Inspection system, and control method

Abstract

To inspect paper even if the paper has a special shape.SOLUTION: One example of a user interface of Fig. 6 in which an inspection region of a sheet having a shape different from that of a sheet set in a correct image can be set is described. Inspection processing of an image output to the sheet having the shape different from that of the sheet set in the correct image is executed, on the basis of an inspection region 606 set by detailed setting 603 of Fig. 6, the correct image previously stored in an inspection device 109 and an image obtained as a result of reading by a camera 331.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a control method and a program for a printing system including a printed matter inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] A printing system is being developed that allows an inspection device to inspect a sheet printed by a printing device while it is being transported. In the inspection of a printed sheet, the inspection device reads an image of the printed sheet that has been transported, and judges whether the printed sheet is normal or not by image analysis of the read image. In the inspection, the read image data is compared with the correct image data registered in the inspection device to judge the inspection result. When carrying out an inspection, a user pre-registers a correct image to be used during the inspection in the inspection device. When submitting an inspection job to a printing device, the user selects a correct image corresponding to the inspection job to be submitted from among the correct images registered in the inspection device. Through the above inspection, the inspection device can detect, for example, missing barcodes or ruled lines, missing images, printing defects, missing pages, color misalignment, and the like.

[0003] Furthermore, when the printing paper to be inspected is a specific type of paper such as embossed paper, it will fail inspection, so it is being considered to exclude it from inspection (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2020-116746 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, according to Patent Document 1, although embossed paper and the like can be excluded from inspection, there is no mention of tab paper. In addition, the demand to inspect the results of printing on print media with unusual shapes cannot be met.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for performing inspection even when a print medium has a shape different from that of a print medium set in an inspection image.

[0007] Yet another aspect of the present invention is to provide a mechanism that enables inspection taking into account user requests. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A setting means for setting an inspection area for a sheet having a shape different from that of the sheet set in the correct image; A reading means for reading a sheet having a different shape from the sheet set in the correct image; an execution means for executing an inspection process of an image output onto a sheet having a shape different from that of the sheet set as the answer image, based on an inspection area set by the setting means, a pre-stored answer image, and an image obtained as a result of reading by the reading means; An inspection system including the above is disclosed. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the invention described in this embodiment, it is possible to provide a mechanism for performing inspection even on a print medium having a different shape from the print medium set in the inspection image. According to another aspect of the invention described in this embodiment, it is possible to provide a mechanism for performing inspection that takes into account the user's requests. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 2]FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of a printing system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of a mechanism of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software and hardware configuration related to inspection of a printing system. [Diagram 5] 13 is an example of a display screen for inputting an inspection job to the inspection device. [Figure 6] 13 is an example of a screen displaying inspection settings for a correct image in an inspection device. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of registration of a correct image and printing when a printing device receives a job. [Figure 8] 13 is an example of a control flow when the inspection device receives an inspection instruction from the printing device. [Figure 9] 13 is an example of a flow of an inspection process in an inspection device for an inspection job printed by a printing device. [Figure 10] 13 is an example of a comparison of the inspection areas of a correct image and a scanned image for each inspection area setting. [Figure 11] This is an example of printing and inspection when printing on a tab portion. [Figure 12] 13 is an example of a control flow according to another embodiment when the inspection device receives an inspection instruction from the printing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] In the following description, the external controller may also be called an image processing controller, a digital front end, a print server, a DFE, etc. The image forming apparatus may also be called a multifunction device, a multifunction peripheral, or an MFP.

[0013] A first example will be described. Fig. 1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of an image processing system according to this embodiment. The image processing system includes an image forming apparatus 101 and an external controller 102. The image forming apparatus 101 and the external controller 102 are communicatively connected via an internal LAN 105 and a video cable 106. The external controller 102 is communicatively connected to a client PC 103 via an external LAN 104, and a print instruction is sent from the PC 103 to the external controller 102.

[0014] A printer driver having a function of converting print data into a print description language that can be processed by the external controller 102 is installed in the client PC 103. A user who performs printing can issue a print instruction from various applications via the printer driver. The printer driver transmits print data to the external controller 102 based on the print instruction from the user. When the external controller 102 receives a print instruction from the PC 103, it performs data analysis and rasterization processing, and inputs the print data to the image forming apparatus 101 to issue a print instruction.

[0015] The controller 102 has two functions: a function of registering a correct image and a function of executing inspection.

[0016] First, the controller 102 receives print data from the client PC 103. Then, the controller 102 generates a correct image based on the print data. Then, when registration of the correct image is instructed, the controller 102 transmits the correct image to the inspection device 109 via the internal LAN 105. When the inspection device 109 receives the correct image, it registers it in the inspection device 109. Next, printing execution will be described. First, the controller 102 receives print data from the client PC 103. Then, the controller 102 generates a print image to be inspected based on the print data. The print image is transmitted to the printing device 107. Then, the printing device prints on a sheet based on the print image. The printed sheet is transported to the inspection device 109. The sheet is imaged by the imaging unit 240, and an inspection image is generated. Then, the sheet is transported to the large-capacity stacker 110 and discharged. The inspection device 109 performs inspection processing of the print result output on the sheet by comparing this inspection image with the correct image previously registered.

[0017] Next, a description will be given of the image forming apparatus 101. A plurality of devices having different functions are connected to the image forming apparatus 101. The image forming apparatus 101 is configured to be capable of complex printing processes such as bookbinding.

[0018] The printing device 107 forms an image on a sheet of paper conveyed from a paper feed unit at the bottom of the printing device 107 using toner. The configuration and operating principle of this printing device 107 are as follows. A beam of light such as a laser beam modulated according to image data is reflected by a rotating polygon mirror such as a polygon mirror and irradiated onto a photosensitive drum as a scanning beam. An electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum by this laser beam is developed with toner, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet of paper attached to a transfer drum. A full-color image is formed on the sheet of paper by sequentially executing this series of image formation processes for yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) toners. The sheet of paper on which the full-color image has been formed on the transfer drum is conveyed to a fixing device. The fixing device includes rollers, belts, etc., and has a heat source such as a halogen heater built into the roller, and melts the toner on the sheet of paper to which the toner image has been transferred by heat and pressure, thereby fixing the toner to the sheet of paper.

[0019] An inserter 108 is used to insert an insertion sheet. A sheet can be inserted from the inserter 108 at any position into a group of sheets printed by the printing device 107 and conveyed.

[0020] The inspection device 109 is a device for reading an image on the conveyed paper and comparing it with a preregistered correct image to determine whether the printed image is normal.

[0021] Reference numeral 110 denotes a large-capacity stacker capable of stacking a large volume of sheets. Reference numeral 111 denotes a finisher that performs finishing processing on the conveyed sheets. It is capable of performing finishing such as stapling, punching, and saddle-stitching, and discharges the sheets to a discharge tray.

[0022] 1 is configured such that the external controller 102 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101, but the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the external controller 102 is connected. In other words, a configuration in which the image forming apparatus 101 is connected to an external LAN 104 and print data that can be processed by the image forming apparatus 101 is transmitted from a client PC 103 may also be used. In this case, data analysis and rasterization processing are performed in the image forming apparatus 101, and print processing is executed.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the image forming apparatus 101, the external controller 102, and the client PC 103. As shown in FIG.

[0024] First, the configuration of the printing device 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The printing device 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 is composed of a communication I / F 217, a LAN I / F 218, a video I / F 220, a HDD 221, a CPU 222, a memory 223, an operation unit 224, and a display 225. The printing device 107 of the image forming apparatus 101 further includes a document exposure unit 226, a laser exposure unit 227, an image creation unit 228, a fixing unit 229, and a paper feed unit 230. Each of the components is connected via a system bus 231.

[0025] The communication I / F 217 is connected to the inserter 108, the inspection device 109, the large-capacity stacker 110, and the finisher 111 via a communication cable 254, and performs communication for controlling each of the devices.

[0026] The LAN I / F 218 is connected to the external controller 102 via the internal LAN 105, and performs communication of print data and the like.

[0027] The video I / F 220 is connected to the external controller 102 via the video cable 106, and performs communication of image data and the like.

[0028] The HDD 221 is a storage device in which programs and data are stored. The CPU 222 controls image processing and printing based on the programs stored in the HDD 221. The memory 223 stores programs and image data required for the CPU 222 to perform various processes, and operates as a work area. The operation unit 224 accepts various settings inputs and operation instructions from the user. The display 225 displays setting information of the image processing device and the processing status of a print job. The document exposure unit 226 performs a process of reading a document when using the copy function or the scan function. The document data is read by taking an image with a CCD camera while shining an exposure lamp on a sheet of paper placed by a user. The laser exposure unit 227 is a device that performs primary charging and laser exposure to irradiate a laser beam onto a photosensitive drum to transfer a toner image. In the laser exposure unit 227, first, primary charging is performed to charge the surface of the photosensitive drum to a uniform negative potential. Next, the laser beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum by a laser driver while adjusting the reflection angle with a polygon mirror. This neutralizes the negative charge of the irradiated area, forming an electrostatic latent image. The image forming unit 228 is a device for transferring toner to paper, and is composed of a developing unit, a transfer unit, a toner supply unit, etc., and transfers the toner on the photosensitive drum to paper. In the developing unit, negatively charged toner from a developing cylinder is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to make it visible. In the transfer unit, a positive potential is applied to the primary transfer roller to transfer the toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum to the transfer belt, and a positive potential is applied to the secondary transfer roller to transfer the toner on the transfer belt to paper. The fixing unit 229 is a device for melting and fixing the toner on the paper to the paper by heat and pressure, and is composed of a heater, a fixing belt, a pressure belt, etc. The paper feed and transport unit 230 is a device for feeding paper, and the paper feed and transport operations are controlled by rollers and various sensors.

[0029] Next, the configuration of the inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The inserter 108 of the image forming apparatus 101 is composed of a communication I / F 232, a CPU 233, a memory 234, and a paper feed control unit 235, and each of the components is connected via a system bus 236. The communication I / F 232 is connected to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 254, and communication required for control is performed. The CPU 233 performs various controls required for paper feeding according to a control program stored in the memory 234. The memory 234 is a storage device in which the control program is saved. The paper feed control unit 225 controls the rollers and sensors based on instructions from the CPU 218, and controls the paper feed unit of the inserter and the feeding and transport of paper transported from the printing device 107.

[0030] Next, the configuration of the inspection device 109 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The inspection device 109 of the image forming apparatus 101 is composed of a communication I / F 237, a CPU 238, a memory 239, a photographing unit 240, a display unit 241, and an operation unit 242, and each component is connected via a system bus 243. The communication I / F 238 is connected to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 254, and communication required for control is performed. The CPU 238 performs various controls required for inspection according to a control program stored in the memory 239. The memory 239 is a storage device in which the control program is saved. The photographing unit 240 photographs the conveyed paper based on an instruction from the CPU 238. The CPU 238 compares the image photographed by the photographing unit 240 with the correct image saved in the memory 239 to determine whether the printed image is normal. The display unit 241 displays the inspection result, a setting screen, and the like. The operation unit 242 is operated by a user to receive instructions such as changing the settings of the inspection device 109 and registering a correct image.

[0031] Next, the configuration of the large-capacity stacker 110 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The large-capacity stacker 110 of the image forming apparatus 101 is composed of a communication I / F 244, a CPU 245, a memory 246, and a paper discharge control unit 247, and each of the components is connected via a system bus 248. The communication I / F 244 is connected to the printing apparatus 107 via a communication cable 254, and communication required for control is performed. The CPU 245 performs various controls required for paper discharge according to a control program stored in the memory 246. The memory 239 is a storage device in which the control program is saved. The paper discharge control unit 247 controls the transport of the transported paper to a stack tray, an escape tray, or a subsequent finisher 111 based on an instruction from the CPU 245.

[0032] Next, the configuration of the finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. The finisher 111 of the image forming apparatus 101 is composed of a communication I / F 249, a CPU 250, a memory 251, a paper discharge control unit 252, and a finishing processing unit 253, and each of the components is connected via a system bus 254. The communication I / F 249 is connected to the printing device 107 via a communication cable 254, and communication required for control is performed. The CPU 250 performs various controls required for finishing and paper discharge according to a control program stored in the memory 251. The memory 251 is a storage device in which the control program is saved. The paper discharge control unit 252 controls paper transport and paper discharge based on instructions from the CPU 251. The finishing processing unit 253 controls finishing processes such as stapling, punching, and saddle stitching based on instructions from the CPU 251.

[0033] Next, the configuration of the external controller 102 will be described. The external controller 102 is composed of a CPU 208, a memory 209, a HDD 210, a keyboard 211, a display 212, a LAN I / F 213, a LAN I / F 214, and a video I / F 215, and is connected through a system bus 216. The CPU 208 comprehensively executes processes such as receiving print data from the client PC 103, RIP processing, and sending print data to the image forming apparatus 101 based on the programs and data stored in the HDD 210. The memory 209 stores programs and data required for the CPU 208 to perform various processes, and operates as a work area. The HDD 230 stores programs and data required for operations such as printing processing. The keyboard 211 is a device for inputting operation instructions for the external controller 102. The display 212 displays information such as an application executed by the external controller 102 by video signals of still images and moving images. The LAN I / F 213 is connected to the client PC 103 via the external LAN 104, and communication such as print instructions is performed. The LAN I / F 214 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via the internal LAN 105, and performs communication such as print instructions. The video I / F 215 is connected to the image forming apparatus 101 via a video cable 106, and performs communication such as print data.

[0034] Next, the configuration of the client PC 103 will be described. The client PC 103 is composed of a CPU 201, a memory 202, a HDD 203, a keyboard 204, a display 205, and a LAN I / F 206, which are connected via a system bus 207. The CPU 201 creates print data and executes print instructions based on a document processing program or the like stored in the HDD 203. The CPU 201 also comprehensively controls each device connected to the system bus. The memory 202 stores programs and data required for the CPU 201 to perform various processes, and operates as a work area. The HDD 203 stores programs and data required for operations such as print processing. The keyboard 204 is a device for inputting operation instructions for the PC 103. The display 205 displays information such as an application executed by the client PC 103 by video signals of still images and moving images. The LAN I / F 206 is connected to the external LAN 104, and communication such as print instructions is performed.

[0035] In the above description, the external controller 102 and the image forming apparatus 101 are connected by the internal LAN 1905 and the video cable 106, but any other configuration is acceptable as long as data necessary for printing can be transmitted and received, and for example, a connection configuration using only a video cable is also acceptable. Also, the memory 202, memory 209, memory 223, memory 234, memory 239, memory 249, and memory 251 may each be a storage device for holding data and programs. For example, they may be replaced by volatile RAM, non-volatile ROM, built-in HDD, external HDD, USB memory, or the like.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the mechanism of the image forming apparatus 101. 107 is a printing device that forms an image to be printed on a sheet. 301 and 302 are paper feed decks. Each paper feed deck can store various sheets. Information on the paper stored in each paper feed deck (paper size, paper type) can be set from the operation unit 224 of the printing apparatus 107. Each paper feed deck can separate only the topmost sheet of the stored sheets and transport it to the sheet transport path 303. 304 to 307 are development stations that form toner images using color toners of Y, M, C, and K, respectively, to form a color image. The toner image formed here is primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 308, which rotates clockwise in the figure, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet transported from the sheet transport path 303 at a secondary transfer position 309. The display device 225 displays the printing status of the image forming apparatus 101 and information for settings. 311 is a fixing unit for fixing the toner image to a sheet. The fixing unit 311 includes a pressure roller and a heating roller, and the toner is melted and pressed as the sheet passes between the rollers, thereby fixing the toner image to the sheet. The sheet that has passed through the fixing unit 311 is conveyed to 315 via a sheet conveying path 312. If further melting and pressing is required for fixing depending on the type of sheet, after passing through the fixing unit 311, the sheet is conveyed to a second fixing unit 313 using the upper sheet conveying path, where additional melting and pressing are performed, and then conveyed to 315 via a sheet conveying path 314. If the image formation mode is double-sided, the sheet is conveyed to a sheet reversing path 316, and after being reversed at 316, the sheet is conveyed to a double-sided conveying path 317, where the image of the second side is transferred to a secondary transfer position 309.

[0037] Reference numeral 108 denotes an inserter for inserting an insertion sheet. The inserter 108 includes an inserter tray 321, and merges a sheet fed through a sheet transport path 322 with the transport path. This makes it possible to insert a sheet at any position in a series of sheets transported from the printing device 107 and transport the sheet to a subsequent device.

[0038] The sheet that has passed through the inserter 108 is transported to the inspection device 109. Cameras 331 and 332 are arranged facing each other inside the inspection device 109. Camera 331 is a camera for reading the upper surface of the sheet, and camera 332 is a camera for reading the lower surface of the sheet. When the sheet transported to the sheet transport path 333 reaches a predetermined position, the inspection device 109 reads the image of the sheet using the cameras 331 and 332, and can determine whether the image of the device is normal. The inspection results performed by the inspection device 109 are displayed on the display device 241.

[0039] Reference numeral 110 denotes a large-capacity stacker capable of stacking a large volume of sheets. The large-capacity stacker 110 has a stack tray 341 as a tray for stacking sheets. A sheet that has passed through the inspection device 109 is input to the large-capacity stacker 110 through a sheet transport path 344. The sheet is stacked on the stack tray 341 via the sheet transport path 344 and a sheet transport path 345. The stacker 340 further has an escape tray 346 as a paper discharge tray. The escape tray 346 is a paper discharge tray used to discharge a sheet determined to be a defective sheet by the inspection device 109. When outputting to the escape tray 346, the sheet is transported from the sheet transport path 344 to the escape tray 346 via a sheet transport path 347. When transporting the sheet to a post-processing device downstream of the large-capacity stacker 110, the sheet is transported via a sheet transport path 348. Reference numeral 349 denotes an inversion unit for inverting the sheet. This inversion unit 349 is used when stacking sheets on the stack tray 341. When stacking on the stack tray 341, the sheets are inverted once in the inversion unit 349 so that the orientation of the input sheet is the same as the orientation of the sheet at the time of output. When conveying to the escape tray 346 or a subsequent post-processing device, the sheets are discharged as is without being flipped when stacked, so the inversion operation in the inversion unit 349 is not performed.

[0040] 111 is a finisher that performs finishing processing on the conveyed sheets according to a function designated by the user. Specifically, the finisher 111 has finishing functions such as stapling (one-point or two-point binding), punching (two-hole or three-hole), and saddle stitching. The finisher 111 has two discharge trays 351 and 352, and outputs sheets to the discharge tray 351 via a sheet conveying path 353. However, the sheet conveying path 353 cannot perform finishing processing such as stapling. When performing finishing processing such as stapling, the sheets are output to the discharge tray 352 via a sheet conveying path 354, and a finishing function designated by the user is executed in a processing section 355. The discharge trays 351 and 352 can be raised and lowered, and it is also possible to operate so that the discharge tray 351 is lowered and the sheets that have been subjected to finishing processing in the processing section 355 are stacked on the discharge tray 351. When saddle stitching is specified, the sheet is stapled in the center by a saddle stitching processing unit 356, and then the sheet is folded in half and output to a saddle stitching tray 358 via a sheet transport path 357. The saddle stitching tray 358 is configured as a belt conveyor, and the saddle stitched bundle loaded on the saddle stitching tray 358 is transported to the left side.

[0041] Fig. 4 is an example of a configuration diagram of software and hardware related to inspection in a printing system. Programs and data stored in a HDD 221 are loaded onto a memory 223 and executed by a CPU 208. The memory 223 in Fig. 4 stores software modules. These software modules are executed by the CPU 208.

[0042] The job control unit 401 analyzes the type of job transmitted from the external controller 102. The received job is accompanied by information about the settings of the job, and the job control unit 401 analyzes the information and requests the next appropriate program to process the job together with the setting information.

[0043] The image generation unit 402 converts a document associated with a job sent from the external controller 102 into image data. It performs image processing to generate images according to the type of job, such as a print job or a storage job, and the job settings. The image generation unit also generates a correct image to be registered in the inspection device described below.

[0044] The image storage unit 403 converts the document sent from the external controller 102 into an image and executes a process of storing the image in the HDD 221. Although images are not stored for normal print jobs, the image storage unit 403 also executes a process of temporarily storing the image in the HDD 221 when the image is stored in the printing device 107 and then selected and printed later on the operation unit 224 of the printing device 107, or when a correct image is registered in an inspection device.

[0045] The inspection device communication unit 404 is a processing unit that exchanges data with the inspection device 109, detects that a correct image for inspection has been temporarily saved in the HDD, and transmits the correct image saved in the inspection device 109. Also, when executing inspection processing, it instructs the inspection device 109 to start inspection. The image printing unit 405 is a part that performs printing for the printing device 107, and performs printing according to a job transmitted from the external controller 102.

[0046] 5 is an example of a job setting screen for performing inspection and registering a correct image, which is displayed on the display 212 of the external controller 102. This print setting may be regarded as an example of a screen of a printer driver corresponding to the image forming apparatus 101 installed in the PC 103. A user who wishes to print can open this screen from various applications and give a print instruction.

[0047] The print setting screen 501 has a text box 502 that allows a page range to be specified, and allows the user to specify print settings to be applied to the page range specified in 502. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the number of copies, paper feed unit, single-sided / double-sided, paper type, print orientation, job annotation, and binding position can be specified. The number of copies text box 503 is a text box that allows the user to specify the number of copies for the page range specified in 502. The paper feed unit pull-down menu 504 is a menu that allows the user to select from which of the multiple paper feed units 230 paper is to be fed. The single-sided / double-sided pull-down menu 505 is a menu that allows the user to select single-sided printing or double-sided printing. The paper type pull-down menu 506 is a menu that allows the user to select the type of paper, such as plain paper or thick paper. The tab print shift amount 507 is input when printing is to be performed on the tab portion of the tab paper. When printing is normally performed on the tab portion, characters or pictures are arranged on the manuscript, and the shift amount is notified to the printing device 107. Then, at the time of printing, the printing device 107 shifts the sheet by the shift amount and generates and prints an image. In this embodiment, the tab print shift amount is set to 0px, and in other embodiments, the tab print shift amount 507 is added. The print orientation pull-down menu 508 is a menu for selecting portrait or landscape. The job annotation memo text box 509 is a text box for inputting memos related to the job. The binding position pull-down menu 510 is a menu for specifying the binding position, and the top left, top right, bottom left, bottom right, etc. can be selected. The inspection setting 511 is a selection field for specifying whether or not to execute the inspection process. If "inspect" is selected, the job becomes a job to be inspected, and if "not inspect" is selected, the job becomes a normal job. The correct image registration item 512 indicates the correct image registration status in the inspection device and can be selected. If there is no inspection record, "not registered" is selected, and if an inspection job has been performed once, it becomes "registered." The correct image registration item 512 stores whether or not an inspection job has been executed on the print setting screen of Fig. 5. Then, when the screen of Fig. 5 is opened, the selection state of 512 (registered) may be automatically set. Also, even if it is the same job for which inspection processing has been executed in the past, if the user wants to explicitly register a correct image again, he or she may select "not registered."In other words, even if the option 512 in Fig. 5 has already been registered, the user can re-register the correct image by selecting "not registered" and pressing OK 513. Pressing the OK button 513 completes the print settings and executes the print process based on the print settings in Fig. 5. Pressing the Cancel button 514 cancels the print settings and execution and ends the process. The correct image can be stored together with the paper type and paper size used during printing. For example, the type of tab paper and its size can also be stored.

[0048] Fig. 6 is an example of an inspection setting screen for a correct image that can be set by the inspection device, which is displayed on the display unit 241 of the inspection device 109. This inspection setting screen may be displayed not only on the display unit 241 of the inspection device 109, but also on the display 212 of the external controller 102. A user who wishes to perform inspection can set detailed inspection settings for the correct image on this inspection setting screen. For example, after selecting a correct image stored in the inspection device 109 on the display unit 241 of the inspection device 109, the screen in Fig. 6 is displayed.

[0049] In the inspection setting screen 601, it is possible to switch the correct image to be compared with the next inspection by using the correct image change button 602. In this screen, the correct image to be inspected has already been selected. In the inspection area setting field 603, one of three options can be selected: "Do not set area", "Detailed setting", and "Automatic". "Do not set area" means that when inspecting, specific areas in the correct image and the scanned image printed and read are not compared, but the correct image and the entire scanned image printed and read are compared. "Detailed setting" means that a specific area to be inspected in the correct image 605 is indicated by a rectangle in the detailed area 606, and the correct image and the scanned image printed and read are compared during inspection. In other words, when the detailed setting is selected, the area within the frame of 606 is inspected, but the area outside the frame of 606 is not inspected. The user can enlarge or reduce the rectangle 606 by operating the frame of 606 with the mouse. The shape of the rectangle 606 can be changed to a shape other than a rectangle. The shape of the rectangle 606 can be changed to a shape smaller than the size of the paper 605.

[0050] "Auto" means that the correct image is used as the standard and then compared with a specific area of ​​the scanned image. For example, if the correct image is printed on A4 paper and the paper is A4 size tab paper, the scanned image of the tab paper will be set as the correct image at A4 size plus the width of the tab part. When "Auto" is selected, the A4 size part of the correct image will be the inspection area. In other words, only the part of the scanned image of the tab paper surrounded by A4 size will be inspected. An example of inspection according to the inspection area setting is explained in Figure 10.

[0051] Fig. 7 shows a flowchart of the inspection process and registration of the correct image by the printing device 107 after receiving a job set on the print setting screen in Fig. 5. The process in Fig. 7 is executed by the CPU 208 of the printing device 107. The process in Fig. 7 will be explained using the software configuration diagram in Fig. 4. When the OK button in Fig. 5 is pressed in the external controller 102, the job is transmitted from the external controller to the printing device 107. Here, if "Yes" is selected in 511 in Fig. 5, an inspection job is issued. Also, depending on whether the correct image is selected as "registered" or "not registered" in 512, a different flag indicating the respective setting is set in the job attributes.

[0052] 7 starts when the CPU 208 of the printing device 107 receives a job. In step S701, the job control 401 analyzes the job information transmitted from the external controller 102.

[0053] In step S702, the job control 401 determines whether the result of the analysis in step S701 is an inspection job. If the result of the determination is not an inspection job (step S702: N), the process proceeds to step S703 and the job is processed as a normal job. A normal job here refers to a job that is not subject to inspection, such as a print job or a job that saves a document or image. In other words, image formation is performed based on the job as usual, and the print output is produced by the printing device 107. The printing device 107 then ejects the paper.

[0054] On the other hand, if it is determined that the job is an inspection job (step S702: Y), the process proceeds to step S704, where the job control 401 determines, based on the analysis results of step S701, whether the job attribute indicates that the correct image has already been registered. If the determination result indicates that the image has already been registered (step S704: Y), the process proceeds to step S706, where an inspection start instruction is issued to the inspection device. In the inspection start instruction, information necessary for inspection processing, such as paper size and paper type, from the job information transmitted from the external controller 109 is transmitted. The processing flow on the inspection device side when an inspection instruction is issued in step S706 will be described with reference to FIG. 8.

[0055] On the other hand, if the job attribute indicates that the correct image has not been registered (step S704: N), the process proceeds to step S705, where the image sent from the external controller 102 is sent to the inspection device and registered as the correct image in the memory 209. In step S707, the inspection device communication unit 404 determines whether the inspection job can be printed as a result of issuing an inspection start instruction to the inspection device 109 in step S706. If the inspection job can be printed (step S707: Y), the image printing unit 405 prints all jobs to be inspected in step S708, and the process ends.

[0056] On the other hand, if printing cannot be started (step S707: N), printing is not performed and exception processing is executed in step S709. The reason why printing cannot be started may be that inspection was performed once but the correct image registered on the inspection device side was deleted. Also, as a result of the inspection start instruction in step S705, the printing device 107 and the inspection device 109 cannot communicate correctly, or the inspection area has not been set correctly as shown in step S808 of FIG. 8.

[0057] Therefore, in the exception handling, the external controller 102 may be notified and an error screen may be displayed, and then the job may be submitted again according to the user's instructions.

[0058] Alternatively, an error may be displayed on the operation unit 224 of the printing device 107, and the user may be prompted to either set the inspection device to a correct inspection setting or to stop printing.

[0059] Alternatively, an error may be displayed on the operation unit 242 of the inspection device, and the user may be prompted to either set the inspection device correctly or to stop printing.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows a flowchart of a control method in the inspection device 109 when an inspection start instruction is received by the inspection device 109 in step S706 in FIG.

[0061] In step S801, the information of the job sent from the printing apparatus 107 and the inspection setting information of the correct image to be subjected to the inspection comparison are analyzed. The inspection setting information is set in advance on the inspection setting screen 601 by selecting the inspection image after registering the inspection image in FIG.

[0062] In step S802, it is determined whether "detailed settings" has been selected and set in advance in the inspection area setting 603 on the inspection setting screen 601. If the result of the determination is that "detailed settings" has been set (step S802: Y), the detailed area is set as the inspection area in step S803. The detailed area is the area specified in 606. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that "detailed settings" has not been selected (step S802: N), it is determined in step S804 whether "automatic" has been selected in the inspection area setting 603 on the inspection setting screen 601. If the result of the determination is that "automatic" has been set (step S804: Y), the size of the correct image is set as the inspection area. On the other hand, if "automatic" has not been selected (step S804: N), the process proceeds to step S806, where it is determined, based on the analysis result in step S801, whether the paper to be printed is tab paper. If the result of the determination is that it is not tab paper (step S806: N), the process proceeds to step S807, and the entire correct image and the entire image printed and scanned are set as the inspection area. Here, "whether it is tab paper or not" is determined by whether tab paper was set in advance on the printer controller side in 506 in Fig. 5. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that it is tab paper (step S806: Y), the process proceeds to step S808, an inspection area setting error is set, and the process ends. If steps S803, S805, and S807 have been performed, the inspection device is instructed to start reading in step S809.

[0063] FIG. 9 is an operational flowchart showing the basic operation of the inspection device 109 during inspection.

[0064] In step S901, the inspection start instruction in step S706 in Fig. 7 and step S809 in Fig. 8 is accepted, and cameras 331 and 332 are operated to perform a process of comparing the scanned image with a correct image. Next, the process proceeds to step S902, and if there is a sheet to be inspected, the process proceeds to step S903. In step S903, the image of the paper is read using cameras 331 and 332. Next, in step S904, the correct image previously stored in memory 239 is compared with the image read in S903.

[0065] 7. The correct image is received by the inspection device 109. It is assumed that the inspection device 109 has registered the correct image in advance and stored it in the memory 239.

[0066] In this comparison operation, first, the image positions of the correct image and the scanned image to be inspected are aligned using characteristic points of the images as alignment reference points. Next, in the scanned image to be inspected, the four corners of the paper and the alignment reference points of the scanned image are analyzed to detect whether there is any misalignment of the image relative to the paper. Next, the density values ​​of the correct image and the scanned image to be inspected are compared pixel by pixel. As a result of the above, if no defects are detected, the inspection result is deemed OK. If the inspection result is OK (step S905: Y), the process proceeds to step S906, and an instruction is given to eject the paper to, for example, stack tray 341 of large-capacity stacker 110.

[0067] On the other hand, if the inspection result is NG (step S905: N), the process proceeds to S907, and an instruction is given to eject the paper onto the eject tray 345 of the large-capacity stacker 110, for example.

[0068] S902 to S907 are repeated until inspection of all sheets is completed. When inspection of all sheets is completed, this flow ends.

[0069] Note that, here, an example has been described in which the paper is ejected to stack tray 341 if the inspection result is OK, and to eject tray 345 if the inspection result is NG, but the ejection destination may be switched according to user instructions or print settings, and the form is not limited to this.

[0070] Fig. 10 shows a comparison example between a correct image and a printed scanned image, based on the inspection area setting selected in the inspection area setting field 603 on the inspection setting screen 601 in Fig. 6. Here, both the correct image and the scanned image are A4 size, with the correct image on the left and the scanned image of tab paper on the right, and the dotted lines show the areas to be compared. (a) Comparative example 1001 with detailed area setting represents a comparative example in which the user selects "detailed setting" in the inspection area setting field 603 on the inspection setting screen 601 and determines the area in detail. In this case, there is a tab part in the scanned image, but since the inspection area is specified as a rectangle, comparison can be performed without any problem. (b) Comparative example 1002 with automatic setting shows that "automatic" is selected in the inspection area setting field 603 on the inspection setting screen 601, and the inspection area uses the size of the correct image. In this case, there is a tab part in the scanned image, but the size of the dotted line is A4 size in both the correct image and the scanned image, and comparison can be made without any problem if the tab part is not inspected. (c) Comparative example 1003 without settings represents a comparative example in which "Do not set area" is selected in the inspection area setting field 603 on the inspection setting screen 601, and the inspection area is the entire area of ​​the correct image and the entire area of ​​the scanned image. In this case, the correct image is A4 size, and the tab paper is A4 size but has a tab, so the width including the tab area becomes the scanned area. In other words, if inspection is performed as is, it will be NG, so an inspection area setting error is set in steps S707 and S709 in Fig. 7 and steps S806 and S808 in Fig. 8, and exception processing is performed.

[0071] As described above, by setting the detailed inspection area selected in the inspection area setting field 603 on the inspection setting screen 601, even if the sheet to be inspected has a special shape such as tab paper, the inspection process can be executed without the need to reject the inspection or skip the inspection. Specifically, for example, when inspecting tab paper, the area excluding the tab portion is enclosed by 606 using FIG. 6 as shown in FIG. 10(a). This allows the enclosed area to be inspected. Also, the area not enclosed by 606 (including the tab portion) can be excluded from the inspection.

[0072] Next, another embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, an example was described in which, when the print sheet to be inspected is tab sheet and there is no printing on the tab portion, the inspection area setting can be correctly set to perform the inspection process without the inspection being NG or skipped. Next, in another embodiment, the inspection process when there is printing on the tab portion of the tab sheet will be described.

[0073] FIG. 11 shows two examples: (a) printing example on the tab portion when the tab print shift amount 507 is set on the print setting screen 501, and (b) inspection example of the tab portion after printing on the tab portion.

[0074] First, (a) an example of printing on a tab portion will be described. A document 1101 is an A4 size document, and content 1102 to be printed on the tab portion is recorded within the document. In this case, the paper to be printed on is tab paper, but since the document does not have a tab portion for tab paper, the content 1102 to be printed is arranged within the A4 document size. A printed paper 1103 shows the state after the document 1101 has been printed on the tab paper. The content 1102 of the document 1101 is printed on the tab portion 1104, but at this time, the printing device 107 shifts the printing position by the amount of shift 1105, that is, the amount specified by the tab printing shift amount 507, and prints on the tab portion of the tab paper. Information such as this tab printing shift amount 507 can be obtained and printed by analyzing the job information in step S701 of FIG. 7.

[0075] Next, (b) an example of inspection of the tab portion will be described. The correct image 1106 is image data equivalent to the original 1101, and indicates that "detailed settings" has been selected in the inspection area setting field 603 of the correct image, and an inspection area 1107 has been set. The scanned image 1108 represents an image obtained by scanning the paper 1103 after printing. The part to be inspected is the inspection area 1109, which is set as the area moved by a shift amount 1110 from the inspection area 1107 of the correct image. The shift amount 1110 can be a value equivalent to the shift amount 1105 specified at the time of printing, and by taking this shift amount into consideration, the tab portion can also be inspected.

[0076] As can be seen from these examples, when inspecting the tab portion, it is possible to do so by selecting "Detailed Settings" in the inspection area setting field 603. Correct inspection is not possible with the "Do not set area" or "Automatic" settings.

[0077] Next, a control method of the inspection device 109 when a correct image is transmitted to the inspection device 109 in step S706 in Fig. 7 in the case where the tab print shift amount 507 shown in Fig. 11 is set will be described with reference to a flowchart in Fig. 12. Below, the following description will focus on the parts that differ from Fig. 8.

[0078] In step S1201, the information on the job sent from the printing apparatus 107 and the inspection setting information (inspection setting screen 601 in FIG. 6) of the correct image to be subjected to inspection comparison are analyzed.

[0079] In step S1202, it is determined whether or not "detailed settings" is selected in the inspection area setting 603 on the inspection setting screen 601. If the result of the determination is that "detailed settings" is set (step S1202: Y), the detailed area is set as the inspection area in step S1203. In addition, in step S1203, a detailed inspection area of ​​the correct image is set, and for an image obtained by scanning the printed paper, a portion where the detailed area is moved by the tab print shift amount 507 in FIG. 5 is set as the inspection target area. If the tab print shift amount is not set, it is 0, so if a detailed inspection area is set, it may be reflected without worrying. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that "detailed settings" is not selected (step S1202: N), it is determined in step S1204 whether the tab print shift amount is greater than 0. If the result of the determination is greater than 0 (step S1204: Y), the process proceeds to step S1209, an inspection area setting error is set, and the process ends. In other words, if the tab print shift amount is greater than 0, it means that inspection cannot be performed only when "detailed settings" is selected. On the other hand, if it is not greater than 0 (step S1204: N), the process proceeds to step S1205, where it is determined whether "automatic" is selected in the inspection area setting 603 of the inspection setting screen 601. If the result of the determination is that "automatic" is set (step S1205: Y), the size of the correct image is set as the inspection area. On the other hand, if "automatic" is not selected (step S1205: N), the process proceeds to step S1207, where it is determined, based on the analysis results in step S1201, whether the paper to be printed is tab paper. If the result of the determination is that it is not tab paper (step S1207: N), the process proceeds to step S1208, where the entire correct image and the entire image printed and scanned are set as the inspection area. On the other hand, if the result of the determination is that it is tab paper (step S1207: Y), the process proceeds to step S1209, where it is set as an inspection area setting error, and the process ends. After steps S1203, S1206, and S1208 have been performed, the inspection device is instructed to start reading in step S1210.

[0080] As described above, even if you want to inspect the tab portion of tab paper, select "Detailed Settings" in the inspection area setting field 603 on the inspection setting screen 601. In this way, even if the sheet to be inspected has a special shape such as tab paper, the inspection process can be executed without the need to fail the inspection or skip the inspection.

[0081] As described above, the present embodiment has been described as follows. Fig. 2 shows an example of an inspection system. Although 109, 103, and 102 may be mounted in separate housings as shown in the figure, some or all of these elements may be integrated into the same housing.

[0082] First, an example of the user interface in FIG. 6 that allows the user to set an inspection area for a sheet having a shape different from that of the sheet set in the correct image has been described.

[0083] Also, the camera 331 has been described as an example of a reading means for reading a sheet having a different shape from the sheet set in the answer image. As a result of reading, a scanned image as shown in FIG.

[0084] 6, the correct image stored in advance in the inspection device 109, and the image obtained as a result of reading by the camera 331, the following is performed. That is, an inspection process is performed for an image output onto a sheet having a shape different from that of the sheet set as the correct image. The inspection process is, for example, the CPU 238 comparing the correct image with an area specified as the inspection target area in the scanned image, and judging that if there is a difference, it is NG, and if there is no difference, it is OK.

[0085] Furthermore, the camera 331 can obtain an image by reading the tab paper after printing.

[0086] 6 allows the user to set the internal area of ​​the tab sheet. The internal area of ​​the tab sheet is set to include an area that excludes at least the tab portion of the tab sheet and that corresponds to an area in the correct image.

[0087] Furthermore, the CPU 238 performs an inspection process with respect to the correct image for the area in the image that is set in the user interface of Fig. 6. Furthermore, the CPU 238 may be configured not to perform the inspection process for the area that is not set in the user interface.

[0088] Based on the inspection area excluding the tab portion set by the user interface in Fig. 6, the pre-stored answer image, and the scanned image obtained as a result of the camera reading, the following is performed. For example, the CPU 238 executes inspection processing for an image output onto a sheet having a shape different from that of the sheet set as the answer image.

Claims

1. An inspection system, a setting means for setting an inspection setting including at least information on an inspection target; a reading means for reading a paper sheet having a different shape from the shape of the paper sheet set as the correct image and generating a read image; an inspection unit that executes an inspection process on the read image of the different shape paper based on the inspection setting and the target image, The inspection system is characterized in that, in the inspection process, the inspection means inspects at least a portion of the common area between the paper set in the correct image and the paper of the different shape, and excludes from the inspection object any non-common area between the paper set in the correct image and the paper of the different shape.

2. The inspection system described in Claim 1, characterized in that the setting means automatically excludes the non-common area from the inspection target when setting the inspection setting.

3. The inspection system described in Claim 2, characterized in that when setting the inspection settings, the setting means compares the characteristics of the shape of the paper set in the correct image with the different shape of the read image, thereby selecting only the common area between the shape and the different shape as the inspection target, and automatically excluding the non-common area from the inspection target.

4. The differently shaped sheets are tab sheets, the non-common area is a tab area of the tab sheet, The inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein the common area is an area that does not include the tab area.

5. The inspection system described in Claim 4, characterized in that the common area corresponds to the entire area of the paper set in the correct image and corresponds to a partial area of the paper of the different shape.

6. The differently shaped paper is a paper having a shape consisting of a paper area set in the correct image and an additional area added to the paper area set in the correct image, The inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein the common area corresponds to the entire area of the paper set in the correct image, and the non-common area corresponds to the additional area.

7. An inspection system as described in Claim 2, characterized in that it has a different setting means that can set whether or not to automatically exclude the non-common area from the inspection target when setting the inspection settings.

8. When the different setting means receives a setting that does not automatically exclude the non-common area from the inspection target, The inspection system described in claim 7, characterized in that when setting the inspection settings, the setting means is capable of setting the inspection area to be inspected in the non-common area, shifting the position of an object included in the non-common area to place the object on the correct image, and setting the inspection area on the object.

9. The setting means is capable of setting an inspection area to be inspected in the correct image, 2. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection means inspects an area of the common area that corresponds to the inspection area set in the correct image.

10. The inspection system described in Claim 9, characterized in that the inspection means does not inspect any area of the common area that is not included in the area corresponding to the inspection area set in the correct image.

11. An inspection system as described in Claim 9, characterized in that it is provided with a display means for accepting from the user a selection of one of the following settings: a first inspection setting that accepts the setting of the inspection area from the user, a second inspection setting that does not accept the setting of the inspection area from the user, and a third inspection setting that automatically sets the inspection area.

12. The reading means reads a paper having the same shape as the paper set in the correct image to generate a different read image, the inspection means executes the inspection process on the different read images based on the inspection settings and the correct image; The inspection system according to claim 1 , wherein all areas of the different scanned images and the correct image are common areas.

13. The inspection process includes inspecting a plurality of sheets of paper, The inspection system according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of sheets of paper are a mixture of sheets of paper having the same shape and sheets of paper having the different shapes.

14. An image forming means for forming an image on a sheet; a conveying means for conveying the paper on which the image has been formed by the image forming means, 2. The inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the reading means reads the paper conveyed by the conveying means and generates the read image.

Images