Reference image generating device

Abstract

To provide a reference image generating device that can easily select a reference image.SOLUTION: An image forming device 20 as a reference image generating device, which generates a reference image that is used to inspect an image, comprises a control part 21 that obtains a plurality of read-out images generated by reading-out a plurality of sheets and generates the reference image on the basis of the obtained plurality of read-out images. The control part 21 receives settings of predetermined copies of images; compares a first read-out image with a second read-put image, of the obtained predetermined copies of read-out images; when not using the second read-out image to generate the reference image on the basis of the compared result, removes the second read-out image from the read-out images that are used to generate the reference image; displays, on a display part, the obtained predetermined copies of read-out images; and selects, as the read-put image that is used to generate the reference image, the read-out image selected by a user out of the predetermined copies of read-out images displayed on the display part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reference image generating device. [Background technology]

[0002] In image forming devices such as MFPs (Multi-Functional Peripherals), stains due to toner, streaks, spot-like image noise called fireflies, and the like (collectively called waste) may occur in images formed on sheets. To address this issue, an automatic image inspection device is provided in the image forming device to inspect the images formed on sheets. This automatic image inspection device is a device that compares an image (reference image) obtained by scanning during proof printing (trial printing) before actual printing with an image (inspection image) obtained by scanning during actual printing, and judges the quality of the inspection image by extracting the difference between the reference image and the inspection image. In addition, by linking the automatic image inspection device with a sorting device, it is possible to obtain only good-quality output by excluding output items (waste paper) from which differences have been extracted.

[0003] Regarding the inspection of such images, for example, Patent Document 1 listed below discloses an image forming device that includes an image forming unit that forms an image on paper, an image reading unit that reads the paper surface on which the image has been formed by the image forming unit and generates a scanned image, an image inspection unit that detects abnormalities in the scanned image by comparing the scanned image generated by the image reading unit with a normal image (reference image), and a history generation unit that, when at least one abnormality is detected by the image inspection unit, generates detection information indicating that each abnormality has been detected, and embeds the generated detection information for each abnormality in the scanned image to generate an image for history.

[0004] The above-mentioned reference image is set by the user visually checking an image obtained by scanning during proof printing before actual printing, for example. Although there is a technique for using a RIP (rasterized) image of the original data to be printed as the reference image, images printed by electrophotographic image forming devices tend to be slightly larger in the sub-scanning direction. For this reason, it is preferable to use a scanned image of the output printed by the image forming device as the reference image, rather than the RIP image of the original data to be printed. Conventionally, the output of the proof printing used to generate the reference image was discarded without being used as the output for actual printing. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-146514 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, there has been no conventional method for providing a reference image so that it can be easily selected, and therefore it has not always been convenient.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a reference image generating device that can easily select a reference image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following means.

[0009] (1) A reference image generating device that generates a reference image to be used in inspecting an image of an inspection target formed on a sheet, the reference image generating device including a control unit that acquires a plurality of scanned images generated by reading a plurality of sheets on which the images are respectively formed, and generates the reference image based on the acquired plurality of scanned images, the control unit accepting a setting of a predetermined number of copies for the acquired plurality of scanned images, comparing a first scanned image with a second scanned image among the acquired predetermined number of scanned images, and if the second scanned image is not used to generate the reference image based on the comparison result, excluding the second scanned image from the target of scanned images for generating the reference image, displaying the acquired predetermined number of scanned images on a display unit, and setting a scanned image selected by a user from the predetermined number of scanned images displayed on the display unit as the target of scanned images for generating the reference image. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, the reference image can be easily selected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a printing system including an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a client terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a functional configuration diagram of a client terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 is a functional configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 5A to 5C are diagrams for explaining a method of creating a reference image in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 13 is an example of a sheet usage setting screen for a user to select a sheet to be used in actual printing. [Figure 8A]4 is a flowchart showing an image forming method of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8B] 4 is a flowchart showing an image forming method of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Each figure is merely a schematic illustration to the extent that the present invention can be fully understood. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the illustrated examples. In addition, in each figure, common components or similar components are given the same reference numerals, and their overlapping explanations are omitted. Also, detailed explanations of known functions that are not directly related to the present invention may be omitted.

[0013] [Overview of the embodiment] As described in the background art, in an image forming apparatus, there are cases where waste such as stains, streaks, spot-like image noise, etc., due to toner, etc. occurs in an image formed on a sheet. Therefore, an automatic image inspection device is provided in the image forming apparatus, and a reference image (also called a "correct image") created in advance is compared with an inspection image obtained by scanning during actual printing, and the quality of the inspection image is judged by extracting the difference between the reference image and the inspection image, or the output (waste paper) from which the difference was extracted is excluded. In this embodiment, when creating a reference image to be used in inspecting the final printing from a scanned image of the output (printed matter) during proof printing (trial printing), the output of the proof printing is captured at the timing of the appropriate copy and page number of the final printing, and the captured output of the proof printing is output as the output of the final printing. At this time, the image forming device executes image forming operations in the final printing the number of which is reduced by the number of the output of the proof printing that was captured.

[0014] <Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus According to the Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system 1 including an image forming apparatus 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The printing system 1 shown in Fig. 1 is a system that creates printouts from RIP (rasterized) images of original print data. In the printing system 1, a reference image is created from a scanned image of the printout during proof printing (trial printing), and the quality of the printout (e.g., whether there is any wear or tear) can be inspected by comparing the scanned image of the printout during actual printing with the created reference image.

[0016] 1, the printing system 1 is composed of a client terminal 10, an image forming device 20, etc. These devices are connected via a communication network 2 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or WAN (Wide Area Network) defined by standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI (Fiber-Distributed Data Interface). Each device will be described below.

[0017] (Client terminal) The configuration of the client terminal 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the client terminal 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a functional configuration diagram of the client terminal 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] 2, the client terminal 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a network I / F unit 13, a display unit 14, and an operation unit 15. The client terminal 10 is, for example, a personal computer or other device. The client terminal 10 creates a print job and transmits the created print job to the image forming device 20.

[0019] The control unit 11 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11a and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 11b and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11c. The CPU 11a controls the operation of the entire client terminal 10 by expanding a control program stored in the ROM 11b or the storage unit 12 into the RAM 11c and executing it.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 11 (particularly the CPU 11a) executes an OS (Operating System) 16, a document creation application 17, a printer driver 18, and the like.

[0021] The OS 16 is, for example, “Windows (registered trademark)”, “Mac OS (registered trademark)”, or “Android (registered trademark)”, and enables a document creation application 17 and a printer driver 18 to operate on the client terminal 10.

[0022] The document creation application 17 is software for creating documents, performing spreadsheets, image processing, etc., and enables the creation of documents consisting of one or multiple pages. When issuing a print instruction, the control unit 11 reads out the printer driver 18 and transfers the data created by the document creation application 17 to the printer driver 18.

[0023] The printer driver 18 displays a setting screen (print setting screen) for printing conditions on the display unit 14 and accepts the setting of printing conditions by the user. When the setting of printing conditions is completed, the printer driver 18 converts the application format data created by the document creation application 17 into PDL (Page Description Language) data described in a page description language such as PJL (Printer Job Language), PS (PostScript), or PCL (Printer Control Language). Then, the printer driver 18 transmits the converted PDL data together with the setting data for printing conditions (print setting data) to the image forming device 20 as a print job. It is assumed that the printer driver 18 has two modes, print and save. In the print mode, printing is performed by the image forming device 20 according to the print job transmitted from the client terminal 10. In the save mode, printing is not performed immediately for the print job transmitted from the client terminal 10, and the print job is saved in the storage unit 22 of the image forming device 20.

[0024] The memory unit 12 is composed of a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive), and stores programs for the CPU 11a to control each part, information regarding the processing functions of the device itself, data created by a document creation application 17, print jobs created by a printer driver 18, and the like.

[0025] The network I / F unit 13 is composed of a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, and the like, and connects the client terminal 10 to the communication network 2 and transmits print jobs to the image forming apparatus 20 .

[0026] Display unit 14 is composed of a liquid crystal display device (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (electroluminescence) display device, and displays a document creation screen of document creation application 17, a print setting screen of printer driver 18, etc. in accordance with a display control signal input from control unit 11.

[0027] Operation unit 15 is composed of a mouse, keyboard, etc., and accepts operations such as creating a document on a document creation screen and setting print conditions on a print setting screen, and outputs operation signals to control unit 11.

[0028] (Image forming device) The configuration of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a functional configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] 4, the image forming apparatus 20 is composed of a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, a network I / F unit 23, a display operation unit 24, an image processing unit 25, an image forming unit 26, an image reading unit 27, an image inspection unit 28, and the like. The image forming apparatus 20 is an apparatus that forms an image on a medium (assumed to be a sheet in this embodiment) such as an MFP (Multi-Functional Peripherals). The MFP has functions such as a copier, a printer, and a facsimile machine. The image forming apparatus 20 receives a print job from the client terminal 10 and executes the received print job.

[0030] The control unit 21 is composed of a CPU 21a and memories such as a ROM 21b and a RAM 21c. The CPU 21a reads out a program (including an image forming program described later) corresponding to the processing contents from the ROM 21b or the storage unit 22, and loads it into the RAM 21c and executes it, thereby centrally controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 20.

[0031] The memory unit 22 is composed of an HDD, SSD, etc., and stores programs (including image formation programs) for the CPU 21a to control each part, information regarding the processing functions of its own device, rasterized image data of a print job created by the image processing unit 25, scanned image data read by the image reading unit 27, a reference image created by the image creation unit 32 (see Figure 5), information regarding proof printing output that can be used as the output for actual printing, inspection results performed by the image inspection unit 28, etc.

[0032] The network I / F unit 23 is composed of a NIC, a modem, etc., and connects the image forming device 20 to the communication network 2, receives print jobs from the client terminal 10, and transmits and receives various data between other image forming devices 20.

[0033] The display operation unit 24 is composed of a touch panel or the like having a pressure-sensitive or capacitance-type operation unit (touch sensor) with transparent electrodes arranged in a grid pattern on a display unit such as an LCD or an organic EL display, and functions as a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit displays various operation screens (including a sheet use setting screen 50 (see FIG. 7) described later), image formation status, operation status of each function, etc., according to a display control signal input from the control unit 21. The operation unit accepts various input operations by the user (including a sheet selection operation using the sheet use setting screen 50 (see FIG. 7)), and outputs an operation signal to the control unit 21. Note that, although a touch panel in which the display unit and the operation unit are integrated is exemplified here, a configuration in which the display unit and the operation unit are provided separately may also be used.

[0034] The image processing unit 25 functions as a RIP (Raster Image Processor), generates intermediate data (a display list (DL) which is an intermediate language) from the print job, and rasterizes each page of the document to generate image data in bitmap format. The image processing unit 25 also performs screen processing, tone correction, density balance adjustment, thinning, halftone processing, etc. on the image data as necessary. The image processing unit 25 then outputs the generated image data to the image forming unit 26.

[0035] The image forming unit 26 is composed of elements necessary for image formation using an image creation process such as an electrophotographic system or an electrostatic recording system, i.e., a charging device, a photosensitive drum, an exposure device, a transfer roller, a transfer belt, a fixing device, etc., and forms an image of each page of a document on a sheet. Specifically, the exposure device irradiates light corresponding to image data onto the photosensitive drum charged by the charging device to form an electrostatic latent image, which is then developed by attaching charged toner to the developing device, and the toner image is transferred to a sheet via a primary transfer roller and a secondary transfer belt, and fixed by the fixing device.

[0036] The image reading unit 27 scans the image formed on the sheet to obtain a scanned image (read image). The image reading unit 27 is composed of three types of sensors, for example, R (Red), G (Green), and B (Blue), detects RGB values ​​according to the amount of light reflected by the sheet, and outputs them as image data. In addition, as necessary, a background color switching unit is provided that holds background plates of multiple colors in a switchable manner, and the background color switching unit switches the background color according to the color of the sheet and the color of the image formed on the sheet when the image reading unit 27 scans the sheet.

[0037] The image inspection unit 28 judges the quality of the inspection image (presence or absence of differences) by comparing a read image (inspection image) obtained by reading a sheet on which an image is formed based on a print job during the actual printing of a document with an image (reference image) that serves as a reference for inspection and is created by the image creation unit 32 described below. In addition, as necessary, based on the inspection results of the image inspection unit 28, the image inspection unit 28 separates non-defective output objects with no differences from defective output objects with differences, and discharges each of them to a different discharge tray. The image reading unit 27 (or the image reading unit 27 and the background color switching unit) and the image inspection unit 28 constitute an automatic image inspection device.

[0038] Next, functions realized by the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the control unit 21 (particularly the CPU 21a) functions as an image acquisition unit 31, an image creation unit 32, a determination unit 33, a tray control unit 34, a print count control unit 35, and the like.

[0039] During proof printing (trial printing) of a document, image acquisition unit 31 causes image forming unit 26 to form images of the same page on multiple sheets, causes image reading unit 27 to read the images of the same page formed on the multiple sheets, acquires multiple scanned images corresponding to the multiple sheets, and outputs the multiple scanned images to storage unit 22 and image creation unit 32. During actual printing of a document, image acquisition unit 31 causes image forming unit 26 to form images of each page of the document on a sheet, causes image reading unit 27 to read the images of each page formed on the sheet, acquires scanned images of each page, and outputs the scanned images to storage unit 22 and image inspection unit 28.

[0040] The image creation unit 32 compares multiple scanned images of the same page, and creates a reference image (also called a "correct image") to be used in inspecting the printed image of the document according to the number of scanned images among the multiple scanned images whose difference (e.g., the difference between each pixel value) is within a predetermined value. Note that the difference being within a predetermined value means, for example, that the number of pixels whose pixel value difference exceeds a predetermined threshold value is equal to or less than a predetermined number, or that the density of pixels whose pixel value difference exceeds a threshold value is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

[0041] Furthermore, when the number of scanned images whose difference is within a predetermined range is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the image creation unit 32 can create a reference image based on the scanned images whose difference is within a predetermined range (for example, by using the average value of each pixel value of the multiple scanned images), and can also use one of the scanned images whose difference is within a predetermined range as the reference image.

[0042] Furthermore, when there is a page for which the number of scanned images with a difference within a predetermined range does not reach a predetermined value or more even when images are formed on a preset number of sheets, the image creation unit 32 can notify the user to check the images formed on the preset number of sheets or the multiple scanned images corresponding to the preset number of sheets for that page. At that time, the multiple scanned images can be displayed on the display operation unit 24, and a scanned image selected from the multiple scanned images can be used as the reference image for that page. Furthermore, the image creation unit 32 can integrate (splice across copies) the reference images of each page of a document consisting of multiple pages to create a group of reference images for the document.

[0043] In addition, the control unit 21 can continue processing (forming an image / reading an image / obtaining a read image / comparing read images) for the same page until the number of read images for which the difference is within a predetermined value for the same page reaches or exceeds a predetermined value, or can continue processing for only those pages among the multiple pages that make up the document for which the number of read images for which the difference is within a predetermined value is less than a predetermined value.

[0044] The determination unit 33 acquires a determination result of determining which output objects (assumed to be sheets here) on which an image is formed by proof printing can be used as an output object for actual printing. The determination unit 33 acquires the determination result by itself, for example, by determining that a sheet with no wear in proof printing can be used as an output object for actual printing. More specifically, the determination unit 33 determines whether or not an image can be used as an output object for actual printing based on read data obtained by reading an image printed by proof printing.

[0045] Furthermore, the determination unit 33 may obtain information on the proof printing output that can be used as the output for the final printing (i.e., the determination result) through an input operation by the user. In this case, the user may visually check the proof printing output, for example, and input whether or not it can be used as the output for the final printing. Furthermore, the determination unit 33 may determine whether or not it can be used as the output for the final printing based on the information input by the user.

[0046] Furthermore, when a user instructs that a sheet not to be used as an output for the actual printing even if the sheet is free of waste, the determination unit 33 may determine that the sheet is unusable as an output for the actual printing. At that time, information specifying the sheet free of waste (i.e., information on the sheet that can be used as an output for the actual printing, such as page number and copy number) can be displayed on the display operation unit 24, and the determination unit 33 determines that a sheet selected from the displayed information (or a sheet not selected) is usable as an output for the actual printing.

[0047] The determination unit 33 outputs information on whether or not to use the output product output by proof printing as the output product for the final printing to the storage unit 22, the tray control unit 34, the print count control unit 35, etc. The information output by the determination unit 33 to the storage unit 22, etc. may be, for example, only information on the sheets to be used, only information on the sheets not to be used, or information on both the sheets to be used and the sheets not to be used. The information output by the determination unit 33 to the storage unit 22, etc. is preferably associated with information that identifies the sheets on which an image is formed by proof printing. The method of association is not particularly limited, and may be associated with information that combines a page number and a copy number, the order in which the sheets are output, or the like, for example.

[0048] The tray control unit 34 controls the feeding and discharging of sheets during proof printing and the feeding and discharging of sheets during actual printing. The control of the sheets by the tray control unit 34 may correspond to the operation of the image forming apparatus 20, for example.

[0049] The tray control unit 34 discharges sheets on which an image has been formed by, for example, proof printing (including both sheets that can be used as output for actual printing and sheets that cannot be used) to a predetermined tray. The user takes out the sheets discharged by proof printing and places the sheets as they are taken out (sheets whose order has not been changed or whose number has not been increased or decreased) in a predetermined tray (preferably a tray different from the tray that feeds sheets in actual printing, for example an inserter tray). The tray control unit 34 takes in sheets from the inserter tray at the timing of the appropriate copy and page number for actual printing, and discharges the taken-in sheets as output for actual printing. It should be noted that unusable sheets are discharged to a predetermined tray (preferably a tray different from the tray that discharges sheets in actual printing, for example a purge tray).

[0050] The print number control unit 35 controls the number of sheets (or copies) on which the image forming unit 26 forms images during production printing based on the determination result of the determination unit 33. For example, assume that 100 sheets of single-page image data are printed, and 5 sheets that can be used as output from production printing are output in proof printing. In this case, the print number control unit 35 outputs in production printing the number of sheets (95 sheets in this case) obtained by subtracting the number of sheets output in proof printing (5 sheets in this case) from the number of sheets set in the print job (100 sheets in this case). It is also possible to determine whether the sheets can be used for production printing on a copy-by-copy basis, and output in production printing the number of copies obtained by subtracting the number of copies output in proof printing from the number of copies set in the print job.

[0051] Next, a method for creating a reference image using the image forming apparatus 20 configured as above will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 shows that a document consisting of five pages (original print data is five pages) is assumed, and reference images of all pages are created in the fifth copy. When the number of scanned images in which the difference is within a predetermined range is two or more copies, the scanned image of that copy is set as the reference image. The shaded sheets in the figure show the reference images of each page. Note that in this embodiment, it is assumed that wear (stains) will not be present in the same position and shape in all copies. Also, "XX wear (XX is location)" in the figure shows that wear (stains) is present in the XX position of the actual printout. For example, the first copy of the second page shows that wear is present in the upper left.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, since there is no wear in the first and second copies of the first page, a reference image can be created at the time of the second copy, and the second copy is used as the reference image. Note that in this case, even after the reference image has been created, if a reference image has not been created for another page (if there is a page for which a reference image has not been created), the proof printing of that page continues. For example, since the reference images for pages 2 to 5 have not been created at the time the second copy of the first page has been printed, proof printing of the third copy and onwards of the first page is performed. Note that the proof printing of that page may be controlled to end at the time the reference image is created.

[0053] In addition, for the second page, there is wear in the first and second copies but no wear in the third and fourth copies, so a reference image can be created at the fourth copy, and the second copy is used as the reference image. Similarly, for the third page, since the first copy has wear and tear but the second and third copies do not, a reference image can be created at the third copy, and the third copy is used as the reference image. Similarly, for the fourth page, there is wear in the second copy but no wear in the first and third copies, so a reference image can be created at the third copy, and the third copy is used as the reference image. Similarly, for the fifth page, there is wear in the first three copies but no wear in the fourth and fifth copies, so a reference image can be created at the fifth copy, and the fifth copy is used as the reference image.

[0054] By creating reference images for all pages, the reference images created for each page are stitched together across copies (here, the 2nd copy of page 1, the 4th copy of page 2, the 3rd copy of page 3, the 3rd copy of page 4, and the 5th copy of page 5 are stitched together) to create a reference image group for the document. This reference image group is used to inspect the output in the actual printing, and all pages (pages 1 to 5) can be inspected.

[0055] In addition, in the image forming apparatus 20, output objects (assumed to be sheets here) that are free of waste in proof printing can be used as output objects in production printing. In the example shown in Fig. 6, five sheets from the first copy to the fifth copy on page 1, three sheets from the third copy to the fifth copy on page 2, four sheets from the second copy to the fifth copy on page 3, four sheets from the first copy and the third copy to the fifth copy on page 4, and two sheets from the fourth copy and the fifth copy on page 5 can be used as output objects in production printing.

[0056] In order to simplify the control, the output may be used in sets rather than in sheets as the output for the actual printing. For example, the set of proof printing in which all pages are free of wear may be used as the printed matter for the actual printing. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the fourth and fifth sets, a total of 10 sheets in which all pages 1 to 5 are free of wear, can be used as the printed matter for the actual printing.

[0057] In addition, in this embodiment, since the sheet on which the image is formed in the proof printing can be used as the printed matter in the production printing, the number of copies to be printed in the proof printing may be set to be larger than the expected number of copies required to complete the creation of the reference image for all pages. Even with this control, work and resources are not wasted.

[0058] 6, the reference image is created when the number of scanned images with a difference within a predetermined range reaches a predetermined number (here, 2 copies), but the reference image may be created when a predetermined number of consecutive scanned images with a difference within a predetermined range (for example, 2 copies) are obtained. In this case, since there is no wear on the fourth page in the third and fourth copies, the fourth copy is used as the reference image.

[0059] It is also possible to allow the user to select the sheets (or copies) to be used when using sheets on which images have been formed in proof printing as output for production printing. Fig. 7 shows an example of a sheet usage setting screen 50 on which the user can select the sheets to be used. In the sheet usage setting screen 50 shown in Fig. 7, the user can specify the copies for each page and select whether or not to use the sheets on which images have been formed in proof printing.

[0060] 7 includes a print job information display area 51, a sheet-specific designation area 52, an all-sheet designation area 53, an OK button 54, and a cancel button 55. The sheet usage setting screen 50 may be displayed on the image forming apparatus 20 or on the client terminal 10.

[0061] In the print job information display area 51, information about the print job (for example, the job ID, the user name, the job registration time, etc.) is displayed.

[0062] In the sheet-specific designation area 52, a "Use" button 52a and a "Do not use" button 52b are provided in association with the pages and copies. By selecting the "Use" button 52a or the "Do not use" button 52b, the user can specify a copy for each page and select whether or not to use the sheets on which images are formed in the proof printing. The information on the sheets displayed in the sheet-specific designation area 52 (i.e., the sheets on which the user can select whether or not to use them as output in the actual printing) is the sheets that have been determined to be free of wear in the proof printing, for example, the five sheets from the first copy to the fifth copy of the first page.

[0063] The all-sheet designation area 53 is provided with a "Use all" button 53a and a "Don't use all" button 53b. By the user selecting the "Use all" button 53a, all sheets displayed in the sheet-specific designation area 52 can be used as the output for the actual printing. By the user selecting the "Don't use all" button 53b, all sheets displayed in the sheet-specific designation area 52 can be prevented from being used as the output for the actual printing. Note that the number of sheets or copies available for the actual printing (or the number of sheets or copies actually printed in the actual printing) may be displayed, and the user may be allowed to increase or decrease this number.

[0064] In addition, it is preferable to set an activation / inactivation rule for the display of the "Use" button 52a and the "Do not use" button 52b, as well as the display of the "Use all" button 53a and the "Do not use all" button 53b, so that only one of "Use" and "Do not use" can be selected for one page (selecting one of the buttons makes that button active and the other button inactive).

[0065] After selecting the sheets to be used (or the sheets not to be used) in the sheet-specific designation area 52 or all-sheet designation area 53, the user presses the OK button 54. This registers the information on whether to use / not to use the sheets specified by the user. Note that if the user does not want to select the sheets to be used, he or she selects the cancel button 55.

[0066] <Operation of Image Forming Apparatus According to the Embodiment> 8A and 8B are flowcharts showing an image forming method of the image forming apparatus 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] The CPU 21a executes the processing of each step shown in the flowcharts of Figures 8A and 8B by loading the image forming program stored in the ROM 21b or the storage unit 22 into the RAM 21c and executing it. Note that the number of proof prints to be made to create the reference image (how many copies at first, how many copies in total) may be set in advance. In Figures 8A and 8B, the steps in which the user performs operations are indicated by dashed lines.

[0068] First, the user operates the display operation unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20 to instruct the start of automatic inspection printing (step S101). The user also operates the display operation unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 20 to specify the number of copies for actual printing (step S102).

[0069] When the user instructs the start of automatic inspection printing and specifies the number of copies for actual printing, the control unit 21 causes the image forming unit 26 to start proof printing (step S103). Next, the control unit 21 (image acquisition unit 31) instructs the image forming unit 26 to print up to a predetermined number of copies (for example, the second copy, which is the minimum number of copies required to create a reference image) set in advance (step S104), and causes the image reading unit 27 to scan the printed matter to create a scanned image, which is stored in the storage unit 22 (step S105).

[0070] Next, the control unit 21 (image creation unit 32) compares the saved scanned images page by page and derives a reference image for each page (step S106). Then, the control unit 21 (image creation unit 32) judges whether a reference image has been derived for all pages (whether the number of scanned images with a difference within a predetermined value has reached a predetermined value or more) (step S107). If a reference image for all pages has not been derived ("No" in step S107), the control unit 21 instructs the image forming unit 26 to print the next copy (step S108) and judges again whether a reference image has been derived for all pages (step S107). The processes of steps S107 and S108 are repeated until a reference image for all pages is derived.

[0071] If reference images for all pages have been derived ("Yes" in step S107), the control unit 21 (image creation unit 32) stitches together the reference images for each page stored in the storage unit 22 across copies, and stores them in the storage unit 22 as a reference image group of image data corresponding to the print job (step S109). These become the reference images to be used for automatic inspection. Then, the control unit 21 causes the image forming unit 26 to start actual printing (step S110).

[0072] The control unit 21 (determination unit 33) also determines which copy and which page of the print sheet of the proof print can be used for the final printing, and notifies the user of the determination result via the display operation unit 24 (step S111). The user operates the display operation unit 24 to select whether or not to use the print sheet of the proof print for the final printing. The screen that notifies the user and allows the user to select in detail which copy and which page of the print sheet to use, or may only allow the user to select whether or not to use it. The control unit 21 (determination unit 33) causes the display operation unit 24 to display, for example, a pop-up sheet usage setting screen 50 (see FIG. 7).

[0073] If the user selects to use the print sheets for proof printing for production printing ("Yes" in step S112), the control unit 21 (determination unit 33) notifies the user via the display operation unit 24 to set the print sheets for proof printing on the inserter tray (step S113). In response to this notification, the user sets the print sheets for proof printing (including sheets that cannot be used for production printing) on ​​the inserter tray (step S114).

[0074] The control unit 21 (tray control unit 34) controls so that among the proof printing print sheets set on the inserter tray, usable print sheets are inserted at the appropriate copy and page timing for the actual printing, and unusable sheets are discharged to the purge tray (step S115). The control unit 21 (print number control unit 35) notifies the image forming unit 26 of the number obtained by subtracting the number of proof printing print sheets usable for the actual printing determined by the determination unit 33 from the number of pages of the print job and the number of copies specified in step S102, and the image forming unit 26 prints the notified number of pages and number of copies (step S116).

[0075] If the user does not select to use the proof printing print sheet for the actual printing ("No" in step S112), the control unit 21 (print number control unit 35) instructs the image forming unit 26 to print the total number of pages and all the numbers, and the image forming unit 26 prints the total number of pages and all the numbers (step S121).

[0076] During the actual printing, the image inspection unit 28 compares the scanned image of the sheet printed in step S116 or step S121 with the reference image (step S117). If the comparison in step S117 determines that the printed sheet has wear ("Yes" in step S118), the control unit 21 (tray control unit 34) controls the sheet to be discharged to the purge tray (step S119). The processes in steps S117 to S120 are repeatedly executed until printing of all sheets in the actual printing is completed.

[0077] The image forming apparatus 20 according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as above provides the following advantageous effects. That is, when creating a reference image to be used in inspecting the final printing from a scanned image of the output (printed material) during proof printing (trial printing), the image forming device 20 captures the output of the proof printing at the timing of the appropriate copy and page of the final printing, and outputs the captured output of the proof printing as the output of the final printing. At this time, the image forming device 20 executes the number of image forming operations in the final printing minus the number of output of the captured proof printing. Therefore, the output of the proof printing can be used as the output of the final printing, which prevents the work of proof printing and the resources used from being wasted.

[0078] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment and can be appropriately modified and implemented.

[0079] The means and methods for performing various processes in the printing system 1 according to the embodiment described above can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The above-mentioned programs may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the programs recorded on the computer-readable recording medium are usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk (HDD). The above-mentioned programs may be provided as standalone application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the device as one of its functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Printing System 2. Communication Network 10 Client Terminal 11 Control section 11a CPU 11b ROM 11c RAM 12 Storage section 13 Network I / F section 14 Display section 15 Control section 16 OS 17 Word Processing Applications 18 Printer Drivers 20 Image forming device 21 Control section 21a CPU 21b ROM 21c RAM 22 Memory section 23 Network I / F section 24 Display operation section 25 Image Processing Section 26 Image forming section 27 Image reading unit 28 Imaging Inspection Department 31 Image acquisition unit 32 Image Creation Department 33 Judgment section 34 Tray control section 35 Print quantity control section 50 Sheet usage setting screen 51 Print job information display area 52 Sheet-specific area 52a "Use" button 52b "Do not use" button 53 All Sheets Specified Area 53a "Use all" button 53b "Don't use any" button 54 OK button 55 Cancel button

Claims

[Claim 1] A reference image generating device that generates a reference image used for inspecting an image of an inspection target formed on a sheet, comprising: a control unit that acquires a plurality of scanned images generated by scanning a plurality of sheets on which the images are formed, and generates the reference image based on the acquired plurality of scanned images; The control unit is Accepting a setting of a predetermined number of copies for the plurality of scanned images to be acquired; comparing the first read image and the second read image among the acquired predetermined number of read images; When the second read image is not to be used for generating the reference image based on a comparison result, the second read image is excluded from the read images to be used for generating the reference image; Displaying the acquired predetermined number of scanned images on a display unit; A reference image generating device that uses a scanned image selected by a user from the predetermined number of scanned images displayed on the display unit as a scanned image for generating the reference image.

Images