Information processing system, program product, and information processing method

Abstract

An information processing system, a program product, and an information processing method, the information processing system being provided with a processor that performs the following processes: checking the presence or absence of an abnormality in a printed matter; executing a first process associated with a first abnormality when only the first abnormality is detected from the printed matter; when only a second abnormality, which is an abnormality of a different type from the first abnormality, is detected from the printed matter, a second process associated with the second abnormality is executed; and executing a third process when both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system, a program product, and an information processing method. The present invention can also be applied to programs and program products. Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection device that inspects defects in a printed matter based on a reading result of the printed matter obtained by image output by an image forming unit, and switches the control of the image forming unit according to the type of detected defect, thereby enabling appropriate responses according to the type of defect in the printed matter.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2022-137718

[0004] Sometimes, an inspection device inspects a printed matter printed by a printing device to determine whether there is an abnormality. In this case, processing such as interrupting printing and reprinting is performed according to the type of detected abnormality. However, even if the processing to be performed is preset for each type of detected abnormality, if multiple abnormalities of different types are detected from one printed matter, it is impossible to determine what processing should be performed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing system, a program product, and an information processing method that can determine processing for coping with detected abnormalities when multiple abnormalities of different types are detected from one printed matter.

[0006] The information processing system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a processor,

[0007] The processor performs the following processing:

[0008] Check whether there is an abnormality in the printed matter;

[0009] When only the first abnormality is detected from the printed matter, execute the first processing associated with the first abnormality;

[0010] When only an abnormality of a type different from the first abnormality, that is, the second abnormality, is detected from the printed matter, execute the second processing associated with the second abnormality; and

[0011] When both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, execute the third processing.

[0012] In the information processing system according to the second aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system according to the first aspect, the processor performs the following processing: When the priority set for the first abnormality is higher than the priority set for the second abnormality, execute the first processing as the third processing.

[0013] In the information processing system according to the third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system according to the second aspect, the processor performs the following processing: when the priority set for the first abnormality is higher than the priority set for the second abnormality, and when the area where the first abnormality is detected does not overlap with the area where the second abnormality is detected, the first process is executed as the third process; when the area where the first abnormality is detected overlaps with the area where the second abnormality is detected, the second process is executed as the third process.

[0014] In the information processing system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system according to the first aspect, the processor performs the following processing: when both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, a process different from both the first process and the second process is executed as the third process.

[0015] In the information processing system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system according to the fourth aspect, the processor executes the process previously selected and accepted by the user as the third process.

[0016] The program product according to the sixth aspect of the present invention records a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps:

[0017] A step of checking for abnormalities in the printed matter;

[0018] When only the first abnormality is detected from the printed matter, a step of executing the first process associated with the first abnormality;

[0019] When only an abnormality different from the first abnormality, that is, the second abnormality, is detected from the printed matter, a step of executing the second process associated with the second abnormality; and

[0020] When both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, a step of executing the third process.

[0021] The information processing method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention includes the following steps: a step of checking for abnormalities in the printed matter;

[0022] When only the first abnormality is detected from the printed matter, a step of executing the first process associated with the first abnormality;

[0023] When only an abnormality different from the first abnormality, that is, the second abnormality, is detected from the printed matter, a step of executing the second process associated with the second abnormality; and

[0024] When both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, a step of executing the third process.

[0025] Advantages of the Invention

[0026] The information processing system according to the first aspect of the present invention can determine a process for dealing with the detected abnormalities when a plurality of different types of abnormalities are detected from one printed matter.

[0027] The information processing system according to the second aspect of the present invention can execute the process set for the abnormality with a higher set priority when a plurality of different types of abnormalities are detected from one printed matter.

[0028] The information processing system according to the third aspect of the present invention can execute a process not based on the set priority when a plurality of abnormalities of different types are detected from one printed matter and the areas where the plurality of abnormalities are detected overlap.

[0029] The information processing system according to the fourth aspect of the present invention can execute a process different from the processes respectively set for a plurality of abnormalities when a plurality of different types of abnormalities are detected from one printed matter.

[0030] The information processing system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention can execute a process preselected by the user when a plurality of abnormalities of different types are detected from one printed matter.

[0031] The program product according to the sixth aspect of the present invention can determine a process for dealing with the detected abnormalities when a plurality of different types of abnormalities are detected from one printed matter.

[0032] The information processing method according to the seventh aspect of the present invention can determine a process for dealing with the detected abnormalities when a plurality of different types of abnormalities are detected from one printed matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 FIG. is a diagram showing the system configuration of an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 FIG. is a diagram for explaining the case where reprinting is performed when a printing defect is detected on the 4th page when printing 10 pages on A4-sized paper;

[0036] Figure 3 FIG. is a diagram for explaining the types of inspections performed in the inspection device 30 and their contents;

[0037] Figure 4 FIG. is a diagram showing an example image of an inspection object for performing various inspections of different types;

[0038] Figure 5 This is a diagram for explaining a specific example of error handling corresponding to the detected errors;

[0039] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing an example of a setting table that represents the correspondence between inspection types and error handling;

[0040] Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the hardware structure of the image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0041] Figure 8 This is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0042] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen when changing the priority setting (setting priorities for each inspection type);

[0043] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing an example when the priority order between inspection types is set by setting priorities for multiple inspections respectively;

[0044] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing when, in a state where the priority order is set, Figure 4 as shown, when multiple inspections of different types are performed on the inspection target image, it shows the mode of the determination method of error handling;

[0045] Figure 12 This is a diagram showing an example when the occurrence areas of multiple inspection errors overlap;

[0046] Figure 13 This is a diagram showing another example when the occurrence areas of multiple inspection errors overlap;

[0047] Figure 14 This is an example of a priority table for setting the priority order when the areas where errors are detected overlap;

[0048] Figure 15 This is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0049] Figure 16 This is for explaining Figure 15 the detailed content of the process of step S105 described in the flowchart above;

[0050] Symbol Explanation

[0051] 10 - Image forming system, 11 - CPU, 12 - Memory, 13 - Storage device, 14 - Communication interface, 15 - User interface device, 16 - Scanner, 17 - Printing engine, 18 - Post - processing mechanism, 19 - Control bus, 20 - Printing device, 21 - Paper feeding device, 22 - Printing control unit, 23 - Image output unit, 30 - Inspection device, 31 - Image reading unit, 32 - Printed image receiving unit, 33 - Image comparison unit, 34 - Inspection control unit, 35 - Inspection result management unit, 36 - Display unit, 40 - Post - processing device, 41, 42 - Discharge tray, 43 - Discharge switching device, 44 - Post - processing control unit. Detailed implementation mode

[0052] Next, the implementation mode of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] Figure 1 It is a diagram showing the system structure of an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] As Figure 1 shown, an image forming system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is composed of a printing device 20, an inspection device 30, and a post - processing device 40.

[0055] The printing device 20 has the following functions: storing paper and performing a process of printing an image on the stored paper. Moreover, the inspection device 30 receives the paper printed with an image from the printing device 20 and performs an inspection on whether there is an abnormality in the printing result printed on the paper. Specifically, it performs an image inspection on whether there are printing stains, etc. in the printed image, an inspection on whether there are bent corners, an inspection on whether there are abnormalities such as misalignment in the printed image, etc.

[0056] In this image inspection, 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, compares the received reference image with the scanned image, and inspects whether there is an abnormality in the image printed on the transmitted paper.

[0057] Moreover, the post - processing device 40 performs various post - processing such as folding, binding, punching, and booklet making on the paper after being inspected by the inspection device 30, and discharges it to a designated paper discharge tray. In addition, the inspection device 30 can be configured to perform an inspection after the post - processing is performed by the post - processing device 40.

[0058] In such an image forming system 10, when an abnormality is detected in a certain sheet of paper in the inspection device 30, a process is performed to switch the discharge destination of the sheet in which the abnormality is detected and discharge it to a discharge tray different from the normal paper discharge tray. However, when attempting to perform such a process, during inspection, when an abnormality is detected in a certain page, if only that page is reprinted, the page order will shift, making it impossible to print a printed matter with multiple consecutive pages in the correct order.

[0059] For example, as Figure 2 shown, a case where the 4th page is determined to be poorly printed when printing 10 pages on A4-sized paper will be described.

[0060] In this case, since the subsequent pages 5 to 8 have been printed, it is not just the 4 pages determined to be poorly printed that need to be reprinted. When the 4th page is determined to be poorly printed in the detection device 30, the pages 5 to 8 have already been printed in the printing device 20 and are in a state of remaining in the machine. Therefore, it is necessary to execute a cleaning process of discharging the 5 sheets of paper from pages 4 to 8 as cleaning pages and switching the discharge destination to a waste discharge tray. Moreover, by performing reprinting starting from page 4 after executing this cleaning process, a printing result that does not include the pages with poor printing can be obtained.

[0061] Here, the types of inspections performed in the inspection device 30 include various types. The types of inspections performed in the inspection device 30 and their contents are shown in Figure 3 .

[0062] Referring to Figure 3 it can be seen that in the inspection device 30, five types of inspections are performed: image inspection, code inspection, registration deviation inspection, density non-uniformity inspection, and corner fold inspection.

[0063] And, examples of the images of the inspection objects for performing such various inspections are illustrated in Figure 4 . In Figure 4 examples of performing code inspection, image inspection, and corner fold inspection are shown.

[0064] Image inspection refers to an inspection for checking whether there are printing defects such as printing stains. For example, in image inspection, Figure 4 stains or white spots in the image example shown are detected as printing defects. In this image inspection, the image data of the image printed on the paper is used as a reference image, and compared with the image obtained by scanning the image of the printed paper to detect the color difference therebetween, thereby detecting whether there are printing defects such as printing stains. If a threshold value is set for the color difference, when a color difference above the threshold value is detected, it is judged as a printing defect.

[0065] Furthermore, code inspection refers to inspecting a code image such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) and determining whether the information displayed by the code image is preset content. In this code inspection, inspection errors occur in both cases where the code image cannot be read and where the read result is different from the preset content. Code inspection includes: using an OCR (Optical Character Reader) to read the text contained in the printed image and determining whether the read text is preset content.

[0066] Furthermore, in the registration deviation inspection, it is inspected whether the positional relationship between the printed image and the printing paper is shifted. Specifically, in the registration deviation inspection, it is inspected whether the shift of the printing position is equal to or greater than a preset value. And, in the density non-uniformity inspection, it is inspected whether the density non-uniformity in the printed image is equal to or greater than a preset value. Moreover, the inspection of image stability is achieved by these two inspections, namely the registration deviation inspection and the density non-uniformity inspection. And, in the corner folding inspection, it is inspected whether there is paper folding at the page edge of the printing paper.

[0067] Moreover, in the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment, when an error is detected in the above various inspections, error handling for corresponding to the detected error is preset.

[0068] Specific examples of such error handling are illustrated in Figure 5 Reference Figure 5 shows that as the handling corresponding to the detected error, it can be roughly divided into two types according to whether the above-described cleaning process is performed. Moreover, when the cleaning process is performed, it can be roughly divided into two types according to whether reprinting is performed.

[0069] Moreover, when reprinting is performed, there are cases where reprinting is performed infinitely until no error is detected and cases where reprinting is performed only a preset number of times (for example, 1 time, 5 times, etc.).

[0070] Moreover, when reprinting is performed only a preset number of times, after reprinting only a preset number of times, there are cases where the error handling ends and cases where it transfers to a state waiting for user operation.

[0071] In addition, when the cleaning process is not performed, there are cases where printing is interrupted and cases where printing is not interrupted. When printing is interrupted, there are cases where printing is interrupted and the error handling ends and cases where printing is interrupted and it transfers to a state waiting for user operation. And, when printing is not interrupted, the error handling of discharging the entire print job including the page where the error occurred is performed.

[0072] Thus, there are multiple types of inspections when checking the print results, and there are multiple types of error corresponding processes when an error is detected during the inspection. Therefore, it is necessary to establish an association for each type of inspection corresponding to the corresponding process executed when an error is detected. For example, if Figure 6 the correspondence between the type of inspection shown and the error corresponding process is set as a table, when an error occurs in any one of the multiple inspections, the corresponding process for corresponding to the occurred error can be executed.

[0073] From Figure 6 the set table shown, for the type of inspection called image inspection, the error corresponding process of "reprint up to 5 times" is set, for the type of inspection called code inspection, the error corresponding process of "interrupt printing" is set, and for the type of inspection called corner folding inspection, the error corresponding process of "reprint only 1 time" is set.

[0074] Thus, by pre - establishing the corresponding association between the type of inspection and the error corresponding process, if only one type of error is detected from one page of printed matter, the error corresponding process for corresponding to the detected error can be determined. However, when multiple different types of errors are detected from one page of printed matter, the error corresponding process for corresponding to the detected errors cannot be determined.

[0075] Therefore, in the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment, by the method described below, even when multiple different types of errors are detected from one page of printed matter, the error corresponding process for corresponding to the detected errors can be determined.

[0076] Next, the hardware structure of the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment is shown in Figure 7 . In addition, in Figure 7 , for the sake of simplifying the description, the image forming system 10 is described as a hardware structure having only one CPU, but the printing device 20, the inspection device 30, and the post - processing device 40 may also each have a hardware structure as shown in Figure 7 .

[0077] As Figure 7 shown, the image forming system 10 has a CPU 11, a memory 12, a storage device 13 such as a hard disk drive, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF.) 14 for sending and receiving data between and 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 connected to each other via a control bus 19.

[0078] The printing engine 17 prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper through processes including charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing. Any recording medium can be used as long as it includes paper, film, etc. and can print an image.

[0079] The CPU 11 is a processor that controls the operation of the image forming system 10 by executing prescribed processing according to a control program stored in the memory 12 or the storage device 13. In addition, in the present embodiment, the CPU 11 is described as reading and executing the 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, it can be provided in a manner 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. Also, 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, for example, as a separate application software, or incorporated into the software of each device as a function of the image forming system 10.

[0080] Figure 8 It is a block diagram showing the functional structure of the image forming system 10 realized by executing the above control program.

[0081] In the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment, as Figure 8 shown, the printing device 20 includes a paper feeding device 21, an image output unit 23, and a printing control unit 22. And 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.

[0082] The paper feeding device 21 accommodates the paper before image formation 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.

[0083] The printing control unit 22 controls the operation of the image output unit 23 to execute the process of printing an image on the paper. In addition, the printing 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.

[0084] The image reading unit 31 in the inspection device 30 reads an image from the paper on which the image is printed by 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.

[0085] The image comparison unit 33 compares the scanned image read by the image reading unit 31 with the reference image received by the printed image receiving unit 32 as the printed 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 blurs, and toner abnormalities printed on the paper by comparing the scanned image with the reference image. In addition, the image comparison unit 33 can use one of the images read by the image reading unit 31 as the reference image and use it as the image for comparison with other scanned images.

[0086] 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 the inspection of the printed image. The inspection result management unit 35 stores and manages the inspection results in the inspection control unit 34.

[0087] Moreover, the inspection control unit 34 sends the inspection result to the print control unit 25 and the post-processing control unit 44. Specifically, the inspection control unit 34 sends information on which page is determined to be printed poorly to the print control unit 22, and sends information on how many pages should be reprinted, etc. Also, the inspection control unit 34 sends information on which page is determined to be printed poorly to the post-processing control unit 44, and sends information on the pages to be discarded before reprinting, i.e., the purge page information, etc.

[0088] The discharge switching device 43 in the post-processing device 40 switches the discharge destination of the paper transferred from the inspection device 30 to either the paper discharge trays 41 or 42. The post-processing control unit 44 controls the operation of the post-processing device 40, and according to the purge page information sent from the inspection control unit 34, etc., gives an instruction to the discharge switching device 43 to control the switching to which discharge destination.

[0089] Moreover, the print control unit 22, the inspection control unit 34, and the post-processing control unit 44 cooperate and operate by mutually sending and receiving information to control the overall operation of the image forming system 10.

[0090] In the post-processing device 40 configured as described above, the control is as follows: The paper determined to be normal in the inspection device 30 is discharged to the discharge tray 41, and the paper determined to be printed poorly and the purge page paper in the inspection device 30 are discharged to the discharge tray 42.

[0091] The inspection control unit 34 inspects whether there are errors (abnormalities) in the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus 20. Moreover, when only the first error is detected from the printed matter, the inspection control unit 34 executes the first error corresponding process associated with the first error. And, when only the second error, which is a different type of error from the first error, is detected from the printed matter, the inspection control unit 34 executes the second error corresponding process associated with the second error. Moreover, when both the first error and the second error are detected from the printed matter, the inspection control unit 34 executes the third error corresponding process.

[0092] Moreover, in the present embodiment, priorities are set for each inspection type. And, since priorities are set for each inspection of different types, priorities are also set for the errors detected in each inspection.

[0093] When the priority set for the first error is higher than the priority set for the second error, the inspection control unit 34 executes the first error corresponding process as the third error corresponding process.

[0094] Thus, regarding the priority setting for setting priorities for each inspection type, it can be initially set in advance for each inspection type. For example, in code inspection, when a code image cannot be read or a code image with error content is detected, it is necessary to immediately interrupt the execution of the printing job and take some corresponding measures. Therefore, a high priority is set in code inspection. However, this priority setting can be freely changed by the user according to the use of the printed matter, etc. An example of the operation screen when changing the priority setting is illustrated in Figure 9 in.

[0095] In Figure 9 the example of the operation screen, by selecting the inspection type and operating the up and down buttons, the priority order can be changed to change the priority setting. In Figure 9 it shows the state where "code inspection" is selected, and the priority of "code inspection" can be lowered by operating the down button.

[0096] In Figure 10 it shows an example when the priority order between inspection types is set by setting priorities for multiple inspections in this way.

[0097] In Figure 10 it shows a setting example where the highest priority is set in code inspection, a lower priority than code inspection is set in image inspection, and the lowest priority is set in corner folding inspection. That is, the priority order is set in the order of (1) code inspection, (2) image inspection, (3) corner folding inspection.

[0098] In Figure 11 it shows when in the state where such a priority order is set for Figure 4A mode of a method for determining error handling when multiple different types of inspections are performed on an inspection target image.

[0099] In Figure 11 In Pattern 1 of the pattern shown, an error is detected in the code inspection with the highest priority. Therefore, the inspection control unit 34 selects the process of interrupt printing associated with the code inspection as the error handling process to be executed. At this time, the inspection results of the image inspection and the corner folding inspection are ignored.

[0100] In Figure 11 In Pattern 2 of the pattern shown, no error is detected in the code inspection with the highest priority, and an error is detected in the image inspection with the second highest priority. Therefore, the inspection control unit 34 selects the process of reprinting up to 5 times associated with the image inspection as the error handling process to be executed. At this time, the inspection result of the corner folding inspection is ignored.

[0101] In Figure 11 In Pattern 3 of the pattern shown, no error is detected in the code inspection with the highest priority and the image inspection with the second highest priority, and an error is detected in the corner folding inspection with the lowest priority. Therefore, the inspection control unit 34 selects the process of reprinting only 1 time associated with the corner folding inspection as the error handling process to be executed.

[0102] In this way, by presetting priorities for each inspection type, when an error in a printed sheet is detected, the error handling process associated with the inspection with the highest priority among the inspection types in which the error is detected is executed.

[0103] However, when multiple errors of different types are detected from one printed sheet, there may sometimes be a correlation between the multiple detected errors. Specifically, when multiple errors of different types are detected from one printed sheet, if the area where an error is detected in one inspection overlaps with the area where an error is detected in another inspection, there may be a correlation between the multiple detected errors.

[0104] In Figure 12 and Figure 13 Examples of the occurrence areas of such multiple inspection errors overlapping are shown

[0105] In Figure 12 In the example shown, it shows the following situation: stripes are generated on the code image, an error is detected in the code inspection, and stripes are also detected in the printing area of the code image in the image inspection, resulting in an error.

[0106] In this case, it is considered that sometimes stripes are printed on the code image due to some adverse conditions, so code inspection results in an error. Therefore, if reprinting is performed and the stripes disappear, it is highly likely that both the error in code inspection and the error in image inspection will be eliminated.

[0107] In Figure 13 In the example shown, the following situation is illustrated: the overall printing position of the printed image is offset, an error is detected in the registration deviation inspection, and due to the offset of the printing position of the code image, an error also occurs in the code inspection.

[0108] If reprinting is performed for such an offset in the printing position, it is highly likely that normal printing will occur.

[0109] Moreover, if the offset in the printing position is eliminated, it is highly likely that both the error in code inspection and the error in registration deviation inspection will be eliminated. In addition, when an error is detected in the registration deviation inspection, since the entire page is not the expected result, the error occurrence area becomes the entire page, and when errors occur in other types of inspections, the error occurrence areas will overlap with each other.

[0110] Moreover, thus, when errors are detected in multiple inspections and the areas where the errors are detected overlap, the inspection control unit 34 does not determine the error corresponding process according to the preset priority, but according to the priority set in the priority table as shown in Figure 14 to determine the error corresponding process.

[0111] Figure 14 This is an example of the priority table that sets the priority order when the areas where errors are detected overlap. For example, when the area where an error is detected in the image inspection overlaps with the area where an error is detected in the code inspection, the error corresponding process associated with the image inspection is selected. And when the area where an error is detected in the image inspection overlaps with the area where an error is detected in the corner folding inspection, the error corresponding process associated with the corner folding inspection is selected.

[0112] By making such a determination, when the priority set for the first error is higher than the priority set for the second error, and the area where the first error is detected does not overlap with the area where the second error is detected, the inspection control unit 34 executes the first error corresponding process associated with the first error as the third error corresponding process. However, in the priority table as shown in Figure 14 when the priority set for the second error is higher than the priority set for the first error, and the area where the first error is detected overlaps with the area where the second error is detected, the inspection control unit 34 executes the second error corresponding process as the third error corresponding process.

[0113] In addition, when both a first error and a second error of different types are detected from one page of a printed matter, the inspection control unit 34 may execute a process different from both the first error corresponding process associated with the first error and the second error corresponding process associated with the second error as a third error corresponding process.

[0114] At this time, the inspection control unit 34 stores the error corresponding process previously selected and accepted by the user as the third error corresponding process, and executes the stored third error corresponding process when both the first error and the second error are detected from one page of the printed matter.

[0115] For example, when there is an error corresponding association for interrupting printing for code inspection and an error corresponding process of reprinting only once for crease inspection, and when errors are respectively detected in code inspection and image inspection from one page of the printed matter and the error occurrence areas overlap, the inspection control unit 34 executes a process of interrupting printing and transferring to a state waiting for user operation as the error corresponding process.

[0116] In addition, above, the case where priorities are set in association with inspection types, that is, types of errors, has been described, but priorities can also be set for each type of error corresponding process. For example, by setting the priority of the error corresponding process of interrupting printing to be higher than the priority of the error corresponding process of reprinting, even when errors occur in multiple inspections of different types from one page of the printed matter, the error corresponding process of interrupting printing can always be preferentially executed.

[0117] Next, with reference to Figure 15 、 Figure 16 the flowchart of, the operation of the image forming system 10 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0118] First, in step S101, the image reading unit 31 acquires a scanned image from the printed matter. Then, in step S102, the image comparison unit 33 compares the scanned image acquired by the image reading unit 31 with the reference image received by the print image receiving unit 32 to determine whether there is an error in the page. Moreover, in step S103, the inspection control unit 34 determines whether an error is detected in the image inspection based on the comparison result in the image comparison unit 33. In addition, the inspection control unit 34 not only performs image inspection by comparing the scanned image with the reference image, but also performs code inspection, crease inspection, density unevenness inspection, and registration deviation inspection as described above to determine whether an error is detected.

[0119] In step S103, when it is determined that no error is detected in any of the inspections, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S104 whether there is a next page. In step S104, when it is determined that there is no next page, the inspection control unit 34 ends the inspection. Also, in step S104, when it is determined that there is a next page, the inspection control unit 34 returns to the process of step S101.

[0120] Also, in step S103, when an error is detected in any of the inspections, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S105 the content of the error corresponding process for the detected error.

[0121] Furthermore, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S106 whether the content of the determined error corresponding process includes the content of executing a clearing process. When it is determined in step S106 that the content of the determined error corresponding process includes the content of executing a clearing process, the inspection control unit 34 executes the clearing process in step S107.

[0122] Also, when it is determined in step S106 that the content of the determined error corresponding process does not include the content of executing a clearing process, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S108 whether the content of the determined error corresponding process includes the content of interrupting the printing process.

[0123] When it is determined in step S108 that the content of the determined error corresponding process does not include the content of interrupting the printing process, the inspection control unit 34 returns to the process of step S104. Also, when it is determined in step S108 that the content of the determined error corresponding process includes the content of interrupting the printing process, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S109 whether the content of the determined error corresponding process includes the content of transferring to a state of waiting for user operation.

[0124] When it is determined in step S109 that the content of the determined error corresponding process includes the content of transferring to a state of waiting for user operation, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S110 whether the printing process should be executed.

[0125] When it is determined in step S110 that the printing process should be executed, the inspection control unit 34 returns to the process of step S104.

[0126] Also, when it is determined in step S109 that the content of the determined error corresponding process does not include the content of transferring to a state of waiting for user operation, and when it is determined in step S110 that the printing process should not be executed, the inspection control unit 34 interrupts the printing process and ends the process in step S111.

[0127] Next, refer toFigure 16 The flowchart of Figure 15 illustrates in detail the processing of step S105 described in the flowchart of

[0128] First, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S201 whether multiple errors have occurred within one page. Moreover, when it is determined in step S201 that multiple errors have not occurred within one page, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S202 the processing content corresponding to the type of detected error as the error corresponding processing.

[0129] In addition, when no error occurs in any inspection, the inspection control unit 34 does not set the error corresponding processing.

[0130] Moreover, when it is determined in step S201 that multiple errors have occurred within one page, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S203 whether the error-occurring areas overlap with each other.

[0131] When it is determined in step S203 that the error-occurring areas do not overlap with each other, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S204 the processing content of the error corresponding processing according to the priority set for each type of error. Specifically, the inspection control unit 34 determines the processing content associated with the inspection type having the highest priority among the multiple inspection types in which errors have occurred as the error corresponding processing.

[0132] And when it is determined in step S203 that the error-occurring areas overlap with each other, the inspection control unit 34 determines in step S205 the processing content of the error corresponding processing according to the priority set by a pre-set priority table. Specifically, the inspection control unit 34 determines the processing content of the error corresponding processing according to the priority set by the priority table as shown in Figure 14 The priority table shown.

[0133] In the above embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (such as a CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) or a dedicated processor (such as a GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, an ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, an FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, a programmable logic device, etc.).

[0134] Moreover, the operations of the processor in each of the above-described embodiments can be performed not only by one processor but also by a plurality of processors located at physically separate positions in cooperation. Also, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in each of the above-described embodiments and can be changed as appropriate.

[0135] The "system" in the present embodiment includes both a system composed of a plurality of devices and a system composed of a single device.

[0136] [Modification Example]

[0137] 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 similarly applied to a configuration in which a printed matter as described above is inspected in an information processing system such as a personal computer.

[0138] [Supplementary Note]

[0139] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in supplementary notes. (1)

[0141] An information processing system including a processor,

[0142] wherein the processor performs the following processes:

[0143] checking for abnormalities in a printed matter;

[0144] when only the first abnormality is detected from the printed matter, performing a first process associated with the first abnormality;

[0145] when only a second abnormality different from the first abnormality, i.e., a second abnormality, is detected from the printed matter, performing a second process associated with the second abnormality; and

[0146] when both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, performing a third process. (2)

[0148] The information processing system according to (1), wherein

[0149] the processor performs the following process:

[0150] when the priority set for the first abnormality is higher than the priority set for the second abnormality, performing the first process as the third process. (3)

[0152] The information processing system according to (2), wherein

[0153] the processor performs the following process:

[0154] When the priority set for the first abnormality is higher than the priority set for the second abnormality, and when the area where the first abnormality is detected does not overlap with the area where the second abnormality is detected, the first process is executed as the third process. When the area where the first abnormality is detected overlaps with the area where the second abnormality is detected, the second process is executed as the third process. (4)

[0156] The information processing system according to (1), wherein

[0157] The processor performs the following processing:

[0158] When both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, a process different from both the first process and the second process is executed as the third process. (5)

[0160] The information processing system according to (4), wherein

[0161] The processor executes the process previously selected and accepted by the user as the third process. (6)

[0163] A program for causing a computer to execute the following steps:

[0164] A step of checking for abnormalities in a printed matter;

[0165] When only the first abnormality is detected from the printed matter, a step of executing the first process associated with the first abnormality;

[0166] When only an abnormality of a different type from the first abnormality, i.e., the second abnormality, is detected from the printed matter, a step of executing the second process associated with the second abnormality; and

[0167] When both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, a step of executing the third process.

[0168] Hereinafter, the effects of the structure based on the appended notes will be described.

[0169] According to the information processing system of (1), when multiple abnormalities of different types are detected from a single printed matter, it is possible to determine the process for dealing with the detected abnormalities.

[0170] According to the information processing system of (2), when multiple abnormalities of different types are detected from a single printed matter, it is possible to execute the process set for the abnormality with the higher set priority.

[0171] The information processing system according to (3) can execute processing not based on the set priority when multiple different types of abnormalities are detected from a single printed matter and the areas where the multiple abnormalities are detected overlap.

[0172] The information processing system according to (4) can execute processing different from the processing separately set for multiple abnormalities when multiple abnormalities of different types are detected from a single printed matter.

[0173] The information processing system according to (5) can execute the processing pre-selected by the user when multiple abnormalities of different types are detected from a single printed matter.

[0174] According to the program of (6), when multiple abnormalities of different types are detected from a single printed matter, it is possible to determine the processing for dealing with the detected abnormalities.

[0175] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are provided for purposes of illustration and description. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not comprehensively and exhaustively cover the present invention and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed forms. Obviously, various modifications and variations are apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. This embodiment is selected and described to most easily explain the principles of the present invention and its applications. Thus, other technicians in this technical field can understand the present invention through various modification examples optimized for specific uses assumed for various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An information processing system includes a processor, wherein the processor performs the following processing: checking for abnormalities in a printed matter; when only the first abnormality is detected from the printed matter, performing a first process associated with the first abnormality; when only an abnormality of a different type from the first abnormality, i.e., the second abnormality, is detected from the printed matter, performing a second process associated with the second abnormality; and when both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, performing a third process.

2. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processor performs the following processing: when the priority set for the first abnormality is higher than the priority set for the second abnormality, performing the first process as the third process.

3. The information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the processor performs the following processing: when the priority set for the first abnormality is higher than the priority set for the second abnormality, and when the area where the first abnormality is detected does not overlap with the area where the second abnormality is detected, performing the first process as the third process; when the area where the first abnormality is detected overlaps with the area where the second abnormality is detected, performing the second process as the third process.

4. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processor performs the following processing: when both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, performing a process different from both the first process and the second process as the third process.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, wherein the processor performs a process preselected and accepted by a user as the third process.

6. A program product records a program for causing a computer to execute the following steps: a step of checking for abnormalities in a printed matter; a step of, when only the first abnormality is detected from the printed matter, performing a first process associated with the first abnormality; a step of, when only an abnormality of a different type from the first abnormality, i.e., the second abnormality, is detected from the printed matter, performing a second process associated with the second abnormality; and a step of, when both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, performing a third process.

7. An information processing method includes the following steps: a step of checking for abnormalities in a printed matter; a step of, when only the first abnormality is detected from the printed matter, performing a first process associated with the first abnormality; a step of, when only an abnormality of a different type from the first abnormality, i.e., the second abnormality, is detected from the printed matter, performing a second process associated with the second abnormality; and a step of, when both the first abnormality and the second abnormality are detected from the printed matter, performing a third process.

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