Information processing system, information processing method, and program product

Abstract

The invention discloses an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program product, the information processing system includes a processor that accepts a setting of setting a threshold value of inspection performed on a printed matter composed of a plurality of pages printed on a printing apparatus as a first threshold value, specifies a first reprinted page, displays a first consumption amount, and displays a second reprinted page. Wherein the first reprinted page includes at least a page determined to be poor in printing by an inspection based on the first threshold value, and the first consumption amount is a consumption amount of consumables used for printing the first reprinted page.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program product. Background Art

[0002] In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-082421, there is disclosed an image inspection report creation device that calculates a difference level indicating the degree of difference between an inspection image and a read image, compares the calculated difference level with a preset reference difference level, and determines whether to display the difference in a result report. Thus, only defects that are considered necessary for the user to grasp are displayed in the result report.

[0003] In Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2020-205567, there is disclosed an image processing device that analyzes a read image of a printed matter and detects an image abnormality, sorts the printed matter into good products and defective products for paper discharge, and when a detection threshold and / or a detection item of the image abnormality is changed, re-determines the printed matter that has completed paper discharge, and notifies the output position of the printed matter whose pass / fail determination has been changed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Sometimes, a checking device checks each page of a printed matter composed of multiple pages printed by a printing device for stains, and determines a page with a stain greater than a threshold as a printing defect. The threshold is a value set for a certain parameter such as size. In this case, the smaller the threshold of the inspection that serves as a reference for determining whether the printed matter is normal, the higher the quality of the printed matter. However, since the pages determined to be printing defects are reprinted, the consumption of consumables such as printing paper and toner increases. On the contrary, the larger the threshold of the inspection, the worse the quality of the printed matter. However, when setting the threshold of the inspection, the user cannot grasp the consumption of the consumables used for reprinting.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program product that can grasp the consumption of consumables used for reprinting when setting a threshold for an inspection of a printed matter.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system including a processor that receives a setting of setting a threshold for an inspection of a printed matter composed of multiple pages printed by a printing device as a first threshold, specifies first reprint pages, and displays a first consumption amount, where the first reprint pages include at least pages determined to be printing defects through an inspection based on the first threshold, and the first consumption amount is the consumption amount of consumables used for printing the first reprint pages.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the first aspect, the processor displays, within the same screen, a display for setting a threshold for accepting the inspection and a display of the first consumption amount.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the first or second aspect, the first reprint page includes pages that are printed in the printing device and are subsequent to the pages determined to be printing defective through inspection based on the first threshold.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of any one of the first to third aspects, the processor displays a first page structure that represents the structure of a page printed when the threshold for accepting the inspection is set to a first threshold, and the first page structure includes the first reprint page.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the processor accepts the setting of the threshold for inspecting each page of the printed matter and performs inspections on each page based on the threshold for inspection of each accepted page.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the fourth aspect, the processor displays a first waste paper rate, which is the ratio of the number of pages of the first reprint page to the number of pages of the first page structure.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the sixth aspect, the processor stores the first threshold in association with the first waste paper rate, and based on the first waste paper rate, displays the consumption amount of the consumable predicted when a new printed matter is inspected based on the first threshold.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing system including a processor that accepts the setting of setting the threshold for inspecting a printed matter composed of multiple pages printed in a printing device to a first threshold, specifies a first reprint page, accepts the setting of setting the threshold for the inspection to a second threshold, specifies a second reprint page, and displays the difference between a first consumption amount and a second consumption amount, where the first reprint page includes at least pages determined to be printing defective through inspection based on the first threshold, the second reprint page includes at least pages determined to be printing defective through inspection based on the second threshold, the first consumption amount is the consumption amount of the consumable used for printing the first reprint page, and the second consumption amount is the consumption amount of the consumable used for printing the second reprint page.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the eighth aspect, the processor displays, within the same screen, a display for accepting the setting of the threshold for the inspection and a display of the difference.

[0015] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the eighth or ninth aspect, the first reprint page includes the pages that are printed in the printing device and are subsequent to the pages determined to be printing defective by the inspection based on the first threshold, and the second reprint page includes the pages that are printed in the printing device and are subsequent to the pages determined to be printing defective by the inspection based on the second threshold.

[0016] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of any one of the eighth to tenth aspects, the processor displays a first page structure and a second page structure. The first page structure represents the structure of the pages printed when accepting the setting of the threshold for the inspection to be the first threshold and includes the first reprint page, and the second page structure represents the structure of the pages printed when accepting the setting of the threshold for the inspection to be the second threshold and includes the second reprint page.

[0017] According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, the processor accepts the setting of the threshold for the inspection for each page of the printed matter and performs the inspection of each page with the threshold for the inspection accepted for each page.

[0018] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the eleventh aspect, the processor displays the difference between the first waste paper rate and the second waste paper rate. The first waste paper rate is the ratio of the number of pages of the first reprint page to the number of pages of the first page structure, and the second waste paper rate is the ratio of the number of pages of the second reprint page to the number of pages of the second page structure.

[0019] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the thirteenth aspect, the processor stores the first threshold in association with the first waste paper rate and displays the predicted consumption amount of the consumables in the case of inspecting a new printed matter based on the first threshold based on the first waste paper rate.

[0020] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program product including a program that causes a computer to execute a process, wherein the process includes: a step of accepting a setting for setting a threshold for inspecting a printout composed of multiple pages printed by a printing device to a first threshold; a step of specifying first reprint pages that at least include pages determined to be poorly printed through inspection based on the first threshold; and a step of displaying a first consumption amount that is a consumption amount of consumables used for printing the first reprint pages.

[0021] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program product including a program that causes a computer to execute a process, wherein the process includes: a step of accepting a setting for setting a threshold for inspecting a printout composed of multiple pages printed by a printing device to a first threshold; a step of specifying first reprint pages that at least include pages determined to be poorly printed through inspection based on the first threshold; a step of accepting a setting for setting the threshold for the inspection to a second threshold; a step of specifying second reprint pages that at least include pages determined to be poorly printed through inspection based on the second threshold; and a step of displaying a difference between a first consumption amount and a second consumption amount, where the first consumption amount is a consumption amount of consumables used for printing the first reprint pages and the second consumption amount is a consumption amount of consumables used for printing the second reprint pages.

[0022] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the first aspect, the processor accepts information of a new print job, and based on a result of an inspection corresponding to the new print job obtained by inputting the information of the new print job and the first threshold to a learned model, specifies the first reprint pages, and the learned model has been pre-learned so as to output a result of an inspection corresponding to the print job when information of a print job and a threshold for inspecting the print job are input.

[0023] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the seventeenth aspect, the information of the print job includes information of pages constituting the print job, and the information of the new print job includes information of pages constituting the new print job.

[0024] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the eighteenth aspect, the information of the pages constituting the print job includes image density of each page constituting the print job, information of an object, or information of print settings.

[0025] According to the twentieth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the eighteenth aspect, the information of the print job includes information related to the type of paper used for the print job or information related to the printing device that processes the print job, and the information of the new print job includes information related to the type of paper used for the new print job or information related to the printing device that processes the new print job.

[0026] According to the twenty-first aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of any one of the seventeenth to twentieth aspects, the result of the inspection corresponding to the print job includes the probability that each page constituting the print job is determined to be poorly printed, and the result of the inspection corresponding to the new print job includes the probability that each page constituting the new print job is determined to be poorly printed. The processor specifies the first reprint page based on the probability that each page constituting the new print job is determined to be poorly printed and the number of copies of the new print job.

[0027] According to the twenty-second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system of the twenty-first aspect, the processor outputs the probability that each page constituting the new print job is determined to be poorly printed by inputting the information of the received new print job and the first threshold value to the learned model. The learned model has been pre-learned so that when the information of the print job and the threshold value of the inspection performed on the print job are input, the result of the inspection corresponding to the print job is output.

[0028] According to the twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the program product of the fifteenth aspect, the processing further has a step of receiving the information of the new print job. In the step of specifying the first reprint page that at least includes the pages determined to be poorly printed by the inspection based on the first threshold value, the first reprint page is specified based on the result of the inspection corresponding to the new print job obtained by inputting the information of the received new print job and the first threshold value to the learned model. The learned model has been pre-learned so that when the information of the print job and the threshold value of the inspection performed on the print job are input, the result of the inspection corresponding to the print job is output.

[0029] According to the twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method, which includes: a step of receiving a setting for setting a threshold value for inspecting a printout composed of multiple pages printed by a printing device as a first threshold value; a step of specifying a first reprint page that at least includes the pages determined to be poorly printed by the inspection based on the first threshold value; and a step of displaying a first consumption amount, which is the consumption amount of the consumables used for printing the first reprint page.

[0030] (Effect)

[0031] According to the first and twenty-fourth aspects, when setting the threshold for inspection, it is possible to grasp the consumption amount of the consumables used for reprinting.

[0032] According to the second aspect, it is possible to set the threshold for inspection while confirming the consumption amount of the consumables used for reprinting.

[0033] According to the third aspect, even when not only the pages determined to be printed poorly but also the subsequent pages are reprinted, it is possible to grasp the consumption amount of the consumables used for reprinting.

[0034] According to the fourth aspect, when the threshold for inspection is set, it is possible to grasp the structure of the printed pages.

[0035] According to the fifth aspect, it is possible to perform an inspection suitable for the pages.

[0036] According to the sixth aspect, when setting the threshold for inspection, it is possible to grasp the paper loss rate.

[0037] According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to grasp the consumption amount of the consumables predicted before printing a new print job.

[0038] According to the eighth aspect, when changing the threshold for inspection, it is possible to grasp how the consumption amount of the consumables changes.

[0039] According to the ninth aspect, it is possible to change the threshold for inspection while confirming the difference in the consumption amount of the consumables used for reprinting.

[0040] According to the tenth aspect, even when not only the pages determined to be printed poorly but also the subsequent pages are reprinted, it is possible to grasp the difference in the consumption amount of the consumables used for reprinting.

[0041] According to the eleventh aspect, it is possible to grasp the change in the structure of the printed pages caused by changing the threshold for inspection.

[0042] According to the twelfth aspect, it is possible to set the threshold for inspection suitable for the pages.

[0043] According to the thirteenth aspect, when the threshold for inspection is changed, it is possible to grasp the difference in the paper loss rate.

[0044] According to the fourteenth aspect, it is possible to grasp the consumption amount of the consumables predicted before printing a new print job.

[0045] According to the fifteenth aspect, when setting the threshold for inspection, it is possible to grasp the consumption amount of the consumables used for reprinting.

[0046] According to the sixteenth aspect, when changing the threshold of change inspection, it is possible to grasp how the consumption amount of the consumable changes.

[0047] According to the seventeenth aspect, it is possible to specify the reprint pages without checking each page of a new print job.

[0048] According to the eighteenth aspect, based on the information of the pages constituting the print job, it is possible to specify the reprint pages without checking each page of a new print job.

[0049] According to the nineteenth aspect, based on the image density of each page constituting the print job, the information of the object, or the information of the print setting, it is possible to specify the reprint pages without checking each page of a new print job.

[0050] According to the twentieth aspect, based on the information related to the type of paper used for the print job or the information related to the printing device that processes the print job, it is possible to specify the reprint pages without checking each page of a new print job.

[0051] According to the twenty - first aspect, using the probability that each page constituting a new print job is determined to be a printing defect, it is possible to specify the reprint pages without checking each page of a new print job.

[0052] According to the twenty - second aspect, it is possible to output the probability that each page constituting a new print job is determined to be a printing defect without checking each page of the new print job.

[0053] According to the twenty - third aspect, it is possible to specify the reprint pages without checking each page of a new print job. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] Figure 2 It is a diagram for explaining the case where when printing 10 pages on A4 - sized paper, a printing defect is detected on the 4th page and reprinting is performed.

[0056] Figure 3 It is a diagram for explaining an example of the remaining sheet number table.

[0057] Figure 4 It is a diagram for explaining the situation where the total number of printed pages changes when the threshold of inspection is changed.

[0058] Figure 5 It is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen when setting a threshold value for an inspection related to printing stains in an inspection control unit 34.

[0061] Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a list of printing stain portions.

[0062] Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image density list.

[0063] Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of a page structure list.

[0064] Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a display of an inspection result of an inspection performed by setting a threshold value for a certain inspection.

[0065] Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a change screen for an inspection level when changing the threshold value of an inspection to a large value.

[0066] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing a processing flow during a simulation of a printing process based on a changed inspection threshold value after changing the inspection threshold value.

[0067] Figure 14 is shown in Figure 13 in step S110 of the flowchart, and details of a process of recalculating the consumption amount of a consumable that performs a change based on an inspection threshold value.

[0068] Figure 15 is shown in Figure 14 in step S202 of the flowchart, and details of a process of adding a cleaning page and recalculating the consumption amount of a consumable.

[0069] Figure 16 is shown in Figure 14 in step S203 of the flowchart, and details of a process of reducing a cleaning page and recalculating the consumption amount of a consumable.

[0070] Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of a page structure list generated when changing the threshold value of an inspection to a large value.

[0071] Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of a simulation result displayed when changing the threshold value of an inspection to a large value.

[0072] Figure 19 This is a diagram showing an example of a display screen when the threshold value to be checked is changed to a smaller value.

[0073] Figure 20 This is a diagram showing an example of a page structure list generated when the threshold value to be checked is changed to a smaller value.

[0074] Figure 21 This is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of simulation results displayed when the threshold value to be checked is changed to a smaller value.

[0075] Figure 22 This is a diagram for explaining an example of calculating the number of sheets to be cleared when multiple printing jobs are consecutive.

[0076] Figure 23 This is a block diagram showing the functional structure of an image forming system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0077] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0078] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the system structure of an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] As Figure 1 shown, an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a printing device 20, an inspection device 30, and a post-processing device 40.

[0080] The printing device 20 has a function of storing paper and performing a process of printing an image on the stored paper. Then, the inspection device 30 receives the paper printed with an image from the printing device 20 and performs an inspection of the image printed on the paper, that is, determines whether there are abnormalities such as printing stains, creases, or position deviations in the image printed on the paper.

[0081] Specifically, the inspection device 30 receives the image data of the image printed on the paper from the printing device 20 as a reference image, scans the image of the printed paper transmitted from the printing device 20, and compares the received reference image with the scanned image to check whether there are abnormalities in the image printed on the transmitted paper.

[0082] Then, the post-processing device 40 performs various post-processings such as folding, binding, punching, and booklet making on the paper that has been inspected by the inspection device 30 and discharges it to a designated discharge tray. In addition, the inspection device 30 may be configured to perform an inspection after the post-processing device 40 performs the post-processing.

[0083] In this image forming system 10, when an abnormality is detected in a certain sheet of paper in the inspection device 30, the following processing is performed: the discharge location of the detected abnormal sheet is switched and discharged to a discharge tray different from the normal discharge tray. However, in the case where such processing is desired, when an abnormality is detected in a certain page of paper during inspection, if only that page is reprinted, the page order will be misaligned and it will be impossible to print consecutive multiple pages of printed matter in the correct order.

[0084] For example, as Figure 2 shown, when printing 10 pages using A4-sized paper, the case where the 4th page is determined to be a printing defect will be described.

[0085] In this case, since the subsequent pages, i.e., pages 5 to 8, have already been printed, it is not a situation where only the 4th page determined to be a printing defect needs to be reprinted. When it is determined in the inspection device 30 that the 4th page is a printing defect, it becomes a state where pages 5 to 8 have already been printed in the printing device 20 and that page remains in the machine. Therefore, it is necessary to switch the discharge location of these 5 sheets of paper, pages 4 to 8, as purge pages and discharge them to the discharge tray for disposal. Then, reprinting starts from page 4. Therefore, the total number of sheets of paper required to execute the 10-page printing, i.e., the total number of pages, becomes 15 sheets. When a printing defect occurs in the image of a page at the rear of a print job in the inspection device 30, even in the same printing system, the number of pages that have already been printed and remain in the machine sometimes differs from normal. For example, in the Figure 4 example of page 9, after detecting a printing defect in the image of page 9, only pages 9 and 10 are discharged as purge pages. This is because page 10 is the last page printed in this print job and there are no pages to be printed after it.

[0086] In addition, the number of sheets of paper remaining in the machine, i.e., the remaining number of sheets, when a certain page is determined to be a printing defect depends on the length of the paper conveyance path in the printing device 20 and the paper size, etc. Therefore, in the image forming system 10, a remaining number of sheets table as Figure 3 shown is stored, and the remaining number of sheets is estimated based on the paper size of the print job being performed. For example, in the case of A4 paper size, it can be estimated that the remaining number of sheets remaining in the machine is 5 sheets.

[0087] In the case of discarding and reprinting multiple pages including the page determined to be a printing defect in this way, compared to the case where no reprinting is performed, the consumption of consumables used for printing, such as toner and paper, increases. Here, since the number of sheets of paper printed by performing this reprinting increases, the printing time also becomes longer. Therefore, it is described that the printing time is also included as an element in the consumables together with toner, paper, etc.

[0088] Here, in the case of inspecting the printed matter as described above, a threshold for the inspection for the following determination is set: in what case of detecting any abnormality on the printed paper is the paper determined to be a defective print, and in what state of the abnormality is the paper determined to be normal.

[0089] In this case, the higher the threshold of the inspection that serves as the criterion for determining whether the printed matter is a good product, the higher the quality of the printed matter. However, since the pages determined to be defective prints are reprinted, the consumption of consumables such as printing paper and toner increases. On the contrary, the lower the threshold of the inspection, the more deteriorated the quality of the printed matter.

[0090] For example, as Figure 4 shown, a case where a printing stain of 0.5 mm in size is detected on the paper of page 4 and a printing stain of 2 mm in size is detected on the paper of page 9 will be described. In this case, when the threshold of the inspection is set such that the paper is determined to be a defective print when a printing stain of 0.5 mm or more in size is detected, a total of 7 pages of paper, namely pages 4 to 8, 9, and 10, are discarded, the consumption of toner for printing the discarded paper increases, and the printing time also becomes longer.

[0091] However, as Figure 4 shown, when the threshold of the inspection is set such that the paper is determined to be a defective print when a printing stain of 2 mm or more in size is detected, even when a printing stain of 0.5 mm occurs on the paper of page 4, the paper of page 4 is determined to be normal, and the papers of pages 4 to 8 including the subsequent pages are not discarded. That is, the consumption of consumables varies depending on whether the threshold of the inspection is set to a large value or a small value.

[0092] However, when the user sets the threshold of the inspection, the user cannot grasp the consumption of the consumables used for reprinting.

[0093] Therefore, in the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment, by performing the process described below, when setting the threshold of the inspection for the printed matter, the consumption of the consumables used for reprinting can be grasped.

[0094] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment is shown in Figure 5 . In addition, in Figure 5 , for ease of explanation, the image forming system 10 is described as having a hardware configuration in which only one CPU is provided. However, each of the printing device 20, the inspection device 30, and the post-processing device 40 may also have a hardware configuration as Figure 5 shown.

[0095] As Figure 5As shown in the figure, the image forming system 10 includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 14 that transmits and receives data to and from external devices via a network, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 15 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a scanner 16, a print engine 17, and a post-processing mechanism 18. These components are interconnected via a control bus 19.

[0096] The print engine 17 prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing. The recording medium includes paper, film, etc., and any medium can be used as long as it can print an image.

[0097] The CPU 11 is a processor that executes prescribed processing based on a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13 and controls the operation of the image forming system 10. In addition, in the present embodiment, the CPU 11 is described as a processor that reads and executes a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13, but it is not limited thereto. The control program can also be provided in a manner recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the program can be recorded in an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM and a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory and a memory card. Alternatively, the control program can be obtained from an external device via a communication line connected to the communication interface 14. Moreover, the control program can be provided as a separate application software, or can be incorporated as a function of the image forming system 10 into the software of each device.

[0098] Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the image forming system 10 realized by executing the above control program.

[0099] In the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment, as Figure 6 shown, the printing device 20 includes a paper feeding device 21, an image output unit 23, and a print control unit 22. In addition, the inspection device 30 includes an image reading unit 31, a printed image receiving unit 32, an image comparison unit 33, an inspection control unit 34, an inspection result management unit 35, and a display unit 36. Moreover, the post-processing device 40 includes discharge trays 41, 42, a discharge switching device 43, and a post-processing control unit 44.

[0100] The paper feeding device 21 stores the paper before the image is formed and supplies the paper to the image output unit 23. The image output unit 23 prints an image on the paper supplied from the paper feeding device 21. The print control unit 22 controls the operation of the image output unit 23 to perform the process of printing an image on the paper. In addition, the print control unit 22 sends the information of the printed image printed on the paper to the inspection control unit 34 in the inspection device 30.

[0101] The image reading unit 31 in the inspection device 30 reads an image from the paper on which the image has been printed in the image output unit 23. The printed image receiving unit 32 receives the printed image sent from the print control unit 22 as a reference image.

[0102] The image comparison unit 33 compares the scanned image read by the image reading unit 31 with the printed image received by the printed image receiving unit 32, that is, the reference image, and determines whether there are abnormalities such as printing defects in the image printed on the paper. Specifically, the image comparison unit 33 detects various abnormalities such as printing stains, printing streaks, and toner abnormalities on the printed paper by comparing the scanned image with the reference image. In addition, the image comparison unit 33 may use one of the images read by the image reading unit 31 as a reference image and compare it with other scanned images.

[0103] The inspection control unit 34 controls the operation of the inspection device 30, receives the detection result from the image comparison unit 33, and determines whether the detected abnormality exceeds a preset inspection threshold, thereby performing an inspection of the printed image. The inspection result management unit 35 stores and manages the inspection results of the inspection control unit 34.

[0104] Then, the inspection control unit 34 sends the inspection result to the print control unit 22 and the post-processing control unit 44. Specifically, the inspection control unit 34 sends information such as which page is determined to be printed poorly and which page to start reprinting from to the print control unit 22. In addition, the inspection control unit 34 sends information such as the information of the page to be discarded, that is, the purge page information, before reprinting, together with the information of which page is determined to be printed poorly, to the post-processing control unit 44. In addition, the inspection control unit 34 displays information such as the consumption amount of consumables based on the inspection result obtained from the inspection result management unit 35 on the display unit 36.

[0105] In addition, a case where information such as the consumption amount of consumables based on the inspection result is displayed on the display unit 36 in the inspection device 30 of the present embodiment will be described, but the structure is not limited to this. It can also be configured to display information such as the consumption amount of consumables based on the inspection result on the display screen of a terminal device such as a personal computer connected to the outside. Further, it can be configured such that at least one of not only the display unit 36 but also the print image receiving unit 32, the image comparison unit 33, the inspection control unit 34, and the inspection result management unit 35 is implemented by a terminal device connected to the outside.

[0106] The discharge switching device 43 in the post-processing device 40 switches the discharge location of the paper transmitted from the inspection device 30 to either the discharge trays 41 or 42. The post-processing control unit 44 controls the operation of the post-processing device 40, and based on information such as the clear page information sent from the inspection control unit 34, controls to send an instruction to the discharge switching device 43 to switch to which discharge location.

[0107] Then, the print control unit 22, the inspection control unit 34, and the post-processing control unit 44 cooperate by mutually transmitting and receiving information to control the overall operation of the image forming system 10.

[0108] In the post-processing device 40 configured as described above, the following control is performed: The paper determined to be normal in the inspection device 30 is discharged to the discharge tray 41, and the paper determined to have a printing defect and the clear page paper are discharged to the discharge tray 42.

[0109] In addition, the inspection control unit 34 receives a setting to set a threshold for inspecting a printed matter composed of multiple pages printed by the printing device 20 as a first threshold.

[0110] Then, the inspection control unit 34 specifies a first reprint page that includes at least a page determined to have a printing defect by the inspection based on the set first threshold.

[0111] Then, the inspection control unit 34 displays a first consumption amount on the display unit 36, where the first consumption amount is the consumption amount of consumables used for printing the first reprint page.

[0112] At this time, the inspection control unit 34 may also display the setting of the threshold for accepting inspection and the display of the first consumption amount within the same screen on the display unit 36.

[0113] The inspection control unit 34 also receives a setting to set a threshold for inspecting a printed matter composed of multiple pages printed by the printing device 20 as a second threshold.

[0114] Then, the inspection control unit 34 specifies a second reprint page that includes at least a page determined to be a printing defect through an inspection based on a set second threshold value.

[0115] Then, the inspection control unit 34 may also display, on the display unit 36, the difference between a first consumption amount and a second consumption amount, where the first consumption amount is the consumption amount of a consumable used for printing the first reprint page, and the second consumption amount is the consumption amount of a consumable used for printing the second reprint page.

[0116] At this time, the inspection control unit 34 may also display, within the same screen on the display unit 36, the display for setting the threshold value for inspection and the display of the difference.

[0117] Here, the first reprint page includes the pages that are subsequent to the page determined to be a printing defect through an inspection based on the first threshold value and that are printed and completed in the printing apparatus 20.

[0118] In addition, the second reprint page includes the pages that are subsequent to the page determined to be a printing defect through an inspection based on the second threshold value and that are printed and completed in the printing apparatus 20.

[0119] In addition, the inspection control unit 34 displays, on the display unit 36, a first page structure that represents the structure of a page printed when the threshold value for inspection is set to the first threshold value. Here, the first page structure includes the above-described first reprint page.

[0120] The inspection control unit 34 also displays, on the display unit 36, a second page structure that represents the structure of a page printed when the threshold value for inspection is set to the second threshold value. Here, the second page structure includes the above-described second reprint page.

[0121] Furthermore, the inspection control unit 34 may also accept the setting of the threshold value for inspection for each page of the printed matter and perform inspections on each page based on the threshold value for inspection accepted for each page. That is, the inspection control unit 34 may perform inspections on each page by setting different threshold values for inspection for each page instead of setting a single threshold value for inspection for the entire printing job.

[0122] The inspection control unit 34 may also display, on the display unit 36, a first paper waste rate that is the ratio of the number of pages of the first reprint page to the number of pages of the first page structure.

[0123] The inspection control unit 34 may also display, on the display unit 36, the difference between the first paper waste rate and a second paper waste rate that is the ratio of the number of pages of the second reprint page to the number of pages of the second page structure.

[0124] Then, the inspection control unit 34 may also store the first threshold value in association with the first waste paper rate, calculate the consumption amount of the consumables predicted when a new printed matter is inspected based on the first threshold value, and display it on the display unit 36.

[0125] Next, the operation in the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0126] First, in Figure 7 FIG. shows an example of a setting screen when the threshold value for inspecting print stains is set in the inspection control unit 34.

[0127] Referring to Figure 7 It can be seen that the settings of the concentration of the print stain and the size of the print stain are accepted as the thresholds for inspection. In Figure 7 it means that the concentration of the print stain becomes higher as the grade changes from 1 to 6. Moreover, in Figure 7 the example of the setting screen shown, the following inspection thresholds are set: for a print stain with a concentration of grade 5 for the print stain, a size of 0.5 mm or more is regarded as a printing defect, and for a print stain of grade 6, a size of 0.3 mm or more is regarded as a printing defect. Then, the inspection threshold set in this way is accepted as the first threshold value.

[0128] Then, the inspection control unit 34 receives the detection result of the printing defect part from the image comparison unit 33, and specifies the first reprint page, which includes at least the page determined to be a printing defect through the inspection based on the set first threshold value.

[0129] Specifically, the inspection control unit 34 generates a print stain part list as shown in Figure 8 based on the information of the print stain part detected in the image comparison unit 33, and specifies the first reprint page, which includes the page determined to be a printing defect through the inspection based on the set first threshold value and the pages subsequent to the page determined to be a printing defect and completed printing in the printing device 20.

[0130] In Figure 8 the print stain part list shown, the print stain of grade 4 and size 3 mm contained in page 3 exceeds the inspection threshold, and page 3 is determined to be a printing defect. Moreover, referring to Figure 8 it can be seen that pages 3 to 7 including the defective printing page 3 are determined to be purge pages.

[0131] Here, in order to calculate the first consumption amount of consumables used for printing the first reprint page as the clear page, information on the toner consumption amount used when printing each page is required. Figure 9 The image density list shown. The image density list refers to a list that represents the image density of each page of the print job for each color plate of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). Moreover, the image density represents the toner consumption during printing, and the image density list is a list that represents the toner consumption for each page. In addition, in the image density list, the toner consumption when printing in the printable area of ​​A4 paper at a concentration of 7.5% is set to a value of 1 and is listed. In addition, in the image density list, the image density of CMYK normal colors is represented for each page, but when special colors such as gold and silver are used, the image density of the special color can also be listed in a table, and when a pressed toner is used, the image density of the pressed toner can also be listed in a table.

[0132] Then, the inspection control unit 34 checks Figure 8 The list of printed stains shown in the figure and Figure 9 The image density list shown is created as Figure 10 The page structure list shown. The page structure list lists the image density of all pages actually printed when reprinting is performed for each CMYK color. Therefore, by calculating the cumulative value of the image density of each CMYK color, the colorant consumption used can be calculated. Specifically, the inspection control unit 34 can calculate the colorant consumption used for printing the clear page as the first reprint page by accumulating the image density values ​​of pages 3 to 7 as clear pages for each CMYK. In addition, the inspection control unit 34 can calculate the colorant consumption used for printing the total number of pages printed by accumulating the image density values ​​of all pages in the page structure list for each CMYK.

[0133] In addition, the inspection control unit 34 can calculate the number of defective pages determined to be NG in the inspection result, i.e., the number of pages that are judged to be poorly printed, the number of discarded pages, i.e., the number of sheets of paper to be printed, i.e., the total number of pages, by referring to the page structure list. In addition, the inspection control unit 34 can calculate the ratio of the number of discarded pages to the total number of pages, i.e., the paper damage rate.

[0134] Then, the inspection control unit 34 displays the calculated number of defective pages, number of cleared pages, total number of pages, paper damage rate, and the amount of toner consumed by each color on the display unit 36. An example of the display of the inspection result displayed in this way is shown in FIG. Figure 11 . Reference Figure 11, which represents the inspection result when performing an inspection based on the set inspection threshold. Specifically, it can be seen that information on the page structure of the printed pages is displayed together with information on the consumed toner amounts of the CMYK toners, the number of defective pages, the number of cleared pages, the total number of pages, and the paper waste rate. In Figure 11 In the display example shown, the symbol 50 indicates that the third page is a printed defective page. Also, a display is made such that it can be understood that pages 3 to 7 are cleared pages to be discarded.

[0135] In Figure 11 In the display example shown, the scanned image can also be observed, and by displaying the third page, the detected printing stains can be specifically grasped. In Figure 11 In the display example shown, it can be seen that on the third page, a printing stain of size 3 mm and grade 5 and a printing stain of size 1 mm and grade 1 are detected. In addition, the printing stain of size 3 mm and grade 5 is surrounded by a solid line to indicate that this printing stain is a printing stain that exceeds the inspection threshold. On the contrary, the printing stain of size 1 mm and grade 1 is surrounded by a dotted line to indicate that this printing stain is a printing stain that does not exceed the inspection threshold. Also, in Figure 11 In the display example shown, information on the printing time during printing of the printing job performed in this state is also displayed.

[0136] In addition, Figure 8 the printing stain location list shown, Figure 9 the image density list shown, Figure 10 and the page structure list shown are stored and managed by the inspection result management unit 35 as inspection results.

[0137] Moreover, in the present embodiment, it is possible to simulate the printing process when the inspection threshold is changed after performing the printing process with a certain inspection threshold set.

[0138] In the case of performing such a simulation, the user moves to a correction screen for the inspection level as shown in Figure 12 and changes the inspection level, that is, the inspection threshold.

[0139] In addition, in Figure 12 , a display screen example when the inspection threshold is changed to a larger value is shown. Specifically, the user changes the inspection threshold to a larger value by canceling the selection of the checkbox set to the concentration level 5 of the printing stain. Then, after changing the inspection threshold, the user presses the "Recalculate" operation button to perform a simulation of the inspection result based on the changed inspection threshold.

[0140] Next, in Figure 13 the flowchart shows the processing flow when performing a simulation of the printing process based on the changed inspection threshold after changing the inspection threshold in this way.

[0141] When the inspection control unit 34 changes the inspection threshold in step S101, in step S102, it obtains the printing stain position information of all pages of the print job from the inspection result management unit 35, that is, the printing stain position list as shown Figure 8 below.

[0142] Then, in step S103, the inspection control unit 34 obtains the printing stain position information of an unprocessed page from the printing stain position list.

[0143] Next, in step S104, the inspection control unit 34 determines whether there is a printing stain in the obtained printing stain position information.

[0144] When it is determined in step S104 that there is a printing stain in the obtained printing stain position information, in step S105, the inspection control unit 34 determines whether the size or concentration of the printing stain is greater than the changed inspection threshold.

[0145] Moreover, when it is determined in step S105 that the size or concentration of the target printing stain is less than the changed inspection threshold, in step S107, the inspection control unit 34 determines that the page with the target printing stain is not a printing defect. In addition, when it is determined in step S105 that the size or concentration of the target printing stain is greater than the changed inspection threshold, in step S106, the inspection control unit 34 determines that the page with the target printing stain is a printing defect.

[0146] After that or when it is determined that there is no printing stain in the printing stain position information obtained in step S104, in step S108, the inspection control unit 34 determines whether there is a next printing stain in the printing stain position information.

[0147] When it is determined in step S108 that there is a next printing stain, the inspection control unit 34 repeats the processing of steps S104 to S107.

[0148] Then, when it is determined in step S108 that there is no next printing stain, in step S109, the inspection control unit 34 determines whether there is a change in the inspection result of the page. Here, a change in the inspection result of the page includes two cases: the inspection result of the page changes from a printing defect to normal, and the inspection result of the page changes from normal to a printing defect.

[0149] In step S109, when it is determined that there is a change in the inspection result of the page, in step S110, the inspection control unit 34 performs a recalculation of the consumption amount of the consumables.

[0150] Then, after the execution of step S110, or when it is determined in step S109 that there is no change in the inspection result of the page, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S111 whether there is a next page in the printed stain location list.

[0151] Then, when it is determined in step S111 that there is a next page in the printed stain location list, the inspection control unit 34 returns to the process of step S103.

[0152] Finally, when it is determined in step S111 that there is no next page in the printed stain location list, the inspection control unit 34 displays the result of recalculating the consumption amount of the consumable due to the change of the inspection threshold on the display unit 36 in step S112.

[0153] Next, in Figure 14 the flowchart of Figure 13 shows the details of the process of recalculating the consumption amount of the consumable due to the change of the inspection threshold shown in step S110 of the flowchart of

[0154] First, when the inspection control unit 34 performs recalculation due to the change of the inspection threshold, it determines in step S201 whether the inspection result for the page being currently processed has changed from normal (OK) to print defect (NG).

[0155] When it is determined in step S201 that the inspection result has changed from normal to print defect, the inspection control unit 34 adds a purge page to the page structure list and performs recalculation in step S202.

[0156] In addition, when it is determined in step S201 that the inspection result has changed from print defect to normal, the inspection control unit 34 reduces the purge page from the page structure list and performs recalculation in step S203.

[0157] Next, in Figure 15 the flowchart of Figure 14 shows the details of the process of adding a purge page and performing recalculation of the consumption amount of the consumable shown in step S202 of the flowchart of

[0158] First, the inspection control unit 34 obtains information on the paper size of the page that has become a print defect in step S301.

[0159] Next, the inspection control unit 34 obtains information on the remaining number of sheets from the remaining number table based on the obtained paper size and determines the number of purge sheets in step S302.

[0160] Then, the inspection control unit 34 obtains the page structure list before changing the inspection threshold from the inspection result management unit 35 in step S303.

[0161] Then, the inspection control unit 34 adds a cleaning page to the obtained page structure list in step S304.

[0162] Moreover, the inspection control unit 34 obtains information on the image density of the added cleaning page from the image density list in step S305, and adds it to the page structure list as the image density information of the cleaning page.

[0163] Then, the inspection control unit 34 determines whether there is a next cleaning page in step S306. If it is determined in step S306 that there is a next cleaning page, the inspection control unit 34 returns to the process of step S304.

[0164] In addition, if it is determined in step S306 that there is no next cleaning page, the inspection control unit 34 calculates the image density and printing time of the added cleaning page in step S307.

[0165] Next, in Figure 16 the flowchart of Figure 14 shows the details of the process of reducing the cleaning page and recalculating the consumption amount of the consumable, which is shown in step S203 of the flowchart of

[0166] First, the inspection control unit 34 obtains the page structure list before the threshold of the change inspection from the inspection result management unit 35 in step S401.

[0167] Next, the inspection control unit 34 obtains information on the page determined to have changed from printing defect to normal in step S402.

[0168] Then, the inspection control unit 34 identifies the cleaning pages that will no longer occur in step S403.

[0169] Then, the inspection control unit 34 obtains information on the image density of the identified cleaning page from the image density list in step S404.

[0170] Moreover, the inspection control unit 34 deletes the identified cleaning page from the page structure list in step S405.

[0171] Then, the inspection control unit 34 determines whether there are other pages whose determination has changed in step S406. If it is determined in step S406 that there are other pages whose determination has changed, the inspection control unit 34 returns to the process of step S403.

[0172] In addition, if it is determined in step S406 that there are no other pages whose determination has changed, the inspection control unit 34 calculates the image density and printing time of the deleted cleaning page in step S407.

[0173] InFigure 17 Shows when in Figure 12 the display screen shown, when the threshold value to be checked is changed to a large value, the page structure list generated by performing the above-described processing.

[0174] In Figure 17 the example of the page structure list shown, it can be seen that by changing the threshold value to be checked to a large value, the pages determined to be printing defects disappear, and the purge pages also disappear.

[0175] Moreover, in Figure 18 shows an example of a display screen of the simulation result shown when the threshold value to be checked is changed to a large value in Figure 12 the display screen shown.

[0176] Referring to Figure 18 the display screen of, it can be seen that by changing the threshold value to be checked to a large value, the number of defective pages, the number of purge pages, the total number of pages, the paper waste rate, the toner consumption amount, and the printing time are all reduced.

[0177] For example, in Figure 18 the display screen, it is shown that the consumption amount of K toner is reduced from 20.0 to 16.0 by 4.0, and for M toner, C toner, and Y toner, the consumption amounts before the change of the threshold value to be checked, the consumption amounts after the change, and the reduced consumption amounts are also respectively shown.

[0178] In addition, in Figure 18 the display screen, it is displayed in the following manner: it is possible to understand how the values of the number of defective pages, the number of purge pages, the total number of pages, the paper waste rate, and the printing time are reduced before and after the change of the threshold value to be checked, and it is possible to understand the difference caused by the change of the threshold value to be checked.

[0179] Next, in Figure 19 an example of a display screen when the threshold value to be checked is changed to a small value is shown. In this Figure 19 example of the display screen, the user changes the threshold value to be checked to a small value by adding the selection of check boxes with concentration levels 1 to 5 set as printing stains. Then, after the user changes the threshold value to be checked, by pressing the "Recalculate" operation button, the simulation of the check result based on the changed threshold value to be checked is executed.

[0180] In Figure 20 shows when in Figure 19 the display screen shown, when the threshold value to be checked is changed to a small value, the page structure list generated by performing the above-described processing.

[0181] Referring to Figure 20As can be seen from the example of the page structure list shown, by changing the inspection threshold to a small value, not only page 3 but also page 11 is determined to be a printing defect. Moreover, it can be seen that since page 11 is determined to be a printing defect, the number of purge pages has increased by 2 pages.

[0182] Moreover, in Figure 21 shown in Figure 19 is an example of a display screen showing the simulation results when the inspection threshold is changed to a small value in the display screen shown.

[0183] Referring to Figure 21 the display screen, it can be seen that by changing the inspection threshold to a small value, the number of defective pages, the number of purge pages, the total number of pages, the paper waste rate, the toner consumption amount, and the printing time all increase.

[0184] For example, in Figure 21 the display screen, it is shown that the consumption amount of K toner increases from 20.0 to 23.0 by 3.0, and for M toner, C toner, and Y toner, the consumption amounts before and after the change of the inspection threshold and the increased consumption amounts are also respectively shown.

[0185] In addition, in Figure 21 the display screen, it is displayed in the following manner: it is possible to understand how the values of the number of defective pages, the number of purge pages, the total number of pages, the paper waste rate, and the printing time increase before and after the change of the inspection threshold, and it is possible to understand the difference caused by the change of the inspection threshold.

[0186] In addition, in the above description, the case of executing one printing job has been described, but in the case of continuously executing multiple printing jobs, when a printing defect occurs in a page near the last page of the first printing job, it is also possible that the paper of the next printing job is also included in the purge pages.

[0187] Therefore, in this case, as Figure 22 shown, the inspection control unit 34 performs a simulation in which the paper of the next printing job to be executed is also included in the number of purge pages.

[0188] For example, referring to Figure 22 it can be seen that in the case of continuously executing jobs 1 and 2, when a printing defect is detected in page 6 of job 1 and the number of purge pages is 7, thus, pages 6 to 10 of job 1 and pages 1 and 2 of job 2 are calculated as the purge pages.

[0189] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the simulation results when the inspection threshold is changed are displayed for a printing job in which purge pages actually occur during the printing process has been described, but it may also be set to display the simulation results for a printing job that has been tried to print with a setting of not performing purge.

[0190] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the increase or decrease in the toner consumption amount caused by changing the inspection threshold is calculated and displayed. However, the toner consumption amount may also be converted into an amount of money for display. In this case, it may also be possible to set a unit price for each type of CMYK of the toner and display the amount of money reflecting the difference in each unit price.

[0191] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the increase or decrease in the consumption amount of consumables caused by changing the inspection threshold is calculated and displayed. However, the increase or decrease in the power consumption amount and the carbon dioxide emission amount caused by changing the inspection threshold may also be calculated and displayed.

[0192] Moreover, the inspection control unit 34 may also store the set inspection threshold in association with the waste paper rate when inspecting based on the inspection threshold in the inspection result management unit 35. Then, the inspection control unit 34 may calculate the predicted consumption amount of consumables when inspecting a new printed matter based on the stored inspection threshold, based on the waste paper rate associated with the inspection threshold, and display it on the display unit 36. For example, when the waste paper rate when inspecting based on a certain inspection threshold is 10%, the inspection control unit 34 calculates the predicted number of cleaning pages to be 100 pages (1000 × 10%) when inspecting a new printed matter of 1000 pages based on the inspection threshold and displays it on the display unit 36. In addition, the average image density of the new printed matter may be obtained, and the predicted toner consumption amount when inspecting the new printed matter may be calculated by multiplying the predicted number of cleaning pages by the average image density and displayed on the display unit 36.

[0193] [Another Embodiment of the Present Invention]

[0194] As Figure 23 shown, an image forming system according to another embodiment of the present invention includes a printing device 20, an inspection device 30A, and a post-processing device 40. In addition, in Figure 23 this, for the same structures as those in the embodiment described above, the same reference numerals are referred to and their descriptions are omitted.

[0195] The inspection device 30A of the present embodiment is opposed to the inspection device 30 in the Figure 6 shown image forming system 10, and has a structure further including a learning data storage unit 37, a learning unit 38, and a model storage unit 39.

[0196] The inspection control unit 34 of the present embodiment uses a learning model to identify reprint pages and predict the toner consumption predicted when inspecting a new print job. The learning model is constructed to output the probability that the pages included in the print job are determined to be defective when information related to the print job and inspection thresholds are input. In addition, the identified reprint pages may not be reprinted in an actual print job.

[0197] The learning data storage unit 37 stores the learning data used for constructing the learning model. The learning data includes information on print jobs processed in the past, inspection thresholds, and inspection results.

[0198] The inspection control unit 34 collects information on print jobs processed in the past from the printing device 20 or the information processing device that manages the printing device 20. In addition, the inspection control unit 34 collects the inspection thresholds and inspection results for the print jobs processed in the past from the inspection result management unit 35 and stores them in the learning data storage unit 37.

[0199] The information on the print job includes information related to the type of paper used in the print job, the type of printout printed based on the print job, information related to the pages constituting the print job, and information related to the printing device that processes the print job. In addition, the print job may consist of one page. The information related to the type of paper used in the print job may be, for example, information that identifies the type of paper such as plain paper or thick paper, or information that represents characteristics such as the area, thickness, or basis weight of the paper. The information related to the printout may be, for example, information that identifies the type of printout printed based on the print job, such as a poster or a leaflet. In addition, the information related to the pages constituting the print job includes, for example, the image density or object information of each page constituting the print job, and print setting information. More specifically, the object information includes, for example, the number, size, and position of images or text arranged on one page, and the print setting information includes, for example, single-sided / double-sided setting. In addition, the information related to the printing device that processes the print job includes information that identifies the printing device. The result of the inspection performed on the print job includes, for example, the ratio of the pages constituting the print job that are determined to be defective. The ratio of the pages constituting the print job that are determined to be defective can also be obtained by dividing the number of times each page is determined to be defective by the number of copies printed for each page.

[0200] The learning unit 38 constructs a neural network model based on the learning data stored in the learning data storage unit 37 and stores the constructed neural network model in the model storage unit 39. The neural network model takes the information on the print job and the inspection thresholds for the print job as inputs and is used to output the probability that each page of the print job corresponding to the input information on the print job and the inspection thresholds is determined to be defective.

[0201] Specifically, the learning unit 38 takes the information of the print jobs contained in the learning data and the inspection threshold as inputs, obtains the probability that each page constituting the print job is determined to be defective as the output of the neural network model, compares the proportion of each page determined to be a defective print in the learning data with the probability that each page obtained is determined to be a defective print, and updates the parameters of the neural network model to minimize the error.

[0202] Here, the correlation between various information contained in the information of the print job and the inspection threshold and the probability that each page constituting the print job is determined to be defective will be described.

[0203] Depending on the type of paper used for the print job, the tendency to be determined as a defective print is different. For example, since thin paper is prone to show through printing, it has a greater tendency to be determined as a defective print compared to thick paper. In addition, since the ease of ink bleeding and the ease of toner fixing vary depending on the raw material of the paper, the probability of being determined as a defective print also varies depending on the raw material of the paper. Thus, there is a correlation between the type of paper used for the print job and the probability that each page constituting the print job is determined to be defective.

[0204] Depending on the image density of each page constituting the print job, the probability that the page is determined to be a defective print is different. For example, a page with a large image density of each color and a lot of blackening is difficult to be determined as a defective print compared to a page that is not like this because it is difficult to identify even if there are print stains. In addition, compared to a color print job, a black-and-white print job has a narrower color gamut, so it is difficult to be determined as a defective print. Thus, there is a correlation between the image density of each page constituting the print job and the probability that each page is determined to be defective.

[0205] Depending on the information of the object on each page constituting the print job, the probability that the page is determined to be a defective print is different. For example, when comparing a page including an object with a complex design and a page that is not like this, the tendency to be determined as a defective print is different. Thus, there is a correlation between the information of the object on each page constituting the print job and the probability that each page is determined to be defective.

[0206] Depending on the print settings of each page constituting the print job, the probability that the page is determined to be a defective print is different. For example, compared to single-sided printing, double-sided printing has the possibility of show-through printing, so it is more likely to be determined as a defective print. Thus, there is a correlation between the print setting information of each page constituting the print job and the probability that each page is determined to be defective.

[0207] Depending on the printing device that processes the print job, the probability that a page is determined to be a printing defect varies. For example, among printing devices, there are devices with high printing speed but low printing accuracy, or devices with high printing accuracy but low printing speed, etc., and each device has different characteristics. In addition, depending on the printing method such as toner or inkjet, the ease of ghosting varies, etc. Depending on which device processes which print job, the probability that a page is determined to be a printing defect is different. Thus, there is a correlation between the information of the printing device that processes the print job and the probability that each page is determined to be defective.

[0208] When the inspection control unit 34 receives information on a new print job, by inputting the information on the newly executed print job and the inspection threshold value into the learning model stored in the model storage unit 39, it estimates the probability that each page constituting the newly executed print job is determined to be a printing defect.

[0209] Specifically, the inspection control unit 34 converts various information included in the information on the received print job and the inspection threshold value into a data structure (scalar value, vector) that can be input into the learned neural network model, and inputs it into the learned neural network model. Based on the output of the learned model, it estimates the probability that each page constituting the newly executed print job is determined to be a printing defect.

[0210] The inspection control unit 34 calculates the number of pages determined to be printing defects for each page constituting the new print job, respectively, based on the estimated probability that each page is determined to be a printing defect and the number of copies of the new print job. Next, the inspection control unit 34 determines the reprint pages in the new print job based on the calculated number of pages determined to be printing defects for each page and Figure 3 the remaining number table shown. The inspection control unit 34 may also calculate the predicted toner consumption amount in the case of inspecting the new printed matter based on the reprint pages and the image density of each page thus determined, and display it on the display unit 36.

[0211] In addition, the above learning data storage unit 37, learning unit 38, and model storage unit 39 may also be provided in an information processing device connected to the inspection device 30A. Further, as learning data, it is not necessary to use all of the above information on the print job, and several of them may be used to construct the learning model.

[0212] In the above-described embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) or a dedicated processor (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0213] In addition, the operations of the processors in the above-described embodiments may be completed not only by a single processor but also by multiple processors located at physically separated positions in cooperation. In addition, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in the above-described embodiments and may be appropriately changed.

[0214] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, it is possible to measure the color difference between the portion of the printed stain in the scanned image and the portion of the reference image corresponding to that portion, perform an inspection based on the measured color difference, and set a threshold for the inspection of the color difference.

[0215] The "system" of the present embodiment includes both a system composed of multiple devices and a system composed of a single device.

[0216] [Modification Example]

[0217] In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the image forming system 10 including the printing device 20 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The present invention can also be applied to a configuration for inspecting printed matter as described above in an information processing system such as a personal computer.

[0218] [Supplementary Note] (((1)))

[0220] An information processing system includes a processor,

[0221] The processor

[0222] receives a setting of setting a threshold for inspecting a printed matter composed of multiple pages printed by a printing device as a first threshold,

[0223] specifies a first reprint page, the first reprint page including at least a page determined to be printed poorly through an inspection based on the first threshold,

[0224] displays a first consumption amount, the first consumption amount being the consumption amount of a consumable used for printing the first reprint page. (((2)))

[0226] The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein

[0227] the processor

[0228] displays, within the same screen, the display for accepting the setting of the threshold for the inspection and the display of the first consumption amount. (((3)))

[0230] The information processing system according to (((1))) or (((2))), wherein

[0231] the first reprint page includes the pages that are printed and completed in the printing device, subsequent to the page determined to be a printing defect through the inspection based on the first threshold. (((4)))

[0233] The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), wherein

[0234] the processor

[0235] displays a first page structure, which represents the structure of the page printed in the case of accepting the setting of the threshold for the inspection to be the first threshold.

[0236] the first page structure includes the first reprint page. (((5)))

[0238] The information processing system according to any one of (((1))) to (((4))), wherein

[0239] the processor

[0240] accepts the setting of the threshold for the inspection for each page of the printed matter, and performs inspections on each page based on the threshold for the inspection of each accepted page. (((6)))

[0242] The information processing system according to (((4))), wherein

[0243] the processor

[0244] displays a first waste paper rate, which is the ratio of the number of pages of the first reprint page to the number of pages of the first page structure. (((7)))

[0246] The information processing system according to (((6))), wherein

[0247] the processor

[0248] Save the first threshold in association with the first waste paper rate.

[0249] Based on the first waste paper rate, display the consumption amount of consumables predicted in the case of inspecting a new print based on the first threshold. (((8)))

[0251] An information processing system including a processor,

[0252] The processor

[0253] Accept a setting that sets a threshold for inspecting a multi-page printout printed by a printing device as a first threshold.

[0254] Specify a first reprint page that includes at least a page determined to be printed poorly through an inspection based on the first threshold.

[0255] Accept a setting that sets the threshold for the inspection as a second threshold.

[0256] Specify a second reprint page that includes at least a page determined to be printed poorly through an inspection based on the second threshold.

[0257] Display the difference between a first consumption amount and a second consumption amount, where the first consumption amount is the consumption amount of consumables used for printing the first reprint page, and the second consumption amount is the consumption amount of consumables used for printing the second reprint page. (((9)))

[0259] According to the information processing system described in (((8))), wherein

[0260] The processor

[0261] Display, within the same screen, a display for accepting a setting of the threshold for the inspection and a display of the difference. (((10)))

[0263] According to the information processing system described in (((8))) or (((9))), wherein

[0264] The first reprint page includes pages printed by the printing device subsequent to a page determined to be printed poorly through an inspection based on the first threshold.

[0265] The second reprint page includes pages printed by the printing device subsequent to a page determined to be printed poorly through an inspection based on the second threshold. (((11)))

[0267] The information processing system according to any one of ((8)) to ((10)), wherein,

[0268] the processor

[0269] displays a first page structure, the first page structure representing the structure of a page printed when a setting for setting a threshold for the inspection to a first threshold is accepted,

[0270] displays a second page structure, the second page structure representing the structure of a page printed when a setting for setting a threshold for the inspection to a second threshold is accepted,

[0271] the first page structure includes the first reprint page,

[0272] the second page structure includes the second reprint page. ((12))

[0274] The information processing system according to any one of ((8)) to ((11)), wherein,

[0275] the processor

[0276] accepts a setting of a threshold for inspection for each page of the printed matter, and performs an inspection of each page with the threshold for inspection accepted for each page. ((13))

[0278] The information processing system according to ((11)), wherein,

[0279] the processor

[0280] displays a difference between a first paper loss rate and a second paper loss rate, the first paper loss rate being a ratio of the number of pages of the first reprint page to the number of pages of the first page structure, and the second paper loss rate being a ratio of the number of pages of the second reprint page to the number of pages of the second page structure. ((14))

[0282] The information processing system according to ((13)), wherein,

[0283] the processor

[0284] saves the first threshold in association with the first paper loss rate,

[0285] displays a predicted consumption amount of a consumable in a case where a new printed matter is inspected based on the first threshold, based on the first paper loss rate. ((15))

[0287] A program for causing a computer to execute the following steps:

[0288] Accept a setting that sets a threshold for inspecting a printout composed of multiple pages printed by a printing device to a first threshold;

[0289] Specify a first reprint page that includes at least a page determined to be a printing defect through inspection based on the first threshold; and

[0290] Display a first consumption amount, which is the consumption amount of a consumable used for printing the first reprint page. (((16)))

[0292] A program for causing a computer to execute the following steps:

[0293] Accept a setting that sets a threshold for inspecting a printout composed of multiple pages printed by a printing device to a first threshold;

[0294] Specify a first reprint page that includes at least a page determined to be a printing defect through inspection based on the first threshold;

[0295] Accept a setting that sets the threshold for the inspection to a second threshold;

[0296] Specify a second reprint page that includes at least a page determined to be a printing defect through inspection based on the second threshold; and

[0297] Display the difference between a first consumption amount and a second consumption amount, where the first consumption amount is the consumption amount of a consumable used for printing the first reprint page and the second consumption amount is the consumption amount of a consumable used for printing the second reprint page. (((17)))

[0299] According to the information processing system of (((1))), wherein

[0300] The processor

[0301] Accepts information on a new print job,

[0302] Based on the result of an inspection corresponding to the new print job obtained by inputting the information on the accepted new print job and the first threshold into a learned model, the first reprint page is specified. The learned model has been pre-learned so as to output the result of an inspection corresponding to the print job when the information on the print job and the threshold for the inspection of the print job are input. (((18)))

[0304] The information processing system according to ((17)), wherein,

[0305] The information of the print job includes information on the pages constituting the print job.

[0306] The information of the new print job includes information on the pages constituting the new print job. (((19)))

[0308] The information processing system according to ((18)), wherein,

[0309] The information on the pages constituting the print job includes the image density of each page constituting the print job, information on the object, or information on the print settings. (((20)))

[0311] The information processing system according to ((18)), wherein,

[0312] The information of the print job includes information related to the type of paper used for the print job or information related to the printing device that processes the print job.

[0313] The information of the new print job includes information related to the type of paper used for the new print job or information related to the printing device that processes the new print job. (((21)))

[0315] The information processing system according to any one of ((17)) to ((20)), wherein,

[0316] The result of the inspection corresponding to the print job includes the probability that each page constituting the print job is determined to be a printing defect.

[0317] The result of the inspection corresponding to the new print job includes the probability that each page constituting the new print job is determined to be a printing defect.

[0318] The processor

[0319] Specifies the first reprint page based on the probability that each page constituting the new print job is determined to be a printing defect and the number of copies of the new print job. (((22)))

[0321] The information processing system according to ((21)), wherein,

[0322] The processor

[0323] By inputting the information of the received new print job and the first threshold into the learned model, probabilities that each page constituting the new print job is determined to be a printing defect are output respectively. The learned model has been pre-learned so that when the information of a print job and the threshold of an inspection performed on the print job are input, the result of the inspection corresponding to the print job is output. (((23)))

[0325] According to the program of (((15))), wherein,

[0326] The computer is further caused to execute a step of receiving the information of a new print job.

[0327] In a first reprint page specifying step that specifies at least a first reprint page including a page determined to be a printing defect by an inspection based on the first threshold, the first reprint page is specified based on the result of the inspection corresponding to the new print job obtained by inputting the information of the received new print job and the first threshold into the learned model. The learned model has been pre-learned so that when the information of a print job and the threshold of an inspection performed on the print job are input, the result of the inspection corresponding to the print job is output.

[0328] Next, the effects produced by the structure described in the appended notes are described.

[0329] According to the information processing system of (((1))), when setting the threshold of an inspection, the consumption amount of consumables used for reprinting can be grasped.

[0330] According to the information processing system of (((2))), the threshold of an inspection can be set while confirming the consumption amount of consumables used for reprinting.

[0331] According to the information processing system of (((3))), even when not only the pages determined to be printing defects but also subsequent pages are reprinted, the consumption amount of consumables used for reprinting can be grasped.

[0332] According to the information processing system of (((4))), when the threshold of an inspection is set, the structure of the printed pages can be grasped.

[0333] According to the information processing system of (((5))), an inspection suitable for the pages can be performed.

[0334] According to the information processing system of (((6))), when setting the threshold of an inspection, the paper loss rate can be grasped.

[0335] According to the information processing system of (((7))), the consumption amount of consumables predicted before printing a new printed matter can be grasped.

[0336] The information processing system according to (((8))) can grasp how the consumption of consumables changes when changing the threshold of change inspection.

[0337] The information processing system according to (((9))) can change the threshold of inspection while confirming the difference in the consumption of consumables used for reprinting.

[0338] The information processing system according to (((10))) can grasp the difference in the consumption of consumables used for reprinting even when not only the pages determined to be printed poorly but also the subsequent pages are reprinted.

[0339] The information processing system according to (((11))) can grasp the change in the structure of the printed pages caused by changing the threshold of inspection.

[0340] The information processing system according to (((12))) can set the threshold of inspection appropriately for the pages.

[0341] The information processing system according to (((13))) can grasp the difference in the waste paper rate when changing the threshold of inspection.

[0342] The information processing system according to (((14))) can grasp the predicted consumption of consumables before printing a new print job.

[0343] According to the program of (((15))), when setting the threshold of inspection, the consumption of consumables used for reprinting can be grasped.

[0344] According to the program of (((16))), when changing the threshold of inspection, it is possible to grasp how the consumption of consumables changes.

[0345] The information processing system according to (((17))) can specify the reprint pages without inspecting each page of a new print job.

[0346] The information processing system according to (((18))) can specify the reprint pages without inspecting each page of a new print job based on the information of the pages constituting the print job.

[0347] The information processing system according to (((19))) can specify the reprint pages without inspecting each page of a new print job based on the image density, object information, or print setting information of each page constituting the print job.

[0348] An information processing system according to (((20))) can specify reprint pages without checking each page of a new print job, based on information related to the type of paper used in the print job or information related to the printing device that processes the print job.

[0349] An information processing system according to (((21))) can specify reprint pages without checking each page of a new print job, using the probability that each page constituting the new print job is determined to be a printing defect.

[0350] An information processing system according to (((22))) can output, without checking each page of a new print job, the probability that each page constituting the new print job is determined to be a printing defect.

[0351] A program according to (((23))) can specify reprint pages without checking each page of a new print job.

Claims

1. An information processing system, characterized in that: With processor, The processor accepting a setting that a threshold for checking a printed material consisting of a plurality of pages printed by a printing device is set to a first threshold, specifying first reprinted pages, the first reprinted pages including at least pages determined to be poorly printed by the inspection based on the first threshold, A first consumption amount is displayed, the first consumption amount being the consumption amount of consumables used for printing the first reprint page.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: The processor The display of the setting of the threshold value for accepting the inspection and the display of the first consumption are displayed on the same screen.

3. The information processing system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The first reprinted page includes a page that has been printed in the printing device and is subsequent to the page determined to be poorly printed by the check based on the first threshold.

4. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The processor displaying a first page structure, the first page structure indicating a structure of a page to be printed when a setting is accepted in which the threshold value for the inspection is set to the first threshold value, The first page structure includes the first reprint page.

5. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: The processor The setting of the inspection threshold is accepted for each page of the printed material, and each page is inspected based on the accepted inspection threshold for each page.

6. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein: The processor A first paper waste ratio is displayed, where the first paper waste ratio is a ratio of the number of the first reprinted pages to the number of pages of the first page structure.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein: The processor storing the first threshold value in association with the first damaged paper rate, The consumption amount of consumables predicted when a new printed product is checked based on the first threshold value is displayed based on the first paper damage rate.

8. An information processing system, characterized in that: With processor, The processor accepting a setting that a threshold for checking a printed material consisting of a plurality of pages printed by a printing device is set to a first threshold, specifying first reprinted pages, the first reprinted pages including at least pages determined to be poorly printed by the inspection based on the first threshold, accepting the setting that the threshold value of the inspection is set to the second threshold value, specifying second reprinted pages, the second reprinted pages including at least pages determined to be poorly printed by the inspection based on the second threshold value, The difference between a first consumption amount and a second consumption amount is displayed, wherein the first consumption amount is the consumption amount of the consumables used for printing the first reprint page and the second consumption amount is the consumption amount of the consumables used for printing the second reprint page.

9. The information processing system according to claim 8, wherein: The processor A display for accepting the setting of the threshold value for the inspection and a display of the difference are displayed on the same screen.

10. The information processing system according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: The first reprinted page includes a page that has been printed in the printing device and is subsequent to the page determined to be poorly printed by the inspection based on the first threshold value. The second reprinted page includes a page that has been printed in the printing device and is subsequent to the page determined to be poorly printed by the check based on the second threshold value.

11. The information processing system according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein: The processor displaying a first page structure, the first page structure indicating a structure of a page to be printed when a setting is accepted in which the threshold value for the inspection is set to the first threshold value, displaying a second page structure, the second page structure indicating a structure of a page to be printed when the setting that the threshold value for the inspection is set to the second threshold value is accepted, The first page structure includes the first reprint page, The second page structure includes the second reprint page.

12. The information processing system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein: The processor The setting of the inspection threshold is accepted for each page of the printed matter, and each page is inspected using the accepted inspection threshold for each page.

13. The information processing system according to claim 11, wherein: The processor displays a difference between a first damaged paper ratio and a second damaged paper ratio, wherein the first damaged paper ratio is a ratio of the number of the first reprinted pages to the number of pages of the first page structure, and the second damaged paper ratio is a ratio of the number of the second reprinted pages to the number of pages of the second page structure.

14. The information processing system according to claim 13, wherein: The processor storing the first threshold value in association with the first damaged paper rate, The consumption amount of consumables predicted when a new printed product is checked based on the first threshold value is displayed based on the first paper damage rate.

15. A program product comprising a program causing a computer to execute a process, characterized in that: The process has: a step of accepting a setting of setting a threshold value for checking a printed material consisting of a plurality of pages printed by a printing device to be a first threshold value; a step of specifying first reprinted pages, the first reprinted pages at least including pages determined to be poorly printed by the inspection based on the first threshold; as well as The step of displaying a first consumption amount, wherein the first consumption amount is a consumption amount of consumables used for printing the first reprint page.

16. A program product comprising a program causing a computer to execute a process, characterized in that: The process has: a step of accepting a setting of setting a threshold value for checking a printed material consisting of a plurality of pages printed by a printing device to be a first threshold value; a step of specifying first reprinted pages, the first reprinted pages at least including pages determined to be poorly printed by the inspection based on the first threshold; accepting a step of setting the inspection threshold to a second threshold; a step of specifying second reprint pages, the second reprint pages at least including pages determined to be poorly printed by the inspection based on the second threshold; as well as A step of displaying a difference between a first consumption amount and a second consumption amount, wherein the first consumption amount is the consumption amount of the consumables used for printing the first reprint page and the second consumption amount is the consumption amount of the consumables used for printing the second reprint page.

17. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein: The processor Receive information about new print jobs. Based on the result of the inspection corresponding to the new print job obtained by inputting the information of the new print job accepted and the first threshold into the learned model, the first reprint page is specifically determined, and the learned model is pre-learned so that when the information of the print job and the threshold of the inspection performed on the print job are input, the result of the inspection corresponding to the print job is output.

18. The information processing system according to claim 17, wherein: The information of the print job includes information of pages constituting the print job, The information of the new print job includes information of pages constituting the new print job.

19. The information processing system according to claim 18, wherein: The information of the pages constituting the print job includes image density of each page constituting the print job, information of an object, or information of print settings.

20. The information processing system according to claim 18, wherein: The information of the print job includes information related to the type of paper used for the print job or information related to the printing device that processes the print job. The information of the new print job includes information on the type of paper used for the new print job or information on a printing device that processes the new print job.

21. The information processing system according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein: The result of the inspection corresponding to the print job includes a probability that each page constituting the print job is determined to be a print failure. The result of the inspection corresponding to the new print job includes a probability that each page constituting the new print job is determined to be a print failure. The processor The first reprint page is identified based on the probability that each page constituting the new print job is determined to be a print failure and the number of copies of the new print job.

22. The information processing system according to claim 21, wherein: The processor By inputting the information of the new print job received and the first threshold into the learned model, the probability of each page constituting the new print job being judged as poorly printed is output respectively. The learned model is pre-learned so that when the information of the print job and the threshold for checking the print job are input, the inspection result corresponding to the print job is output.

23. The program product according to claim 15, wherein: The process further comprises the step of receiving information of a new print job, In the step of specifying a first reprint page that at least includes a page determined to be poorly printed by an inspection based on the first threshold, the first reprint page is specified based on a result of an inspection corresponding to the new print job obtained by inputting information of the new print job accepted and the first threshold into a learned model, and the learned model is pre-learned so that when information of the print job and a threshold for the inspection of the print job are input, the result of the inspection corresponding to the print job is output.

24. An information processing method, characterized in that: have: a step of accepting a setting of setting a threshold value for checking a printed material consisting of a plurality of pages printed by a printing device to be a first threshold value; a step of specifying first reprinted pages, the first reprinted pages at least including pages determined to be poorly printed by the inspection based on the first threshold; as well as The step of displaying a first consumption amount, wherein the first consumption amount is a consumption amount of consumables used for printing the first reprint page.

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