. a1 to a3 are inspection histories under the image forming condition A of the image forming apparatus 10a, and b1 through b3 are inspection histories under the image forming condition A of the image forming apparatus 10b. Further, c1 to c3 are the inspection histories under the image forming condition A of the image forming apparatus 10c, and d1 to d3 are the inspection histories under the image forming condition A of the image forming apparatus 10d.

The control unit 21 also, as a selection unit, acquires new image forming conditions related to new image forming, and selects an image forming apparatus that can obtain the best inspection result when image forming is performed under the new image forming conditions. , based on inspection history.

The control unit 21 further instructs the selected image forming apparatus to form an image under the new image forming conditions.

(Operation of Server 20)
Operation of the server 20 will be described.

FIG. 14 is an operation flowchart of the server 20. FIG. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an image of selecting an image forming apparatus from a group of image forming apparatuses by the server 20 that produces the best result when image formation is performed under new image forming conditions. Hereinafter, the operation of the server 20 will be described in detail based on the operation flowchart of FIG. 14 with reference to FIGS. 13 and 15. FIG.

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

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

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

Another example of a method of selecting an image forming apparatus will be described. For example, based on the inspection history, the control unit 21 selects an image forming apparatus that has no defect in the latest inspection result from among the image forming apparatuses that have performed image formation under the same conditions as the new image forming conditions. do. For example, in the inspection history of FIG. 13, in the inspection history (a1 to a3, c1 to c3) of the image forming apparatuses 10a and 10c under the image forming condition A, good inspection results were obtained twice, and defective inspection results were obtained. There is one test result. However, in the image forming apparatus 10a, the timing at which a defective inspection result was obtained was during the most recent inspection (inspection history a3), and in the image forming apparatus 10c, during the two previous inspections (inspection history c1). Comparing the inspection histories of the image forming apparatus 10a and the image forming apparatus 10c under the image forming condition A, there is no defect in the most recent inspection result of the image forming apparatus 10c. Therefore, when the new image forming condition is the image forming condition A, the control unit 21 selects the image forming apparatus 10c.

Still another example of the method of selecting an image forming apparatus will be described. For example, based on the inspection history, the control unit 21 selects the latest history among the image forming apparatuses that have performed image formation under the same conditions as the new image forming conditions and have no defect in the inspection result. Select the image forming device that you have. For example, in the inspection history of FIG. 13, the inspection history (c1 to c3, d1 to d3) of the image forming apparatus 10c and the image forming apparatus 10d under the image forming condition A has two good inspection results, and a bad inspection result. There is one test result. Also, the most recent inspection histories (c3, d3) of the image forming apparatuses 10c and 10d are both good inspection results. However, the most recent inspection history d3 of the image forming apparatus 10d is a newer inspection history (closer to the inspection date and time) than the inspection history c3 of the image forming apparatus 10c. Comparing the inspection histories of the image forming apparatus 10c and the image forming apparatus 10d under the image forming condition A, the inspection history d3 having a good inspection result of the image forming apparatus 10d is the latest history. Therefore, when the new image forming condition is the image forming condition A, the control unit 21 selects the image forming apparatus 10d.

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

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

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

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

In each of the embodiments described above, the case where the operation of the image forming apparatus and the server is executed by software has been described. However, instead of realizing all the processing by software, a part thereof may be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit, or may be executed by a plurality of pieces of hardware.

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

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these are merely examples for explaining the present invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to these embodiments. The present invention can be implemented in various aspects different from the above embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.

1 imaging system,
10, 10a, 10n image forming apparatus,
20 servers,
21, 210, 310 control unit,
22, 220, 320 storage unit,
23, 230, 330 communication unit,
30 network,
100 paper feeding device,
200 image forming main body;
240 image forming unit;
300 inspection equipment,
340 imaging unit;

Claims (4)

a reading unit that reads an image based on original image data formed on a recording material and generates read image data;
an acquisition unit configured to acquire image forming conditions for forming an image based on the original image data on the recording material, which are determined based on print setting information set by a user ;
obtaining the read image data from a plurality of inspection items including a second inspection item related to color reproduction and a first inspection item different from the second inspection item , based on the image forming conditions acquired by the acquisition unit; In determining the inspection items to be used for inspection, if the image forming condition is set to print the entire original image data in monochrome, the plurality of inspection items except for the second inspection item. When the first inspection item is determined as the inspection item and color printing of the original image data is set as the image forming condition, the first inspection item and the second inspection among the plurality of inspection items a determination unit that determines an item as the inspection item;
an inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection item determined by the determination unit;
inspection device. 2. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said image forming conditions are determined by rasterizing original image data for forming said image. an image forming unit that forms an image based on original image data on a recording material;
a reading unit that reads the image formed on the recording material and generates read image data;
an acquisition unit configured to acquire image forming conditions for forming an image based on the original image data on the recording material, which are determined based on print setting information set by a user ;
obtaining the read image data from a plurality of inspection items including a second inspection item related to color reproduction and a first inspection item different from the second inspection item , based on the image forming conditions acquired by the acquisition unit; In determining the inspection items to be used for inspection, if the image forming condition is set to print the entire original image data in monochrome, the plurality of inspection items except for the second inspection item. When the first inspection item is determined as the inspection item and color printing of the original image data is set as the image forming condition, the first inspection item and the second inspection among the plurality of inspection items a determination unit that determines an item as the inspection item;
an inspection unit that inspects the read image data based on the inspection item determined by the determination unit;
An image forming apparatus having 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said image forming conditions are determined by rasterizing original image data for forming said image.

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