Inspection system, program product, and inspection method

Abstract

An inspection system, a program product, and an inspection method are provided, the inspection system being provided with a processor for printing a printed matter and extracting, from print data having a variable part whose content differs for each printing unit, variable data indicating the content of the variable part; inspection related to printing of the print data is performed using the variable data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an inspection system, a procedure, and an inspection method. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection apparatus for inspecting printed materials. In this apparatus, settings are made related to comparison inspection data used to compare data formed on the printed material, and comparison inspection data for multiple portions of the printed material are generated based on the settings. Furthermore, the printed material is inspected by comparing data read from the printed material to be inspected with the corresponding generated comparison inspection data.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-159012 Summary of the Invention

[0004] There exist inspection devices that check print data, which includes variable sections with content varying for each print unit, and which are used to print printed materials. In such inspection devices, the user may input correct data representing the content of the variable sections, and this correct data is compared with the print data to perform the print data inspection.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to make it easier to perform checks related to the printing of print data compared to cases where checks related to the printing of print data are performed without using variable data representing the content of variable parts extracted from print data.

[0006] The invention described in Scheme 1 is an inspection system comprising a processor for printing printed matter and extracting variable data representing the content of a variable portion from print data having a variable portion with content different for each print unit, and using the variable data to perform an inspection related to the printing of the print data.

[0007] The invention described in Scheme 2 is the inspection system described in Scheme 1, wherein the processor performs the inspection by comparing read data of the printed material printed using the print data with the variable data extracted from the print data.

[0008] The invention described in Scheme 3 is the inspection system described in Scheme 1, wherein the processor acquires reference data as a reference for the inspection, and performs the inspection by comparing the variable data extracted from the print data with the reference data before printing the printed material obtained using the print data.

[0009] The invention described in Scheme 4 is the inspection system described in Scheme 3, wherein the reference data includes information indicating the arrangement order of the contents of the variable part, and the processor compares the variable data with the reference data to check the arrangement order of the contents of the variable part in the printed data.

[0010] The invention described in Scheme 5 is an inspection system according to any one of Schemes 1 to 4, wherein the processor extracts the variable data in different methods according to the data format of the printed data.

[0011] The invention described in Scheme 6 is the inspection system described in Scheme 5, wherein when the printed data is structured data or the printed data is text data, the processor extracts user-specified elements from the elements constituting the printed data as the variable data.

[0012] The invention described in Scheme 7 is the inspection system described in Scheme 6, wherein the processor receives a user's specification of an element in one printing unit of the print data, and extracts the element corresponding to the element specified by the user in another printing unit as the variable data of that other printing unit.

[0013] The invention described in Scheme 8 is the inspection system described in Scheme 5, wherein when a drawing mode used for printing the print data is assigned to the elements constituting the print data, the processor extracts the elements assigned the drawing mode specified by the user as the variable data.

[0014] The invention described in Scheme 9 is a program article that records a program that enables a computer to perform the following functions:

[0015] The function of extracting variable data representing the content of a variable portion from print data having variable portions whose content differs for each print unit, wherein the print data is print data used for printing printed materials; and

[0016] The function of using the variable data to perform checks related to the printing of the print data.

[0017] The invention described in Scheme 10 is an inspection method comprising the steps of: extracting variable data representing the content of a variable portion from print data having a variable portion with content different for each print unit, the print data being print data for printing printed matter; and performing an inspection related to the printing of the print data using the variable data.

[0018] Invention Effects

[0019] According to the first aspect of the present invention, inspection can be performed more easily compared to the case where inspection related to the printing of printing data is performed without using variable data representing the content of the variable portion extracted from the printing data.

[0020] According to the second aspect of the present invention, the inspection of printed materials can be performed more easily compared to the case where printed materials are inspected using data that is input separately from variable data.

[0021] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the contents of the variable portion printed on the printed material can be checked before printing.

[0022] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where the use of variable data is not checked before printing the printed material, it is possible to suppress the printing of the printed material when the arrangement order of the contents of the variable part is incorrect.

[0023] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, variable data can be extracted even when the data format of the printed data is different.

[0024] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the user can specify elements as variable data extraction elements.

[0025] According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, even if the user does not specify elements for other printing units, it is possible to extract elements of other printing units as variable data.

[0026] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, even if the user does not specify the elements, it is possible to extract the elements assigned a depiction method as variable data.

[0027] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the inspection can be performed more easily compared to the case where the inspection related to the printing of the printing data is performed without using variable data representing the content of the variable part extracted from the printing data.

[0028] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, inspection can be performed more easily compared to the case where inspection related to the printing of printing data is performed without using variable data representing the content of the variable portion extracted from the printing data. Attached Figure Description

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

[0030] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of the printing system to which this embodiment is applied;

[0031] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of a server device applicable to this embodiment;

[0032] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of print data received by the print instruction receiving unit;

[0033] Figure 4 This is an illustration of an example of printed material produced based on printing data;

[0034] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional blocks of a printing device;

[0035] Figure 6 This is an example of a settings screen used to set the inspection area, which is one of the UI screens displayed by the display control unit;

[0036] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the processing steps for generating inspection data performed by the inspection data generation unit applicable to this embodiment;

[0037] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of inspection data generated by the inspection data generation unit;

[0038] Figure 9 This is an example of a designated screen that is one of the UI screens displayed by the display control unit and is used to specify the elements extracted by the inspection data generation unit;

[0039] Figure 10 This is an example of a designated screen that is one of the UI screens displayed by the display control unit and is used to specify the elements extracted by the inspection data generation unit;

[0040] Figure 11 This is an example of a designated screen that is one of the UI screens displayed by the display control unit and is used to specify the elements extracted by the inspection data generation unit;

[0041] Figure 12 This is a functional block diagram of the server device applicable to Embodiment 2;

[0042] Figure 13 This diagram illustrates the pre-checks performed by the pre-check section of the server device.

[0043] Symbol Explanation

[0044] 10-Printing device; 20, 30-Server device; 21-Print instruction receiving unit; 22-Image processing unit; 23-Inspection area setting unit; 24-Inspection data generation unit; 25-Output unit; 26-Display control unit; 40-Inspection device; 41-Inspection data acquisition unit; 42-Scan data acquisition unit; 43-Inspection unit; 44-Inspection result sending unit; 50-Print data; 51-Shaping unit; 52-Variable unit; 60-Printed material; 100-Printing system. Detailed Implementation

[0045] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] [Implementation Method 1]

[0047] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of the printing system 100 to which this embodiment applies.

[0048] Figure 1 The printing system 1 shown is configured to include a printing device 10 for printing printed materials. The printing device 10 is communicatively connected to server devices 20 and 30. The printing system 100 is an example of an inspection system.

[0049] The network connecting the printing device 10 and the server devices 20 and 30 uses, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. Of course, the network can also be a hybrid structure of LAN and Internet.

[0050] The printing device 10 prints an image onto paper, for example, a recording medium, based on the acquired printing instruction. The printing instruction referred to here is an instruction to perform printing, which may include information about the image to be printed. In this embodiment, the printing device 10 may acquire printing instructions indicating an intention to perform so-called variable printing, such as printing content on different types of printed materials according to different printing units.

[0051] The printing device 10 is, for example, a production printer used in business printing, and has the capability to perform high-quality and high-speed printing. Furthermore, the printing device 10 has the function of inspecting the printing results.

[0052] Furthermore, the printing device 10 may also have the function of performing post-processing according to the printing instructions. Such post-processing may include, for example, processing of paper bundles, processing of paper folding, processing of paper cutting, and binding.

[0053] In addition, the printing device 10 is not limited to production printers, but can also be used with general printers (commercial printers, home printers, etc.).

[0054] The printing apparatus 10 includes a paper supply unit 11 for supplying paper to be printed, and a printing unit 12 for printing on the paper supplied from the paper supply unit 11. Furthermore, the printing apparatus 10 includes an ejection device 13 for discharging printed matter as printed paper, and an operation display unit 14 for a user or operator.

[0055] The paper supply unit 11 is configured to include multiple paper supply trays 11A, 11B, and 11C for supplying paper. Each of the paper supply trays 11A to 11C can supply paper of different or the same size.

[0056] The printing unit 12 can print images on paper, for example, by transferring toner adhering to an electrically exposed photosensitive material onto paper and fixing it to form an image using an electrophotographic method. Alternatively, the printing unit 12 can print images on paper using an inkjet method, where ink is ejected onto the paper to form an image.

[0057] In this embodiment, the discharge device 13 is configured to include discharge trays 13A and 13B for dispensing and discharging printed materials.

[0058] Furthermore, an inspection device 40 is provided in the discharge device 13, which performs an inspection to verify the printing result of the printed material. The inspection device 40 inspects the printed material by comparing the inspection data created by the server device 20 based on the printing data with the scan data of the printed material after printing based on the printing data. Moreover, based on the inspection result of the inspection device 40, the discharge device 13 discharges the printed material from either the discharge trays 13A or 13B.

[0059] The operation display unit 14 includes a display section that displays various images for operation or various information to notify the user. Furthermore, the operation display unit 14 includes an input section with various buttons configured for input based on the operation images displayed. Alternatively, the operation display unit 14 may also be configured with a touch panel, for example, to form the display screen, and the touch panel may have both display and input functions.

[0060] Furthermore, in addition to the function of printing images on paper, the printing apparatus 10 according to this embodiment also has the function of scanning images for optically reading originals or printed materials.

[0061] Furthermore, the functions described for the printing device 10 are merely one example and do not preclude the possibility of having other functions.

[0062] Server devices 20 and 30 can be a single physical computer, or they can be implemented through distributed processing using multiple computers. Furthermore, in this embodiment, server devices 20 and 30 are configured as shared servers providing so-called cloud services, but they can also be local servers.

[0063] If the server device 20 receives a print instruction from the server device 30, it uses the print data included in the print instruction to generate image data representing an image printed on paper. Furthermore, the server device 20 outputs the generated image data to the printing device 10.

[0064] Furthermore, the server device 20 creates inspection data for inspection by the inspection device 40 based on the printed data. The server device 20 then transmits the inspection data to the printing device 10.

[0065] Figure 2 This is a functional block diagram of the server device 20 applicable to this embodiment.

[0066] like Figure 2 As shown, the server device 20 is configured to include a print instruction receiving unit 21, an image processing unit 22, an inspection area setting unit 23, and an inspection data generation unit 24. Furthermore, the server device 20 is configured to include an output unit 25 and a display control unit 26.

[0067] The print instruction receiving unit 21 receives print instructions sent by the user and manages the received print instructions. The print instructions received by the print instruction receiving unit 21 include print data for printing printed materials.

[0068] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the print data 50 received by the print instruction receiving unit 21.

[0069] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a printed product 60 produced based on print data 50.

[0070] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 The image shows the printing instruction receiving unit 21 (reference). Figure 2 The received print instructions relate to print data 50 and printed material 60 during variable printing. More specifically, it shows print data 50 and printed material 60 when printed as variable printing and sent to a direct mail recipient of a customer. Furthermore, in Figure 4 The image shows the first and second pages of a three-page printout 60 printed according to print data 50.

[0071] As described above, in variable printing, the printed content is printed according to different printed materials for each printing unit. A printing unit refers to a unit that processes print data during a series of variable print jobs. For example, when printing is done as variable printing, with each customer changing the content, the printing unit corresponds to the print data for one customer. The printed material printed per printing unit can be one page or multiple pages. In this embodiment, the case where the printed material printed per printing unit is one page will be described as an example.

[0072] like Figure 3 As shown, the print data 50 includes a shaping section 51 and a variable section 52.

[0073] And, as Figure 4As shown, an image 60A, including a fixed image 61 and a variable image 62, is formed on a printed material 60 on which print data 50 is printed. The fixed image 61 is an image of the fixed portion 51 on which print data 50 is printed. And the variable image 62 is an image inserted into a predetermined area of ​​the fixed image 61 and on which the content of the variable portion 52 is printed.

[0074] The shaping section 51 contains data related to an image that is printed uniformly on a printed material without being affected by the printing unit. In this embodiment, the shaped image 61 is printed on the printed material 60 according to the shaping section 51 of the printing data 50.

[0075] The shaping part 51 is not particularly limited, but it can be used to represent image data such as: an image that becomes the background of the variable image 62 and is printed according to the variable part 52, or decorative images printed around the variable image 62.

[0076] The variable portion 52 is data relating to the image printed by changing the content of each printing unit in the printed material. In this embodiment, the variable image 62 is printed on the printed material 60 according to the variable portion 52 of the print data 50. In other words, the elements constituting each item of the variable portion 52 are inserted into the fixed image 61 for each printing unit and printed on the printed material 60 as the variable image 62. The variable portion 52 includes data for all printing units included in the print instructions.

[0077] In this example, variable part 52 consists of data in XML (Extensible Markup Language) format. In other words, in variable part 52, each item and the elements constituting each item are associated with each other using XML (Extensible Markup Language) format.

[0078] exist Figure 3 In the variable part 52 shown, the label <customer>and< / customer> The scope encompasses the data of one customer. In this example, variable 52 includes the data of three customers. Figure 3 In this embodiment, the data of each customer in the variable section 52 is represented by symbols 52A, 52B, and 52C. As described above, in this embodiment, one customer quantity, as an example of a printing unit, corresponds to one page of the printed matter 60. Therefore, in this example, the variable image 62 of the first page of the printed matter 60 is printed according to the data 52A of the variable section 52. Similarly, the variable image 62 of the second page of the printed matter 60 is printed according to the data 52B of the variable section 52, and the variable image 62 of the third page of the printed matter 60 is printed according to the data 52C of the variable section 52.

[0079] The variable section 52 includes customer number (ID), name, postal code, address, and postal code as items to identify the elements included in each printing unit. The postal code is a code that classifies the delivery destination of the mail and consists of a string composed of a combination of the postal code and the address display number.

[0080] exist Figure 3 In the variable part 52 shown, the label <id>and< / id> The enclosed area is equivalent to the customer number element. And, it is defined by the label. <name>and< / name> The enclosed area corresponds to the elements of a name. Furthermore, it is defined by the label. <zip>and< / zip> The enclosed area is equivalent to the elements of a postal code. Furthermore, it is determined by the label. <address>and< / address> The enclosed area is equivalent to an address element. Furthermore, it is defined by the tag. <postalcode>and< / postalcode> The enclosed area is an element equivalent to a postal code.

[0081] Furthermore, the variable image 62 printed according to the variable unit 52 includes an image 62A representing the postal code, an image 62B representing the name, and an image 62C representing the address. Also, the variable image 62 includes a barcode image 62D with the customer number barcoded and a barcode image 62E with the postal code barcoded.

[0082] Furthermore, the data format of the variable section 52 is not particularly limited. The variable section 52 can be exemplified as structured data in data formats such as XML, PDF (Portable Document Format), and CSV (Comma Separated Values). Structured data is data in which items of the variable section 52 are associated with the elements that constitute each item.

[0083] Furthermore, the variable part 52 can be text data representing the elements constituting each item, expressed as strings.

[0084] Furthermore, in the variable image 62 of the printed matter 60, when the elements constituting each item of the variable section 52 are depicted and printed in a predetermined manner, the variable section 52 can be data that establishes a corresponding association between the items of the variable section 52 and the depiction method assigned to each item. As an example of such data, the variable section 52 can be data in PDF / VT (Variable and Transactional) format. Moreover, as the depiction method assigned to each item, the font used when printing the elements of each item of the variable section 52 can be an example. Such a font includes barcode fonts that depict strings converted into barcodes.

[0085] Furthermore, the print data 50 includes layout information (not shown) related to the configuration of the variable image 62 in the image 60A printed on the printed matter 60. As layout information, the position information of the variable image 62 in the image 60A can be given as an example. As position information, the coordinates, extent (width, height), etc., of the variable image 62 in the image 60A can be given as examples. Furthermore, as layout information, description information related to the manner in which the elements constituting the variable part 52 are depicted in the variable image 62 can be given as examples. As description information, the type of font, font size, number of characters, etc., can be given as an example of the manner in which the elements of the variable part 52 are depicted.

[0086] Layout information may be included in the shaping section 51, or in the variable section 52, or may be included separately from the shaping section 51 and the variable section 52 in the print data 50.

[0087] In this example, the shaping unit 51 includes position information of the variable image 62 in the image 60A. More specifically, the shaping unit 51 includes position information 51A, 51B, 51C, 51D, and 51E indicating the positions where images 62A, 62B, 62C, 62D, and 62E, which are the variable images 62, are inserted into the image 60A.

[0088] Return to Figure 2 The image processing unit 22 generates printing image data representing images 60A printed on each page of the printed matter 60 based on the printing data 50 received by the printing instruction receiving unit 21.

[0089] After the image processing unit 22 arranges the elements of each item constituting the variable section 52 in the shaping section 51 according to the print data 50, it performs rasterization processing. As a result, the image processing unit 22 generates printable image data, which is a rasterized image 60A including the shaping image 61 and the variable image 62.

[0090] The inspection area setting unit 23 sets the inspection area (as the area where the inspection device 40 inspects the printed material 60) in the printing image data and generates inspection area information. The inspection area information includes the position information of the inspection area in the printing image data.

[0091] Furthermore, the inspection area setting unit 23 can also generate inspection area information by establishing a corresponding association between inspection-related ancillary information and each inspection area set in the printable image data. As inspection-related ancillary information, information such as the type of inspection performed in each inspection area, the inspection precision, and the name representing each inspection area can be provided.

[0092] The process of setting the inspection area and generating inspection area information by the inspection area setting unit 23 will be explained in detail later.

[0093] The inspection data generation unit 24 generates inspection data for inspection of the inspection device 40 based on the print data 50 received by the print instruction receiving unit 21 and the inspection area information generated by the inspection area setting unit 23.

[0094] The inspection data generation unit 24 extracts elements constituting the items (with inspection areas set in the variable unit 52) ​​from the print data 50 based on the inspection area information, and generates inspection data. Inspection data is an example of variable data representing the contents of the variable unit 52. For example, inspection data in CSV format, showing the extracted elements divided by each item, can be used. However, inspection data is not limited to CSV format.

[0095] The processing of inspection data generated by the inspection data generation unit 24 and the generated inspection data will be explained in detail later.

[0096] The output unit 25 outputs the printing image data generated by the image processing unit 22 to the printing device 10. Furthermore, the output unit 25 outputs the inspection area information generated by the inspection area setting unit 23 to the inspection device 40. Additionally, the output unit 25 outputs the inspection data generated by the inspection data generation unit 24 to the inspection device 40.

[0097] The display control unit 26 controls the display of the UI screen on the operation display unit 14. Details will be described later, but the display control unit 26 displays the following setting screen as a UI screen: a screen for users to set the inspection area for inspection by the inspection device 40. Furthermore, the display control unit 26 displays the following selection screen as a UI screen: a screen for selecting elements to be extracted as inspection data for inspection by the inspection device 40 for the set inspection area.

[0098] Here, the various functions of the server device 20 are implemented by a CPU 20A, which serves as an example of a processor. The CPU 20A reads the program stored in the ROM (Read Only Memory) 20B and executes the program using the RAM (Random Access Memory) 20C as its working area. The program executed by the CPU 20A can be provided to the server device 20 in a state stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (magnetic tape, magnetic disk, etc.), an optical recording medium (optical disc, etc.), a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the program executed by the CPU 20A can be downloaded to the server device 20 using communication means such as the Internet.

[0099] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the functions of the server device 20 are implemented by software, but it is not limited to this. For example, it can also be implemented by ASIC (Application Specific IC).

[0100] Figure 5 This is a diagram showing an example of the functional blocks of the printing device 10.

[0101] As shown in the figure, the printing device 10 includes an image data receiving unit 15, a printing control unit 16, a printed matter scanning control unit 17, a scanning data sending unit 18, and a paper output control unit 19.

[0102] Furthermore, the discharge device 13 (see reference) provided in the printing device 10 Figure 1 The inspection device 40 in the device inspects the printed material printed according to the printing instructions. The inspection device 40 includes an inspection data acquisition unit 41, a scan data acquisition unit 42, an inspection unit 43, and an inspection result transmission unit 44.

[0103] The image data receiving unit 15 receives printing image data generated by the image processing unit 22 of the server device 20.

[0104] Printing control unit 16 controls printing unit 12 (reference) Figure 1 In addition, the print control unit 16 controls the print unit 12, which uses the print image data received by the image data receiving unit 15 to print printed materials.

[0105] The printed matter scanning control unit 17 controls the scanning function of optically reading the image of the printed matter during the process of the printed matter printed by the printing unit 12 being transferred to the inspection device 40.

[0106] The scan data transmission unit 18 sends the scan data acquired through the scanning function to the inspection device 40.

[0107] Based on the inspection results of the inspection device 40, the paper discharge control unit 19 distributes and discharges the printed materials into either the paper discharge tray 13A or the paper discharge tray 13B. Specifically, the paper discharge control unit 19 discharges the printed materials that have passed the inspection of the inspection device 40 from the paper discharge tray 13A, and discharges the printed materials that have not passed the inspection of the inspection device 40 from the paper discharge tray 13B.

[0108] Additionally, the printing system 100 can also display the inspection results of the inspection device 40 on the operation display unit 14 (see reference). Figure 1 )superior.

[0109] The inspection data acquisition unit 41 of the inspection device 40 acquires the output unit 25 (see reference) from the server device 20. Figure 2The output includes the inspection area information and inspection data.

[0110] The inspection area information is provided by the inspection area setting unit 23 of the server device 20 (reference). Figure 2 The information is generated by the inspection data generation unit 24 of the server device 20 (see reference). Figure 2 The generated data.

[0111] The scan data acquisition unit 42 acquires scan data sent from the scan data transmission unit 18 of the printing device 10. The scan data is data obtained by scanning the printed matter 60, which contains printed image data.

[0112] The inspection unit 43 uses the acquired inspection area information, inspection data, and scan data obtained by scanning the printed material 60 to inspect the printed material 60. In this embodiment, the inspection of the printed material 60 performed by the inspection unit 43 is an example of an inspection related to the printing of print data 50.

[0113] In this embodiment, the inspection unit 43 performs a comparative inspection on the printed material 60 as follows: confirming whether the content printed as the variable image 62 of the printed material 60 is consistent with the content of the variable portion 52 of the print data 50. In other words, the inspection unit 43 performs a comparative inspection of the printed material 60 by comparing the scanned data of the printed material 60 with the inspection data. Furthermore, the type of inspection performed by the inspection unit 43 is not limited to a comparative inspection as long as it involves comparing the scanned data with the inspection data.

[0114] Furthermore, the inspection of Inspection Department 43 will be explained in detail later.

[0115] The inspection result sending unit 44 sends either "inspection passed" or "inspection failed" as information indicating the inspection result of the inspection unit 43 to the printing device 10. Additionally, as described above, the paper output control unit 19 of the printing device 10 distributes and discharges the inspected printed material 60 into either the paper output tray 13A or the paper output tray 13B based on the information indicating the inspection result.

[0116] Furthermore, the inspection result sending unit 44 sends information for determining the inspection result and the items of the inspected printed material 60 to the printing device 10. Thus, the inspection result of the printed material 60 can be displayed on the operation display unit 14 (see reference). Figure 1 Furthermore, the inspection result sending unit 44 can send the inspection results to the server device 30 (reference 30). Figure 1 The results of the inspection are communicated to users located away from the printing device 10.

[0117] The functions of the printing device 10 and the inspection device 40 described above are implemented by a CPU, which is an example of a processor. The CPU reads the program stored in the ROM and executes the program using the RAM as its working area. The program executed by the CPU can be provided to the printing device 10 and the inspection device 40 in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magneto-optical recording medium, or a semiconductor memory. Furthermore, the program executed by the CPU can be downloaded to the printing device 10 and the inspection device 40 using communication means such as the Internet.

[0118] Furthermore, in the printing system 100 according to this embodiment, a server device 20 is connected upstream of the printing device 10, but the system is not limited to this. In the printing system 100, the printing device 10 may possess all the functions of the server device 20 (see reference). Figure 2 ).

[0119] Next, the process of setting the inspection area and generating inspection area information by the inspection area setting unit 23 will be described. As described above, in this embodiment, the inspection area setting unit 23 sets the inspection area based on the user's operation of the UI screen displayed on the operation display unit 14 by the display control unit 26.

[0120] Figure 6 This is an example of a settings screen 70, which is one of the UI screens displayed by the display control unit 26 and is used to set the inspection area.

[0121] The setting screen 70 includes an image display unit 71, which displays images according to the image processing unit 22 (reference). Figure 2 The generated image data for printing is displayed on the printed material 60 (reference). Figure 4 Image 60A (reference) Figure 4 ).

[0122] In this example, when the image data for printing spans multiple pages, the image 60A based on the image data for printing is displayed page by page on the image display unit 71. In other words, when the print data 50 (reference) Figure 3 ) variable part 52 (reference) Figure 3 When the data includes data from multiple customers, an image 60A based on printing image data is displayed on the image display unit 71. This printing image data is generated based on the data of one customer from the variable unit 52.

[0123] The inspection area setting unit 23 sets the inspection area based on the user's operation on the image 60A displayed on the image display unit 71. Figure 6 In the image 60A, the range selected by the user's operation (i.e., the range set as the inspection area) is indicated by a shaded line.

[0124] The user selects the portion of the image 60A displayed on the image display unit 71 to be inspected by the inspection device 40. Figure 6 In the example shown, barcode images 62D and 62E are selected as the parts to be inspected by the inspection device 40. The inspection area setting unit 23 sets the area selected by the user where barcode images 62D and 62E are formed as the inspection area. Hereinafter, the inspection area set in the area where barcode image 62D is formed will be marked as the first inspection area 91. Similarly, the inspection area set in the area where barcode image 62E is formed will be marked as the second inspection area 92.

[0125] Furthermore, the inspection area setting unit 23 acquires the position information of the first inspection area 91 and the second inspection area 92. The position information of the first inspection area 91 and the second inspection area 92 can represent information such as the coordinates, width, and length of the first inspection area 91 and the second inspection area 92 in the printed material on which the image 60A is printed.

[0126] The setup screen 70 includes an inspection area display unit 72 that displays information related to the inspection area. In this example, the coordinates, width, and length of the first inspection area 91 and the second inspection area 92 are displayed on the inspection area display unit 72.

[0127] Furthermore, the inspection area display unit 72 displays information related to the type of inspection performed in the inspection area as supplementary information related to the inspection. In this example, the inspection area display unit 72 displays "comparison inspection" as the type of inspection performed on the first inspection area 91 and the second inspection area 92.

[0128] Furthermore, the inspection area display unit 72 displays the name of the inspection area as supplementary information related to the inspection. In this example, the inspection area display unit 72 displays "Customer Number" as the name of the first inspection area 91 set in the barcode image 62D. Also, the inspection area display unit 72 displays "Postal Barcode" as the name of the second inspection area 92 set in the barcode image 62E.

[0129] The setting screen 70 can also be configured to specify or change supplementary information related to the inspection based on the user's operation of the inspection area display unit 72.

[0130] At this time, the inspection area setting unit 23 obtains supplementary information for each inspection area based on the operation of the inspection area display unit 72. In this example, as supplementary information, the inspection area setting unit 23 obtains information related to the type of inspection performed in each inspection area and the name of each inspection area.

[0131] Furthermore, the inspection area setting unit 23 establishes a corresponding association between the location information of each inspection area and the accompanying information of each inspection area to generate inspection area information.

[0132] Next, the process of generating inspection data by the inspection data generation unit 24 will be explained.

[0133] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the inspection data generation unit 24, which is applicable to this embodiment, to generate inspection data.

[0134] Figure 8 This is a diagram showing an example of inspection data generated by the inspection data generation unit 24.

[0135] In this embodiment, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts elements constituting the items (with inspection areas set in the variable unit 52) ​​from the print data 50 and generates inspection data.

[0136] First, the inspection data generation unit 24 obtains the print data 50 received by the print instruction receiving unit 21 and the inspection area information generated by the inspection area setting unit 23 (step S101).

[0137] In this example, as described above, the variable portion 52 of the print data 50 includes customer number, name, postal code, address, and postal code as items to identify the data included in each print unit.

[0138] Furthermore, in the inspection area information, a first inspection area 91 is set in the area of ​​image 60A where a barcode image 62D (corresponding to the customer number, one of the items in variable section 52) is formed. Also, in the inspection area information, a second inspection area 92 is set in the area of ​​image 60A where a barcode image 62E (corresponding to the postal code, one of the items in variable section 52) is formed. The name attached to the first inspection area 91 is "Customer Number," and the name attached to the second inspection area 92 is "Postal Barcode."

[0139] Next, the data generation unit 24 sets the page number n of the data to 1 (n = 1) (step S102).

[0140] Next, the inspection data generation unit 24 retrieves the data of the variable section 52 corresponding to page number n from the print data 50 obtained in step S101 (step S103). In this example, the inspection data generation unit 24 retrieves the data 52A of page 1 from the variable section 52 of the print data 50.

[0141] Next, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts elements belonging to the items with the set inspection area from the data of the variable unit 52 obtained in step S103 based on the inspection area information obtained in step S101 (step S104).

[0142] In this example, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the customer number element as the item in the first inspection area 91 from the data 52A on the first page of the variable unit 52. Additionally, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the element from the data 52A containing the label... <id>and< / id> The enclosing string "22387" serves as an element of the customer number, which is the item in inspection area 91.

[0143] Furthermore, in step S104, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts elements belonging to the items with the defined inspection area using different methods based on the data format of the variable section 52 of the printed data 50. In other words, the inspection data generation unit 24 determines the elements to be extracted using different methods based on the data format of the variable section 52. The process by which the inspection data generation unit 24 determines the elements to be extracted based on the data format of the variable section 52 will be explained in detail later.

[0144] Next, the data generation unit 24 checks whether the extraction of elements has been completed for all the inspection areas set by the inspection area setting unit 23 (step S105).

[0145] If the extraction of features has not been completed for all inspection areas ("No" in step S105), the inspection data generation unit 24 returns to step S104 and continues processing.

[0146] In this example, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the postal code element of the item as the second inspection area 92 from the data 52A of the first page of the variable section 52. This second inspection area 92 is the remaining inspection area. In other words, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the label element from the variable section 52. <postalcode>and< / postalcode> The enclosing string “1070052 9-7-3” serves as an element of the postal code, which is an item in inspection area 2, 92.

[0147] On the other hand, if the extraction of elements for all inspection areas has been completed ("Yes" in step S105), the inspection data generation unit 24 determines whether the extraction of elements for items with inspection areas has been completed for all pages included in the variable unit 52 (step S106).

[0148] If the extraction of elements for all pages has not yet been completed ("No" in step S106), the data generation unit 24 updates the page number n to n+1 (n = n+1) (step S107). Furthermore, the data generation unit 24 returns to step S103 and continues processing.

[0149] In this example, similarly to data 52A, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the string "25873" from data 52B on the second page of the variable section 52 as an element of the customer number, which is an item in the first inspection area 91. Furthermore, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the string "22086686-1" from data 52B of the variable section 52 as an element of the postal code, which is an item in the second inspection area 92.

[0150] Furthermore, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the string "32550" from the data 52C on the third page of the variable section 52 as an element of the customer number, which is an item in the first inspection area 91. Also, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the string "2430494 2274" from the data 52C of the variable section 52 as an element of the postal code, which is an item in the second inspection area 92.

[0151] If all elements have been extracted from all pages (Yes in step S106), the inspection data generation unit 24 generates inspection data based on the elements extracted in step S104, and outputs it to the inspection device 40 through the output unit 25 (step S108).

[0152] Thus, the data generation unit 24 completes a series of processes.

[0153] like Figure 8 As shown, the inspection data generated by the inspection data generation unit 24 of this embodiment includes elements extracted for items with designated inspection areas, page numbers, and names representing each inspection area.

[0154] In addition, in Figure 8 In the inspection data shown, the names of each inspection area include "Customer Number" for inspection area 1 (91) and "Postal Barcode" for inspection area 2 (92). Furthermore, the elements "22387", "25873", and "32550" extracted from inspection area 1 (91) are arranged in the "Customer Number" column according to their page numbers. Similarly, the elements "1070052 9-7-3", "2208668 6-1", and "2430494 2274" extracted from inspection area 2 (92) are arranged in the "Postal Barcode" column according to their page numbers.

[0155] As described above, the inspection data generation unit 24 determines the elements extracted in step S104 using different methods based on the data format of the variable unit 52. The inspection data generation unit 24 determines the elements extracted in step S104 based on the user's data via (from the display control unit 26 (reference)). Figure 2 The display is shown on the operation display unit 14 (reference). Figure 1 The UI screen specified on the () determines the elements extracted in step S104. Hereinafter, regarding the method for determining the elements extracted by the inspection data generation unit 24, the variable unit 52 (refer to) Figure 3 Each data format is described.

[0156] First, we will explain the case where the variable part 52 is structured data such as XML, PDF, or CSV.

[0157] Figure 9 This is a diagram showing an example of a designation screen 81, which is one of the UI screens displayed by the display control unit 26 and is used to designate elements extracted by the inspection data generation unit 24. Figure 9 The image shows a designated screen 81 for specifying the elements extracted for the second inspection area 92.

[0158] The designated screen 81 includes a project display unit 811, which displays the project to which the elements extracted by the inspection data generation unit 24 belong.

[0159] Furthermore, on the designated screen 81, if the user operates the selection button 812, a selection section 813 for selecting the elements extracted by the inspection data generation unit 24 is displayed.

[0160] In the selection section 813, the items of the variable section 52 containing the print data 50 and the elements constituting each item are displayed in tabular form. Specifically, in the first row of the table in the selection section 813, the items of the variable section 52 are displayed as customer number (ID), name (Name), postal code (ZIP), address (Address), and postal code (PostalCode). Furthermore, in the selection section 813, the elements belonging to each item are displayed in page number order in rows 2 to 4 of each column of the table.

[0161] Users specify the features to be extracted for the second inspection area 92 by selecting columns from a table displayed on the selection section 813. In this example, the user selects the Postal Code column and specifies the features belonging to the Postal Code, "1070052 9-7-3", "2208668 6-1", and "2430494 2274", as the features to be extracted for the second inspection area 92.

[0162] The inspection data generation unit 24 identifies the elements belonging to the postal code "1070052 9-7-3", "2208668 6-1", and "24304942274" as elements extracted for the second inspection area 92. The postal code is specified by the user through the operation of the selection unit 813.

[0163] At this time, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the strings “1070052 9-7-3”, “22086686-1”, and “2430494 2274” as elements of the postal code in the above-mentioned step S104. The postal code is an item in the second inspection area 92.

[0164] Next, the case where the variable part 52 is text data will be explained.

[0165] Figure 10 This is a diagram showing an example of a designation screen 82, which is one of the UI screens displayed by the display control unit 26 and is used to designate elements extracted by the inspection data generation unit 24. Figure 10 The image shows a designated screen 82 for specifying the elements extracted for the second inspection area 92.

[0166] The designated screen 82 includes a text display section 821, which indicates the position of an element specified by the user in the variable section 52.

[0167] Furthermore, on the designated screen 82, if the user operates the selection button 822, a selection section 823 for selecting the elements extracted by the inspection data generation unit 24 is displayed.

[0168] In the selection section 823, the elements of data 52A, which are equivalent to the first page of variable section 52, are displayed in text format.

[0169] The user specifies the feature to be extracted for the second inspection area 92 by selecting a string from the text displayed on the selection section 823. In this example, the user specifies the string "1070052 9-7-3" in the 5th line as the feature to be extracted for the second inspection area 92.

[0170] If the user specifies an element for one page of data, which is an example of a printing unit in the variable section 52, the inspection data generation unit 24 determines the specified element as the element extracted by the inspection data generation unit 24 for all pages.

[0171] The inspection data generation unit 24 identifies the string "1070052 9-7-3" as an element to be extracted for the second inspection area 92. This string "1070052 9-7-3" was specified by the user through the operation of the selection unit 823. Furthermore, regarding the postal code of the item to which the string "1070052 9-7-3" belongs, the inspection data generation unit 24 also identifies elements from other pages as elements to be extracted for the second inspection area 92. In this example, the inspection data generation unit 24 identifies the strings "2208668 6-1" and "2430494 2274" belonging to the postal code in data 52B and 52C as elements to be extracted for the second inspection area 92.

[0172] At this time, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the strings “1070052 9-7-3”, “22086686-1”, and “2430494 2274” as elements of the postal code in the above-mentioned step S104. The postal code is an item in the second inspection area 92.

[0173] Next, we will explain the case where the variable part 52 is a set of data that establishes a corresponding relationship between the items of the variable part 52 and the depiction method assigned to each item.

[0174] Figure 11 This is a diagram showing an example of a designation screen 83, which is one of the UI screens displayed by the display control unit 26 and is used to designate elements extracted by the inspection data generation unit 24. Figure 11 The screen 83 shows the specified screen for specifying the elements extracted for the second inspection area 92.

[0175] The designated screen 83 includes a font display unit 831, which displays the name of a font as an example of the drawing method of the item of the drawing variable part 52.

[0176] If the label of the font display unit 831 is operated in the designated screen 83, the font selection unit 833 is displayed, and the font selection unit 833 selects the font for depicting the item of the variable part 52 from a list.

[0177] The user selects the font for each item depicting the variable section 52 from the font list displayed on the font selection section 833. In this example, the user selects "JP-Postal-Bacode," one of the fonts used to depict postal code barcodes, as the font for the item depicting the second inspection area 92.

[0178] If a drawing mode is assigned to the elements of each item constituting the variable unit 52, and the user specifies the drawing mode, the inspection data generation unit 24 determines the elements belonging to the items assigned with that drawing mode as the elements to be extracted. In other words, if the user specifies a predetermined drawing mode, the inspection data generation unit 24 determines the elements belonging to the items assigned with that drawing mode as the elements to be extracted. As a predetermined drawing mode, a font that needs to be inspected by the inspection device 40 for the image printed from the converted string can be cited as an example.

[0179] In this example, the inspection data generation unit 24 identifies the elements belonging to the postal code, "1070052 9-7-3", "2208668 6-1", and "2430494 2274", which were selected as the font "JP-Postal-Bacode", as the elements extracted for the second inspection area 92.

[0180] At this time, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the strings “1070052 9-7-3”, “22086686-1”, and “2430494 2274” as elements of the postal code in the above-mentioned step S104. The postal code is an item in the second inspection area 92.

[0181] Next, the inspection performed by the inspection device 40 in this embodiment will be described.

[0182] The inspection device 40 uses inspection data generated by the inspection data generation unit 24 of the server device 20 to inspect the printed matter 60. In other words, the inspection device 40 uses the inspection data as correct data representing the content of the variable unit 52 of the print data 50 to inspect the printed matter 60 printed according to the print data 50.

[0183] Specifically, in the inspection apparatus 40, the inspection data acquisition unit 41 acquires inspection area information and inspection data from the server device 20. Furthermore, the scan data acquisition unit 42 acquires scan data obtained by scanning the printed material 60. In other words, the scan data acquisition unit 42 acquires scan data obtained by scanning an image 60A printed on the printed material 60. In this example, the print data 50 includes data for 3 pages, and 3 pages of printed material 60 are printed; therefore, the scan data acquisition unit 42 acquires scan data for 3 pages. The scan data is an example of read data obtained by reading the printed material 60.

[0184] The inspection unit 43 decodes the images set in the inspection areas of the scanned data images 60A of each page according to the inspection area information. In this example, the inspection unit 43 decodes the barcode image 62D set in the first inspection area 91 of the scanned data images 60A of each page and obtains the string corresponding to the barcode image 62D. Similarly, the inspection unit 43 decodes the barcode image 62E set in the second inspection area 92 of the scanned data images 60A of each page and obtains the string corresponding to the barcode image 62E.

[0185] Furthermore, the inspection unit 43 compares the string obtained by decoding the scan data with the elements extracted from the variable unit 52 in the inspection data for each inspection area, and inspects the image set in the inspection area.

[0186] Specifically, the inspection unit 43 compares the string obtained by decoding the barcode image 62D with the string extracted from the inspection data as a customer number, which is an item in the first inspection area 91. Thus, the inspection unit 43 inspects the barcode image 62D of the printed material 60.

[0187] Similarly, the inspection unit 43 compares the string obtained by decoding the barcode image 62E with the string extracted from the inspection data as an element of the postal code, which is an item in the second inspection area 92. Thus, the inspection unit 43 inspects the barcode image 62E of the printed matter 60.

[0188] For example, if the string obtained by decoding the scan data matches the element extracted from the variable section 52 in the inspection data, the inspection unit 43 determines that the printed material 60 corresponding to the scan data is qualified for inspection. Conversely, if the string obtained by decoding the scan data does not match the element extracted from the variable section 52 in the inspection data, the inspection unit 43 determines that the printed material 60 corresponding to the scan data is unqualified for inspection.

[0189] However, when inspecting a printed matter 60 printed according to print data 50 having a variable section 52, the user may input correct data representing the elements constituting each item of the variable section 52 separately from the print data 50. In this case, the printed matter 60 is inspected by comparing strings obtained from decoding the scan data with the correct data input by the user.

[0190] In this method, for example, if the order of elements in the correct data input by the user differs from the order in the variable section 52 of the print data 50, the inspection of the printed matter 60 may not be accurate. In other words, even if the printed matter 60 is printed correctly according to the print data 50, the strings or other data obtained by decoding the scanned data of the printed matter 60 may not match the elements in the correct data, thus resulting in it being judged as failing inspection. In this case, discarding the printed matter 60 that has been judged as failing inspection may waste paper and other materials used for printing the printed matter 60.

[0191] In contrast, in this embodiment, inspection data generated by extracting elements constituting each item of the variable section 52 from the print data 50 is used as correct data. Therefore, the order of elements in the inspection data, which serves as correct data, is the same as the order in the variable section 52 of the print data 50. As a result, in the printing system 1, the inspection of the printed matter 60 can be performed more accurately compared to the case where correct data is input separately by the user from the print data 50.

[0192] [Implementation Method 2]

[0193] Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. In Embodiment 2, the same reference numerals are used for the same structures as in Embodiment 1, and detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0194] In the printing system 1 of Embodiment 1, the inspection device 40 uses the inspection data generated by the inspection data generation unit 24 as correct data to inspect the printed matter 60 printed according to the printing data 50.

[0195] In contrast, in the printing system 1 of Embodiment 2, the server device 20 acquires reference data as an inspection reference for the printed matter 60 obtained using the printing data 50. Furthermore, before the printed matter 60 is printed by the printing device 10, the server device 20 performs a preliminary inspection by comparing the inspection data generated by the inspection data generation unit 24 with the reference data.

[0196] Figure 12 This is a functional block diagram of the server device 20 applicable to Embodiment 2.

[0197] Figure 13 This diagram illustrates the pre-checks performed by the pre-check unit 28 of the server device 20. Figure 13 The variable part 52 of the print data 50 and the reference data 90 are shown. The reference data 90 is acquired by the reference data acquisition unit 27 and used for the inspection of the pre-inspection unit 28.

[0198] like Figure 12As shown, the server device 20 is configured to include a print instruction receiving unit 21, an image processing unit 22, an inspection area setting unit 23, and an inspection data generation unit 24. Furthermore, the server device 20 is configured to include an output unit 25 and a display control unit 26. Additionally, the server device 20 is configured to include a reference data acquisition unit 27 and a pre-inspection unit 28.

[0199] The reference data acquisition unit 27 acquires reference data 90 sent by the user. Reference data 90 is data created separately from print data 50 by the user, etc., and represents the elements in the variable section 52 of print data 50 that constitute the items for which the inspection area is set. Reference data 90 can be, for example, data in CSV or XML format.

[0200] In this example, in the baseline data 90, the elements constituting each item with a defined inspection area are associated with the name of the inspection area. More specifically, such as... Figure 13 As shown, in the reference data 90, the element representing the customer number of the item in the first inspection area 91 is associated with the name "customer number" of the first inspection area 91. Furthermore, in the reference data 90, the element representing the postal code of the item in the second inspection area 92 is associated with the name "postal barcode" of the second inspection area 92.

[0201] Furthermore, in the reference data 90, the element representing the customer number of the item for which the first inspection area 91 is set is arranged correspondingly to the page number. Similarly, in the reference data 90, the element representing the postal code of the item for which the second inspection area 92 is set is arranged correspondingly to the page number. In addition, the reference data 90 includes the following information: the arrangement order of the elements constituting the items (with inspection areas) in the variable section 52.

[0202] The pre-check unit 28 performs a pre-check by comparing the inspection data generated by the inspection data generation unit 24, which extracts elements of the constituent items (with inspection areas) in the variable section 52 of the print data 50, with the reference data 90. In other words, before the printing device 10 prints the printed material 60 based on the print data 50, the pre-check unit 28 performs a pre-check by comparing the inspection data with the reference data 90. In this embodiment, the pre-check performed by the pre-check unit 28 is an example of a check related to the printing of the print data 50.

[0203] Here, the inspection data generation unit 24 performs the same extraction of elements constituting the items (set inspection area) and generation of inspection data as in Embodiment 1.

[0204] That is, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts elements belonging to the items set in the first inspection area 91 and the second inspection area 92 from the variable part 52. Specifically, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the strings "22387", "25873", "32550" as elements of the customer number (ID) from the variable part 52, and this customer number (ID) is an item set in the first inspection area 91. Also, the inspection data generation unit 24 extracts the strings "1070052 9-7-3", "2208668 6-1", "2430494 2274" as elements of the postal code (PostalCode) from the variable part 52, and this postal code (PostalCode) is an item set in the second inspection area 92.

[0205] As Figure 13 shown, for each page of the variable part 52, the preliminary inspection unit 28 compares the elements extracted from the variable part 52 as inspection data with the elements of the reference data 90.

[0206] Specifically, the preliminary inspection unit 28 compares the elements extracted from the first page data 52A of the variable part 52 with the elements of the first page of the reference data 90. Similarly, the preliminary inspection unit 28 compares the elements extracted from the second page data 52B of the variable part 52 with the elements of the second page of the reference data 90. Also, the preliminary inspection unit 28 compares the elements extracted from the third page data 52C of the variable part 52 with the elements of the third page of the reference data 90.

[0207] If the elements extracted from the variable part 52 as inspection data are consistent with the elements of the reference data 90, the preliminary inspection unit 28 determines that the inspection is qualified. And, if the elements extracted from the variable part 52 as inspection data are inconsistent with the elements of the reference data 90, the preliminary inspection unit 28 determines that the inspection is unqualified.

[0208] The preliminary inspection unit 28 can make a pass or fail determination for all the pages included in the variable part 52 at once. At this time, if all the elements extracted from the variable part 52 as inspection data are consistent with the elements of the reference data 90, the preliminary inspection unit 28 determines that the inspection is qualified. In other words, if the arrangement order of the elements of the items with each inspection area set in the variable part 52 is consistent with the arrangement order of the elements in the reference data 90, the preliminary inspection unit 28 determines that the inspection is qualified.

[0209] Furthermore, the pre-inspection unit 28 can determine whether a page is acceptable or unacceptable for each page included in the variable unit 52. In other words, for a page whose elements extracted from the variable unit 52 as inspection data match the elements of the reference data 90, the pre-inspection unit 28 determines it to be acceptable. On the other hand, for a page whose elements extracted from the variable unit 52 as inspection data do not match the elements of the reference data 90, the pre-inspection unit 28 determines it to be unacceptable.

[0210] In the printing system 1 of Embodiment 2, the pre-inspection unit 28 performs an inspection using reference data 90. If the inspection is deemed satisfactory, the printing device 10 prints the printed material 60 according to the printing data 50.

[0211] Furthermore, in printing system 1, after the printed material 60 is printed by printing device 10, inspection device 40 inspects the printed material 60 using reference data 90 and scan data obtained by scanning the printed material 60. In other words, the inspection device 40 uses reference data 90 as correct data to inspect the printed material 60 instead of the inspection data in embodiment 1.

[0212] Here, as described in Embodiment 1, if the element arrangement order in the reference data 90 used as correct data is different from the order in the variable part 52 of the print data 50, the inspection of the printed matter 60 may not be accurate. In other words, even if the printed matter 60 is correctly printed according to the print data 50, the strings and other data obtained by decoding the scan data of the printed matter 60 may be inconsistent with the elements of the reference data 90, and thus be judged as failing the inspection.

[0213] In contrast, in this embodiment, during the pre-inspection performed by the pre-inspection unit 28, if the elements extracted from the variable unit 52 as inspection data match the elements of the reference data 90, the printing device 10 prints the printed matter 60. Therefore, in the printing system 1, although the printed matter 60 is correctly printed according to the printing data 50, it is possible to suppress the situation where the inspection device 40 determines that the inspection is unqualified, thereby enabling more accurate inspection of the printed matter 60.

[0214] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the foregoing embodiments. As can be seen from the description of the technical solutions, embodiments obtained by making various changes or improvements to the above embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0215] In this embodiment, each process is executed by any computer. Furthermore, any computer can execute these processes via a processor as hardware, a program as software, or a combination thereof. In this case, the processor is configured to cooperate with the program in executing the various processes in this embodiment, and can function as a unit or means within this embodiment. Moreover, the execution order of the processes performed by the processor is not limited to the order described and can be appropriately changed. Any computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a workstation, or other system capable of executing the processes.

[0216] A processor can be composed of one or more hardware components, and the type of hardware is not limited. For example, a processor can be composed of programmable logic devices such as CPUs (Central Processing Units), MPUs (Micro Processing Units), FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), dedicated circuits for performing specific processes such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), GPUs (Graphics Processing Units), or NPUs (Neural Processing Units). Furthermore, the type of hardware can be a combination of different types of hardware. When multiple hardware components are configured to execute one or more processes of a particular processor, these multiple hardware components can exist in physically separate devices or in the same device. Moreover, in any embodiment, the order of the processes performed by the processor is not limited to the above-described order and can be appropriately varied. Additionally, the hardware can be composed of circuits, such as those combining semiconductor elements.

[0217] Furthermore, a program can also be software such as firmware or microcode. A program can also be, for example, a group of program modules, each of whose functions can be implemented by a processor configured to perform those functions. A program can be program code or multiple code segments stored on one or more non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., storage media or other storage devices). A program can be divided and stored on multiple non-transitory computer-readable media (existing in physically separate devices). Program code or code segments can represent any combination of steps, functions, subroutines, routines, subroutines, modules, software packages, classes, or instructions, data structures, or program statements. Program code or code segments can be connected to other code segments or hardware circuitry by sending and receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents.

[0218] Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to programs and program works.

[0219] <Postscript> (1)

[0221] An inspection system includes a processor for printing printed material and extracting variable data representing the content of a variable portion from print data having a variable portion whose content differs for each print unit, and using the variable data to perform an inspection related to the printing of the print data. (2)

[0223] According to the inspection system described in (1), the processor performs the inspection by comparing read data of the printed material printed using the print data with the variable data extracted from the print data. (3)

[0225] According to the inspection system described in (1), the processor acquires reference data as a reference for the inspection, and performs the inspection by comparing the variable data extracted from the print data with the reference data before printing the printed material obtained using the print data. (4)

[0227] According to the inspection system described in (3), the reference data includes information indicating the arrangement order of the contents of the variable part, and the processor compares the variable data with the reference data to check the arrangement order of the contents of the variable part in the printed data. (5)

[0229] The inspection system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the processor extracts the variable data in different ways according to the data format of the printed data. (6)

[0231] According to the inspection system described in (5), when the printed data is structured data or the printed data is text data, the processor extracts user-specified elements from the elements constituting the printed data as the variable data. (7)

[0233] According to the inspection system described in (6), the processor receives a user's specification of an element in one of the print cells in the print data and extracts the element corresponding to the element specified by the user in another print cell as the variable data of that other print cell. (8)

[0235] According to the inspection system described in (5), when a drawing mode used for printing the print data is assigned to the elements constituting the print data, the processor extracts the elements assigned the drawing mode specified by the user as the variable data. (9)

[0237] A program enables a computer to perform the following functions: extracting variable data representing the content of a variable portion from print data having a variable portion whose content differs for each print unit, the print data being print data for printing a printed matter; and performing checks related to the printing of the print data using the variable data.

[0238] According to the inspection system involved in (1), it is easier to perform inspections related to the printing of print data compared to the case where variable data representing the content of variable parts extracted from print data is not used for inspections related to the printing of print data.

[0239] According to the inspection system involved in (2), it is easier to inspect printed materials compared to the case where printed materials are inspected using data that is input separately from variable data.

[0240] According to the inspection system involved in (3), the contents of the variable parts printed on the printed matter can be inspected before the printed matter is printed.

[0241] According to the inspection system involved in (4), compared with the case where the inspection of variable data is not performed before printing the printed material, it is possible to suppress the printing of the printed material in the state where the arrangement order of the contents of the variable part is incorrect.

[0242] According to the inspection system involved in (5), variable data can be extracted even when the data format of the printed data is different.

[0243] According to the inspection system involved in (6), the user can specify the elements as variable data extraction.

[0244] According to the inspection system involved in (7), even if the user does not specify elements for other printing cells, it is possible to extract the elements of other printing cells as variable data.

[0245] According to the inspection system involved in (8), even if the user does not specify the features, it is possible to extract the features assigned with the description method as variable data.

[0246] According to the procedure involved in (9), it is easier to perform checks related to the printing of print data compared to the case where variable data representing the content of the variable part extracted from the print data is not used for checks related to the printing of print data.

[0247] The embodiments of the present invention described above are provided for illustrative purposes. Furthermore, these embodiments do not encompass the entirety of the invention, nor do they limit the invention to the disclosed methods. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations will be readily understood. These embodiments were chosen and described to most readily explain the principles and applications of the invention. Thus, those skilled in the art can understand the invention through various modifications that are assumed to be optimized for specific uses of various embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the foregoing claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An inspection system comprising a processor, The processor is used to print printed materials and extracts variable data representing the content of the variable portions from print data having variable portions with content different for each print unit. The variable data is used to perform checks related to the printing of the print data.

2. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein, The processor performs the check by comparing read data of the printed material printed using the print data with the variable data extracted from the print data.

3. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein, The processor acquires reference data as a benchmark for the inspection, and performs the inspection by comparing the variable data extracted from the print data with the reference data before printing the printed material obtained using the print data.

4. The inspection system according to claim 3, wherein, The reference data includes information indicating the arrangement order of the contents of the variable part. The processor compares the variable data with the baseline data to check the order in which the contents of the variable portion are arranged in the printed data.

5. The inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, The processor extracts the variable data using different methods based on the data format of the printed data.

6. The inspection system according to claim 5, wherein, When the printed data is structured data or text data, the processor extracts user-specified elements from the elements constituting the printed data as the variable data.

7. The inspection system according to claim 6, wherein, The processor receives a user's specification of an element in one of the print cells from the print data, and extracts the element corresponding to the element specified by the user in another print cell as the variable data for that other print cell.

8. The inspection system according to claim 5, wherein, When a drawing mode for printing the print data is assigned to the elements constituting the print data, the processor extracts the elements assigned the drawing mode specified by the user as the variable data.

9. A program document containing a program that enables a computer to perform the following functions: The function of extracting variable data representing the content of said variable portion from print data having variable portions with content different for each print unit, said print data being print data used for printing printed matter; and The function of using the variable data to perform checks related to the printing of the print data.

10. An inspection method comprising the following steps: The step of extracting variable data representing the content of said variable portion from print data having variable portions with content different for each print unit, said print data being print data used for printing printed matter; and The steps of performing checks related to the printing of the print data using the variable data.

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