Information processing device, information processing method and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, an information processing method and a program which suppress a defect from being detected again when reprinting a printed picture image in which the defect is detected.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes inspection means of performing inspection by reading a printed matter obtained by arranging a plurality of picture images in a width direction of a recording medium and continuously printing the picture images along a transportation direction, generation means of generating a print job for reprinting a picture image in which a defect is detected in such a case that a defect is detected in the printed picture images by the inspection by means of the inspection means, and determination means of determining, when creating the print job, the arrangement of the picture image to be reprinted, based on a defect detection proportion which indicates such a proportion that a defect is detected at every printing position in the width direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the placement of images on a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventional image forming devices that print images on recording media include those that use continuous paper such as roll paper. Roll paper has a large surface area, allowing multiple images to be printed continuously. Roll paper also includes types such as tack seal paper and label paper, which are made by laminating a recording medium and a release paper. In image forming devices, printed images can sometimes have defects, such as stains or missing parts. It is desirable to remove such defective images from the finished print. For this reason, inspection devices are known that read printed images and compare them with good printed images to detect defects. In inspection devices that use continuous paper such as roll paper as a recording medium, in the case of peelable paper such as tack seal paper and label paper, defective images can be reprinted and replaced, or other appropriate measures can be taken. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology in which multiple images are printed and inspected in multiple lanes, and when an image with an abnormality is reprinted, the image is reprinted in the same lane as the original image. Meanwhile, there are various causes of defective images, including variations in the frequency of defects depending on the printing position, such as those caused by malfunctions in ink ejection nozzles in inkjet printers. Patent document 2 discloses a technology that, when a pattern such as the period or position of image noise is identified in a direction intersecting the paper feed direction of continuous paper, changes the position of the image to a position that does not overlap with the position where this noise occurs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-116898 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-146839 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] With the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, if abnormalities in printed images occur disproportionately in specific printing positions, there is a high possibility that defects will also be detected in the reprinted image if the image is reprinted in the same lane where the abnormality was detected. Also, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, if a large number of defects with a pattern are detected, it is difficult to position the image in a position where the defects are not detected.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to prevent defects from being detected again when a print image in which a defect has been detected is reprinted. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device of the present invention is characterized by having an inspection means for reading and inspecting a printed matter obtained by arranging multiple images in the width direction of a recording medium and printing them continuously along the transport direction, a creation means for creating a print job to reprint the image in which the defect was detected if a defect is detected in the printed image through inspection by the inspection means, and a determination means for determining the placement of the image to be reprinted when creating the print job based on a defect detection rate that represents the rate at which defects were detected for each printing position in the width direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent defects from being detected again when a print image in which a defect has been detected is reprinted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a print inspection system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an image processing apparatus. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an image printing process. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating printing by a print job. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display example of a detection sensitivity setting screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen for setting reprint image layout conditions. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an image layout according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining a method for determining an image arrangement based on detection sensitivity and defect rate. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an image layout according to the second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining weighting coefficients and defect rate evaluation values. [Figure 11] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention.

[0010] [Embodiment 1] The image processing device according to this embodiment divides the width of continuous paper into multiple regions, prints different types of images side by side, and then reads and inspects the resulting printouts. If defects are detected in the printed images through inspection, the images in which defects were detected are reprinted. In this embodiment, when reprinting, the arrangement of the images to be reprinted is determined based on the defect detection rate, which represents the proportion of images in which defects were detected compared to the printed images for each of the multiple divided regions, and the defect detection sensitivity set for each type of image.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a print inspection system that outputs and inspects printed matter, including an image processing device 100 according to this embodiment. The print inspection system includes the image processing device 100 and a printing device 170. The print inspection system may further include a printing server 180.

[0012] The image processing device 100 creates a print job including document image data acquired from the printing server 180 and submits the print job to the printing device 170. The printing device 170 forms an image on a recording medium based on the print job submitted from the image processing device 100. The printing device 170 may be an electrophotographic printer or an inkjet printer. The printing device 170 is connected to a paper feeder 190. When a print job is submitted, the printing device 170 forms an image on one or both sides of the recording medium while transporting printing roll paper 191, which is a recording medium supplied to the paper feeder 190, from a transport path 192 along a transport path 171, and sends the recording medium to the image processing device 100.

[0013] The image processing device 100 inspects a recording medium (medium to be inspected) on which printing has been performed for defects. The medium to be inspected is obtained by forming an image on the recording medium by a printing device 170, and is transported through a transport path 110 inside the image processing device 100 that is connected to a transport path 171 inside the printing device 170. Furthermore, if a defect is detected in the printed image as a result of the inspection, the image processing device 100 creates a reprint job to reprint the image in which the defect was detected. The image processing device 100 is an example of an information processing device.

[0014] The image processing device 100 has a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, and an auxiliary storage device 104. The image processing device 100 also has an image reading device 105, a printing device interface (I / F) 106, a general-purpose interface (I / F) 107, a user interface (UI) panel 108, and a main bus 109. The image processing device 100 may also have a recording medium transport path 110 connected to a transport path 171 of the printing device 170.

[0015] The image processing device according to this embodiment can be realized by a computer including a processor and a memory. For example, a processor such as CPU 101 executes a program stored in a memory such as RAM 102 or ROM 103 to realize the functions of each unit shown in FIG. 2, which will be described later. The processor such as CPU 101 can also control each module in the image processing device 100 as necessary. Note that the image processing device according to this embodiment may be configured by a plurality of processing devices connected via a network, for example.

[0016] The CPU 101 is a processor that controls each module in the image processing device 100. The RAM 102 temporarily stores applications executed by the CPU 101, data used for image processing, etc. The ROM 103 stores a group of programs executed by the CPU 101.

[0017] The image reading device 105 scans and reads one or both sides of the recording medium sent from the printing device 170 on the conveying path 110, and acquires the read image data. The acquired read image data may be temporarily saved in a buffer area on the RAM 102, or may be stored in the auxiliary storage device 104.

[0018] The printing device I / F 106 is connected to the printing device 170, and the image processing device 100 can communicate with the printing device 170 through the printing device I / F 106. For example, by synchronizing the printing device 170 and the image processing device 100 via the printing device I / F 106, the printing device 170 and the image processing device 100 acquire each other's operating status. Furthermore, the image processing device 100 may communicate with the printing server 180 via the printing device 170 via the printing device I / F 106. For example, the image processing device 100 acquires document image data related to a print job and information about an image to be formed on a recording medium.

[0019] The UI panel 108 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and functions as a user interface for the image processing device 100. The CPU 101 is connected to the UI panel 108 via a general-purpose interface (I / F) 107. The CPU 101 displays information relating to the current status and settings of the image processing device 100 on the UI panel 108. The information displayed on the UI panel 108 is presented to the user. The UI panel 108 may also include an input device such as a touch panel, a mouse, or buttons, and may receive instructions from the user. The main bus 109 is a transmission path that connects the modules of the image processing device 100 .

[0020] While the recording medium output from the printing device 170 is being transported along the transport path 110, the CPU 101 performs an inspection by determining the type and presence or absence of defects in the printed image based on the read image data acquired by the image reading device 105. The inspection results may be temporarily stored in the RAM 102 and then stored in the auxiliary storage device 104. The inspection results may also be displayed on the UI panel 108 together with the inspection image.

[0021] After the inspection, the recording medium is sent from the transport path 110 in the image processing device 100 to the transport path 195 in the winding device 193 and wound up as printed roll paper 194 .

[0022] The print inspection system according to this embodiment includes the printing device 170, printing server 180, image processing device 100, paper feeder 190, and winder 193, but these do not all necessarily need to exist within the same system. The print inspection system may be configured with only some of these devices, and may exchange information with the other devices as needed.

[0023] In addition, in the printing inspection system according to this embodiment, the printing device 170, printing server 180, image processing device 100, paper feed device 190, and winding device 193 each exist as a standalone device, but multiple devices may also be implemented within the same housing.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a functional configuration diagram of the image processing device 100. The reference image acquisition unit 201 reads, as reference image data, original image data that is the original data of the printed matter acquired from the printing server 180, or image data created by synthesizing images obtained by scanning multiple defect-free printed matters of the same type as the image to be inspected, into the RAM 102. This reference image data may be stored in the auxiliary storage device 104 in advance. The read image acquisition unit 202 acquires read image data obtained by the image reading device 105 reading the inspection target medium on the conveying path 110 on which printing has been performed by the printing device 170. The acquired read image data is stored in the RAM 102.

[0025] The inspection condition setting unit 203 acquires the inspection conditions necessary for inspecting the medium to be inspected for defects. The inspection condition setting unit 203 displays a detection condition setting UI for setting defect detection conditions on the UI panel 108, and sets the detection conditions based on user operations from the input device. The image inspection unit 204 compares the reference image data obtained by the reference image acquisition unit 201 with the read image data obtained by the read image acquisition unit 202 based on the inspection conditions set by the inspection condition setting unit 203, and determines the type and presence or absence of defects based on the compared data. The image inspection unit 204 also identifies images determined to have defects as images to be reprinted.

[0026] The print job creation unit 205 creates a print job including the document image data acquired from the printing server 180. Furthermore, the print job creation unit 205 creates a reprint job for printing the image to be reprinted, based on the document image data acquired from the printing server 180 and the image layout information by the image layout determination unit 206. The image layout determination unit 206 determines the layout of the image to be reprinted on the continuous paper based on the results of the inspection by the image inspection unit 204 and the layout conditions of the image to be reprinted set in the UI for image layout setting described below.

[0027] The print control unit 207 performs printing by forming an image on a recording medium using the printing device 170 in accordance with the print job or reprint job created by the print job creation unit 205. The display control unit 208 displays an image layout setting UI for setting layout conditions for the images to be reprinted on the UI panel 108. The display control unit 208 uses the image layout setting UI to set layout conditions for the images to be reprinted in response to user operations from the input device, and displays a preview of the layout in which the images are arranged based on the set layout conditions for the images to be reprinted. The display control unit 208 changes the layout to be previewed based on the set layout conditions for the images to be reprinted.

[0028] Next, the image printing process performed by the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the image printing process in which the image processing device 100 prints an image on roll paper 400 (Figure 4). The process of this flowchart is realized by the CPU 101 loading a program stored in ROM 103 into RAM 102 and executing it. In the following description, each process (step) will be prefixed with an S, and the notation of the process (step) will be omitted.

[0029] First, in S301, the print job creation unit 205 creates a print job based on the original image data, print setting information, paper information, image layout information, etc. obtained from the printing server 180, and adds it to the print job queue. Alternatively, the print job creation unit 205 may display a UI for creating a print job on the UI panel 108, and create a print job by setting the original image data, print setting information, paper information, image layout information, etc. through user operation from an input device. The print job created in this step is a job that arranges different types of images in multiple areas obtained by dividing the paper width of the roll paper 400, and prints multiple images along the transport direction of the roll paper 400, and is sometimes referred to as a normal print job.

[0030] Here, printing by a normal print job will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4(a) shows images 411, 412, and 413 arranged on roll paper 400, which is continuous paper. Roll paper 400 is an example of a recording medium. The width of roll paper 400 is divided into three print areas 401, 402, and 403. Different types of images 411, 412, and 413 are arranged in each print area 401, 402, and 403, and these images are printed simultaneously. These images are printed continuously within their respective print areas until the number set for the print job is reached.

[0031] FIG. 4(b) shows a printout in which images 411, 412, and 413 shown in FIG. 4(a) have been printed on roll paper 400. In the example of FIG. 4(b), defects have occurred in multiple printed images. A point defect 421 has occurred in print area 401, and a linear defect 422 has occurred in print area 402. Note that while FIG. 4 shows an example in which three types of images are assigned to three print areas respectively and printed simultaneously, this is not limiting; as long as there are two or more print areas, there may be four or more or two or less types of images.

[0032] In S302, the inspection condition setting unit 203 retrieves a print job from the print job queue and acquires defect detection conditions from the print job. The inspection condition setting unit 203 may display a UI for setting detection conditions on the UI panel 108 and set defect detection conditions based on user operations from an input device. The defect detection conditions acquired by the inspection condition setting unit 203 may include detection sensitivity for each image and for each defect type. The detection sensitivity may be set for each arbitrary range of the image to be inspected. These detection sensitivities may be set as information related to the print job in S301, including other inspection information, or may be acquired from the printing server 180.

[0033] FIG. 5 shows an example of a UI for setting detection conditions displayed on the UI panel 108. FIG. 5(a) shows an example of a detection sensitivity setting screen. The detection sensitivity setting screen 500 in FIG. 5(a) is a UI for setting defect detection sensitivity for each type of image. The detection sensitivity setting screen 500 has detection sensitivity selection boxes 511, 512, and 513 corresponding to three types of images 501, 502, and 503, respectively. The images 501, 502, and 503 in FIG. 5 correspond to the images 411, 412, and 413 in FIG. 4. By operating the detection sensitivity selection boxes 511, 512, and 513, it is possible to select and set the defect detection sensitivity level for each type of image from three levels: high, medium, and low. It is also possible to set defects not to be detected (no inspection).

[0034] FIG. 5(b) shows another example of the detection sensitivity setting screen. The detection sensitivity setting screen 520 in FIG. 5(b) is a UI for setting the detection sensitivity for each of multiple defect types for each image type. In other words, different detection sensitivities can be set for each of multiple defect types. The detection sensitivity setting screen 520 has detection sensitivity selection boxes 531, 532, and 533 corresponding to point defects and detection sensitivity selection boxes 541, 542, and 543 corresponding to line defects for each of the three types of images 501, 502, and 503. By operating these selection boxes, the detection sensitivity level for each defect type can be selected from three levels: high, medium, and low, for each image type. Furthermore, by setting the detection sensitivity level for a certain defect type to high, medium, or low and setting other defect types not to be detected (no inspection), it is possible to detect only specific defect types.

[0035] In S303, the reference image acquisition unit 201 acquires reference image data that serves as a reference for determining whether or not there are defects in the printed image, and reads it into RAM 102 and simultaneously stores it in the auxiliary storage device 104. The reference image data may be based on the original image data included in the print job created in S301. Alternatively, the reference image data may be prepared by synthesizing image data obtained by reading, using the image reading device 105, multiple defect-free printouts from images previously printed by the printing device 170 using the same original image data. Furthermore, the reference image data used for the same original image data may be reused. Furthermore, when original image data is used as the reference image data, correction processing may be applied to the original image data to correct differences in image characteristics from the read image.

[0036] In S304, the print control unit 207 submits the print job created in S301, and uses the printing device 170 to print an image on the roll paper 400 in accordance with the print job. In S305, the read image acquisition unit 202 acquires read image data by reading the roll paper 400 on the conveyance path 110 using the image reading device 105 while the image is being printed, and stores the read image data in the RAM .

[0037] In S306, the image inspection unit 204 performs an inspection by comparing the reference image data acquired in S303 with the read image data read in S305 and stored in RAM 102, using the defect detection conditions acquired in S302, to detect defects that have occurred in the printed image. The inspection here may be performed on multiple inspection items, such as inspection items related to image quality defects such as dot-like or line-like stains, print omissions (loss), and density fluctuations, as well as inspection items related to non-image quality defects such as print position misalignment, paper tears, and peeled stickers.

[0038] In S307, the image inspection unit 204 stores the inspection results, including the type and severity of the detected defect, identification information (image number) of the image in which the defect was detected, and the defect detection position coordinates, which are coordinate positions on the roll paper 400, in the RAM 102 and the auxiliary storage device 104. The image number is determined, for example, by a combination of the type of image and the printing order. The image number is not printed on the image. Here, the image inspection unit 204 may sequentially display the inspection results on the UI panel 108, etc.

[0039] In S308, the print control unit 207 determines whether printing of all images included in the print job has been completed. If there are any unprinted images, the process returns to S304 to continue printing the images. If printing of all images has been completed, the process proceeds to S309.

[0040] In S309, the image inspection unit 204 tally the inspection results and calculates the number of images in which defects that require reprinting were detected (images to be reprinted). The image inspection unit 204 tally the number of images to be reprinted for each print area based on which print area of ​​the roll paper 400 each defect detection position coordinate falls within. The inspection results may be tallied for each print job, for a fixed or specific number of printed images, for the area of ​​an inspected area, or for the elapsed time of printing, or may be tallied as statistics including a rate of change. Furthermore, the inspection results may be tallied for each individual printed image, for each type of image, for each type of defect, for each specific area within a printed image, or the like.

[0041] In S310, the print job creation unit 205 determines whether or not there are any images to be reprinted based on the counting result of S309. If there are any images to be reprinted, the process proceeds to S311, and if there are no images to be reprinted, the process proceeds to S313. In S311, the image layout determination unit 206 determines the layout of the images to be reprinted on the roll paper 400 based on the tallying result of S309. Here, the display control unit 208 may display an image layout setting UI for setting the layout conditions of the images to be reprinted on the UI panel 108, and the layout conditions of the images to be reprinted may be set by user operation from the input device. Alternatively, the image layout determination unit 206 may obtain the layout conditions of the images to be reprinted from the print job created in S301. The determined image layout information is notified to the print job creation unit 205.

[0042] In S312, the print job creation unit 205 creates a reprint job for reprinting based on the document image data acquired from the printing server 180 and the image layout information notified from the image layout determination unit 206. The reprint job is added to the print job queue. In S313, the print control unit 207 checks the print job queue and determines whether all print jobs, including reprint jobs, have been completed. If there are unprocessed print jobs, the process returns to S302 and continues processing the next print job. If all print jobs have been completed, the process ends.

[0043] FIG. 6 shows an example of a UI for setting image layout displayed on the UI panel 108. 6 is used to set the placement conditions for the image to be reprinted. The reprint image placement condition setting screen 600 is displayed on the UI panel 108 by the display control unit 208 in S311. The reprint image placement condition setting screen 600 has a detection sensitivity setting information display area 610, an inspection result information display area 620, a reprint image placement method setting area 630, and a reprint image placement preview display area 650.

[0044] The detection sensitivity setting information display area 610 shows an example in which images A, B, and C corresponding to images 411, 412, and 413 in Figure 4 are printed in print areas a, b, and c corresponding to print areas 401, 402, and 403 in Figure 4. The detection sensitivity setting information display area 610 shows the detection sensitivity for each image set in S302 for image A, image B, and image C. Note that the dotted lines in the figure are auxiliary lines indicating the boundaries of each print area and are not actually printed.

[0045] The inspection result information display area 620 shows the number of images in which defects were detected, the number of images printed, and the defect detection rate (defect rate) calculated from these for each of the three print areas. Here, the number of images in which defects that require reprinting were detected (images to be reprinted) is shown as the number of defective images, calculated as the result of tallying them all together. Detection result 621 shows the number of defective images, the number of printed images, and the defect rate in print area a. Similarly, detection result 622 shows the number of defective images, the number of printed images, and the defect rate in print area b. Similarly, detection result 623 shows the number of defective images, the number of printed images, and the defect rate in print area c. The reprint image layout method setting area 630 is a UI for setting layout conditions for the image to be reprinted.

[0046] The reprint image layout preview display area 650 shows the print layout when the images to be reprinted are arranged on the roll paper 400 based on the arrangement conditions set in the reprint image layout method setting area 630. Here, because condition 631 is selected in the reprint image layout method setting area 630, the images to be reprinted are arranged in each print area in the order in which defects were detected or in the order in which they are printed on the roll paper 400. At this time, because the image number display option 651 is checked, the image numbers are superimposed on the images displayed in preview.

[0047] In the reprint image layout preview display area 650, images A101, A202, and B306 are arranged in the order of print area a, print area b, and print area c, starting from the top in the transport direction, in the order of defect detection. Next, images C409, C510, and C611 are arranged in the order of print area a, print area b, and print area c, and the remaining images are arranged in the same order of defect detection. If the reprint image layout preview display area 650 cannot display the entire image to be reprinted, the user may be able to scroll the preview screen using a preview screen scroll bar 652. Furthermore, when condition 632 is selected in the reprint image layout method setting area 630, the image to be reprinted is relocated in the same print area as the image that was printed.

[0048] (A method for arranging images to be reprinted based on the defect detection sensitivity set for each image) Next, we will explain how the image layout determination unit 206 determines the layout of the image to be reprinted based on the defect detection sensitivity set for each image type when condition 633 is selected in the reprint image layout method setting area 630.

[0049] Figure 7 shows an example of the layout of images to be reprinted. Area 720 shows the state in which images have been printed on roll paper 700 based on the normal print job created in S301. In area 720, image 721 (image A) is placed and printed in print area 701 (corresponding to print area a), image 722 (image B) in print area 702 (corresponding to print area b), and image 723 (image C) in print area 703 (corresponding to print area c). Note that the dotted lines in the figure are auxiliary lines indicating the boundaries of each print area for explanatory purposes and are not actually printed. Area 730 shows the state in which the image to be reprinted is arranged on roll paper 700 based on the image arrangement information determined in S311.

[0050] The image in area 720 is inspected by image inspection unit 204. The detection sensitivity used during inspection is set to low for defect detection sensitivity for image A, medium for defect detection sensitivity for image B, and high for defect detection sensitivity for image C, as shown in detection sensitivity setting information display area 610 in Fig. 6. As shown in inspection result information display area 620, the defect rates are set to 0.4% for print area a, 0.2% for print area b, and 1.1% for print area c.

[0051] Here, image C has the highest defect detection sensitivity setting, so the image layout determination unit 206 lays out image C in printing area b, which has the lowest defect rate among the three printing areas. Here, the number of defective images of image C printed in printing area c is 11, so 11 images are laid out in order, starting with image 733, which is image C, in printing area 702 (corresponding to printing area b) within area 730.

[0052] Image B has the second highest defect detection sensitivity, so image layout determination unit 206 places image B in printing area a, which has the second lowest defect rate among the three printing areas. In this case, the number of defective images for image B printed in printing area b is two, so two images are placed in printing area 701 (corresponding to printing area a) within area 730, starting with image 732, which is image B.

[0053] Finally, image A has the lowest defect detection sensitivity, so image layout determination unit 206 places image A in printing area c, which has the highest defect rate among the three printing areas. Here, the number of defective images of image A printed in printing area a is four, so four images are placed in printing area 703 (corresponding to printing area c) within area 730, starting with image 731, which is image A. As described above, the image layout determination unit 206 preferentially allocates images that are set to have high defect detection sensitivity to print areas with low defect rates.

[0054] If the defect detection sensitivity set for two or more images is the same, the image layout determination unit 206 may allocate the print areas according to the original layout order, or may allocate the print areas so that they are the same as the print areas laid out in a normal print job. The same applies when the defect rates of two or more print areas are the same.

[0055] (A method for arranging images to be reprinted based on the inspection sensitivity set for each defect type) Next, using Figure 8, we will explain how the image placement determination unit 206 places the reprint image based on the detection sensitivity set for each defect type when condition 633 is selected in the reprint image placement method setting area 630 and the reprint method option 634 is checked.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 5(b), when different detection sensitivities are set for each defect type, a re-arrangement method option 634 becomes selectable in the reprint image layout method setting area 630. When the re-arrangement method option 634 is checked, the detection sensitivity for each defect type is displayed in the detection sensitivity setting information display area 610 in FIG. 6, as shown in the detection sensitivity setting information display area 810 in FIG. 8. Furthermore, the inspection result information display area 620 in FIG. 6 displays, as the detection results for each of the three print areas, the defect rate for each defect type and the total defect rate obtained by adding up the defect rates for each defect type, as shown in the inspection result information display area 820 in FIG. 8. The total defect rate is treated as the defect rate for that print area. Note that the inspection result information display area 820 in FIG. 8 may display not only the defect rate but also the number of defective images and the number of defects for each defect type.

[0057] Here, area 830 shows the state of images printed on roll paper 800 based on the normal print job created in S301. In area 830, image A is arranged and printed in print area 801 (corresponding to print area a), image B in print area 802 (corresponding to print area b), and image C in print area 803 (corresponding to print area c). Note that the dotted lines in the figure are auxiliary lines indicating the boundaries of each print area for explanatory purposes and are not actually printed. Area 840 shows the state in which the image to be reprinted is arranged on roll paper 800 based on the image arrangement information determined in S311.

[0058] The image in area 830 is inspected by image inspection unit 204. The detection sensitivity used during inspection is as shown in detection sensitivity setting information display area 810 in Figure 8. For image A, the detection sensitivity for point defects is set to high, and the detection sensitivity for line defects is set to medium. For images B and C, the detection sensitivity for line defects is set to high, and the detection sensitivity for point defects is set to medium.

[0059] As shown in the inspection result information display area 820, the defect rate is lowest for point defects in print area c and lowest for line defects in print area a. The defect rate for print area b is intermediate between these two. Therefore, in print area c in area 840, which has the lowest defect rate for point defects, images are arranged in order starting with image 841, which is image A, for which the detection sensitivity for point defects is set higher than for images B and C.

[0060] On the other hand, it is desired to arrange an image with high linear defect detection sensitivity in a printing area with a low linear defect rate, but both image B and image C have high linear defect detection sensitivity. Here, the linear defect rate of image B printed in printing area b is 0.25%, while the linear defect rate of image C printed in printing area c is 0.50%, so it can be said that image C has a higher number of images to be reprinted due to linear defects. Therefore, the image layout determination unit 206 arranges image C, which had a higher linear defect rate than image B, in printing area a in area 840, starting with image 843. Next, the image layout determination unit 206 arranges image B, which had the second lowest linear defect rate, starting with image 842.

[0061] In this way, if there are no other images that are to detect the same defect type, the image layout determination unit 206 will preferentially allocate the image to the print area with the lower defect rate for that defect type. Also, if there are multiple images that are to detect the same defect type, the image layout determination unit 206 will preferentially allocate the image with the higher detection sensitivity to the print area with the lower defect rate for that defect type. Also, if there are multiple images that are to detect the same defect type and have the same detection sensitivity, the image layout determination unit 206 will preferentially allocate the image with the greater number of images to be reprinted (the image with the higher defect rate for that defect type) to the print area with the lower defect rate for that defect type.

[0062] Furthermore, if the defect rates for the defect type are the same, the image layout determination unit 206 preferentially allocates the image with the higher defect rate, including other defect types, to the print area with the lower defect rate. The image layout determination unit 206 may allocate the print areas based on the original layout order, or may allocate the print areas so that they are the same as the print areas allocated in a normal print job that is not a reprint.

[0063] In this embodiment, a reprint job is executed following a normal print job, printing the image to be reprinted in the normal print job without stopping the operation of the device, so it is expected that there will be no major fluctuations in the state of the printing device 170. Therefore, if there is a bias in the occurrence of defects depending on the print position (print area), a similar bias will occur during reprinting, and it can be expected that the reprinted image will have defects of the same degree in the same print position (print area) as those that occurred and were detected in the normal print job.

[0064] According to this embodiment, for images for which a higher defect detection sensitivity is set, the defect rate of the reprint can be reduced compared to the original print by reprinting the image in which a defect was detected so that it is printed in a print area with a lower defect rate. In other words, when an image in which a defect was detected is reprinted, it is possible to prevent the defect from being detected again.

[0065] In this embodiment, an example is shown in which the defect detection sensitivity is set in four stages: high, medium, low, and no inspection. However, this is not limited to this, and it may be possible to selectively set whether or not to perform inspection, or it may be set in multiple stages based on numerical values, etc. In addition, in this embodiment, two types of defects, point defects and linear defects, are shown as defect types, but the defect types are not limited to these, and each defect type may be further distinguished by stains, disappearances, etc., and all defect types that can be detected by the image inspection unit 204 may be treated in the same manner. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the print area is divided into three areas to match the sizes of the three images arranged in the width direction of the roll paper, but it is also possible to divide it into smaller areas and tally up the defect rates.

[0066] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, a method for determining the placement of an image to be reprinted was described based on the defect detection rate for each print area and the defect detection sensitivity set for each image type. Here, if the defect detection rate in a specific print area is significantly high, there is a high possibility that defects will be detected again if that print area is used for reprinting. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a process for restricting the placement of an image to be reprinted when there is a print area with a defect rate greater than a predetermined threshold will be described. Note that the following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment described above, and similarities will be omitted.

[0067] As described above, the reprint image layout method setting area 630 in Fig. 6 is a UI for setting the layout conditions for the image to be reprinted. Here, when condition 635 is selected in the reprint image layout method setting area 630, the image layout determination unit 206 imposes restrictions on the print area in which the image to be reprinted is to be laid out, based on a defect rate threshold 636. Hereinafter, an example of arranging the image to be reprinted when condition 635 is selected in the reprint image layout method setting area 630 and relocation method option 637 is not selected will be described with reference to Fig. 9.

[0068] 9(a), area 920 shows images printed on roll paper 910 based on the normal print job created in S301. In area 920, image 921 (image A) is arranged and printed in print area 911 (corresponding to print area a), image 922 (image B) in print area 912 (corresponding to print area b), and image 923 (image C) in print area 913 (corresponding to print area c). Note that the dotted lines in the figure are auxiliary lines indicating the boundaries of each print area for explanatory purposes and are not actually printed.

[0069] Here, it is assumed that the inspection result information display area 620 in FIG. 6 is the inspection result for area 920. As shown in the inspection result information display area 620, the defect rates are 0.4% for print area 911 (corresponding to print area a), 0.2% for print area 912 (corresponding to print area b), and 1.1% for print area 913 (corresponding to print area c). Here, the defect rate threshold 636 is set to 1.0%. Therefore, the image layout determination unit 206 determines print areas with defect rates exceeding the defect rate threshold 636 of 1.0% as relocation exclusion areas in which the image to be reprinted is not to be placed. In the example of FIG. 9(a), the print area 940 corresponding to print area c in the area 930 in which the image to be reprinted is to be placed is the relocation exclusion area. Note that the diagonal lines on the print area 940 are for illustrative purposes only and are not actually printed.

[0070] Since images to be reprinted cannot be placed in the relocation exclusion area 940 in the area 930, all images to be reprinted must be placed in the print area 911 (corresponding to print area a) and print area 912 (corresponding to print area b) in the area 930. The method for placing images to be reprinted in these areas may be set in the reprint image placement method setting area 630 depending on which of condition 631, condition 632, and condition 633 is selected by the user.

[0071] Here, a case will be described where condition 633 is selected in the reprint image placement method setting area 630. In this case, as shown in the detection sensitivity setting information display area 610 in Figure 6, it is assumed that the defect detection sensitivity for image A is set to low, the defect detection sensitivity for image B is set to medium, and the defect detection sensitivity for image C is set to high. Of the three images, image C has the highest defect detection sensitivity set. Therefore, the image placement determination unit 206 places image C, which requires reprinting, in print area b in area 930, which has the lowest defect rate, in order from image 933.

[0072] Image B has the second highest defect detection sensitivity setting after image C, so the placement of image B, which requires reprinting, is determined. Image A has the lowest defect detection sensitivity setting, so image A is placed in print area a, which has the highest defect rate among the print areas excluding relocation exclusion area 940. Therefore, to determine whether image B should be placed in print area a or print area b, attention is paid to the number of defective images, which is the number of images to be reprinted. If the number of defective images of image C, which will be placed in print area b within area 930, is greater than the number of defective images of image A, which will be placed in print area a, the image placement determination unit 206 places image B, which has the second highest defect detection sensitivity, in print area a. Furthermore, if the number of defective images of image C is less than or equal to the number of defective images of image A, which will be placed in print area a, image B is placed in print area b.

[0073] In this example, as shown in the inspection result information display area 620, the number of defective images in image C is greater than the number of defective images in image A, so images B that require reprinting are arranged in print area a in area 930, starting with image 932. Next, following image B in print area a in area 930, images A, which have the lowest defect detection sensitivity set, are arranged in order, starting with image 931.

[0074] As described above, when determining the placement of the image to be reprinted according to the defect rate for each print area, print areas with a defect rate greater than a predetermined threshold can be excluded from the placement of the image to be reprinted. This makes it possible to exclude a print area when the defect detection rate for a specific print area is significantly high and place the image to be reprinted without including that print area.

[0075] (Process to reduce the margin area other than the relocation exclusion area) 9(a), when image C that needs to be reprinted is placed in print area b, and image B and image A that also need to be reprinted are placed in print area a, a blank area 941 where no image is relocated may be created. Such blank area 941 is wasteful and leads to increased costs, so it is desirable to minimize it as much as possible.

[0076] 9(b), the image layout determination unit 206 may lay out the images to be reprinted so that they are evenly distributed across the other printing areas excluding the relocation exclusion area 940 in the area 950 where the images to be reprinted are laid out. In this case, the maximum number N of images to be reprinted per printing area is determined as the total number of images to be reprinted divided by the number of all printing areas excluding the relocation exclusion area 940, or, if there is a remainder, the divisor plus 1. The maximum number N of images to be reprinted are laid out in each printing area.

[0077] This will be explained in detail below with reference to FIG. 9(b). The image layout determination unit 206 arranges image C, which is set to have the highest defect detection sensitivity among the three images A, B, and C, in printing area b, which has the lowest defect rate, in area 950, starting from image 953, up to the maximum layout number N. If the number of defective images in image C is greater than the maximum layout number N, the remaining images C can be arranged in printing area a, which has the next lowest defect rate after printing area b, starting from image 954. After arranging image C, which has the highest defect detection sensitivity, the image layout determination unit 206 then arranges image B, which has the second highest defect detection sensitivity, in printing area a in area 950, starting from image 952. Similarly, image A, which has the lowest defect detection sensitivity, in printing area a in area 950, starting from image 951. If the number of defective images in image C is less than the maximum layout number N, image B, which has the second highest defect detection sensitivity, can be arranged immediately after image C. As a result of this arrangement, since the total number of images to be reprinted is odd and the number of print areas that can be reprinted is two, the margin area 942 is the size of one image, which reduces waste compared to the margin area 941 in Figure 9(a).

[0078] As described above, by arranging the number of images to be reprinted evenly in each printing area excluding the relocation exclusion area according to the defect rate for each printing area and the detection sensitivity set for each type of image, it is possible to arrange the images to be reprinted while minimizing the occurrence of blank areas.

[0079] (Processing to place images in print areas that exceed the defect rate threshold under certain conditions) Here, when there are multiple relocation-excluded areas, even if the reprint target image is arranged while minimizing the occurrence of blank areas, the amount of roll paper required for reprinting increases in proportion to the number of relocation-excluded areas. Therefore, if the proportion of the relocation-excluded areas in the reprint area (hereinafter referred to as the relocation-excluded area proportion) exceeds a predetermined proportion, the reprint target image may also be arranged in part of the relocation-excluded area. The relocation-excluded area proportion may be included in the print job, may be set in advance as an inspection condition, or may be set as a placement condition for the reprint target image.

[0080] Here, a case where the defect rate threshold set in the defect rate threshold 636 is 0.3% and the threshold for the relocation exclusion area ratio is 50% will be described using FIG. 9(c). In this case, in the region 950, the print area 960 (corresponding to print area a) and the print area 940 (corresponding to print area c) in which defects are detected at a ratio exceeding this threshold are determined to be relocation exclusion areas. Here, the relocation exclusion area ratio is 2 / 3, which exceeds the relocation exclusion area ratio threshold of 50%. Therefore, the image layout determination unit 206 removes the multiple relocation exclusion areas from the relocation exclusion area list in order of lowest defect rate and uses them for reprinting. In this case, of the print areas 960 and 940, which are relocation exclusion areas, the print area 960 (corresponding to print area a) is removed from the reprint exclusion area list because it has a lower defect rate. As a result, the relocation exclusion area ratio becomes 1 / 3, which is below the threshold for the relocation exclusion area ratio, and the print area 940 is still determined to be a relocation exclusion area. After determining the re-arrangement exclusion area in this way, the image layout determination unit 206 uses one of the methods described above to lay out the image to be reprinted.

[0081] As described above, the image layout determination unit 206 removes an area with a defect rate greater than a predetermined threshold from the relayout exclusion area when the relayout exclusion area ratio exceeds a threshold, and places the image to be reprinted in that area as well. The condition for removing an area from the relayout exclusion area may be a condition related to the ratio of the area 950 in which the image to be reprinted is to be placed to the area 920 printed based on a normal print job, or the absolute amount of area required to place the image to be reprinted. Although condition 635 can be selected independently of any of the other conditions 631, 632, and 633, it may also be an option exclusive of these. In this case, the image layout determination unit 206 may place the image to be reprinted according to a predetermined method for determining the layout order.

[0082] According to this embodiment, by restricting the placement of the image to be reprinted in areas where the defect rate is greater than a predetermined threshold, it is possible to prevent defects from being detected again during reprinting. Furthermore, by reducing the margin area outside the areas where the placement of the image to be reprinted is restricted, and by placing the image to be reprinted in areas where the defect rate is greater than a predetermined threshold under certain conditions, it is possible to reduce paper waste.

[0083] [Embodiment 3] When there is a bias in the defect rate for each printing position in the width direction of the roll paper, the detection rate for linear defects is often higher than for point defects. Image defects caused by ink ejection nozzles in inkjet printing are often detected as linear defects in the transport direction at specific printing positions. In light of this correlation between the location of defects and their types, the third embodiment describes a process for restricting the placement of images to be reprinted using evaluation values ​​weighted for each defect type. This description focuses on differences from the first and second embodiments, and omits explanations of similarities.

[0084] (Processing using weighted evaluation values ​​for each defect type) As shown in the inspection result information display area 820 in Figure 8, the defect rates for the three print areas a, b, and c are 0.60%, 0.45%, and 0.60%, respectively, meaning that the defect rates for print area a and print area c are equivalent. If the defect rate threshold 636 set in this case is 1.0%, there are no print areas with defect rates exceeding this threshold, so no reprint exclusion area is set. Therefore, the image to be reprinted is placed in all print areas within the reprint area. On the other hand, as mentioned above, linear defects have a higher correlation with print position than point defects. Therefore, in print area c, where the defect rate for linear defects is higher than that of print area a, it is expected that defects will be detected again during reprinting.

[0085] Therefore, in this embodiment, the image layout determination unit 206 calculates a defect rate evaluation value by multiplying the detected defect rate by a weighting coefficient that differs for each defect type. The weighting coefficients and defect rate evaluation values ​​will be described with reference to FIG. 10. An example of weighting coefficients is shown in FIG. 10(a). As shown in FIG. 10(a), the weighting coefficient for point defects is 1, and the weighting coefficient for linear defects is 2. In this way, linear defects that have a high correlation with the print position are weighted higher. The weighting coefficients may be included in the print job, may be set in advance as inspection conditions, or may be set as layout conditions for the image to be reprinted.

[0086] Figure 10(b) shows the defect rate evaluation value obtained by multiplying the defect rates of the three print areas a, b, and c shown in the inspection result information display area 820 in Figure 8 by the weighting coefficients for each defect type shown in Figure 10(a). As a result of weighting the linear defects, the evaluation value of print area c, which had a higher proportion of linear defects than print area a, was 1.10%, which exceeds the defect rate threshold 636 of 1.0% shown above, so print area c within the reprint area is determined to be an area excluded from relocation.

[0087] According to this embodiment, by restricting the placement of the image to be reprinted using evaluation values ​​weighted for each defect type, it is possible to prevent defects from being detected again. As a result, even if many defects, such as linear defects that are highly correlated with the printing position, are detected, it is possible to place the image to be reprinted while avoiding the printing position.

[0088] In this embodiment, the weighting coefficient for each defect type is set to a fixed value because it is assumed that a particular defect type has a higher correlation with the printing position than other defect types. However, a fixed value is not necessary if it is unclear which defect type has a higher correlation with the printing position. For example, the weighting coefficient for each defect type may be calculated. Specifically, the image layout determination unit 206 may calculate the standard deviation of the defect rate for each defect type for each printing area, and may increase the weighting coefficient for a defect type whose standard deviation is greater than or equal to a threshold value or has the largest standard deviation, assuming that the defect type has a high correlation with the printing position. Alternatively, other statistical methods may be used to calculate the deviation in the defect rate for each defect type for each printing area, and determine whether the defect type has a high correlation with the printing position based on the calculated deviation in the defect rate.

[0089] Furthermore, in this embodiment, two types of defects, point defects and line defects, are shown as defect types, but the defect types are not limited to these, and all defect types that can be detected by the image inspection unit 204 may be treated in the same manner.

[0090] [Embodiment 4] Up to this point, we have assumed that defects detected by the image inspection unit 204 are defects that appear in the printed image. However, defects can also occur due to the material or processing of the roll paper, which is continuous paper used as the recording medium. For example, a high defect rate can occur in a specific printed area due to continuous rubbing in the direction perpendicular to the roll paper transport direction (the main scanning direction during reading), i.e., at a specific position in the width direction of the roll paper. Alternatively, a defect can be determined due to a high gloss in a certain area. Furthermore, even if no defects are detected in the image itself, defects can occur due to rubbing in the unprinted margins of the image. Furthermore, defects can also occur due to underprinting, which is performed as a preprocessing step before printing the image. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, we will explain a process for preventing an image to be reprinted from being placed in an area where a defect due to the recording medium itself or underprinting has occurred. Note that this explanation will focus on differences from the first to third embodiments described above, and will omit a description of similarities.

[0091] (Processing according to the brightness distribution in the margin area) When condition 638 is selected in the reprint image layout method setting area 630 in Fig. 6, the image inspection unit 204 detects a change in characteristics that suggests a defect caused by the recording medium itself. In this case, in S305 in Fig. 3, the read image acquisition unit 202 acquires the brightness distribution characteristics of the printed images as well as the brightness distribution characteristics of the margin areas between the printed images in the conveyance direction in the direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the recording medium (the paper width direction).

[0092] 11 shows an example of the luminance distribution of the margin area between each print image acquired by the read image acquisition unit 202. This luminance distribution shows the change in luminance value with respect to the position in the paper width direction, with higher luminance values ​​indicating closer to white and lower luminance values ​​indicating closer to black.

[0093] Figure 11(a) shows the luminance distribution when a recording medium in good condition is read. Luminance distribution 1101 shows the luminance value versus position in the paper width direction. Areas 1102 and 1103 outside each print area are the edges of the roll paper, which is the recording medium. In this case, the background of the image reading device 105 is black, so the luminance values ​​at the extreme edges are low.

[0094] The brightness value 1105 represents the average brightness value obtained by averaging the brightness values ​​at positions corresponding to print areas a, b, and c in the brightness distribution 1101. The brightness value 1104 represents the upper threshold brightness value for a margin area that is determined to be good. The brightness value 1106 represents the lower threshold brightness value for a margin area that is determined to be good. These upper and lower brightness thresholds may be calculated from a value set as a threshold for the allowable fluctuation rate for the average brightness value in the print area, such as the media characteristic threshold 639, or may be set as a percentage of the brightness value range or an absolute brightness value. These thresholds may also be included in the print job, may be set in advance as inspection conditions, or may be set as placement conditions for the image to be reprinted.

[0095] FIG. 11(b) shows the luminance distribution when some kind of defect occurs at a specific position in the paper width direction. Luminance distribution 1111 shows the luminance value versus position in the paper width direction. Luminance value 1115 represents the average luminance value obtained by averaging the luminance values ​​at positions in luminance distribution 1111 that correspond to print areas a, b, and c. Luminance value 1114 represents the upper threshold luminance value for a margin area that is judged to be good. Luminance value 1116 represents the lower threshold luminance value for a margin area that is judged to be good. Here, it is shown that there is a portion in luminance distribution 1111 at the position of print area c that shows a luminance value below the lower threshold luminance value 1116.

[0096] In S309, the image layout determination unit 206 uses the brightness distribution for each print area in the multiple margin areas to tally up whether or not there are any parts for each print area that exhibit brightness values ​​above an upper threshold or below a lower threshold. If the tallying up result shows that there are defective portions of the recording medium in a predetermined proportion or more in any print area, the image layout determination unit 206 determines that print area is an area excluded from relayout. The predetermined proportion used for this determination may be included in the print job, may be set in advance as an inspection condition, or may be set as a layout condition for the image to be reprinted.

[0097] As described above, by limiting the placement of the image to be reprinted based on the brightness distribution in the margin area between each print image, even if there is a print area where a change in characteristics suggesting a defect in the recording medium itself is observed, it is possible to place the reprint image while avoiding that print area, thereby reducing the chance of detecting defects during reprinting.

[0098] (Processing according to the luminance distribution in the base printing area) When the recording medium is made of a light-transmitting material, is thin, or is made of a material with a color other than white, underprinting may be performed to prevent show-through and improve the color development of the color material to be printed. Generally, the underprinting area is formed as a pretreatment for printing with colored inks by uniformly applying mainly white ink over an area larger than the area where the image will be printed with colored inks. Note that the type of ink used for underprinting does not have to be white ink.

[0099] In this type of base printing, defects that are highly correlated with the printing position can occur, just as in printing with normal colored inks. Below, we will explain the process of preventing the image to be reprinted from being placed in an area where such defects have occurred.

[0100] When base printing is performed in a print job, the display control unit 208 displays a selectable condition 640 in the reprint image layout method setting area 630 in FIG. 6 based on the print job information. When condition 640 is selected, the image inspection unit 204 detects a change in characteristics that suggests a defect caused by the base printing. In this case, in S305 in FIG. 3, the scanned image acquisition unit 202 acquires scanned image data of the print image that includes the base printing area.

[0101] The image inspection unit 204 inspects the printed image and, at the same time, acquires, for each printed image, based on the print job information, the brightness distribution characteristics in the paper width direction for the margin area of ​​the base printing area that is left around the printed image and is not printed with colored ink.

[0102] Based on the brightness distribution characteristics acquired for each print image, the image layout determination unit 206 aggregates, for each print area in which each print image is placed, whether there are any blank areas in the base print area that exhibit brightness values ​​above an upper threshold or below a lower threshold. These upper and lower brightness thresholds may be calculated from a value set as a threshold for the allowable variation rate with respect to the average brightness value in the print area, such as the media characteristic threshold 641, or may be set as a percentage of the brightness value range or an absolute brightness value. These thresholds may be included in the print job, may be set in advance as inspection conditions, or may be set as placement conditions for the image to be reprinted. If, as a result of the aggregation, a print area contains defective base printing at a rate equal to or greater than a predetermined rate, the image layout determination unit 206 determines that print area as an area to be excluded from relayout. The predetermined rate used for this determination may be included in the print job, may be set in advance as inspection conditions, or may be set as placement conditions for the image to be reprinted.

[0103] As described above, by limiting the placement of the image to be reprinted based on the luminance distribution in the base print area, even if there is a print area where a change in characteristics suggesting a defect in the base print is observed, it is possible to place the reprint image while avoiding that print area, thereby reducing the chance of detecting defects during reprinting.

[0104] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0105] The disclosure of each of the above-described embodiments includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) an inspection means for reading and inspecting a printout obtained by arranging a plurality of images in the width direction of the recording medium and continuously printing them along the conveyance direction; a creating means for creating a print job for reprinting the image in which a defect has been detected when a defect has been detected in the printed image through inspection by the inspecting means; a determination unit that determines the layout of an image to be reprinted based on a defect detection rate that indicates the rate at which defects are detected for each printing position in the width direction when creating the print job; An information processing device comprising: (Configuration 2) 2. The information processing apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the determining means restricts placement of an image to be reprinted in an area where the defect detection rate is greater than a predetermined threshold value. (Configuration 3) 2. The information processing apparatus according to configuration 1, wherein the determining means determines the layout of the image to be reprinted based on an evaluation value obtained by weighting the defect detection rate for each defect type. (Configuration 4) 4. The information processing apparatus according to configuration 3, wherein the determining unit restricts placement of the image to be reprinted in an area where the evaluation value is greater than a predetermined threshold value. (Configuration 5) 5. The information processing device according to configuration 3 or 4, wherein the weighting value is larger for a line defect than for a point defect. (Configuration 6) The information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 5, characterized in that the determination means acquires the defect detection sensitivity set for each of the plurality of images, and preferentially assigns images for which the defect detection sensitivity is set high to areas with a low defect detection rate. (Configuration 7) The information processing device according to configuration 6, wherein the determining means preferentially allocates an image in which a detection sensitivity for a first defect type is set high to an area in which the defect detection rate for the first defect type is low, and allocates an image in which a detection sensitivity for a second defect type is set high to an area in which the defect detection rate for the second defect type is low. (Configuration 8) An information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that the recording medium is continuous paper, the width of the continuous paper is divided into multiple printing areas, and different types of images are printed in each of the multiple printing areas. (Configuration 9) The information processing device described in configuration 8, wherein the determination means determines the type of image to be reprinted for each of the plurality of printing areas based on a defect detection rate representing the rate at which defects are detected for each of the plurality of printing areas and a defect detection sensitivity set for each type of image. (Configuration 10) An information processing device according to configuration 8 or 9, characterized in that the placement of an image to be reprinted is restricted to the printing area where the defect detection rate is greater than a predetermined threshold, and when there are multiple other printing areas excluding the printing area where the placement of the image to be reprinted is restricted, the information processing device controls so that the number of images to be placed in each of the other printing areas is equal. (Configuration 11) The information processing device described in configuration 10 is characterized in that the determination means controls the placement of the image to be reprinted in the printing area where the placement of the image to be reprinted is restricted when the ratio of the number of printing areas where the placement of the image to be reprinted is restricted to the number of the multiple printing areas exceeds a predetermined threshold. (Configuration 12) the inspection means reads and inspects brightness values ​​at each position in the width direction of the recording medium in a margin area between images printed successively on the recording medium, The information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that when an inspection by the inspection means detects a change in the distribution of brightness values ​​that is greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination means restricts the placement of the image to be reprinted in the area where the change is detected. (Configuration 13) the inspection means reads and inspects the luminance value at each position in the width direction of the recording medium in the base printing area of ​​the recording medium, The information processing device described in any one of configurations 1 to 11, characterized in that when an inspection by the inspection means detects a change in the distribution of brightness values ​​that is greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination means restricts the placement of the image to be reprinted in the area where the change is detected. (Configuration 14) 14. The information processing device according to configuration 13, wherein the base printing area is an area formed with white ink. (method) an inspection step of reading and inspecting a printout obtained by arranging a plurality of images in the width direction of the recording medium and continuously printing them along the conveyance direction; a creating step of creating a print job for reprinting the image in which the defect was detected when a defect was detected in the printed image by the inspection step; a determination step of determining, when creating the print job, a layout of an image to be reprinted based on a defect detection rate representing a rate at which defects are detected for each print position in the width direction; An information processing method comprising: (program) The computer of the information processing device, an inspection means for reading and inspecting a printout obtained by arranging a plurality of images in the width direction of the recording medium and continuously printing them along the conveyance direction; a creating means for creating a print job for reprinting the image in which a defect has been detected when a defect has been detected in the printed image through inspection by the inspecting means; a determination means for determining, when creating the print job, the placement of an image to be reprinted based on a defect detection rate representing the rate at which defects are detected for each print position in the width direction; A program to function as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 100: Image processing device, 170: Printing device, 108: UI panel, 191: Printing roll paper, 194: Printed roll paper

Claims

1. an inspection means for reading and inspecting a printout obtained by arranging a plurality of images in the width direction of the recording medium and continuously printing them along the conveyance direction; a creating means for creating a print job for reprinting the image in which a defect has been detected when a defect has been detected in the printed image through inspection by the inspecting means; a determination unit that determines the layout of an image to be reprinted based on a defect detection rate that indicates the rate at which defects are detected for each printing position in the width direction when creating the print job; An information processing device comprising:

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit restricts placement of the image to be reprinted in an area where the defect detection rate is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

3. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining unit determines the layout of the image to be reprinted based on an evaluation value obtained by weighting the defect detection rate for each defect type.

4. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the determining unit restricts the placement of the image to be reprinted in an area where the evaluation value is greater than a predetermined threshold value.

5. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the weighting value is larger for a line defect than for a point defect.

6. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determining means acquires the defect detection sensitivity set for each of the plurality of images, and preferentially assigns images for which the defect detection sensitivity is set high to the area with a low defect detection rate.

7. 7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the determining means preferentially allocates an image in which a detection sensitivity for a first defect type is set high to an area in which the defect detection rate for the first defect type is low, and allocates an image in which a detection sensitivity for a second defect type is set high to an area in which the defect detection rate for the second defect type is low.

8. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is continuous paper, the width of the continuous paper being divided into a plurality of print areas, and different types of images are printed in each of the plurality of print areas.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the determination means determines the type of image to be reprinted for each of the plurality of printing areas based on a defect detection rate representing the rate at which defects are detected for each of the plurality of printing areas and a defect detection sensitivity set for each type of image.

10. An information processing device as described in claim 8, characterized in that the placement of images to be reprinted is restricted to the printing area where the defect detection rate is greater than a predetermined threshold, and if there are multiple other printing areas excluding the printing area where the placement of images to be reprinted is restricted, the information processing device controls so that the number of images to be placed in each of the other printing areas is equal.

11. The information processing device according to claim 10, characterized in that the determination means controls the placement of the image to be reprinted in the printing area where the placement of the image to be reprinted is restricted when the ratio of the number of printing areas where the placement of the image to be reprinted is restricted to the number of the multiple printing areas exceeds a predetermined threshold.

12. the inspection means reads and inspects brightness values ​​at each position in the width direction of the recording medium in a margin area between images printed successively on the recording medium, 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when an inspection by the inspection means detects a change in the distribution of brightness values ​​that is greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination means restricts the placement of the image to be reprinted in the area where the change is detected.

13. the inspection means reads and inspects the luminance value at each position in the width direction of the recording medium in the base printing area of ​​the recording medium, 2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein, when an inspection by the inspection means detects a change in the distribution of brightness values ​​that is greater than a predetermined threshold, the determination means restricts the placement of the image to be reprinted in the area where the change is detected.

14. 14. The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the base printing area is an area formed with white ink.

15. an inspection step of reading and inspecting a printout obtained by arranging a plurality of images in the width direction of the recording medium and continuously printing them along the conveyance direction; a creating step of creating a print job for reprinting the image in which the defect was detected when a defect was detected in the printed image by the inspection step; a determination step of determining, when creating the print job, a layout of an image to be reprinted based on a defect detection rate representing a rate at which defects are detected for each print position in the width direction; An information processing method comprising:

16. The computer of the information processing device, an inspection means for reading and inspecting a printout obtained by arranging a plurality of images in the width direction of the recording medium and continuously printing them along the conveyance direction; a creating means for creating a print job for reprinting the image in which a defect has been detected when a defect has been detected in the printed image through inspection by the inspecting means; a determination means for determining, when creating the print job, the placement of an image to be reprinted based on a defect detection rate representing the rate at which defects are detected for each print position in the width direction; A program to function as a

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