Verification system, information processing device and control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a verification system and an information processing device and a control method thereof. The information processing device connected to a printing device: sets one or more printing conditions for a print job to be printed by the printing device; stores print data and the set printing conditions; edits the printing conditions; compares a read image of an image on a sheet printed by the printing device based on the print data according to the edited printing conditions with a correct image, and verifies the read image; and restricts editing of a predetermined item of the one or more printing conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a verification system and information processing equipment and a control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Verification devices are known that verify the quality by reading printed materials printed by a printing device. The verification device can detect image defects such as stains and missing prints, text errors, and barcode quality. Products with detected defects and non-defective printed materials can be classified by, for example, changing the discharge destination.

[0003] The verification device pre-registers a correct image, and verifies the image to be verified by comparing the correct image with the image to be verified. As for the correct image, for example, digital data such as PDF can be used; however, there is a case where a scanned image of a non-defective image that has been printed is used. The reason for this is that since the image to be verified is a printed material, the data format can be made consistent with that of the correct image, thereby being able to expect verification certainty and eliminating the need for data conversion.

[0004] In order to cross-reference images to be verified in a verification device, it is necessary to specify a correct image that is consistent with the image to be verified and perform verification relative to the correct image. However, it is common to output printed materials generated in a printing device while changing the print side and print order according to desired print settings and various sheet discharge device characteristics, etc. In other words, unless printing is performed under the same conditions as those when the correct image was generated, there is a case where images of different print sides are compared because the print order, etc. become misaligned; and in such a case, there is a high possibility that the expected comparison result may not be obtained. Therefore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2013-171570 discloses a technology for aligning pages of images to be verified and pages of correct images used in cross-reference even when the order of images to be printed is changed.

[0005] However, there are problems as described below in the above conventional technology. For example, in the above conventional technology, in order to cope with the change of the printing order, it is necessary to align the page of the image to be verified and the page of the correct image by sending setting data such as printing conditions to the printing device before printing. In addition, although it is possible to cope with a simple change of the printing order, sheet reversal or the like accompanying an automatic finishing device or a sheet discharge device is not considered. In addition, in the case of, for example, making a setting change that affects the appearance of the color of the image or a setting change related to the type or size of the sheet, there is a case where the image is judged to be inconsistent as a result of mutual comparison with respect to the correct image. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention enables realization of a mechanism for appropriately printing an image to be verified under the same conditions as those when a correct image was generated, with respect to printing conditions that affect verification results among printing conditions when a correct image was generated.

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention provides a verification system, comprising: a setting unit, which is configured to be able to set one or more printing conditions; a printing unit, which is configured to print an image on a sheet; a reading unit, which is configured to read an image on a sheet; a storage unit, which is configured to store print data and the printing conditions set by the setting unit; a registration unit, which is configured to use the reading unit to read an image on a sheet printed by the printing unit based on the print data according to the printing conditions, and register the read image as a correct image for verifying the printed image; an editing unit, which is configured to edit the printing conditions; a verification unit, which is configured to compare a read image of an image on a sheet printed by the printing unit based on the print data according to the printing conditions edited by the editing unit with the correct image, and verify the read image; and a restriction unit, which is configured to restrict editing using the editing unit for a predetermined item of the one or more printing conditions that can be set.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention provides an information processing device that is capable of operating to be connected to a printing device, the information processing device comprising: at least one memory device for storing an instruction set; and at least one processor for executing the instruction set to: set one or more printing conditions for a print job printed by the printing device; store print data and the set printing conditions; edit the printing conditions; compare a read image of an image on a sheet printed by the printing device based on the print data according to the edited printing conditions with a correct image, and verify the read image; and restrict editing of printing conditions for predetermined items of the one or more printing conditions.

[0009] Another aspect of the present invention provides a control method for a verification system, the verification system including a printing unit for printing an image onto a sheet and a reading unit for reading the image on the sheet, the control method including: setting one or more printing conditions; storing printing data and the set printing conditions; using the reading unit to read the image on the sheet printed by the printing unit based on the printing data according to the printing conditions, and registering the read image as a correct image for verifying the printed image; editing the printing conditions; comparing the read image of the image on the sheet printed by the printing unit based on the printing data according to the edited printing conditions with the correct image, and verifying the read image; and restricting editing of printing conditions for predetermined items of one or more printing conditions that can be set.

[0010] Another aspect of the present invention provides a control method for an information processing device, which is connected to a printing device, and the control method includes: setting one or more printing conditions for a print job to be printed by the printing device; storing print data and the set printing conditions; editing the printing conditions; comparing a read image of an image on a sheet printed by the printing device based on the print data according to the edited printing conditions with a correct image, and verifying the read image; and restricting editing of printing conditions for predetermined items of the one or more printing conditions.

[0011] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a diagram showing the overall structure of a verification system according to an embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware structure of a verification system according to an embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen before a correct image is registered to a verification device according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a correct image is registered from a verification device according to the embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a verification device is reading a correct image according to the embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen after the verification device has read a correct image according to the embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 : is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when an authentication skip area is set in the authentication device according to the embodiment.

[0020] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when authentication setting is performed from an authentication device according to the embodiment.

[0021] Fig.10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when a verification result is displayed from a verification device according to the embodiment.

[0022] Fig.11 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the authentication device determines that authentication is OK according to the embodiment.

[0023] Fig.12 : is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the authentication device determines that authentication is not OK according to the embodiment.

[0024] Fig.13 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the authentication device when registering a correct image according to the embodiment.

[0025] Fig.14 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the authentication device when performing authentication according to the embodiment.

[0026] Fig.15 is a diagram showing an example of a job setting screen when registering a correct image according to the embodiment.

[0027] Fig.16 is a diagram showing an example of outputting a job to be verified according to the embodiment.

[0028] Fig.17 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the external controller from the start to the end of printing according to the embodiment.

[0029] Fig.18 is a diagram showing an example of a job management screen according to the embodiment.

[0030] Fig.19 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the external controller when a print setting screen is displayed according to the embodiment.

[0031] Fig. 20: is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen according to the embodiment, in which all items except for items whose settings can be changed are set to be uneditable.

[0032] Fig.21 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an external controller when a graying item is forcibly changed according to an embodiment.

[0033] Fig. 22 is a diagram illustrating an example of a warning dialog box according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Embodiments will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the invention claimed. Multiple features are described in the embodiments, but are not limited to inventions requiring all such features, and multiple such features may be appropriately combined. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are given to the same or similar structures, and redundant descriptions of these structures are omitted.

[0035] <Overall structure of the system>

[0036] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Figure 1 To illustrate the hardware structure of the verification system according to the present embodiment. The present verification system is configured to include an image forming device 101, an external controller (information processing device) 102, and a PC 103. The image forming device 101 and the external controller 102 are connected via an internal LAN 105 and a video cable 106 in a manner that can communicate with each other. The external controller 102 and the PC 103 as a client PC are connected via an external LAN 104 in a manner that can communicate with each other, and a print instruction is given from the PC 103 relative to the external controller 102.

[0037] In the PC 103, a printer driver is installed, which has a function of converting print data into a print description language that can be processed in the external controller 102. A user who performs printing can issue a print instruction from various applications via the printer driver. The printer driver sends the print data to the external controller 102 based on the print instruction from the user. When the external controller 102 receives the print instruction from the PC 103, it performs data analysis and image processing such as rasterization processing, and performs the print instruction by inputting the print data into the image forming apparatus 101.

[0038] Next, the image forming device 101 will be described. A plurality of devices having different functions are connected to the image forming device 101, and is configured to be capable of complex printing processing such as binding. Specifically, the image forming device 101 includes a printing device 107, an inserter 108, a verification device 109, a large-volume stacker 110, and an automatic finisher 111. Note that these structures are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention, and devices having other functions may be arranged additionally or alternatively.

[0039] The printing device 107 forms an image using toner with respect to a sheet conveyed from a sheet feeding unit arranged at the lower part of the printing device 107. The structure and operation principle of the printing device 107 are as follows. An exposure unit emits light such as a laser beam modulated according to image data. The light is reflected by a rotating polygonal mirror such as a polygonal mirror and emitted as a scanning light beam onto a photosensitive drum. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by the laser beam is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred onto a sheet attached to a transfer drum. By sequentially performing this series of image forming processes for toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), a full-color image is formed on the sheet. The sheet on the transfer drum on which the full-color image is formed is conveyed to a fixing device. The fixing device includes a roller, a belt, and the like, contains a heat source such as a halogen heater, and fixes the toner to the sheet by melting the toner on the sheet to which the toner image is transferred using heat and pressure.

[0040] The inserter 108 inserts an insertion sheet into a sheet group of a printed material. The inserter 108 can insert a sheet at a desired position relative to a sheet group that has been printed in the printing device 107 and then conveyed. The verification device 109 is a device for judging whether the printed image is normal by reading an image of the conveyed sheet and comparing the image with a pre-registered correct image. The large-capacity stacker 110 is a stacker that can stack a large number of sheets. The automatic finisher 111 is a post-processing device that performs automatic finishing processing on the conveyed sheets. The automatic finisher 111 can perform automatic finishing such as stapling, punching, saddle stitching, etc. as the automatic finishing processing, and discharge the processed sheets onto the discharge tray.

[0041] The above-mentioned authentication system is a structure in which the external controller 102 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101; however, it is not intended to limit the present invention to a form in which the external controller 102 is connected. In other words, the structure may be as follows: the image forming apparatus 101 is connected to the external LAN 104, and print data that the image forming apparatus 101 can process is sent from the PC 103. In this case, the image forming apparatus 101 performs data analysis and rasterization processing, and then performs print processing. In other words, a structure in which the image forming apparatus 101 and the external controller 102 are integrated may be adopted.

[0042] <System Hardware Structure>

[0043] Next, refer to Figure 2 An example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 101, the external controller 102, and the PC 103 in the authentication system according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0044] First, the structure of the printing apparatus 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The printing apparatus 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 includes a communication I / F 217, a LAN I / F 218, a video I / F 220, an HDD 221, a CPU 222, a memory 223, an operation unit 224, and a display 225. In addition, the printing apparatus 107 includes a document exposure unit 226, a laser exposure unit 227, an image forming unit 228, a fixing unit 229, and a sheet feeding unit 230. The respective structural elements are connected via a system bus 231.

[0045] The communication I / F 217 is connected to the inserter 108, the authentication device 109, the large-volume stacker 110, and the finisher 111 via the communication cable 254, and performs communication for control of the respective devices. The LAN I / F 218 is connected to the external controller 102 via the internal LAN 105, and performs communication of print data, etc. The video I / F 220 is connected to the external controller 102 via the video cable 106, and performs communication of image data, etc.

[0046] HDD 221 is a storage device storing programs and data. CPU 222 comprehensively performs image processing control and print control based on programs and the like stored in HDD 221. Memory 223 stores programs and image data that will be required when CPU 222 performs various processes, and functions as a work area. Operation unit 224 accepts input of various settings and operation instructions from the user. Display 225 displays setting information of printing device 107, processing status of print jobs, and the like.

[0047] The manuscript exposure unit 226 performs processing for reading the manuscript when the copy function or the scanning function is used. The manuscript exposure unit 226 reads the manuscript data by shooting an image using a CCD camera while illuminating an exposure lamp onto a sheet provided by a user. The laser exposure unit 227 is a device that performs primary charging and laser exposure, and the primary charging is used to irradiate a photosensitive drum with a laser beam to transfer a toner image. The laser exposure unit 227 first performs primary charging to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform negative potential. Then, the laser beam from the laser exposure unit 227 is emitted onto the photosensitive drum while adjusting the reflection angle using a polygonal mirror. As a result, the negative charge of the emitted portion is neutralized, and an electrostatic latent image is formed.

[0048] The image forming unit 228 is a device for transferring toner onto a sheet, and is composed of a developing unit, a transfer unit, and a toner replenishing unit, and transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum onto the sheet. In the developing unit, negatively charged toner is applied from a developing sleeve to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the image is visualized. In the transfer unit, primary transfer and secondary transfer are performed, wherein in the primary transfer, a positive potential is applied to the primary transfer roller and the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum is transferred to the transfer belt, and in the secondary transfer, a positive potential is applied to the secondary transfer outer roller and the toner on the transfer belt is transferred to the sheet. The fixing unit 229 is a device for melting the toner on the sheet using heat and pressure and fixing the toner to the sheet, and is composed of a heater, a fixing belt, a pressure belt, and the like. The sheet feeding unit 230 is a device for feeding a sheet, and controls a sheet feeding operation and a conveying operation of the sheet through rollers and various sensors.

[0049] Next, the structure of the inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 is configured to include a communication I / F 232, a CPU 233, a memory 234, and a sheet feeding control unit 235, and the respective structural elements are connected via a system bus 236. The communication I / F 232 is connected to the printing apparatus 107 via a communication cable 254, and performs communication required for control. The CPU 233 performs various controls required for sheet feeding according to a control program stored in the memory 234. The memory 234 is a storage device that stores the control program. The sheet feeding control unit 235 controls the sheet feeding and conveyance of the sheet conveyed from the sheet feeding unit of the inserter 108 or the printing apparatus 107 while controlling rollers and sensors based on instructions from the CPU 233.

[0050] Next, the structure of the verification device 109 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The verification device 109 of the image forming apparatus 101 is configured to include a communication I / F 237, a CPU 238, a memory 239, a photographing unit 240, a display unit 241, and an operation unit 242, and the respective structural elements are connected via a system bus 243. The communication I / F 237 is connected to the printing apparatus 107 via a communication cable 254, and performs communication required for control. The CPU 238 performs various controls required for verification according to a control program stored in the memory 239. The memory 239 is a storage device that stores the control program. The photographing unit 240 photographs the conveyed sheet based on the instruction of the CPU 238. The CPU 238 compares the image photographed by the photographing unit 240 with the correct image stored in the memory 239, and determines whether the printed image is normal. The display unit 241 displays the verification result and the setting screen, etc. The operation unit 242 is operated by the user, and accepts instructions such as setting change of the authentication device 109 and registration of a correct image.

[0051] Next, the structure of the large-volume stacker 110 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The large-volume stacker 110 of the image forming apparatus 101 is configured to include a communication I / F 244, a CPU 245, a memory 246, and a sheet discharge control unit 247, and the respective structural elements are connected via a system bus 248. The communication I / F 244 is connected to the printing apparatus 107 via a communication cable 254, and performs communication required for control. The CPU 245 performs various controls required for sheet discharge according to a control program stored in the memory 246. The memory 246 is a storage device that stores the control program. The sheet discharge control unit 247 performs control for conveying the conveyed sheet to a stacking tray, an escape tray, or a subsequent automatic finisher 111 based on an instruction from the CPU 245.

[0052] Next, the structure of the finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 is configured to include a communication I / F 249, a CPU 250, a memory 251, a sheet discharge control unit 252, and an automatic finishing processing unit 253, and the respective structural elements are connected via a system bus 255. The communication I / F 249 is connected to the printing apparatus 107 via a communication cable 254, and performs communication required for control. The CPU 250 performs various controls required for automatic finishing and sheet discharge according to a control program stored in the memory 251. The memory 251 is a storage device that stores the control program. The sheet discharge control unit 252 controls sheet conveyance and discharge based on an instruction from the CPU 250. The automatic finishing processing unit 253 controls automatic finishing processing such as stapling, punching, or saddle stitching based on an instruction from the CPU 250.

[0053] Next, the structure of the external controller 102 will be described. The external controller 102 is configured to include a CPU 208, a memory 209, an HDD 210, a keyboard 211, a display 212, a LAN I / F 213, a LAN I / F 214, and a video I / F 215. The respective structural elements are connected via a system bus 216. The CPU 208 comprehensively performs processing such as receiving print data from the PC 103, RIP processing, sending print data to the image forming device 101, etc. based on the programs and data stored in the HDD 210. The memory 209 stores programs and data that will be required when the CPU 208 performs various processing, and works as a work area. The HDD 210 stores programs and data required for operations such as print processing. The keyboard 211 is a device for inputting operation instructions of the external controller 102. The display 212 displays information such as an execution application of the external controller 102 using a video signal of a still image and / or a video. The LAN I / F 213 is connected to the PC 103 via the external LAN 104, and performs communication of print instructions, etc. The LAN I / F 214 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105, and performs communication of print instructions, etc. The video I / F 215 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the video cable 106, and performs communication of print data, etc.

[0054] Next, the structure of PC 103 will be described. PC 103 is configured to include CPU 201, memory 202, HDD 203, keyboard 204, display 205 and LAN I / F 206, and the respective structural elements are connected via system bus 207. CPU 201 creates print data or executes print instructions based on the manuscript processing program stored in HDD 203, etc. In addition, CPU 201 comprehensively controls the respective devices connected to system bus 207. Memory 202 stores programs and data that will be required when CPU 201 performs various processes, and works as a work area. HDD 203 stores programs and data required for operations such as print processing, etc. Keyboard 204 is a device for inputting operation instructions related to PC 103. Display 205 displays information such as the execution application of PC 103, etc. using a video signal of a still image and / or video. LAN I / F 206 is connected to external LAN 104, and performs communication of print instructions, etc.

[0055] As described above, the internal LAN 105 and the video cable 106 are connected to the external controller 102 and the image forming apparatus 101; however, it is sufficient as long as the structure is a structure that can perform data transmission / reception required for printing, and, for example, the structure of connection may be a structure of only a video cable. In addition, it is sufficient that the memory 202, the memory 209, the memory 223, the memory 234, the memory 239, the memory 246, and the memory 251 are each a storage device that stores data and programs. For example, a structure using a volatile RAM, a nonvolatile ROM, a built-in HDD, an external HDD, or a USB memory or the like as an alternative may be adopted.

[0056] <Sheet Conveyance Control>

[0057] Next, refer to Figure 3 The sheet conveyance control according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 3 A cross section of the image forming apparatus 101 is schematically shown. The display device 225 displays the printing status of the image forming apparatus 101 and the information used for setting. Reference numerals 301 and 302 of the printing apparatus 107 are sheet feeding stages. Each type of sheet can be stored in each sheet feeding stage. In each sheet feeding stage, the uppermost sheet of the stored sheets can be separated and conveyed to the sheet conveying path 303. Reference numerals 304 to 307 are developing stations, and toner images are formed using the respective color toners of Y, M, C, and K to form a color image. The toner image formed here is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 308. The intermediate transfer belt 308 rotates in the clockwise direction in the figure, and at the secondary transfer position 309, the toner image is transferred to the sheet conveyed from the sheet conveying path 303.

[0058] Reference numeral 311 is a fixing unit for fixing a toner image onto a sheet. The fixing unit 311 includes a pressure roller and a heating roller, and fixes the toner image onto the sheet by melting / pressing the toner when the sheet passes between the rollers. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 311 is conveyed to reference numeral 315 via a sheet conveying path 312. In the case where further melting / pressing is required for fixing depending on the type of the sheet, the sheet is conveyed to a second fixing unit 313 using an upper sheet conveying path after passing through the fixing unit 311, and after additional melting / pressing, is conveyed to reference numeral 315 via a sheet conveying path 314. In the case where the image forming mode is double-sided, the sheet is conveyed to a sheet reversing path 316, and after being reversed at reference numeral 316, the sheet is conveyed to a double-sided conveying path 317, and image transfer for the second side is performed at a secondary transfer position 309.

[0059] The inserter 108 includes an inserter tray 321 and merges sheets fed via a sheet conveying path 322 with another conveying path. Thus, sheets at desired positions can be inserted into a series of sheet groups conveyed from the printing apparatus 107 and conveyed to a subsequent apparatus.

[0060] The sheet that has passed through the inserter 108 is conveyed to the verification device 109. In the verification device 109, cameras 331 and 332 are arranged at relative positions across the sheet conveying path. Camera 331 is a camera for reading the upper surface of the sheet, and camera 332 is a camera for reading the lower surface of the sheet. The verification device 109 can determine whether the image of the printed material is normal by reading the image of the sheet using cameras 331 and 332 at the timing when the sheet conveyed to the sheet conveying path 333 reaches a predetermined position. The result of the verification performed by the verification device 109 is displayed on the display unit 241. Note that the display result can be displayed on the display of another device. In this case, the verification device 109 sends data indicating the verification result to a device such as PC 103 that displays the verification result. The data sent here may be data indicating the verification result, or may be screen data of a screen that displays the verification result.

[0061] The large-capacity stacker 110 has a stacking tray 341 as a tray for stacking sheets. The sheets that have passed the verification device 109 enter the large-capacity stacker 110 via a sheet conveying path 344. The sheets pass through a sheet conveying path 345 from the sheet conveying path 344 and are stacked on the stacking tray 341 while being turned over. The stacking tray 341 is composed of a lifting tray 342 and an ejection tray 343. In addition, the large-capacity stacker 110 has an escape tray 346 as an ejection tray. The escape tray 346 is an ejection tray for ejecting sheets that are determined to be defective sheets by the verification device 109. In the case of outputting a sheet to the escape tray 346, the sheet is conveyed from the sheet conveying path 344 to the escape tray 346 via a sheet conveying path 347. Note that in the case of outputting a sheet to the automatic finisher 111 after the large-capacity stacker 110, the sheet is conveyed via a sheet conveying path 348. Reference numeral 349 is a reversing unit for reversing a sheet. This reversing unit 349 is always used when switching the sheet discharge destination according to the judgment result of the authentication device 109 to be described later. This is to save time for reading the sheet by the cameras 331 and 332, making a correctness judgment, and switching the sheet conveying paths 345 and 347. Note that, when authentication is not performed, the reversing unit 349 is used only when the sheet is stacked on the stacking tray 341 on which the sheet is stacked while being turned over.

[0062] The automatic finisher 111 performs automatic finishing processing on the conveyed sheets according to the function specified by the user. Specifically, the automatic finisher 111 has automatic finishing functions such as stapling (1 point / 1 point stapling), punching (2 holes / 3 holes) and saddle stitching. The automatic finisher 111 includes two sheet discharge trays 351 and 352, and outputs toward the discharge tray 351 via the sheet conveying path 353. However, automatic finishing processing such as stapling cannot be performed in the sheet conveying path 353. In the case of performing automatic finishing processing such as stapling, the automatic finishing function specified by the user is executed in the processing unit 355 via the sheet conveying path 354, and output is performed toward the discharge tray 352. The discharge tray 351 and the discharge tray 352 can be raised and lowered respectively, and an operation can be performed to lower the discharge tray 351 and stack the sheets that have been automatically sorted in the processing unit 355 onto the discharge tray 351. When saddle stitching is specified, the sheet after the center of the sheet has been stapled in the saddle stitching processing unit 356 is folded in half and output to the saddle stitching tray 358 via the sheet conveying path 357. The saddle stitching tray 358 has a conveyor belt structure and is configured to convey the saddle stitched bundle stacked on the saddle stitching tray 358 to the left.

[0063] <Example of the screen for verifying the device>

[0064] Next, refer to Figures 4 to 12 An example of a display screen in the verification device 109 according to the present embodiment is described. A corresponding screen is displayed on the display unit 241 based on an instruction of the CPU 238 of the verification device 109. As described above, a structure may be adopted in which the verification device 109 transmits data indicating a verification result or screen information to an external device to display on the external device.

[0065] The verification device 109 verifies the transmitted sheet image according to a preset verification item. The sheet image verification is performed by comparing a preset correct image and a read image of the transmitted sheet image. As for the image comparison method, there are methods such as comparing pixel values ​​for each image position, comparing the position of an object by edge detection, and extracting text data by OCR (Optical Character Recognition). As for the verification items, there are a shift in the print position, a hue of an image, a density of an image, streaks or light spots, and missing prints.

[0066] Figure 4 400 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 241 of the verification device 109 when the verification device 109 is started. The screen 400 is configured to include displays 401 to 407. In reference numeral 401, it is displayed that the correct image is not registered and it is necessary to register the correct image to start verification. On the other hand, in the case where the correct image has been registered, it is displayed that verification can be started. Reference numeral 402 indicates an area where the registered correct image is to be displayed. Figure 4 , the correct image is not registered; therefore, the unregistered correct image is displayed. Reference numeral 403 is a button for calling the correct image registration screen 500. The correct image is an image to be compared with the image read in the verification device 109, and a read image of a printed sheet that has been judged as normally printed by visual observation or the verification device 109 is used. Reference numeral 405 is a button for calling the verification setting screen 900. The verification items and the verification accuracy are set according to the user's verification purpose. Here, the verification accuracy indicates at what degree of difference from the correct image, the image is judged as a defective image, and, for example, a threshold indicating an allowable range is set. Reference numeral 406 is a button for calling the verification result confirmation screen 1000. The past verification content and verification results can be confirmed. Reference numeral 407 is a button for indicating the start of verification. When verification starts, the verification device 109 starts verification of the sent sheet image. Note that in the case where verification cannot be started because the correct image is not registered, etc., button 407 is displayed in a non-selectable state, which is advantageous. In this case, the button 407 may be displayed by a display such as a grayed-out display or the like through which the operator can recognize the unselectable state, and once the causes are resolved, may be displayed as selectable.

[0067] Figure 5 4 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 241 of the verification device 109 when registering a correct image. When the button 403 of the screen 400 is selected, the registration screen 500 is displayed. The registration screen 500 is configured to include displays 501 to 503. Reference numeral 501 is a setting portion for setting the number of sheets of each copy of the print job to be verified. In the case where the print job includes two or more sheets per copy, multiple images can be registered as correct images in the verification device 109. Reference numeral 502 is a setting portion for setting the side to be verified. The verification device 109 can set the verification of both sides of the sheet, the front side, or the back side. Note that even in the case where printing is single-sided, it can be set to perform verification of both sides so as to verify that there is no foreign matter on the side where printing is not performed. Reference numeral 503 is a button for instructing the registration of the correct image. After pressing the button 503, the verification device 109 reads the image of the conveyed printed sheet and registers the image as the correct image.

[0068] Figure 6 600 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 241 of the verification device 109 during reading of a correct image. Screen 600 is displayed when button 503 of the registration screen 500 is pressed. Screen 600 is configured to include displays 601 and 602 in addition to displays 501 and 502 as in the registration screen 500. Screen 600 is displayed until reading of the number of sheets 501 set in the setting section is completed. In reference numeral 602, a message that the correct image is being read is displayed. Reference numeral 601 is a button for instructing to cancel reading of the correct image. When button 601 is pressed, it returns to screen 400 without registering the correct image.

[0069] Figure 7700 is an example of a registration screen displayed on the display unit 241 of the verification device 109 after the reading of the correct image is completed. The registration screen 700 is configured to include displays 701 to 706. The image of the printed sheet read in the verification device 109 is displayed on the display unit 701, and in the case where there are multiple images, the displayed image can be switched by the switch button 702, and in the case of performing verification of both the front and back sides, the front and back sides can be switched by the switch button 703. Reference numeral 704 is a button for indicating the setting of the verification skip area. When the button 704 is pressed, it is transferred to the setting screen 800. Here, the area not to be verified can be set for the case of printing such as variable data printing (VDP) where the print content of a designated area changes for each copy, etc. For example, in the case of printing a different ID for each copy, in the case where the address or name changes for each copy, etc., it is necessary to set the corresponding position as the area not to be verified. Reference numeral 705 is a button for performing a correct image registration instruction after confirming the read image of the display unit 701. When button 705 is pressed, verification device 109 registers the correct image displayed in reference numeral 701 and returns to screen 400. Reference numeral 706 is a button for canceling reading. When button 706 is pressed, verification device 109 returns to screen 400 without registering the correct image.

[0070] Figure 8 800 is an example of a verification skip area setting screen displayed when button 704 is pressed. Setting screen 800 is configured to include displays 801 to 806 in addition to display 701 as in registration screen 700. Reference numeral 801 is an area for indicating a verification skip area on a correct image displayed with reference numeral 701. Figure 8 In the example of , reference numeral 801 is displayed as a rectangular area; however, a structure may be adopted in which only a frame is displayed and the correct image within the frame is displayed to be visible. The position of the area 801 may be changed in the position setting unit 802 and the size of the area 801 may be changed in the size setting unit 803. Reference numeral 804 is a button for registering the setting of the verification skip area. When button 804 is pressed, the verification device 109 registers the verification skip area according to the area 801 currently being displayed, and returns to the registration screen 700. Reference numeral 805 is a button for registering the verification skip area according to the area 801 currently being displayed and further registering another verification skip area. As described above, the verification device 109 may set one or more areas as the verification skip area. Reference numeral 806 is a button for canceling the setting of the verification skip area. When button 806 is pressed, the verification device 109 returns to the registration screen 700 without registering the verification skip area.

[0071] Fig. 9 900 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 241 of the verification device 109 when making verification settings. When the button 405 of the screen 400 is pressed, the setting screen 900 is displayed. The setting screen 900 is configured to include displays 901 to 904. Reference numeral 901 is a setting unit for setting the verification level. Here, the verification accuracy can be changed. The higher the level of verification accuracy, the higher the possibility that the verification device 109 will judge the read image as a defective image even if the difference between the correct image and the read image is small. For example, the corresponding threshold value changes dynamically according to the set verification accuracy. Reference numeral 902 is a setting unit for setting the type of verification. One or more verification items can be set according to the user's verification purpose. In Fig. 9 In the example of FIG. 90 , it is illustrated that the position, tone, streak, and missing print are to be verified, but the density is not to be verified. When the OK button 903 is pressed, the set contents are reflected and the screen 400 is returned to. When the cancel button 904 is pressed, the screen 400 is returned without reflecting the set contents. In this case, the default setting at the time of transition to the setting screen 900 is returned to.

[0072] Fig.10 1000 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 241 of the verification device 109 when displaying the verification result. When the button 406 of the screen 400 is pressed, the confirmation screen 1000 is displayed. The confirmation screen 1000 is configured to include displays 1001 to 1003. The date and time of the verification, the attributes of the entire job, and the verification result are displayed in the display section 1001. Fig.10 In the example of , the following is illustrated as a verification result: with respect to the verification sheet number 1000, the number of normal sheets is 986 sheets, and the number of sheets determined to be defective images is 14 sheets. Reference numeral 1002 is a screen for selecting a job for which the verification result is displayed. Fig.10 In the example of , the verification result of the first job among the 9 jobs whose history is stored is displayed. By operating the left or right button of reference numeral 1002, the displayed job can be switched. Reference numeral 1003 is a button indicating that the verification result confirmation is completed. When button 1003 is pressed, the screen returns to screen 400.

[0073] Fig.1111 is an example of a screen displayed on the display unit 241 of the verification device 109 after the verification starts. The screen 1100 is displayed when the button 407 of the screen 400 is pressed. The screen 1100 is configured to include displays 1101 to 1104. In the display unit 1101, the read image of the print sheet last read by the verification device 109 is displayed. In the display unit 1102, the judgment result of the comparison between the read image of the reference numeral 1101 and the correct image is displayed. Fig.11 In the example of , the image is judged to be a normal image; therefore, OK is displayed. Reference numeral 1103 is a button for indicating the end of verification. When button 1103 is pressed, verification device 109 ends the verification process and returns to screen 400. Reference numeral 1104 is a button for indicating that a screen for confirming the verification result of the entire job is displayed. When button 1104 is pressed, Fig.10 The confirmation screen 1000 is displayed.

[0074] Fig.12 is an example of a screen in the case where the last read image is determined to be a defective image. Screen 1200 is configured to include displays 1201 to 1204 in addition to displays 1103 and 1104 as in screen 1100. In display portion 1202, a read image of a print sheet last read by verification device 109 is displayed. In this read image, streak 1201 is detected. Since streak 1201 is detected, as a result of comparison between the read image and the correct image, the image is determined to be a defective image, and Not OK is displayed in reference numeral 1203, and the reason and position for being determined to be Not OK are displayed in reference numeral 1204. Here, it can be recognized that the image is determined to be a defective image due to the detection of streak 1201, and the coordinates of the defective position (here, the position of streak 1201) on the read image can also be recognized.

[0075] <Registration Process>

[0076] Next, refer to Fig.13 The processing of the verification device 109 when registering a correct image for verification according to the present embodiment will be described. The processing to be described below is realized by, for example, the CPU 238 of the verification device 109 executing a control program stored in the memory 239.

[0077] In step S1301, the CPU 238 starts reading the image of the sheet by driving the cameras 331 and 332 when it receives an instruction to start reading the image from the user via the correct image registration button 403 and the button 503 on the display unit 241. Next, the process proceeds to step S1302, and the processes of steps S1303 to S1305, which will be described later, are repeated until the images of all the sheets are read. In the case where there are sheets whose images are to be read, the process proceeds to step S1303. In step S1303, the CPU 238 reads the image of the sheet by using the camera 331 and the camera 332, and in step S1304, the read image is stored in the memory 239 of the authentication device 109. The image stored here is displayed on the display section 701 of the registration screen 700. Then, the process proceeds to step S1305, and the CPU 238 repeats steps S1302 to S1305 until the CPU 238 completes reading the images of all the sheets. When the reading of the images of all sheets is completed, this flow ends.

[0078] In the above-mentioned correct image registration process, an example of accepting a start instruction via a screen displayed on the display unit 241 of the verification device 109 is described; however, it is not intended to limit the present invention. For example, an instruction to start reading an image may be automatically performed in conjunction with an instruction to start printing in the printing device 107, PC 103, or external controller 102. In addition, for example, the verification device 109 may take a form of reading a plurality of images for the same page and registering the synthesized results thereof as the correct image.

[0079] <Verification Process>

[0080] Next, refer to Fig.14 The processing procedure of the verification device 109 at the time of verification according to the present embodiment will be described. The processing to be described below is realized by, for example, the CPU 238 of the verification device 109 executing a control program stored in the memory 239.

[0081] In step S1401, the CPU 238 accepts an instruction to start verification from the user via the verification start button 407 of the screen 400 displayed on the display unit 241. Next, the process proceeds to step S1402, and in the case where there is a sheet to be verified, the CPU 238 proceeds to step S1403. In step S1403, the CPU 238 reads the image of the conveyed sheet using the cameras 331 and 332. Next, in step S1404, the CPU 238 compares the correct image stored in the memory 239 and the read image (scanned image) read in step S1403. It is assumed that the correct image is a sheet pre-printed by the printing device 107 before the start of the flow, scanned by the cameras 331 and 332, and stored in the memory 239. In this comparison operation, first, the image positions of the correct image and the scanned image to be verified are aligned using the feature points of the image as reference points for position alignment. Next, in the scanned image to be verified, the four corners of the sheet and the reference points used for alignment of the scanned image are analyzed, and whether there is misalignment of the image relative to the sheet is detected. Next, the density values ​​of the correct image and the scanned image to be verified are compared for each pixel. If, as a result of the above, no defects are detected, the verification result is considered to be OK.

[0082] Next, in step S1405, the CPU 238 determines whether the verification result is OK. If the verification result is OK, the process proceeds to step S1406, and the CPU 238 indicates via the communication cable 254 that the verification result is OK (e.g., sheet discharge to the stacking tray 341 of the large-capacity stacker 110). Then, the process proceeds to step S1407, and steps S1402 to S1407 are repeated until the verification of all sheets is completed. When the verification of all sheets is completed, the process ends. On the other hand, if the verification result is not OK in step S1405, the process proceeds to step S1408, and the CPU 238 indicates via the communication cable 254 that the verification result is not OK (i.e., sheet discharge to the ejection tray 343 of the large-capacity stacker 110). Then, the process proceeds to step S1407.

[0083] In the above-described verification process, an example of accepting a start instruction via a screen displayed on the display unit 241 of the verification device 109 is described; however, this is not intended to limit the present invention. For example, an instruction to start verification may be automatically performed in conjunction with an instruction to start printing in the printing device 107, the PC 103, or the external controller 102. In addition, an example is described here in which, in the case where the verification result is OK, the sheet is discharged to the stacking tray 341, and in the case where the verification result is not OK, the sheet is discharged to the ejection tray 343; however, this is not intended to limit the present invention, and the discharge destination may be switched according to a user instruction or print settings.

[0084] <Example of external controller screen>

[0085] Next, refer to Fig.15 An example of a setting screen displayed on the display 212 of the external controller 102 according to the present embodiment and used to set the print conditions of a job at the time of correct image registration will be described. Figures 4 to 12 This is an example of a screen when the authentication device 109 performs authentication settings; however, an instruction for supplying a print sheet of a correct image and a print sheet to be authenticated to the authentication device 109 can be made from the external controller 102. Note that this print setting can be understood as an example of a screen of a printer driver installed in the PC 103 and corresponding to the image forming device 101. A user who wants to print can give a print instruction by opening this screen from various applications or the like.

[0086] The print setting screen 1501 is configured to include displays 1502 to 1511. The text box 1502 enables the page range to be specified, and an instruction of the print setting to be applied to the page range specified in the text box 1502 can be made on the print setting screen 1501. Here, as an example of the setting items to be set as the printing conditions, it is assumed that the number of copies, sheet feeding unit, single-sided / double-sided, sheet type, printing direction, job annotation remarks, and binding position can be specified. The number of copies text box 1503 is a text box for specifying the number of copies of the page range specified in the reference numeral 1502. The sheet feeding unit pull-down menu 1504 is a menu for selecting which sheet feeding unit among the multiple sheet feeding units 230 in the printing device 107 feeds sheets. The single-sided / double-sided pull-down menu 1505 is a menu for selecting single-sided printing or double-sided printing. The sheet type pull-down menu 1506 is a menu for selecting a sheet type such as plain paper and thick paper. The print direction pull-down menu 1507 is a menu for selecting vertical (portrait) or horizontal (landscape). The job note remark text box 1508 is a text box for entering a remark related to the job. The binding position pull-down menu 1509 is a menu for specifying the binding position of the printed material, and upper left, upper right, lower left, or lower right, etc. can be selected.

[0087] Reference numeral 1510 is an OK button, and is pressed when the print setting is completed. Reference numeral 1511 is a cancel button, and when pressed, cancels the print setting and returns to the screen before transitioning to the print setting screen 1501. Figure 4 After the correct image registration button 403 of the AUTO_EXPORT_SCHEMA_01 indicates the start of registering the correct image in the verification device 109, the external controller 102 is instructed to print the job. Fig.13The process described in the above is to perform printing processing by the printing device 107 and reading and registering the correct image by the verification device 109. Note that by, for example, pressing the Fig.18 Click the print button 1808 to issue a job print instruction.

[0088] <Print Output>

[0089] Next, refer to Fig.16 An output example of a print job according to the present embodiment will be described. Fig.16 The corresponding relationship among print control, binding processing, and binding results is shown when a sheet bundle is bound in the finisher 111. Reference numeral 1610 indicates a position where staple-free binding is performed, and the staple-free bound sheet bundle is bound by pressing and crimping parts of the sheets to each other.

[0090] Reference numeral 1601 denotes an image sent from the external controller 102 to the image forming apparatus 101 via the video I / F 215. In contrast, reference numerals 1602 to 1605 denote images printed in the image forming apparatus 101; "1", "2", "3", "4", and "5" indicate printed images; and the direction of the numbers denotes the direction of the image printed on the sheet. An image with thick text writing indicates face-up discharge, and an image with light text writing indicates face-down discharge. Here, discharge of an output sheet in a state where the front side of the printed surface can be seen when viewed from the upper side of the apparatus is referred to as face-up. On the other hand, discharge of an output sheet in a state where the back side of the printed surface can be seen when viewed from the upper side of the apparatus (a state where the front side faces down) is referred to as face-down. In the present embodiment, normal sequential printing is generally performed in which printing is performed sequentially starting from the first page of a plurality of pages. In this case, the sheet is discharged in a face-down state to coincide with the output order of the printed material. The sheets are stacked in normal order by discharging the sheets of the first page onto the tray and then discharging the subsequent sheets in a face-down state.

[0091] In the case of binding the upper left corner of the printed material, as shown in 1602, normal sequential printing is performed without rotating the direction of the image. When the fifth sheet is discharged, the binding process is performed at position 1610. In this case, as a result of binding, the upper left corner of the printed material is bound (position 1611). In addition, in the case of binding the lower right corner of the printed material, as shown in 1603, normal sequential printing is performed by rotating the direction of the image 180 degrees (upside down). When the fifth sheet is discharged, the binding process is performed at position 1610. In this case, as a result of binding, the lower right corner of the printed material is bound (position 1612).

[0092] Next, in the case of binding the upper right corner of the printed material, reverse printing is performed without rotating the direction of the image. First, the image data of the fifth page is printed onto the first sheet. In this case, face-up discharge is performed so that the printed surface faces upward. When printing advances, the image data of the first page is printed onto the fifth sheet, and discharge onto the tray is performed, binding processing is performed at position 1610. In this case, the upper right corner of the printed material is bound (position 1613). In addition, in the case of binding the lower left corner of the printed material, reverse printing is performed by rotating the direction of the image 180 degrees. When the fifth sheet is discharged, binding processing is performed at position 1610. In this case, the lower left corner of the printed material is bound (position 1614).

[0093] As described above, even if the binding position is the same when the binding process is performed, the binding position relative to the printed material can be changed by controlling the rotation of the printed image and the order of outputting the printed image. There are other print settings that require control of the direction and order of the image (the order of printed pages) (such as layout control of printing by saddle stitch binding, etc.), and if these print settings are changed from the settings when the correct image is registered and executed as a job to be verified, comparison with the correct image cannot be performed. As other examples of comparison with the correct image that cannot be performed, changes in the color appearance of the image to be printed, and enlargement / reduction of the image due to changes in the sheet size, etc. are given. As described above, in the case where a change is made that makes comparison with the correct image impossible, it is necessary to re-process from the registration of the correct image. Therefore, in order to prevent such re-processing, it is advantageous to prohibit (or restrict) the setting change that makes comparison with the correct image impossible when the print setting is changed from the time of registering the correct image and verification is performed.

[0094] <Processing of external controller>

[0095] The following will describe a method for controlling the image to achieve reliable comparison with the registered correct image. Fig.17 The processing procedure of the processing related to printing using the external controller 102 according to the present embodiment is described. Specifically, the processing procedure of the external controller 102 from when the printing start is instructed after the desired printing setting is made on the print setting screen 1501 until the printing is completed is shown. The processing to be described below is realized by, for example, the CPU 208 of the external controller 102 executing a control program stored in the memory 209 or the HDD 210.

[0096] The external controller 102 stores the authentication mode flag on the memory 209 read out by the HDD 210 and the program in association with the print job sent to the image forming apparatus 101. The authentication mode flag is a flag indicating whether the authentication apparatus 109 is in a mode in which an image on a sheet is to be read using the cameras 331 and 332 (hereinafter referred to as authentication mode is on), and is a flag to be set when a job is sent from the external controller 102 to the printing apparatus 107. Note that, as described above, when the correct image registration button 403 or the authentication start button 407 is pressed, the authentication mode of the authentication apparatus 109 is turned on.

[0097] When printing is instructed, first, in step S1701, the CPU 208 of the external controller 102 sets the corresponding flag to OFF to initialize the authentication mode flag. Next, in step S1702, the CPU 208 inquires the authentication device 109 via the LAN I / F 213 whether the authentication mode is ON immediately before sending the print job to the image forming device 101. In step S1703, the CPU 208 determines whether the authentication mode acquired in step S1702 is ON. In the case where the authentication mode is ON, the process proceeds to step S1704, and the CPU 208 sets the authentication mode flag of the memory 209 to ON, stores the authentication mode flag in association with the print job, and causes the process to proceed to step S1705. On the other hand, in the case where the authentication mode is OFF, the CPU 208 does not change the value of the authentication mode flag from the initial value, and causes the process to proceed to step S1705.

[0098] Next, in step S1705, the CPU 208 performs print processing based on the settings of the print setting screen 1501, and sends the processed print job (print data) to the printing device 107 for each page. Next, in step S1706, the CPU 208 repeatedly executes step S1705 until the printing of all pages in the image forming device 101 is completed. When the printing of all pages is completed, the process enters step S1707, and the CPU 208 refers to the value of the authentication mode flag stored in the memory 209. If the authentication mode is on, the process will enter step S1708, and if the authentication mode is not on, the process ends. In step S1708, the CPU 208 moves the job to the memory 209 to be described later. Fig.18The job moved to the waiting tab (also referred to as the waiting queue) is managed by temporarily storing the job in the HDD 210 together with the verification mode flag. The process of displaying the job stored in the waiting queue is called by the CPU 208 based on the program stored in the HDD 210 and then executed. Note that this flowchart can be applied to printing when registering a correct image and when printing as a verification job.

[0099] <Job Management Screen>

[0100] Next, refer to Fig.18 A job management screen displayed on the display 212 of the external controller 102 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0101] Reference numerals 1800, 1810, and 1820 indicate job management screens. The job management screen can display various information related to the print job. There are many items of information related to the job; therefore, it is difficult to browse all the information on the same screen. Therefore, it is usually provided such as in Fig.18 The job management screens 1800, 1810, and 1820 shown in the figure are displayed by multiple tabs or by transitioning to other setting screens. In the job management screens 1800, 1810, and 1820, there is a tab 1802 that displays the job being printed, a tab 1803 that displays the history of jobs printed in the past, and a tab 1804 that displays jobs waiting for the next printing. The screens displayed when the respective tabs are pressed are reference numerals 1800, 1810, and 1820, respectively. Note that the number of displayed items and tabs, etc. is not limited thereto, and may be increased or decreased according to the functions of the external controller 102 and / or the image forming apparatus 101.

[0102] Job management screens 1800, 1810, and 1820 indicate the situation from the start to the end of printing of job B (Job B) for correct image registration. When printing is instructed for correct image registration, the external controller 102 Fig.17 During the execution of the print process, as shown in the job management screen 1800, job B is displayed in the print tab 1802 together with the overview of its print settings (user, number of pages, number of copies). When the printing is completed, as shown in the job management screen 1810, job B is displayed in a list in the history tab 1803 together with the jobs printed in the past. In addition, at the same time, as shown in the reference numeral 1820, job B is moved to the waiting tab 1804. The timing of moving to the waiting tab is as described above. Fig.17 Step S1708 is executed and executed when the verification mode flag is on.

[0103] The OK button 1811 is a button for closing the job management screens 1800, 1810, and 1820. The print button 1808 provided in the history tab 1803 and the waiting tab 1804 is a button for executing the printing of the selected job. When a job is selected, the black text is changed to white fill text as shown in the reference numeral 1820. When the print button 1808 is clicked in this state, the selected job is printed with the print settings when printing was previously performed. Note that in the case where it is desired to change the print settings, the setting values ​​can be changed by pressing the edit button 1809 and opening the print setting screen 1501. The delete button 1812 is a button that enables the job selected from the job in the waiting tab to be deleted. Generally, a user who has performed the correct image registration selects the corresponding job from the waiting tab and performs verification after changing the number of copies. For example, in the case of registering the correct image, the number of copies is set to "1"; however, in the case of actually performing printing and verification, printing and verification are performed after changing to the required number of copies.

[0104] <Print settings after registering the correct image>

[0105] Next, refer to Fig.19 Hereinafter, a process will be described when the print setting screen 1501 is displayed when a job is selected in the waiting tab 1804 of the job management screen 1820 and the edit button 1809 is pressed in the external controller 102 according to the present embodiment. In other words, a process for displaying the print setting screen when the operator changes the print setting after the correct image is registered and instructs the execution of the verification process will be described here. The process to be described below is realized by, for example, the CPU 208 of the external controller 102 executing a control program stored in the memory 209 or the HDD 210.

[0106] In step S1901, the CPU 208 acquires the authentication mode flag stored in association with the job in the waiting queue from the HDD 210, and confirms whether the flag is turned on in step S1902. If the authentication mode flag is turned on, the process proceeds to step S1903, and if the authentication mode flag is not turned on, the process proceeds to step S1904.

[0107] In step S1903, the CPU 208 restricts editing for all items except for items whose settings can be changed, and advances the process to step S1904. Here, items whose settings can be changed are setting items that can be compared with the correct image even if the settings have been changed. Fig.16As described above, for example, if the binding position setting is changed, the direction and order of the image of the printed sheet will change; therefore, comparison with the correct image registered in advance can no longer be performed. In other words, in the case where the print setting is changed due to the change in the direction or order of the image of the printed sheet, the CPU 208 restricts the setting change of the setting item that cannot properly perform the verification process. Specifically, the CPU 208 controls, for example, in the print setting screen 1501 so that only the setting items whose settings can be changed can be edited, and restricts the editing of the items whose settings are restricted. Here, the restriction of editing may not display the corresponding setting items, or may be controlled to be displayed in a grayed-out manner but not operable. Alternatively, the following structure may be adopted: it is displayed in a grayed-out manner so that it can be operated, or a warning that if it is operated, it is necessary to re-register the correct image. In step S1904, the CPU 208 displays the print setting screen of the UI controlled as described above on the display 212, and ends the process.

[0108] <Print settings screen with restrictions>

[0109] Next, refer to Fig. 20 An example of a print setting screen in which editing is restricted for all items except for items for which settings can be changed in the above-mentioned step S1903 is described. Among the setting items of the print setting screen 2001, setting items for page range 2002, single-sided / double-sided 2005, sheet type 2006, print direction 2007, and binding position 2009 are displayed in a grayed-out manner and controlled so that the settings cannot be changed. If the settings are changed, the direction and order of the images of the printed sheets, the appearance of the colors of the images, etc. will change, and comparison with the correct images registered in advance will no longer be possible.

[0110] On the other hand, with respect to the number of copies 2003, the sheet feed unit 2004, and the job annotation remark 2008, which are items for which there is no problem in comparison with the correct image even if the settings are changed, the settings can be changed and displayed in the same manner as the print setting screen 1501. In general, it is often the case that verification is performed after only the number of copies 2003 is changed from the settings when the correct image was registered. Note that items that are grayed out so that the settings are not changed and items that are not grayed out to permit setting changes are examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. In addition, items for which setting changes are not permitted have been grayed out and are inoperable; however, a structure may be adopted that permits forced changes to setting items to which restrictions are imposed. In this case, the setting items to which restrictions are imposed are displayed in a grayed-out manner and are displayed as being operable. In addition, there is a possibility that comparison with the correct image can no longer be performed; therefore, it is advantageous that the user is notified of this fact and the verification mode is also changed to off. This will be discussed later. Fig.21 and Fig. 22 To explain the details.

[0111] <Uneditable mandatory changes>

[0112] Next, refer to Fig.21 The processing of the external controller 102 when a grayed-out setting item is selected in the print setting screen 2001 according to the present embodiment and a forced change is instructed will be described. The processing to be described below is implemented by, for example, the CPU 208 of the external controller 102 executing a control program stored in the memory 209 or the HDD 210.

[0113] When one of the grayed-out setting items is selected and the user instructs forced change, in step S2101 , the CPU 208 displays a warning dialog. Fig. 22 An example of a warning dialog box 2201 is shown. The warning dialog box 2201 notifies the user that since there is a possibility that a job indicating a setting change may be registered as a correct image, it is necessary to register the correct image again in the case of a setting change. In addition, the warning dialog box 2201 may display that the verification process will be skipped this time. Note that the verification process may be performed as it is.

[0114] In step S2102, the CPU 208 determines whether the OK button 2202 of the warning dialog box 2201 is pressed. If it is determined that the OK button 2202 is pressed, the process proceeds to step S2103, and the CPU 208 sets the verification mode flag stored in the memory 209 in association with the job from on to off. Thus, the job is processed as a normal job instead of a job when a correct image is registered, and the execution of the verification process can be skipped. On the other hand, in the case where the cancel button 2203 is pressed, it returns to the screen before the warning dialog box 2201 is displayed (that is, the print setting screen 2001).

[0115] Next, in step S2104, the CPU 208 returns to the print setting screen 2001 after closing the warning dialog box 2201, and sets the grayed-out items to be editable, and in step S2105, displays the print setting screen 2001 on the display 212. In other words, regarding the item whose setting is forcibly changed, its setting value is selected, and in the same Fig.15 The other grayed-out setting items are displayed in the same state as in the print setting screen 1501 with the grayed-out items canceled.

[0116] As described above, the verification system according to the present embodiment includes a print setting unit configured to set one or more printing conditions, a printing device configured to print on a sheet according to the set printing conditions, and a reading unit configured to read an image of the sheet. In addition, the present verification system registers an image read from a sheet printed by the printing device in the reading unit as a correct image for verification of the printed image, and stores the used print data and the printing conditions to register the correct image. In addition, when the present verification system prints using the stored print data, if the setting is a setting for verification of the printed material, the editing of the predetermined items of the printing conditions corresponding to the print data by the print setting unit is restricted. In addition, the present verification system judges a defect in the read image by comparing the registered correct image with the read image as an image printed by the printing device and read in the reading unit. With the help of the present embodiment, with respect to the printing conditions that affect the verification result among the printing conditions when the correct image is generated, the image to be verified can be appropriately printed under the same conditions, and the image to be verified and the correct image can be appropriately compared with each other.

[0117] In addition, the verification system displays the above-mentioned predetermined items in a grayed-out manner in the print setting screen, and if the predetermined items displayed in a grayed-out manner are operated, a warning that the correct image needs to be registered again is displayed when the predetermined items are edited. Optionally, the verification system controls the predetermined items displayed in a grayed-out manner to be inoperable. Thus, in the print setting of the print job for which verification is performed, changes to the printing conditions due to erroneous operations, etc. can be prevented.

[0118] In addition, in the present verification system, the read image can be displayed in the registration screen for registering the correct image and one or more areas of the image can be set as skip areas that are not verified. In addition, in the confirmation screen for displaying the verification result, in the case where it is judged to be defective, the reason and the position of the reason on the image are displayed for each page that has been verified. As described above, with the help of this embodiment, a user-friendly operating system for verifying printed materials can be provided.

[0119] According to the present invention, the image to be verified can be appropriately printed under the same conditions as those for the printing conditions when the correct image is generated, and the image to be verified and the correct image can be appropriately compared with each other.

[0120] Other embodiments

[0121] The embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by the following method, that is, the software (program) that performs the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments is fed into a system or device through a network or various storage media, and the computer or central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessing unit (MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program.

[0122] While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications, equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A verification system, comprising: a printer configured to print an image onto a recording sheet; a reader configured to read the image printed on the recording sheet; as well as One or more controllers, comprising one or more processors and one or more memories, the one or more controllers being configured to: Setting first print settings via a settings screen; causing the printer to print an image based on the set first print setting, causing the reader to read the printed image, and registering the read image as a correct image; setting second print settings via the settings screen; causing the printer to print an authentication target image based on the set second print setting, causing the reader to read the printed authentication target image, and authenticating the read authentication target image using the registered correct image; as well as The setting screen for the second print setting is controlled so that the predetermined print setting included in the first print setting cannot be edited on the setting screen for the second print setting.

2. The verification system according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more controllers are further configured to display the predetermined print settings in a grayed-out manner in a settings screen displayed on the display unit.

3. The verification system according to claim 2, wherein: The one or more controllers are further configured to, if the predetermined print setting displayed in a grayed-out manner is operated, cause the display unit to display a warning that in the event of editing the predetermined print setting, the correct image will need to be registered again.

4. The verification system according to claim 2, wherein: The one or more controllers are further configured to control the predetermined print setting displayed in a grayed-out manner to be inoperable.

5. The verification system according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more controllers are further configured to: storing a flag indicating whether verification of printed materials is to be performed, and When the stored flag indicates that verification is to be performed, it is determined that the setting is to perform verification of the printed material.

6. The verification system according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more controllers are also configured to, when registering the correct image, accept settings by displaying a setting screen on a display unit that allows the user to set the number of sheets for each copy of the print job to be verified and the surface of the sheet to be verified, and to enable the reader to read the image from the sheet printed by the printer according to the setting content.

7. The verification system according to claim 6, wherein: The one or more controllers are further configured to display the image read by the reader and display a registration screen for accepting a registration instruction from a user on the display unit, and register the image as a correct image when the registration instruction is accepted via the registration screen.

8. The verification system according to claim 7, wherein: In the registration screen, one or more areas for skipping verification can be set in the image read by the reader.

9. The verification system according to claim 7, wherein: In the registration screen, a page displaying an image read by the reader can be switched.

10. The verification system according to claim 1, wherein: The one or more controllers are further configured to: display a confirmation screen showing the verification result on the display unit, and In the confirmation screen, the verification result is displayed for each page, and when a defective image is determined, the cause of the defective image and the position of the cause on the image are displayed.

11. The verification system according to claim 1, wherein: The predetermined print setting is an item in which at least one of the direction of an image of a sheet to be printed, the order of pages to be printed, the appearance of colors of an image to be printed, and enlargement / reduction of an image to be printed changes when the setting is changed.

12. The verification system according to claim 1, wherein: Among the items for which editing is not restricted, selection of at least the number of copies to be printed and a sheet feeding unit for feeding sheets is included.

13. The verification system according to claim 1, wherein: The predetermined print setting is at least one of a page range, one-sided and two-sided print settings, a sheet type, a print direction, and a binding position.

14. The verification system according to claim 1, wherein: The setting screen for the second print setting can set at least one of the number of copies, the sheet feeding unit, and the sheet type.

15. An information processing device operable to connect to a printing device, the information processing device comprising: one or more memory devices for storing a set of instructions; as well as One or more processors configured to execute the set of instructions to: Setting first print settings via a settings screen; setting second print settings via the settings screen; and The setting screen for the second print setting is controlled so that the predetermined print setting included in the first print setting cannot be edited on the setting screen for the second print setting.

16. A control method for an authentication system, the authentication system comprising a printer for printing an image on a recording sheet and a reader for reading the image printed on the recording sheet, the control method comprising: Setting first print settings via a settings screen; causing the printer to print an image based on the set first print setting, causing the reader to read the printed image, and registering the read image as a correct image; setting second print settings via the settings screen; causing the printer to print an authentication target image based on the set second print setting, causing the reader to read the printed authentication target image, and authenticating the read authentication target image using the registered correct image; as well as The setting screen for the second print setting is controlled so that the predetermined print setting included in the first print setting cannot be edited on the setting screen for the second print setting.

17. A control method for an information processing device, the information processing device being connected to a printing device, the control method comprising: Setting first print settings via a settings screen; setting second print settings via the settings screen; as well as The setting screen for the second print setting is controlled so that the predetermined print setting included in the first print setting cannot be edited on the setting screen for the second print setting.

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