Inspection device, inspection device control method, and program

Abstract

To present a highly accurate waste paper amount in a manner of exhibiting excellent usability.SOLUTION: An inspection device includes: reading means for reading a printed matter printed by a printer on the basis of a printing job to acquire an inspection target image; inspection means for performing inspection to determine presence / absence of any defects by comparing the inspection target image acquired by the reading means with a reference image, on the basis of an inspection setting regarding the inspection of the printed matter; derivation means for deriving the number of waste sheets on the basis of transportation passage information of a transportation passage through which the printed matter is transported and print setting information included in the printing job; and presenting means for presenting, to a user who issues instructions regarding the inspection setting, the number of the waste sheets derived by the derivation means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for inspecting a printed matter output by a printing device. [Background technology]

[0002] In printed matter output by a printing device, stains may occur when color materials such as ink or toner adhere to unintended locations. Or, color materials may adhere to locations where an image should be formed, resulting in insufficient color material adhering to the location, resulting in a color that is lighter than it should be, resulting in color loss. Printing defects such as stains and color loss reduce the quality of printed matter. For this reason, it is necessary to guarantee the quality of printed matter by inspecting for the presence or absence of printing defects.

[0003] Visual inspections for print defects require a lot of time and cost, so inspection systems that perform inspections automatically have been proposed. In such inspection systems, for example, inspections are performed by judging the presence or absence of defects based on the difference between a reference image that serves as the inspection standard for printed matter registered in advance and an inspection target image obtained by scanning the printed matter to be inspected. The inspection target image obtained by scanning the printed matter has a slight tilt because it is a scan of the printed matter transported by a printing belt. Therefore, in order to compare the inspection reference image and the inspection target image with the inspection system, it is necessary to align the two images. Then, after aligning the images, the inspection method generally compares the values ​​of each pixel and calculates the difference between the two. If the calculated difference is greater than a threshold value, the printed matter is judged to be defective. Hereinafter, when a printed matter is judged to be "defective," it is called an inspection NG. Conversely, when a printed matter is judged to be "free of defects," it is called an inspection OK.

[0004] Inspection systems are required to accurately grasp and manage the number of output objects that fail inspection. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of presenting the amount of wasted paper (specifically, the number of wasted sheets, which is the number of sheets that become wasted when processed by a sheet-fed processing machine) for the purpose of providing a user with information for making a decision. The device of Patent Document 1 does not hold the amount of wasted paper as a fixed value in advance, but calculates and presents the amount of wasted paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-9416 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the method of Patent Document 1 cannot calculate the amount of wasted paper unless printing is performed once, and the usability is poor. In addition, when the result of calculation after performing printing once is used as a predicted value in the next print job, the calculated amount of wasted paper is the amount of wasted paper for the entire print job performed, and the amount of wasted paper that occurs in the next print job varies depending on the state of the printing device, etc. Therefore, the amount of wasted paper calculated by the method of Patent Document 1 is not very accurate as a basis for judgment. In addition, it is possible that the content of the print setting information included in the next print job will be significantly different from the print job that was performed, and in such a case, the calculated amount of wasted paper cannot be used as is.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to present a more accurate amount of wasted paper with better usability than in the past. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One embodiment of the present invention is an inspection device having a reading means for reading a printed matter printed by a printing device based on a print job and acquiring an image to be inspected, and an inspection means for comparing the image to be inspected acquired by the reading means with a reference image based on inspection settings for inspecting the printed matter to determine the presence or absence of defects, and further having a derivation means for deriving the number of lost sheets based on transport path information of the transport path along which the printed matter is transported and print setting information included in the print job, and a presentation means for presenting the number of lost sheets derived by the derivation means to a user who gives instructions regarding the inspection settings. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to present the amount of wasted paper with high accuracy and with good usability compared to the conventional art. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] A diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing device. [Diagram 2] Functional block diagram of the printing device [Diagram 3] A user interface that accepts print instructions from a user [Figure 4] Functional block diagram of the test setting section [Diagram 5] User interface for accepting test settings [Figure 6] User interface that accepts escape mode on / off instructions [Figure 7] Flowchart of process for calculating expected number of sheets of waste paper [Figure 8] Transport path information and print setting information [Figure 9] Flowchart of process for calculating expected number of sheets of waste paper [Figure 10] Transport path information and print setting information [Figure 11] Inspection time information [Figure 12] Printing System Patterns [Figure 13] A management table that holds information about waste paper associated with the printing system patterns [Figure 14] Flowchart showing the expected number of sheets of lost paper DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are not intended to limit the scope of the claims more than necessary. Also, not all of the features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential as the means for solving the problems of the present disclosure.

[0012] One of the functions of the print inspection system is the escape mode. The escape mode is a function that automatically executes a reprint of a print that has failed the inspection. The user can specify whether to turn it on or off. The operation of both the on and off modes is explained below.

[0013] When escape mode is off, prints that fail inspection are discharged into the same paper outlet as prints that pass inspection. The inspection system stores information about prints that fail inspection (page numbers, etc.) and displays it on the inspection system display to notify the user. In the case of prints such as books, where the order of prints discharged into the paper outlet must be maintained, the prints that fail inspection are reprinted and manually replaced with the prints that fail inspection.

[0014] On the other hand, when the escape mode is on, the inspection device operates so that the prints that fail the inspection are discharged to an error paper outlet different from the prints that pass the inspection, and the prints that fail the inspection are automatically reprinted. When the escape mode is on, the order of the prints discharged to the paper outlet is maintained. However, since the prints are printed continuously, the paper after the print that is judged to be NG has already been input into the paper transport path, and these papers are also discharged to the error paper outlet. This is to maintain the order of the prints discharged to the paper outlet, and the paper after the print that is judged to be NG is discharged to the error paper outlet regardless of whether it is NG or not. The paper discharged to the error paper outlet is almost always printed, but the paper that has not been transported from the paper input port to the head is discharged to the error paper outlet as a blank sheet. When the escape mode is on, the printed paper after the print that fails the inspection is also discharged to the error paper outlet, and is not discharged to the paper outlet where the prints that pass the inspection are discharged, but is reprinted, resulting in a large amount of wasted paper.

[0015] To summarize the characteristics of escape mode, when escape mode is off, manual operation is required but paper waste can be reduced. On the other hand, when escape mode is on, automatic printing is possible even if an inspection result is NG, increasing productivity, but at the cost of more paper waste. For users, there is a trade-off between the two, and the user's criteria for selecting an escape mode depends on predictions based on experience.

[0016] One of the criteria that a user can use when selecting an escape mode is to present the user with an expected amount of wasted paper. It is also possible for the inspection system in which the inspection device is installed to hold a fixed value for the amount of wasted paper in advance and present this to the user. However, from the perspective of reusability, the inspection system is often independent of the printing device in which it is installed, and in this case it is not possible to have a fixed value for each printing device.

[0017] [First embodiment] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the overall configuration of a printing device to which this embodiment is applied. Note that, in this description, the configuration of FIG. 1 is interpreted as the configuration of a printing device, but it may also be interpreted as the configuration of a printing system.

[0018] Print paper (hereinafter referred to as paper) flows from right to left in the figure. Paper feed unit 101 is a unit that supplies paper to the following printing unit 102. Before starting the printing process, the user loads paper into tray 110, which is a paper inlet in paper feed unit 101. This places paper on tray 110. In this example, there are two other trays in addition to tray 110 in paper feed unit 101, and paper may be loaded into these trays. Multiple paper feed units 101 can be connected, and paper feed unit 124 is the same as paper feed unit 101. In this example, paper feed units of the same shape are connected, but two or more paper feed units of different shapes may be connected. After the printing process starts, paper is taken in from the tray specified in the print job and transported by transport path 111.

[0019] In the printing unit 102 that prints on paper, a head 113 that prints on paper on the transport path is disposed at the top of the outward path of the transport path 111 (the outward path is the portion of the transport path that flows from right to left in the figure). The head 113 may be configured, for example, to eject ink directly onto the paper, or to transfer toner attached to a photoconductor onto the paper, but the configuration of the head is not limited in this embodiment. A flipping mechanism 114 for flipping the paper is provided on the return path of the transport path 111 (the return path is the portion of the transport path that flows from left to right in the figure).

[0020] The print belt is moved by rotating rollers 112 to transport the paper. As shown in the figure, there are multiple rollers in each unit. Destination switching points 115, where the destination is switched, include a claw for switching the transport path. In this example, destination switching points 115 are located at all points where transport path 111 branches from one path to two.

[0021] The fixing unit 103 dries any ink or toner that has been printed on the paper and fixes it to the paper by applying pressure.

[0022] When double-sided printing is specified, the conversion unit 104 switches the conveying path downward to print on the back side after printing on the front side. The inspection unit 105 reads the conveyed print with a scanner 116 and performs an inspection process to compare it with a reference image (reference inspection image).

[0023] The paper insertion unit 106 inserts a sheet of paper to be sandwiched between printed materials through a paper insertion port 117 at a timing designated by the user.

[0024] The discharge unit 107 switches between discharging the printed matter to the discharge port 118 or sending it to a subsequent unit. When a print job is created by a user, the discharge port 118 can be specified as the discharge destination for the printed matter of the print job, and can also be specified as an escape destination for discharging only those that have been determined to be NG as a result of the inspection process.

[0025] The large-volume discharge unit 108 switches between discharging printed matter to a discharge port 119 or sending it to a subsequent unit. The discharge port 119 can accommodate a larger volume of printed matter than the discharge port 118. Also, like the discharge port 118, it can be specified not only as a discharge port for printed matter but also as an escape destination.

[0026] The multi-outlet discharge unit 109 allocates the printed matter to one of the following discharge outlets. In this example, there are four discharge outlets, discharge outlet 120, discharge outlet 121, discharge outlet 122, and discharge outlet 123, but the number of discharge outlets is not limited to four. Like discharge outlet 118, these discharge outlets can be specified not only as discharge outlets for printed matter but also as escape destinations.

[0027] Each of the above units has a controller that controls each unit. The controller is made up of a CPU, RAM, storage device, and external communication device, and is capable of exchanging information with other units and performing calculations using these. This controller may be provided for each unit, or one controller may be provided for the entire printing device (or printing system).

[0028] 2 is a functional block diagram of the printing apparatus according to this embodiment. Each functional block is implemented as part of a controller that controls each unit shown in FIG.

[0029] The print job setting unit 201 accepts a print job sent from a user (for example, sent from an external information processing device). A print job consists of a file to be printed and print setting information for this file to be printed. The print job setting unit 201 also acquires transport path information held by each unit. The print setting information and transport path information will be described later with reference to Figs. 8 and 10.

[0030] The printing unit 202 receives a print job from the print job setting unit 201, transmits print data to the head 113, and executes the print process when the paper is conveyed by the print belt.

[0031] The inspection setting unit 203 accepts inspection settings for inspecting printed matter transmitted from the user side. The inspection setting unit 203 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, and the inspection settings will be described later with reference to FIG. The inspection setting unit 203 also accepts information related to print job settings (i.e., print setting information) and transport path information transmitted from the print job setting unit 201. The inspection setting unit 203 also displays a prepared inspection reference image. The inspection reference image will be described later.

[0032] The reading unit 204 receives the inspection setting and print setting information transmitted from the inspection setting unit 203, and reads the image on the paper using the scanner 116 at the timing when the paper is conveyed by the print belt based on the received inspection setting and print setting information. The reading unit 204 transmits the image obtained by image reading to the inspection unit 205 as an image to be inspected.

[0033] The inspection unit 205 obtains an inspection result by comparing a prepared inspection reference image with the received inspection target image based on the inspection setting transmitted from the inspection setting unit 203. The inspection reference image is electronic (image) data that can be compared with the inspection target image in pixel units. Possible methods include a method of using RIP-processed electronic data for image data included in a print job received by the print job setting unit 201 as the inspection reference image, and a method of using electronic data acquired by reading an image that the user wants to use as a reference with the reading unit 204 as the inspection reference image. When RIP-processed electronic data for image data included in a print job is used, the inspection reference image is transmitted from the print job setting unit 201 to the inspection setting unit 203 and the inspection unit 205 before the start of the print job. On the other hand, when electronic data acquired by reading with the reading unit 204 is used, the inspection reference image is transmitted from the reading unit 204 to the inspection setting unit 203 and the inspection unit 205 before the start of the print job. The inspection setting unit 203, the reading unit 204, and the inspection unit 205 are implemented in the inspection unit 105.

[0034] The discharge control unit 206 receives the inspection results from the inspection unit 205 and controls the rollers 112 and the transport destination switching point 115 based on the print setting information to discharge the paper on which the image to be inspected is printed to a specified discharge port.

[0035] FIG. 3 is an example of a user interface presented to the user by the print job setting unit 201 and which accepts a print instruction from the user.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, a layout diagram of the entire printing apparatus is displayed at the top of the screen. This layout diagram is created as follows. The controllers that control each unit store data of the layout diagram for each unit in a storage area. When the controllers that control each unit are connected to a controller including the print job setting unit 201, they transmit the data of the layout diagram to the controller. As a result, when all the units are connected to the controller including the print job setting unit 201, the layout of the entire printing apparatus is generated by the print job setting unit 201. The controllers that control the paper feed unit 101 and the paper feed unit 124 hold position information of the input port drawn in the layout diagram. The controllers that control the discharge unit 107, the large-capacity discharge unit 108, and the multi-outlet discharge unit 109 hold position information of the discharge port drawn in the layout diagram. The position information is, for example, the (x, y) coordinates in the layout diagram. The print position information is also transmitted to the controller including the print job setting unit 201, like the data of the layout diagram. When all the units are connected, numbers are assigned to each input port in ascending order of distance from the printing unit head, and the assigned numbers are displayed superimposed on the layout diagram. Similarly, when all the units are connected, numbers are assigned to each output port in ascending order of distance from the printing unit head, and the assigned numbers are displayed superimposed on the layout diagram.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, a user interface is displayed at the bottom of the screen to allow the user to specify print jobs. This user interface allows the user to specify the data to be printed, the number of copies, paper size, single-sided / double-sided, input port, output destination, and output port for outputting error paper if the inspection process fails (error paper output port, also called escape destination). The error paper output port specification is a setting that is used only when escape mode is on. After all settings have been completed, printing will begin by pressing the "print" button. All settings will be cleared by pressing the "cancel" button.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows the configuration of each functional block of the inspection setting unit 203. A waste paper number calculation unit 401 derives an estimated number of waste paper sheets and a blank paper ratio based on transport path information and print setting information (in this embodiment, calculation is performed according to a formula described later). This calculation method will be described later with reference to Fig. 9. A display unit 402 displays the user interface of Figs. 5 and 6 and accepts inspection settings from the user. An inspection setting determination unit 403 transmits the inspection settings accepted from the user via the display unit 402 to the reading unit 204 and the inspection unit 205.

[0039] 5 shows an example of a user interface for receiving inspection settings from a user, displayed by the display unit 402. A prestored inspection reference image 502 is displayed in an inspection target display area 501. A setting details display area 503 displays a user interface for setting the inspection resolution and the inspection level for each area of ​​the inspection target (hereinafter referred to as the inspection area).

[0040] A user can select an inspection resolution using a pull-down menu 504. A user can also set an inspection level for each inspection area. Specifically, numbers (inspection area IDs) are arranged in ascending order in a pull-down menu 505, and a user selects one from the numbers. When selected, a thick-framed rectangle 506 indicating the inspection area is displayed within the frame of the inspection object, and the user can specify the inspection area by enlarging or reducing this rectangle with a mouse. A user can specify an inspection level within the thick-framed rectangle using slide bars 507 and 508. There are two types of inspection levels: dots and streaks. The inspection level (dots) slide bar 507 is a slide bar for specifying an inspection level when finding circular defects in printed matter. The higher the inspection level, the smaller the dots with a smaller radius are treated as defects, and the higher the false detection rate. The inspection level (streaks) slide bar 508 is a slide bar for specifying an inspection level when finding print streaks (long, thin rectangles) in printed matter. The higher the inspection level, the smaller the rectangles with a smaller area are treated as defects, and the higher the false detection rate.

[0041] Pressing the "add" button increases the number in the pull-down menu 505 by one, and the number of inspection areas can be increased by one. Pressing the "delete" button deletes the specified inspection area ID. Pressing the "submit" button confirms the inspection settings. Pressing the "cancel" button clears all settings.

[0042] 6 shows an example of a user interface displayed by the display unit 402 for receiving an on / off instruction from the user to turn the escape mode on / off. Based on the estimated number of sheets of lost paper and the blank sheet ratio received from the lost paper number calculation unit 401, the expected number of sheets of lost paper (X sheets in the figure) and the blank sheet ratio of the lost paper (Y %) when the escape mode is on are displayed. The user refers to the displayed information, selects on or off with the radio button, and presses the "submit" button to confirm the inspection settings.

[0043] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process for calculating the expected number of lost sheets by the inspection setting unit 203. In this embodiment, the expected number of lost sheets and the blank sheet ratio are calculated or displayed. The blank sheet ratio indicates the ratio of blank sheets to the expected number of lost sheets. The blank sheet ratio is calculated because blank sheets that have not been printed on can be reused as paper, compared to printed sheets. The process of FIG. 7 is executed by hardware that realizes the inspection setting unit 203. Specifically, a program stored in a ROM is loaded into a RAM, and a CPU executes the loaded program, whereby the CPU functions as the inspection setting unit 203 and executes the process of FIG. 7.

[0044] In step S701, the waste sheet number calculation unit 401 acquires the transport path information sent from the print job setting unit 201. The transport path information is the information shown in FIG. 8(a). As shown in FIG. 8(a), the transport path information consists of the transport path length D1 from the head 113 to the inspection unit 105 (there are values ​​for single-sided printing and double-sided printing), and the transport path length D2 from each tray of the paper feed units 101, 124 to the head 113. Note that hereinafter, "Step S~" will be abbreviated to "S~".

[0045] In S702, the waste paper number calculation unit 401 acquires print setting information. The print setting information is information shown in FIG. 8B. As shown in FIG. 8B, the print setting information has data related to single-sided / double-sided, paper input port, paper size, and distance between sheets. Among the print setting information, single-sided / double-sided, paper input port, and paper size are data acquired via the user interface described in FIG. 3. The distance between sheets is a value determined based on the specifications (print speed, etc.) of the printing unit 102 and the paper size, and is data in which the print job setting unit 201 holds a value for each paper size in advance. Note that general print setting information includes one or more of the number of copies, paper size, single-sided / double-sided, distance between sheets, and paper input port.

[0046] In S703, the waste sheet calculation unit 401 determines whether the print job is set to single-sided printing. If the result of the determination in this step is true, the process proceeds to S704. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in this step is false (i.e., double-sided printing), the process proceeds to S705.

[0047] In S704, the waste paper number calculation unit 401 calculates and determines the estimated number of waste paper sheets using formula (1). Note that the conveying direction in formula (1) is the direction in which the paper is conveyed, and is also called the sub-scanning direction.

[0048] Estimated number of sheets of wasted paper = ROUNDUP((D1 [single-sided] + D2 [paper inlet]) / (paper size (transport direction) + distance between sheets)) ··· Formula (1) In S705, the failed paper number calculation unit 401 calculates and determines the estimated number of failed paper sheets using formula (2).

[0049] Estimated number of sheets of wasted paper = ROUNDUP((D1 [Double-sided] + D2 [Paper inlet]) / (Paper size (transport direction) + Distance between sheets)) ··· Formula (2) If the actual number of sheets of lost paper is greater than the estimated number of sheets of lost paper, this will cause distrust among users, so the estimated number of sheets of lost paper is rounded up, i.e., rounded up to the nearest whole number.

[0050] In S706, the waste sheet number calculation unit 401 calculates and determines the estimated blank sheet number using formula (3).

[0051] Estimated number of blank sheets = ROUNDDOWN((D2[paper inlet] / (paper size (transport direction) + paper distance)))···Formula (3) If the actual number of blank pages is less than the estimated number of blank pages, it may cause distrust among users, so the estimated number of blank pages is determined by rounding down, i.e., rounding down to the nearest whole number. Incidentally, in the case of the transport path information and print setting information shown in FIG. 8, the estimated number of lost pages is 15 sheets, and the estimated number of blank pages is 5 sheets.

[0052] In S707, the display unit 402 displays the calculated estimated number of failed sheets and the blank sheet ratio calculated according to the formula of estimated number of blank sheets / estimated number of failed sheets, using the user interface shown in FIG.

[0053] In S708, the display unit 402 receives an instruction to turn on / off the escape mode from the user via the user interface shown in FIG.

[0054] In S709, the examination setting determination unit 403 determines the examination setting.

[0055] According to this embodiment, when the inspection setting is received from the user, the expected number of sheets of wasted paper can be presented to the user. Therefore, the user can select whether to turn on or off the escape mode with reference to the expected number of sheets of wasted paper.

[0056] [Second embodiment] In this embodiment, a case will be described in which multiple print settings are included in one print job. In more detail, the estimated number of waste sheets is calculated by taking the weighted average of all print settings in consideration of the ratio of the number of pages.

[0057] The system configuration, functional blocks, and user interface of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the content of the print instruction specified via the user interface in Fig. 3 and the process of calculating the expected number of waste sheets (see Fig. 7). These differences will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 9.

[0058] In this embodiment, as shown by No. 4 in Fig. 3, "not set" is selected for both the paper size and single-sided / double-sided designation. The setting value "not set" means that printing will be performed using the paper size and single-sided / double-sided information for each page described in the PDF file in the print job. In this manner, this embodiment assumes a case in which "not set" is selected for at least one of the paper size and single-sided / double-sided designation.

[0059] Fig. 9 is a flowchart of a process for calculating an expected number of waste sheets by the inspection setting unit 203. The process in Fig. 9 is executed by hardware that realizes the inspection setting unit 203. Specifically, a program stored in a ROM is loaded into a RAM, and a CPU executes the loaded program, whereby the CPU functions as the inspection setting unit 203 and executes the process in Fig. 9.

[0060] In S901, the waste sheet number calculation unit 401 acquires the transport path information transmitted from the print job setting unit 201. The transport path information is information shown in Fig. 10(a). As shown in Fig. 10(a), the transport path information consists of the transport path length D1 (there are values ​​for single-sided printing and double-sided printing) from the head 113 to the inspection unit 105, and the transport path length D2 from each tray of the paper feed units 101 and 124 to the head 113.

[0061] In S902, the waste sheet number calculation unit 401 acquires print setting information. The print setting information is information shown in FIG. 10(b). As shown in FIG. 10(b), the print setting information is made up of a plurality of print settings (N=1 to 3), and one print setting has data regarding single-sided / double-sided, paper input slot, paper size, distance between sheets, and number of pages. The print setting information is created by the print job setting unit 201 analyzing the PDF when the "print" button in the user interface shown in FIG. 3 is pressed.

[0062] S903 means that the subsequent steps S904 to S907 are executed for all print settings in the print job, and therefore the steps S904 to S907 are repeated a number of times equal to the number of print settings (K). For example, in the case of Fig. 10(b), K = 3, so the steps S904 to S907 are repeated three times.

[0063] In S904, the waste sheet calculation unit 401 determines whether the print job is set to single-sided printing. If the result of the determination in this step is true, the process proceeds to S905. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in this step is false (i.e., double-sided printing), the process proceeds to S906.

[0064] In S905, the failed paper number calculation unit 401 calculates and determines the estimated number of failed paper sheets using formula (4).

[0065] Estimated number of sheets of wasted paper = (D1 [single-sided] + D2 [paper inlet [N]]) / (paper size [N] (transport direction) + distance between sheets [N])) ··· formula (4) In S906, the failed paper number calculation unit 401 calculates and determines the estimated number of failed paper sheets using formula (5).

[0066] Estimated number of sheets of wasted paper = (D1 [Double-sided] + D2 [Paper inlet [N]]) / (Paper size [N] (Transport direction) + Distance between sheets [N])) · · · Formula (5) In S907, the waste sheet number calculation unit 401 calculates and determines the estimated blank sheet number using formula (6).

[0067] Estimated number of blank sheets = ((D2[paper inlet [N]] / (paper size [N] (transport direction) + paper distance [N]))) ··· Equation (6) After S907, N is incremented. When N=K+1, the loop ends.

[0068] In S908, the broken paper number calculation unit 401 calculates and determines the estimated broken paper number by taking a weighted average using the formula (7).

[0069] Estimated number of sheets of lost paper = ROUNDUP (Σ (Estimated number of sheets of lost paper [N] * (Number of pages [N] / Total number of pages))) ··· Equation (7) In S909, the waste sheet number calculation unit 401 calculates and determines the estimated blank sheet number by taking a weighted average using the formula (8).

[0070] ROUNDDOWN(Σ(blank sheet estimate number [N] * (number of pages [N] / total number of pages)))··· formula (8) Incidentally, in the case of the transport path information and print setting information shown in FIG. 10, the estimated number of failed sheets is 21 sheets, and the estimated number of blank sheets is 13 sheets.

[0071] In S910, the display unit 402 displays the calculated estimated number of failed sheets and the blank sheet ratio calculated according to the formula of estimated number of blank sheets / estimated number of failed sheets on the user interface shown in FIG.

[0072] In S911, the display unit 402 receives an instruction to turn on / off the escape mode from the user via the user interface shown in FIG.

[0073] In S912, the examination setting determination unit 403 determines the examination setting.

[0074] According to this embodiment, even if a print job includes multiple paper sizes, the expected number of pages lost can be presented to the user when the inspection settings are accepted from the user. Therefore, the user can select whether to turn the escape mode on or off based on the expected number of pages lost.

[0075] [Third embodiment] This embodiment is an embodiment in which the inspection time is taken into consideration when the estimated number of damaged sheets and the blank sheet ratio are calculated by the inspection setting unit 203 described in the first embodiment. That is, when the resolution and inspection level are high, the inspection time becomes too long to be ignored. In that case, the position where the inspection is judged as OK / NG is behind the inspection unit 105, so this shift is taken into consideration.

[0076] 11 is a diagram showing a table of inspection time information, in which the inspection time information according to this embodiment shows the inspection time required to inspect a printed matter (A4 size) for each combination of resolution and inspection level. The inspection time information is stored in advance in the inspection setting unit 203 before the estimated number of waste sheets is calculated by the inspection setting unit 203. The inspection time information is information that depends on the performance of the inspection unit 105, and is installed, for example, as part of the control software for the inspection unit 105.

[0077] The inspection time is taken into consideration as follows: The print job setting unit 201 holds information on the transport speed of the paper. The transport speed indicated by this transport speed information is generally fixed as a printing system, but may be configured to be accepted by the user.

[0078] The inspection setting unit 203 receives the conveying speed information as part of the print setting information from the print job setting unit 201. The inspection setting unit 203 also incorporates a value calculated by equation (9) described later into D1 as an increase in the conveying path length D1 from the head 113 to the inspection unit 105 in Fig. 8(a). That is, in this embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the inspection setting unit 203 executes a process (see Fig. 7) for calculating the expected number of waste sheets, but while D1 was used as the value of the conveying path length in the first embodiment, the increase in D1 + D1 is used in this embodiment.

[0079] D1 increase (cm) = inspection time (ms) * paper size (cm2) / A4 size (cm2) * conveying speed (m / s) / 1000 (convert ms to s) * 100 (convert m to cm) ··· Equation (9) It is also possible to use the inspection area size of the rectangle 506 instead of the paper size. In that case, before the processing of the waste paper number calculation unit 401, the user interface shown in Fig. 5 is displayed and the inspection area size (cm2) is obtained from the rectangle 506 designated by the user.

[0080] According to this embodiment, even in the case of an inspection setting that requires a long inspection time, the expected number of sheets of wasted paper can be presented to the user when the inspection setting is accepted from the user. Therefore, the user can select whether to turn on or off the escape mode by referring to the expected number of sheets of wasted paper.

[0081] [Fourth embodiment] This embodiment is an embodiment for a case where the pattern of the printing system to which the inspection unit 105 is connected is limited, and as shown in FIG. 13, the estimated number of failed sheets and the blank page ratio are stored in advance as fixed values.

[0082] The printing system patterns will be described with reference to Fig. 12. In the example of Fig. 12, there are three patterns: printing system A, printing system B, and printing system C. In each printing system, any of the units other than the inspection unit 105 is different from the other printing systems, and the paper transport path is different in each printing system. The inspection unit 105 of this embodiment cannot be applied to any printing system patterns other than these, but has the advantage that the estimated number of failed sheets and the blank page ratio can be determined in advance, eliminating the need to recalculate the estimated number of failed sheets and the blank page ratio.

[0083] This embodiment can be realized by replacing the process by the test setting unit 203 described in the first embodiment (see FIG. 7) with the process of the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0084] In S1401, the inspection setting unit 203 acquires transport path information. The transport path information acquired in this step includes name information for identifying the pattern of the printing system (A, B, C in this example). The name of the printing system is assumed to be registered in advance in the print job setting unit 201 when the firmware for the printing system is installed.

[0085] In S1402 , the inspection setting unit 203 acquires print setting information from the print job setting unit 201 .

[0086] In S1403, the inspection setting unit 203 refers to the management table in FIG. 13 and acquires the estimated number of failed sheets and the blank sheet ratio corresponding to the combination of the transport path information acquired in S1401 and the print setting information acquired in S1402.

[0087] In S1404, the display unit 402 displays the estimated number of failed sheets and the blank sheet ratio acquired in S1403 on the user interface shown in FIG.

[0088] In S1405, the display unit 402 receives an escape mode on / off instruction from the user via the user interface shown in FIG.

[0089] In S1406, the examination setting determination unit 403 determines the examination setting.

[0090] According to this embodiment, when receiving an inspection setting from a user, it is possible to present the user with the expected number of waste sheets without performing calculations using distance information of the transport path.

[0091] [Other embodiments] The present disclosure can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0092] [Technical Features of the Disclosure] The present disclosure includes the following configurations.

[0093] (Configuration 1) An inspection device having a reading means for reading a printed matter printed by a printing device based on a print job and acquiring an image to be inspected, and an inspection means for performing an inspection to determine the presence or absence of defects by comparing the image to be inspected acquired by the reading means with a reference image based on inspection settings related to the inspection of the printed matter, characterized in that the inspection device further has a derivation means for deriving the number of waste sheets based on transport path information of the transport path along which the printed matter is transported and print setting information included in the print job, and a presentation means for presenting the number of waste sheets derived by the derivation means to a user who gives instructions related to the inspection settings.

[0094] (Configuration 2) An inspection device as described in Configuration 1, further comprising an inspection setting means for setting the inspection settings, the inspection setting means comprising the derivation means, the presentation means, and a determination means for determining the inspection settings in accordance with the user's instructions via the presentation means.

[0095] (Configuration 3) The inspection device according to configuration 1 or 2, further comprising an inspection unit in which the inspection setting means, the reading means, and the inspection means are implemented.

[0096] (Configuration 4) An inspection device described in any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the transport path information includes a first transport path length from a head of the printing device to the inspection unit, and a second transport path length from each paper input port to the head.

[0097] (Configuration 5) The inspection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the first transport path length includes a value for single-sided printing and a value for double-sided printing.

[0098] (Configuration 6) The inspection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the print setting information includes one or more of the number of copies, paper size, single-sided / double-sided, distance between papers, and paper feed slot.

[0099] (Configuration 7) An inspection device described in any one of configurations 1 to 6, wherein the inspection setting means calculates the number of waste sheets using each piece of information on the first transport path length, the second transport path length, the paper size, and the distance between the sheets.

[0100] (Configuration 8) The inspection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7, wherein the inspection setting means calculates an estimated number of blank sheets using information on the second transport path length, the paper size, and the distance between the sheets.

[0101] (Configuration 9) The inspection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the inspection setting means calculates a blank sheet ratio using the number of failed sheets and the estimated number of blank sheets.

[0102] (Configuration 10) The print job includes a plurality of the print setting information, and the inspection setting means calculates the number of waste sheets corresponding to the print job by taking a weighted average of the number of waste sheets calculated for each of the plurality of the print setting information, and the inspection setting means calculates the estimated number of blank sheets corresponding to the print job by taking a weighted average of the estimated number of blank sheets calculated for each of the plurality of the print setting information, and calculates the blank sheet ratio based on the number of waste sheets corresponding to the print job and the estimated number of blank sheets corresponding to the print job. An inspection device described in any one of configurations 1 to 9.

[0103] (Configuration 11) An inspection device described in any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the inspection setting means calculates an increase in the first conveying path length based on conveying speed information included in the printing setting information, and calculates the number of waste sheets using the sum of the first conveying path length and the increase.

[0104] (Configuration 12) An inspection device described in any one of configurations 1 to 11, wherein the transport path information includes information on the name of a printing system, and the inspection setting means derives the number of waste sheets by referring to a table using the transport path information and the printing setting information.

[0105] (Configuration 13) The inspection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, which operates in an escape mode that is a function for automatically executing reprinting of the printed matter determined to have the defect by the inspection means.

[0106] (Configuration 14) An inspection device according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the number of sheets of wasted paper is an expected number of sheets of wasted paper when the escape mode is on.

[0107] (Configuration 15) A control method for an inspection device having a reading step of reading a printed matter printed by a printing device based on a print job to obtain an image to be inspected, and an inspection step of comparing the image to be inspected obtained in the reading step with a reference image based on inspection settings for inspecting the printed matter to determine whether or not there is a defect, characterized in that the control method further has a derivation step of deriving the number of waste sheets based on transport path information of the transport path along which the printed matter is transported and print setting information included in the print job, and a presentation step of presenting the number of waste sheets derived in the derivation step to a user who gives instructions regarding the inspection settings.

[0108] (Configuration 16) A program for causing a computer to execute the method described in Configuration 15. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 204 Reading unit 205 Inspection Department 401 Broken Paper Counting Unit 402 Display section

Claims

1. a reading means for reading a printed matter printed by a printing device based on a print job to obtain an inspection target image; an inspection means for performing an inspection to determine the presence or absence of defects by comparing the inspection target image acquired by the reading means with a reference image based on an inspection setting related to the inspection of the printed matter; An inspection device having a calculation unit that calculates the number of waste sheets based on transport path information of a transport path along which the printed matter is transported and print setting information included in the print job; a presentation means for presenting the number of waste sheets derived by the derivation means to a user who gives an instruction regarding the inspection setting; Further comprising An inspection device characterized by:

2. The test setting means further includes an inspection setting means for setting the inspection, The test setting means includes the derivation means, the presentation means, and a determination means for determining the test setting in accordance with the instruction of the user via the presentation means.

2. The inspection device according to claim 1.

3. The inspection setting means, the reading means, and the inspection means further include an inspection unit.

3. The inspection device according to claim 2.

4. The transport path information includes a first transport path length from a head of the printing device to the inspection unit, and a second transport path length from each paper inlet to the head.

4. The inspection device according to claim 3.

5. the first transport path length includes a value for single-sided printing and a value for double-sided printing; 5. The inspection apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The print setting information includes at least one of the following: number of copies, paper size, single-sided / double-sided, distance between sheets, and paper input port.

6. The inspection apparatus according to claim 5.

7. the inspection setting unit calculates the number of waste sheets using information on the first transport path length, the second transport path length, the paper size, and the distance between the sheets.

7. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6.

8. the inspection setting unit calculates an estimated number of blank sheets using information on the second conveying path length, the paper size, and the distance between the sheets; 8. The inspection apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The inspection setting means calculates a blank sheet ratio using the number of failed sheets and the estimated number of blank sheets.

9. The inspection apparatus according to claim 8.

10. The print job includes a plurality of pieces of print setting information, The inspection setting unit calculates the number of waste sheets corresponding to the print job by taking a weighted average of the number of waste sheets calculated for each of the plurality of pieces of print setting information, The inspection setting unit calculates the estimated number of blank pages corresponding to the print job by taking a weighted average of the estimated number of blank pages calculated for each of the plurality of pieces of print setting information, calculating the blank page ratio based on the number of failed pages corresponding to the print job and the estimated number of blank pages corresponding to the print job; 10. The inspection apparatus according to claim 9.

11. The inspection setting unit calculates an increase in the length of the first conveying path based on conveying speed information included in the print setting information, and calculates the number of waste sheets by using a sum of the length of the first conveying path and the increase.

10. The inspection device according to claim 8 or 9.

12. The transport path information includes information on the name of a printing system, the inspection setting unit derives the number of waste sheets by referring to a table using the transport path information and the print setting information; 7. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6.

13. operating in an escape mode, which is a function for automatically executing reprinting of the printed matter determined to have the defect by the inspection means; 10. An inspection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

14. The number of sheets of wasted paper is the expected number of sheets of wasted paper when the escape mode is on.

14. The inspection apparatus according to claim 13.

15. a reading step of reading a printed matter printed by a printing device based on a print job to obtain an inspection target image; an inspection step of performing an inspection to determine the presence or absence of defects by comparing the inspection target image acquired in the reading step with a reference image based on an inspection setting related to the inspection of the printed matter; A method for controlling an inspection apparatus comprising: a deriving step of deriving the number of waste sheets based on transport path information of a transport path along which the printed matter is transported and print setting information included in the print job; a presentation step of presenting the number of waste sheets derived in the derivation step to a user who gives instructions regarding the inspection settings; Further comprising A control method comprising:

16. A program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 15.

Images