Image inspection system, image inspection method, and program

Abstract

To provide an image inspection system, an image inspection method, and a program capable of improving visibility of an inspection result even when abnormalities are respectively detected by two reading devices that read a partial area of a recording medium in an overlapping manner.SOLUTION: The image reading apparatus includes a first reading device (first line sensor 231) that reads a recording medium on which an image is formed and generates a first read image, a second reading device (second line sensor 232) that generates a second read image, and a hardware processor 41 that detects an abnormality in the first read image generated by the first reading device and the second read image generated by the second reading device. The first reading device and the second reading device are arranged to partially overlap each other in the main scanning direction so that a partial area of the recording medium is read in an overlapping manner. The control unit 41 generates abnormality information in which the abnormality detected in the first read image and the abnormality detected in the second read image are associated with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Printed materials produced by an image forming device are defective if there is color misalignment or distortion. An image inspection device detects defects (image defects) on the printed material and inspects the quality of the printed material based on the detected image defects. The image inspection device detects image defects on the printed material based on the difference between a reference image (correct image) and the read image read by an image reading unit.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which an abnormality analysis is performed on a scanned image, and if no abnormality is detected, a normal image file containing the scanned image is generated as evidence.

[0004] Incidentally, the image reading unit used in image inspection generally uses one line sensor. The width of the paper on which an image is formed by the image forming device is often narrower than the width (length in the main scanning direction) of the line sensor. However, there are also cases where the paper width is wider than the width of the line sensor. In such cases, by arranging two line sensors side by side, it is possible to obtain a scanned image of the entire paper surface.

[0005] For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration for identifying defects on a printed matter and then capturing and analyzing in detail the same position on the surface of a subsequently printed sheet. Patent Document 2 also discloses a configuration using a plurality of line sensors arranged in a row perpendicular to the conveyance direction as the imaging element for capturing images. The configuration described in Patent Document 2 makes it possible to perform image inspection even on wide paper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2020-11472 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-80955 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] The configuration described in Patent Document 2 can perform image inspection on wide paper by arranging two line sensors side by side. However, if there is a defect in an area read by the two line sensors in an overlapping manner, the defect will be displayed separately in the read image of each line sensor, which creates a problem of poor visibility of the inspection results. The configuration described in Patent Document 1 does not have two line sensors arranged side by side, so it cannot properly inspect images of paper whose width is wider than the width of the line sensors. Also, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 generates a normal image file when no abnormality is detected, but does not improve the visibility of the inspection results.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide an image inspection system, an image inspection method, and a program that can improve the visibility of inspection results even when two reading devices that overlap and read a portion of a recording medium each detect an abnormality. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The invention described in claim 1 has been made to achieve the above object, In an image inspection system, a first reading device that reads a recording medium on which an image is formed and generates a first read image; a second reading device that reads the recording medium and generates a second read image; a control unit that detects an abnormality in a first read image generated by the first reading device and a second read image generated by the second reading device; Equipped with the first reading device and the second reading device are arranged in a state where they overlap in a main scanning direction so that a part of an area of ​​the recording medium is read in an overlapping manner; The control unit generates anomaly information that associates an anomaly detected in the first read image with an anomaly detected in the second read image.

[0010] The invention described in claim 2 is the image inspection system described in claim 1, The control unit determines whether the abnormality detected in the first read image and the abnormality detected in the second read image are caused by the same abnormality on the recording medium, and generates the abnormality information if it determines that they are caused by the same abnormality.

[0011] The invention described in claim 3 is the image inspection system described in claim 2, The control unit determines whether or not abnormalities detected in the partial area read by the first reading device and the second reading device in an overlapping manner are caused by the same abnormality.

[0012] The invention described in claim 4 is the image inspection system described in claim 3, The control unit is characterized in that it determines whether the shapes of the abnormalities detected in the partial area read by the first reading device and the second reading device in overlapping fashion are caused by the same abnormality even if the shapes are not the same.

[0013] The invention described in claim 5 is the image inspection system described in claim 4, The control unit is characterized in that it judges an abnormality to be present even when an abnormality is detected in only one of the first read image and the second read image in the portion of the area that is read in overlapping fashion by the first reading device and the second reading device.

[0014] The invention described in claim 6 is the image inspection system described in claim 2, The control unit is characterized in that, when it determines that the abnormality detected in the first read image and the abnormality detected in the second read image are caused by the same abnormality, it deletes one of the abnormalities and generates the abnormality information.

[0015] The invention described in claim 7 is the image inspection system described in claim 6, The control unit generates an output result image by combining the first read image and the second read image as the abnormality information.

[0016] The invention described in claim 8 is An image inspection method for an image inspection system comprising a first reading device that reads a recording medium on which an image is formed and generates a first read image, and a second reading device that reads the recording medium and generates a second read image, wherein the first reading device and the second reading device are arranged in a state where they overlap in a main scanning direction so that a part of an area of ​​the recording medium is read in an overlapping manner, a control step of detecting an abnormality in a first read image generated by the first reading device and a second read image generated by the second reading device; The control step generates abnormality information that associates the abnormality detected in the first read image with the abnormality detected in the second read image.

[0017] The invention described in claim 9 is a computer of an image inspection system including a first reading device that reads a recording medium on which an image is formed and generates a first read image, and a second reading device that reads the recording medium and generates a second read image, the first reading device and the second reading device being arranged in a state where they overlap in a main scanning direction so that a part of an area of ​​the recording medium is read in an overlapping manner; functioning as a control unit that detects an abnormality in a first read image generated by the first reading device and a second read image generated by the second reading device; The control unit is a program that generates anomaly information that associates an anomaly detected in the first read image with an anomaly detected in the second read image. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to the present invention, even when two reading devices that read a partial area of ​​a recording medium in an overlapping manner each detect an abnormality, the visibility of the inspection results can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image inspection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a first line sensor and a second line sensor. [Figure 4] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a first scanned image generated by scanning with a first line sensor and displayed on a display unit. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a diagram showing an example of a second scanned image generated by scanning with a second line sensor and displayed on a display unit. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which there is a defect in the overlapping area. [Figure 7] 10 is a diagram showing an example of how a defect present in an overlapping area of ​​a first scanned image is associated with a defect present in an overlapping area of ​​a second scanned image; FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a result report obtained by combining the first scanned image and the second scanned image when a defect exists in the overlapping area. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a part of a defect overlaps an overlapping region. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing an example of how a defect partly existing in an overlapping area of ​​a first read image is associated with a defect partly existing in an overlapping area of ​​a second read image; FIG. [Figure 11]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a result report obtained by combining the first scanned image and the second scanned image when part of a defect exists in an overlapping area. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image in which one defect exists. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagram showing an example of how a defect partly existing in an overlapping area of ​​a first read image is associated with a defect partly existing in an overlapping area of ​​a second read image; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0021] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the image inspection system 1 according to this embodiment includes a paper feeder 10, an image forming device 20, a paper discharge device 30, and a PC 40. The paper feeder 10, the image forming device 20, and the paper discharge device 30 are connected in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side of paper transport. The PC 40 is connected to the image forming device 20. The PC 40 may also be configured to be connected to the image forming device 20 via a communications network. The communications network is specifically the Internet, a telephone line network of a telecommunications carrier, a mobile phone communications network, or the like.

[0022] The paper feed device 10 includes, for example, a plurality of paper feed trays 11. The paper feed trays 11 store paper sheets (recording media) P used for image formation. The paper feed device 10 sends out the paper sheets P stored in the paper feed trays 11 to the image forming device 20 one sheet at a time.

[0023] The image forming apparatus 20 is a one-pass inkjet printer, and is a printing machine that forms an image on paper P using an inkjet head 22. The image formed on paper P is scanned by two line sensors 23 built into the image forming apparatus 20. The image forming apparatus 20 executes an operation sequence in which it prints the front side of the paper P, inspects the front side, turns the paper P over, prints the back side, and inspects the back side.

[0024] Generally, the maximum paper size for an electrophotographic printer (production printing machine) is A3 size or 13 x 19 inches (330 mm x 483 mm). The paper width for an electrophotographic printer is 297 mm to 330 mm. Therefore, an electrophotographic printer uses a line sensor with a length of about 350 mm in the main scanning direction to scan the image printed on the paper P.

[0025] On the other hand, the maximum paper size of a single-pass inkjet printer exceeds B2 (515 x 728 mm). In other words, the image forming device 20, which is a single-pass inkjet printer, may not be able to capture a scanned image of the entire surface of the paper P using a line sensor approximately 350 mm long in the main scanning direction. Therefore, the image forming device 20 is equipped with two line sensors 23 (a first line sensor 231 and a second line sensor 232). The first line sensor 231 and the second line sensor 232 are positioned so that a portion of the main scanning direction (a portion of the reading range) overlaps so that a portion of the paper P is read in an overlapping manner (see FIG. 3). The image forming device 20 stitches together the images from the first line sensor 231 and the second line sensor 232 to capture a scanned image of the entire surface of the paper P. In this embodiment, the use of two line sensors 23 is more cost-effective than using a single line sensor that is long in the main scanning direction. The first line sensor 231 functions as a first reading device of the present invention, which reads the paper P on which an image has been formed and generates a first read image. The second line sensor 232 functions as a second reading device of the present invention that reads the paper P on which an image is formed and generates a second read image. That is, the image forming apparatus 20 reads one sheet of paper P with two line sensors 23.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 20 includes a control unit 21, an inkjet head 22, a line sensor 23, a storage unit 24, an operation panel 25, and a communication unit 26.

[0027] Control unit 21 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. First, the CPU reads out various processing programs stored in ROM in response to an instruction signal and loads them into RAM. The instruction signal is received as an operation signal input from operation unit 252 or by communication unit 26. Next, the CPU comprehensively controls the operation of image forming apparatus 20 in cooperation with the various programs loaded into RAM.

[0028] The inkjet heads 22 form an image by ejecting ink droplets from nozzles onto the paper P. Inkjet heads 22 are provided corresponding to the colors C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (black). For example, the inkjet heads 22 are provided corresponding to the colors Y, M, C, and K in this order from upstream in the transport direction of the paper P.

[0029] The line sensor 23 is an imaging device such as a CCD image sensor. The line sensor 23 includes a first line sensor 231 and a second line sensor 232. The first line sensor 231 and the second line sensor 232 are each disposed perpendicular to the transport direction (sub-scanning direction) of the paper P (see FIG. 3). The first line sensor 231 and the second line sensor 232 are disposed with a portion of the line sensor 231 and the second line sensor 232 overlapping in the main scanning direction. Reference symbol E1 in FIG. 3 indicates the reading area of ​​the first line sensor 231. Reference symbol E2 in FIG. 3 indicates the reading area of ​​the second line sensor 232. Reference symbol E3 in FIG. 3 indicates the overlapping area between the reading area E1 of the first line sensor 231 and the reading area E2 of the second line sensor 232. The read images read by each line sensor 23 are transmitted to the PC 40 via the communication unit 26.

[0030] The storage unit 24 is a non-volatile storage means configured by an HDD, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 24 stores various programs, various setting data, etc. in a manner that allows the control unit 21 to read and write the data.

[0031] The operation panel 25 includes a display unit 251 that displays various information to the user, and an operation unit 252 that accepts operation inputs from the user.

[0032] The display unit 251 is configured with a color liquid crystal display or the like, and displays an operation screen and the like in accordance with a display control signal input from the control unit 21. The operation screen includes, for example, various setting screens, various buttons, and the operating status of each function.

[0033] The operation unit 252 includes a touch panel provided on the screen of the display unit 251 and various hard keys arranged around the screen of the display unit 251. When a button displayed on the screen is pressed with a finger, a touch pen, or the like, the operation unit 252 first detects the X and Y coordinates of the pressed point of force as a voltage value. Next, the operation unit 252 outputs an operation signal associated with the detected position to the control unit 21. Note that the touch panel is not limited to a pressure-sensitive type and may be, for example, an electrostatic type or an optical type. Furthermore, when a hard key is pressed, the operation unit 252 outputs an operation signal associated with the pressed key to the control unit 21. The user can operate the operation unit 252 to make settings related to image formation, issue paper transport instructions, and stop the device. Settings related to image formation include, for example, image quality settings, magnification settings, application settings, output settings, and paper settings.

[0034] The communication unit 26 has a communication IC, a communication connector, etc., and is an interface that connects the image forming apparatus 20 to the PC 40 or a communication network. The communication unit 26 transmits and receives various information to and from the PC 40 or an external device connected to the communication network using a predetermined communication protocol under the control of the control unit 21. The communication unit 26 can also input and output various information via USB.

[0035] The paper discharge device 30 is disposed after the image forming device 20, and discharges the paper P on which an image has been formed by the image forming device 20 onto a paper discharge tray 31.

[0036] The PC 40 is a terminal device such as a desktop PC or a notebook PC that is used by a user who has installed the image inspection system 1. As shown in FIG. 2 , the PC 40 includes a control unit 41, an operation unit 42, a display unit 43, a storage unit 44, and a communication unit 45.

[0037] The control unit 41 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The control unit 41 performs overall control of the operation of each unit of the PC 40 in cooperation with the CPU and program data expanded in a working area of ​​the RAM. The program data is stored in the ROM and the storage unit 44.

[0038] For example, the control unit 41 detects an abnormality in the first read image generated by the first line sensor 231 and the second read image generated by the second line sensor 232.

[0039] The operation unit 42 includes, for example, a keyboard having character input keys, number input keys, etc., a pointing device such as a mouse, etc. The operation unit 42 accepts operation input from the user and outputs an operation signal corresponding to the operation input to the control unit 41.

[0040] The display unit 43 includes a display such as an LCD, and displays an image on the display screen based on the display control signal output from the control unit 41. The display unit 43 displays, for example, read images (first read image and second read image) generated by reading one sheet of paper P with the first line sensor 231 and the second line sensor 232, respectively.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a first read image G1 generated by reading with the first line sensor 231, displayed on the display unit 43. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a second read image G2 generated by reading with the second line sensor 232, displayed on the display unit 43. Note that Figs. 4 and 5 show images obtained by reading the same paper P. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the display unit 43 displays the inspection results (read images) for each line sensor 23 separately. Each read image includes an image of the overlapping area E3. This has the advantage that if there is a defect such as dirt in the overlapping area E3, the defective area can be matched. However, because each read image is displayed separately, if there is a defect in the overlapping area E3, the defect will be displayed overlappingly, which can make it difficult to understand the results.

[0042] The storage unit 44 is configured by, for example, a HDD, a semiconductor memory, etc. The storage unit 44 stores data such as program data and various setting data in a manner that allows the control unit 41 to read and write data.

[0043] The communication unit 45 is a communication interface having a communication IC, a communication connector, etc. Under the control of the control unit 41, the communication unit 45 transmits and receives various information to and from the PC 40 and external devices connected to the communication network using a predetermined communication protocol.

[0044] The control of the image inspection system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below. The control unit 41 of the PC 40 generates anomaly information that associates the anomaly detected in the first read image with the anomaly detected in the second read image.

[0045] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a case where there is a defect (such as dirt) in the overlapping area E3. The overlapping area E3 is an area where the reading area E1 of the first line sensor 231 and the reading area E2 of the second line sensor 232 overlap. 6, two defects D11 and D12 exist in the overlapping area E3 on the paper P. When there is a defect (abnormality) in the overlapping area E3 read by each line sensor 23, the control unit 41 associates the defect (abnormality) read by each line sensor 23.

[0046] Specifically, first, the control unit 41 aligns the first read image G1 read by the first line sensor 231 and the second read image G2 read by the second line sensor 232, taking into consideration the degree of tilt, etc., and extracts an overlapping area E3. Next, the control unit 41 associates defects D11 and D12 present in the overlapping area E3 of the first read image G1 with defects D11 and D12 present in the overlapping area E3 of the second read image G2. Fig. 7 shows an example of how defects D11 and D12 present in the overlapping area E3 of the first read image G1 are associated with defects D11 and D12 present in the overlapping area E3 of the second read image G2.

[0047] Next, the control unit 41 determines whether the defects D11 and D12 present in the overlapping area E3 of the first read image G1 and the defects D11 and D12 present in the overlapping area E3 of the second read image G2 are in the same position. If the control unit 41 determines that they are in the same position, it determines that the defects D11 and D12 are the same. Thereafter, the control unit 41 combines the identical defects D11 and D12 into one defect D11 and D12, and creates a result report (anomaly information) combining the first read image G1 and the second read image G2.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a result report R1 obtained by combining the first scanned image G1 and the second scanned image G2 when defects D11 and D12 exist in the overlapping area E3. In the example shown in Figure 8, it can be seen that defects D11 and D12 present in the overlapping area E3 of the first read image G1 and defects D11 and D12 present in the overlapping area E3 of the second read image G2 are integrated into a single defect D11 and D12.

[0049] As described above, the control unit 41 first determines whether the abnormality detected in the first read image and the abnormality detected in the second read image are caused by the same abnormality on the paper P. In particular, the control unit 41 determines whether the abnormality detected in a portion of the area (overlapping area E3) that is overlappingly read by the first line sensor 231 and the second line sensor 232 is caused by the same abnormality. Next, if the control unit 41 determines that the abnormality is caused by the same abnormality, it generates abnormality information. The control unit 41 generates an output result image (result report) that combines the first read image and the second read image as the abnormality information.

[0050] When determining whether each abnormality is caused by the same abnormality, the control unit 41 determines whether each abnormality is located at the same position, and if it determines that the abnormalities are located at the same position, it determines that the abnormalities are caused by the same abnormality.

[0051] In addition, if the control unit 41 determines that the abnormality detected in the first read image and the abnormality detected in the second read image are caused by the same abnormality, it may delete one of the abnormalities and generate abnormality information (result report).

[0052] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example in which a part of the defect overlaps with the overlapping area E3. 9 illustrates defects D13 and D14, parts of which overlap the overlapping area E3. Defect D13 is a stain that exists in the first scanned image G1 and is partially present in the second scanned image G2. Defect D14 is a stain that exists in the second scanned image G2 and is partially present in the first scanned image G1. When part of a defect (abnormality) is present in the overlapping area E3 read by each line sensor 23, the control unit 41 associates the defect (abnormality) read by each line sensor 23.

[0053] Specifically, first, the control unit 41 aligns the first scanned image G1 read by the first line sensor 231 and the second scanned image G2 read by the second line sensor 232, taking into consideration the degree of tilt and the like, and extracts the overlapping area E3. Next, the control unit 41 associates a defect D13 present in the first scanned image G1 with a defect D13 partially present in the second scanned image G2. The control unit 41 also associates a defect D14 present in the second scanned image G2 with a defect D14 partially present in the first scanned image G1. In other words, if a portion of a defect D13 or D14 is present in the overlapping area E3 read by each line sensor 23, the control unit 41 associates the defects D13 and D14 read by each line sensor 23 with each other. FIG. 10 shows an example of how defects D13 and D14, parts of which exist within the overlapping area E3 of the first scanned image G1, and defects D13 and D14, parts of which exist within the overlapping area E3 of the second scanned image G2, are associated with each other.

[0054] Next, the control unit 41 determines whether defects D13 and D14, parts of which exist within the overlapping area E3 of the first scanned image G1, and defects D13 and D14, parts of which exist within the overlapping area E3 of the second scanned image G2, are located at the same position. If the control unit 41 determines that they are located at the same position, it determines that the defects D13 and D14 are the same. The control unit 41 then combines the identical defects D13 and D14 into a single defect D13 and D14, and creates a result report (abnormality information) that combines the first scanned image G1 and the second scanned image G2. At this time, the control unit 41 deletes the defects D13 and D14 on the missing side of the first scanned image G1 and the second scanned image G2, and extracts the defects D13 and D14 on the non-missing side to create the result report.

[0055] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a result report R2 obtained by combining the first scanned image G1 and the second scanned image G2 when parts of the defects D13 and D14 exist within the overlapping area E3. In the example shown in Figure 11, defects D13 and D14, parts of which exist within the overlapping area E3 of the first read image G1, and defects D13 and D14, parts of which exist within the overlapping area E3 of the second read image G2, are merged to form a single defect D13 and D14.

[0056] As described above, the control unit 41 first determines whether the shapes of the abnormalities detected in a portion of the area (overlapping area E3) overlappingly read by the first line sensor 231 and the second line sensor 232 are caused by the same abnormality, even if they are not the same. Next, if the control unit 41 determines that the shapes of the abnormalities are caused by the same abnormality, it generates abnormality information (result report).

[0057] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example in which there is one defect D15 that partially overlaps the overlap region E3. 12 illustrates a defect D15 that partially overlaps the overlapping region E3. The defect D15 is a stain that exists in the first scanned image G1 and that partially exists in the second scanned image G2. When a defect (abnormality) is partially present in the overlapping region E3 read by each line sensor 23, the control unit 41 associates the defect (abnormality) read by each line sensor 23.

[0058] Specifically, first, the control unit 41 aligns the first read image G1 read by the first line sensor 231 and the second read image G2 read by the second line sensor 232, taking into consideration the degree of tilt, etc., and extracts the overlapping area E3. Next, the control unit 41 associates the defect D15 present in the first read image G1 with the defect D15 partially present in the second read image G2. In other words, if part of the defect D15 is in the overlapping area E3 read by each line sensor 23, the control unit 41 associates the defect D15 read by each line sensor 23.

[0059] 13 shows an example of how a defect D15, part of which exists within the overlapping region E3 of the first scanned image G1, and a defect D15, part of which exists within the overlapping region E3 of the second scanned image G2, are associated with each other. In addition to the defect D15, FIG. 13 also shows a defect D16, which exists only within the overlapping region E3 of the second scanned image G2.

[0060] Next, the control unit 41 determines whether a defect D15, a portion of which exists within the overlapping region E3 of the first scanned image G1, and a defect D15, a portion of which exists within the overlapping region E3 of the second scanned image G2, are located at the same position. If the control unit 41 determines that the defect D15 is located at the same position, the control unit 41 determines that the defect D15 is the same defect D15. The control unit 41 then combines the identical defect D15 into a single defect D15 and creates a result report (abnormality information) that combines the first scanned image G1 and the second scanned image G2. At this time, the control unit 41 deletes the defect D15 on the missing side of the first scanned image G1 and the second scanned image G2 and extracts the defect D15 on the non-missing side to create the result report. Note that in the case of a defect that exists only in one scanned image (the second scanned image G2), such as defect D16, in the first case, the result report displays the defect D16 as being present in the second scanned image G2.

[0061] As described above, the control unit 41 determines that an abnormality exists in the read image even when an abnormality is detected in only one of the first read image and the second read image in a partial area (overlapping area E3) that is overlappingly read by the first line sensor 231 and the second line sensor 232. Therefore, an abnormality detected in only one of the first read image and the second read image is displayed in the result report.

[0062] If defects D16 occur consecutively at the same position on the second scanned image G2, the control unit 41 notifies the user that there is a scanner abnormality (abnormality in the second line sensor 232). This is because if defects occur consecutively on only one of the scanned images, it may be due to a scanner abnormality rather than a defect in the inspection image. Scanner abnormalities include, for example, dirt adhering to the scanner or a scanner malfunction. One method of notifying the user is to display the information on the display unit 43.

[0063] As described above, the image inspection system 1 according to this embodiment includes a first reading device (first line sensor 231), a second reading device (second line sensor 232), and a control unit 41. The first reading device reads a recording medium on which an image is formed to generate a first read image. The second reading device reads a recording medium (paper P) to generate a second read image. The control unit 41 detects abnormalities in the first read image generated by the first reading device and the second read image generated by the second reading device. The first reading device and the second reading device are arranged with a partial overlap in the main scanning direction so that a partial area of ​​the recording medium is read overlappingly. The control unit 41 generates abnormality information that associates the abnormality detected in the first read image with the abnormality detected in the second read image. Therefore, according to the image inspection system 1 of this embodiment, even if two reading devices each detect an abnormality, the respective abnormalities can be associated with each other, thereby improving the visibility of the inspection results.

[0064] In addition, the control unit 41 determines whether the abnormality detected in the first read image and the abnormality detected in the second read image are caused by the same abnormality on the recording medium, and if it determines that they are caused by the same abnormality, it generates abnormality information. Therefore, if two reading devices detect anomalies that are caused by the same anomaly, the two anomalies can be associated as the same anomaly, which prevents duplicate anomalies (defects) from being displayed, improving the visibility of the inspection results.

[0065] Furthermore, the control unit 41 determines whether or not the abnormalities detected in the partial areas read by the first reading device and the second reading device in an overlapping manner are caused by the same abnormality. Therefore, if two reading devices detect anomalies in overlapping reading areas and the anomalies are caused by the same anomaly, the two anomalies can be associated as the same anomaly, thereby improving the visibility of the inspection results without displaying duplicate anomalies (defects).

[0066] Furthermore, even when the shapes of abnormalities detected in a partial area read by the first reading device and the second reading device are not the same, the control unit 41 determines whether or not they are caused by the same abnormality. Therefore, even if the shapes of abnormalities detected in overlapping areas read by two reading devices are not the same, the respective abnormalities can be associated as the same. This prevents the abnormalities (defects) from being displayed in duplicate, thereby more reliably improving the visibility of the inspection results.

[0067] In addition, the control unit 41 also determines that an abnormality has occurred when an abnormality is detected in only one of the first read image and the second read image in a partial area that is read in overlapping fashion by the first reading device and the second reading device. Therefore, even if an abnormality is detected in only one of the areas where two reading devices overlap, the abnormality can be notified to the user. Therefore, the abnormality can be more reliably notified to the user.

[0068] Furthermore, when the control unit 41 determines that the abnormality detected in the first read image and the abnormality detected in the second read image are caused by the same abnormality, it deletes one of the abnormalities and generates abnormality information. Therefore, if two reading devices detect anomalies that are caused by the same anomaly, only one of them can be notified to the user. Therefore, even if the positions of the anomalies detected by the two reading devices are different, the shape of the anomaly can be accurately conveyed without being integrated and displayed as anomalies of different shapes.

[0069] Furthermore, the control unit 41 generates an output result image by combining the first read image and the second read image as abnormality information. Therefore, the user can be notified of an abnormality detected by the two reading devices, and the user can be more reliably notified of an abnormality detected by the two reading devices.

[0070] Although the present invention has been specifically described above based on the embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified within the scope of the present invention.

[0071] For example, in the above embodiment, the control unit of the present invention is described as being the control unit 41 of the PC 40, which is separate from the image forming apparatus 20, but this is not limiting. For example, instead of the control unit 41 of the PC 40, the control unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 20 may function as the control unit of the present invention.

[0072] In addition, the detailed configuration and operation of each device constituting the image inspection system can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1. Image inspection system 10 Paper feeder 11 Paper tray 20 Image forming device 21 Control section 22 Inkjet head 23 Line Sensor 231 First line sensor (first reading device) 232 Second line sensor (second reading device) 24 Memory section 25 Operation Panel 251 Display section 252 Operation section 26 Communications Department 30 Paper ejection device 31 Paper output tray 40 PC 41 Control Unit 42 Operation section 43 Display section 44 Memory section 45 Communications Department P Paper (recording medium)

Claims

1. a first reading device that reads a recording medium on which an image is formed and generates a first read image; a second reading device that reads the recording medium and generates a second read image; a control unit that detects an abnormality in a first read image generated by the first reading device and a second read image generated by the second reading device; Equipped with the first reading device and the second reading device are arranged in a state where they overlap in a main scanning direction so that a part of an area of ​​the recording medium is read in an overlapping manner; The image inspection system is characterized in that the control unit generates anomaly information that associates an anomaly detected in the first read image with an anomaly detected in the second read image.

2. The image inspection system described in claim 1, characterized in that the control unit determines whether the abnormality detected in the first read image and the abnormality detected in the second read image are caused by the same abnormality on the recording medium, and generates the abnormality information if it determines that they are caused by the same abnormality.

3. The image inspection system according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit determines whether abnormalities detected in the partial area read by the first reading device and the second reading device in overlapping fashion are caused by the same abnormality.

4. The image inspection system of claim 3, characterized in that the control unit determines whether the abnormalities detected in the partial area read by the first reading device and the second reading device are caused by the same abnormality even if the shapes of the abnormalities are not the same.

5. The image inspection system described in claim 4, characterized in that the control unit determines that an abnormality exists even if an abnormality is detected in only one of the first read image and the second read image in the portion of the area that is read in overlap by the first reading device and the second reading device.

6. The image inspection system described in claim 2, characterized in that when the control unit determines that an abnormality detected in the first read image and an abnormality detected in the second read image are caused by the same abnormality, it deletes one of the abnormalities and generates the abnormality information.

7. 7. The image inspection system according to claim 6, wherein the control unit generates an output result image by combining the first read image and the second read image as the abnormality information.

8. An image inspection method for an image inspection system including a first reading device that reads a recording medium on which an image is formed and generates a first read image, and a second reading device that reads the recording medium and generates a second read image, the first reading device and the second reading device being arranged in a state where they overlap in a main scanning direction so that a partial area of ​​the recording medium is read in an overlapping manner, a control step of detecting an abnormality in a first read image generated by the first reading device and a second read image generated by the second reading device; The image inspection method is characterized in that the control step generates anomaly information that associates an anomaly detected in the first read image with an anomaly detected in the second read image.

9. a computer of an image inspection system including a first reading device that reads a recording medium on which an image is formed and generates a first read image, and a second reading device that reads the recording medium and generates a second read image, the first reading device and the second reading device being arranged in a state where they overlap in a main scanning direction so that a part of an area of ​​the recording medium is read in an overlapping manner; functioning as a control unit that detects an abnormality in a first read image generated by the first reading device and a second read image generated by the second reading device; The control unit generates anomaly information that associates an anomaly detected in the first read image with an anomaly detected in the second read image.

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