Information processing system and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system and a program which, compared to a case of receiving setting of detection / non-detection of an abnormality and setting of processing at the time of detecting the abnormality on different screens, makes it more difficult to bring about setting errors of setting of detection / non-detection of an abnormality and setting of processing at the time of detecting the abnormality.SOLUTION: Setting indicating detection or non-detection of a specific type of abnormality in a printed matter output from a printer and setting of processing at the time of detecting the specific type of abnormality in the printed matter are received on one screen.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an inspection device that can take appropriate measures depending on the type of defect in a printed matter.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a job processing system that can determine, for each job, from among a plurality of quality-related items, an item to be notified as the quality of a deliverable obtained by executing the job. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2022-137718 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-140495 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing system and program that are less likely to result in setting errors when setting whether or not an abnormality is detected and when setting the processing to be performed when the abnormality is detected, compared to when the setting for whether or not an abnormality is detected and the processing to be performed when the abnormality is detected are received on different screens. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing system of the first aspect includes a processor, and the processor accepts, on the same screen, a setting for whether to detect a specific type of abnormality in a printed material output from a printing device and a setting for processing when a specific type of abnormality is detected in the printed material.

[0007] In the information processing system of the second aspect, in the information processing system of the first aspect, the specific type of abnormality includes a variation in color density and a misregistration of printing.

[0008] In the information processing system of the third aspect, in the information processing system of the second aspect, the settings for processing when a specific type of abnormality is detected include whether or not to correct color density and whether or not to correct misregistration of printing.

[0009] In the information processing system of the fourth aspect, in the information processing system of the first aspect, the processing settings when an abnormality is detected include performing either one of continuing printing by the printing device, or stopping printing by the printing device and waiting for instruction input from the user.

[0010] An information processing system of a fifth aspect is the information processing system of the first aspect, wherein the processor also accepts, on the same screen, a setting of a threshold for detecting an abnormality.

[0011] An information processing system of a sixth aspect is the information processing system of the fifth aspect, wherein the processor displays a slider for setting the threshold on the same screen.

[0012] In the information processing system of the seventh aspect, in the information processing system of the first aspect, the processor associates and records, for each print job for the printing device, a setting for whether or not to detect a specific type of abnormality with a setting for processing when a specific type of abnormality is detected in the printed material.

[0013] The program of the eighth aspect causes a computer to execute a step of accepting, on the same screen, a setting for whether or not to detect a specific type of abnormality in a printed material output from a printing device, and a setting for the processing to be performed when a specific type of abnormality is detected in the printed material. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the information processing system of the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of setting errors in the setting of whether or not an abnormality is detected and the setting of the processing to be performed when the abnormality is detected, compared to when the setting of whether or not an abnormality is detected and the setting of the processing to be performed when the abnormality is detected are received on different screens.

[0015] According to the information processing system of the second aspect, settings regarding fluctuations in color density and misregistration of printing can be received on the same screen.

[0016] According to the information processing system of the third aspect, it is possible to accept settings regarding whether or not to correct color density and whether or not to correct misregistration of printing on the same screen.

[0017] According to the information processing system of the fourth aspect, when an abnormality is detected, it is possible to accept on the same screen a setting as to whether to continue printing by the printing device or to stop printing by the printing device and wait for instruction input from the user.

[0018] According to the information processing system of the fifth aspect, the setting of the threshold for detecting an abnormality can be accepted on the same screen.

[0019] According to the information processing system of the sixth aspect, it is possible to receive the setting of the threshold value when detecting an abnormality by using the slider.

[0020] According to the information processing system of the seventh aspect, it is possible to set appropriate settings for each print job.

[0021] According to the program of the eighth aspect, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of making setting errors when setting whether or not an abnormality is detected and when setting the processing to be performed when the abnormality is detected, compared to when the setting for whether or not an abnormality is detected and the setting for the processing to be performed when the abnormality is detected are received on different screens. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the printing system. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a job setting screen in the printing system. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a transition diagram illustrating a process flow when a print job is executed in the printing system. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a transition diagram illustrating a process flow when a print job is executed in the printing system. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a job setting screen in the printing system. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a transition diagram illustrating a process flow when a print job is executed in the printing system. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a job setting screen in the printing system. [Figure 9] FIG. 3 is a transition diagram illustrating a process flow when a print job is executed in the printing system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of a printing system 10, which is an embodiment of an information processing system according to the present disclosure;

[0024] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing system 10 includes a printing device 14 and an inspection device 15 for inspecting the quality of printed matter printed by the printing device 14.

[0025] In the printing system 10, a printed matter printed by the printing device 14 is transported to the inspection device 15 and scanned by the inspection device 15.

[0026] The printing system 10 can evaluate the quality of the printed matter by comparing the original print image with a scanned image obtained by scanning the printed matter printed by the printing device 14 with the inspection device 15.

[0027] Furthermore, a user terminal 20 is connected to the printing system 10 via a network 25. The user terminal 20 is a terminal for transmitting a print job to the printing system 10.

[0028] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of the printing system 10 of this embodiment.

[0029] 2, the printing system 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication interface (abbreviated as IF) 12, a user interface (abbreviated as UI) device 13 including a touch panel or a liquid crystal display and a keyboard, a printing device 14, and an inspection device 15. These components are connected to each other via a control bus 16.

[0030] The control unit 11 includes a processor 11a, a memory 11b, and a storage unit 11c. The processor 11a executes predetermined processing based on a control program read from the storage unit 11c and loaded into the memory 11b. The storage unit 11c is configured from, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), a hard disk drive (HDD), or a solid state drive (SSD), and stores the control program, required software, data, etc.

[0031] In the present embodiment, the processor 11a is described as reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 11c, but this is not limited thereto. The program may be provided in a form recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. For example, the program may be provided in a form recorded on an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM (Read Only Memory) or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM, or in a form recorded on a semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card. The program may also be obtained from an external device via a communication line.

[0032] The communication IF 12 transmits and receives data to and from external devices, etc. The UI device 13 accepts instruction input from a user. The printing device 14 prints an image on a recording medium such as printing paper through processes such as charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing. The inspection device 15 reads the printout printed by the printing device 14 as image data.

[0033] In the printing system 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to set whether or not to detect specific types of abnormalities in printed materials output from the printing device 14, and to set the processing to be performed when specific types of abnormalities are detected in printed materials.

[0034] However, if these two types of settings are accepted on different screens, it can lead to configuration errors, which can result in reduced productivity. For example, a configuration error could occur where job processing continues even in the case of a serious problem, or where job processing is stopped even in the case of a minor problem.

[0035] To solve this problem, in the printing system 10 of this embodiment, the control unit 11 accepts, on the same screen, a setting for whether or not to detect a specific type of abnormality in the printed matter output from the printing device 14, and a setting for the processing to be performed when a specific type of abnormality is detected in the printed matter.

[0036] Here, "on the same screen" means on one operation screen. If multiple windows can be displayed simultaneously on one operation screen, the above two types of settings may be accepted on one window, or the above two types of settings may be accepted individually on multiple windows.

[0037] In the printing system 10 of this embodiment, the specific type of abnormality may include color density fluctuation and print misalignment. In this case, the processing settings when the specific type of abnormality is detected may include whether to correct the color density fluctuation and whether to correct the print misalignment.

[0038] In addition, the processing settings when an abnormality is detected may include either continuing printing by the printing device 14 or stopping printing by the printing device 14 and waiting for instructions to be input by the user.

[0039] Furthermore, the control unit 11 may also accept the setting of a threshold value for detecting an abnormality on the same screen. In this case, the control unit 11 may display a slider for setting the threshold value on the same screen.

[0040] An example of the job setting screen 30 in the printing system 10 of this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3, the job setting screen 30 includes a setting section 31, a color density variation setting section 32, and a positional deviation setting section 33.

[0042] The setting section 31 is an area for setting the processing for pages that are not to be detected by the inspection device 15.

[0043] Specifically, when a page that is not subject to detection by the inspection device 15 is detected, the setting unit 31 is configured to allow the user to select whether to stop printing by the printing device 14 and wait for instructions to be input from the user (displayed as "Wait for user operation" in Figure 3), or to continue printing by the printing device 14 (displayed as "Continue" in Figure 3).

[0044] The color density fluctuation setting section 32 is an area for making settings related to color density fluctuation. Specifically, the color density fluctuation setting section 32 is configured to allow a user to select whether or not to detect color density fluctuation (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as abnormality) using a check box.

[0045] The color density fluctuation setting section 32 is also configured to allow a user to select whether or not to correct a color density fluctuation when the color density fluctuation is detected using a check box.

[0046] Furthermore, the color density fluctuation setting unit 32 is configured to allow the user to select whether, when an abnormality is detected, to stop printing by the printing device 14 and wait for instructions to be input from the user (shown as "Wait for user operation" in FIG. 3), or to continue printing by the printing device 14 (shown as "Continue" in FIG. 3).

[0047] The color density fluctuation setting section 32 is configured so that the level (that is, the threshold value) at which an abnormality is detected can be input using a slider 32a.

[0048] Note that correction of color density fluctuations is performed regardless of the level setting for detecting abnormalities. Correction of color density fluctuations is performed, for example, as follows: First, the inspection device 15 measures the color of a patch printed for correction purposes, and correction is performed if there is a deviation from the average of the first to tenth sheets. Correction processing is performed so that the average of the measurement results of the inspection device 15 for the most recent ten sheets approaches the average of the first to tenth sheets. If measurement results for 10 sheets are not available, correction processing is not performed.

[0049] The positional deviation setting section 33 is an area for making settings related to positional deviation. Specifically, the positional deviation setting section 33 is configured to allow a user to select whether or not to detect positional deviation (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as abnormality) using a check box.

[0050] The positional deviation setting unit 33 is also configured to allow a user to select whether or not to correct a positional deviation when the positional deviation is detected using a check box.

[0051] In addition, the misalignment setting unit 33 is configured to allow the user to select whether to stop printing by the printing device 14 and wait for instructions to be input from the user (indicated as "Wait for user operation" in Figure 3) or to continue printing by the printing device 14 (indicated as "Continue" in Figure 3) when an abnormality is detected.

[0052] The positional deviation setting unit 33 is configured so that the level (that is, the threshold value) at which an abnormality is detected can be input using a slider 33a.

[0053] Note that misalignment correction is performed regardless of the level setting for detecting abnormalities. Misalignment correction is performed, for example, as follows: In the case of single-sided (front) printing, correction is performed if misalignment occurs from the first sheet, using the trim mark printed for correction as a reference. In the case of double-sided printing, correction is performed on the back side so that it becomes the same as the front side if any misalignment occurs. For the second to ninth sheets, a result to be used for correction is added each time a sheet of paper passes through the inspection device 15. From the tenth sheet onwards, correction processing is performed based on the measurement results of the inspection device 15 for the previous ten sheets.

[0054] Furthermore, it is expected that the inspection items and inspection thresholds to be performed will differ depending on the characteristics of the print job. If inspections are performed with uniform settings for all print jobs, for example, misalignment may be detected in print jobs where misalignment is not a serious defect, leading to reduced productivity.

[0055] Therefore, the control unit 11 may record, for each print job for the printing device 14, a setting for whether or not to detect a specific type of abnormality and a setting for processing when a specific type of abnormality is detected in the printed matter, in association with each other.

[0056] Next, the flow of processing when a print job is executed in the printing system 10 of this embodiment will be described.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, when "Correct color density variation" and "Correct position misalignment" are enabled on the job setting screen 30 and no abnormality is detected by the inspection device 15, the processing flow is as shown in the transition diagram in FIG. 4.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 4, first, in step ST01, a print job is submitted from the user terminal 20 to the control unit 11.

[0059] Next, in step ST02, the control unit 11 performs settings related to correction for the print job via the job setting screen 30.

[0060] Next, in step ST03, the control unit 11 transmits the print data to the printing device 14 page by page.

[0061] Next, in step ST04, the printing device 14 performs printing using the printing data and outputs the printed paper to the inspection device 15.

[0062] Next, in step ST05, the inspection device 15 scans the printed paper and compares it with the printing data to detect color density variations and misregistration.

[0063] Next, in step ST06, the inspection device 15 outputs the inspected printed paper to the discharge tray 17.

[0064] Furthermore, when "correct color density variation" and "correct positional deviation" are enabled on the job setting screen 30 as shown in Fig. 3 and an abnormality is detected in the inspection device 15, the processing flow is as shown in the transition diagram in Fig. 5. In the transition diagram shown in Fig. 5, the dotted lines indicate the processing that occurs when an abnormality is detected.

[0065] As shown in FIG. 5, first, in step ST11, a print job is submitted from the user terminal 20 to the control unit 11.

[0066] Next, in step ST12, the control unit 11 performs settings related to correction for the print job via the job setting screen 30.

[0067] Next, in step ST13, the control unit 11 transmits the print data to the printing device 14 page by page.

[0068] Next, in step ST14, the printing device 14 performs printing using the printing data and outputs the printed paper to the inspection device 15.

[0069] Next, in step ST15, the inspection device 15 scans the printed paper and compares it with the printing data to detect color density variations and misregistration.

[0070] Next, in step ST16, the inspection device 15 outputs the inspected printed paper to the discharge tray 17.

[0071] Furthermore, in step ST17, if the inspection device 15 detects an abnormality exceeding the abnormality detection level, it transmits to the printing device 14 the amount of color density variation and the amount of positional deviation exceeding the abnormality detection level.

[0072] Next, in step ST18, the printing device 14 corrects the color density and position during printing using the color density fluctuation amount and the position deviation amount.

[0073] Next, in step ST19, the printing device 14 performs printing again using the printing data corresponding to the printed paper on which the abnormality was detected, and outputs the printed paper to the inspection device 15.

[0074] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 6, when "Correct color density variation" and "Correct position misalignment" are disabled on the job setting screen 30 and "Continue" is selected as the process to be performed when an abnormality is detected, the process flow is as shown in the transition diagram in Fig. 7. In the transition diagram in Fig. 7, the dotted lines indicate the process that occurs when an abnormality is detected.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 7, first, in step ST21, a print job is submitted from the user terminal 20 to the control unit 11.

[0076] Next, in step ST22, the control unit 11 performs settings related to correction for the print job via the job setting screen 30.

[0077] Next, in step ST23, the control unit 11 transmits the print data to the printing device 14 page by page.

[0078] Next, in step ST24, the printing device 14 performs printing using the printing data and outputs the printed paper to the inspection device 15.

[0079] Next, in step ST25, the inspection device 15 scans the printed paper and compares it with the printing data to detect color density variations and misregistration.

[0080] Next, in step ST26, the inspection device 15 outputs the inspected printed paper to the discharge tray 17.

[0081] Furthermore, in step ST27, if the inspection device 15 detects an abnormality exceeding the abnormality detection level, it transmits the amount of color density variation and the amount of positional deviation exceeding the abnormality detection level to the printing device .

[0082] Next, in step ST28, the printing device 14 sends a notification to the control unit 11 indicating that an abnormality has been detected.

[0083] Next, in step ST29, the control unit 11 records the details of the abnormality in a log.

[0084] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, when "Correct color density variation" and "Correct position misalignment" are disabled on the job setting screen 30 and "Wait for user operation" is selected as the process to be performed when an abnormality is detected, the process flow is as shown in the transition diagram in Fig. 9. In the transition diagram shown in Fig. 7, the dotted lines indicate the process that occurs when an abnormality is detected.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 9, first, in step ST31, a print job is submitted from the user terminal 20 to the control unit 11.

[0086] Next, in step ST32, the control unit 11 performs settings related to correction for the print job via the job setting screen 30.

[0087] Next, in step ST33, the control unit 11 transmits the print data to the printing device 14 page by page.

[0088] Next, in step ST34, the printing device 14 performs printing using the printing data and outputs the printed paper to the inspection device 15.

[0089] Next, in step ST35, the inspection device 15 scans the printed paper and compares it with the printing data to detect color density variations and misregistration.

[0090] Next, in step ST36, the inspection device 15 outputs the inspected printed paper to the discharge tray 17.

[0091] Furthermore, in step ST37, if the inspection device 15 detects an abnormality exceeding the abnormality detection level, it transmits to the printing device 14 the amount of color density variation and the amount of positional deviation exceeding the abnormality detection level.

[0092] Next, in step ST38, the printing device 14 sends a notification to the control unit 11 indicating that an abnormality has been detected.

[0093] Next, in step ST39, the control unit 11 records the details of the abnormality in a log.

[0094] Next, in step ST40, the control unit 11 sends an instruction to the printing device 14 to stop the print job.

[0095] [Variations] The printing system 10, which is one embodiment of the information processing system of the present disclosure, has been described above, but the technology of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified as appropriate.

[0096] In the above embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0097] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0098] [Note] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiment.

[0099] (((1))) a processor; The processor: A setting for whether to detect a specific type of abnormality in a printed matter output from a printing device and a setting for processing when a specific type of abnormality is detected in a printed matter are accepted on the same screen. Information processing system.

[0100] (((2))) Specific types of anomalies include color density variations and print misregistration The information processing system according to (((1))).

[0101] (((3))) The settings for processing when a specific type of abnormality is detected include whether to correct color density and whether to correct print position misalignment. The information processing system according to (((2))).

[0102] (((4))) The setting of the process to be performed when an abnormality is detected includes either continuing printing by the printing device or stopping printing by the printing device and waiting for an instruction input from the user. 1. An information processing system according to any one of ((1))) to (((3))).

[0103] (((5))) The processor: On the same screen, the setting of the threshold for detecting an abnormality is also accepted. 1. An information processing system according to any one of ((1))) to (((4))).

[0104] (((6))) The processor: On the same screen, a slider for setting the threshold is displayed. The information processing system according to (((5))).

[0105] (((7))) The processor: For each print job for the printing device, a setting as to whether or not to detect a specific type of abnormality and a setting as to what to do when a specific type of abnormality is detected in a printed matter are recorded in association with each other. 1. An information processing system according to any one of ((1))) to (((6))).

[0106] (((8))) A step of accepting, on the same screen, a setting as to whether or not to detect a specific type of abnormality in a printed matter output from the printing device and a setting as to what to do when a specific type of abnormality is detected in the printed matter. A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

[0107] The effects of the configuration described above will be described below.

[0108] According to the information processing system (((1))), it is possible to make it less likely that mistakes will occur in setting whether or not to detect an abnormality and setting the processing to be performed when the abnormality is detected, compared to when the setting for whether or not to detect an abnormality and the setting for the processing to be performed when the abnormality is detected are received on different screens.

[0109] According to the information processing system (((2))), settings regarding color density fluctuations and printing misalignment can be received on the same screen.

[0110] According to the information processing system (((3))), settings regarding whether or not to correct color density and whether or not to correct misregistration of printing can be accepted on the same screen.

[0111] According to the information processing system (((4))), when an abnormality is detected, it is possible to accept on the same screen a setting as to whether to continue printing by the printing device or to stop printing by the printing device and wait for instructions to be input by the user.

[0112] According to the information processing system of (((5))), the setting of the threshold for detecting an abnormality can be accepted on the same screen.

[0113] According to the information processing system of (((6))), it is possible to accept the setting of a threshold value for detecting an abnormality using a slider.

[0114] According to the information processing system of (((7))), it is possible to set appropriate settings for each print job.

[0115] According to the program (((8))), it is possible to reduce the likelihood of making mistakes in setting whether or not to detect an abnormality and in setting the process to be taken when an abnormality is detected, compared to when the setting for whether or not to detect an abnormality and the setting for the process to be taken when the abnormality is detected are received on different screens. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 10 Printing System 11 Control section 11a processor 11b memory 11c storage section 12 Communication Interface 13 User Interface Device 14 Printing device 15 Inspection equipment 16 Control Bus 17 Output tray 20 User terminal 25 Network 30 Job setting screen 31 Setting section 32 Color density fluctuation setting section 32a slider 33 Position deviation setting section 33a slider

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: A setting for whether to detect a specific type of abnormality in a printed matter output from a printing device and a setting for processing when a specific type of abnormality is detected in a printed matter are accepted on the same screen. Information processing system.

2. Specific types of anomalies include color density variations and print misregistration The information processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The settings for processing when a specific type of abnormality is detected include whether to correct color density and whether to correct print position misalignment. The information processing system according to claim 2 .

4. The setting of the process to be performed when an abnormality is detected includes either continuing printing by the printing device or stopping printing by the printing device and waiting for an instruction input from the user. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

5. The processor: On the same screen, the setting of the threshold for detecting an abnormality is also accepted. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

6. The processor: On the same screen, a slider for setting the threshold is displayed. The information processing system according to claim 5 .

7. The processor: For each print job for the printing device, a setting as to whether or not to detect a specific type of abnormality and a setting as to what to do when a specific type of abnormality is detected in a printed matter are recorded in association with each other. The information processing system according to claim 1 .

8. A step of accepting, on the same screen, a setting as to whether or not to detect a specific type of abnormality in a printed matter output from the printing device and a setting as to what to do when a specific type of abnormality is detected in the printed matter. A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images