Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program

Abstract

To execute, at low cost, replacement of a printed material in which a defect is detected with a reprinted material.SOLUTION: A defect detection data acquisition unit acquires defect detection data stored in a storage. A defective page position data acquisition unit acquires defective page position data indicating the position of a page in which a defect is detected which corresponds to the acquired defect detection data stored in the storage. An interruption position data acquisition unit acquires insertion sheet interruption printing position data indicating the position of a page to which an insertion sheet is interrupted from a printing server. An insertion sheet print image creation unit creates image data including identification information associating the insertion sheet and a reprinting sheet with each other as insertion sheet print image data, on the basis of the defect detection data, defective page position data, and insertion sheet interruption printing position data. The created insertion sheet print image data is output to a printer or the printing server.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing technique for inspecting printed matter. [Background technology]

[0002] In a printed matter output by a printing device, stains caused by coloring materials such as ink or toner adhering to unintended locations, or color loss, which results in a lighter color than intended due to insufficient coloring materials adhering, may occur. Visual inspections for visually inspecting for such print defects require a lot of time and cost, so inspection systems that perform inspections automatically have been proposed. In such inspection systems, defects are detected based on the difference between a reference image that serves as an inspection standard for printed matter registered in advance and an inspection target image obtained by scanning the printed matter to be inspected. Printed matter in which a defect has been detected and printed matter that has already been printed at the time of defect detection are discharged to an output tray separate from printed matter in which no defect has been detected, and the page in which the defect has been detected is automatically reprinted. However, in order to maintain the page order of the printed matter, in addition to the printed matter in which a defect has been detected, it is necessary to reprint printed matter that has already been printed and is located around the printed matter in which the defect has been detected, so the amount of wasted paper has increased by several times the number of defects detected.

[0003] Therefore, in order to reduce paper waste, a method has been proposed in which only printed matter in which a defect was detected after printing is replaced with a reprinted matter. Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection system that removes printed matter in which a defect was detected during printing, inserts a slip sheet (insertion sheet) on which identification information is printed at the removed position, and enables the reprinted matter to be replaced with the slip sheet. A notice sheet is output for each reprinted matter that describes how to replace the slip sheet, and the user can replace the slip sheet with the reprinted matter by following the instructions on the notice sheet. Patent Document 1 reduces paper waste by reprinting only printed matter in which a defect was detected, and the user replaces the slip sheet with the reprinted matter after printing is completed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-111871 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, the method described in Patent Document 1 requires the addition of a mechanism for replacing printed matter with a slip sheet on which identification information is printed, and a printing unit for printing the notification sheet, in order to match the slip sheet on which identification information is printed, which results in increased costs.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to replace a printed material in which a defect has been detected with a reprinted material at low cost. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention is an image processing device that inspects an image printed on paper by a printing means, and comprises a first acquisition means for acquiring defect detection data detected by the inspection, a second acquisition means for acquiring an interrupt printing position of an insertion sheet at which information regarding a defective page for which the defect detection data has been detected is interrupt printed by the printing means, a generation means for generating print image data based on the defect detection data and the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet, including an image indicating the positional relationship between the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and the position of the defective page and identification information of a reprint sheet on which the defective page is reprinted, and a control means for causing the printing means to interrupt print the print image data generated by the generation means at the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, a printed material in which a defect has been detected can be replaced with a reprinted material at low cost. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system including an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] A flowchart showing the flow of processing performed in image processing according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of defect detection data according to the first embodiment; [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of defective page position data according to the first embodiment; [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing the flow of an insertion sheet print image generation process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reprint sheet identifier according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reprint sheet interrupt printing position identifier according to the first embodiment; [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an insertion sheet print image according to the first embodiment; [Figure 10] Flowchart showing the flow of image processing according to the first modified example [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an interrupt printing position for a reprint sheet according to the first modified example; [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reprint sheet interrupt position identifier according to the first modified example. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an image processing device according to a second modified example. [Figure 14] Flowchart showing the flow of image processing according to the second modified example [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of print order setting according to Modification 2; [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a page interrupt position identifier according to a second modification; [Figure 17] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of an insertion sheet print image generation process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a reprint sheet identifier and a page interrupt position identifier according to the second embodiment. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an identifier printing area according to the second embodiment; [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an insert sheet on which an identifier is printed according to the second embodiment. [Figure 21]11 is a flowchart showing the flow of an insertion sheet print image generation process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of defects detected in the third embodiment, the detected page positions, and defect detection data. [Figure 23] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing examples of a reprint sheet identifier and a page interrupt position identifier according to the third embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a defect identifier according to the third embodiment; [Diagram 25] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an identifier printing area according to the third embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an insert sheet on which an identifier is printed according to the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. Note that the same components will be described with the same reference numerals.

[0011] [Embodiment 1] In this embodiment, a method will be described in which a user visually recognizes an image including identification information printed on an insertion sheet, and associates the insertion sheet with a reprint sheet.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a printing system that outputs and inspects printed matter, including an image processing device 100 to which the present invention is applied. The printing system of this embodiment includes the image processing device 100, a printing server 180, and a printing device 190. The printing server 180 has a function of generating a print job for a document to be printed and inputting the print job to the printing device 190. The printing device 190 has a function of forming an image on a recording medium (printing paper) based on the print job input from the printing server 180. The printing device 190 can be an offset printing device or an electrophotographic device, but in this embodiment, it is an electrophotographic printing device. The printing device 190 also has a paper feed unit 191, and a user sets printing paper in the paper feed unit 191 in advance. When a print job is input, the printing device 190 forms an image on one or both sides of the printing paper while conveying the printing paper set in the paper feed unit 191 along a conveying path 192, and outputs the printed matter to the image processing device 100.

[0013] The image processing device 100 of the present invention functions as an inspection processing device that performs an inspection process to check for defects on a printed matter on which an image is formed by a printing device 190. The image processing device 100 has a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, a main memory device 104, an image reading device 105, an interface (I / F) 106 with the printing device, a general-purpose I / F 107, and a user interface (UI) panel 108 inside. The image processing device 100 has a main bus 109 that connects these components to each other. Furthermore, the image processing device 100 has a conveying path 110 connected to a conveying path 192 of the printing device 190, a first output tray 111 to which printed matters that have passed the inspection are discharged, and a second output tray 112 to which printed matters that have failed the inspection due to defects are discharged. The classification of printed matters may be configured to be more detailed than just the two types of pass and fail.

[0014] The CPU 101 is a processor that controls each unit in the image processing device 100. The RAM 102 functions as a main memory, a work area, etc. of the CPU 101. The ROM 103 stores a group of programs executed by the CPU 101. The main storage device 104 stores applications executed by the CPU 101, data used in image processing, etc. The image reading device (scanner) 105 can read one side or both sides of a printed matter sent from the printing device 190 on the conveying path 110 and obtain the read image data of the printed matter. The printing device I / F 106 is connected to the printing device 190 and can transmit and receive signals for synchronizing processing timing with the printing device 190 and information indicating each other's operating status. The general-purpose I / F 107 is a serial bus interface such as USB or IEEE1394, and allows a user to read data such as a log from the image processing device 100 and to cause the image processing device 100 to read some data. The UI panel 108 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and functions as a user interface for the image processing device 100, displaying the current operating status and settings to present to the user. The UI panel 108 can also receive instructions from the user by including a touch panel or buttons. A main bus 109 connects the various parts of the image processing device 100 to enable mutual communication.

[0015] The CPU 101 can also operate various internal parts of the printing device 190 in addition to the image processing device 100 according to instructions from the CPU 101. For example, the transport paths 110 and 192 can be moved synchronously, and printed matter that passes the inspection can be discharged to a first output tray 111 and printed matter that fails the inspection can be discharged to a second output tray 112. The image processing device 100 can also include a GPU in addition to the CPU 101.

[0016] Overall, the image processing device 100 performs an inspection process based on the read image data of the printed matter read by the scanner 105 while transporting the printed matter output from the printing device 190 on the transport path 110. As a result of the inspection process, printed matters that pass the inspection are discharged to a first output tray 111, and printed matters that fail the inspection are discharged to a second output tray 112. In this way, only those whose quality has been confirmed can be collected on the first output tray 111 as deliverables for delivery. The results of the inspection process include defect detection data and defective page position data, which will be described later, and are stored in the RAM 102 or the main memory device 104, respectively.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the image processing device 100 in this embodiment. The processing configuration shown in FIG. 2 is realized by loading a program for implementing the processing configuration and its functions into the RAM 102 of the image processing device 100 shown in FIG. 1, and the CPU 101 executing the program. The defect detection data acquisition unit 201 acquires defect detection data stored in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104, and outputs the acquired defect detection data to the insertion sheet print image generation unit 204. The defect detection data is defect data of a page where a defect is detected in the printed matter of the printing device 190. The defective page position data acquisition unit 202 acquires defective page position data stored in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104, and outputs the acquired defective page position data to the insertion sheet print image generation unit 204. The interrupt position data acquisition unit 203 acquires interrupt printing position data of the insertion sheet stored in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104, and outputs the acquired interrupt printing position data of the insertion sheet to the insertion sheet print image generation unit 204. The insertion sheet print image generating unit 204 generates an image including identification information for associating the insertion sheet with the reprint sheet based on the defect detection data, the defective page position, and the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet as the insertion sheet print image data. The insertion sheet print image generating unit 204 outputs the generated insertion sheet print image data to the printing device 190 or the printing server 180.

[0018] <Operation of image processing device 100> Fig. 3 shows a flowchart for explaining the process for generating insertion sheet print image data executed by the image processing device 100. Each component (function) is realized by the CPU 101 reading into the RAM 102 a program capable of realizing the flowchart shown in Fig. 3 and executing it. In the following description, each step (process) is abbreviated with the letter "S".

[0019] In S301, the defect detection data acquisition unit 201 acquires defect detection data stored in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104. The defect detection data is defect data of a page in which a defect has been detected among the printed matter of the printing device 190. FIG. 4 shows the defect detection data acquired in this embodiment. FIG. 4(a) shows a preview image 403 in which a dot-like defect 401 is highlighted with a square frame 402 in a scanned image of a page in which a defect has been detected. FIG. 4(b) shows inspection result data 404, which includes inspection conditions such as the ID number of the detected defect, the defect size, the inspection level, and the code type to be inspected. In this embodiment, the defect detection data acquisition unit 201 acquires data including the preview image 403 and the inspection result data 404 as defect detection data.

[0020] In S302, the defective page position data acquisition unit 202 acquires defective page position data indicating the position of a page on which a defect corresponding to the defect detection data acquired in S301 was detected, which is stored in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104. In this embodiment, since a defect was detected on the (i+1)th page of the printed matter 501 shown in Fig. 5, the page number (i+1) is acquired as the defective page position data.

[0021] In S303, the interrupt position data acquisition unit 203 acquires from the printing server 180 interrupt print position data of the insertion sheet indicating the page position at which the insertion sheet is to be inserted. As shown in FIG. 5, when a defect is detected in the printed matter of the (i+1)th page 501, the interrupt position is a page after the printed matter 502 to 505 that have already been printed or are being printed by the printing device 190 and to which an interrupt print job for the insertion sheet can be input. In this embodiment, the printing server 180 is configured to input a print job to the printing device 190. Therefore, when the printing server 180 acquires information indicating that a defect has been detected, for example, defective page position data, the printing server 180 determines the interrupt print position of the insertion sheet based on the print job being executed, and outputs the interrupt print position data of the insertion sheet to the image processing device 100. 5, an interrupt print job for an insertion sheet 506 can be submitted on the next (i+6) page of the printed matter 505, so the printing server 180 outputs interrupt print position data for an insertion sheet with the interrupt position at page number i+6 to the image processing device 100. The position at which the interrupt print job can be submitted may be determined taking into consideration the time it takes to receive the insertion sheet print image data generated in S304 described below.

[0022] In S304, the insertion sheet print image generating unit 204 generates image data including identification information for associating the insertion sheet 506 with the reprint sheet as insertion sheet print image data based on the defect detection data, the defective page position data, and the interrupt print position data of the insertion sheet. The generated insertion sheet print image data is output to the printing device 190 or the printing server 180, and the process for generating the insertion sheet print image data in the image processing device 100 ends. The printing server 180 inputs the interrupt print job generated based on the insertion sheet print image data into the interrupt print position of the insertion sheet determined in S303. Details of the process in the insertion sheet print image generating unit 204 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0023] <Operation of Insertion Sheet Print Image Generating Unit 204> FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating details of the insertion sheet print image generation process in S304 in the first embodiment.

[0024] In S601, the insertion sheet print image generation unit 204 generates image data including identification information of the reprint sheet to be inserted as reprint sheet identification image data based on the defect detection data output from the defect detection data acquisition unit 201 in S301. In this embodiment, the insertion sheet print image generation unit 204 generates reprint sheet identification image data 701 shown in Fig. 7 including the preview image 403 shown in Fig. 4(a) from the defect detection data. By visually checking the reprint sheet identification image formed on the insertion sheet based on the reprint sheet identification image data 701, the user can easily identify the positional relationship between the insertion sheet and the defective page, and the reprint sheet corresponding to the insertion sheet.

[0025] In S602, the insertion sheet print image generating unit 204 generates page interrupt position identification image data including identification information of the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet, which is the position of the defective page, so that the user can identify the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet. In this embodiment, reprint sheet interrupt position identification image data 801 shown in Fig. 8 is generated based on the defective page position data acquired in S302 and S303 and the interrupt printing position data of the insertion sheet. The user can easily identify the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet by visually checking the graphic 802 and the notification message 803 indicating the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet relative to the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet.

[0026] In S603, the insertion sheet print image generating unit 204 generates insertion sheet print image data including reprint sheet identification image data 701 and reprint sheet interrupt position identification image data 801. The reprint sheet identification image data 701 is data that associates the insertion sheet with the reprint sheet, and the reprint sheet interrupt position identification image data 801 is data that indicates the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet that corresponds to the insertion sheet. Fig. 9 shows an insertion sheet print image 901 formed on the insertion sheet based on the insertion sheet print image data. The insertion sheet print image 901 shown in Fig. 9 is an example, and any image formed based on the reprint sheet identification image data 701 and the reprint sheet interrupt position identification image data 801 may be used, and the arrangement, size, etc. of each image included therein are not limited to this.

[0027] In this way, the user can easily identify the interruption position of the reprinted sheet corresponding to the insertion sheet by visually checking the insertion sheet print image 901 formed on the insertion sheet based on the reprinted sheet identification image data 701 and the reprinted sheet interruption position identification image data 801.

[0028] For example, consider a configuration in which a user separately reprints the print image data of a defective page, and a first output tray 111 is provided to eject print products that pass inspection, and a second output tray 112 is provided to eject print products that have been found to have defects and failed inspection. The user can easily associate the insertion sheet with the reprinted sheet by visually comparing the reprinted sheet ejected to the second output tray 112 with the reprinted sheet identification image printed on the insertion sheet ejected to the first output tray 111. Furthermore, the user can easily grasp the interrupt printing position of the reprinted sheet from the position of the insertion sheet by visually checking the reprinted sheet interrupt position identification image printed on the insertion sheet.

[0029] In this embodiment, the scanned image of the defective page is used as the identification image of the reprint sheet, but it is not limited to the scanned image of the defective page. For example, a preview image of the page data of the defective page may be used as the identification image of the reprint sheet.

[0030] (Variation 1) <Reprinting the reprint sheet near the insertion sheet> In the following, a modified example of the process of generating reprint sheet interrupt position identification image data in S602 is described. In the first embodiment, reprint sheet interrupt position identification image data indicating the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet relative to the position of the insertion sheet is generated based on the defective page position data and the interrupt printing position data of the insertion sheet, and the reprint sheet interrupt position identification image is printed on the insertion sheet. After printing of all pages is completed, the user inserts a separately printed reprint sheet according to the reprint sheet interrupt position identification image printed on the insertion sheet. In contrast, in the first modified example, the defective page is automatically reprinted on a page near the insertion sheet, and identification image data indicating the reprint sheet relative to the position of the insertion sheet and the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet is generated.

[0031] 10 shows a flowchart for explaining the process for generating the insertion sheet print image data executed by the image processing device 100 in the modified example 1. The image processing in this modified example is the same as that explained in the first embodiment using FIG. 3 except for S1001 and S602 included in S304, and therefore the explanation will be omitted.

[0032] In S1001, the interrupt position data acquisition unit 203 acquires interrupt printing position data for reprint sheets, which indicates the position where reprint sheets are to be interrupted, stored in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104. In this modification, as shown in FIG. 11, when a defect is detected in the (i+1)th page of the printed matter 501, the interrupt printing position is a page after the printed matters 502 to 505 that have been printed and are being printed by the printing device 190 and at which an interrupt printing job for an insertion sheet and a reprint sheet can be input. In this modification, when the printing server 180 determines the interrupt printing position for the insertion sheet 506, it sets the next page number of the insertion sheet 506, i+7, as the interrupt printing position for the reprint sheet, and outputs the interrupt printing position data for the reprint sheet to the image processing device 100.

[0033] In S602 of S304, the insertion sheet print image generation unit 204 generates reprint sheet interrupt position identification image data based on the defective page position data, the interrupt printing position data of the insertion sheet, and the interrupt printing position data of the reprint sheet acquired in S1001. Fig. 12 shows reprint sheet interrupt position identification image data 1201. In this modified example, the reprint sheet is placed on the page next to the insertion sheet. The user can grasp the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet, the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet, and the position of the defective page (the final interrupt position of the reprint sheet) by visually checking the graphic 1202 and the notification message 1203.

[0034] By performing image processing as described above, when the defective page is automatically reprinted, the user can easily grasp the position of the reprinted sheet from the inserted sheet and the final interrupt position of the reprinted sheet by visually checking the page interrupt position identification image printed on the inserted sheet. If the output tray of the printing device 190 includes a first output tray 111 to which printed products that have passed inspection are discharged and a second output tray 112 to which printed products that have failed inspection are discharged, the reprinted sheet is discharged to the first output tray 111 for printed products that have passed inspection. Also, in order to easily associate the inserted sheet with the reprinted sheet, it is desirable to reprint the reprinted sheet at a page position near the inserted sheet, for example, a page adjacent to the inserted sheet.

[0035] (Variation 2) <Setting the printing order of insertion sheets and reprint sheets according to the reading order for the post-processing machine> Below, modified examples of the process of acquiring the interrupt printing position data of the inserted sheet and the interrupt printing position data of the reprinted sheet in S303 and S1001 are described. In Modification 1, when the page in which a defect was detected is reprinted at a page position near the inserted sheet, the interrupt printing position data of the inserted sheet and the reprinted sheet is generated according to the input order of the interrupt printing jobs from the printing server 180. In contrast, in Modification 2, when the interrupt printing position of the reprinted sheet is automatically identified by a post-processing machine such as a collating machine, the user can set the printing order of the inserted sheet and the reprinted sheet according to the order in which the post-processing machine reads the printed matter.

[0036] 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the processing arrangement of the image processing device 100 in this modified example, which is the same as the processing arrangement (FIG. 2) of the image processing device 100 in the first embodiment except for a print order setting unit 1301. The print order setting unit 1301 acquires the print order mode set by the user on the UI panel 108 or the like, and sets the print order based on the interrupt position data acquired from the interrupt position data acquisition unit 203 and the print order mode set by the user. The print order setting unit 1301 outputs the print order setting to the printing device 190 or the printing server 180 as necessary.

[0037] FIG. 14 is a flowchart of image processing executed by the image processing device 100 in this modified example. Except for S1401 to S1403 and S304, the contents are the same as those described using FIG. 3 in the first embodiment and the contents described using FIG. 10 in the first modified example.

[0038] In S1401, the print order setting unit 1301 resets the interrupt printing positions of the insertion sheets and reprint sheets based on a preset print order mode and the interrupt printing position data of the insertion sheets and reprint sheets acquired in S303 and S1001. In this modification, the user sets the print order mode of the insertion sheets and reprint sheets on the UI panel 108 shown in Fig. 15(a) according to the reading order of the printed matter of the post-processing machine. The print order modes include a first print order mode 1501 in which the reprint sheets are inserted after the insertion sheets, and a second print order mode 1502 in which the insertion sheets are inserted after the reprint sheets.

[0039] In this modification, when a defect is detected in the printed matter 501 of the i+1th page shown in FIG. 11, the insertion sheet and the reprinted sheet are printed so as to be inserted on the i+6th and i+7th pages behind the printed matters 502 to 505 already printed and being printed by the printing device 190. When the post-processing device reads the printed matters 1503 stacked on the first output tray 111 shown in FIG. 15(b) from top to bottom using a scanner, the reading order is the opposite of the printing order. Therefore, the user sets the second print order mode 1502 in which the insertion sheet is inserted on the next page of the reprinted sheet so that the insertion sheet on which the identification image indicating the interrupt printing position of the reprinted sheet is printed is read first. Therefore, in this modification, the interrupt printing position data of the reprinted sheet and the insertion sheet are set to page numbers i+6 and i+7, respectively, so that the reprinted sheet is inserted on the i+6th page, which is the next page number of the printed matter 505, and the insertion sheet is inserted on the i+7th page.

[0040] In S1402, the print order setting unit 1301 determines whether the relationship between the interrupt printing position data of the insertion sheet and the interrupt printing position data of the reprint sheet input in S303 and S1001 is the same as the print order setting set in S1401. If the relationship between the interrupt printing position data of the insertion sheet and the interrupt printing position data of the reprint sheet is the same as the print order setting, it determines that the print order setting has been reflected in the input order of the interrupt printing jobs submitted from the printing server 180, and proceeds to S304. If the relationship between the interrupt printing position data of the insertion sheet and the interrupt printing position data of the reprint sheet differs from the print order setting, it determines that the print order setting has not been reflected in the input order of the interrupt printing jobs submitted from the printing server 180, and proceeds to S1403.

[0041] In S1403, the print order setting unit 1301 outputs the print order setting set in S1401 to the printing device 190 or the printing server 180 that submits the interrupt print job, and returns to S303. In this embodiment, the print order setting is output to the printing server 180 so that the printing server 180 submits the interrupt print job. The printing server 180 switches the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet determined in S303 and the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet determined in S1001 based on the acquired print order setting.

[0042] In S304, the insertion sheet print image generation unit 204 incorporates a barcode 1601 indicating the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet relative to the insertion sheet and the final interrupt position of the reprint sheet into the reprint sheet interrupt position identification image data 1201. In this modification, the reprint sheet is printed on the page before the insertion sheet according to the print reading order of the post-processing machine. This allows the post-processing machine to interrupt the reprint sheet at the position of page number i+1 by recognizing the barcode 1601 indicating the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet and the final interrupt position of the reprint sheet printed on the insertion sheet by the post-processing machine.

[0043] With the above-described processing, the user can set the printing order of the insertion sheets and reprinted sheets according to the order in which the printed materials are read by a downstream machine, such as a collating machine, so that the downstream machine can identify the interrupt printing position for the reprinted sheets and automatically insert the reprinted sheets at the appropriate position.

[0044] The effect of this modified example will be described in a specific example in which the printing device 190 has only two output trays, a first output tray 111 to which printed matter that has passed the inspection is discharged and a second output tray 112 to which printed matter that has failed the inspection is discharged, and a post-processing machine is connected downstream of the printing device 190. Since there are only two output trays, the reprinted sheets are discharged to the first output tray 111 so that the printed matter that has failed the inspection is not mixed with the reprinted sheets. The first output tray 111 is stacked with the printed matter, the insertion sheet, and the reprinted sheet in the order of printing from the bottom up. The post-processing machine is equipped with a scanner that reads the interrupt position information printed on the insertion sheet in order to insert the reprinted sheet into the printed matter at a predetermined position. When the stacked printed matter, the insertion sheet, and the reprinted sheet are scanned from the top down by the scanner equipped in the post-processing machine, the insertion sheet to which the interrupt position information is given must be scanned before the reprinted sheet to be interrupted. In such a case, in this modified example, in order to have the post-processing machine scan the insertion sheet before the reprinted sheet, the user can set the print order so that the insertion sheet is printed after the reprinted sheet. This allows the post-processing machine to scan the insertion sheet before the reprinted sheet that is to be interrupted, so that the reprinted sheet can be automatically interrupted at a predetermined interrupt position on the print result.

[0045] In this modified example, the insertion sheets and reprinted sheets are discharged to the same first output tray 111 as the print products that have passed inspection, but the insertion sheets and reprinted sheets may be discharged to a tray other than the first output tray 111. In that case, the page position information for inserting the reprinted sheets into the print products stacked on the first output tray 111 may be specified, for example, as the page number in the order in which the print products were read, rather than the page number from the insertion sheet. Therefore, the discharge tray for the insertion sheets and reprinted sheets is not limited to the first output tray 111 for print products that have passed inspection.

[0046] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, a method was described in which the identification information of the reprinted sheet and the identification information of the interrupt printing position of the reprinted sheet, which are visually recognized when the user associates the insertion sheet with the reprinted sheet, are printed on the insertion sheet. However, when the user finds the insertion sheet among the print products of the printing device 190 stacked in the first output tray 111, the user needs to turn over the stacked print products to find the insertion sheet. Therefore, the burden of the work of finding the insertion sheet on the user may be large. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the identification information of the reprinted sheet and the identification information of the interrupt printing position of the reprinted sheet are printed on the paper edge of the insertion sheet, so that the user can associate the insertion sheet with the reprinted sheet without turning over the print products stacked in the output tray.

[0047] <Operation of Insertion Sheet Print Image Generating Unit 204> 17 shows a flowchart for explaining details of the insertion sheet print image generation process in S304 in embodiment 2. The contents other than S1701 are the same as those explained in embodiment 1 using FIG.

[0048] In this embodiment, in S601 and S602, a reprint sheet identifier 1801 shown in Fig. 18(a) and a reprint sheet interrupt position identifier 1802 shown in Fig. 18(b) are generated as identification information to be printed on the insertion sheet 506. The reprint sheet identifier 1801 is an identifier that indicates, by the number of black rectangles, the order in which the reprint sheet corresponding to the insertion sheet is printed among the reprint sheets that are printed separately. The reprint sheet interrupt position identifier 1802 is an identifier that indicates, by the number of gray rectangles, the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet relative to the position of the insertion sheet.

[0049] In S1701, the insertion sheet print image generating unit 204 sets the print areas of the reprint sheet identifier 1801 and the reprint sheet interrupt position identifier 1802 based on the print job settings stored in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104. In this embodiment, the lower left end area 1901 and the lower right end area 1902 of the insertion sheet print image 901 shown in Fig. 19 are set as the identifier print areas of the reprint sheet identifier 1801 and the reprint sheet interrupt position identifier 1802, respectively. In this embodiment, since the job settings are such that printing is performed with the long side of the print paper parallel to the transport direction, the lower end area of ​​the paper, which is the side that is easily visible to the user when the printed matter is stacked in the first output tray 111, is set as the identifier print area.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 20( a ) and 20 ( b ), by printing identifiers in the end regions of the insertion sheet 506 , the identifiers 1801 and 1802 of the insertion sheet 506 can be seen on the sides of the stacked printed matter 1503 .

[0051] By performing the image processing described above, the user can match the insertion sheet with the reprinted sheet and insert the reprinted sheet in the appropriate position without having to turn over the printed materials stacked in the output tray and visually check the entire printed surface of the insertion sheet.

[0052] [Embodiment 3] In the second embodiment, a method for generating an image including an identifier that is visually recognized when a user associates an insertion sheet with a reprint sheet and a method for setting a printing area of ​​the identifier were described. However, when printing on paper including an irregular pattern such as Japanese paper or craft paper, defects may be detected in more printed matter than the user intended. Therefore, if a user decides to replace only pages in which a specific defect such as a barcode mismatch is detected among pages in which defects are detected with reprint sheets in order to reduce wasted paper, it is difficult to distinguish an insertion sheet corresponding to the specific defect from the identifier alone. In the third embodiment, a method is described in which an identifier corresponding to the content of the detected defect, such as the type and size of the defect, is printed on the insertion sheet, so that the user can associate the insertion sheet with the defect detection data and the reprint sheet from the identifier alone.

[0053] <Operation of Insertion Sheet Print Image Generating Unit 204> 21 shows a flowchart for explaining details of the insertion sheet print image generation process in S304 in the present embodiment 3. The flow of this image processing is the same as the contents explained using FIGS.

[0054] 4 is detected in the i+1th page of the printed matter 501, and a barcode mismatch is detected in the n+1th page of the printed matter 2201, as shown in Fig. 22(a). Fig. 22(b) shows a preview image 2209 in which a barcode 2207 is highlighted with a square frame 2208 for a scanned image of the printed matter 2201 in which a barcode mismatch was detected. Fig. 22(c) shows inspection result data 2210 for the printed matter 2201. In this embodiment, data consisting of the preview image 2209 and the inspection result data 2210 is input as defect detection data for the printed matter 2201.

[0055] In this embodiment, in S601 and S602, a reprint sheet identifier 2301 shown in FIG. 23(a) and a reprint sheet interrupt position identifier 2302 shown in FIG. 23(b) are generated as identifiers representing identification information to be printed on the insertion sheet 2206. The reprint sheet identifier 2301 is an identifier indicating, by the number of black rectangles, the order in which the reprint sheet corresponding to the insertion sheet is printed among the reprint sheets that are printed separately. Since the printed material 2201 is the page on which a defect was detected next to the printed material 501, the number of black rectangles is one more than the reprint sheet identifier 1801. The interleaved sheet interrupt position identifier 2302 is an identifier indicating, by the number of gray rectangles, the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet relative to the position of the insertion sheet.

[0056] In S2101, the insertion sheet print image generating unit 204 generates a defect identifier according to the contents of the detected defect using the defect detection data input in S301. In this embodiment, a predetermined number of black rectangles are generated as defect identifiers according to the type of the detected defect. Specifically, one black rectangle is generated as a defect identifier for a point defect, two black rectangles are generated as a defect identifier for a stripe defect, three black rectangles are generated as a defect identifier for a print position shift, and four black rectangles are generated as a defect identifier for a barcode mismatch. In this embodiment, since a point defect 401 is detected in the printed matter 501, a defect identifier 2401 shown in FIG. 24(a) is generated for the insertion sheet 506. Since a barcode mismatch is detected in the printed matter 2201, a defect identifier 2402 shown in FIG. 24(b) is generated for the insertion sheet 2206. In this embodiment, in S1701, the right end area 2501 of the insertion sheet print image 901 shown in FIG. 25 is set as the identifier printing area of ​​the defect identifier. Since the job is set to print with the long side of the print paper parallel to the transport direction, when the print product is stacked in the first output tray 111, the right edge area of ​​the paper, which is the side that is easiest for the user to see after the bottom of the paper, is set as the printing area for the identifier.

[0057] 26, the defect identifiers 2401, 2402 printed on the insertion sheets 506, 2206 inserted into the printed matter 1503 stacked in the first output tray 111 can be viewed without turning over the printed matter. Therefore, the user can identify the content of the defect without viewing the entire printed surface of the insertion sheet.

[0058] By performing the image processing described above, the user can replace only the page in which a specific defect is detected with a reprinted sheet that is reprinted separately, without turning over the printed materials stacked in the output tray and visually checking the entire printed surface of the insertion sheet. The effect of this embodiment will be described using a specific example. In order to reduce paper waste, the user sets the printed materials that have failed the inspection to be discharged to the first output tray 111, which is the same as the printed products that have passed the inspection. Therefore, the printed products that have passed the inspection, the printed products that have failed the inspection, and the insertion sheet are stacked in the first output tray 111. The user reprints only the page in which a barcode mismatch is detected and discharges it to a different tray. The user can replace the printed material in which a barcode mismatch is detected with a reprinted sheet by visually checking the defect identifier printed on the insertion sheet stacked in the first output tray 111. In this example, the printed material in which a defect other than the barcode mismatch is detected is used as the printed product, so the user only needs to remove the insertion sheet for the printed material in which a defect other than the barcode mismatch is detected.

[0059] In this embodiment, the edge area of ​​the inserted sheet is set as the printing area for the defect identifier, but the defect identifier may be printed in the interior area of ​​the sheet, and the printing area for the defect identifier is not limited to the edge of the sheet.

[0060] In addition, although a predetermined number of black rectangles are generated as defect identifiers according to the type of the detected defect, a specific defect identifier may be generated when the size or number of the detected defects exceeds a predetermined threshold. Therefore, the defect identifiers generated based on the defect detection data are not limited to identifiers indicating the type of defect.

[0061] In this embodiment, the number of black rectangles is changed depending on the type of defect detected so that the type of defect can be identified. However, defect identifiers that are color-coded for each defect type may also be generated so that each defect type can be identified even when multiple defect types are detected simultaneously.

[0062] Furthermore, the ID number of the defect detection data may be printed as the defect identifier, and the defect identifier is not limited to a geometric pattern such as a rectangle.

[0063] (Other Examples) The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions.

[0064] The present disclosure includes the following configurations and methods. [Configuration 1] An image processing device that inspects an image printed on a sheet by a printing means, a first acquisition means for acquiring defect detection data detected by the inspection; a second acquiring means for acquiring an interrupt printing position of an insertion sheet on which information regarding the defective page for which the defect detection data is detected is to be interrupt-printed by the printing means; a generating means for generating print image data based on the defect detection data and the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet, the print image data including an image indicating a positional relationship between the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and the position of the defective page and identification information of a reprint sheet on which the defective page is reprinted; a control means for controlling the printing means to interrupt-print the print image data generated by the generating means at an interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet; An image processing device comprising: [Configuration 2] the identification information includes a read image of the defective page or a preview image of print image data of the defective page; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, [Configuration 3] The identification information includes information indicating a printing order of the reprint sheets. 3. The image processing device according to configuration 1 or 2. [Configuration 4] the generating means includes, in the print image data, an image showing information about the defect in the defective page. 4. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3. [Configuration 5] The second acquisition means further acquires an interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet corresponding to the defective page, the generating means includes an image indicating a positional relationship between the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet in the print image data; the control means causes the printing means to interrupt-print the print image data of the defective page at an interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet; 5. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 4. [Configuration 6] an interrupt position resetting means for acquiring a printing order of the insertion sheet and the reprint sheet, and resetting an interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and an interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet; 6. The image processing device according to configuration 5, further comprising: [Configuration 7] the generating means includes in the print image data an identifier indicating a positional relationship between an interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and a position of the defective page, the identifier being placed at an edge of the paper. 7. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 6. [Configuration 8] the generating means includes in the print image data an identifier indicating identification information of the reprint sheet corresponding to the defective page, the identifier being arranged at an edge of the sheet; 8. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 7. [Configuration 9] the generating means includes in the print image data an identifier indicating information about the defect of the defective page so as to be positioned at an edge of the paper; 9. The image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8. [Configuration 10] The information about the defects indicates at least one of a type, a size, and a number of the defects. 10. The image processing device according to configuration 9. [Configuration 11] 1. An image processing method for inspecting an image printed by a printing means, comprising: acquiring defect detection data detected by the inspection; acquiring an interrupt printing position of an insertion sheet on which information regarding the defective page for which the defect detection data is detected is to be interrupt-printed by the printing means; generating print image data based on the defect detection data and the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet, the print image data including an image indicating a positional relationship between the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and the position of the defective page and identification information of a reprint sheet on which the defective page is reprinted; a step of causing the printing means to interrupt-print the print image data generated in the generating step at an interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet; An image processing method comprising: [Configuration 12] A program for causing a computer to function as the image processing device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10.

Claims

1. An image processing device that inspects an image printed on a sheet by a printing means, a first acquisition means for acquiring defect detection data detected by the inspection; a second acquiring means for acquiring an interrupt printing position of an insertion sheet on which information regarding the defective page for which the defect detection data has been detected is to be interrupt-printed by the printing means; a generating means for generating print image data based on the defect detection data and the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet, the print image data including an image indicating a positional relationship between the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and the position of the defective page and identification information of a reprint sheet on which the defective page is reprinted; a control means for controlling the printing means to interrupt-print the print image data generated by the generating means at an interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet; An image processing device comprising:

2. the identification information includes a read image of the defective page or a preview image of print image data of the defective page; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

3. The identification information includes information indicating a printing order of the reprint sheets.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

4. the generating means includes, in the print image data, an image showing information about the defect in the defective page.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

5. The second acquisition means further acquires an interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet corresponding to the defective page, the generating means includes an image indicating a positional relationship between the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and the interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet in the print image data; the control means causes the printing means to interrupt-print the print image data of the defective page at an interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

6. an interrupt position resetting means for acquiring a printing order of the insertion sheet and the reprint sheet, and resetting an interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and an interrupt printing position of the reprint sheet; The image processing device according to claim 5 , further comprising:

7. the generating means includes in the print image data an identifier indicating a positional relationship between an interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and a position of the defective page, the identifier being placed at an edge of the paper.

2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

8. the generating means includes in the print image data an identifier indicating identification information of the reprint sheet corresponding to the defective page, the identifier being arranged at an edge of the sheet; 2. The image processing device according to claim 1,

9. the generating means includes in the print image data an identifier indicating information about the defect of the defective page so as to be positioned at an edge of the paper; 9. The image processing device according to claim 1,

10. The information about the defects indicates at least one of a type, a size, and a number of the defects.

10. The image processing device according to claim 9,

11. 1. An image processing method for inspecting an image printed on paper by a printing means, comprising: acquiring defect detection data detected by the inspection; acquiring an interrupt printing position of an insertion sheet on which information regarding the defective page for which the defect detection data is detected is to be interrupt-printed by the printing means; generating print image data based on the defect detection data and the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet, the print image data including an image indicating a positional relationship between the interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet and the position of the defective page and identification information of a reprint sheet on which the defective page is reprinted; a step of causing the printing means to interrupt-print the print image data generated in the generating step at an interrupt printing position of the insertion sheet; 13. An image processing method comprising:

12. A program for causing a computer to function as the image processing device according to claim 9.

Images