Method and apparatus for checking printed documents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for inspecting a printed document. An information processing apparatus for inspecting a print content of a print sheet, the information processing apparatus including: an identifying unit configured to identify a print content printed on a sheet; an acquiring unit configured to acquire an attribute value from information identified by the identifying unit; a specifying unit configured to specify a time required for inspecting the print content of the sheet by using the attribute value acquired by the acquiring unit; and a notifying unit configured to issue a notification to a user based on a result of a comparison between the required time specified by the specifying unit and a time limit for inspecting the print content.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for checking the print quality of printed documents. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, printing systems have been known in which an inspection device inspects printed sheets produced by a printing device during transport. During inspection, the inspection device reads an image of the transported printed sheet and determines whether the printed content is normal through image analysis. More specifically, the inspection device can detect missing strings or barcodes, image omissions, printing defects, page omissions, color deviations, incorrectly printed strings or barcodes, etc., on the printed product. If the printed sheet is determined to be defective, it is discharged to a different discharge destination than normal sheets. This prevents defective sheets from being mixed with normal sheets, allowing the operator to discard the defective sheets. Furthermore, in the aforementioned systems, to improve the detection accuracy of defective sheets of printed documents, methods are known in which the string or barcode to be inspected is read using optical character recognition (OCR) or barcode recognition processing and the inspection is performed by comparing it with a prepared answer value.

[0003] In printing systems requiring inspection, it is essential to inspect the printed sheets simultaneously as they are conveyed and pass through the inspection device. If the inspection is not completed in a timely manner, subsequent printed sheets cannot be inspected on time. This results in mismatched inspection results and the inability to obtain accurate findings. Therefore, operators of such printing systems must implement inspection settings to minimize inspection time, which incurs manpower costs.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-003335 discusses a technique in which, before performing an inspection, the priority of the inspection target is calculated based on the printed object information (object type, color, and size) on the inspection target, and only inspections that can be performed within a predetermined time limit are executed based on the priority. This allows for the efficient inspection of only high-priority targets while reducing the complexity of inspection setup.

[0005] The time required to complete the inspection of each printed sheet typically varies depending on various conditions such as the number, amount, and size of the strings or barcodes to be inspected. Therefore, when inspection is performed based on the reading results of strings or barcodes, the inspection time generally varies due to differences in various conditions, even between inspection targets with the same object information. Accordingly, the technology discussed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-003335 still has problems with the accuracy of calculating the inspection time when inspection is performed based on the reading results of strings or barcodes. Furthermore, in the technology discussed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-003335, control is implemented to inspect only high-priority inspection targets within a time limit. Therefore, the inspection of the entire area is not guaranteed, and it is difficult for the inspection operator to know the actual area being inspected. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention relates to a printing system that can accurately notify the user before inspection whether a user-preset string or barcode inspection area can be read and inspected within a time limit.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, an information processing apparatus for inspecting the printed content of a printed sheet is provided. The information processing apparatus includes: an identification unit configured to identify printed content printed on the sheet; an acquisition unit configured to acquire attribute values ​​from information identified by the identification unit; a designation unit configured to designate a time required to inspect the printed content of the sheet by using the attribute values ​​acquired by the acquisition unit; and a notification unit configured to notify a user based on a comparison between the required time designated by the designation unit and a time limit for inspecting the printed content.

[0008] Other features of the invention will become clear from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing device, the inspection device, and the image forming device.

[0010] Figure 2 It is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing device, the inspection device, and the image forming device.

[0011] Figure 3 It is a diagram illustrating the internal configuration of the information processing unit, the inspection unit, the image forming unit, and the high-capacity stacker.

[0012] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of the entire inspection and processing procedure.

[0013] Figure 5A This is an image showing the settings check screen.

[0014] Figure 5B This is an image showing the settings check screen.

[0015] Figure 5C This is an image showing the settings check screen.

[0016] Figure 5D This is an image showing the settings check screen.

[0017] Figure 6 This is an image showing the check area list screen.

[0018] Figure 7 This is a flowchart for checking settings.

[0019] Figure 8 This is a flowchart for checking the time test.

[0020] Figure 9A and Figure 9B These are examples of alarm screens that appear when the required inspection time exceeds the inspection time limit.

[0021] Figure 10 This is a flowchart for checking the time test. Detailed Implementation

[0022] Some exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] The following exemplary embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the exemplary embodiments are not necessarily necessary for the solution of the invention.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the information processing apparatus 0109, the inspection apparatus 0108, and the image forming apparatus 0101 according to a first exemplary embodiment. The image forming apparatus 0101 according to this exemplary embodiment is described using an electrophotographic system; however, the image forming apparatus 0101 according to this exemplary embodiment may be an image forming apparatus of other image forming systems such as inkjet systems or offset systems.

[0025] The image forming apparatus 0101 is connected to the information processing apparatus 0109 via cable 0112. The information processing apparatus 0109 is connected to the client computer 0110 and the inspection apparatus 0108 via network 0113.

[0026] Image forming apparatus 0101 includes a user interface (UI) panel 0102, a sheet feed stage 0103, and a sheet feed stage 0104. Optionally, a stage 0105 including a three-stage sheet feed stage is connected to image forming apparatus 0101. Image forming apparatus 0101 is, for example, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. UI panel 0102 is a user interface including, for example, an electrostatic capacitive touch panel.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 0101 also includes an inspection unit 0106 and a high-capacity stacker 0107. The inspection unit 0106 is connected to the inspection apparatus 0108 via a cable 0114.

[0028] The high-capacity stacker 0107 includes a main tray and a top tray, and can load thousands of sheets at a time on the main tray.

[0029] Print jobs are generated by the client computer 0110, sent to the information processing unit 0109 via network 0113, and managed by the information processing unit 0109. Additionally, print jobs are sent from the information processing unit 0109 to the image forming unit 0101 via cable 0112, and the image forming unit 0101 performs printing on the sheet. Print jobs can be generated and managed by the information processing unit 0109, sent to the image forming unit 0101 via cable 0112, and managed by the image forming unit 0101.

[0030] The client computer 0110, information processing device 0109, and inspection device 0108 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 0101 via a cable 0112. In other words, the connection mode of the image forming apparatus 0101, information processing device 0109, and client computer 0110 illustrated in this exemplary embodiment is illustrative, and various connection modes other than those illustrated in this exemplary embodiment are of course possible.

[0031] Figure 2 This is a block diagram illustrating the control configuration of the image forming apparatus 0101, inspection apparatus 0108, mass stacker 0107, information processing apparatus 0109, and client computer 0110 according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0032] The Central Processing Unit (CPU) 0201 performs control and calculations for each unit in the image forming apparatus 0101 via the system bus 0212. The CPU 0201 executes programs stored in storage unit 0205 and loaded into random access memory (RAM) 0202. RAM 0202 is a general-purpose volatile storage device directly accessible from the CPU 0201 and is used as the working area or temporary data storage area of ​​the CPU 0201. Storage unit 0205 serves as both a temporary storage area and working memory during the operation of the image forming apparatus 0101.

[0033] Engine interface (I / F) 0209 performs communication with and control of printer engine 0210. Sheet feed stage I / F 0204 performs communication with and control of sheet feed stage 0211. Sheet feed stage 0211 is a general term for the hardware configuration of sheet feed stages 0103 and 0104, and optional stage 0105. UI panel 0203 is the hardware configuration of UI panel 0102 and is the user interface for performing the entire operation of image forming apparatus 0101. In this exemplary embodiment, UI panel 0203 includes an electrostatic capacitive touch panel.

[0034] Network interface (hereinafter, NW I / F) 0207 is connected to NW I / F 0238 of information processing device 0109 via cable 0213 and manages communication between information processing device 0109 and image forming device 0101. In this example, the interfaces connected to system buses 0212 and 0239 are directly connected to each other; however, information processing device 0109 and image forming device 0101 can be connected via, for example, a network, and the connection method is not limited. Video I / F 0206 is connected to video I / F 0233 via video cable 0241 and manages image data communication between information processing device 0109 and image forming device 0101.

[0035] The connection interface between the information processing apparatus 0109 and the image forming apparatus 0101 can have integrated functions of NW I / F 0238 and video I / F 0233. Furthermore, the connection interface between the image forming apparatus 0101 and the information processing apparatus 0109 can have integrated functions of NW I / F 0207 and video I / F 0206.

[0036] Auxiliary I / F 0208 is connected to auxiliary I / F 0214 and auxiliary I / F 0220 via cable 0225. In other words, the image forming apparatus 0101 communicates with the inspection unit 0106 and the high-capacity stacker 0107 via auxiliary I / F 0208, 0214 and 0220.

[0037] CPU 0216 executes control and calculations for each unit in inspection unit 0106 via system bus 0219, and executes programs stored in storage unit 0247 and loaded into RAM 0217. RAM 0217 is a general-purpose volatile storage device directly accessible from CPU 0216 and is used as a working area or temporary data storage area for CPU 0216. Storage unit 0247 serves as a temporary storage area and working memory during the operation of inspection unit 0106. Inspection device I / F 0215 is connected to inspection unit I / F 0231 via cable 0249. In other words, inspection unit 0106 communicates with inspection device 0108 through inspection device I / F 0215 and inspection unit I / F 0231.

[0038] Imaging unit 0218 has an imaging function equipped with, for example, a conductive image sensor (hereinafter, CIS), to image the sheet passing through inspection unit 0106, and to transmit the captured image to inspection device 0108 via inspection device I / F 0215. The CIS of imaging unit 0218 is an example of a sensor; the sensor can be other types of sensors such as charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors, and the imaging method is not limited.

[0039] CPU 0221 performs control and calculations for each cell in mass stacker 0107 via system bus 0224, and executes programs stored in storage unit 0248 and loaded into RAM 0222. RAM 0222 is a general-purpose volatile storage device directly accessible from CPU 0221 and is used as a working area or temporary data storage area for CPU 0221. Storage unit 0248 serves as a temporary storage area and working memory during the operation of mass stacker 0107. Sheet ejection unit 0223 performs the operation of ejecting sheets onto the main tray and top tray, and monitors and controls the loading status of the main tray and top tray.

[0040] CPU 0226 executes control and calculations for each unit in inspection device 0108 via system bus 0230, and executes programs stored in storage unit 0228 and loaded into RAM 0227. RAM 0227 is a general-purpose volatile storage device directly accessible from CPU 0226 and is used as a working area or temporary data storage area for CPU 0226. Storage unit 0228 serves as a temporary storage area and working memory during operation of inspection device 0108. Page Description Language (PDL) analysis unit 0229 reads PDL data such as Portable Document Format (PDF) data, PostScript data, and Printer Control Language (PCL) data received from client computer 0110 and information processing device 0109, and performs interpretation processing. Display unit 0245 is, for example, a liquid crystal display connected to inspection device 0108, receives user input to inspection device 0108, and displays the status of inspection device 0108.

[0041] The CPU 0234 performs control and calculations for each unit in the information processing device 0109 via the system bus 0239, and executes programs stored in storage unit 0236 and loaded into RAM 0235. RAM 0235 is a general-purpose volatile storage device directly accessible from the CPU 0234 and is used as the CPU 0234's working area or temporary data storage area. Storage unit 0236 serves as a temporary storage area and working memory during the operation of the information processing device 0109. NWI / F 0237 is connected to NWI / F 0232 and 0240 via a network. The information processing device 0109 communicates with the inspection device 0108 via NWI / F 0237 and 0232. Additionally, the information processing device 0109 communicates with the client computer 0110 via NWI / F 0237 and 0240.

[0042] CPU 0243 controls and performs calculations for each unit in client computer 0110 via system bus 0246, and executes programs stored in storage unit 0244 and loaded into RAM 0242. RAM 0242 is a general-purpose volatile storage device that can be directly accessed from CPU 0243 and is used as the working area or temporary data storage area of ​​CPU 0243. Storage unit 0244 is used as a temporary storage area and working memory during the operation of client computer 0110.

[0043] Figure 3This diagram illustrates the internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 0101, the inspection unit 0106, and the high-capacity stacker 0107. The image forming apparatus 0101 receives user input and displays the printing and apparatus status via a UI panel 0102. Sheet feed stages 0103 and 0104 can accommodate various sheets. Each of the sheet feed stages 0103 and 0104 can separate only the topmost sheet from the accommodated sheets and convey that sheet to the sheet transport path 0305.

[0044] Developing stations 0301 to 0304 use tinted toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to form a toner image in order to create a color image. The formed toner image is then transferred once to intermediate transfer belt 0306. Intermediate transfer belt 0306... Figure 3 The toner image is transferred at the secondary transfer position 0307 to the sheet conveyed from the sheet conveying path 0305. The fixing unit 0308 includes a pressure roller and a heating roller. As the sheet passes between the rollers, the toner is melted and pressurized, and the toner image is correspondingly fixed onto the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 0308 is conveyed to the sheet conveying path 0312 via the sheet conveying path 0309. In cases where additional melting and pressurization are required to fix the toner image due to the type of sheet, the sheet is conveyed to the second fixing unit 0310 via the upper sheet conveying path after passing through the fixing unit 0308, undergoes additional melting and pressurization, and is then conveyed to the sheet conveying path 0312 via the sheet conveying path 0311. In the case where the image forming mode is a double-sided image forming mode, the sheet is conveyed to the sheet flipping path 0313. After the sheet is flipped by the sheet flipping path 0313, the sheet is conveyed to the double-sided conveying path 0314, and image transfer on the second surface is performed at the secondary transfer position 0307.

[0045] In inspection unit 0106, CIS 0315 and 0316 are positioned facing each other. CIS 0315 is a sensor for reading the upper surface of the sheet, and CIS 0316 is a sensor for reading the lower surface of the sheet. When the sheet, conveyed to sheet transport path 0317, reaches a predetermined position, inspection unit 0106 scans the sheet using CIS 0315 and 0316. The scanned images are sent to inspection device 0108 via inspection device I / F 0215 and inspection unit I / F 0231. CPU 0226 determines whether each received image has a defect and again notifies inspection unit 0106 of the determination result via inspection unit I / F 0231 and inspection device I / F 0215. CPU 0216 notifies the high-capacity stacker 0107 of the received determination result via auxiliary I / F 0214 and 0220.

[0046] The high-capacity stacker 0107 can hold a large number of sheets. The high-capacity stacker 0107 includes a main tray 0324, which serves as a pallet for loading the sheets. Sheets that have passed through the inspection unit 0106 enter the high-capacity stacker 0107 via a sheet transport path 0319. The sheets are loaded from the sheet transport path 0319 onto the main tray 0324 via a sheet transport path 0322. The high-capacity stacker 0107 also includes a top tray 0320, which serves as a sheet discharge tray. The CPU 0221 discharges sheets with defects detected on them by the inspection device 0108 to the top tray 0320. When sheets are discharged to the top tray 0320, the sheets are transported from the sheet transport path 0319 onto the top tray 0320 via a sheet transport path 0321. A flipping unit 0323 flips the sheets. The flipping unit 0323 is used to load the sheets onto the main tray 0324. When the sheet is loaded onto the main tray 0324, the sheet is flipped once by the flipping unit 0323, so that the direction of the incoming sheet is consistent with the direction of the sheet in the loading state. When the sheet is conveyed to the top tray 0320, the sheet is discharged as is without being flipped quickly during loading. Therefore, the flipping operation of the flipping unit 0323 is not performed.

[0047] The processing of the system according to this exemplary embodiment is described below with reference to flowchart and screen examples.

[0048] The program for the image forming apparatus 0101 according to the process is stored in the storage unit 0205 of the image forming apparatus 0101, read into RAM 0202, and executed by CPU 0201. The program for the inspection apparatus 0108 according to the process is stored in the storage unit 0228 of the inspection apparatus 0108, read into RAM 0227, and executed by CPU 0226. The program for the information processing apparatus 0109 according to the process is stored in the storage unit 0236 of the information processing apparatus 0109, read into RAM 0235, and executed by CPU 0234. The program for the client computer 0110 according to the process is stored in the storage unit 0244 of the client computer 0110, read into RAM 0242, and executed by CPU 0243.

[0049] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the entire process from the reference registration work before the inspection begins to the inspection device 0108 performing the inspection. The CPU 0226 of the inspection device 0108 performs the processing.

[0050] First, in step S401, the user registers a reference image as a reference for inspection. The inspection device 0108 begins reading the reference image, and the client computer 0110 executes a print job to register the reference image.

[0051] Next, in step S402, the user performs inspection settings to configure various inspection parameters, inspection areas, and inspection levels. Details are described below.

[0052] Next, in step S403, the user begins the inspection performed by the inspection device 0108 and executes a print job for inspection performed by the client computer 0110. During printing, the inspection unit 0106 detects the sheet feed and scans the sheet via CIS 0315 and 0316. The scanned images are stored in the RAM 0227 of the inspection device 0108. Each stored image is compared with a reference image, and the inspection result is output. The inspection is performed based on the settings specified by the user in the inspection settings.

[0053] Next, refer to Figures 5A to 5C , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The flowchart describes in detail the inspection setup in step S402. The inspection setup begins by selecting a reference image registered in the reference register.

[0054] Figures 5A to 5C Each illustration shows an example of an inspection settings screen displayed on UI panel 0102 to receive user inspection settings and perform operations. In the inspection settings screen, the user arranges inspection areas on a preview reference image and performs settings for each inspection area individually.

[0055] Area 501 is a preview display area where a reference image is displayed. When multiple reference images are provided for a print job consisting of multiple pages, the reference image corresponding to each page can be displayed by receiving an operation to switch the reference image to be previewed.

[0056] Boxes 502 to 504 indicate the inspection areas arranged on the preview image. The inspection areas are arranged using the inspection area arrangement button 506, and the size and position of each inspection area can be changed by the user through mouse dragging. Box 502 shows an example of the arrangement of inspection areas in an image.

[0057] Box 503 indicates an example of the layout for the string inspection area. Box 504 indicates an example of the layout for the barcode inspection area.

[0058] Button 505 is the inspection area selection button. When the user presses the inspection area selection button 505 and then clicks any of the boxes 502 to 504 indicating the inspection area with the mouse, the operation of selecting the inspection area is received.

[0059] Button 506 is the inspection area layout button. When the user presses the inspection area layout button 506, selects the type of inspection area from the displayed drop-down menu, and then selects the area to be designated as the inspection area by dragging the mouse on the preview display, the operation of laying out the inspection area is received.

[0060] Item 507 is a setting for selecting check data using a file selection method. The check data is a reference comma-separated values ​​(CSV) file used for data verification during data checks. The reference CSV file is a file prepared by the user and lists the answer strings for string and barcode checks. During data checks, the results of string checks and barcode readings are compared with the answer strings listed in the reference CSV file.

[0061] Item 508 is a settings item for the selected area and displays individual settings values ​​for the inspection area selected via the inspection area selection button 505.

[0062] Item 509 is for setting the page range. When the user presses the buttons, the operation specifying the page range to be inspected based on the selected inspection area is received. If no content is selected, the selected inspection area is only set on the currently displayed page in the preview display area 501. When "Same Surface as Current Page" is selected, the selected inspection area is set on each page corresponding to the same surface, depending on whether the selected inspection area is set on the front or back surface of the sheet. When "All Pages" is selected, the selected inspection area is set on all pages.

[0063] Item 510 is a settings item for each type of inspection area, and displays the settings item corresponding to the type of inspection area selected by the inspection area selection button 505. Figure 5A The illustration shows the settings for image inspection displayed when image inspection area 502 is selected. These settings include items indicating the defects to be inspected when checking printed documents, the inspection level for minor defects, etc. Inspection item indications include, for example, circular defects (spots) and linear defects (stripes). For example, inspection levels include five levels from level 1 to level 5, with level 5 capable of detecting finer and smaller defects than those detectable at level 1. Furthermore, an inspection level can be set for each inspection item, such as detecting spots at inspection level 5 and stripes at inspection level 4.

[0064] Figure 5BThe diagram illustrates the string checking settings displayed when string checking region 503 is selected. For each checking region, you can set the angle of the checking region, the font of the string, whether to perform the check, and which columns in the CSV file to check when performing the check.

[0065] Displays the items for selecting the string font and receives the font selection from the user.

[0066] Figure 5C The illustration shows the barcode inspection settings displayed when barcode inspection area 504 is selected. For each inspection area, settings include the angle of the inspection area, the type of barcode, whether to perform a check, and which columns to check in the CSV file when performing a check. In this exemplary embodiment, the settings corresponding to the type of the selected inspection area are displayed as hidden irrelevant items; however, all items can be displayed while irrelevant items can be disabled, or irrelevant items can be collapsed and hidden.

[0067] Button 511 is the check area list display button. When the user presses button 511, the following will be displayed: Figure 6 The diagram shows a list of inspection areas.

[0068] Button 512 is the setting completion check button. When the user presses button 512, the setting check is completed and stored in storage unit 0228, and then the setting check process ends. In case of setting inconsistency, the setting completion check button 512 can be disabled to prevent it from being pressed. Setting inconsistency indicates, for example, the existence of a check area that needs to undergo verification, but no setting item 507 for verifying the check data is set.

[0069] Button 513 is the settings check cancel button. When the user presses button 513, the settings are deprecated and the settings check process ends.

[0070] Button 514 is a test button for the inspection time of the set inspection area. When the user presses button 514, the inspection of the set inspection area can be tested to see if it is completed within the time limit. The process performed by the inspection device 0108 when the user presses button 514 according to this exemplary embodiment is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0071] Figure 6An example of a check area list screen displayed on UI panel 0102 is illustrated. The check area list screen displays a list of check areas under settings and receives user actions to change check settings. Each row of the list corresponds to any one of the arranged check areas 502 to 504, setting value 603 corresponds to button 509, and setting values ​​606 to 610 correspond to item 510. Users can check and change setting values ​​by selecting each check area in the check settings screen; however, checking the settings of multiple check areas requires many operations and time. In contrast, in the check area list screen, users can check and change the setting values ​​of multiple check areas simultaneously. The check area list screen is displayed on UI panel 0102 in response to the user pressing the check area list display button 511. In this exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the check area list screen is displayed on a different floating window than the check settings screen; however, the check area list screen can be displayed by switching from the check settings screen.

[0072] Line 601 displays the setting values ​​for each item in the inspection area, and selections are made by clicking the user's mouse. A context menu can be opened by right-clicking to allow copying and deleting of the selected inspection area.

[0073] Field 602 is a display field for the type of the inspection area. Field 603 is a display field for setting the page range of the inspection area. The inspection area list screen has no preview. Therefore, if the page range changes and the aforementioned incorrect layout occurs, the user cannot visually identify the error. Therefore, the inspection area list screen does not accept operations to set the page range.

[0074] Field 604 is the display field for the sheet material where the inspection area is located.

[0075] Field 605 is the display field on the surface on which the inspection area is arranged.

[0076] Field 606 is the display field for the angle setting of the inspection area. In this exemplary embodiment, similar to the page range, the user cannot visually identify the incorrect setting if the angle changes and an error occurs. Therefore, the inspection area list screen does not accept angle setting operations.

[0077] Field 607 is the display field for checking the font settings of the area and receiving user actions to change the font.

[0078] Field 608 is the display field for setting the barcode type in the inspection area and receives user input to change the barcode type. The barcode type changes based on factors such as the barcode's cell size and data volume.

[0079] Field 609 is a display field that sets whether to perform a check of the check area and receives user actions to change the settings regarding whether to perform a check.

[0080] Field 610 is a display field that references the settings of the columns in the CSV file to be checked against the inspection area, and receives user actions to change the column settings.

[0081] Button 611 is the end button for displaying the check area list. When button 611 is pressed, the display of the check area list ends. The check time test button 612 has the same function as the check time test button 514.

[0082] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the inspection device 0108 when an inspection setting start operation is performed on the inspection device 0108. The inspection setting screen and inspection area list screen displayed on the UI panel 0203 of the image forming apparatus 0101 receive the operation, and the CPU 0226 of the inspection device 0108 performs various processes to execute the inspection settings.

[0083] In step S701, the inspection device 0108 receives an operation to set and verify inspection data from the inspection setting screen. In this exemplary embodiment, the operation to set and verify inspection data is a user operation of the inspection data setting item 507.

[0084] In step S702, the inspection device 0108 receives an operation to arrange the inspection area from the inspection setting screen. In this exemplary embodiment, the operation to arrange the inspection area is a user operation of the inspection area arrangement button 506.

[0085] In step S703, the inspection device 0108 determines that the inspection setting screen is already open. Figures 5A to 5D The screen is still showing the list of areas to be checked. Figure 6 The user has made individual settings for the inspection area on the inspection settings screen. If the settings have already been made on the inspection settings screen ("No" in step S703), the process proceeds to step S704, and the processes in steps S704 to S707 are executed. If the settings have already been made on the inspection area list screen ("Yes" in step S703), the process proceeds to step S708, and the processes in steps S708 to S710 are executed.

[0086] In step S704, the inspection device 0108 displays the inspection settings screen ( Figures 5A to 5D The system receives an operation to select an inspection area. In this exemplary embodiment, the operation to select an inspection area is a user operation on the inspection area selection button 505 displayed on the UI panel 0203.

[0087] In step S705, the inspection device 0108 receives the operation of setting the page range from the inspection setting screen. In this exemplary embodiment, the operation of setting the page range is the user operation of the page range setting item 509 displayed on the UI panel 0203.

[0088] In step S706, the inspection device 0108 receives setting operations for each type of inspection area from the inspection setting screen. In this exemplary embodiment, each type of setting operation for the inspection area is a user operation on the setting items 510 for each type of inspection area displayed on the UI panel 0203.

[0089] In step S707, the inspection device 0108 displays the inspection area list screen ( Figure 6 The results of the settings operations performed by the user on the settings screen are reflected in the display of the content.

[0090] The following describes the processing in steps S708 to S710. Note that the check area list screen ( Figure 6 There is no preview screen. Therefore, if the page range changes and an incorrect layout of the inspection area occurs, the user cannot visually identify the error. Consequently, the inspection area list screen does not accept operations to set the page range.

[0091] In step S708, the inspection device 0108 receives an operation to select an inspection area from the inspection area list screen. In this exemplary embodiment, the operation to select an inspection area is a user operation on the display line 601 of the setting values ​​for each of the inspection areas displayed on the UI panel 0203.

[0092] In step S709, the inspection device 0108 receives setting operations for each type of inspection area from the inspection area list screen. In this exemplary embodiment, each type of setting operation for the inspection area is a user operation on the display fields 606 to 610 for the corresponding setting value displayed on the UI panel 0203.

[0093] In step S710, the inspection device 0108 checks the setting screen ( Figures 5A to 5D The results of the settings operations performed by the user on the check area list screen are reflected in the display of the content.

[0094] In step S711, the inspection device 0108 determines whether the user's inspection settings have been completed. More specifically, the inspection device 0108 determines whether the user has pressed the inspection settings completion button 512. If the inspection settings completion button 512 has been pressed ("Yes" in step S711), the process proceeds to step S712. If the inspection settings completion button 512 has not been pressed ("No" in step S711), the user performs the operation of selecting an inspection area in step S703 to continue the inspection settings process.

[0095] In step S712, the inspection device 0108 saves the inspection settings in the storage unit 0228 and then ends the inspection settings processing.

[0096] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing procedure of the inspection device 0108 when an inspection time test start command is issued to the inspection device 0108. The CPU 0226 of the inspection device 0108 begins processing in response to the pressing of the inspection time test button 514 displayed on the UI panel 0203 of the image forming apparatus 0101.

[0097] In step S801, the inspection device 0108 obtains the sheet size of the print job under the inspection setting.

[0098] In step S802, the inspection device 0108 calculates the inspection time limit for each page of the inspection operation under the inspection setting based on the sheet size obtained in step S801.

[0099] The following describes an example of the method for calculating the inspection time limit in step S802. Table A is a table showing the inspection time limit of the inspection device 0108 for each page of the inspection job for the sheet size of the print job.

[0100] [Table 1]

[0101] Table A

[0102]

[0103]

[0104] The inspection time limit is represented by the number of areas that can be inspected per page of the inspection job, while the time required to inspect one string inspection area is assumed to be 1. For example, in the case of a print job with a sheet size of A3, the inspection time limit corresponds to 30 string inspection areas. In the case of a sheet size of B5, the inspection time limit corresponds to 27 areas. The inspection device 0108 maintains the table information shown in the table in the storage unit 0228. The inspection time limits shown in Table A depend on the sheet transport speed of the image forming apparatus 0101. Therefore, it is desirable to maintain a table in which the inspection time limits corresponding to, for example, various modes of sheet transport speed of the image forming apparatus 0101 are described.

[0105] In this exemplary embodiment, the time required to inspect a string inspection region is used as a reference for the inspection time limit; however, the actual inspection time can be measured, and the time limit can be represented by a time representation based on the measurement result (e.g., within 500 ms). Alternatively, the time limit can be represented based on other references.

[0106] In step S803, the inspection device 0108 determines that after experiencing the reference Figures 5A to 5C , Figure 6 and Figure 7 Within the inspection areas of the described inspection settings, are there any inspection areas that have not yet undergone the calculation of the required inspection time? If such an inspection area exists as a confirmed result ("Yes" in step S803), the process proceeds to step S804. If such an inspection area does not exist ("No" in step S803), the process proceeds to step S809. The process of calculating the required time is described below.

[0107] In step S804, the inspection device 0108 obtains information about the experience reference. Figures 5A to 5C , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The description refers to the settings information for one of the inspection areas.

[0108] In step S805, the inspection device 0108 performs OCR or barcode recognition processing based on the inspection setting information obtained in step S804. At this time, based on the type 602 of the inspection area, it is determined whether to perform either OCR or barcode recognition processing on the target inspection area. More specifically, if the type 602 of the inspection area is "string inspection," OCR is performed. If the type 602 of the inspection area is "barcode inspection," barcode recognition processing is performed.

[0109] In step S806, the inspection device 0108 obtains attribute values ​​related to the calculation of the inspection time from the result of the identification process performed in step S805. In the case of a string area, examples of attribute values ​​related to the calculation of the inspection time include the font type, font size, and length of the string included in the area. In the case of a barcode, examples of attribute values ​​include the barcode type of the decoded string, the narrowest width, cell size, number of cells, error correction level, and length. In this exemplary embodiment, an example of calculating the inspection time using some of these attribute values ​​has been described; however, the inspection time can be calculated using all of these attribute values, or it can be calculated using attribute values ​​other than those described above.

[0110] In step S807, the inspection device 0108 calculates the inspection time required for the inspection area based on the attribute values ​​of the inspection area obtained in step S806.

[0111] Each of Tables B and C contains table information used in step S807 to calculate the required inspection time for each of the various attribute values ​​in the string inspection area and barcode inspection area acquired by the inspection device 0108. The table information is previously held by the storage unit 0228. As an example, consider the following case: the set inspection area acquired in step S804 is a barcode inspection area for code 1, and the attribute value of the area acquired in step S806 is a cell size of 0.7 mm and a data volume of 800 bytes. In this case, in step S807, the inspection device 0108 calculates the required inspection time for the inspection area based on Table C as the time corresponding to 10 string inspection areas. In this exemplary embodiment, it is assumed that the required inspection time for the string inspection area shown in Table B is the time corresponding to one area, regardless of the attribute value; however, the table information can be set while assuming that the required inspection time for the string inspection area varies according to the attribute value. However, in this case, it is necessary to define a combination of reference attribute values, define the inspection time limit in Table A, and define the required inspection time in Tables B and C, with the required inspection time in the case of attribute values ​​as a reference.

[0112] [Table 2]

[0113] Table B

[0114]

[0115]

[0116] [Table 3]

[0117] Table C

[0118]

[0119] In step S808, the inspection device 0108 adds the inspection time required obtained in step S807 to the total inspection time required on a page of the inspection job. Then, the process proceeds to step S803. In this exemplary embodiment, the inspection device 0108 calculates the total inspection time; however, the total inspection time can be calculated by a device different from the inspection device 0108, and the inspection device 0108 can specify the total inspection time by obtaining the calculation result.

[0120] The inspection device 0108 repeats the above-described processes in steps S803 to S808 according to the number of inspection areas set, in order to calculate the total inspection time required for each page of the inspection job.

[0121] If, in step S803, it is determined that there is no region that has not yet undergone the required calculation ("No" in step S803), the inspection device 0108 determines in step S809 whether the calculated total inspection time is greater than the inspection time limit obtained in step S802. If, as a result of the determination, the calculated total inspection time is greater than the inspection time limit ("Yes" in step S809), the process proceeds to step S810. If, the calculated total inspection time is less than or equal to the inspection time limit ("No" in step S809), the process ends.

[0122] In step S810, the inspection device 0108 displays a screen prompting the user to modify the inspection settings on the UI panel 0203 because the total inspection time required for each page of the set inspection area exceeds the time limit of the current inspection job.

[0123] Figure 9A An example of the screen displayed in step S810 is illustrated. In this example, the aforementioned screen 901, prompting the user to modify the check settings, is displayed. Performing this display allows the user to easily determine whether it is necessary to correct the check settings performed by the user.

[0124] Figure 9B Another example of the screen displayed in step S810 is illustrated. In this example, screen 902 displays a prompt message to reduce the time required for the check, along with a message as described above prompting the user to modify the check settings. This prompt message displayed together can be used as a reference when the user performs a check reset again.

[0125] Additionally, the screen displayed in step S810 may include other content. For example, within the inspection area undergoing the inspection setup, information about the inspection area may be displayed in descending order of the required inspection time calculated in step S807, and this information may also be provided as a reference for determining which inspection area needs to be corrected to complete the required time within the time limit. Such display is within the scope of the invention as long as it displays information useful to the user for correcting the inspection setup based on information obtained by recognizing string or barcode areas.

[0126] By performing the exemplary embodiments in the above processing, the user can know precisely whether the time required for the inspection based on the inspection settings performed by the user will be completed within the time limit of the inspection job before the inspection job is executed. This improves the usability of the inspection.

[0127] In the second exemplary embodiment, the following fact is described with reference to the accompanying drawings: by properly performing this exemplary embodiment, it is easy and efficient to determine whether the time required for an inspection based on the inspection settings performed by the user is completed within the time limit of the inspection job. In the description of this exemplary embodiment, descriptions of configuration and processing procedures identical to those in the first exemplary embodiment are omitted, and only the differences are described.

[0128] Figure 10 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the inspection device 0108 when an inspection time test start command is issued to the inspection device 0108 according to this exemplary embodiment. The CPU 0226 of the inspection device 0108 starts processing in response to the pressing of the inspection time test button 514 displayed on the UI panel 0203 of the image forming apparatus 0101.

[0129] In step S802, the inspection device 0108 obtains the inspection time limit for each page of the inspection job based on the time limit table information shown in Table D. As shown in Table D, the inspection time limit for each page of the inspection job according to this exemplary embodiment is expressed in time format using milliseconds (ms). Note that the time limit table shown in Table D was previously maintained by the storage unit 0228.

[0130] [Table 4]

[0131] Table D

[0132]

[0133]

[0134] In step S802, the inspection device 0108 obtains the time limit for the inspection operation based on the time limit table information described in Table D. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1001 via the processes in steps S803 to S805.

[0135] In step S1001, the inspection device 0108 measures the time required to perform the identification process on the target inspection area in step S805. The required time can be measured based on timestamp information (not shown) in the operation log of the identification process in step S805, or it can be measured by other methods. Alternatively, the required time for the same inspection area can be measured multiple times, and the required time can be calculated by calculating a statistically valid value (e.g., the maximum value among the measurements of the multiple required times) or by calculating the maximum value considering the dispersion of the distribution of the obtained required times.

[0136] In step S808, the inspection device 0108 adds the required time measured in step S1001 in a manner similar to the processing in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0137] The processes in steps S803 to S805, S1001, and S808 are executed sequentially according to the number of inspection areas set. In step S809, the total inspection time required for each page is compared with the inspection time limit for each page obtained in step S802, in a manner similar to that of the first exemplary embodiment.

[0138] The above reference is described using specific examples of the inspection area. Figure 10 The processing procedure described in this exemplary embodiment.

[0139] Assuming the check settings are as follows Figure 5D The process is executed as illustrated in the diagram. Area 503 is set as the string inspection area, areas 504 and QR codes 515 to 520 are set as barcode inspection areas, and the inspection time test button 514 is pressed to begin. Figure 10 The processing described in the text. QR code indication. or such as Figure 5D The barcode or similar code is shown in the diagram. The sheet size for the inspection job is A4, and the time limit for each page of the inspection job calculated based on Table D in step S802 is 500ms. Furthermore, the processing in step S1001 is performed on each of the inspection areas, and the inspection time required for the corresponding inspection area and its total value are obtained, as shown in Table E below. The column indicators for the inspection areas are as follows. Figure 5D The reference number for each item in the inspection area.

[0140] [Table 5]

[0141] Table E

[0142]

[0143]

[0144] In this case, during the determination in step S809, the total inspection time of 515ms exceeds the inspection time limit of 500ms. Therefore, in step S810, a message indicating that the total inspection time exceeds the inspection time limit is displayed on the UI panel 0203.

[0145] In the manner described above, the present invention can be performed in a simpler way without having to calculate the inspection time based on the attribute values ​​obtained from the result of the recognition of the string or barcode performed in the first exemplary embodiment.

[0146] (Other exemplary embodiments)

[0147] In the first and second exemplary embodiments, regarding the reference Figure 8 and Figure 10 The described processing procedure involves calculating the required inspection time by sequentially executing steps S803 to S808 and S1001 in each inspection area. The CPU0226 can perform multi-threaded processing and can execute tasks in parallel. Figure 8 In the case of the processing described herein, the inspection time limit and the required inspection time can be calculated by performing the processes in steps S803 to S808 and S1001 in parallel on a unit basis for inspection areas. For example, the value obtained by multiplying the inspection time limit described in Table A or Table D by the number of threads that can be processed in parallel can be regarded as the inspection time limit, and this value can be compared with the required inspection time calculated in the first exemplary embodiment or the second exemplary embodiment.

[0148] Furthermore, when the image forming mode is a double-sided image forming mode, the CIS 0315 and 0316 of the inspection unit 0106 scan both the front and back pages simultaneously. In this case, the inspection time limit can be set by considering whether the inspection can be performed in parallel. In other words, when parallel operation is possible through multithreading, the value obtained by multiplying the inspection time limit described in Table A or Table D by the number of threads that can be processed in parallel can be regarded as the inspection time limit for both surfaces, and this value can be compared with the total inspection time obtained by adding the inspection time required for the two surfaces calculated in the first exemplary embodiment or the second exemplary embodiment. When inspecting both surfaces by single-threaded operation, the processing can be performed by treating the value obtained by dividing the inspection time limit described in Table A or Table D by 2 as the inspection time limit for each page.

[0149] Other embodiments

[0150] One or more embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by a computer that reads and executes computer-executable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on a storage medium (which may also be more fully referred to as a "non-transitory computer-readable storage medium") to perform one or more functions of one or more of the above embodiments and / or includes one or more circuits (e.g., application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) for performing one or more of the functions of one or more of the above embodiments, and by a method by which the computer of the system or device performs one or more functions of one or more of the above embodiments by, for example, reading and executing computer-executable instructions from the storage medium to perform one or more functions of one or more of the above embodiments and / or controlling one or more circuits to perform one or more functions of one or more of the above embodiments. The computer may include one or more processors (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor unit (MPU)) and may include different computers or networks of different processors to read and execute computer-executable instructions. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or a storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), storage devices for distributed computing systems, optical discs (such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs). TM One or more of the following: flash memory devices, memory cards, etc.

[0151] Other embodiments

[0152] The embodiments of the present invention can also be implemented by providing software (programs) that perform the functions of the above embodiments to a system or device via a network or various storage media, and the computer or central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor unit (MPU) of the system or device reads out and executes the program.

[0153] While the 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 appended claims should be given the broadest interpretation to include all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus for inspecting the printed content of a printing sheet, the information processing apparatus comprising: A character recognition unit, configured to recognize printed content included in a first area on the sheet; A code recognition unit, configured to recognize printed content included in a second region on a sheet, wherein the second region is different from the first region; The acquisition unit is configured to acquire string-related attribute information identified by the character recognition unit in a first region, and code-related attribute information identified by the code recognition unit in a second region; The determining unit is configured to determine the time required to inspect the printed content included in the first area of ​​the sheet based on attribute information related to strings and to determine the time required to inspect the printed content included in the second area of ​​the sheet based on attribute information related to codes, and to determine the time required to inspect the sheet based on the time required to inspect the printed content included in the first area of ​​the sheet and the time required to inspect the printed content included in the second area of ​​the sheet, and then determine whether the time required to inspect the sheet exceeds a predetermined time limit for inspecting the sheet; as well as A notification unit configured to notify the user when the time required to inspect the sheet is determined to exceed a predetermined time limit for inspecting the sheet.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The notification unit indicates that the time required to inspect the sheet has exceeded the predetermined time limit.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The pre-set time limit is based on the size of the sheet.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The notification unit presents attribute information related to the code to prevent the time required to inspect the sheet from exceeding the predetermined time limit.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The attribute information related to the code includes attribute values ​​related to the QR code, and the attribute information related to the string includes attribute values ​​related to the font printed on the sheet.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein, QR codes include barcodes or QR codes. ® .

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit configured to display a setting screen for selecting an inspection area to be arranged on a sheet, the setting screen including an area for setting parameters of the inspection area selected as a target to be arranged on the sheet.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The first area is the inspection area designated for processing the fonts that are the targets of the inspection.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The second area is the inspection area designated for processing QR codes that are the targets of inspection.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, The third region on the sheet is an inspection area designated for processing images printed on the sheet as inspection targets, and the third region is different from the first and second regions.

11. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus to inspect the printed content of a printing sheet, the method comprising: Identify the printed content included in the first area on the sheet; Identify printed content included in a second region on the sheet, wherein the second region is different from the first region; Obtain the string-related attribute information identified in the first region, and obtain the code-related attribute information identified in the second region; The time required to inspect the printed content included in the first area of ​​the sheet is determined based on the attribute information related to the string, and the time required to inspect the printed content included in the second area of ​​the sheet is determined based on the attribute information related to the code. The time required to inspect the sheet is determined based on the time required to inspect the printed content included in the first area of ​​the sheet and the time required to inspect the printed content included in the second area of ​​the sheet. Then it is determined whether the time required to inspect the sheet exceeds the predetermined time limit for inspecting the sheet. as well as If the time required to inspect the sheet is determined to exceed the predetermined time limit for inspecting the sheet, a notification will be sent to the user.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as an information processing apparatus for inspecting the printed contents of a printed sheet, the information processing apparatus comprising: A character recognition unit, configured to recognize printed content included in a first area on the sheet; A code recognition unit, configured to recognize printed content included in a second region on a sheet, wherein the second region is different from the first region; The acquisition unit is configured to acquire string-related attribute information identified by the character recognition unit in a first region, and code-related attribute information identified by the code recognition unit in a second region; The determining unit is configured to determine the time required to inspect the printed content included in the first area of ​​the sheet based on attribute information related to strings and to determine the time required to inspect the printed content included in the second area of ​​the sheet based on attribute information related to codes, and to determine the time required to inspect the sheet based on the time required to inspect the printed content included in the first area of ​​the sheet and the time required to inspect the printed content included in the second area of ​​the sheet, and then determine whether the time required to inspect the sheet exceeds a predetermined time limit for inspecting the sheet; as well as A notification unit configured to notify the user when the time required to inspect the sheet is determined to exceed a predetermined time limit for inspecting the sheet.

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