Information processing device, control method for information processing device, inspection device, and control method for inspection device

Abstract

To solve the problem that, since a region excluded from an inspection target is set in accordance with positional information which is statistically stored by a printing device in the prior arts, the prior arts cannot be applicable to a case where the region excluded from the inspection target is changed dynamically according to job setting.SOLUTION: Provided is an information processing device which is connectable to at least a printing device and an inspection device for inspecting a print that is printed by the printing device. The information processing device comprises: reception means for receiving job setting to received print data; generation means for generating image data obtained by applying pixel application information to the print data; and transmission means for transmitting the image data. When predetermined job setting is received by the reception means, the generation means applies pixel application information to be excluded from an inspection in the inspection device to pixels in an image region applied by the job setting.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a control method for an information processing device, an inspection device, and a control method for an inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known an inspection device that reads a printed matter printed by a printing device and inspects the quality. The inspection device can detect image defects such as stains and printing omissions, character errors, barcode quality, etc. For these image defects and print quality defects, it is also common to be able to detect the type of defect and set a threshold value for detecting each detected type as an image defect.

[0003] These inspections use a method of comparing the printed matter with an image without defects registered as a reference image. Therefore, it is necessary to first register the reference image in the inspection device, and the process for this registration is called a job for registering a reference image. Next, the user performs inspection settings to set the area and threshold value for detecting defects in the actual print job for the reference image. As a type of threshold, any area can be excluded from the inspection. For example, images added by the printing device (such as adjustment patches) and cutting areas are set to be excluded from the inspection. Once the inspection settings are complete, the actual print job is executed to compare the actual print with the registered reference image and detect defects.

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes a method in which a printing device stores position information of an image added by the printing device and notifies an inspection device of the position information, thereby automatically setting an area not to be inspected. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-48244 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in conventional technology, areas not to be inspected are set based on position information statically stored by the printing device, so this technology cannot be applied when the areas not to be inspected change dynamically depending on the job settings, and users must manually set the areas not to be inspected.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to automatically set regions outside the inspection area even if the regions outside the inspection area change dynamically. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides an information processing device that can be connected to at least a printing device and an inspection device that inspects printed matter printed by the printing device, the information processing device having a receiving means for receiving job settings for received printing data, a generating means for generating image data to which pixel assignment information has been assigned to the printing data, and a transmitting means for transmitting the image data, wherein when a predetermined job setting is accepted by the receiving means, the generating means assigns pixel assignment information that is not subject to inspection by the inspection device to pixels in an image area assigned by the job setting. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, even if the non-inspection area changes dynamically, the non-inspection area can be automatically set. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] Schematic diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device, an inspection device, and a printing device. [Diagram 2] A block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device, an inspection device, and a printing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of an information processing device, an inspection unit, a printing device, and a large-capacity stacker. [Figure 4] Inspection equipment setting screen for specifying the operation mode of the inspection equipment and inspection unit [Diagram 5] Inspection status screen displayed on the inspection device during inspection [Figure 6] Flowchart of reference image registration for inspection equipment [Figure 7] Inspection flow chart for inspection equipment [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart showing an image area flag determination process performed by an information processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9] Print result image [Figure 10] A diagram showing the reference image and image area flags [Figure 11] Inspection settings screen [Figure 12] Job setting table in the first embodiment [Figure 13] Flowchart for setting the inspection area of ​​the inspection device [Figure 14] Inspection Settings Table [Figure 15] Image area flag types and 8-bit values [Figure 16] 11 is a flowchart showing an image area flag determination process performed by an information processing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart showing a process for determining an image area flag in the information processing device according to the third embodiment. [Figure 18] Flowchart showing image area flag determination by a printing device in a fourth embodiment [Figure 19] Job setting table in the fourth embodiment DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] <First embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the present invention can be applied to an inspection device consisting of a single device or multiple devices, as long as the functions of the present invention are realized. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to an inspection device that is connected and processes via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network), as long as the functions of the present invention are realized. In other words, the system configuration to which various terminals can be connected, as described in the following embodiments, is one example, and can be applied to various configuration examples depending on the use and purpose.

[0012] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device, an inspection device, and a printing device in an inspection system according to the present embodiment. Note that, although the printing device according to the present embodiment is described using an electrophotographic printing device, the printing device according to the present embodiment may be a printing device using a different image forming method, such as an inkjet method or an offset method.

[0013] The printing device 0101 is connected to an information processing device 0109 via a cable 0112. The information processing device 0109 is connected to a client computer 0110 via a network 0113 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0014] The printing device 0101 includes a UI panel 0102, a paper feed deck 0103, and a paper feed deck 0104. In addition, an option deck 0105 consisting of three paper feed decks is connected. The printing device 0101 is, for example, an electrophotographic printing device. The UI panel 0102 is, for example, a user interface equipped with a capacitive touch panel.

[0015] The printing device 0101 further includes an inspection unit 0106 and a large-capacity stacker 0107. The inspection unit is connected to an inspection device 0108 via a cable 0114. The large-capacity stacker 0107 includes a main tray and a top tray, and the main tray can hold several thousand sheets of paper at one time.

[0016] A print job is generated by the client computer 0110, transmitted to the information processing device 0109 via the network 0113, and managed by the information processing device 0109. The print job is then transmitted from the information processing device 0109 to the printing device 0101 via the cable 0112, and the printing device 0101 performs processing to print on paper. Note that the print job may also be generated and managed by the information processing device 0109, transmitted to the printing device 0101 via the network 0112, and managed by the printing device 0101.

[0017] The client computer 0110, information processing device 0109, and inspection device 0108 may be connected to a cable 0112 to communicate with the printing device 0101. The inspection device 0108 may also be connected to the information processing device 0109 and client computer 0110 via a network 0113. That is, the connection form of the printing device 0101, information processing device 0109, and client computer 0110 shown in this embodiment is just one example, and it goes without saying that there are various other connection forms in addition to those shown in this embodiment.

[0018] Further, the printing apparatus 0101 may be configured to be connected with a finisher capable of stapling, a folder, a bookbinder, and the like in addition to the inspection unit 0106 and the large-capacity stacker 0107 .

[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the control configuration of the printing apparatus 0101, the inspection apparatus 0108, the large-capacity stacker 0107, the information processing apparatus 0109, and the client computer 0110 of this embodiment.

[0020] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 0201 controls and performs calculations in each section of the printing device 0101 via a system bus 0212. The CPU 0201 executes programs stored in a storage unit 0205 and loaded into a RAM (Random Access Memory) 0202. The RAM 0202 is a type of general volatile storage device that can be directly accessed by the CPU 0201, and is used as a work area for the CPU 0201 or other temporary data storage area. The storage unit 0205 functions as a temporary storage area and work memory when the printing device is operating.

[0021] The engine I / F 0209 controls communication with and control of the printer engine 0210. The paper feed deck I / F 0204 controls communication with and control of the paper feed deck 0211. The paper feed deck 0211 is a collective term for the paper feed decks 0103 and 0104 and the option deck 0105 as a hardware configuration. The UI panel 0203 is a hardware configuration of the UI panel 0102, and is a user interface for performing overall operations of the printing device 0101. In this embodiment, the UI panel 0203 is equipped with a capacitive touch panel.

[0022] The network interface (hereinafter, NW I / F) 0207 is connected to the NW I / F 0238 of the information processing device 0109 via a cable 0213, and controls communication between the information processing device 0109 and the printing device 0101. Note that in this example, the interfaces connected to the system buses 0212 and 0239 are directly connected to each other, but the information processing device 0109 and the printing device 0101 may be connected via a network or the like, and the connection format is not limited. The video I / F 0206 is connected to the video I / F 0233 via a video cable 0241, and controls communication of image data between the information processing device 0109 and the printing device 0101.

[0023] The connection interface of the information processing device 0109 with the printing device 0101 may be a combination of the functions of the NW I / F 0238 and the video I / F 0233. The connection interface of the printing device 0101 with the information processing device 0109 may be a combination of the functions of the NW I / F 0207 and the video I / F 0206.

[0024] The accessory I / F 0208 is connected to the accessory I / F 0214 and the accessory I / F 0220 via a cable 0225. In other words, the printing apparatus 0101 communicates with the inspection unit 0106 and the large-capacity stacker 0107 via the accessory I / Fs 0208, 0214, and 0220.

[0025] The CPU 0216 controls and performs calculations in each part of the inspection unit 0106 via the system bus 0219, and executes programs stored in the memory unit 0247 and loaded into the RAM 0217. The RAM 0217 is a type of general volatile storage device that can be directly accessed by the CPU 0216, and is used as a work area for the CPU 0216 or other temporary data storage area. The memory unit 0247 functions as a temporary storage area and work memory when the inspection device is operating. The inspection device I / F 0215 is connected to the inspection device unit I / F 0231 via a cable 0248. That is, the inspection unit 0106 communicates with the inspection device 0108 via the inspection device I / F 0215 and the inspection device unit I / F 0231.

[0026] The photographing unit 0218 has a photographing function equipped with, for example, a conduct image sensor (hereinafter, CIS), photographs a paper passing through the inspection unit, and transmits the photographed image to the inspection device 0108 via the inspection device I / F 0215. The CIS for the photographing unit 0218 is an example of a sensor, and may be another type of sensor such as a CCD image sensor, and the photographing method is not limited. There are two purposes for transmitting the photographed image. One is to photograph the printed matter of the print job to be inspected regardless of the inspection method, and transmit it to the inspection device 0108 for inspection. The other is to print and photograph one or more copies of the print job before the print job to be inspected in order to create a reference image, and transmit it to the inspection device 0108 as the reference image when the inspection method is scan inspection. The inspection device 0108 stores the transmitted image as a reference image in the storage unit 0228.

[0027] The CPU 0221 controls and performs calculations in each section of the large-capacity stacker 0107 via the system bus 0224, and executes programs stored in the memory section 0248 and loaded into the RAM 0222. The RAM 0222 is a type of general volatile storage device that can be directly accessed by the CPU 0221, and is used as a work area for the CPU 0221 or other temporary data storage area. The memory section 0248 functions as a temporary storage area and work memory when the inspection device is operating. The paper discharge section 0223 controls the paper discharge operation to the main tray and top tray, and monitors and controls the loading status of each of the main tray and top tray.

[0028] The inspection device 0108 will be described. The CPU 0226 controls and calculates each part in the inspection device 0108 via the system bus 0230, and executes programs stored in the memory unit 0228 and loaded into the RAM 0227. The RAM 0227 is a type of general volatile storage device that can be directly accessed by the CPU 0226, and is used as a work area for the CPU 0226 or other temporary data storage area. The memory unit 0228 functions as a temporary storage area and work memory when the inspection device is operating. The PDL analysis unit 0229 reads PDL data such as PDF, PostScRIPt, and PCL received from the client computer 0110 or the information processing device 0109, and performs interpretation processing. The display unit 0245 is, for example, a liquid crystal display connected to the inspection device, and accepts user input to the inspection device and displays the status of the inspection device.

[0029] The information processing device 0109 will be described. The CPU 0234 controls and calculates each part in the information processing device 0109 via a system bus 0239, and executes programs stored in the memory unit 0236 and loaded into the RAM 0235. The RAM 0235 is a type of general volatile storage device that can be directly accessed by the CPU 0234, and is used as a work area for the CPU 0234 or other temporary data storage area. The memory unit 0236 functions as a temporary storage area and work memory when the information processing device is operating. The network interface (hereinafter, NW I / F) 0237 is connected to the NW I / F 0240 via a network. The information processing device 0109 also communicates with the client computer 0110 via the NW I / F 0237 and the NW I / F 0240.

[0030] Also, the inspection device 0108 may have a NW I / F, and the information processing device 0109 may communicate with the inspection device 0108 via the NW I / F and the NW I / F 0237. For example, consider a case where RIP inspection is used as the inspection method, and a RIP image used for printing by the printing device 0101 is used as the reference image. In this case, the reference image may be transmitted to the inspection device 0108 via the inspection device I / F 0215, or may be transmitted to the inspection device 0108 from the NW I / F provided in the inspection device 0108 via the NW I / F 0207 and the NW I / F 0237.

[0031] The information processing device 0109 has a function related to print jobs called a control bar. Fig. 9 shows images of the print result. Fig. 9(a) is a print result image 0901 with the control bar function OFF, and Fig. 9(b) is a print result image 0910 with the control bar function ON. When the control bar function is ON, the CPU 0234 adds job information 0911, which lists the job name and print date and time at specified positions, and a color bar 0912 for color verification to the print data.

[0032] The client computer 0110 will now be described. The CPU 0243 controls and performs calculations in each section of the client computer 0110 via the system bus 0246, and executes programs stored in the memory section 0245 and loaded into the RAM 0242. The RAM 0242 is a type of general volatile storage device that can be directly accessed by the CPU 0243, and is used as a work area for the CPU 0243 or other temporary data storage area. The memory section 0244 functions as a temporary storage area and work memory when the client computer is operating.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the internal configuration of the printing device 0101, the inspection unit 0106, and the large-capacity stacker 0107. The printing device 0101 accepts user input via a UI panel 0102 and displays printing and device status. The paper feed decks 0103 and 0104 can store various types of paper. Each paper feed deck can separate only the topmost sheet of stored paper and transport it to a paper transport path 0305. 0301 to 0304 are developing stations, which form toner images using color toners of Y, M, C, and K, respectively, to form color images. The toner images formed here are primarily transferred to an intermediate transfer belt 0306. The intermediate transfer belt 0306 rotates clockwise in the figure, and the toner image is transferred to a paper transported from the paper transport path 0305 at a secondary transfer position 0307. The fixing unit 0308 is equipped with a pressure roller and a heating roller, and the toner is melted and pressed as the paper passes between these rollers, fixing the toner image to the paper. The paper that has passed through the fixing unit 0308 is transported to 0312 via the paper transport path 0309. If further melting and pressing is required for fixing depending on the type of paper, after passing through the fixing unit 0308, the paper is transported to the second fixing unit 0310 using the upper paper transport path, where additional melting and pressing are performed, and then transported to 0312 via the paper transport path 0311. If the image formation mode is double-sided, the paper is transported to the paper reversal path 0313, and after being reversed at 0313, the paper is transported to the double-sided transport path 0314, where the image on the second side is transferred to the secondary transfer position 0307.

[0034] The CIS 0315 and 0316 are arranged facing each other in the inspection unit 0106. The CIS 0315 is a sensor for reading the upper surface of the paper, and the CIS 0316 is a sensor for reading the lower surface of the paper. The inspection unit 0106 scans the paper using the CIS 0315 and 0316 when the paper transported on the paper transport path 0317 reaches a predetermined position. The scanned image is transmitted to the inspection device 0108 via the inspection device I / F 0215 and the inspection unit I / F 0231. The CPU 0226 judges whether the received image has a defect, and notifies the inspection unit 0106 of the judgment result again via the inspection unit I / F 0231 and the inspection device I / F 0215. The CPU 0216 notifies the large-capacity stacker 0107 of the received judgment result via the accessory I / Fs 0214 and 0220.

[0035] Reference numeral 0107 denotes a large-capacity stacker capable of stacking a large volume of paper. The large-capacity stacker 0107 has a main tray 0324 as a tray for stacking paper. Paper that has passed through the inspection unit 0106 enters the large-capacity stacker 0107 through a paper transport path 0319. The paper passes from the paper transport path 0319 to a paper transport path 0322 and is stacked on the main tray 0324. The large-capacity stacker 0107 further has a top tray 0320 as a paper discharge tray. The CPU 0221 discharges paper on which defects have been detected by the inspection device 0108 to the top tray 0320. When outputting to the top tray 0320, the paper is transported from the paper transport path 0319 to the top tray 0320 via a paper transport path 0321. Reference numeral 0323 denotes an inversion unit for inverting paper. This inversion unit 0323 is used when stacking paper on the main tray 0324. To ensure that the orientation of the incoming paper is the same as the orientation of the paper when it is loaded onto the main tray 0324, the paper is inverted once by the inverting unit 0323. When the paper is transported to the top tray 0320, the paper is not flipped when it is loaded onto the top tray 0320, and is discharged as is, so the inverting operation is not performed by the inverting unit 0323.

[0036] FIG. 4(a) is a setting screen for the operation mode of the inspection device. The operation mode setting screen 0401 is displayed on the display unit 0245, and accepts the operation mode setting from the user. When the "log mode" is selected in the operation mode selection unit 0402, the printing device 0101 discharges the paper after inspection to a paper discharge destination previously specified in the properties of the print job, regardless of the inspection result by the inspection device 0108. When the "purge mode" is selected in the operation mode selection unit 0402, the printing device 0101 discharges the paper with the inspection result NG to the top tray 0320. When the "scan inspection" is selected in the inspection method selection unit 0404, the inspection device 0108 uses the scanned image of the printed matter as the reference image to be used for inspection. When the "RIP inspection" is selected, the inspection device 0108 uses the RIP image used by the printing device 0101 for printing as the reference image. The generation and storage process of the reference image will be described in the flowchart of FIG. 6.

[0037] FIG. 4B is a recovery setting screen for the purge mode in the inspection device. When the "purge mode" is selected in the operation mode selection section 0402, the recovery mode setting in the recovery mode setting screen 0403 is also reflected. The recovery mode setting screen 0403 is displayed on the display section 0245 and accepts the recovery mode setting from the user. When the "no recovery mode" is selected in the recovery mode setting screen 0403, the printing device 0101 ejects only the paper with the inspection result NG to the top tray 0320. The printing device 0101 and the inspection device 0108 continue to inspect the subsequent paper as usual. When the "with recovery mode" is selected in the recovery mode setting screen 0403, the printing device 0101 ejects the paper with the inspection result NG and all subsequent paper that has been fed in the machine at the time when the inspection device 0108 judges the inspection result NG to the top tray 0320. After that, when there is no more paper in the paper transport path, the printing device 0101 and the inspection device 0108 resume printing and inspection from the image printed on the paper that has been inspected as NG. In the present embodiment, the inspection device 0108 performs inspection by capturing images with the CIS 0315, 0316 of the inspection unit 0106 while printing is being performed by the printing device 0101. Therefore, when the inspection device 0108 judges that the inspection result of a certain paper is NG, the subsequent paper may have already reached the paper transport path 0309 or 0311. However, unless all the paper in the paper transport path is discharged, the image printed on the paper that has been inspected as NG cannot be printed again and stacked in the correct output order at the paper discharge destination previously specified in the print job. Therefore, such an operation is performed in the "with recovery mode". The CPU 0226 notifies the inspection unit of the operation mode, recovery mode, and inspection method set in the operation mode selection unit 0402, recovery mode setting screen 0403, and inspection method selection unit 0404 via the inspection unit I / F 0231 and inspection device I / F 0215. The operation mode, recovery mode, and inspection method set in the operation mode selection unit 0402, recovery mode setting screen 0403, and inspection method selection unit 0404 are stored by the CPU 0226 in the RAM 0227, and by the CPU 0216 in the RAM 0217, respectively.

[0038] FIG. 4(c) is a setting screen of the inspection standard in the inspection device. The inspection standard setting screen 0405 is displayed on the display unit 0245, and accepts the inspection standard setting of the inspection device from the user. The inspection standard is an NG judgment standard of the inspection, and indicates the difference between the print result and the reference image by distance. In this embodiment, the difference between the print result and the reference image represents the difference between the RIP image and the printed matter resulting from the positional deviation described later and the characteristics of the printing device. The inspection device judges the print result and the reference image as OK if the difference is less than the upper reference value 0406. The upper reference value 0406 is used in common for scan inspection and RIP inspection. The lower reference value 0407 is valid when the inspection method setting 0404 is set to RIP inspection. When the inspection method setting 0404 is set to RIP inspection, the inspection device judges whether the difference between the printed matter and the reference image is within the range of the upper reference value 0406 and the lower reference value 0407. In this embodiment, the difference between the print result and the reference image is shown as a distance as the inspection criterion, but a different parameter such as color tone may also be presented as the inspection criterion.

[0039] FIG. 5 shows an inspection status screen displayed on the display unit 0245 when an inspection is being performed. The inspection status screen 0501 is displayed on the display unit 0245, and accepts inspection execution / stop and displays the inspection status. The inspection button 0502 accepts the user's inspection execution and inspection stop. When the inspection button 0502 is pressed, the text on the button changes to "Stop inspection" and the inspection status 0503 changes to "In inspection". When the inspection button 0502 is pressed again, the text on the button changes to "Start inspection" and the inspection status 0503 changes to "Stopped". After that, the text on the inspection button 0502 and the inspection status 0503 change in a toggle manner every time the inspection button 0502 is pressed. The inspection status screen 0501 displays the number of inspected papers, the number of papers with NG inspection results, the defect rate, and the number of occurrences of causes of NG inspection results in real time during inspection. In addition, "Error" displayed in 0501 is the number of times that the inspection device 0108 judged an error due to a timeout because the inspection was not completed within a predetermined inspection time, and judged the inspection result to be equivalent to NG. In the inspection NG list 0504, each time an inspection result NG occurs, the paper number of the inspection result NG, information on whether the paper is front or back, the cause of the inspection result NG, the inspection time, and a link to a NG details screen (not shown) are added. When "Details" is pressed, the display unit 0245 displays a screen where the captured image with the inspection result NG and the position of the defect can be viewed. The causes of the inspection result NG are exemplified here as misalignment, a circular defect (dot), and a linear defect (streak). When comparing the scanned image and the reference image, a defect in which all or part of the image is misaligned overall is a misalignment. A circular defect is a state in which dirt occurs in a circular shape only on the scanned image side. A linear defect is a state in which dirt occurs in a streak or line only on the scanned image side. In this way, the inspection device 0108 can specify the type of the detected defect from the defect features and display it in the inspection NG list 0504. Note that these are just examples, and the types of defects that the inspection device 0108 can detect are not limited to these. For example, when an image is drawn only on the reference image side and all or part of it is not drawn on the scanned image side, it may be determined that there is an image missing and added to the inspection result NG.

[0040] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the reference image and image area flags created in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the information processing device 0109 or the printing device 0101 transmits the reference image and image area flags as data used for inspection to the inspection device 0108. As described above, if the inspection method is scan inspection, the reference image 1001 is a scanned image acquired from a printed matter, and if the inspection method is RIP inspection, the reference image 1001 is a RIP image used for printing by the printing device 0101. In the case of scan inspection, the reference image is data expressed as an 8-bit digital signal for each pixel obtained by scanning a printed matter with the inspection units CIS0315 and CIS0316. In the case of RIP inspection, the information processing device 0109 and the printing device 0101 receive characters and image data described in PDL (Page Description Language) from the client computer 0110. Thereafter, the CPU 0234 and the CPU 0201 execute RIP processing (Raster Image Processor) to create a RIP image (bitmap image). In the case of RIP inspection, the reference image is data created through RIP processing and expressed as an 8-bit digital signal for each pixel. The printer uses this RIP image to print. This proposal is related to a method in which the inspection method is RIP inspection.

[0041] In this embodiment, the PDL data received by the printing device has vector graphics 1005 such as lines and circles, bitmap images and raster images 1006, and text 1007, as shown in the example of FIG. 10(a). Each of these is drawn using a different PDL command, and the printing device 0101 has an image area flag, which is attribute information assigned to each pixel, to determine what kind of image processing to apply to the RIP image after RIP processing before printing. In this embodiment, the image area flag is also called pixel assignment information. The image area flag indicates which PDL command was used to generate an image object such as a line or text. In this embodiment, there are four types of image area flags: "graphic", "image", "text", and "not to be inspected". The image area flag is expressed as an 8-bit numerical value. A relationship table between the types of image area flags and 8-bit numerical values ​​is shown in FIG. 15(a). "Not applicable" (1500) is assigned an integer value of 0, "Graphics" (1501) is assigned an integer value of 1, "Image" (1502) is assigned an integer value of 2, "Text" (1503) is assigned an integer value of 3, and "Not to be inspected" (1504) is assigned an integer value of 4. The types of image area flags are not limited to these four types, and new types other than the four mentioned above may be created and defined from various types of print data including PDL data.

[0042] Fig. 10(b) shows a part of the image area flag (upper left of Fig. 10(a)). The image area flag determines the type of content generated by the PDL command for each pixel. The method of determining the image area flag in this embodiment will be described later with reference to Fig. 8.

[0043] The inspection device 0108 determines the inspection area for each image area flag type as a rectangular area including an image object created by a PDL command as the inspection range. FIG. 10(c) is an enlarged view of the upper left part of FIG. 10(a). The rectangular area for each image area flag is determined in the following procedure. The CPU 0226 extracts an area independent of the image area flag sent from the information processing device 0109 (white background part in FIG. 10(c)). From the extracted area having the same image area flag, information on the start point coordinates and end point coordinates of the line of the image object is obtained from the PDL command. FIG. 10(c) describes information on the start point coordinates and end point coordinates of the line of image object 1 and the line of image object 2. Next, the minimum value of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate, and the maximum value of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate are obtained from each coordinate of the two image objects. After that, a rectangular area is calculated with the start point coordinates being (minimum value of X coordinate, minimum value of Y coordinate) and the end point coordinates being (maximum value of X coordinate, maximum value of Y coordinate). In FIG. 10(c), the starting point coordinates are (1,1) and the ending point coordinates are (12,12), resulting in a rectangular area 1008 (FIG. 10(d)).

[0044] The CPU 0226 obtains a rectangular area for each type of image area flag from the image area flag sent from the information processing device 0109, and creates a rectangular area from the beginning to the end of the page. Fig. 10(e) is a diagram showing an overall image of a rectangular area for each type of image area flag created from the print result image 0901 of Fig. 9(a). The image area flags set for area 1010 are not applicable (0), area 1011 are graphics (1), area 1012 are images (2), and area 1013 are text (3) respectively. The numbers in parentheses indicate the assigned numbers. In this embodiment, the inspection device 0108 obtains the area to be inspected from the reference image and image area flags and uses them for inspection.

[0045] The process characteristic of this embodiment will be described below with reference to a flowchart. The program of the printing device 0101 according to this flow is stored in the storage unit 0205, read into the RAM 0202, and executed by the CPU 0201. The program of the inspection device 0108 according to this flow is stored in the storage unit 0228, read into the RAM 0227, and executed by the CPU 0226. The program of the information processing device 0109 according to this flow is stored in the storage unit 0236, read into the RAM 0235, and executed by the CPU 0234. The program of the client computer 0110 according to this flow is stored in the storage unit 0245, read into the RAM 0242, and executed by the CPU 0243.

[0046] 8 is a flowchart showing image area flag determination by the information processing device 0109. This flowchart is called when a print job is input from the client computer 0110 to the information processing device 0109 and the information processing device 0109 performs RIP (Raster Image Processor) processing of the print data.

[0047] In S0810, the CPU 0234 analyzes the print job received from the client computer 0110 on a page-by-page basis, and performs the processes of S0801 to S0806 for each page. Here, the print job is composed of at least PDL data as print data and job settings. The job settings do not necessarily need to be added to the print job, and may be received from the user via the operation unit of the information processing device.

[0048] In S0801, the CPU 0234 analyzes the PDL data and job settings of the target page. For example, when a print job with the control bar function ON is submitted from the client computer 0110, the CPU 0234 analyzes in S0801 that the control bar function is ON.

[0049] In step S0802, the CPU 0234 determines and sets an image area flag from the print data. The PDL command is analyzed, and the image area flag is set to "graphics" if the data is drawn in vector graphics, and to "text" if the data is drawn in character strings.

[0050] In S0803, the CPU 0234 determines whether or not there is an area that does not need to be inspected based on the information analyzed in S0801. The storage unit 0236 records a job setting table 1200 as shown in FIG. 12(a) that associates job settings with the coordinates of the content to be drawn by the job settings. A different table is prepared for each paper size, and the job setting table 1200 is an example of a paper size A4. A job setting row 1201 indicates the job settings set in a print job. A coordinate column 1202 indicates coordinates expressed in mm with the upper left as the origin (0,0) and the lower right as the end point (210,297). The position of the content is expressed as a rectangular area consisting of start point coordinates and end point coordinates. When there are multiple contents for one job setting, multiple coordinates are recorded in the coordinate column 1202. For example, in the case of a control bar function, as shown in FIG. 9(b), there are job information 0911 and color bar 0912 contents. The job information 0911 has its coordinate information indicated in 1204 for content 1, and the color bar 0912 has its coordinate information indicated in 1205 for content 2. FIG. 12(b) shows a diagram in which the coordinates recorded in the job setting table 1200 are mapped to the print result image 0910. In the inspection presence / absence column 1206, a label "no inspection required" is added when the content assigned by the job setting does not require inspection. The CPU 0234 searches the job setting table 1200 for the information analyzed in S0801, and checks the inspection presence / absence column 1206 to determine whether or not there is an area that does not require inspection. If there is an area that does not require inspection (S0803-Y), the process proceeds to S0804. If there is no area that does not require inspection (S0803-N), the process proceeds to S0806.

[0051] In S0804, the CPU 0234 identifies the position of the area that does not need to be inspected. The information analyzed in S0801 is searched for in the job setting table 1200, and the position of the area that does not need to be inspected is identified by referring to the coordinate sequence 1202. In this embodiment, the inside of a rectangular area consisting of start point coordinates and end point coordinates is treated as the area that does not need to be inspected. The method of calculating the rectangular area is based on the start point coordinates and end point coordinates described in FIG. 10(c).

[0052] In S0805, the CPU 0234 overwrites the image area flag of the area that does not need to be inspected, identified in S0804, to "not to be inspected." In this embodiment, the rectangularized area is treated as an area that does not need to be inspected, and the image area flag is also set to "not to be inspected," but this is not limited to the above. It is also possible to set the image area flag to "not to be inspected" for the area before it is rectangularized, and then rectangularize it on the inspection device side in S1306, which will be described later.

[0053] In S0806, the CPU 0234 RIPs the print data and embeds the image area flags set in S0802 and S0805 in the RIP data. Figure 10(f) shows the overall rectangular areas for each type of image area flag created from the print result image 0910 in Figure 9(b). Compared to Figure 10(e), image area flags 1014 and 1015 "not to be inspected", which were overwritten in S0805, have been added.

[0054] In step S0807 , the CPU 0234 transmits the job information and the RIP data to the printing apparatus 0101 and the inspection apparatus 0108 .

[0055] 6 is a flowchart of the reference image registration in the inspection device 0108. This flowchart is called when the reference image registration is executed.

[0056] In S0601, the CPU 0226 accepts an image reading start instruction from the user via the inspection button 0502 on the display unit 0245. Next, the process proceeds to S0602, where the process is repeated until the reference images of all sheets are stored.

[0057] In S0603, if the inspection method is scan inspection, the inspection unit I / F 0231 receives the reference image scanned by the CIS 0315 and CIS 0316 from the inspection device I / F 0215. If the inspection method is RIP inspection, the inspection unit I / F 0231 receives the reference image generated by the printing device 0101 before printing from the inspection device I / F 0215. This reference image contains the image area flag information embedded by the information processing device 0109 in S0806. Note that in the case of scan inspection, the reference image does not contain image area flag information.

[0058] In S0604, the CPU 0226 registers the image received in S0603 as a reference image in the RAM 0227. The inspection method is the method selected by the inspection method selection unit 0404 in FIG.

[0059] The process proceeds to S0605, and S0602 to S0605 are repeated until image reading of all sheets is completed. When image reading of all sheets is completed, the process proceeds to S0606, and the CPU 0226 receives an instruction from the user on the display unit 0245 to end image reading.

[0060] Note that the example shown here is merely an example, and for example, an instruction by the user on the display unit 0245 to start image reading may be automatically executed in conjunction with an instruction to start printing in the printing device 0101, the information processing device 0109, or the client computer 0110. Also, an instruction by the user on the display unit 0245 to end image reading may be automatically executed in conjunction with the end of printing in the printing device 0101, and the form is not limited thereto.

[0061] 13 is a flowchart for setting an inspection area in the inspection device 0108. This flowchart is called after the reference image registration flowchart in FIG.

[0062] In step S1301 , the CPU 0226 analyzes the job information and RIP data received from the information processing apparatus 0109 .

[0063] In step S1311, the CPU 0226 performs the processes in steps S1302 to S1306 for all pages of the RIP data received from the information processing device 0109.

[0064] In S1302, the CPU 0226 performs the processes of S1303 to S1305 for each pixel of the target page.

[0065] In step S1303, the CPU 0226 reads the image area flag of the target pixel from the analyzed RIP data.

[0066] In S1304, if the image area flag of the target pixel is "not to be inspected" (S1304-Y), the CPU 0226 proceeds to S1305, otherwise (S1304-N), the CPU 0226 skips S1305.

[0067] In step S1305, the CPU 0226 records the target pixel as a non-inspection region.

[0068] In S1306, the CPU 0226 converts the non-inspection region recorded for each pixel in S1303 to S1305 into a rectangular region. The method for calculating the rectangular region is based on the start coordinates and end coordinates described in FIG. 10(c). The coordinates after the rectangular region is converted are recorded as the start coordinates 1401 and end coordinates 1402 in the inspection setting table 1400 shown in FIG. 14. The inspection setting table 1400 is created for each page. In the inspection setting 1403, the inspection setting of the rectangular region expressed by the start coordinates 1401 and end coordinates 1402 is recorded. FIG. 14 is an example of the inspection setting table 1400 when the image area flag is set to non-inspection according to the information in the control bar row 1203 of the job setting table 1200. Area 1 1410 is the non-inspection region corresponding to the job information 1207 in the job setting table 1200. An area 2 1411 is an area not to be inspected that corresponds to the color bar 1208 in the job setting table 1200. Note that in the case of a page for which the information processing apparatus 0109 has already performed rectangular area conversion in S0804, the rectangular area conversion in S1306 is omitted.

[0069] In S1307, the CPU 0226 displays an inspection setting screen on the display unit 0245. An example of the inspection setting screen is shown in FIG. 11(a). The inspection setting screen 1100 consists of an inspection area 1101 and an inspection area setting 1102. An inspection area image 1105 displays a reference image and an inspection area. 1108 indicates the page number of the displayed print data. By pressing an arrow button 1107 or 1109, the display unit displays the reference image and inspection area of ​​the next page corresponding to the arrow button. In the inspection area setting 1102, buttons 1110 to 1112 for setting the inspection area are displayed. The processing when each button is pressed will be described later in S1308 and S1309.

[0070] In S1308, the CPU 0226 determines whether or not any of the inspection area setting buttons 1110 to 1112 has been pressed. If any of the buttons has been pressed (S1308-Y), the process proceeds to S1309, and if not (S1309-N), the process proceeds to S1310.

[0071] In S1309, the CPU 0226 accepts the inspection area setting. The focus inspection button 1110 is a button used when setting an area where inspection is performed more strictly. The standard inspection button 1111 is a button used when setting an area where inspection is performed at a normal level. The non-inspection button 1112 is a button used when setting an area that is not to be inspected. When the buttons 1110 to 1112 are pressed, a rectangular figure with a pattern displayed on the left side of each button is displayed in the inspection area image 1105. The inspection area can be set by enlarging / reducing or moving this rectangular figure. The set rectangular figure is converted into coordinates and recorded in the inspection setting table 1400. Area 3 1412 in the inspection setting table 1400 is an example of an area set by the focus inspection button 1110. FIG. 11(b) shows a screen in which the inspection area setting in the inspection setting table 1400 is superimposed on the reference image. Area 1 1410 is represented by a rectangular area 1120. Region 2 1411 is represented by a rectangular region 1121. Region 3 1412 is represented by a rectangular region 1122. In Fig. 11(b), the focus inspection region and non-inspection region are displayed by being filled in, but this is not limiting. They may be displayed by frames of the inspection regions, or may be displayed by being filled in with transparency.

[0072] In S1310, the CPU 0226 determines whether or not the OK button 1103 has been pressed. If the OK button 1103 has been pressed (S1310-Y), this flowchart ends and the process proceeds to the execution screen of the inspection application shown in Fig. 5. If not (S1310-N), the process returns to S1308.

[0073] 7 is a flowchart of the inspection in the inspection device 0108. This flowchart is called after the inspection area setting flowchart in FIG.

[0074] In S0701, the CPU 0226 accepts operation mode and recovery mode settings in the operation mode selection unit 0402 and recovery mode selection screen 0403. The CPU 0226 also accepts the setting of the inspection method in the inspection method selection unit 404. Next, the process proceeds to S0703, and if there is paper to be inspected, the process proceeds to S0704.

[0075] In S0704, the inspection unit I / F 0231 receives images scanned by the CIS 0315 and CIS 0316 from the inspection device I / F 0215. These images are obtained by scanning the print results of the print job that will be the deliverable, and the inspection device 0108 performs inspection by comparing this scanned image with the reference image determined in the flowchart of FIG.

[0076] In S0705, the CPU 0226 reads from the RAM 0227 the reference image registered in S0604 and information on the page (hereinafter referred to as the target page) corresponding to the scanned image received in S0704, from the inspection setting table 1400 created in S1306.

[0077] In S0718, the CPU 0226 refers to the inspection setting column 1403 of the inspection setting table 1400 and determines whether or not there is an area that is not subject to inspection on the target page. If there is an area that is not subject to inspection (S0718-Y), proceed to S0719, and if not (S0718-N), proceed to S0706.

[0078] In S0706, the CPU 0226 compares the reference image read out in S0705 with the scanned image of the inspection target received in S0704. In this comparison operation, first, the image positions of the reference image and the scanned image of the inspection target are aligned using characteristic points of the images as alignment reference points. Next, in the scanned image of the inspection target, the four corners of the paper and the alignment reference points of the scanned image are analyzed to detect whether there is any misalignment of the image with the paper. Next, the density values ​​of the reference image and the scanned image of the inspection target are compared for each pixel.

[0079] In S0719, the CPU 0226 takes into consideration the areas outside the inspection target and compares the reference image read out in S0705 with the scanned image of the inspection target received in S0704. For areas where the inspection setting 1403 in the inspection setting table 1400 is set to "outside the inspection target," it does not check the difference between the scanned image and the reference image and determines that there is no difference. For other areas, it compares the reference image with the scanned image of the inspection target in the same manner as in S0706.

[0080] As a result of the above, if no difference is detected between the scanned image and the reference image, the inspection result is judged as OK. If a difference is detected, the inspection result is judged as NG, and the details of the NG inspection result explained in Figure 5 are recorded according to the type of defect.

[0081] Next, in S0707, if the inspection is completed within the specified time, the process proceeds to S0708, and if not, the process proceeds to S0709. This determination is made because if the inspection is not completed and the inspection result is not issued within a certain time, the subsequent paper will be scanned by the CIS 0315, 0316 and the inspection unit I / F 0231 and the inspection device I / F 0215 will not be able to start operating the scanned image in time. Also, when the purge mode is selected in the operation mode selection unit 0402, the CPU 0221 switches the conveyance destination so that the inspection device 0108 will discharge the paper that has been determined to be NG by the inspection result to the top tray 0320. The CPU 0226 needs to notify the CPU 0221 of the NG inspection result via the inspection unit I / F 0231, the inspection device I / F 0215, the accessory I / F 0214, and the accessory I / F 0220 before the paper reaches a point where it is no longer possible to switch the conveyance destination.

[0082] Therefore, if the inspection cannot be completed within the specified time, the inspection result cannot be judged as OK, so the CPU 0226 judges the inspection result to be an error, and judges the inspection result of the paper to be equivalent to an NG inspection result.

[0083] If the inspection result is NG in S0708, the process proceeds to S0709. In S0709, the CPU 0226 reads out the operation mode from the RAM 0227. If the operation mode is the purge mode, the process proceeds to S0710. In S0710, the CPU 0226 notifies the CPU 0216 of the inspection result NG via the inspection unit I / F 0231 and the inspection equipment I / F 0215.

[0084] Next, the process proceeds to S0711, and if the recovery mode read by the CPU 0226 from the RAM 0227 is the "mode with recovery", the process proceeds to S0712. In S0712, the CPU 0226 waits until it receives print stop information from the CPU 0216 via the inspection unit I / F 0231 and the inspection device I / F 0215. When the CPU 0226 receives the print stop information, the process proceeds to S0713.

[0085] In S0713, the CPU 0226 reads out a reference image corresponding to the sheet with the NG inspection result from the RAM 0227 and stores it as an image to be inspected next. Next, the process proceeds to S0714, where the CPU 0226 notifies the CPU 0216 via the inspection unit I / F 0231 and the inspection device I / F 0215 to resume inspection.

[0086] Next, the process proceeds to step S0715 , where the CPU 0226 adds information about the paper with the NG inspection result to the NG inspection list 0504 .

[0087] Next, the process proceeds to S0716, and S0703 to S0716 are repeated until inspection of all the sheets is completed. When inspection of all the sheets is completed, the process proceeds to S0717, and the CPU 0226 accepts an instruction to end image reading from the user via the inspection button 0502 on the display unit 0245.

[0088] In S0711, if the recovery mode read by the CPU 0226 from the RAM 0227 is the "no recovery mode", the process proceeds to S0715, and the process can be terminated in the same manner as in the above-mentioned flow. Also, in S0709, if the operation mode is the log mode, the process proceeds to S0715, and the process can be terminated in the same manner as in the above-mentioned flow.

[0089] Furthermore, if the inspection result is OK in S0708, the process proceeds to S0716, and thereafter the process can be terminated in the same manner as in the above-mentioned flow.

[0090] As described above, in the first embodiment, the image area flag in the RIP data is set to "out of inspection target." This makes it possible to automate the setting of the out-of-inspection area in the inspection device 0108.

[0091] <Second embodiment> In the first embodiment, a means for setting an area not to be inspected for each page has been described. When cutting using an offline finisher or the like, control bars and printer's marks may be printed only on the first page. In this case, if the first embodiment is applied, the area where the control bars and printer's marks were printed on the first page and subsequent pages will be inspected. This causes a problem that even if there is dirt in the cutting area, the inspection will fail if the cutting area is dirty, even if the product does not have a problem. In the second embodiment, a means for automatically setting an area not to be inspected for the first page and subsequent pages will be described, even if there is an area not to be inspected only on the first page.

[0092] 16A is a flowchart showing an image area flag determination process of the information processing device 0109. This flowchart is called when a print job is input from the client computer 0110 to the information processing device 0109 and the information processing device 0109 performs RIP on the print data. Note that a description of steps S0801 to S0811, which are the same as those in the first embodiment, will be omitted.

[0093] After setting the image area flags of all pages, the CPU 0234 performs processing for expanding the image area flags of the reference page to other pages in step S1601. Specific processing contents will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

[0094] FIG. 16B is a flowchart of the process of expanding the image area flag of the reference page to other pages in the information processing device 0109.

[0095] In S1602, the CPU 0234 determines a reference page for the print job. The reference page is a page that is the basis for expanding the non-inspection area to other pages. The reference page can be selected by the user or automatically selected based on the paper ejection direction or ejection order (e.g., the first page in the case of face-up reverse ejection).

[0096] In step S1603, the CPU 0234 reads the image area flag embedded in step S0806 for the reference page.

[0097] In S1603, the CPU 0234 determines whether the image area flag of the read reference page has "not to be inspected." If the image area flag has "not to be inspected" (S1604-Y), the process proceeds to S1605; if not (S1604-N), the process ends.

[0098] In step S1605, the CPU 0234 performs the process of step S1806 for each page.

[0099] In step S1806, the CPU 0234 overwrites the image area flags of the target page at the same coordinates as those of the reference page that are set to "out of inspection" with "out of inspection".

[0100] As described above, in the second embodiment, the area that is not subject to inspection on the reference page is expanded to other pages. This makes it possible to automatically set the area that is not subject to inspection on pages other than the reference page.

[0101] <Third embodiment> In the first embodiment, the information processing device 0109 determines areas that do not need to be inspected, and a means (S0805) is described in which the image area flag that has already been set (S0802) is overwritten with "not to be inspected". However, in the first embodiment, because the image area flag is overwritten, there is a problem in that it becomes impossible to apply image processing according to the image area flag in the printing device 0101. In the third embodiment, a means is described in which the image area flag that has already been set in S0802 and the image area flag "not to be inspected" are compatible.

[0102] A relationship table between the types of image area flags and 8-bit numerical values ​​in this embodiment is shown in Fig. 15(b). "Not applicable" (1500), "graphic" (1501), "image" (1502), and "text" (1503) are the same as in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, "not to be inspected" is not defined as an integer value, and bit 7 (1510) is treated as a bit dedicated to "not to be inspected". When bit 7 is 1, it is "not to be inspected". In other words, if the target pixel is "graphic" and "not to be inspected", it can be expressed as an integer value of 129 (10000001 in bit notation), and if it is "image" and "not to be inspected", it can be expressed as an integer value of 130 (10000010 in bit notation).

[0103] 17 is a flowchart showing an image area flag determination process of the information processing device 0109. This flowchart is called when a print job is input from the client computer 0110 to the information processing device 0109 and the information processing device 0109 performs RIP on the print data. Note that a description of steps S0801 to S0811, which are the same as those in the first embodiment, will be omitted.

[0104] In S1701, the CPU 0234 adds "not to be inspected" to the image area flag of the target pixel. For example, if a pixel that was determined to be "graphic" in S0802 and to which an integer value of 1 (00000001 in bit notation) was set is also in the non-inspection area, bit 7 is set to 1, and the integer value is set to 129 (10000001 in bit notation). FIG. 10(g) shows the overall rectangular area for each type of image area flag created from the print result image 0910 in FIG. 9(b). Compared to FIG. 10(f), an area (1016) with an integer value of 129 has been added due to the image area flag of "not to be inspected" added in S1701. Here, the area (1016) with the integer value of 129 is processed as a graphic area in image processing, and is set as not to be inspected in the inspection setting. In other words, in the inspection setting, the image area flag indicating not to be inspected is set preferentially.

[0105] As described above, in the third embodiment, the image area flag that has been set in S0802 and the image area flag that is "not to be inspected" are compatible. This allows the printing device 0101 to apply image processing according to the image area flag.

[0106] <Fourth embodiment> In the first to third embodiments, a means for the information processing device 0109 to set the image area flag to "out of inspection" has been described. However, in the first to third embodiments, when an area outside of inspection occurs due to an image added by the printing device 0101, the area outside of inspection cannot be automatically set, which is an issue. In the third embodiment, a means for the printing device 0101 to set the image area flag to "out of inspection" will be described. For the purposes of explanation, the handling of the image area flag in the first embodiment (FIG. 15(a)) is used, but the handling of the image area flag in the third embodiment (FIG. 15(b)) is also applicable.

[0107] 9(c) is a print result image 0920 when the front and back registration adjustment function of the printing device 0101 is ON. When the front and back registration adjustment function is ON, the CPU 0201 adds front and back registration position adjustment patches (marks) 0921-0924 to the print data at specified positions. The printing device 0101 reads the patches 0921-0924 with an internal sensor to determine the positional deviation of the printed image on the paper and adjusts the position of the images on the front and back of the paper to match.

[0108] 18 is a flowchart showing the image area flag determination process of the printing device 0101. This flowchart is called when job information and RIP data are received from the information processing device 0109 and the printing device 0101 processes the job.

[0109] In step S1801, the CPU 0201 analyzes the print job received from the information processing apparatus 0109 on a page-by-page basis, and performs the processes in steps S1802 to S1805 for each page.

[0110] In step S1802, the CPU 0201 analyzes the RIP data and job settings of the target page. For example, when a print job with the front and back registration adjustment function set to ON is input from the information processing apparatus 0109, the CPU 0201 analyzes in step S1802 that the front and back registration adjustment function is set.

[0111] In S1803, the CPU 0201 determines whether there is an area that does not need to be inspected based on the information analyzed in S1802. The storage unit 0236 records a job setting table 1900 as shown in FIG. 19(a) that associates job settings with the coordinates of the content to be drawn by the job settings. A different table is prepared for each paper size, and the job setting table 1900 is an example of a paper size A4. 1201 to 1206 are the same as the job setting table 1200, so the description will be omitted. For example, in the case of the front and back registration adjustment function, as shown in FIG. 9(c), there are contents of patches 0921 to 0924. The patches 0921 to 0924 have coordinate information shown in 1901 to 1904, respectively. FIG. 19(b) shows a diagram in which the coordinates recorded in the job setting table 1900 are mapped to the print result image 0920. The CPU 0201 searches the information analyzed in S1802 on the job setting table 1900 and checks the inspection presence / absence column 1206 to determine whether or not there is an area that does not need to be inspected. If there is an area that does not need to be inspected (S1803-Y), the process proceeds to S1804. If there is no area that does not need to be inspected (S1803-N), the process proceeds to S1806.

[0112] In S1804, the CPU 0201 identifies the position of the area that does not need to be inspected. The information analyzed in S1802 is searched for in the job setting table 1900, and the position of the area that does not need to be inspected is identified by referring to the coordinate sequence 1202. In this embodiment, the inside of a rectangular area consisting of start point coordinates and end point coordinates is treated as the area that does not need to be inspected. The method of calculating the rectangular area is based on the start point coordinates and end point coordinates described in FIG. 10(c).

[0113] In step S1805, the CPU 0201 overwrites the image area flag of the area that does not need to be inspected, which was identified in step S1804, to "not to be inspected."

[0114] In step S1807 , the CPU 0201 transmits the job information and the RIP data to the inspection apparatus 0108 .

[0115] As described above, in the third embodiment, the printing device 0101 sets the image area flag to “not to be inspected.” This makes it possible to automatically set an area not to be inspected even if an area not to be inspected occurs due to an image added by the printing device 0101, etc.

Claims

1. An information processing device that can be connected to at least a printing device and an inspection device that inspects a printed matter printed by the printing device, A reception unit for receiving a job setting for the received print data; A generating means for generating image data by adding pixel addition information to the print data; A transmitting means for transmitting the image data; having When the receiving means receives a predetermined job setting, the generating means adds pixel adding information that is not subject to inspection by the inspection device to pixels in an image area to which the job setting is added.

23. An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. The generating means adds pixel assignment information by analyzing a PDL command of the print data.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The generating means generates image data by embedding the pixel assignment information in an RIP image generated by RIP processing the print data.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

4. The job settings are settings for adding a predetermined image to the print data.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

5. A storage unit is provided for storing the job settings and information on the area to which the predetermined image is to be applied in association with each other.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The predetermined image is a control bar.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

7. The predetermined image is a register mark.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

8. The predetermined image is a patch for front and back registration adjustment function.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

9. a receiving means for receiving a print job configured by the print data and the job settings; having The receiving unit receives job settings included in the print job.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

10. The information processing device has an operation unit, The accepting unit accepts the job setting through an operation on the operation unit.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

11. A method for controlling an information processing device connectable to at least a printing device and an inspection device that inspects a printed matter printed by the printing device, comprising: a receiving step of receiving job settings for the print data; a generating step of generating image data by adding pixel assignment information to the print data; a transmitting step of transmitting the image data; having When a predetermined job setting is accepted, in the generating step, pixel assignment information that is not subject to inspection by the inspection device is assigned to pixels in an image area assigned by the job setting.

23. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus comprising:

12. An inspection device for inspecting a printed matter printed by a printing device, comprising: A first receiving means for receiving image data having pixel assignment information; a registration means for registering the image data as a reference image; A second receiving means for receiving a scanned image obtained by scanning a printed matter printed by the printing device; a setting means for setting at least an area to be excluded from the inspection in the reference image based on the pixel assignment information; an inspection means for inspecting the printed matter based on the reference image and the scanned image; having The inspection means does not inspect the area that is set by the setting means as an area not to be inspected. An inspection device characterized by:

13. A display means for displaying a screen is provided, The display means displays a screen in which the region to be excluded from the inspection set by the setting means is superimposed on the reference image.

13. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12.

14. The pixel assignment information is information indicating attribute information for each pixel, The image acquired from the image data is an RIP image in which the attribute information is embedded.

13. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12.

15. When graphic information and information not to be inspected are set for a specific pixel as the pixel assignment information, the specific pixel is subjected to image processing as a graphic, and the inspection is not performed.

13. The inspection apparatus according to claim 12.

16. A method for controlling an inspection device that inspects a printed matter printed by a printing device, comprising the steps of: a first receiving step of receiving image data having pixel assignment information; a registration step of registering an image obtained from the image data as a reference image; a second receiving step of receiving a scanned image obtained by scanning a printed matter printed by the printing device; a setting step of setting at least an area to be excluded from the inspection in the reference image based on the pixel assignment information; an inspection step of inspecting the printed matter based on the reference image and the scanned image; having The inspection step does not inspect the set non-target area of ​​the inspection.

23. A method for controlling an inspection apparatus comprising:

Images