JP2018126868A - Image formation system, sheet conveyance control method and sheet conveyance control program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To properly separate and output good/bad pages without delaying printing processing and reading processing of an image even when determining the goodness/badness of the image of a printed matter by using an inline colorimeter.SOLUTION: A control device controlling a printer, an inspection device and a post-processing device performs control of comparing the first time or first distance from reading completion by a colorimeter provided in the inspection device to arrival of a recording medium to a separation part provided in a conveyance path of the post-processing device with the second time from reading completion by the colorimeter to determination of goodness/badness of image formation or second distance by which the recording medium is conveyed in the second time when being in the badness detection mode capable of determining goodness/badness of image formation by reading the image of each page at the time of processing a printing job, and changing the conveyance path or conveyance speed of the recording medium output from the inspection device in accordance with the comparison result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming system, a paper transport control method, and a paper transport control program, and in particular, an image forming system that performs paper transport control when determining whether a printed image is good or bad using an inline colorimeter, The present invention relates to a sheet conveyance control method and a sheet conveyance control program in an image forming system.

  In an image forming apparatus, a toner image is formed on a photoconductor based on image data, the toner image is transferred to a sheet, the sheet is passed through a fixing roller, a pressure belt, and the like, and the sheet is heated or pressed. The upper toner image is fixed. At that time, the fixing member such as the fixing roller and the pressure belt may become dirty with toner over time, or the toner may adhere to the fixing member due to a paper jam. In this state, a new sheet is passed. Then, the toner of the fixing member adheres to the paper and becomes dirty. Further, there may be a shift in the image forming position in front and back printing, or the image density may change over time.

  These stains, misregistration, and changes in image density, depending on the degree, cause the print quality to deteriorate as an abnormal image. Therefore, in recent image forming apparatuses, in-line color measurement is performed on the printed paper during normal printing. An inspection mode (referred to as a defect detection mode) is provided to measure paper with a colorimeter and determine paper with a bad color measurement result (scratch paper). The paper with a bad color measurement result has a good color measurement result. Control to output to a discharge tray different from the paper is performed.

  As a technique related to such an inspection mode, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-260260 discloses a control device for an image forming apparatus that forms an image of a print result on a sheet based on document image data and discharges it as a printed matter. Image data acquisition means for acquiring print result image data obtained by reading a print result image from the printed matter, and quality of the image data based on at least two different criteria used for detecting defects from the image data Determining means for classifying the printed matter into at least three quality classes based on the print result image data obtained by the image data obtaining means, and is determined by the quality determining means. In addition, a control device that performs processing based on the quality class of the printed matter is disclosed.

  Patent Document 2 listed below includes a paper feed tray that stores paper and feeds the paper, a paper transport unit that transports the fed paper, an image forming unit that forms an image on the paper, A defect detection unit that detects a defect state in the sheet on which the image is formed, a plurality of sheet discharge destinations that discharge the sheet, and control of switching between the sheet feeding, the conveyance, the image formation, and the sheet discharge destination. And a control unit that acquires a detection result of the defect detection unit. The control unit determines whether the sheet is defective based on the detection result, and determines that the sheet is defective when the sheet is determined to be defective. An image forming apparatus is disclosed that performs control to reprint a page including a subsequent page and discharge it to a discharge destination different from the discharge destination immediately before the defect determination.

  Further, Patent Document 3 below discloses an image forming unit that forms a plurality of patch images on a recording sheet using a color material, a fixing unit that heats and fixes the plurality of patch images to the recording sheet, Colorimetric means for measuring the color of an image fixed on the recording paper downstream of the fixing means in the conveying direction and outputting spectral reflectance, and calculating a density value from the spectral reflectance output from the colorimetric means When calculating the chromaticity value by the first calculation means, the second calculation means for calculating the chromaticity value from the spectral reflectance output from the color measurement means, and the second calculation means, Control means for controlling so that the time from when the recording paper passes through the fixing means until the colorimetric measurement is performed is longer than when the density value is calculated by the first calculation means; An image forming apparatus is disclosed. There.

JP 2005-205746 A JP 2014-144627 A JP 2013-088474 A

  In the defect detection mode using the above-described inline colorimeter, reading of an image by the inline colorimeter is fast, but it takes time to determine whether the image is good or bad by analyzing the read result. As a result, even when printing by the printing unit or reading of an image by an inline colorimeter proceeds at a high speed, there arises a situation where it is not possible to distinguish between good and bad images on the discharge tray. To solve this problem, a method of reducing the speed of printing by a printing unit or reading of an image by an inline colorimeter according to the speed of analyzing the reading result and judging whether the image is good or bad can be considered. Then, the printing process and the image reading process are delayed.

  In addition, some image forming systems including a printing apparatus, an inspection apparatus, and a post-processing apparatus are implemented at different reading speeds such as a colorimetric mode in addition to the above-described defect detection mode. Since there are various types of post-processing, control of the entire image forming system becomes complicated if the printing speed and reading speed are controlled in accordance with the speed for determining whether the image in the defect detection mode is good or bad.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the main purpose of the present invention is to perform printing processing and image processing even when the quality of printed images is determined using an inline colorimeter. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming system, a paper transport control method, and a paper transport control program capable of appropriately sorting and outputting good / bad pages without delaying a reading process.

  One aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data, an inspection apparatus that inspects the recording medium on which an image is formed by the printing apparatus, and the recording that is output from the inspection apparatus An image forming system having a post-processing device having a transport path for transporting a medium, and a control device, wherein the inspection device includes a colorimeter capable of reading an image formed on the recording medium, The colorimeter can operate in a defect detection mode in which an image on each page can be read to determine whether image formation is good or bad when a print job is processed, and the post-processing device outputs from the inspection device A first discharge unit and a second discharge unit for discharging the recorded recording medium, and a sorting unit which is provided on the conveyance path and distributes the recording medium to the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit. And have The control device calculates a first time or a first distance from the completion of the image reading by the colorimeter until the recording medium reaches the sorting unit of the post-processing device, and in the defect detection mode, The second time from the completion of image reading by the colorimeter to the determination of good / bad image formation or the second distance by which the recording medium is conveyed in the second time is calculated, and the first Compare the time and the second time, or compare the first distance and the second distance, and the conveyance path or conveyance speed of the recording medium output from the inspection apparatus according to the comparison result It is characterized by changing.

  One aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data, an inspection apparatus that inspects the recording medium on which an image is formed by the printing apparatus, and the recording that is output from the inspection apparatus A post-processing device having a transport path for transporting the medium, and a control device, wherein the inspection device includes a colorimeter capable of reading an image formed on the recording medium, and the colorimeter is It is possible to operate in a defect detection mode in which an image on each page is read to determine whether image formation is good or bad when a print job is processed, and the post-processing device outputs the recording medium output from the inspection device An image having a first discharge unit and a second discharge unit that discharge the recording medium, and a sorting unit that is provided on the conveyance path and distributes the recording medium to the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit. Paper in the forming system In the feeding control method, the control device calculates a first time or a first distance from the completion of image reading by the colorimeter until the recording medium reaches the sorting unit of the post-processing device. In the first process and the defect detection mode, the recording medium is transported during the second time or the second time from the completion of image reading by the colorimeter until the determination of good / bad image formation. The second process for calculating the second distance and the first time and the second time are compared, or the first distance and the second distance are compared, and depending on the comparison result And a third process for changing a conveyance path or a conveyance speed of the recording medium output from the inspection apparatus.

  One aspect of the present invention is a printing apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data, an inspection apparatus that inspects the recording medium on which an image is formed by the printing apparatus, and the recording that is output from the inspection apparatus A post-processing device having a transport path for transporting the medium, and a control device, wherein the inspection device includes a colorimeter capable of reading an image formed on the recording medium, and the colorimeter is It is possible to operate in a defect detection mode in which an image on each page is read to determine whether image formation is good or bad when a print job is processed, and the post-processing device outputs the recording medium output from the inspection device An image having a first discharge unit and a second discharge unit that discharge the recording medium, and a sorting unit that is provided on the conveyance path and distributes the recording medium to the first discharge unit or the second discharge unit. Said in the forming system A sheet conveyance control program that operates in a control apparatus, wherein the control apparatus is configured to execute a first time or a first time from the completion of image reading by the colorimeter until the recording medium reaches the sorting unit of the post-processing apparatus. In the first process for calculating the distance of 1, the recording in the second time or the second time from the completion of image reading by the colorimeter until the determination of good / bad image formation in the defect detection mode Second processing for calculating a second distance at which the medium is transported, comparing the first time with the second time, or comparing the first distance with the second distance A third process for changing a transport path or a transport speed of the recording medium output from the inspection apparatus according to the result is executed.

  According to the image forming system, the sheet conveyance control method, and the sheet conveyance control program of the present invention, even when the quality of printed images is determined using an inline colorimeter, the printing process and the image reading process are performed. It is possible to properly classify and output good / bad pages without delaying.

  The reason is that the control device that controls the printing device, the inspection device, and the post-processing device has a defect detection mode in which an image on each page can be read and a good / bad image formation can be determined when a print job is processed. In this case, the first time or the first distance from the completion of reading by the colorimeter provided in the inspection apparatus to the arrival of the recording medium in the sorting section provided in the conveyance path of the post-processing apparatus, and the colorimeter Compared with the second time from the completion of reading until the image formation is judged good / bad or the second distance by which the recording medium is conveyed in the second time, and output from the inspection device according to the comparison result This is because control is performed to change the conveyance path or conveyance speed of the recording medium.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (output unit selection process) of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (processing when a defective page is detected) of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conveyance path of a reversing mechanism in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a conveyance path of a post-processing mechanism in the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a table which shows an example of the information of the post-processing part (reversing mechanism) which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a table which shows an example of the information of the post-processing part (post-processing mechanism) which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 6 is a table showing an example of print job information according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a table which shows an example of the inline colorimeter information which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. 3 is a table illustrating an example of main body information of the image forming apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a table which shows an example of the conveyance path | route information of the post-processing part which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is an example of the paper table for jam frequency reference which concerns on 1st Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Example of this invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (output unit selection process) of the image forming apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a table which shows an example of the print job information which concerns on 2nd Example of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Example of this invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (output unit selection process) of an image forming apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation (output unit selection process) of an image forming apparatus according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the image forming apparatus which concerns on the 5th Example of this invention.

  As shown in the background art, in the defect detection mode using the inline colorimeter, it takes time to determine whether the image is good or bad by analyzing the image reading result by the inline colorimeter. There arises a situation in which the good / bad classification of images is not in time. In response to this problem, if the printing or image reading speed is reduced in accordance with the speed for judging whether the image is good or bad, the printing process and the image reading process are delayed. In addition, an image forming system including a printing apparatus, an inspection apparatus, and a post-processing apparatus has a color measurement mode in addition to the defect detection mode, and the printing speed and the types of post-processing of the printing apparatus are various. If the reading speed and printing speed are controlled in accordance with the speed for judging good / bad, the control of the entire system becomes complicated.

  Here, since the post-processing apparatus is provided with a conveyance path for performing various post-processing, in one embodiment of the present invention, the image forming apparatus is in a defect detection mode using an in-line colorimeter. The conveyance time (first time) or conveyance distance (first distance) from the completion of image reading by the in-line colorimeter to the arrival of the sheet at the sorting section of the post-processing device (branch point for sorting to the discharge section) ) And a determination time (second time) from completion of image reading by the inline colorimeter to determination of whether the image is good or bad or a conveyance distance (second distance) at which the sheet is conveyed during the determination time , And the transfer path of the post-processing device is changed or the post-processing device so that the first time is longer than the second time or the first distance is longer than the second distance. Change the separation section of the paper Feed or change the speed.

  By performing such control, without delaying the printing process and image reading process, the image is properly classified as good / bad, and the good page and the bad page are discharged to different discharge units, Good pages and bad pages can be shifted out. In addition, by discharging good pages and bad pages to different discharge units, only good pages can be stored, so even if printing failure is detected and image processing is interrupted, The printing process can be resumed.

  In order to describe the above-described embodiment of the present invention in more detail, the image forming system, the paper transport control method, and the paper transport control program according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. I will explain. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. 3 to 5 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams illustrating the configuration of the mechanism of the post-processing unit. FIGS. These are examples of various information used for the paper conveyance control of this embodiment.

  An image forming system (referred to as an image forming apparatus 10) of this embodiment is an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripherals) that forms an image on a sheet (recording medium) based on print data, and is shown in FIGS. As shown to a), the control part 20, ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 30, the image reading part 40, the display operation part 50, the paper feeding parts 61-65, the image formation part 70, the test | inspection part 80, the post-processing part 90, etc. Consists of.

  The control unit 20 controls each component, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a memory 22 such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and an SSD (SSD). A storage unit 23 such as a solid state drive) and the I / F unit 24 are connected via a bus.

  The CPU 21 performs control of each unit and image processing. The memory 22 is a part that temporarily stores various data read from the image reading unit 40 and the I / F unit 24, and the stored image data is processed by the CPU 21 and transferred to the image forming unit 70. In general, the image data held in the memory 22 is rasterized bitmap data of each color of CMYK. The storage unit 23 stores a program for the CPU 21 to control each unit and information regarding the processing function of the own device, and is read out by the CPU 21 as necessary and executed on the memory 22. The I / F unit 24 is connected to a network via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable or the like, establishes a connection with a client terminal or a printer controller (not shown), and transmits and receives data such as a print job and various statuses. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the control unit 20 also functions as a RIP (Raster Image Processor) unit 20a, a pass / fail judgment unit 20b, a judgment unit 20c, a transport control unit 20d, and the like.

  The RIP unit 20a includes PDL (Page Description Language) data described in a page description language such as PJL (Printer Job Language), PS (PostScript), PCL (Printer Control Language), or PDF (Portable Document Format) data. The print job is analyzed, each page included in the print job is rasterized to generate image data, and image processing (color adjustment, density adjustment, size adjustment, etc.) and screening are performed as necessary.

  The pass / fail judgment unit 20b obtains the result of colorimetric measurement of the image of the printed matter from the inspection unit 80, and judges whether the image is good or bad. For example, the presence / absence of contamination due to the toner on the fixing member adhering to the paper, the presence / absence of image formation position deviation in front / back printing, and the presence / absence of change in image density over time are determined.

  The determination unit 20c analyzes the print job information to acquire inline colorimetry designation, and when the inline colorimetry designation is in the defect detection mode, the pass / fail judgment unit is determined from the completion of reading by the inline colorimeter 81 of the inspection unit 80. The time until 20b determines whether the image is good or bad (hereinafter referred to as “good / bad judgment time”) is calculated, and the conveyance distance (hereinafter referred to as “good / good judgment time”) during which the paper (recording medium) is conveyed during the good / bad judgment time. (Referred to as conveyance distance). The determination unit 20c also determines a branch point (hereinafter referred to as a branch point) on the conveyance path for outputting the sheet to the selected output unit from the completion of reading by the inline colorimeter 81 of the inspection unit 80 (exit of the inline colorimeter 81). , Referred to as a sorting unit), the transport distance until the paper reaches is calculated. Compare the transport distance from the exit of the inline colorimeter to the separation section and the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time, and the transport distance of the paper from the inline colorimeter exit to the separation section is If it is equal to or shorter than the conveyance distance of the determination time, the conveyance path of the mechanism of the post-processing unit 90 is searched. Then, the transport distance obtained by adding the transport distance of the predetermined mechanism of the post-processing unit 90 to the transport distance of the sheet from the exit of the inline colorimeter to the sorting unit is compared with the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time, and the added transport distance However, if it is less than the conveyance distance of the pass / fail judgment time, an output unit is further selected.

  The conveyance control unit 20d controls the conveyance of the sheet so that the sheet can be output to the selected output unit through the conveyance path of the mechanism of the selected post-processing unit 90. At this time, a page determined to be good (hereinafter referred to as a “good page”) in the image quality determination by the quality determination unit 20b is output to the selected output unit, and a page determined to be defective (hereinafter referred to as “good”). (Referred to as a bad page) is output to an output unit different from the good page. When the transport path of the mechanism of the post-processing unit 90 is used to increase the transport distance of the sheet to the sorting unit, the post-processing function (punching) is performed when the sheet passes through the transport path. The post-processing unit 90 is controlled so that stapling, folding, cutting, bookbinding, and pasting with glue are not performed (that is, only paper conveyance is performed).

  The RIP unit 20a, the pass / fail determination unit 20b, the determination unit 20c, and the transport control unit 20d may be configured as hardware, or the control unit 20 may be configured as the RIP unit 20a, the pass / fail determination unit 20b, the determination unit 20c, and the transport control. The paper conveyance control program may be configured to function as the unit 20d (particularly, the pass / fail judgment unit 20b, the determination unit 20c, and the conveyance control unit 20d), and the CPU 21 may execute the paper conveyance control program.

  The ADF 30 automatically conveys one or a plurality of document sheets to the image reading unit 40. In this embodiment, the ADF 30 is not essential.

  The image reading unit 40 is a part that optically reads image data from a document placed on a document table, and a light source that scans the document and a CCD (Charge Coupled) that converts light reflected by the document into an electrical signal. Devices) and an A / D converter for A / D converting electrical signals. In this embodiment, the image reading unit 40 is not essential.

  The display operation unit 50 is a touch panel or the like provided with a pressure-sensitive operation unit (touch sensor) in which transparent electrodes are arranged in a grid pattern on the display unit, and is configured to process display and operation in parallel. . This operation function is not limited to the touch panel, and may be anywhere as long as the operation function can be provided.

  The paper feeding units 61 to 65 are parts for storing paper, and include parts for sending the stored paper to the image forming unit 70. Although FIG. 1 illustrates five sheet feeding units 61 to 65, the number of sheet feeding units is arbitrary. In addition, sheets having the same attribute may be placed in each paper feed unit, or sheets having different attributes may be placed. Further, the transport distance from each paper feeding unit to the image forming unit 70 differs for each paper feeding unit.

  The image forming unit 70 includes constituent elements necessary for image formation using an image forming process such as an electrophotographic method or an electrostatic recording method. That is, it includes a photosensitive drum 71, a transfer roller 72, a fixing device, a double-side mechanism 73, a reversing mechanism 74, various conveying belts, a nonvolatile memory 75, and the like. Then, based on the image data read from the image reading unit 40 or the print job received via the I / F unit 24, an image is formed on the printing paper conveyed from the paper feeding units 61 to 65 (a duplex mechanism is provided if necessary). 73, images are formed on both sides of the printing paper), the paper is turned upside down using the reversing mechanism 74 as necessary, and sent to the post-processing unit 90 via the inspection unit 80. The non-volatile memory 75 holds main body information of the image forming apparatus 10 and is read by the control unit 20 when the image forming apparatus 10 is activated.

  The inspection unit 80 performs an inspection by reading an image formed on a sheet conveyed from the image forming unit 70. The inspection unit 80 includes an inline colorimeter 81 and a nonvolatile memory 82. The inline colorimeter 81 is composed of two types, a scanner and a spectral colorimeter. The scanner is composed of, for example, a line sensor in which three types of RGB sensors are arranged in the main scanning direction, and outputs RGB values obtained by the RGB sensors measuring an image formed on a sheet. The spectrocolorimeter is, for example, a spectral colorimeter, and uses colorimetric values (L * a * b * values, XYZ values, etc.) obtained by the colorimeter measuring an image formed on a sheet. Output. In the print job, “OFF”, “defect detection mode”, or “color measurement mode” can be designated for inline color measurement. The “defect detection mode” is an operation mode for determining whether an image is good or bad (an operation mode that allows an image formation defect to be determined by reading an image on each page when a print job is processed). Read with. Since this “defect detection mode” reads all pages of a print job, it generally has a reading speed performance equivalent to the printing speed of the image forming apparatus 10. The “colorimetry mode” is an operation mode for performing calibration, color profile creation, and the like, and reading with a spectrocolorimeter is required because high-precision reading is required. Because calibration and color profile creation are special processes performed by the administrator, there is no problem even if the reading speed is slow, and there is no problem even if the print chart for that is discharged to any output part. As with “OFF”, no special processing is performed. The nonvolatile memory 82 holds information of the inline colorimeter 81 and the like, and is read by the control unit 20 when the image forming apparatus 10 is activated.

  The post-processing unit 90 performs punching, stapling, folding, cutting, and cutting on the paper conveyed from the image forming unit 70 or the paper inspected by the inspection unit 80 according to an instruction from the control unit 20. Finishing processing desired by the user, such as bookbinding and pasting with glue, is added and output. The post-processing unit 90 includes output units 91 to 94, a reversing mechanism 95, post-processing mechanisms 96 to 97, a nonvolatile memory 98, and the like. The output units 91 to 94 discharge and stack printed materials. In the present embodiment, a plurality of output units (here, four output units 91 to 94) are used, and the output unit is selected by the separation unit provided on the transport path (the main transport path crossing the post-processing unit 90). Distribution of whether to discharge is performed. The reversing mechanism 95 is a mechanism for reversing the front and back surfaces of the paper. In this embodiment, it is used as one of the paper transport paths (the post-processing transport path branched from the main transport path). The post-processing mechanisms 96 to 97 are mechanisms that perform stapling, folding, cutting, and the like. In this embodiment, it is used as one of the paper transport paths (the post-processing transport path branched from the main transport path). The non-volatile memory 98 is provided in each mechanism, holds information such as a conveyance speed (linear velocity), a conveyance distance, the number of refractions, and a jam frequency, and is read by the control unit 20 when the image forming apparatus 10 is activated.

  1 and 2 show an example of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment, and the configuration and control thereof can be appropriately changed as long as the sheet conveyance control according to the present exemplary embodiment can be performed. For example, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 20, an image forming unit 70, an inspection unit 80, and a post-processing unit 90. However, each unit is an independent device (control device and printing device). An inspection apparatus and a post-processing apparatus), and an image forming system in which these are connected, or an image forming system in which the control apparatus is included in any of the apparatuses (preferably a printing apparatus). In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is configured to receive a print job from a client terminal. However, the image forming apparatus 10 is connected to a printer controller, and the printer controller receives the print job and rasterizes it. The image data may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 1, the paper conveyance path in the normal printing mode and the defect detection mode will be described. In FIG. 1, in order to make the paper conveyance path easy to see, the paper conveyance path provided in the image forming apparatus 10, the conveyance path when discharging to the output unit designated by the print job, and the present embodiment. These are described in a manner shifted from the transport path when the paper transport control is performed.

  A thin solid line with a white arrow indicates a sheet conveyance path provided in the image forming apparatus 10. The sheets stored in the sheet feeding units 61 to 65 are fed to the image forming unit 70, and the image is transferred by the photosensitive drum 71, the transfer roller 72, the double-sided mechanism 73, the reversing mechanism 74, and conveyed to the inspection unit 80. Is done. The inspection unit 80 measures the color of the image formed on the sheet using the inline colorimeter 81 and transfers the color measurement result to the control unit 20. The color-measured paper (see point A) is conveyed to the post-processing unit 90, and if necessary, a reversing mechanism 95 (see points B and C), a post-processing mechanism 96 (see points F, G, and H), and the back Post-processing is performed by the processing mechanism 97 (see point K), an output unit 91 (see points D and E), an output unit 92 (see points I and J), an output unit 93 (see points L and M), and an output unit. 94 (see point N).

  A thin solid line with a black arrow indicates a general route for transporting to an output unit designated by the print job. For example, when the output unit 91 is specified as the output destination in the print job, the paper whose color has been measured by the inline colorimeter 81 passes through the transport points A, D, and E and is discharged to the output unit 91. .

  A thick solid line and a broken line with black arrows indicate a sheet conveyance path when the sheet conveyance control of this embodiment is performed. The paper determined to be good by the control unit 20 (good / bad determination unit 20b) based on the color measurement result of the inspection unit 80 is reversed by the reversing mechanism 95 (see points A, B, and C), and then the output unit 91 (points). D and E). On the other hand, the paper determined to be defective by the control unit 20 (good / bad determination unit 20b) is reversed by the reversing mechanism 95 (see points A, B, C), and then the output unit 94 (points D, I, L, N reference).

  That is, in FIG. 1, the transport distance of the paper when outputting from the output section specified in the print job is equal to or less than the transport distance transported at the time when the control section 20 (good / bad determination section 20b) determines good / bad. In this case, since the output unit cannot be switched according to good / bad, the paper conveyance distance is increased by using the reversing mechanism 95 of the post-processing unit 90, and the control unit 20 (conveyance control unit 20d) prints a good page. The output is made to the output unit 91 specified by the job so that the defective page can be output to an output unit different from the output unit 91 (here, the output unit 94). In the case of reversing the paper using the reversing mechanism 95, if the front and back of the paper and the face up / face down setting are not changed, the paper is reversed using the reversing mechanism 74 of the image forming unit 70, The sheet may be further reversed using the reversing mechanism 95.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. The CPU 21 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3A, 3 </ b> B, 4, and 5 by developing and executing the above-described sheet conveyance control program in the memory 22. Note that FIG. 3 is divided for convenience of drawing and shows a series of processing.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, when the image forming apparatus 10 is turned on and started up (Yes in S101), the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) displays a post-processing option (reversing mechanism of the post-processing unit 90). The information stored in the non-volatile memory 98 of each post-processing option is read onto the memory 22 (S102), and a table of the entire post-processing option is created from the read information. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the transport path of the reversing mechanism 95, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing the transport path of the post-processing mechanism 96. FIG. 8 shows an example of information on the reversing mechanism 95, and FIG. 9 shows an example of information on the post-processing mechanism 96. The conveyance speed (the speed in the range if variable), the conveyance distance from each point, Consists of the number of refractions and jam frequency during conveyance. FIG. 14 is an example of a paper table for jam frequency reference. FIG. 13 is an example of a table of the entire post-processing option created using FIGS. In FIG. 13, a slightly simple table is used, but the granularity does not matter.

  Next, the image forming apparatus 10 receives a print job from a client terminal or printer controller on the network via the I / F unit 24 in the printer mode (in the copy mode, receives image data from the image reading unit 40). Then (Yes in S103), the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) analyzes the print job information (information set by the display operation unit 50 in the copy mode) on the memory 22 (S104). FIG. 10 shows an example of print job information, which includes a job ID, job type, user name, job name, number of pages, number of copies, inline color measurement operation mode, post-processing information (collation, stapling, folding), and the like. . As described above, the inline colorimetry designation includes “OFF”, “defect detection mode”, “colorimetry mode”, and the like.

  Next, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) confirms the designation of “inline colorimetry” in the print job information (S105), and the designation of “inline colorimetry” is “OFF” or “colorimetry mode”. Performs a normal printing process using a known method. On the other hand, when the designation of “inline colorimetry” is “defect detection mode”, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) refers to the inline colorimeter information of FIG. 11 and designates the defect designated by the print job information. A pass / fail judgment time in the detection mode is calculated (S106). In this embodiment, “Position error detection” in the defect detection mode is designated in “Inline colorimetry” in the print job information. “2.0 sec” is acquired as the judgment time. In this embodiment, the pass / fail judgment time is fixed to the in-line colorimeter, but the pass / fail judgment time changes depending on the type and complexity of the image (collectively referred to as image characteristics). In this case, the time required for the determination can be predicted in advance. As a prediction method of this pass / fail judgment time, for example, when the configuration and color of the image become complicated, the RIP time becomes longer and it takes time to detect the edge. Therefore, the RIP time of each page is determined using a known method. It is possible to predict and set a pass / fail judgment time proportional to the RIP time.

  Next, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) calculates the distance that the sheet is conveyed during the above-described pass / fail determination time (S107). This transport distance is a value obtained by multiplying the above pass / fail judgment time by the linear velocity. In the present embodiment, the printing speed (linear speed) of the main body is 500 mm / sec from the main body information of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 12, and the reading speed (linear speed) is also 500 mm / second from the inline colorimeter information shown in FIG. Since the time is sec, the paper is also conveyed to the post-processing unit 90 subsequent to the inline colorimeter 81 at a speed of 500 mm / sec. In this embodiment, since the pass / fail judgment time is 2.0 sec, 2.0 (sec) × 500 (mm / sec) = 1000 (mm) is the transport distance for transporting the paper during the pass / fail judgment time.

  Next, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) selects an output unit (S108). FIG. 4 shows the details of this step. The output portion of the good page is set in the output portion specified by the print job information (in this embodiment, the output portion 91 specified by the print job information in FIG. 10). (S201), the output part of the defective page is set to an output part other than the output part specified by the print job information (the output part 94 in this embodiment) (S202).

  Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) refers to the conveyance path information of the post-processing unit in FIG. A transport distance to the sorting unit for output to the selected output unit is calculated (S109). Here, since the output unit specified in the print job is the output unit 91 and the sorting unit to the output unit 91 is the point D, the distance when the paper is passed straight from the point A to the point D is 500 mm. (250 mm between A and B + 250 mm between B and D) is acquired.

  Next, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) determines whether the transport distance to the sorting unit calculated in S108 is longer than the transport distance of the pass / fail determination time calculated in S107 (S110). If the transport distance to the sorting section is longer than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time (Yes in S110), the pass / fail judgment can be completed before the paper arrives at the sort section, so the image forming section 70 performs image formation. The inspection unit 80 measures the color of the formed image, the control unit 20 (quality determination unit 20b) determines the quality of the image (S118), and the control unit 20 (conveyance control unit 20d) The page is discharged to the output unit specified by the print job information, the defective page is discharged to an output unit different from the good page (S120), and the series of processes is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the conveyance distance to the sorting unit is equal to or less than the conveyance distance of the pass / fail judgment time (No in S110), the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) has a mechanism (reversing mechanism or post-processing) existing up to the sorting unit of the output unit. (Mechanism) transport path is searched, the transport distance of the transport path of the searched mechanism is added to the transport distance to the sorting section (S111), and it is determined whether the added transport distance is longer than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time. (S112). In the case of the present embodiment, since the transport distance to the sorting section of the selected output section is 500 mm and the transport distance for the pass / fail judgment time is 1000 mm, S110 is No, and the transport distance to the sorting section of the output section is Change the transport path to exceed 1000mm. In that case, first, it is searched whether the conveyance path can be lengthened without changing the output unit. In this case, there is a conveyance path of the reversing mechanism 95 from the point B to the point C between the point A and the point D. Since the transfer distance of this transfer route is 500 mm one way, if the transfer route is changed so as to reach point D from point B through point C, the transfer distance to point D in the sorting section will be 1500 mm. It can exceed the transport distance of 1000mm.

  When the transport distance obtained by adding the transport distance of the mechanism transport path to the transport distance to the sorting section is longer than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time (Yes in S112), the paper arrives at the sorting section through the transport path of the mechanism. Therefore, the image forming unit 70 performs image formation, the inspection unit 80 measures the formed image, and the control unit 20 (good / bad determination unit 20b) determines whether the image is good or bad. Then, the control unit 20 (conveyance control unit 20d) conveys the paper after the pass / fail judgment to the added mechanism (S119), discharges the good page to the output unit specified by the print job information, The paper is discharged to an output unit different from the good page (S120), and the series of processes is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the added transport distance is equal to or less than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time (No in S112), the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) selects an output unit (S113). Here, an output unit subsequent to the output unit specified by the print job information is selected. Then, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) adds the transport distance on the transport path of the mechanism to the transport distance to the sorting unit of the selected output unit (S114), and the transport distance to the sorting unit of the subsequent output unit It is determined whether the transport distance obtained by adding the transport distance of the mechanism is longer than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time (S115). When the added transport distance is longer than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time (Yes in S115), the image forming unit 70 performs image formation, the inspection unit 80 measures the formed image, and the control unit 20 ( The quality determination unit 20b) determines the quality of the image, and the control unit 20 (conveyance control unit 20d) changes to the above output unit and further conveys it to the added mechanism (S116), and the good page is selected in S113. The defective page is discharged to an output unit different from the good page (S117), and the series of processes is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the added transport distance is equal to or less than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time (No in S115), the control unit 20 stops printing when a defective page is detected, as in the conventional colorimetric printing process (S121). . FIG. 5 shows the details of this step. If no defective page is detected (No in S301), the good page is discharged to the output unit designated by the print job (S306), and if the defective page is detected (S306). (Yes in S301), the defective page number is input to the variable P (1) (S302), and the page numbers of the already formed pages after the defective page are input to the variable P (2, 3,..., N) (S303). ). Then, the variable P (1, 2, 3,..., N) is discharged to a defective page output unit different from the good page (S304), and the variable P (1, 2, 3,..., N) and subsequent pages are output. Images are sequentially formed (S305), and the process returns to S301 and the same processing is repeated.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the answer is Yes in S112, and all the pages are transported along the transport route of point A → point B → point C → point B → point D while performing image formation, color measurement, and pass / fail judgment (S119). As shown in FIG. 1, the good page is conveyed to the output unit 91, and the defective page is conveyed to the output unit 94 at the subsequent stage, whereby the good page and the defective page are discharged to different output units (S120). In FIG. 1, the defective page is discharged to the output unit 94, but may be discharged to the output unit 93 or the output unit 92.

  As described above, when the conveyance distance from the completion of reading by the inline colorimeter 81 to the arrival of the paper at the output separation unit specified in the print job is equal to or less than the conveyance distance of the pass / fail judgment time, the separation unit Look for an existing post-processing mechanism, and if the transport distance obtained by adding the transport path of the post-processing mechanism to the transport distance to the sorting section of the output unit is longer than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time, the measured color paper is By transporting the image to the sorting unit via the transport path of the processing mechanism, it is possible to appropriately classify the good / bad image without delaying the printing process or the image reading process.

  Next, an image forming system, a paper transport control method, and a paper transport control program according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment. FIG. 17 is an example of print job information used for paper conveyance control according to this embodiment.

  In the first embodiment described above, the case where the designation of “inline colorimetry” in the print job information is “position abnormality detection” in “defect detection mode” has been described, but in this embodiment, “defect detection mode” is designated. A case of “gradation abnormality detection” will be described. In that case, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is the same as that of FIG. 2 of the first embodiment.

  First, the paper transport path in the normal printing mode and the defect detection mode will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the first embodiment, a thin solid line with a white arrow indicates a sheet conveyance path. A thin solid line with a black arrow indicates a general route for transporting to an output unit designated by the print job. For example, the output unit 91 is designated as an output destination in the print job. In this case, the paper whose color has been measured by the inline colorimeter 81 passes through the points A, D, and E and is discharged to the output unit 91.

  A thick solid line and a broken line with black arrows indicate a sheet conveyance path when the sheet conveyance control of this embodiment is performed. The paper determined as good by the control unit 20 (good / bad determination unit 20b) based on the color measurement result of the inspection unit 80 is bypassed by the post-processing mechanism 96 (see points F, G, and H), and then the output unit 92 ( (See points I and J). On the other hand, the paper determined to be defective by the control unit 20 (good / bad determination unit 20b) is bypassed by the post-processing mechanism 96 (see points F, G, H), and then the output unit 94 (see points I, L, N). Is output.

  That is, in FIG. 15, the transport distance of the paper when outputting from the output unit specified in the print job is equal to or less than the transport distance transported at the time when the control unit 20 (good / bad determination unit 20b) determines good / bad. In this case, since the output unit cannot be switched according to good / bad, the output destination is changed to the output unit 92 at the subsequent stage rather than the output unit 91 specified by the print job, and the post-processing mechanism 96 of the post-processing unit 90 is changed. The control unit 20 (conveyance control unit 20d) can output a good page to the output unit 92 and a defective page to the output unit 94.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. The CPU 21 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIG. 16 by developing the above-described sheet conveyance control program in the memory 22 and executing it. In the present embodiment, only differences from the first embodiment will be described.

  If the designation of “inline colorimetry” of the print job is “defect detection mode” in S105, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) refers to the inline colorimeter information of FIG. The pass / fail judgment time in the designated failure detection mode is acquired (S106). In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, “tone error detection” in the failure detection mode of print job information is designated. Therefore, “5.0 sec” is acquired as the determination time from the “gradation abnormality detection” column of “defect detection mode” in FIG. In this embodiment, the pass / fail judgment time is fixed to the in-line colorimeter. However, the judgment time may vary depending on the type and complexity of the image (image characteristics). The time it takes can be predicted. As a method for predicting the pass / fail judgment time, for example, when the image configuration and color become complicated, the RIP time becomes longer and it takes time to detect gradation abnormality. By predicting the time, a pass / fail judgment time proportional to the RIP time can be set.

  Next, in step S107, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) calculates the transport distance by which the sheet is transported during the above pass / fail judgment time. In this embodiment, the pass / fail judgment time is 5.0 seconds. , 5.0 (sec) × 500 (mm / sec) = 2500 (mm) is the transport distance for transporting the paper during the pass / fail judgment time.

  Further, when the transport distance to the sorting unit is equal to or less than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time (No in S110), the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) has a mechanism (reversing mechanism or post-processing) existing up to the sorting unit of the output unit. (Mechanism) transport path is searched, the transport distance of the transport path of the searched mechanism is added to the transport distance to the sorting section (S111), and it is determined whether the added transport distance is longer than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time. (S112) In the case of the present embodiment, the transport distance to the sorting section of the selected output section is 500 mm (250 mm between A and B + 250 mm between B and D) from FIG. Since the distance is 2500 mm, S110 is No, and the conveyance path is changed so that the conveyance distance to the sorting unit of the output unit exceeds 2500 mm. At that time, first, it is searched whether the conveyance path can be lengthened so as not to change the output unit. In this case, there is a transport path of the reversing mechanism 95 from point A to point D from point B to point C. The transport path of the reversing mechanism 95 is 1000 mm in a reciprocating manner as shown in the first embodiment. When the output unit is fixed by the output unit 91 specified by the print job, it is 1500 mm even when passing through the point C which is the transport path in the middle, which is not enough for the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time 2500 mm. .

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the output unit selection in S113, the output destination is changed to an output unit subsequent to the output unit 91 specified by the print job. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the output unit of the good page is set to an output unit closer to the output unit specified by the print job (S401), and the output unit of the defective page is set to an output unit other than the good page. (S402). That is, the output unit 92 is selected as the output unit for the good page, and the output unit 93 or the output unit 94 (the output unit 94 in this embodiment) is selected as the output unit for the defective page.

  Next, in S114, the transport route of the mechanism to the sorting unit of the selected output unit is added. In this embodiment, the reversing mechanism from point B to point C between point A and point I is reversed. There are 95 transport routes and a transport route of the post-processing mechanism 96 from the point F via the point G to the point H. Here, even if the transport path of the reversing mechanism 95 is used, the transport distance is 1600 mm (250 mm between A and B + 1000 mm between B and C, 250 mm between B and D + 100 mm between D and F + 100 mm between F and H + between H and I Therefore, the transport path of the post-processing mechanism 96 is considered. Since the transport distance of the transport path of the post-processing mechanism 96 is 2000 mm (F to H (via G)) from FIG. 13, the transport path so as to reach the point I from the point A through the points F, G, H. , The transport distance to point I in the separation section is 3000mm (250mm between A and B + 250mm between B and D + 100mm between D and F + 2000mm between F and H (via G) + 400mm between H and I). The conveyance distance of the judgment time can exceed 2500mm. When both the transport path of the reversing mechanism 95 and the transport path of the post-processing mechanism 96 are used, the transport distance is 4000 mm (250 mm between A and B +1000 mm between B and C and between 250 mm and B and D between 250 mm and D and F). 100mm + F to H (400mm between G and 2000mm + H to I), which can exceed the transport distance of 2500mm during the pass / fail judgment time, but it is not necessary to transport a long distance wastefully. Only the transport path of the processing mechanism 96 is used.

  In the case of the present embodiment, No in S112, Yes in S115, and while performing image formation, colorimetry, and pass / fail judgment, all pages are point A → point B → point D → point F → point G → point H → point. 15 (S116), as shown in FIG. 15, the good page is conveyed to the output unit 92, and the defective page is conveyed to the output unit 94 at the subsequent stage, whereby the good page and the bad page are output differently. (S117). In FIG. 15, the defective page is discharged to the output unit 94, but may be discharged to the output unit 93.

  As described above, when the conveyance distance from the completion of reading by the inline colorimeter 81 to the arrival of the paper at the output separation unit specified in the print job is equal to or less than the conveyance distance of the pass / fail judgment time, the separation unit By searching for an existing post-processing mechanism and adding the transport path of the post-processing mechanism to the transport distance to the sorting section of the output unit, if it is less than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time, change it to the output unit of the subsequent stage Thus, it is possible to appropriately classify images as good / bad without delaying the printing process and the image reading process.

  Next, an image forming system, a paper transport control method, and a paper transport control program according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, and FIGS. 19 to 20 are flowcharts illustrating operations (output unit selection processing) of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  In the first embodiment described above, the conveyance distance from the completion of reading by the in-line colorimeter 81 to the arrival of the sheet at the output unit is determined using the conveyance path of the reversing mechanism or the post-processing mechanism. However, the reversing mechanism transport path and post-processing mechanism transport path refracts the paper, which may place a burden on the printing paper. If the paper is refracted, jamming will occur. There is a risk of increasing the frequency. Therefore, in this embodiment, the position of the sorting unit is changed without using the conveyance path of the reversing mechanism or the conveyance path of the post-processing mechanism, and the number of refractions is small so that the printing paper is not burdened especially on good pages. Select a route or select a route with a low jam occurrence frequency.

  In this case, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is the same as that in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, but the determination unit 20c calculates the number of refractions in each transport path, and transport path information of the post-processing section in FIG. 14, the jam frequency for each paper type is calculated by referring to the jam frequency reference paper table of FIG. 14 and the jam frequency of each mechanism of the post-processing unit 90, and the post-processing unit of FIG. Add jam frequency to the transport route information. Then, when selecting the output unit, the position of the separation unit is set so that the conveyance distance from the completion of reading by the inline colorimeter 81 to the arrival of the sheet at the separation unit of the output unit is longer than the conveyance distance of the pass / fail judgment time. 13, referring to the conveyance path information of the post-processing unit in FIG. 13, as the output unit of the good page, the output unit having the smallest number of refractions (relatively few refractions) or the lowest jam frequency ( Select the output section (the jam frequency is relatively low). Further, as the output portion of the defective page, the output portion having the next smallest number of refractions and the output portion having the next lowest jam frequency are selected.

  The above control will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the first embodiment, a thin solid line with a white arrow indicates a sheet conveyance path. A thin solid line with a black arrow indicates a general route for transporting to an output unit designated by the print job. For example, the output unit 91 is designated as an output destination in the print job. In this case, the paper whose color has been measured by the inline colorimeter 81 passes through the points A, D, and E and is discharged to the output unit 91.

  A thick solid line and a broken line with black arrows indicate a sheet conveyance path when the sheet conveyance control of this embodiment is performed. The paper determined by the control unit 20 (good / bad determination unit 20b) based on the color measurement result of the inspection unit 80 is extended in the conveyance path so that the conveyance distance to the sorting unit is longer than the conveyance distance of the quality determination time. , The points A, B, D, F, H, I, L, and N are output to the output unit 94. On the other hand, the sheet that the control unit 20 (good / bad determination unit 20b) determines to be defective is output to the output unit 93 via the points A, B, D, F, H, I, L, and M.

  That is, in FIG. 18, when the sheet conveyance distance when outputting from the output unit specified in the print job is equal to or less than the conveyance distance conveyed at the time when the control unit 20 (good / bad determination unit 20b) determines good / bad. Since the output unit cannot be switched according to the quality, the paper transport distance is increased by discharging to an output unit farther than the output unit specified in the print job, and good pages are loaded on the paper. The output is made to the output unit 94 so that it does not occur, and the defective page can be output to an output unit different from the good page.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. In the present embodiment, a process for selecting an output unit in S108 of FIG. 3A and S113 of FIG. 3B will be described. Specifically, when an output unit is selected from an output unit group that can make the transport distance to the sorting unit longer than the transport distance of the pass / fail judgment time, as shown in FIG. With reference to the number of refractions of the designated paper, the output portion of the good page is set to the output portion with the smallest number of refractions (or the relatively small number of refractions) in the output portion group. Then, the output portion of the defective page is set to the output portion having the next smallest number of refractions in the output portion group (S502). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 20, referring to the jam frequency of FIG. 13 for the paper designated by the print job information, the output portion of the good page is the lowest jam frequency in the output unit group ( Or, the output section of the defective page is set to the output section having the next lowest jam frequency in the output section group (S602).

  In this way, refraction is performed while changing the position of the separation unit so that the conveyance distance from the completion of reading by the in-line colorimeter 81 until the paper reaches the separation unit of the output unit becomes longer than the conveyance distance of the pass / fail judgment time. By referring to the number of times and the frequency of jamming, especially on good pages, the paper path can be selected by selecting a conveyance path with a small number of refractions or selecting a conveyance path with a low frequency of jamming so that printing paper is not burdened. Can reduce the risk of refraction or jamming. In this embodiment, the jam frequency is acquired from the non-volatile memory 98 provided in each post-processing mechanism of the post-processing unit 90. However, the main body of the image forming apparatus 10 calculates the actual jam history from the actual jam history. You may create it.

  Next, an image forming apparatus, a paper transport control method, and a paper transport control program according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  In the first to third embodiments described above, the conveyance path is such that the conveyance distance from the completion of reading by the inline colorimeter 81 to the arrival of the paper at the output unit sorting section is longer than the conveyance distance of the pass / fail judgment time. However, in this embodiment, the conveyance speed is decreased in order to secure the time required for the pass / fail judgment.

  In this case, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but the determination unit 20 c is determined by the pass / fail determination unit 20 b from the completion of reading by the inline colorimeter 81 of the inspection unit 80. A pass / fail judgment time until determining whether the image is good or bad is calculated. In addition, the determination unit 20c uses the inline colorimeter 81 of the inspection unit 80 to complete the reading (the exit of the inline colorimeter 81), and outputs the paper to the sorting unit on the conveyance path for outputting the paper to the selected output unit. Is calculated by dividing the conveyance distance by the conveyance speed. Then, the sheet conveyance time is compared with the pass / fail determination time, and the sheet transfer speed from the exit of the inline colorimeter to the sorting unit is calculated so that the sheet transfer time becomes longer than the pass / fail determination time. Further, the transport control unit 20d transports the paper by reducing the transport speed of the paper from the exit of the inline colorimeter to the sorting unit to the transport speed calculated by the determination unit 20c, and the good page is the selected output unit. The defective page is output to an output unit different from the good page.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 will be described. The CPU 21 executes the processing of each step shown in the flowchart of FIG. 21 by developing the above-described sheet conveyance control program in the memory 22 and executing it.

  First, the image forming apparatus 10 receives a print job from a client terminal or printer controller on the network via the I / F unit 24 in the printer mode (receives image data from the image reading unit 40 in the copy mode). (Yes in S701), the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) analyzes the print job information (information set by the display operation unit 50 in the copy mode) on the memory 22 (S702).

  Next, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) confirms the designation of “inline colorimetry” in the print job information (S703), and the designation of “inline colorimetry” is “OFF” or “colorimetry mode”. Performs a normal printing process using a known method. On the other hand, when the designation of “inline colorimetry” is “defect detection mode”, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) refers to the inline colorimeter information of FIG. 11 and designates the defect designated by the print job information. The pass / fail judgment time in the detection mode is calculated (S704), and the information is discharged from the exit of the inline colorimeter 81 to the output unit specified by the print job information with reference to the conveyance path information of the post-processing unit in FIG. The transport distance to the sorting unit is calculated, and the transport distance is obtained by dividing the transport distance by the transport speed (linear speed) of the post-processing unit (S705).

  Next, the control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) determines whether or not the conveyance time to the sorting unit of the output unit is longer than the quality determination time (S706). When the transport time to the sorting unit of the output unit is longer than the pass / fail judgment time (Yes in S706), the process skips to S708, and when the transport time to the sorting unit of the output unit is less than the pass / fail judgment time (No in S706), The control unit 20 (determination unit 20c) calculates the transport speed to the sorting unit of the output unit so that the transport time to the sorting unit of the output unit is longer than the pass / fail judgment time (S707). Thereafter, the image forming unit 70 performs image formation, the inspection unit 80 measures the color of the formed image, the control unit 20 (quality determination unit 20b) determines the quality of the image (S708), and the control unit 20 ( The conveyance control unit 20d) reduces the conveyance speed of the paper to the conveyance speed calculated in S707 and conveys the paper after the pass / fail judgment (S709), and discharges the good pages to the output unit specified by the print job information, The defective page is discharged to an output unit different from the good page (S710), and a series of processing ends.

  The calculation method of the conveyance speed will be described in detail. Under the same conditions as in the first embodiment, the time required for conveyance of the conveyance distance of 500 mm from the point A to the point D is as follows. Since the printing speed of the main body information in FIG. 12 and the reading speed in the defect detection mode of the in-line colorimeter information in FIG. 11 are 500 mm / sec, 500 (mm) / 500 (mm / sec) = 1.0 sec. On the other hand, the time required for the pass / fail judgment is 2.0 sec. In the fault detection mode of the inline colorimeter information in FIG. Therefore, the conveyance speed is set to less than 500 (mm / sec) x 1 (sec) / 2 (sec) = 250 (mm / sec) so that it takes 2.0 seconds to travel between the distance 500mm from point A to point D. Slow down.

  In this way, when the conveyance time from the completion of reading by the inline colorimeter 81 to the arrival of the paper at the output section specified by the print job is equal to or less than the pass / fail judgment time, the paper conveyance speed is reduced. Thus, it is possible to properly classify the image quality. Note that the paper transport speed may be reduced uniformly, the paper transport speed may be reduced in any section of the transport path, or the paper transport may be temporarily stopped at any point on the transport path. May be.

  Next, an image forming apparatus, a paper transport control method, and a paper transport control program according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment.

  In the first to fourth embodiments described above, the good page and the bad page are discharged to separate output units. However, when the output unit has a shift (offset) function, the good page and the bad page are output the same. It can be discharged to the part. In this case, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 10 is the same as that in FIG. 2 of the first embodiment, but the conveyance control unit 20d outputs the good page to the output unit in the first form, and the defective page has the same output unit. Are output in the second form.

  Description will be made with reference to a schematic diagram of the image forming apparatus 10 in FIG. Here, the output unit 94 has a shift (offset) function. In this case, in the first to fourth embodiments, the output section is switched in the sorting section in the preceding stage of the output section. However, in this embodiment, the output section is the same and the good page and the bad page are shifted. Sort by The thick solid line in FIG. 22 indicates a good page conveyance path, and the thick broken line indicates a defective page conveyance path.

  The operation of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is described in the flowcharts shown in the first to fourth embodiments. In the flowcharts shown in FIG. The output part of a bad page is classified by performing shift as the same output part.

  As described above, when the output unit has the shift function, it is possible to appropriately output the image without delaying the printing process or the image reading process by outputting the good page and the bad page to the same output unit having the shift function. Can be classified into good / bad.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, The structure and control can be changed suitably, unless it deviates from the meaning of this invention.

  The present invention relates to an image forming system that performs sheet conveyance control when determining whether a printed image is good or bad using an inline colorimeter, a sheet conveyance control method, a sheet conveyance control program, and the sheet conveyance in the image forming system. The present invention can be used for a recording medium on which a control program is recorded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 20 Control part 20a RIP part 20b Pass / fail judgment part 20c Judgment part 20d Conveyance control part 21 CPU
22 memory 23 storage unit 24 I / F unit 30 ADF
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 40 Image reading part 50 Display operation part 61-65 Paper feeding part 70 Image formation part 71 Photosensitive drum 72 Transfer roller 73 Both-sides mechanism 74 Inversion mechanism 75 Non-volatile memory 80 Inspection part 81 Inline colorimeter 82 Non-volatile memory 90 Post-processing Part 91-94 output part 95 reversing mechanism 95a-95d conveyance point 96-97 post-processing mechanism 96a-96g conveyance point 98 non-volatile memory

Claims (22)

A printing apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data, an inspection apparatus that inspects the recording medium on which an image is formed by the printing apparatus, and a conveyance path that conveys the recording medium output from the inspection apparatus An image forming system having a post-processing device and a control device,
The inspection apparatus includes a colorimeter capable of reading an image formed on the recording medium, and the colorimeter reads an image of each page when processing a print job to determine whether image formation is good / bad. It can operate in the defect detection mode that makes it possible to judge,
The post-processing device is provided on the transport path, and includes a first discharge unit and a second discharge unit that discharge the recording medium output from the inspection device, and the recording medium is transferred to the first discharge unit. Or a sorting unit that distributes to the second discharge unit,
The control device calculates a first time or a first distance from the completion of image reading by the colorimeter until the recording medium reaches the sorting unit of the post-processing device, and in the defect detection mode, A second time from completion of image reading by the colorimeter to determination of good / bad image formation or a second distance for transporting the recording medium during the second time is calculated, and the first Or the second time, or the first distance and the second distance, and the recording medium transport path or transport output from the inspection device according to the comparison result. Change the speed,
An image forming system. When the first time is less than or equal to the second time, or the first distance is less than or equal to the second distance, the control device may include a post-processing conveyance path that branches from the conveyance path. , Specifying a post-processing transport path that allows the first time to be longer than the second time, or the first distance to be longer than the second distance, and the specified post-processing Conveying the recording medium to the sorting unit via a conveyance path for use;
The image forming system according to claim 1. The post-processing apparatus includes a plurality of the sorting units,
When the first time is equal to or less than the second time, or the first distance is equal to or less than the second distance, the control device is configured to select the first time from the plurality of sorting units. Identifying a separation unit that can be longer than the second time or making the first distance longer than the second distance, and transporting the recording medium to the identified separation unit,
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein: The control device changes the second time according to characteristics of an image formed on the recording medium.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. The control device selects a discharge unit that discharges at least the recording medium on which the image formation is determined to be good according to the characteristics of the recording medium.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. The control device uses a conveyance path in which the recording medium determined to be good in image formation is less refracted and conveyed than the recording medium determined to be defective in image formation. So as to select the discharge part,
The image forming system according to claim 5. The control device selects the discharge unit so that the recording medium on which the image formation is determined to be good uses a conveyance path that is less jammed than the recording medium on which the image formation is determined to be poor. ,
The image forming system according to claim 5. The control device sets the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit in the same discharge tray having a shift function.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. The inspection apparatus sets the reading speed of the colorimeter in the defect detection mode to a speed at which the printing speed of the printing apparatus can be maintained.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. The colorimeter is operable in a colorimetric mode for performing spectral colorimetry on a recording medium on which a chart image is formed by the printing apparatus,
The inspection apparatus sets the reading speed of the colorimeter in the defect detection mode to a speed higher than the reading speed of the colorimeter in the color measurement mode.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. The control device is provided in the printing device and manages the operation state of the inspection device and the post-processing device.
The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system is an image forming system. A printing apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data, an inspection apparatus that inspects the recording medium on which an image is formed by the printing apparatus, and a conveyance path that conveys the recording medium output from the inspection apparatus A post-processing device having a control device,
The inspection apparatus includes a colorimeter capable of reading an image formed on the recording medium, and the colorimeter reads an image of each page when processing a print job to determine whether image formation is good / bad. It can operate in the defect detection mode that makes it possible to judge,
The post-processing device is provided on the transport path, and includes a first discharge unit and a second discharge unit that discharge the recording medium output from the inspection device, and the recording medium is transferred to the first discharge unit. Or a sheet conveyance control method in an image forming system having a sorting unit that distributes to the second discharge unit,
The controller is
A first process for calculating a first time or a first distance from the completion of image reading by the colorimeter until the recording medium reaches the sorting unit of the post-processing device;
In the defect detection mode, a second time from completion of image reading by the colorimeter to determination of good / bad image formation or a second distance by which the recording medium is conveyed in the second time A second process to calculate;
The first time and the second time are compared, or the first distance and the second distance are compared, and the recording medium output from the inspection apparatus according to the comparison result is conveyed. Executing a third process for changing the route or the conveyance speed;
A paper conveyance control method characterized by the above. In the third process, when the first time is less than or equal to the second time, or when the first distance is less than or equal to the second distance, in the post-processing transport path that branches from the transport path. From after specifying the post-processing transport path that can make the first time longer than the second time, or the first distance can be longer than the second distance Transport the recording medium to the sorting section via a processing transport path;
The paper conveyance control method according to claim 12. The post-processing apparatus includes a plurality of the sorting units,
In the third process, when the first time is equal to or less than the second time, or when the first distance is equal to or less than the second distance, the first separation unit is selected from the plurality of sorting units. Specifying a separation unit capable of making the time longer than the second time or making the first distance longer than the second distance, and transporting the recording medium to the specified separation unit;
The paper conveyance control method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the paper conveyance control method is used. In the second process, the second time is changed according to the characteristics of the image formed on the recording medium.
15. The sheet conveyance control method according to claim 12, wherein the sheet conveyance control method is performed. In the third process, according to the characteristics of the recording medium, at least a discharge unit that discharges the recording medium determined to be good is selected.
16. The sheet conveyance control method according to claim 12, wherein the sheet conveyance control method is performed. In the third process, the recording medium on which the image formation is determined to be good uses a conveyance path in which the recording medium is refracted and conveyed less than the recording medium on which the image formation is determined to be poor. To select the discharge part,
The paper conveyance control method according to claim 16. In the third process, the discharge unit is selected so that a recording medium on which the image formation is determined to be good uses a conveyance path having a lower jam frequency than a recording medium on which the image formation is determined to be poor. To
The paper conveyance control method according to claim 16. In the third process, the first discharge unit and the second discharge unit are set in the same discharge tray having a shift function.
16. The sheet conveyance control method according to claim 12, wherein the sheet conveyance control method is performed. A printing apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium based on image data, an inspection apparatus that inspects the recording medium on which an image is formed by the printing apparatus, and a conveyance path that conveys the recording medium output from the inspection apparatus A post-processing device having a control device,
The inspection apparatus includes a colorimeter capable of reading an image formed on the recording medium, and the colorimeter reads an image of each page when processing a print job to determine whether image formation is good / bad. It can operate in the defect detection mode that makes it possible to judge,
The post-processing device is provided on the transport path, and includes a first discharge unit and a second discharge unit that discharge the recording medium output from the inspection device, and the recording medium is transferred to the first discharge unit. Or a sheet conveyance control program that operates in the control device in an image forming system having a sorting unit that distributes to the second discharge unit,
In the control device,
A first process for calculating a first time or a first distance from the completion of the image reading by the colorimeter until the recording medium reaches the sorting unit of the post-processing device;
In the defect detection mode, a second time from completion of image reading by the colorimeter to determination of good / bad image formation or a second distance by which the recording medium is conveyed in the second time A second process to calculate,
The first time and the second time are compared, or the first distance and the second distance are compared, and the recording medium output from the inspection apparatus according to the comparison result is conveyed. Executing a third process for changing the route or the conveyance speed;
A paper conveyance control program. In the third process, when the first time is less than or equal to the second time, or when the first distance is less than or equal to the second distance, in the post-processing transport path that branches from the transport path. From after specifying the post-processing transport path that can make the first time longer than the second time, or the first distance can be longer than the second distance Transport the recording medium to the sorting section via a processing transport path;
21. The paper conveyance control program according to claim 20, wherein The post-processing apparatus includes a plurality of the sorting units,
In the third process, when the first time is equal to or less than the second time, or when the first distance is equal to or less than the second distance, the first separation unit is selected from the plurality of sorting units. Specifying a separation unit capable of making the time longer than the second time or making the first distance longer than the second distance, and transporting the recording medium to the specified separation unit;
The paper conveyance control program according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that

Images