Image inspection system, inspection area setting apparatus, inspection area setting method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image inspection system, an inspection area setting apparatus, an inspection area setting method, and a program capable of reducing time and effort for setting an inspection area.SOLUTION: The image inspection system includes: a setting section (control section 16) that sets a plurality of inspection areas with respect to a reference image; a first reception section (control section 16) that receives designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among the plurality of inspection areas by a first designation method; and a second reception section (control section 16) that receives designation of a second inspection area, which is an inspection area other than the first inspection area among the plurality of inspection areas, by a second designation method different from the first designation method. The setting section sets the plurality of inspection areas on the basis of the designation of the first inspection area received by the first reception section and the designation of the second inspection area received by the second reception section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image inspection system, an inspection area setting device, an inspection area setting method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Image forming apparatuses that form images on paper are known in the art. When forming an image in an image forming apparatus, an unexpected factor or the like may cause the intended image to not be formed. For this reason, an image inspection system has been disclosed that compares an image read by an image reading device located downstream of an image forming apparatus with a normal image (reference image) that serves as a reference to determine whether the image is good or bad (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Meanwhile, variable printing is known, in which only a portion of an image to be formed is replaced and printed. The image inspection system described above can inspect an image formed (printed) in a variable area (inspection area) where the image is replaced. Specifically, when a barcode or number is printed in the variable area, it inspects whether the barcode or number is printed in the format intended by the user. For example, it inspects whether the value intended by the user is included, whether the numbers are arranged in the order intended by the user, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2021-111873 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, when inspecting a variable area, it is necessary to set where the variable area is located on the reference image. However, when there are a large number of variable areas, there is a problem that the setting is cumbersome. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 7, an area E31 in which numbers are printed and an area E32 in which a QR code (registered trademark) is printed are set as variable areas. There are nine areas E31 and nine areas E32, so it is necessary to set the coordinates of a total of 18 areas, which is cumbersome.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an image inspection system, an inspection area setting device, an inspection area setting method, and a program that are capable of reducing the effort required for setting an inspection area. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention described in claim 1 has been made to achieve the above object, an acquisition unit that acquires a read image obtained by reading an image on a sheet by an image reading unit; an image inspection unit that compares the read image acquired by the acquisition unit with a reference image to inspect whether or not there is an abnormality; An image inspection system comprising: A setting unit that sets a plurality of inspection areas in the reference image; a first reception unit that receives a designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among the plurality of inspection areas by a first designation method; a second reception unit that receives a designation of a second inspection area, which is an inspection area other than the first inspection area, among the plurality of inspection areas by a second designation method different from the first designation method; Equipped with The setting unit is characterized in that it sets the multiple inspection areas based on a designation of the first inspection area accepted by the first acceptance unit and a designation of the second inspection area accepted by the second acceptance unit.

[0008] The invention described in claim 2 is the image inspection system described in claim 1, The first designation method is characterized by including at least one of a method of designating an image to be inspected relative to the reference image, a method of surrounding a specified area in the reference image, and a method of designating coordinates of a specified area in the reference image.

[0009] The invention described in claim 3 is the image inspection system described in claim 1, The second designation method includes a method of setting a repetition condition for the plurality of inspection areas.

[0010] The invention described in claim 4 is the image inspection system described in claim 3, The repetition condition includes at least one of an interval between the inspection areas and the number of times the inspection areas are repeated.

[0011] The invention described in claim 5 is the image inspection system described in claim 4, The inspection method further comprises a setting control unit for controlling the number of repetitions of the inspection area.

[0012] The invention described in claim 6 is the image inspection system described in claim 5, The setting control unit is characterized in that, when the number of repetitions is set, if the inspection area after the repetition exceeds the range of the reference image, the setting of the number of repetitions is deemed to be an error and a warning is displayed on the display unit.

[0013] The invention described in claim 7 is the image inspection system described in claim 5, The setting control unit is characterized in that, when the number of repetitions is set, if the inspection area after the repetition exceeds the range of the reference image, the setting control unit corrects the number of repetitions to the maximum number that does not exceed the range of the reference image.

[0014] The invention described in claim 8 is the image inspection system described in claim 4, The printing apparatus is characterized in that it further comprises an operation unit capable of setting the order in which images to be printed in the multiple inspection areas specified by setting the repetition conditions are arranged.

[0015] The invention described in claim 9 is an acquisition unit that acquires a read image obtained by reading an image on a sheet by an image reading unit; an image inspection unit that compares the read image acquired by the acquisition unit with a reference image to inspect whether or not there is an abnormality; In an inspection area setting device comprising: A setting unit that sets a plurality of inspection areas in the reference image; a first reception unit that receives a designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among the plurality of inspection areas by a first designation method; a second reception unit that receives a designation of a second inspection area, which is an inspection area other than the first inspection area, among the plurality of inspection areas by a second designation method different from the first designation method; Equipped with The setting unit is characterized in that it sets the multiple inspection areas based on a designation of the first inspection area accepted by the first acceptance unit and a designation of the second inspection area accepted by the second acceptance unit.

[0016] The invention described in claim 10 is an acquisition unit that acquires a read image obtained by reading an image on a sheet by an image reading unit; an image inspection unit that compares the read image acquired by the acquisition unit with a reference image to inspect whether or not there is an abnormality; A method for setting an inspection area in an image inspection system comprising: a setting step of setting a plurality of inspection areas in the reference image; a first receiving step of receiving a designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among the plurality of inspection areas by a first designation method; a second receiving step of receiving a designation of a second inspection area, which is an inspection area other than the first inspection area, among the plurality of inspection areas by a second designation method different from the first designation method; Including, The setting process is characterized in that the multiple inspection areas are set based on a designation of the first inspection area received in the first receiving process and a designation of the second inspection area received in the second receiving process.

[0017] The invention described in claim 11 is an acquisition unit that acquires a read image obtained by reading an image on a sheet by an image reading unit; an image inspection unit that compares the read image acquired by the acquisition unit with a reference image to inspect whether or not there is an abnormality; A computer of an image inspection system comprising: A setting unit that sets a plurality of inspection areas in the reference image; a first reception unit that receives a designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among the plurality of inspection areas by a first designation method; a second reception unit that receives a designation of a second inspection area, which is an inspection area other than the first inspection area, among the plurality of inspection areas by a second designation method different from the first designation method; Functioning as a The setting unit is a program characterized by setting the multiple inspection areas based on a designation of the first inspection area accepted by the first reception unit and a designation of the second inspection area accepted by the second reception unit. Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the effort required for setting an inspection area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control structure of the image inspection system according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen (inspection area setting screen) for setting a plurality of inspection areas for a reference image. [Figure 4]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the inspection area setting screen after a plurality of inspection areas have been set. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an inspection area setting screen on which a warning is displayed to the effect that an error has occurred in setting the number of repetitions. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the order in which images are printed in a plurality of inspection areas specified by setting a repetition condition. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting a conventional variable area. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0021] An image inspection system 1 according to this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10, an image reading apparatus 20, and a paper discharge apparatus 30, as shown in FIGS.

[0022] The image forming apparatus 10 prints (forms) an image on paper based on image data included in a print job received from an external device, etc. Alternatively, the image forming apparatus 10 prints an image on paper based on image data obtained by reading an image from a document. The paper on which the image has been printed is discharged to the image reading apparatus 20.

[0023] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image forming device 10 includes an operation unit 11, a display unit 12, a document reading unit 13, an image forming unit 14, a paper feeding unit 15, a control unit 16, a memory unit 17, a controller IF 18, and an image processing unit 19.

[0024] The operation unit 11 includes a touch panel formed so as to cover the display screen of the display unit 12, and various operation buttons such as numeric buttons and a start button. The operation unit 11 outputs an operation signal to the control unit 16 based on a user's operation.

[0025] The display unit 12 is configured with an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 12 displays various screens in accordance with instructions of a display signal input from the control unit 16.

[0026] The document reading unit 13 includes an ADF (automatic document feeder), a scanner, etc. The document reading unit 13 outputs image data obtained by reading an image of a document to the control unit 16.

[0027] The image forming unit 14 forms an image on a sheet of paper supplied from a paper feed unit 15 based on image data that has been image-processed by an image processing unit 19 . The image forming unit 14 includes photoconductor drums 141Y, 141M, 141C, and 141K corresponding to the respective colors of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), an intermediate transfer belt 142, a secondary transfer roller 143, a fixing unit 144, and the like.

[0028] After being uniformly charged, the photoconductor drum 141Y is scanned and exposed to a laser beam based on yellow image data to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, yellow toner is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 141Y, and development is performed. The photoconductor drums 141M, 141C, and 141K are similar to the photoconductor drum 141Y except for the colors they handle, and therefore descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0029] The toner images of each color formed on the photoconductor drums 141Y to 141K are successively transferred (primary transfer) onto the rotating intermediate transfer belt 142. That is, a color toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 142 in which the toner images of four colors are superimposed. The color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 142 is transferred all at once onto a sheet of paper by a secondary transfer roller 143 (secondary transfer).

[0030] The fixing unit 144 includes a heating roller that heats the paper onto which the color toner image has been transferred, and a pressure roller that presses the paper, and fixes the color toner image onto the paper by applying heat and pressure.

[0031] The paper feed unit 15 includes paper feed trays 151 to 153, and supplies paper to the image forming unit 14. Each of the paper feed trays 151 to 153 stores paper of a paper type and size that are predetermined for that paper feed tray.

[0032] The control unit 16 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a memory. The CPU reads out various processing programs stored in the ROM, and performs centralized control of the operations of the various parts of the image forming apparatus 10 in accordance with the programs. The ROM is composed of non-volatile semiconductor memory or the like, and stores various processing programs, parameters and files required for executing the programs, etc. The memory is configured with a DRAM or the like, and temporarily stores various data such as programs and image data related to various image processes. For example, the control unit 16 acquires a read image obtained by reading an image on a sheet of paper with the image reading unit 22. That is, the control unit 16 functions as an acquisition unit of the present invention. Moreover, the control unit 16 compares the acquired read image with a reference image to check for the presence or absence of an abnormality. That is, the control unit 16 functions as an image inspection unit of the present invention. The control unit 16 controls the image reading device 20 via the control unit 21. The control unit 16 also controls the paper discharge device 30 via the control unit 31.

[0033] The storage unit 17 is a non-volatile storage device such as a HDD or a semiconductor memory that stores various data such as programs and image data. The storage unit 17 stores data such as program data and various setting data in a manner that allows the control unit 16 to read and write the data.

[0034] A controller IF (Interface) 18 receives a print job transmitted from an external device, etc. The received print job is output to the control unit 16.

[0035] The image processing unit 19 performs necessary image processing on the image data, and transmits the image data after image processing to the image forming unit 14. Image processing includes gradation processing, halftone processing, color conversion processing, etc. Gradation processing is a process of converting the gradation value of each pixel of the image data into a corrected gradation value so that the density characteristics of the image formed on the paper match the target. Halftone processing is an error diffusion process, a screen process using an ordered dither method, etc. Color conversion processing is a process of converting each RGB gradation value into each CMYK gradation value.

[0036] The image reading device 20 is connected to the rear stage of the image forming device 10, and includes a control unit 21, an image reading unit 22, and an image processing unit .

[0037] The control unit 21 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the overall operation of each unit of the image reading device 20.

[0038] The image reading unit 22 includes, for example, a linear image sensor (for example, a CCD line sensor), an optical system, a light source, etc. The image reading unit 22 reads the paper on which an image has been formed by the image forming unit 14, and outputs the obtained read image to the image processing unit 23. The paper read by the image reading unit 22 is transported to the paper discharge device 30.

[0039] The image processing unit 23 generates RGB digital image data after performing various processes on the analog image data input from the image reading unit 22. The various processes include, for example, analog processing, A / D conversion processing, shading processing, etc. The image data generated by the image processing unit 23 is output to the control unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10.

[0040] The paper discharge device 30 is connected to the rear stage of the image reading device 20 and includes a control unit 31 and a conveying unit 32 .

[0041] The control unit 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the overall operation of each part of the paper discharge device 30.

[0042] The transport unit 32 is composed of multiple roller pairs, and discharges the paper transported from the image reading device 20 to the paper output tray T30 or the purge tray T31. The transport unit 32 is composed of a purge path R2 that branches off from the transport path R1 leading to the paper output tray T30 and leads to the purge tray T31. If there is no abnormality in the read image obtained by reading the paper with the image reading unit 22, the transport unit 32 discharges the paper to the paper output tray T30. If there is an abnormality in the read image obtained by reading the paper with the image reading unit 22, the transport unit 32 discharges (purges) the paper to the purge tray T31.

[0043] In the present invention, the control unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10 sets a plurality of inspection areas for a reference image. That is, the control unit 16 functions as a setting unit of the present invention. Each inspection area is a variable area, and a different image (such as a barcode or a number) is printed in each inspection area. 3 shows an example of a screen (inspection area setting screen) for setting multiple inspection areas for the reference image G1. The user performs an operation to set multiple inspection areas via the operation unit 11 on the inspection area setting screen displayed on the display unit 12.

[0044] Specifically, first, the control unit 16 accepts the designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among a plurality of inspection areas by a first designation method. That is, the control unit 16 functions as a first reception unit of the present invention. The first designation method is, for example, a method of designating an image to be inspected with respect to a reference image, a method of enclosing a predetermined area in the reference image, and a method of designating the coordinates of the predetermined area in the reference image. The user designates the first inspection area by the first designation method via the operation unit 11. The control unit 16 accepts the designation of the first inspection area by the first designation method. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 3, an area E11 in which numbers are printed and an area E12 in which a QR code is printed in the upper left image of the reference image G1 are set (designated) as the first inspection area E1.

[0045] Next, the control unit 16 accepts the designation of a second inspection area, which is an inspection area other than the first inspection area among the multiple inspection areas, by a second designation method. That is, the control unit 16 functions as a second reception unit of the present invention. The second designation method is a method different from the first designation method, for example, a method of setting a repetition condition for the multiple inspection areas. The repetition condition is, for example, the interval between the inspection areas or the number of times the inspection area is repeated. The user designates the second inspection area by the second designation method via the operation unit 11. The control unit 16 accepts the designation of the second inspection area by the second designation method. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the interval between the inspection areas is set to 100 mm in the horizontal direction and 60 mm in the vertical direction. The number of times the inspection areas are repeated is set to three. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 4, the first inspection area E1 (E11 and E12) is repeated three times in the horizontal direction and three times in the vertical direction, and a total of nine inspection areas are set. Specifically, eight inspection areas excluding the first inspection area E1 are set as the second inspection area E2 (E21 and E22). Symbol E21 indicates the area in the second inspection area E2 where numbers are printed. Symbol E22 indicates the area in the second inspection area E2 where a QR code is printed. As described above, the control unit 16 sets a plurality of inspection areas based on the designation of the first inspection area and the designation of the second inspection area.

[0046] The control unit 16 also controls the setting of the number of repetitions of the inspection area, that is, the control unit 16 functions as a setting control unit of the present invention. Specifically, when the number of repetitions is set, if the value of the number of repetitions is large and the inspection area after the repetitions exceeds the range of the reference image, the control unit 16 performs a predetermined control. The inspection area after the repetitions is the inspection area after the set number of repetitions. For example, as a predetermined control, the control unit 16 determines that the setting of the number of repetitions is an error, and displays a warning on the display unit 12. In the example shown in Fig. 5, a warning is displayed saying "The setting of the number of repetitions is an error. The inspection area does not fit within the image." Furthermore, as a predetermined control, the control unit 16 corrects the number of repetitions to the maximum number that does not exceed the range of the reference image. 4, if the number of repetitions is set to "4", the fourth inspection area will be outside the range of the reference image, so the control unit 16 displays a warning on the display unit 12 or corrects the value of the number of repetitions to "3".

[0047] The control unit 16 compares the acquired read image with the reference image to check for the presence or absence of abnormalities. When checking an image printed in an inspection area (variable area), each of the multiple inspection areas set for the reference image is compared with an area corresponding to each inspection area in the read image. If a barcode or number is printed in the inspection area, it checks whether the barcode or number is printed in the format intended by the user. The format intended by the user is, for example, a format in which the barcode is arranged sequentially (1, 2, 3...). Even when a barcode is printed, it checks whether the contents indicated by the barcode are in order as a result of analysis. The operation unit 11 is configured to be able to set the order in which images to be printed in a plurality of inspection regions designated by the setting of the repetition conditions are arranged. For example, as shown in Fig. 6, any of the following can be set: Z order starting from the upper left (see Fig. 6(A)), reverse Z order starting from the upper right (see Fig. 6(B)), reverse N order starting from the upper left (see Fig. 6(C)), and N order starting from the upper right (see Fig. 6(D)). For example, in the example shown in Fig. 4, "Z order starting from the upper left" is set. When inspecting the images printed in the inspection areas, the control unit 16 first obtains the order in which the images printed in the inspection areas are arranged. Next, the control unit 16 compares the read image with the reference image to inspect whether the images printed in the inspection areas are printed in the obtained order. This allows the images printed in the inspection areas to be inspected.

[0048] As described above, the image inspection system 1 according to this embodiment includes a setting unit (control unit 16), a first reception unit (control unit 16), and a second reception unit (control unit 16). The setting unit sets a plurality of inspection areas for a reference image. The first reception unit receives a designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among the plurality of inspection areas by a first designation method. The second reception unit receives a designation of a second inspection area by a second designation method different from the first designation method. The second inspection area is an inspection area other than the first inspection area among the plurality of inspection areas. The setting unit sets the plurality of inspection areas based on the designation of the first inspection area received by the first reception unit and the designation of the second inspection area received by the second reception unit. Therefore, according to the image inspection system 1 according to the present embodiment, a plurality of inspection areas can be set by a simple setting operation, thereby reducing the effort required to set the inspection areas (variable areas).

[0049] The first designation method includes at least one of a method of designating the image to be inspected with respect to the reference image, a method of enclosing a predetermined area in the reference image, and a method of designating the coordinates of the predetermined area in the reference image. Therefore, the first inspection area serving as a reference can be set by a simple setting operation, thereby reducing the effort required for setting the inspection area.

[0050] The second designation method includes a method of setting a repetition condition for a plurality of inspection areas, The repetition condition includes at least one of an interval between the inspection areas and a number of times the inspection areas are repeated. Therefore, the inspection area other than the first inspection area can be set by a simple setting operation, thereby reducing the effort required for setting the inspection area.

[0051] The device also includes a setting control unit (control unit 16) for controlling the setting of the number of repetitions of the inspection area. When the number of repetitions is set, if the inspection area after the repetition exceeds the range of the reference image, the setting control unit regards the setting of the number of repetitions as an error, and causes the display unit 12 to display a warning. Therefore, if an error occurs in the setting of the number of repetitions, the user can be notified of the error, and the setting of the number of repetitions can be quickly corrected.

[0052] Furthermore, when the number of repetitions is set, if the inspection area after the repetitions exceeds the range of the reference image, the setting control unit corrects the number of repetitions to the maximum number that does not exceed the range of the reference image. Therefore, if there is an error in the setting of the number of repetitions, it can be automatically corrected, and the number of repetitions can be appropriately set without much effort.

[0053] The apparatus also includes an operation unit 11 that can set the order in which images to be printed in a plurality of specified inspection areas are arranged by setting repetition conditions. Therefore, when inspecting the images printed in the inspection area, the arrangement order of the images set by the operation unit 11 can be acquired. Therefore, it is possible to inspect whether the images are printed in the acquired order. This allows the images printed in the inspection area to be inspected appropriately.

[0054] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on an embodiment thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0055] For example, in the above embodiment, a plurality of inspection areas are set via the operation unit 11 of the image forming apparatus 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of inspection areas may be set via an operation unit of a PC capable of communicating with the image inspection system 1.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the image inspection system 1 is described as an example of a configuration for implementing the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the present invention can be implemented by a single device (inspection area setting device) that includes an image reading unit, an operation unit, and a control unit. In this case, the control unit functions as the acquisition unit, image inspection unit, setting unit, first reception unit, and second reception unit of the present invention.

[0057] In addition, the detailed configurations and operations of each device constituting the image inspection system may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1. Image inspection system 10 Image forming device 11 Control section 12 Display section 13 Document reading unit 14 Image forming section 141Y, 141M, 141C, 141K Photoconductor drum 142 Intermediate transfer belt 143 Secondary transfer roller 144 Fixing part 15 Paper feed section 151~153 Paper Tray 16 Control unit (acquisition unit, image inspection unit, setting unit, first reception unit, second reception unit, setting control unit) 17 Memory section 18 Controller Interface 19 Image processing section 20 Image reader 21 Control section 22 Image reading unit 23 Image Processing Section 30 Paper ejection device 31 Control Unit 32 Conveyor T30 Output Tray T31 Purge Tray R1 Transport route R2 Purge Path

Claims

1. an acquisition unit that acquires a read image obtained by reading an image on a sheet by an image reading unit; an image inspection unit that compares the read image acquired by the acquisition unit with a reference image to inspect whether or not there is an abnormality; An image inspection system comprising: A setting unit that sets a plurality of inspection areas in the reference image; a first reception unit that receives a designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among the plurality of inspection areas by a first designation method; a second reception unit that receives a designation of a second inspection area, which is an inspection area other than the first inspection area, among the plurality of inspection areas by a second designation method different from the first designation method; Equipped with An image inspection system characterized in that the setting unit sets the multiple inspection areas based on the designation of the first inspection area accepted by the first reception unit and the designation of the second inspection area accepted by the second reception unit.

2. The image inspection system described in claim 1, characterized in that the first designation method includes at least one of a method of designating an image to be inspected relative to the reference image, a method of surrounding a specified area in the reference image, and a method of designating coordinates of a specified area in the reference image.

3. 2. The image inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the second designation method includes a method of setting a repetition condition for the plurality of inspection areas.

4. 4. The image inspection system according to claim 3, wherein the repetition condition includes at least one of an interval between the inspection areas and a number of repetitions of the inspection areas.

5. The image inspection system according to claim 4 , further comprising a setting control unit that controls the setting of the number of repetitions of the inspection area.

6. The image inspection system of claim 5, characterized in that when the number of repetitions is set, if the inspection area after the repetition exceeds the range of the reference image, the setting control unit determines that the setting of the number of repetitions is an error and displays a warning on the display unit.

7. The image inspection system of claim 5, characterized in that when the number of repetitions is set, if the inspection area after the repetition exceeds the range of the reference image, the setting control unit corrects the number of repetitions to the maximum number that does not exceed the range of the reference image.

8. 5. The image inspection system according to claim 4, further comprising an operation unit capable of setting the order in which images to be printed in the multiple inspection areas specified by setting the repetition conditions are arranged.

9. an acquisition unit that acquires a read image obtained by reading an image on a sheet by an image reading unit; an image inspection unit that compares the read image acquired by the acquisition unit with a reference image to inspect whether or not there is an abnormality; In an inspection area setting device comprising: A setting unit that sets a plurality of inspection areas in the reference image; a first reception unit that receives a designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among the plurality of inspection areas by a first designation method; a second reception unit that receives a designation of a second inspection area, which is an inspection area other than the first inspection area, among the plurality of inspection areas by a second designation method different from the first designation method; Equipped with An inspection area setting device characterized in that the setting unit sets the multiple inspection areas based on the designation of the first inspection area accepted by the first reception unit and the designation of the second inspection area accepted by the second reception unit.

10. an acquisition unit that acquires a read image obtained by reading an image on a sheet by an image reading unit; an image inspection unit that compares the read image acquired by the acquisition unit with a reference image to inspect whether or not there is an abnormality; A method for setting an inspection area in an image inspection system comprising: a setting step of setting a plurality of inspection areas in the reference image; a first receiving step of receiving, by a first designation method, designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among the plurality of inspection areas; a second receiving step of receiving a designation of a second inspection area, which is an inspection area other than the first inspection area, among the plurality of inspection areas by a second designation method different from the first designation method; Including, An inspection area setting method characterized in that the setting process sets the multiple inspection areas based on the designation of the first inspection area accepted in the first receiving process and the designation of the second inspection area accepted in the second receiving process.

11. an acquisition unit that acquires a read image obtained by reading an image on a sheet by an image reading unit; an image inspection unit that compares the read image acquired by the acquisition unit with a reference image to inspect whether or not there is an abnormality; A computer of an image inspection system comprising: A setting unit that sets a plurality of inspection areas in the reference image; a first reception unit that receives designation of a first inspection area serving as a reference among the plurality of inspection areas by a first designation method; a second reception unit that receives designation of a second inspection area, which is an inspection area other than the first inspection area, among the plurality of inspection areas by a second designation method different from the first designation method; Function as a A program characterized in that the setting unit sets the multiple inspection areas based on a designation of the first inspection area accepted by the first reception unit and a designation of the second inspection area accepted by the second reception unit.

Images