Image formation apparatus and image inspection method

Abstract

To provide an automatic image inspection that simplifies a procedure of printing work and improves productivity of printing.SOLUTION: An image formation apparatus 2 includes: a print engine 20 (printer) for printing an image on a recording medium; and an image inspection device 30 for conducting image inspection by comparing a reading image of a printed matter having been printed and a reference image. The image inspection device 30 conducts image inspection of a printed matter, on the basis of a page count of a first part with the largest page count of the printed matter in which an image has been printed in multiple parts, a page count of a second part with the smallest page count of the printed matter, and a page count of the reference image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image inspecting method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a printing system that adds setting information of a processing machine to the beginning of a print image and outputs the print as a print in order to reduce the setting time of the processing machine and prevent setting errors when performing various processing on a printed matter. In such a printing system, the printing paper with the setting information of the processing machine included in the printed matter is scanned by the processing machine, and the setting information of the processing machine is automatically set in the processing machine.

[0003] Incidentally, in an image forming apparatus equipped with an image inspection device, after printing, an image inspection process of the printed matter is automatically performed. In the image inspection process, the scanned image of the printed matter is compared with a reference image registered in advance to perform image inspection. In addition, when the same printed image is printed in multiple copies, the setting information of the processing machine is added to the beginning of one copy of the printed image, not multiple copies. For this reason, if the reference image does not include the setting information of the processing machine, an error occurs in the image inspection of the copy of the printed matter to which the setting information of the processing machine is added. In addition, if the reference image includes the setting information of the processing machine, an error occurs in the image inspection of each copy of the printed matter to which the setting information of the processing machine is not added. Therefore, a technique for performing image inspection only on the pages to be image-inspected, for example, the technique described in Patent Document 1, has been proposed.

[0004] Patent document 1 states, "The inspection target determination unit determines whether or not the page is an inspection target based on the sheet management table and the non-inspection image data stored in the non-inspection image memory unit.This determination allows pages that do not require inspection, such as covers, to be excluded from the inspection targets, thereby eliminating unnecessary checking processes." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2007-241413 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As described above, a technique has been proposed in which information about printing paper that is not subject to image inspection is registered in advance, and image inspection is not performed on printing paper that is not subject to inspection. However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the printing procedure becomes complicated because it is necessary to register information about printing paper that is not subject to image inspection in advance. In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it is necessary to determine whether or not each page included in the printed matter is subject to image inspection, which reduces printing efficiency and printing productivity.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic image inspection method that can simplify the procedure of printing work and improve printing productivity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention provides an image forming apparatus having a printing machine that prints an image on a recording medium, and an image inspection device that performs an image inspection by comparing a read image of the printed matter with a reference image, The image inspection device performs image inspection on the printed matter based on the number of pages of the first copy, which has the largest number of pages, of the printed matter in which an image is printed in multiple copies, the number of pages of the second copy, which has the smallest number of pages, and the number of pages of the reference image. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention having the above configuration, it is possible to provide an automatic image inspection that can simplify the printing work procedure and improve printing productivity. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining problems that may occur during image inspection of a printed image to which setting information of a processing machine has been added; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram for explaining a first registration example of a reference job for image inspection in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image inspection setting screen in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a first example of a registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example 1 of an image inspection case in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 11 is a diagram for explaining a second example of a registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining Example 2 of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram for explaining a second registration example of a reference job for image inspection in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 12] 11 is a diagram for explaining a third example of a registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining Example 3 of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a fourth example of a registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining Example 4 of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering the output order of printed matter and difference pages of a reference job in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an image inspection process in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an image inspection process in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and the drawings, components having substantially the same functions or configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] Before describing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, a problem occurring during image inspection of a printed image to which setting information of a processing machine is added will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a problem occurring during image inspection of a printed image to which setting information of a processing machine is added. FIG. 1A shows an image of a reference job and an inspection job when the setting information of the processing machine is a two-dimensional barcode. FIG. 1B shows an image of a reference job and an inspection job when the setting information of the processing machine is a work instruction sheet. Here, the reference job is a job in which setting information for setting a proof-printed image, i.e., a reference image that is a standard for image inspection, is registered. The inspection job is a job in which setting information for setting a scanned image (inspection image) of a printed matter that is an inspection image is registered.

[0013] In the reference job_1 shown in FIG. 1A, one page of the setting information (two-dimensional barcode) of the processing machine and three pages of the printed image (four pages in total) are set as the reference images for image inspection. In addition, in the inspection job_1 shown in FIG. 1A, the first printed image (four pages) and the second printed image (three pages) to which the setting information of the processing machine is added are set. When image inspection is performed on the first inspection image set in the inspection job_1 using the reference image of the reference job_1, the first inspection image and the reference image (see the solid arrow in the figure) are the same, so the image inspection is performed normally. In addition, when image inspection is performed on the second inspection image set in the inspection job_1 using the reference image of the reference job_1, the number of pages of the inspection image and the reference image (see the dashed arrow in the figure) are different, so the image inspection results in an error.

[0014] In the reference job_2 shown in FIG. 1B, two pages of the setting information of the processing machine (the work instructions "Instruction_1" and "Instruction_2") and three pages of the printed image (a total of five pages) are set as the reference images for the image inspection. In addition, in the inspection job_2 shown in FIG. 1B, the first printed image (five pages) and the second printed image (three pages) to which the setting information of the processing machine is added are set. When the image inspection is performed on the first inspection image set in the inspection job_2 using the reference image of the reference job_2, the first inspection image and the reference image (see the solid arrow in the figure) are the same, so the image inspection is performed normally. In addition, when the image inspection is performed on the second inspection image set in the inspection job_2 using the reference image of the reference job_2, the number of pages of the inspection image and the reference image (see the dashed arrow in the figure) are different, so the image inspection results in an error.

[0015] <One embodiment> The present invention has been made to solve the above problems. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming apparatus 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an engine controller 10, a print engine 20, and an image inspection device 30. The engine controller 10 and the print engine 20 are connected to each other so as to be able to transmit and receive information data. The print engine 20 and the image inspection device 30 are connected to each other so as to be able to transmit and receive information data. The engine controller 10 and the image inspection device 30 are also connected to each other so as to be able to transmit and receive information data. The image forming apparatus 2 is also connected to an external print controller 1 via a closed circuit network such as a dedicated line, or a network constituted by a public line such as the Internet, or an electric line.

[0016] The print controller 1 is composed of a PC (Personal Computer) terminal or the like, and generates a print job for printing multiple copies of a print image, and transmits a print instruction for a reference job for image inspection and a print instruction for the print job to the image forming device 2. The print job includes setting information such as the number of copies to be printed, the original image (print image) to be printed on each page of each copy, black and white / color printing, brightness, etc. The print controller 1 also transmits the number of pages of each copy included in the print job to the image forming device 2.

[0017] The engine controller 10 of the image forming apparatus 2 receives a print instruction, the number of pages for each copy included in the print job, and the print job from the print controller 1, and outputs a print instruction to the print engine 20.

[0018] The print engine 20 is an example of a printer that prints an image on a recording medium, and receives a print instruction from the engine controller 10, performs a print process, i.e., an image formation process, in accordance with the print instruction, and outputs the printed matter to the image inspection device 30. The print engine 20 forms a color image on a recording medium (hereinafter also referred to as "paper") by an electrophotographic method, for example, by a tandem format in which toner images of four colors, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), are superimposed.

[0019] The image inspection device 30 performs image inspection on the printed matter printed by the print engine 20, and outputs the image inspection result to the engine controller 10. The image inspection device 30 also performs image inspection on the printed matter based on the number of pages of the first copy, which has the largest number of pages in the printed matter in which an image is printed in multiple copies, the number of pages of the second copy, which has the smallest number of pages in the printed matter, and the number of pages of a reference image, which is the standard for the image inspection.

[0020] [Functional configuration of image forming device] Next, a description will be given of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 2. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. As described in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an engine controller 10, a print engine 20, and an image inspection device 30.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the engine controller 10 includes a data transmission / reception unit 11, an engine control unit 12, and a print copy number comparison processing unit 13.

[0022] The data transmission / reception unit 11 receives various information such as a print instruction, the number of pages of each copy of a print job, and the print job from the external print controller 1. The data transmission / reception unit 11 outputs the various received information to the engine control unit 12. The data transmission / reception unit 11 also transmits a print instruction output by the engine control unit 12 to a print control unit 21 (to be described later) of the print engine 20. The data transmission / reception unit 11 also transmits a comparison result of the number of print copies output by the print copy number comparison processing unit 13 to a reference image control unit 33 and an inspection image control unit 34 (to be described later) of the image inspection device 30. The data transmission / reception unit 11 also receives a result of image inspection output by an image comparison inspection control unit 35 (to be described later) of the image inspection device 30, and outputs the result to the engine control unit 12.

[0023] The engine control unit 12 outputs a print instruction to the print engine 20 based on the print instruction input from the data transmission / reception unit 11. The engine control unit 12 also determines the ejection tray for the printed material based on the result of image inspection output by an image comparison inspection control unit 35 (described below) of the image inspection device 30. If the result of the image inspection shows no abnormality, the engine control unit 12 determines to eject the printed material to a normal tray. If the result of the image inspection shows an abnormality, the engine control unit 12 determines to eject the printed material to a purge tray.

[0024] The print copy comparison processor 13 compares the number of pages of each copy of the print job acquired from an external print controller, and detects the copy with the most pages (first copy) and the copy with the least pages (second copy). The print copy comparison processor 13 also outputs information including the position information and page numbers of the detected first and second copies, i.e., the comparison results, to a reference image controller 33 and an inspection image controller 34 of the image inspection device 30, which will be described later.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the print engine 20 includes a print control unit 21 and a printing device unit 22.

[0026] The print control unit 21 outputs operation commands to each component of the printing device unit 22 to the printing device unit 22 in accordance with the print instruction output by the engine control unit 12 of the engine controller 10 .

[0027] The printing device unit 22 is an example of a printing device having a paper feed unit, a transport path, an inversion unit, a paper discharge tray, an image forming unit, a transfer unit, a fixing unit, etc. The printing device unit 22 forms (prints) an image on paper in accordance with an operation command from the print control unit 21, and transports the print paper Sh on which the image is printed to a reading device 31 of the image inspection device 30, which will be described later.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, the image inspection device 30 has a reading device 31, a read image processing unit 32, a reference image control unit 33, an inspection image control unit , and an image comparison inspection control unit .

[0029] The reading device 31 is configured with an image sensor or the like, reads the printing paper Sh discharged from the print engine 20, and outputs the read image (hereinafter referred to as the “read image”) to the image processing unit 32.

[0030] When a reference job is printed, the read image processing unit 32 outputs the read image output by the reading device 31 to the reference image control unit 33. When a print job is printed, the read image processing unit 32 outputs the read image output by the reading device 31 to the inspection image control unit 34. Information on whether the reference job or the print job is printed is input from the engine controller 10.

[0031] The reference image control unit 33 determines a reference image based on the read image input from the read image processing unit 32 and the comparison result of the print copy number comparison processing unit 13 received from the engine controller 10, and registers the reference image in the reference job. The reference image control unit 33 also outputs the reference job in which the reference image has been registered to the image comparison inspection control unit 35.

[0032] The inspection image control unit 34 determines the inspection image based on the read image input from the read image processing unit 32 and the comparison result of the print copy number comparison processing unit 13 received from the engine controller 10, and registers the inspection image in the inspection job. When determining the inspection image, the inspection image control unit 34 specifies pages not subject to image inspection based on the number of pages in the first copy, the number of pages in the second copy, the number of pages of the reference image, and the output order of the printed matter, and sets each page other than the pages not subject to image inspection as an inspection image. Note that, specific details will be described later with reference to Figs. 8, 10, 13, and 15. The inspection image control unit 34 also outputs the inspection job in which the inspection image has been registered to the image comparison inspection control unit 35.

[0033] The image comparison inspection control unit 35 compares the reference image of the inspection job input from the inspection image control unit 34 with the inspection image of the reference job input from the reference image control unit 33, and transmits the image inspection results indicating whether or not there are any abnormalities to the engine controller 10.

[0034] [Hardware configuration of image forming device] Next, a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 will be described. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the image forming apparatus 2 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 40, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 50, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 60 in addition to the components described in Fig. 3. The image forming apparatus 2 also has an operation display unit 70, a storage device 80, and a communication interface 90.

[0035] The CPU 40 controls the operation of each unit in the image forming apparatus 2. For example, the CPU 40 controls the processing in the data transmission / reception unit 11, the engine control unit 12, and the print copy comparison processing unit 13, which are described in Fig. 3. The CPU 40 also controls the processing in the print control unit 21, the reading device 31, the read image processing unit 32, the reference image control unit 33, the inspection image control unit 34, and the image comparison inspection control unit 35. Note that a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) may be used instead of the CPU 40, or the CPU 40 and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) may be used in combination.

[0036] The ROM 50 is implemented by a storage medium such as a non-volatile memory, and stores programs and data executed and referenced by the CPU 40.

[0037] The RAM 60 is configured with a storage medium such as a volatile memory, and temporarily stores information (data) necessary for each process performed by the CPU 40.

[0038] The operation display unit 70 is composed of a display unit consisting of a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an organic EL (Electro-luminescence) display, and an operation unit consisting of a touch sensor. The display unit and the operation unit are integrally formed, for example, as a touch panel. The operation display unit 70 generates an operation signal representing the operation content input by the operator to the operation unit, and supplies the operation signal to the CPU 40. Based on the display signal supplied from the CPU 40, the operation display unit 70 displays the operation content by the operator, setting information, etc., for example, an image inspection setting screen G1 shown in FIG. 6 described later, on the display unit. It is also possible to configure the operation unit as a mouse, a tablet, etc., and configure it separately from the display unit.

[0039] The storage device 80 is configured as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the program executed by the CPU 40, and is configured as a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage device 80 stores programs for the CPU 40 to control each part, an OS (Operating System), a controller, and other programs and data. Note that some of the programs and data stored in the storage device 80 may be stored in the ROM 50. The computer-readable non-transitory recording medium storing the program executed by the CPU 40 is not limited to an HDD, and may be, for example, a recording medium such as an SSD (Solid State Drive), a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM.

[0040] The communication interface 90 is composed of a NIC (Network Interface Card), a modem, etc., and establishes a connection with an external print controller 1, etc., and executes transmission and reception of various data.

[0041] Next, the registration of a reference job for image inspection in the image forming apparatus 2 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the registration of a reference job for image inspection in the image forming apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. The mth copy and the nth copy shown in FIG. 5 are two copies of a plurality of copies of printed images included in a print job. The mth copy is the copy (first copy) with the largest number of pages. The nth copy is the copy (second copy) with the smallest number of pages. Note that each copy other than the mth copy (first copy) actually has the same number of pages, so any copy other than the first copy may be the nth copy (second copy). In the example shown in FIG. 5, the nth copy adjacent to the mth copy is shown. As shown in FIG. 5, the mth copy (first copy) has the setting information of the processing machine (the work instructions of "instruction_1" and "instruction_2") added thereto, and has five pages of printed images. The nth copy (second copy) has no setting information of the processing machine added thereto, and has three pages of printed images.

[0042] In the example of the reference job shown in Fig. 5, the set with the fewest pages (the second set), i.e., the scanned image obtained by scanning the print sheet on which the nth set is printed, is registered as the reference image. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in Fig. 11 described later, the set with the most pages (the first set), i.e., the scanned image obtained by scanning the print sheet on which the mth set is printed, may be registered as the reference image.

[0043] [Image inspection setting screen configuration example] Next, a description will be given of an example of the configuration of the image inspection setting screen G1 in the image forming apparatus 2. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image inspection setting screen G1 in the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 6, the screen name "Settings Menu" is displayed at the top of the image inspection setting screen G1, and information "User Settings <Common Settings>" is displayed below the screen name. The common settings section G10 is displayed at the center of the image inspection setting screen G1. The buttons "Previous Page", "Next Page", "Cancel" and "OK" are provided at the bottom of the image inspection setting screen G1. Pressing the "Previous Page" and "Next Page" buttons transitions to the previous setting screen and the next setting screen, respectively. Pressing the "OK" button registers the information entered in the image inspection setting screen G1 in the storage device 80 as the setting information for the image inspection. Pressing the "Cancel" button does not register the information entered in the image inspection setting screen G1. The current time, for example, "19:51", is displayed below each of the above buttons.

[0045] At the top of the common setting section G10, a message stating "You can change the settings" is displayed. Below this message, the name of the setting section, "Common Settings," is displayed. Below the setting section name, setting sections P1 to P7 are displayed in order from top to bottom.

[0046] Setting section P1 is the setting section for "automatic reprint when missing content is detected," and has buttons "Yes" and "No." When the "Yes" button is pressed, setting information is set for automatic reprinting when missing content is detected, i.e., when an abnormality is detected in the printed matter. When the "No" button is pressed, setting information is set for not automatic reprinting when missing content is detected.

[0047] Setting section P2 is a setting section for "Outside the Setting Standard Image Output Destination," and has buttons "Same as Job" and "Purge Tray." When the "Same as Job" button is pressed, setting information is set to output print paper for out-of-standard images to the tray set by the job. When the "Purge Tray" button is pressed, setting information is set to output print paper for out-of-standard images to the purge tray.

[0048] Setting section P3 is a setting section for "creating an automatic inspection report," and is provided with buttons for "Yes" and "No." When the "Yes" button is pressed, setting information for creating an automatic inspection report is set. When the "No" button is pressed, setting information for not creating an automatic inspection report is set.

[0049] Setting section P4 is a setting section for "Create within-standard report", and has buttons "Yes" and "No". When the "Yes" button is pressed, setting information for creating within-standard reports is set. When the "No" button is pressed, setting information for not creating within-standard reports is set.

[0050] The setting section P5 is a setting section for "automatic inspection level setting", and is provided with a "detailed settings" button. When the "detailed settings" button is pressed, a detailed screen for setting the automatic inspection level is displayed. Note that the display and detailed description of the detailed screen for setting the automatic inspection level are omitted.

[0051] Setting section P6 is a setting section for "reference job / inspection job output order", i.e., a setting section for the output order of printed matter, and is provided with "face up" and "face down" buttons. When the "face up" button is pressed, setting information is set such that the side of the output print paper on which the image is formed faces upwards and the sheets are arranged from top to bottom in the order in which they will be printed. When the "face down" button is pressed, setting information is set such that the side of the output print paper on which the image is formed faces downwards and the sheets are arranged from bottom to top in the order in which they will be printed.

[0052] Setting section P7 is a setting section for "Registering difference pages of reference job", and is provided with buttons for "Yes" and "No". When the "Yes" button is pressed, a child screen for registering difference pages of the reference job is displayed. On the child screen (not shown) for registering difference pages of the reference job, the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies, i.e., the number of pages of the setting information of the processing machine to be added to the original image, can be registered by operation of the user using the image forming apparatus 2. When the "No" button is pressed, setting information for not registering difference pages of the reference job is set.

[0053] Next, a description will be given of Example 1 of a registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus 2. Fig. 7 is a diagram for explaining Example 1 of a registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. Here, it is assumed that "Face Down" is set in the setting section (setting section P6) of "Reference Job / Inspection Job Output Order" on the image inspection setting screen G1 shown in Fig. 6, and "No" is set in the setting section (setting section P7) of "Register Difference Pages of Reference Job".

[0054] Fig. 7A shows an image of a print job received by the image forming apparatus 2 from the print controller 1. Fig. 7B shows an image of a reference job registered for the print job shown in Fig. 7A. Since the "reference job / inspection job output order" is set to "face down," the output order of the printed matter is the same as the order of the images of the print job shown in Fig. 7A.

[0055] When registering the reference job, the print controller 1 transmits a print instruction for the reference job to the image forming apparatus 2. When the print instruction for the reference job is received, the reference image control unit 33 of the image inspection device 30 of the image forming apparatus 2 registers the scanned image of the second copy, i.e., the scanned image of the copy with the smallest number of pages, as the reference image if the difference in the number of pages between the first copy and the second copy has not been registered. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7B, the scanned image of the printing paper on which the image of the nth copy (second copy) is printed is registered in the reference job as the reference image.

[0056] Next, a first example of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus 2 will be described. Here, an example will be described in which an image inspection is performed using a reference job shown in FIG. 7B on a scanned image of a printed matter on which the print job shown in FIG. 7A is printed. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a first example of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 8A shows an image of a print job. FIG. 8B is a diagram for explaining an image inspection using a reference job shown in FIG. 7B on a scanned image of a printed matter on which the print job shown in FIG. 8A is printed. Note that the print job shown in FIG. 8A and the reference job shown in FIG. 8B are the same as the print job and the reference job shown in FIG. 7, so that a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0057] If the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies is not registered and the output order of the printed matter is face-down, the inspection image control unit 34 of the image inspection device 30 specifies the pages, starting from the first page of the first copy, that are equal to the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies as pages not to be inspected by image inspection. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, the first two pages of the scanned image of the mth copy (first copy) in the inspection job, i.e., the two pages of "instruction_1" and "instruction_2", are not to be inspected by image inspection. By such processing, the image comparison inspection control unit 35 can compare the scanned images other than the first two pages of the mth copy in the inspection job with the reference image in the reference job as shown by the arrow in the figure, and perform image inspection without errors.

[0058] Next, a description will be given of example 2 of a registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus 2. Fig. 9 is a diagram for explaining example 2 of a registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. Here, it is assumed that "Face up" is set in the setting section (setting section P6) of "Reference job / inspection job output order" on the image inspection setting screen G1 shown in Fig. 6, and "No" is set in the setting section (setting section P7) of "Register difference pages of reference job".

[0059] Fig. 9A shows an image of a print job received by the image forming apparatus 2 from the print controller 1. Fig. 9B shows an image of a reference job registered for the print job shown in Fig. 9A. In the example shown in Fig. 9A, the "reference job / inspection job output order" is set to "face up", which is the opposite of the "face down" setting described in Fig. 7A, and therefore the order of images in the print job shown in Fig. 9A is the opposite of the order of images in the print job shown in Fig. 7A.

[0060] 9, as in the example shown in Fig. 7, the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies is not registered, so the reference image control unit 33 of the image inspection device 30 of the image forming apparatus 2 registers the scanned image of the second copy as the reference image. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 9B, the scanned image of the printing paper on which the image of the nth copy (second copy) is printed is registered in the reference job as the reference image.

[0061] Next, a second example of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus 2 will be described. Here, an example will be described in which an image inspection is performed using a reference job shown in FIG. 9B on a scanned image of a printed matter on which the print job shown in FIG. 9A is printed. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a second example of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. FIG. 10A shows an image of a print job. FIG. 10B is a diagram for explaining image inspection using a reference job shown in FIG. 9B on a scanned image of a printed matter on which the print job shown in FIG. 10A is printed. Note that the print job shown in FIG. 10A and the reference job shown in FIG. 10B are the same as the print job and the reference job shown in FIG. 9, so that a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0062] If the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies is not registered, and if the output order of the printed matter is face-up, the inspection image control unit 34 of the image inspection device 30 specifies the number of pages equal to the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies, starting from the last page of the first copy, as pages not to be inspected for image inspection. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10B, the last two pages of the scanned image of the nth copy (first copy) in the inspection job, i.e., the two pages of "instruction_1" and "instruction_2", are not to be inspected for image inspection. By such processing, the image comparison inspection control unit 35 can compare the scanned images other than the last two pages of the nth copy in the inspection job with the reference image in the reference job, as shown by the arrow in the figure, and perform image inspection without errors.

[0063] Next, it is assumed that the number of pages of the setting information of the finishing machine has been registered in advance. In this case, unlike the registration example of the reference job shown in Fig. 5, a scanned image of a set of printed matter including the setting information of the finishing machine may be registered as a reference image in the reference job. Here, a registration example 2 in which a scanned image of a set of printed matter including the setting information of the finishing machine is registered in the reference job will be described with reference to Fig. 11.

[0064] The print job shown in Fig. 11 is the same as the print job shown in Fig. 5, so a duplicated description will be omitted. In the example of the reference job shown in Fig. 11, the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies, i.e., the number of pages in the setting information of the processing machine, is registered, so the reference image control unit 33 of the image inspection device 30 registers the copy with the greatest number of pages (the first copy), i.e., the scanned image obtained by scanning the printing paper on which the mth copy is printed, as the reference image.

[0065] Next, a description will be given of Example 3 of a registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus 2. Fig. 12 is a diagram for describing Example 3 of a registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. Here, it is assumed that "Face Down" is set in the setting section (setting section P6) of "Reference Job / Inspection Job Output Order" on the image inspection setting screen G1 shown in Fig. 6, and "Yes" and "2 pages" are set in the setting section (setting section P7) of "Register Difference Pages of Reference Job".

[0066] Fig. 12A shows an image of a print job received by the image forming apparatus 2 from the print controller 1. Fig. 12B shows an image of a reference job registered for the print job shown in Fig. 12A. Since the "reference job / inspection job output order" is set to "face down," the output order of the printed matter is the same as the order of the images of the print job shown in Fig. 12A.

[0067] When the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies is registered when the reference job is registered, the reference image control unit 33 of the image inspection device 30 registers the scanned image of the printing paper on which the first copy is printed as the reference image. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 12B, an image of the mth copy (first copy) is printed, and the scanned image of the printing paper of the mth copy is registered in the reference job as the reference image.

[0068] Next, an example 3 of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus 2 will be described. Here, an example of performing image inspection on a read image of a printed matter on which the print job shown in FIG. 12A is printed, using the reference job shown in FIG. 12B will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining an example 3 of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. FIG. 13A shows an image of a print job. FIG. 13B is a diagram for explaining image inspection on a read image of a printed matter on which the print job shown in FIG. 13A is printed, using the reference job shown in FIG. 12B. Note that the print job shown in FIG. 13A and the reference job shown in FIG. 13B are the same as the print job and the reference job shown in FIG. 12, so duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0069] When the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies is registered, and the output order of the printed matter is face-down, the reference image control unit 33 of the image inspection device 30 excludes the number of pages equal to the registered difference in the number of pages, starting from the first page of the reference image, from comparison during image inspection. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 13B, the first two pages of the reference image in the reference job, i.e., the two pages "instruction_1" and "instruction_2", are excluded from comparison during image inspection.

[0070] Also, when the page number difference between the first and second copies is registered, and the output order of the printed matter is face-down, the inspection image control unit 34 of the image inspection device 30 specifies the number of pages equal to the registered page number difference, starting from the first page of the first copy, as pages not to be inspected by image inspection. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 13B, the first two pages of the scanned image of the mth copy (first copy) in the inspection job, i.e., the two pages of "instruction_1" and "instruction_2", are not to be inspected by image inspection. By such processing, the image comparison inspection control unit 35 can perform image inspection without errors by comparing the scanned images other than the first two pages of the mth copy in the inspection job with the reference image other than the images not to be compared in the reference job, as shown by the arrow in the figure.

[0071] Next, a description will be given of Example 4 of the registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus 2. Fig. 14 is a diagram for describing Example 4 of the registration case of a reference job in the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. Here, it is assumed that "Face up" is set in the setting section (setting section P6) of "Reference job / inspection job output order" on the image inspection setting screen G1 shown in Fig. 6, and "Yes" and "2 pages" are set in the setting section (setting section P7) of "Register difference pages of reference job".

[0072] Fig. 14A shows an image of a print job received by the image forming apparatus 2 from the print controller 1. Fig. 14B shows an image of a reference job registered for the print job shown in Fig. 14A. In the example shown in Fig. 14A, the "reference job / inspection job output order" is set to "face up", that is, the opposite of the "face down" setting described in Fig. 12A, so the order of images in the print job shown in Fig. 14A is the opposite of the order of images in the print job shown in Fig. 12A.

[0073] 12, in the example shown in Fig. 14, the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies is registered, so the reference image control unit 33 of the image inspection device 30 of the image forming apparatus 2 registers the scanned image of the first copy as a reference image. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 14B, the scanned image of the printing paper on which the image of the nth copy (first copy) is printed is registered in the reference job as a reference image.

[0074] Next, an example 4 of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus 2 will be described. Here, an example of performing image inspection on a read image of a printed matter on which the print job shown in FIG. 14A is printed, using the reference job shown in FIG. 14B will be described. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining an example 4 of an image inspection case in the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. FIG. 15A shows an image of a print job. FIG. 15B is a diagram for explaining image inspection on a read image of a printed matter on which the print job shown in FIG. 15A is printed, using the reference job shown in FIG. 14B. Note that the print job shown in FIG. 15A and the reference job shown in FIG. 15B are the same as the print job and the reference job shown in FIG. 14, so duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0075] When the difference in the number of pages between the first and second copies is registered, and the output order of the printed matter is face-up, the reference image control unit 33 of the image inspection device 30 excludes the number of pages equal to the registered difference in the number of pages from the final page of the reference image from comparison during image inspection. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 15B, the two pages from the final page of the reference image in the reference job, i.e., the two pages "instruction_1" and "instruction_2", are excluded from comparison during image inspection.

[0076] Also, when the page number difference between the first and second copies is registered and the output order of the printed matter is face-up, the inspection image control unit 34 of the image inspection device 30 specifies the number of pages equal to the registered page number difference from the last page of the first copy as pages not to be inspected by image inspection. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 15B, the last two pages of the scanned image of the nth copy (first copy) in the inspection job, i.e., the two pages of "instruction_1" and "instruction_2", are not to be inspected by image inspection. By such processing, the image comparison inspection control unit 35 can perform image inspection without errors by comparing the scanned images other than the last two pages of the nth copy in the inspection job with the reference image other than the images not to be compared in the reference job, as shown by the arrow in the figure.

[0077] [Procedure for registering the output order of printed materials and the difference pages of the reference job] Next, a procedure for registering the output order of printed matter and the difference pages of a reference job in the image forming apparatus 2 will be described. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing a procedure for registering the output order of printed matter and the difference pages of a reference job in the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. The process described below starts when a user uses the operation display unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 2 to press and set the setting buttons in the "Reference Job / Inspection Job Output Order" setting unit (setting unit P6) and the "Reference Job Difference Page Registration" setting unit (setting unit P7) on the image inspection setting screen G1 described in Fig. 6.

[0078] First, the CPU 40 of the image inspection device 30 registers the setting information of the "reference job / inspection job output order" input from the operation display unit 70 in the storage device 80 (step S1). Here, the setting information of the "reference job / inspection job output order" is the information of "face up" or "face down" set by the user's operation in the setting section (setting section P6) of the "reference job / inspection job output order".

[0079] Next, the CPU 40 of the image inspection device 30 registers the setting information for "Reference Job Difference Page Registration" input from the operation display unit 70 in the storage device 80 (step S2). Here, the setting information for "Reference Job Difference Page Registration" refers to information on "Yes" or "No" set by a user's operation in the setting section for "Reference Job Difference Page Registration" (setting section P7). After the processing of step S2, the registration processing of the reference job and inspection job ends.

[0080] [Image inspection processing procedure] Next, a procedure of image inspection processing in the image forming apparatus 2 will be described. Fig. 17 and Fig. 18 are flowcharts showing the procedure of image inspection processing in the image forming apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. The processing described below starts when the image forming apparatus 2 is started.

[0081] First, the data transmission / reception unit 11 of the engine controller 10 determines whether or not a print instruction has been received from the print controller 1 (step S11).

[0082] In the process of step S11, if the data transmission / reception unit 11 determines that a print instruction has not been received from the print controller 1 (if the determination in step S11 is No), it repeats the process of step S11.

[0083] On the other hand, in the process of step S11, if the data transmission / reception unit 11 determines that a print instruction has been received from the print controller 1 (if step S11 is determined to be Yes), it obtains the number of pages of each copy in the print job from the print controller 1 (step S12). In addition, the data transmission / reception unit 11 outputs the print instruction to the engine control unit 12.

[0084] Next, the engine control unit 12 judges whether or not to print the reference job (step S13). In this process, if the input print instruction is a print instruction for the reference job, the judgment in step S13 is Yes. On the other hand, if the input print instruction is a print instruction for a print job, the judgment in step S13 is No.

[0085] In the process of step S13, if the engine control unit 12 determines that the reference job is to be printed (if step S13 is judged as Yes), it determines whether or not a difference page of the reference job has been registered (step S14). In this process, if the setting information of "reference job difference page registration" linked to the print instruction has been registered in the storage device 80, the judgment in step S14 is Yes. On the other hand, if the setting information of "reference job difference page registration" linked to the print instruction has not been registered in the storage device 80, the judgment in step S14 is No.

[0086] In the processing of step S14, if the engine control unit 12 determines that a difference page has been registered for the reference job (if step S14 is judged as Yes), it requests the print controller 1 via the data transmission / reception unit 11 to send an original image of the copy with the largest number of pages (the first copy) included in the print job (step S15).

[0087] On the other hand, in the processing of step S14, if the engine control unit 12 determines that no difference pages have been registered for the reference job (if step S14 is judged as No), it requests the print controller 1 via the data transmission / reception unit 11 to send an original image of the copy (second copy) with the fewest pages included in the print job (step S16).

[0088] After the processing of step S15 or step S16, the print engine 20 prints the image received from the print controller 1, and the image inspection device 30 reads the print paper on which the received image is printed, and registers the read image in a reference job for image inspection (step S17). In this process, the reading device 31 of the image inspection device 30 reads the read image of the print paper and outputs it to the image processing unit 32. Then, the read image processing unit 32 outputs the input read image to the reference image control unit 33. The reference image control unit 33 registers the input read image in the reference job. After the processing of step S17, the registration process of the reference job is completed.

[0089] Returning to the process of step S13, the process to be performed if the determination in step S13 is No will now be described with reference to FIG. If step S13 is judged as No, the engine controller 10 receives the print job from the print controller 1, and the print engine 20 executes print processing based on the print job to output a printed matter (step S18). Also, in this processing, the reading device 31 of the image inspection device 30 reads the printed matter and outputs the read image of the printed matter to the image processing unit 32. Then, the read image processing unit 32 outputs the input read image to the inspection image control unit 34. The inspection image control unit 34 registers the input read image of the printed matter in the inspection job.

[0090] Next, the inspection image control unit 34 of the image inspection device 30 determines the output order of the printed matter, i.e., the arrangement order of the scanned images of the printed matter (step S19). In this process, if the setting information of the "reference job / inspection job output order" linked to the print instruction registered in the storage device 80 is "face down", the determination in step S19 is "face down". On the other hand, if the setting information of the "reference job / inspection job output order" linked to the print instruction registered in the storage device 80 is "face up", the determination in step S19 is "face up".

[0091] In processing step S19, if the inspection image control unit 34 determines that the output order of the printed matter is face-down (if step S19 is determined to be "face-down"), it determines whether the number of image pages of the reference job is the same as the number of pages of the second copy (the copy with the fewest number of pages) in the inspection job (step S20).

[0092] In the process of step S20, if the inspection image control unit 34 determines that the number of pages of the reference image of the reference job is not the same as the number of pages of the second copy (if step S20 is determined as No), it excludes images of the number of pages equal to the difference between the number of pages of the first copy and the second copy, starting from the first page of the reference image of the reference job, from comparison targets during image inspection (step S21). After the process of step S21, the inspection image control unit 34 performs the process of step S22 described below.

[0093] On the other hand, in the process of step S20, if the inspection image control unit 34 judges that the number of pages of the reference image of the reference job is the same as the number of pages of the second copy (if the judgment in step S20 is Yes), it excludes from the image inspection the number of pages equal to the difference in the number of pages between the first copy and the second copy, starting from the first page of the first copy (step S22). Also, in this process, the image comparison inspection control unit 35 performs image inspection on the images of the inspection job other than the images not subject to image inspection.

[0094] Returning now to the process of step S19, the process when the "face up" is determined in step S19 will be described. If step S19 is determined to be "face up," the inspection image control unit 34 determines whether the number of pages of the reference image of the reference job is the same as the number of pages of the second copy (the copy with the fewest number of pages) in the inspection job (step S23).

[0095] In the process of step S23, if the inspection image control unit 34 determines that the number of pages of the reference image of the reference job is not the same as the number of pages of the second copy (if step S23 is determined as No), it excludes images of the number of pages equal to the difference between the number of pages of the first copy and the second copy from the last page of the reference image of the reference job from comparison targets during image inspection (step S24). After the process of step S24, the image comparison inspection control unit 35 performs the process of step S25 described later.

[0096] On the other hand, in the process of step S23, if the inspection image control unit 34 judges that the number of pages of the reference image of the reference job is the same as the number of pages of the second copy (if the judgment in step S23 is Yes), it excludes the pages from the last page of the first copy, the number of pages equal to the difference in the number of pages between the first copy and the second copy, from the target of image inspection (step S25). Also, in this process, the image comparison inspection control unit 35 performs image inspection on the images of the inspection job other than the images not subject to image inspection.

[0097] After the processing of step S22 or step S25, the image inspection processing ends.

[0098] [effect] As described above, in the image forming apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the image inspection device 30 judges whether the number of pages of the image of the reference job is the same as the number of pages of the copy with the smallest number of pages of the image of the inspection job. If the number of pages of the image of the reference job is not the same as the number of pages of the copy with the smallest number of pages of the image of the inspection job, the image inspection device 30 judges that the setting information of the processing machine has been added to the image of the reference job, and excludes the page of the setting information of the processing machine included in the image of the reference job from the comparison target during image inspection based on the output order of the printed matter. In addition, the image inspection device 30 performs image inspection on the copy with the largest number of pages of the image of the inspection job, that is, the copy with the setting information of the processing machine, excluding the page of the setting information of the processing machine, based on the difference in the number of pages between the copy with the largest number of pages of the image of the inspection job and the copy with the smallest number of pages of the image of the inspection job, and the output order of the printed matter. By the above-mentioned process, when performing automatic image inspection on the printed matter to which the setting information of the processing machine has been added, it is not necessary to register the image inspection target, and it is also not necessary to perform the process of determining whether all pages of the printed matter printed in multiple copies are the image inspection target. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 2 of the present invention, it is possible to provide an automatic image inspection that can simplify the printing procedure and improve printing productivity.

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other applications and modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention as set forth in the claims. For example, the above-described embodiment describes the configuration of the image forming apparatus in detail and specifically in order to easily explain the present invention, and is not necessarily limited to having all of the configurations described. In addition, it is possible to replace part of the configuration of the embodiment described here with the configuration of another embodiment, and it is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. In addition, it is also possible to add, delete, or replace part of the configuration of the embodiment with other configurations. In addition, the control lines and information lines shown are those that are considered necessary for the explanation, and not all control lines and information lines in the product are necessarily shown. In reality, it can be considered that almost all components are connected to each other.

[0100] In the above embodiment, an example in which the setting information of the processing machine is added to the beginning of the document image has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the setting information of the processing machine may be added to the end of the document image. Also, in the above embodiment, an example in which the setting information of the processing machine is added to the document image has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any information may be added to the document image. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 1...print controller, 2...image forming device, 10...engine controller, 11...data transmission / reception section, 12...engine control section, 13...print number comparison processing section, 20...print engine, 21...print control section, 22...printing device section, 30...image inspection device, 31...reading device, 32...read image processing section, 33...reference image control section, 34...inspection image control section, 35...image comparison inspection control section

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus having a printing machine that prints an image on a recording medium, and an image inspection device that performs an image inspection by comparing a read image of the printed matter with a reference image, The image inspection device performs the image inspection on the printed matter based on the number of pages of a first copy of the printed matter having the largest number of pages, the number of pages of a second copy of the printed matter having the smallest number of pages, and the number of pages of the reference image. Image forming device.

2. The printing machine has a print copy comparison processing unit that compares the number of pages of each copy of the print job acquired from a print controller that generates a print job for printing a plurality of copies of the image, detects the first copy and the second copy, and outputs information including position information and the number of pages of each of the detected first copy and second copy to the image inspection device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. The image inspection device has an inspection image control unit that specifies pages not to be subjected to the image inspection based on the number of pages of the first copy, the number of pages of the second copy, the number of pages of the reference image, and an output order of the printed matter. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 .

4. The difference in the number of pages between the first copy and the second copy can be registered by an operation of a user who uses the image forming apparatus before the printed matter is printed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 .

5. The image inspection device has a reference image control unit that registers the scanned image of the second copy as the reference image when the page number difference is not registered. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 .

6. When the page number difference is not registered and when the output order is face-down, the inspection image control unit specifies pages, starting from the first page of the first copy and including the page number difference between the first copy and the second copy, as pages not to be subjected to the image inspection. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 .

7. When the page number difference is not registered and when the output order is face-up, the inspection image control unit specifies pages, starting from the last page of the first copy, that are equal to the page number difference between the first copy and the second copy as pages not to be inspected in the image inspection. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 .

8. The reference image control unit registers the scanned image of the first copy as the reference image when the page number difference is registered. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5 .

9. When the page number difference is registered and the output order is face-down, the reference image control unit excludes pages of the reference image, starting from the first page, from the number of pages equal to the registered page number difference, from the comparison target of the image inspection. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

10. When the page number difference is registered and the output order is face-up, the reference image control unit excludes pages of the number of pages equal to the registered page number difference from the last page of the reference image from the comparison target of the image inspection. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8.

11. When the page number difference is registered and when the output order is face-down, the inspection image control unit specifies pages of the first copy, starting from the first page, up to the number of pages equal to the registered page number difference, as pages not to be inspected in the image inspection. The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 .

12. When the page number difference is registered and when the output order is face-up, the inspection image control unit specifies pages of the number equal to the registered page number difference from the last page of the first copy as pages not to be inspected in the image inspection. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10.

13. 1. An image inspection method for an image forming apparatus having a printing machine that prints an image on a recording medium and an image inspection device that performs an image inspection by comparing a read image of the printed matter with a reference image, comprising: the image inspection device performs the image inspection on the printed matter based on a number of pages of a first copy of the printed matter printed in a plurality of copies, a number of pages of a second copy of the printed matter printed in a plurality of copies, and a number of pages of the reference image. Imaging methods.

Images