Image processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To enable a user to easily identify defects when visually checking inspection results. [Solution] A plurality of images printed on a print medium are each inspected for defects, and the inspection results, information indicating the position on the print medium of any defective images found to be defective by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and inspection setting information are printed on the print medium.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In an image forming apparatus that prints an image on a print medium, some defects such as stains or defects may occur in the printed image, and it is desirable to remove such defective images from the finished print. For this reason, devices are known that detect printing defects by reading the printed image and comparing it with a good printed image.

[0003] When the print medium is in sheet form, if a defective image is detected, it is possible to remove the sheet containing the defective image by, for example, ejecting it into a tray separate from that for non-defective printed materials. On the other hand, in image forming devices that use continuous paper such as roll paper as the print medium, the print medium is rewound after printing, making it difficult to easily identify or remove defective images.

[0004] In response to this, Patent Document 1 discloses a device that can determine whether an image on a continuous transfer medium is a defective image and prints the determination result on the transfer medium without requiring a separate device such as a marker. When the continuous print medium is peelable paper such as label sticker paper, the printing worker visually inspects the image determined to be defective by referring to the printed determination result, determines whether it is actually defective, and performs work such as removing the defective image or replacing it with a normal image as necessary. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-30254 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] With the conventional technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, printing workers can visually inspect images and determine whether they actually need to be removed or replaced with good images by relying on the defect detection markers printed as judgment result information to determine the location of defective images. However, with the technology described in Patent Document 1, for example, when the defect is minute or the defect is a print position deviation, it is difficult for the user to easily grasp the defect in the image by visual inspection.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to enable a user to easily identify defects when visually checking inspection results. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the object of the present invention, for example, an image processing apparatus according to one embodiment comprises the following configuration: inspection means for inspecting each of a plurality of images printed on a printing medium for defects, and print control means for printing on the printing medium the results of the inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of any defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to have a defect by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] To enable a user to easily identify defects when visually checking inspection results. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a print inspection device including an image processing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3]10 is a flowchart showing an example of an inspection process performed by the image processing device. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an examination information item print setting screen according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the use of examination information items. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining a method for printing examination information items. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an examination information print item calculation process performed by the image processing apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a print inspection device including an image processing device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] 3A to 3C are diagrams for explaining various print contents on continuous print media. [Figure 10] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining print contents on a continuous print medium to be post-processed; [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a print inspection device according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a print example in which a visual inspection step is performed after post-processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0012] [Embodiment 1] A print inspection device including an image processing device according to this embodiment inspects a continuous print medium on which a plurality of images are printed. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a print inspection device according to this embodiment. The print inspection device according to this embodiment includes an image processing device 100, a paper feeder 150, and a winder 160. The print inspection device according to this embodiment may also include a printing server 110. Furthermore, the print inspection device according to this embodiment may also include an inspection table 170 and a post-processing device 180.

[0013] The continuous printing medium according to this embodiment refers to a printing medium on which multiple images are continuously printed. Original roll paper 151, which is loaded into paper feeder 150 as the continuous printing medium, is transported through transport path 152 and sent to transport path 108 within image processing device 100. Note that although transport path 108 is depicted as a straight line in the drawing, it may also be transported in a curved line using multiple rollers (not shown).

[0014] The image processing device 100 has a control unit 101 that controls the entire image processing device, and an image printing unit 102 that performs print control processing to print an original image on a print medium on a conveying path 108 using a printing device 103 in response to instructions from the control unit 101. Furthermore, the image processing device 100 has a memory unit 109 that stores and saves information related to printing and information related to inspection.

[0015] The printing device 103 may be a printing device that performs color printing using multiple inks or toners, a printing device that uses a self-coloring printing medium such as thermal paper, or a printing device that performs monochrome printing using only a single color.

[0016] The control unit 101 can communicate with other devices via a cable or a network using the communication I / F unit 107. The control unit 101 may configure a print job to print original image data stored in the storage unit 109 in accordance with instructions from a user using the operation display panel 106. The control unit 101 may also receive a print job including original image data from the printing server 110 via the communication I / F unit 107.

[0017] The image processing device 100 has an inspection unit 104 that performs an inspection process using a reading device 105 to read an image printed on a print medium on a conveying path 108 in response to instructions from the control unit 101 and inspect whether or not there are any defects. The inspection unit 104 according to this embodiment can inspect whether or not there are any defects for each of a plurality of images printed on the print medium. The control unit 101 may obtain setting information to be used in the inspection process in accordance with instructions from a user using an operation display panel 106. The control unit 101 may also receive setting information to be used in the inspection process from the printing server 110 via a communication I / F unit 107.

[0018] The control unit 101 may generate a reference image that serves as a reference for determining the presence or absence of defects from the document image data stored in the storage unit 109. The control unit 101 may also scan an image printed by the printing device 103 using the reading device 105, and generate a reference image based on the image data acquired by the scan.

[0019] The inspection unit 104 determines whether or not a defect exists in the read image data by comparing the reference image with the read image data acquired by the reading device 105. The control unit 101 stores and saves the inspection result information acquired by the inspection unit 104 in the storage unit 109.

[0020] The continuous print medium that has been printed and inspected by the image processing device 100 is transported from the transport path 108 within the image processing device 100 through the transport path 162 to the winding device 160, where it is wound up as printed roll paper 161. The image processing device 100, the paper feeder 150, and the winding device 160 work in conjunction with the image processing device 100 to transport the roll paper, which is the print medium, using the transport path 152, the transport path 108, and the transport path 162 at the appropriate timing.

[0021] The wound up printed roll paper 161 is cut by the winding device 160 according to the print job settings or user instructions, and is then set by the user on the inspection table 170 or post-processing device 180. Cutting does not necessarily have to be done after all print jobs are completed, but may be done after one or more print jobs are completed.

[0022] The inspection table 170 is a paper feed device that allows a user to visually inspect the printed continuous print medium and perform tasks such as marking defective images, removing defective images, or replacing them with normal images.

[0023] The post-processing device 180 performs a post-processing process on the transported print medium. The post-processing process according to this embodiment is a processing process performed on the print medium after an image has been printed, and the content of the post-processing process is not particularly limited. For example, the post-processing process may be a half-cut process that cuts off only the surface substrate of peelable paper such as label sticker paper, a waste removal process that removes unnecessary surface substrate after half-cutting, or a slitting process that continuously cuts continuous print medium into a uniform width. The post-processing device 180 may be electrically connected to the image processing device 100 and the printing server 110 and may be capable of receiving cutting position data. The post-processing device 180 may be provided between the image processing device 100 and the winding device 160, or between the winding device 160 and the inspection table 170, or may be omitted.

[0024] 1 includes an image processing device 100, a printing server 110, a paper feeder 150, and a winding device 160, and the image processing device 100 has a built-in printing device 103 and a reading device 105. However, as long as the same processing can be performed, all of these devices do not necessarily need to exist in the same system. Some of these devices, for example, the printing device 103 including the image printing unit 102 and the reading device 105 including the inspection unit 104, may be configured as devices separate from the image processing device 100. In this case, the printing device 103 and the reading device 105 can communicate with the image processing device 100 including the control unit 101 as necessary to exchange information.

[0025] 1 has been described assuming that the image processing device 100, printing server 110, paper feeder 150, winder 160, inspection table 170, and post-processing device 180 each exist as a standalone device. However, some or all of these devices may be configured to be implemented within the same housing. The image processing device 100 according to the present invention can be implemented by a computer equipped with a processor and memory.

[0026] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an image processing device 100 when implemented by a computer. In the example of Fig. 2, the image processing device 100 internally has a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, and an auxiliary storage device 204. The image processing device 100 may also have an image printing device 205, an image reading device 206, an operation display device 207, a communication I / F 208, and a main bus 209. Furthermore, the image processing device 100 may be connected to a printing server 110, a paper feeder 150, a winder 160, or a post-processing device 180 via the communication I / F 208.

[0027] Here, a processor such as a CPU 201 executes a program stored in a memory such as a RAM 202 or a ROM 203 to realize the functions of each unit. The processor such as the CPU 201 may control each module in the image processing device 100 as necessary. Note that the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment may be configured by a plurality of processing devices or computers connected via a network, for example.

[0028] The CPU 201 is a processor that controls each unit within the image processing device 100. The RAM 202 temporarily stores applications executed by the CPU 201, data used in image processing, etc. The ROM 203 stores a group of programs executed by the CPU 201.

[0029] The CPU 201 generates a print job using image data stored in advance in an auxiliary storage device 204 configured from an HDD, SSD, or the like, and controls the image printing device 205 to print the image data. The CPU 201 may also control the image printing device 205 to print the image data based on document image data related to a print job received from the printing server 110 via the communication I / F 208 or information on an image to be formed on a print medium.

[0030] The CPU 201 scans one or both sides of the print medium using the image reading device 206 to read an image printed on the print medium by the image printing device 205, and acquires image data. The CPU 201 may temporarily store the acquired image data in the RAM 202, and then store it in the auxiliary storage device 204. The CPU 201 may perform an inspection process on the print image based on a program stored in the ROM 203, and temporarily store the results of the inspection process in the RAM 202, and then store them in the auxiliary storage device 204. The CPU 201 may also display the inspection results on the operation display device 207 together with the image data acquired by the image reading device 206.

[0031] The CPU 201 synchronizes the image printing device 205 and the image reading device 206 via the main bus 209 and allows them to notify each other of their operating statuses. Furthermore, the CPU 201 may be able to communicate with the print server 110 via the communication I / F 208 and notify them of print results or inspection results. The CPU 201 can link with the paper feeder 150 and the winder 160 via the communication I / F 208 and control the transport of the continuous print medium via the transport paths 152, 108, and 162. The communication I / F 208 may be capable of handling wired communication standards such as Ethernet or USB, or wireless communication standards such as Bluetooth or WiFi. Furthermore, the communication I / F 208 may be capable of handling any other communication means.

[0032] The operation and display device 207 is a device that can output information to a user. The operation and display device 207 may be a display device such as a liquid crystal display, or may be a terminal that functions as a user interface for the image processing device 100. The operation and display device 207 can be used, for example, to notify the user of the current status or settings of the image processing device 100. The operation and display device 207 may also be equipped with an input device such as a touch panel, a mouse, or buttons, and may be configured to accept instructions from the user. The main bus 209 is a transmission path that interconnects the modules of the image processing device 100.

[0033] The flow of inspection processing executed by the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment will be described mainly with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 3. In S301, the control unit 101 sets up a print job. For example, the control unit 101 can display a print job setting screen (not shown) on the operation display panel 106 and set up the print job based on user input received using an input device attached to the operation display panel 106. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 101 may use a print job with settings acquired by the control unit 101 from the printing server 110 without following instructions from the user.

[0034] In S302, the control unit 101 sets a reference image that serves as a reference for determining whether or not there is a defect. The set reference image is sent to the inspection unit 104 and stored in the storage unit 109. For example, the control unit 101 may set the reference image based on document image data included in the print job set in S301, or may generate the reference image based on image data acquired by scanning an image printed by the printing device 103 using the reading device 105. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 101 may reuse data of the reference image that has been stored in advance in the storage unit 109.

[0035] In S303, the control unit 101 sets the inspection process to be performed by the inspection unit 104. For example, the control unit 101 may display an inspection job setting screen (not shown) on the operation display panel 106 and set the inspection process based on user input received on the inspection job setting image. Here, in the inspection job, it is possible to specify one or more inspection areas, which are areas in the image where inspection is to be performed, and these inspection areas may be specified so that they partially overlap each other. When two or more inspection areas overlap on the image, the inspection setting for the inspection area with the highest predetermined priority may be applied. Furthermore, the image to be inspected of the printed image may be set as the inspection process setting.

[0036] The control unit 101 may display a reference image to be used for inspection processing on the inspection job setting screen and allow the user to specify which range on the reference image is to be subject to inspection processing, or may allow the user to specify images that are not to be subject to inspection processing. The control unit 101 may also provide the inspection job setting screen with an input field for the tolerance in misalignment inspection, or an input field for the inspection sensitivity level for each defect type to be inspected and applied to each inspection area. The control unit 101 may also provide the inspection job setting screen with an input field for setting items related to settings for character or barcode inspection. The set inspection setting information is sent to the inspection unit 104 and stored in the memory unit 109.

[0037] In S304, the control unit 101 sets print settings for each item of test information to be printed on a print medium after the test process. For example, the control unit 101 displays a test information item print setting screen, as shown in FIG. 4 (described later), on the operation display panel 106 and accepts user input. Next, the control unit 101 may set, based on the user input, whether to print each item of test information to be printed on a print medium after the test process and the priority of printing if so. Details of the test information will be described later with reference to FIG. 4.

[0038] Here, when the settings up to S304 are completed and a print start instruction is received from the user, the process proceeds to S305. In S305, the control unit 101 checks whether there are any document images (unprinted images) to be printed. If there are any images to be printed, the process proceeds to S306, and if printing of all images has been completed, the process proceeds to S307.

[0039] In S306, the control unit 101 sends the document image data to the image printing unit 102, and the image printing unit 102 uses the printing device 103 to print the image on a printing medium.

[0040] In S307, the control unit 101 determines whether inspection processing has been completed for all images designated as inspection targets (for example, in S303). If there are images that have not been inspected, the process proceeds to S308, and if inspection of all images has been completed, the process proceeds to S313.

[0041] The image printed on the print medium is transported on the transport path 108 and scanned by the reading device 105 in S308. In S309, the inspection unit 104 performs inspection processing on the scanned image in units of inspection areas, which will be described later. The inspection area may be wider than the print area of ​​the image in order to detect misalignment of the printed image. Note that misalignment in this embodiment refers to misalignment of the print position of the printed image. Based on the inspection setting information set in S303, the inspection unit 104 compares the reference image set in S302 with the read image data acquired from the reading device 105 to determine whether or not a defect exists in the read image data.

[0042] In S310, the control unit 101 acquires the inspection results and detailed inspection result information executed by the inspection unit 104. The acquired inspection results and detailed inspection result information are stored in the storage unit 109. In S311, the control unit 101 determines whether or not a defect exists in the read image based on the acquired inspection results. If a defect exists, the process proceeds to S312, and if no defect exists, the process returns to S305.

[0043] In S312, if the image printing unit 102 was set to print a defective image position marker in S304, the image printing unit 102 prints the defective image position marker as information indicating the position of the defective image in a position that does not overlap with the printed image. When S312 ends, the process returns to S305, where it is determined whether there are any unprinted original images. The defective image position marker according to this embodiment is a marker that includes information indicating the position of the defective image on the printing medium, and details will be described later.

[0044] In S313, which is the process performed when it is determined in S307 that inspection processing has been completed for all images designated as inspection targets, the control unit 101 calculates the inspection information items to be printed in accordance with the inspection information item print settings set in S304. For example, for the items set to be printed, the control unit 101 extracts print items in accordance with the designated priority order from the inspection setting information set in S303 and each item of the inspection result and detailed inspection result information acquired in S308.

[0045] Next, in S314, the control unit 101 calculates the area on the print medium where the document image is not printed as a margin area based on the print job settings set in S301. For example, the control unit 101 calculates, within the margin area, the area from the rear edge of the last print image in the job to the rear edge of the roll paper or the start position of the next print job as the inspection information print area.

[0046] In S315, the image printing unit 102 prints the examination information on the printing medium, and ends the processing in Fig. 3. Here, the image printing unit 102 prints the examination information printing items calculated in S313 in the examination information printing area.

[0047] The inspection process of S309 is performed by the inspection unit 104 after an image printed on the print medium by the printing device 103 is transported along the transport path 108 and read by the reading device 105. Therefore, if the image and the inspection information are printed simultaneously, a defective image position marker indicating the position of an image determined to be defective will be printed at a position at least the distance L on the transport path between the printing device 103 and the reading device 105 from the defective image. In this case, if the distance the print medium is transported during the time required for the inspection process is α, the distance L' between the defective image and the defective image position marker can be expressed as L' = L + α. α varies depending on the transport speed of the print medium and the processing speeds of the inspection unit 104, control unit 101, and image printing unit 102, but may be predetermined taking into account the minimum transport speed of the transport path 108 and the maximum processing time required by each unit. In the following, an image determined to be defective may sometimes be simply referred to as a "defective image."

[0048] Although a series of printing and inspection processes have been described above, the processing of each of the above steps is merely an example, and the steps are not necessarily executed in this order. For example, the processing may start from S305 using the processing results of each setting process from S301 to S304 corresponding to multiple print jobs that have been stored in advance in the storage unit 109. Also, the control unit 101, image printing unit 102, and inspection unit 104 may be configured to operate independently and in parallel, and start processing in response to the exchange of data between them.

[0049] The image printing unit 102 according to this embodiment prints inspection information on a printing medium. The inspection information according to this embodiment includes information indicating the position of a defect image among multiple inspected images, and at least one of the type of defect in the defect image, the position of the defect in the defect image, the size of the defect in the defect image, and inspection setting information. Below, the process of setting which of the inspection information to print on the printing medium (e.g., S304) will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0050] 4 shows an example of a user interface according to this embodiment, which is displayed on the operation display panel 106 when setting the examination information to be printed. In FIG. 4(a), a screen 400 is an examination information item print setting screen for setting which examination information to print, and the display content is controlled by the control unit 101. The user operates each item on the screen 400 to set whether or not to print each examination information item, and the print setting is acquired by the control unit 101 in S304.

[0051] Column 410 is a print setting column (examination setting information item print setting column) for setting whether or not to print each item included in the examination setting among the examination information. Based on the input into column 410, the control unit 101 can set the print setting for each item set in S303. Column 420 is a print setting column (examination result detailed information item print setting column) for setting whether or not to print items related to the examination results among the examination information. Based on the input into column 420, the control unit 101 can set the print setting for each item of the examination result detailed information acquired in S310.

[0052] Column 410 shown in FIG. 4(a) displays setting frames for each of the following items: job number setting 411, reference image information setting 412, calibration information setting 413, misalignment inspection information setting 414, inspection area information setting 415, and inspection sensitivity level information setting 416.

[0053] The job number setting 411 is an item that indicates the number that identifies the print job that was set in S301. The reference image information setting 412 is an item that indicates information related to the reference image that was set in S302. The information related to the reference image is a setting related to the reference image used in the inspection, and may include, for example, information specifying which area on the reference image is to be subject to the inspection process, or information specifying an image that is not to be subject to the inspection process. The calibration information setting 413 is an item for setting calibration for the inspection, and is illustrated here as an item that indicates information related to calibrations that were previously performed on the printing device 103. The calibration information setting 413 may, for example, display settings for calibrations that were previously performed in a list format, and the setting may be reflected when the user selects one of the settings to use.

[0054] The misalignment inspection information setting 414 is an item set in S303 that indicates the tolerance for misalignment inspection. The inspection area information setting 415 is an item that is also set in S303 and indicates information related to the inspection processing target area. The information related to the inspection processing target area is information indicating the setting of the area on the printing medium to be inspected, and may include, for example, information specifying the position or range of the inspection area as the area to be inspected in the image. Furthermore, for example, the information related to the inspection processing target area may include information specifying which range on the reference image is to be inspected, or information specifying an image that is not to be inspected. The inspection sensitivity level information setting 416 is an item that is also set in S303 and indicates information on the inspection sensitivity level for each defect type to be inspected, which is applied to each inspection processing target area.

[0055] The inspection sensitivity indicated by the inspection sensitivity level information according to this embodiment indicates the ability to detect defects in printed images during inspection. The inspection sensitivity may be set in stages, such as weak, medium, or strong, or may be set to allow for quantitative evaluation, such as by specifying the size of a defect that is detected as a defect. Furthermore, the inspection sensitivity may be the allowable amount of misalignment of the print before it is detected as a defect, for example, when detecting misalignment as a defect. The inspection process for detecting defects in printed images and the adjustment of the sensitivity in such an inspection process can be performed using any commonly used inspection technology, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

[0056] Column 420 shown in FIG. 4(a) displays setting frames for each of the following items: defect image position information setting 421, defect type information setting 422, in-image defect position information setting 423, defect size information setting 424, inspection result setting 425, inspection result statistical information setting 426, and defect image position marker setting 427.

[0057] The defective image position information setting 421 is an item that indicates the position on the printing medium of an image that was determined to have a defect by the inspection in S309. For example, the defective image position information setting 421 may be a count from the first or last printed image in the print job being processed to the defective image, or an image position marker that is printed at a position corresponding to the defective image as a guide for the image's printing position. Also, for example, the defective image position information setting 421 may be information that indicates the distance from the first or last printed image in the print job being processed to the defective image.

[0058] The image position marker according to this embodiment is a marker printed at a position corresponding to the image (a predetermined position set for the image) as a guide for the print position of the image. For example, the image position marker may be printed within the corresponding image area among areas partitioned for each image to be continuously printed on the print medium, or may be printed in an area a predetermined distance away from the corresponding image area. There are no particular limitations on the print position as long as the position of the corresponding image can be recognized according to a predetermined rule. Furthermore, the image position marker may be a graphic of a predetermined shape, a specific character string, a code readable by each device such as the reading device 105, or any other marker.

[0059] Furthermore, the defect image position marker according to this embodiment is a marker printed at a position corresponding to a defective image as a guide for the printing position of the defective image, as described above. The defect image position marker has the same characteristics as the image position marker, except that it is printed to be distinguishable from the image position marker (for example, with a different shape or color). Furthermore, for a given image A, the position corresponding to image A where the image position marker is printed (normal corresponding position) and the position corresponding to image A where the defective image marker is printed (defect corresponding position) may be the same or different. For example, the defective image marker may be printed at a position spaced a distance L' (as described above) rearward in the transport direction from the rear end of the inspection area of ​​an image determined to have a defect. As will be described in detail later, in FIG. 5(a), marker 502, which is an image position marker corresponding to image 501 containing a defect, is printed in the same area as image 501, and marker 507, which is a defective image position marker corresponding to image 501, is printed in the same area as the image printed two images after image 501.

[0060] The defect type information setting 422 is an item indicating information indicating the type of defect detected by the inspection process in S309. The defect position information setting 423 in image is an item indicating information indicating the position of each defect in an image determined to contain a defect. The defect position in the image may be expressed, for example, by the name of the inspection area, a coordinate position in the image, or a map index. The defect size information setting 424 is an item indicating information indicating the size of each defect detected in the image (defect size). The defect size may be expressed as an inspection sensitivity level, a character point number, or a numerical value converted to actual size. Furthermore, the defect size may be calculated, for example, as the length of the long side of a rectangular area surrounding the defect, or the length of a linear defect, or any other value that can be used to evaluate the defect size. The inspection result setting 425 is an item indicating whether a defective image was detected by the inspection. Whether a defective image was detected by the inspection is the inspection result itself rather than the details of the inspection result. However, since the inspection result setting 425 is an item for setting whether to print information related to the inspection result, the inspection result setting 425 is included in the column 420.

[0061] The inspection result statistical information setting 426 is an item that indicates statistical information such as the total number of defects in a series of inspections, the number of defects detected by defect type, or the ratio of the number of images determined to have defects to the number of images to be inspected. The defect image position marker setting 427 is an item that indicates an image that indicates the position of a defective image, which is printed in S312 at a position that does not overlap with an already printed image.

[0062] Each of these items is composed of an item name display 430, a print specification check box 431, a font name setting box 432, a font size setting box 433, a print color setting box 434, a detailed setting button 435, and a priority change button 436. However, instead of the font name setting box and font size setting box, the defect image position marker setting 427 is composed of a marker image selection box 437, and an image to be used as a marker is specified based on an input into the marker image selection box 437. Since the defect image position marker is printed in an area different from that of each of these inspection items, the priority change button 436 corresponding to the defect image position marker setting 427 is not presented. The priority change button 436 will be described later.

[0063] Screen 400 may also include a print direction specification button 438 for selecting the print direction of the examination information. Screen 400 may also include a minimum font size setting box 439 for specifying the minimum font size when printing each examination information item.

[0064] The user checks the print specification checkbox 431 for the examination information items in the columns 410 and 420 that the user wants to print. The image processing device 100 sets the print settings for each item based on such user input in S304, and prints the checked items onto the print medium in S315. The unchecked items are not printed in S315.

[0065] For each item printed as text information, the font may be set based on user input in a font name setting box 432, a font size setting box 433, and a print color setting box 434. This allows the user to set the font of information they want to focus on differently from other items, making it stand out.

[0066] Furthermore, the image processing apparatus 100 may display a detail setting sub-window (not shown) for setting details of the display content or display format of the information indicated by each test item in response to pressing of the detail setting button 435. The type of information that is printed when each test item is actually printed may be determined in advance, or may be set based on a user input in the detail setting sub-window (not shown).

[0067] The margin area of ​​the printing medium on which these examination information items are printed is limited. Therefore, the image processing device 100 may set which of these examination information items is to be given priority for printing. For example, the image processing device 100 may set which of these examination information items is to be given priority for printing based on input using the priority change button 436. In the example of FIG. 4(a), each examination information item is set so that the higher it is located, the higher its printing priority. Based on this priority setting, printing is performed within the printable range of the print area excluding the margins. In FIG. 4(a), the priority change button 436 for each examination information item includes two buttons, one pointing up and one pointing down. Pressing the up button swaps the priority with the examination information item immediately above, and pressing the down button swaps the priority with the examination information item immediately below.

[0068] In the example of Fig. 4(a), it is assumed that the print priority can be set independently for each of columns 410 and 420, but the classification for setting the print priority is not particularly limited to this, and the print priority may be set without distinguishing between columns. Furthermore, for example, the print priority may be set by dividing the examination information items into multiple groups, and the print priority may be set for each group. Fig. 4(b) shows an example of a print setting screen in which the printing area of ​​the examination information is divided into multiple areas, and the corresponding (printed) examination information items are grouped for each divided area.

[0069] In the example of Figure 4(b), the inspection information items except for the defect image position marker setting 427 are grouped into three fields: an inspection information A print area setting field 440, an inspection information B print area setting field 441, and an inspection information C print area setting field 442. The printing priority of each item can be set for each inspection information print area. In this example, the defect image position marker is printed in a different area from the other inspection items, so only the defect image position marker setting 427 is set independently.

[0070] Next, how the user uses the examination information items in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Note that all dotted lines in the following figures are auxiliary lines for explanation purposes and will not actually be printed.

[0071] FIG. 5(a) shows an example in which a minute defect 504 has been detected in an image 501 printed on roll paper 500. Marker 502 is an image position marker for image 501, and area 503 is the image inspection area for image 501. In the example of FIG. 5(a), at least defect 504 was detected by the inspection process of S309, so an inspection result of NG (there is a defect in the printed image) is printed as inspection result 505. Also in the example of FIG. 5(a), the defective image position information is printed on roll paper 500 as image position 506, which is the count from the first printed image in the print job being processed to the defective image, and a defective image position marker is printed as marker 507. In addition, intra-image defect position information 508, which indicates the position of the defect in the image, is printed on roll paper 500. In this case, because the inspection result is NG, the user can perform a visual inspection and identify image 501 determined to have a defect using image position 506 and marker 507.

[0072] However, the defect 504 may be so small that it may be difficult for a user to determine at a glance where in the image 501 the defect occurs. Even in such cases, the user can easily identify the defect 504 detected in the image 501 by referring to the in-image defect location information 508. Here, the in-image defect location information 508 is expressed as a coordinate position in actual size, with the upper left corner of the area 503 as the origin. However, information in this form is not limited to this, as long as it can indicate the location of the defect in the image. For example, the in-image defect location information 508 may be expressed by the name of the inspection area or a map index. For example, area 509 shows an example of a display area using a map index. If the image inspection area is divided into three display areas in the width direction and four in the transport direction, the in-image defect location of the defect 504 can be expressed as A3. The display format of the in-image defect location information 508 may be predetermined or may be set in a detailed setting subwindow (not shown) corresponding to the in-image defect location information setting 423.

[0073] FIG. 5(b) shows an example in which a stain 514 occurring in an image 511 printed on roll paper 510 has been detected as a defect. Marker 512 is an image position marker for image 511, and area 513 is an image inspection area for image 511. In the example of FIG. 5(b), at least stain 514 was detected by the inspection process of S309, so an inspection result of NG (the printed image has a defect) is printed as inspection result 515. Also in the example of FIG. 5(b), the defective image position information is printed on roll paper 510 as image position 516, which is the count from the first printed image in the print job being processed to the defective image, and as marker 517, a defective image position marker is printed. In addition, defect size information 518, which indicates the size of the defect in the image, is printed on roll paper 510. In this case, because the inspection result is NG, the user can perform a visual inspection and identify image 511 determined to have a defect using image position 516 and marker 517.

[0074] Here, stain 515 is detected as a single streak-like defect by the inspection process of S309, but this stain 515 may be recognized as multiple spot-like or streak-like stains by a user's visual inspection. Even in such a case, the user can confirm that what appeared to be multiple stains have been correctly detected as a single defect as previously set by referring to defect size information 518. Furthermore, because the defect size information is printed, even if the user is unsure whether or not a defect is a defect during visual inspection, the user can refer to the detected defect size information to determine whether or not the defect has been correctly detected as previously set.

[0075] FIG. 5(c) shows an example in which a misalignment defect has been detected in image 521 printed on roll paper 520. Marker 522 is an image position marker for image 521, and area 523 is the image inspection area for image 521. In the example of FIG. 5(c), the inspection process of S309 detected at least a misalignment of the print position of image 521, so an inspection result of NG (defects in the printed image) is printed as inspection result 524. Also in the example of FIG. 5(c), defective image position information is printed on roll paper 520 as image position 525, which is the count from the first printed image in the print job being processed to the defective image, and as marker 526, a defective image position marker. In addition, defect type information 527, which indicates the type of defect in the image, is printed on roll paper 520. In this case, because the inspection result is NG, the user can perform a visual inspection and identify image 521 determined to be defective using image position 525 and marker 526.

[0076] However, unlike defect 504, image 521 does not at first glance appear to have any defects such as stains or missing parts, so the user may overlook the fact that image 521 is defective and mistakenly conclude that it is a false detection due to the inspection process. Even in such a case, because defect type information 527 is printed, the user can refer to defect type information 527 and confirm that the defect detected in image 521 is a misalignment, preventing the user from mistakenly concluding that it is a false detection of a defect.

[0077] FIG. 5(d) shows an example in which defect 534 has been detected in image 531 printed on roll paper 530, and defect 538 has been detected in image 535. Marker 532 is an image position marker for image 531, and area 533 is the image inspection area for image 531. Marker 536 is an image position marker for image 535, and area 537 is the image inspection area for image 535. In the example of FIG. 5(d), at least defects 534 and 538 were detected by the inspection process of S309, so an inspection result of NG (there is a defect in the printed image) is printed as inspection result 539. Also in the example of FIG. 5(d), the defective image position information corresponding to defect 534 is printed on roll paper 530 as image position 540, which is the count from the first printed image in the print job being processed to the defective image, and as marker 541, a defective image position marker. Furthermore, as defective image position information corresponding to defect 538, the count from the first printed image in the print job being processed to the defective image is printed as image position 543, and a defective image position marker is printed as marker 544 on roll paper 530. Furthermore, the sensitivity level as an inspection setting for image 531 is printed as inspection sensitivity level information 542, and the sensitivity level as an inspection setting for image 535 is printed as inspection sensitivity level information 545 on roll paper 530. In this case, since the inspection result is NG, the user performs a visual inspection and can identify images 531 and 535 that have been determined to have defects using image positions 540 and 543 and markers 541 and 544 as a reference.

[0078] Here, when the user visually inspects the defects 534 and 538, it is conceivable that the user may determine that the defect 534 is so small that detection was unnecessary. In such a case, the printed inspection sensitivity level information 542 and 545 allows the user to refer to the inspection sensitivity level information 542 and 545 and confirm whether the settings were appropriate. If the inspection sensitivity level applied to the inspection of the defect 534 is higher than the inspection level intended by the user, the user can take action such as changing the inspection settings to be used in the next inspection job. This makes it possible to avoid detecting defects that are smaller than necessary in subsequent inspection jobs.

[0079] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printing method for inspection information items. FIG. 6(a) shows an example in which a defect exists in an image printed on a print medium. Roll paper 600 is roll paper, which is a continuous print medium according to this embodiment. Image 601 is an example of an image printed in S306. Marker 611 is an image position marker indicating the printing position of image 601 and may be used as an index of the image position when inspection unit 104 reads the image using reading device 105. Area 621 is the aforementioned inspection area for image 601; this auxiliary line indicating the inspection area is not actually printed. Similarly, image 603 is an example of an image printed in S306; marker 613 is an image position marker indicating the printing position of image 603; area 623 is the inspection area for image 603. Here, each image position marker is printed at a fixed position outside the inspection area of ​​the respective image, and the relative positions of the image position marker, the printed image corresponding to the image position marker, and the inspection area of ​​the printed image are controlled to be constant.

[0080] Defect 633 is an example of a defect that occurred in image 603, and marker 643 is a defective image position marker that indicates the printing position of image 603 where the defect occurred. On screen 400 in Fig. 4, the print specification checkbox corresponding to defective image position marker setting 427 is checked, so in Fig. 6, a defective image position marker for the defective image is printed. In this example, inspection processing is performed on an inspection area basis, and marker 643 for image 603 that was found to have defect 633 as a result of the inspection processing is printed at a position a distance L' rearward in the transport direction from the rear end of area 623.

[0081] Items 651 to 657 are examples of inspection information printed in S315 according to the priority order specified by the user in S304. Here, information corresponding to each item whose print specification checkbox is checked on screen 400 in Fig. 4 is printed on roll paper 600. As inspection setting information items, job ID 651 corresponds to job number setting 411, reference image information 652 corresponds to reference image information setting 412, and inspection sensitivity level information 655 corresponds to inspection sensitivity level information setting 416. As inspection result detail information items, image position 653 corresponds to defect image position information setting 421, defect type information 654 corresponds to defect type information setting 422, inspection result 656 corresponds to inspection result (NG), and total defect count 657 corresponds to inspection result statistical information setting 426. Among the inspection result detailed information items, the inspection result 656 and the total defect count 657 are information that is determined after the inspection process for all printed images is completed, and therefore are printed at a position that is a distance L' or more behind in the transport direction from the rear end of the inspection area 625 of the last printed image 605. Note that items other than these can also be printed in a blank area within the distance L' from the rear end of the inspection area 625.

[0082] 6(b) shows an example in which two images have defects. In this example, in addition to defect 633 in image 603, defect 635 has occurred in image 605. Marker 645 is a defective image position marker that indicates the printing position of image 605 where the defect has occurred. Marker 645 is printed at a position that is a distance L' rearward in the transport direction from the rear end of inspection area 625 of image 605.

[0083] 6(a), the inspection result 656 and the total number of defects 657 are printed at a position that is at least the distance L' rearward in the transport direction from the rear end of the inspection area 625. Here, the image position 658 and defect type information 659 corresponding to the defect 635 are also printed at a position that is at least the distance L' rearward in the transport direction from the rear end of the inspection area 625. The inspection sensitivity level information 660 is an inspection setting information item, but because it is information for the defect 635, it is printed adjacent to the inspection result 656, the total number of defects 657, the image position 658, and the defect type information 659 and at a position that is at least the distance L' rearward in the transport direction from the rear end of the inspection area 625.

[0084] As with Fig. 6(a), the other items 651 to 655 (related to image 603) may be printed in a blank area within the distance L' from the rear end of inspection area 625. In Fig. 6(a), the items 651 to 655 are printed starting at a position with a certain margin from the rear end of inspection area 625, but as with Fig. 6(b), these items may be printed further back in the transport direction, and adjusted so that there is no gap between them and items printed further back in the transport direction than the distance L'.

[0085] FIG. 6( c) shows an example in which image 602 has two defects, defect 632 and defect 636. Defect image position information 661, defect type information 662, and inspection sensitivity level information 663 are inspection information corresponding to defect 632. Image position 664, defect type information 665, and inspection sensitivity level information 666 are inspection information corresponding to defect 636. Marker 642 is a defect image position marker that indicates the printing position of image 602 where the defect occurred. In this way, the defect image position marker may be printed not in the inspection area 622 but at a position spaced a distance L' rearward in the conveying direction from the rear end of defect 632. In this case, although image 602 has two defects, defect 632 and defect 636, the defect image position marker may be printed at a position corresponding to only one of the multiple defects, for example, the defect located forward in the conveying direction. When printing the defect image position marker, whether to print it at a position based on the inspection area or the position of the defect may be determined in advance, or may be set in a detailed setting subwindow (not shown) corresponding to the defect image position marker setting 427.

[0086] In this embodiment, each test information item is described as being printed as text information, but this information may also be printed in a machine-readable format such as a barcode or two-dimensional code. The printing orientation of each test information item is also not limited to the orientation shown in Fig. 6, and the user may specify one of four orientations, including an orientation with the rear end of the roll paper at the top and two orientations with the long side of the roll paper at the top.

[0087] Although an example of a layout in which each inspection information item is listed in order for each of a plurality of defects has been shown here, the layout is not particularly limited as long as each inspection information item can be referenced. For example, each inspection information item may be printed in a table layout that shows the correspondence between each defect and each inspection information item. These layouts may be predetermined, or may be configured so that the user can change the layout by calling up a layout setting screen (not shown) from screen 400.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control unit 101 controls the image printing unit 102 and the inspection unit 104, but this configuration is not necessarily required. For example, the image printing unit 102 and the inspection unit 104 may be configured to autonomously control each other while communicating with each other, and to use the operation display panel 106, the communication I / F unit 107, or the storage unit 109 as necessary.

[0089] With this configuration, each of the multiple images is inspected, and in addition to the location on the printing medium of any defective images that are found to be defective by the inspection, at least one of the type, location, and size of the defect in the defective image and information on the inspection settings can be printed on the printing medium. In particular, the inspection results, defect image location information, and inspection setting information used for the inspection can be printed on the same continuous printing medium on which the images to be inspected are printed, according to a priority order specified in advance by the user. This allows the user to easily identify defects when visually checking the inspection results. Furthermore, by referring to the inspection setting information during visual inspection, the visual inspection can be more appropriately performed.

[0090] Once the print job and inspection job are complete, the user can remove the printed roll paper 161 wound by the winding device 160 from the winding device 160 and perform a visual inspection using the inspection table 170. At this time, various inspection information is written on the rear end, which corresponds to the outer periphery, of the cut roll paper, as shown in FIG. 5. Visual inspection is not necessarily performed consecutively with the execution of the print job, and the user who configured the inspection settings in the image processing device 100 may not necessarily perform the visual inspection. Even in such cases, the inspection results, defective image position information, and one or more of defect type information, defect position information within the image, defect size information, and inspection setting information are printed on the roll paper on which the image to be inspected is printed, so the user can reliably obtain the information necessary for visual inspection. This allows the user to easily identify defects when visually inspecting the printed image, and also uses this inspection information to determine whether the inspection results are appropriate.

[0091] [Embodiment 2] In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the user specifies which of the examination information items should be given priority for printing using the screen 400 shown in Fig. 4. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which the priority for printing each item of examination information is determined in a predetermined order based on detailed examination result information. Note that the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment has basically the same configuration as in the first embodiment and can execute the same processes, so the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0092] Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the image processing apparatus 100 according to this embodiment in the inspection information print item calculation processing of S313 in Fig. 3. In S701, the control unit 101 acquires inspection information including the inspection information item list set by the user using the screen 400 in S304, inspection setting information, and detailed inspection result information from the storage unit 109. Here, the detailed inspection result information includes defect information for all detected defects, so the control unit 101 creates a defect information list at this stage.

[0093] In S702, the control unit 101 calculates, from the acquired detailed inspection result information, the total number of defects detected in the inspection process for the print job being processed (total defect count), the total number of defective images (total number of defective images), and the ratio of defective images to the number of inspection images (defect rate), and compares at least one of these with a preset threshold. Whether the numerical value used for the comparison is the total number of defects, the total number of defective images, or the defect rate, and the respective thresholds may be set in advance based on user input using a detailed settings subwindow (not shown) corresponding to the inspection result statistical information setting 426. Hereinafter, when any of the total number of defects, the total number of defective images, and the defect rate is equal to or greater than the threshold, it may be referred to as "the defects are equal to or greater than the threshold." If the defects are equal to or greater than the threshold, processing proceeds to S703; otherwise, processing proceeds to S704.

[0094] In S703, the control unit 101 assigns a priority flag to the inspection sensitivity level information item in the inspection information item list, and proceeds to S704. In S704, the control unit 101 extracts defect type information for each detected defect from the acquired inspection result detailed information. If the defect type is dirt, the process proceeds to S705, and if it is something other than dirt, the process proceeds to S708.

[0095] 5 has been described as a streak-like defect. However, defects classified as a stain are not limited to this type, and for example, point-like defects may be detected as stains. Furthermore, defects detected as a defect type may be treated in the same manner as defects detected as a stain.

[0096] In S705, the control unit 101 extracts defect size information from the extracted defect information and compares the size of the defect included in the defect size information with a preset threshold. The threshold used for comparison here may be a fixed value, or may be set in advance based on a user input using a detailed setting subwindow (not shown) corresponding to the defect size information setting 424. If the size of the defect is equal to or smaller than the threshold, the process proceeds to S706; otherwise, the process proceeds to S707.

[0097] In S706, the control unit 101 assigns a priority flag to the in-image defect position information of the defect in question in the defect information list, and the process proceeds to S713. In S707, the control unit 101 assigns a priority flag to the inspection sensitivity level and defect size information columns of the defect in question in the defect information list, and the process proceeds to S713.

[0098] In S708, the control unit 101 determines whether the defect type is misalignment or not, and if it is misalignment, the process proceeds to S709, and if not, the process proceeds to S710.

[0099] In S709, the control unit 101 assigns a priority flag to the misalignment inspection information column of the defect in the defect information list, and proceeds to S713. In S710, the control unit 101 determines whether the defect type is density change, and if it is density change, proceeds to S711, and if not, proceeds to S713. In S711, the control unit 101 assigns a priority flag to the calibration information item in the inspection information item list, and proceeds to S713. In S712, which is when the inspection type does not match any of the above (No in S710), the control unit 101 assigns a priority flag to the defect type information, and proceeds to S713.

[0100] In S713, the control unit 101 sorts the inspection result detailed information items of each defect information in the defect information list by items for which a check mark has been added to the printing presence / absence check box in column 420 or a priority flag has been added. Here, the control unit 101 sorts the order of each item for each defect using the priority flag as the first key and the priority order set in column 420 as the second key. Items for which a check mark has not been added to the printing presence / absence check box and no priority flag has been added are deleted from each defect information because they do not require printing.

[0101] Next, in S714, the control unit 101 determines whether sorting has been completed for all defects included in the defect information list. If sorting has been completed for all defects, the process proceeds to S715. If not, the process returns to S704 and proceeds with the next defect.

[0102] In S715, the control unit 101 sorts the examination setting information items in the examination information item list for which a check mark has been added to the print checkbox or a priority flag has been added in the column 410. Here, the control unit 101 sorts the order of each examination setting information item using the priority flag as the first key and the priority order set in the column 410 as the second key. Items for which a check mark has not been added to the print checkbox or for which no priority flag has been added are deleted from the examination information item list because they do not require printing.

[0103] The printing process of S315 in FIG. 3 can be executed using these sorted examination information item lists and examination information item lists extracted by the processing of each step in FIG. 7 described above.

[0104] This process allows the printing of each item of inspection information to be prioritized based on the detailed inspection result information. Therefore, detailed inspection result information for each defect, which is useful for the user when performing a visual inspection, or inspection setting information used for the inspection can be printed preferentially. For example, by printing defect position information within the image preferentially, the user can easily identify the location where the inspection unit detected a defect and, based on the inspection results from the inspection unit, easily determine whether the location is actually a defect. Furthermore, by printing misalignment inspection information preferentially, the user can correctly recognize that the printing position of the entire image is inappropriate, even if no defects are found in the image itself. Furthermore, by printing inspection sensitivity level information preferentially, the user can easily confirm whether the sensitivity level setting used for the inspection was appropriate when the inspection results from the inspection unit and the visual inspection results appear to be different.

[0105] In the present embodiment, only some of the defect types that can be detected by the inspection unit 104 have been described. However, the image processing device 100 according to the present embodiment may be configured to prioritize printing detailed inspection result information for each defect or inspection setting information used for the inspection according to other defect types. Furthermore, information other than the information exemplified in the present embodiment may be prioritized for printing according to each defect type. In steps S704 to S712 of FIG. 7, a match is determined in descending order of priority, and if a match is found, a priority flag is assigned to the corresponding item. However, the order of priority here is not particularly limited to this example.

[0106] [Embodiment 3] In the first and second embodiments, examples have been described in which a visual inspection process is performed by a user after inspection processing by the image processing device 100, and then a post-processing process is performed as necessary. In the third embodiment, the order of the scheduled post-processing process and the visual inspection process is reversed, and a case will be described in which some post-processing process is performed before visual inspection by a user. Note that the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment has basically the same configuration as in the first embodiment and can execute the same processes, so the following description will focus on the differences from the first embodiment, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0107] When peelable paper such as label sticker paper is used as the continuous printing medium, after visual inspection by the user, defective images may be removed from the release paper or release film and replaced with good images. Naturally, it is impossible to remove a portion of an image printed on the continuous printing medium as is. However, a process called half-cutting, in which a cut is made only in the surface substrate without cutting the release paper or release film, makes it possible to remove a portion of the image from the continuous printing medium. Furthermore, a process called swarf removal or swarf removal may be performed, in which only the useful printed image is left on the release paper or release film and unnecessary blank areas are removed. When such a process is performed, the swarf has already been removed by the time of visual inspection, allowing the user to easily remove the defective image or replace it with a good image.

[0108] 8 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a print inspection device according to this embodiment. The print inspection device according to this embodiment has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment and can execute the same processes, except that a post-processing device 180 is located between the image processing device 100 and the winding device 160, and therefore a duplicated description will be omitted.

[0109] The image processing device 100 according to this embodiment sets the order of the post-processing process and the visual inspection process after printing an image on the print medium. The image processing device 100 can then set an area for printing inspection information (inspection information printing area) in a blank area of ​​the print medium where no image is printed, based on the order of the post-processing process and the visual inspection process described above. Here, the order of the post-processing process and the visual inspection process is set based on which of the inspection table 170 and the post-processing device 180 is placed first on the print medium transport path, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 8 . However, the image processing device 100 may acquire data indicating this order of the post-processing process. The setting of the inspection information printing area will be described below in detail with reference to the post-processing device 180.

[0110] The post-processing device 180 is equipped with a half-cutting device 182 that performs the half-cutting process described above and a waste removal device 183 that performs the waste removal process, and performs each process on label sticker paper, which is a continuous print medium, transported on the transport path 181. The half-cutting process may use a cutting die, a metal cutter, or a laser cutter that is pre-formed to fit the outer periphery of the print image. The post-processing device 180 may receive half-cutting positions based on the print job settings from the image processing device 100 or the printing server 110.

[0111] 8, the continuous printed medium is sent from the transport path 108 of the image processing device 100, via the transport path 181 of the post-processing device 180, to the transport path 162 of the winding device 160, and is then wound up into printed roll paper 161. Here, the user can remove the wound printed roll paper 161 from the winding device 160 after the half-cut processing and waste removal processing have been performed, and perform a visual inspection using the inspection table 170.

[0112] 8 has been described assuming that the image processing device 100, printing server 110, paper feeder 150, post-processing device 180, winder 160, and inspection table 170 each exist as a standalone device. However, some or all of these devices may be configured to be realized within the same housing.

[0113] Furthermore, the image processing device 100 according to this embodiment may limit the content of the inspection information to be printed based on the size of the printing medium, particularly the size of the inspection information printing area. Here, the image processing device 100 can limit the amount of inspection information to be printed to the amount that can be printed within the inspection information printing area. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the image printing area, margin area, and inspection information printing area on a continuous printing medium. Roll paper 900 is a continuous printing medium. Here, if five images 901-905 are printed on the roll paper 900, areas 911-915 are image printing areas corresponding to images 901-905, respectively, and each image printing area may be considered an inspection area. A margin area 920 is the area of ​​the surface of the roll paper 900 excluding these five image printing areas.

[0114] Image position markers such as markers 931 to 935 may be printed in the margin area 920. These image position markers are used as indicators when the inspection unit 104 reads the image using the reading device 105, and may also be used as indicators of the image position when processing is performed in the post-processing device 180.

[0115] 9B, areas 921, 922, and 923 of the margin area 920 can be used as inspection information printing areas for printing inspection information. If area 911 is considered to be the inspection area corresponding to image 901, it is possible to print a defect image position marker from a position a distance L' behind the rear end of area 911, which is the first inspection area, in the transport direction. Therefore, area 921 can be used as the area for printing a defect image position marker.

[0116] Furthermore, when the print area 915 is considered to be the inspection area for the image 905, the area 923 is an area that starts at a position a distance L' behind in the transport direction from the rear end of the final inspection area 915. The area 923 can be used as an area for printing the inspection results or inspection result statistical information for all inspections.

[0117] Position 940 is the rear end of the roll paper 900 or the start position of the next print job, so inspection information cannot be printed beyond this point. Consider the case where position 940 is the rear end of the roll paper 900, or where the length of area 923 in the transport direction has been set in advance in the print job or in the inspection information item printing settings in S304. The length of area 922 in the transport direction is L', and because the length of area 923 in the transport direction is also set, the amount of paper space available for printing inspection information is limited. If, for example, a large number of defects are detected and it is not possible to print all of the inspection information using the font size set on screen 400, printing is attempted by reducing the font size by one step. If, even after reducing the font size to the predetermined minimum, it is not possible to print all of the inspection information that has been given a priority flag or that has been specified for printing within the inspection information printing area, restrictions are placed on the inspection information to be printed.

[0118] First, the image printing unit 102 attempts to print, one by one, items in the inspection result detail information list for each defect information item that does not have a priority flag assigned, in descending order of priority, according to the order sorted in S715, assuming that the items are not designated for printing. Next, if the image printing unit 102 is unable to print within the inspection information printing area even when only items with priority flags are included, it similarly attempts to print the inspection setting information items in the inspection information item list. Furthermore, if the image printing unit 102 is unable to print within the inspection information printing area even when limited to items with priority flags, it prints only as much inspection information as possible within the inspection information printing area, according to the order sorted in S715. In this case, the inspection results may be given first priority and as much inspection information as possible may be printed.

[0119] In addition, when restrictions are placed on the examination information to be printed in this manner, a warning screen may be displayed on the operation display panel 106 to inform the user that not all of the examination information can be printed within the examination information printing area.

[0120] This process allows the inspection information to be limited based on the size of the inspection information printing area. This limitation is based on the priority calculated in S313 or Figure 7, so even if the items to be printed are limited, it is possible to provide the user with information that is useful for visual inspection.

[0121] 10(a) shows roll paper 900 after half-cutting or waste removal processing has been performed in post-processing device 180. The waste removal processing has peeled off the base material of the roll paper, exposing release paper 1000. Here, base materials 1001-1007 are the base materials that remain on the release paper after waste removal processing, and images 901-905 have been printed on base materials 1001-1005, respectively.

[0122] Incidentally, when the print inspection device has the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the visual inspection process by the user is performed before the post-processing process by the post-processing device 180. Therefore, inspection information consisting of the inspection results, inspection result information, or inspection setting information can be printed using all of areas 921, 922, and 923. On the other hand, when the print inspection device has the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the visual inspection process by the user is performed after the scrap removal process is performed as a post-processing process. Therefore, even if a defect position marker is printed in area 921, it will be peeled off along with the base material during the scrap removal process. Therefore, when the user performs visual inspection, the defect position marker printed in area 921 cannot be used as a guide for the location of the defect image. Therefore, in S314, when the image printing unit 102 is configured to perform the visual inspection process after the scrap removal process, the image printing unit 102 calculates the area remaining on the release paper after the scrap removal process as the inspection information printing area. Furthermore, in S314, the image printing unit 102 prints each piece of examination information in the examination information printing area in accordance with the order of the examination information printing items calculated in S313, as shown in examination information 1006 and 1007 in FIG. 10(b).

[0123] This process allows the user to print inspection information in the area that remains unremoved, even if the device is configured so that the user performs a visual inspection process after the scrap removal process as a post-processing step. Therefore, even if the user performs the visual inspection process after the scrap removal process, the user can refer to useful inspection information such as the inspection results, defect image position information, defect type information, defect position information within the image, defect size information, and inspection setting information. This allows the user to easily identify defects when visually inspecting the printed image, and also allows the user to use this inspection information to determine whether the inspection results are appropriate.

[0124] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the overall configuration of a print inspection device according to this embodiment. Similar to FIG. 8, the print inspection device is configured such that a post-processing device 180 is located between the image processing device 100 and the winding device 160. Here, the post-processing device 180 is equipped with a slit division device that performs slit division processing. Slit division processing of print media according to this embodiment refers to the process of cutting a roll of continuous print media (a transported roll) (on a transport path 181) into parallel strips at specified widths (division widths) in the transport direction. The post-processing device 180 may receive cutting positions based on print job settings from the image processing device 100 or the printing server 110. The roll paper cut by the slit division device 184 is transported via the transport path 162 to the winding device 160 for rewinding. FIG. 11 shows an example in which roll paper that has been divided into two rolls is wound up separately: printed roll paper 161 and printed roll paper 163.

[0125] 12 shows an example of printing when a visual inspection process is performed after the slit division process as a post-processing process. Roll paper 1200 is roll paper before being slit-divided, and three types of images are printed in three divided sections (lanes), A, B, and C. Cutters 1201 and 1202 are provided in slit division processing device 184. Roll paper 1200 is divided into three roll papers by the action of cutters 1201 and 1202. Lane A is divided into roll paper 1203, lane B into roll paper 1204, and lane C into roll paper 1205, and these roll papers are wound up by winding device 160 into printed roll papers 161, 163, and 164 (not shown), respectively.

[0126] The roll paper 1200 in FIG. 12(a) has three defects: defects 1211, 1212, and 1213. Defect position marker 1221 for defect 1211 is printed a distance L' backward in the conveying direction from the rear edge of inspection area 1231. Similarly, defect position marker 1222 for defect 1212 is printed a distance L' backward in the conveying direction from the rear edge of inspection area 1232. Similarly, defect position marker 1223 for defect 1213 is printed a distance L' backward in the conveying direction from the rear edge of inspection area 1233. The conveying direction positions of inspection information printing areas 1251, 1252, and 1253 start from the rear edges of the inspection areas for the last printed images 1241, 1242, and 1243 of their respective lanes. Meanwhile, the widths of inspection information printing areas 1251, 1252, and 1253 are determined based on the widths of the lanes to be slit. Since the slit division process is not set to divide the printed image, the width of the inspection information printing area may be determined to be the same as the width of the inspection area for the image of each lane.

[0127] With this configuration, after slit division is performed as a post-processing step, the inspection information printing area can be determined based on the width of the continuous printing medium after slit division, allowing the user to perform a visual inspection. Furthermore, inspection information for the images printed on each slit-divided continuous printing medium can be printed in the inspection information printing area of ​​the same divided continuous printing medium on which the image to be inspected is printed. Therefore, even if the user handles the slit-divided continuous printing medium individually and performs the visual inspection step, the inspection results, defect image position information, defect type information, intra-image defect position information, defect size information, and inspection setting information are printed on the divided roll of paper on which the image to be inspected is printed, allowing the user to reliably obtain information useful for visual inspection. This allows the user to easily identify defects when visually inspecting printed images, and also uses this inspection information to determine whether the inspection results are appropriate.

[0128] The disclosure of this specification includes the following image processing device, information processing method, and program. (Item 1) an inspection means for inspecting each of the plurality of images printed on the printing medium for defects; a print control means for printing on the printing medium the results of the inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image of the plurality of images that has been determined to have a defect by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection; An image processing device comprising: (Item 2) Item 1. The image processing device according to item 1, characterized in that the setting information for the inspection includes at least one of a setting for sensitivity of the inspection, a setting for the area on the printing medium where the inspection is to be performed, a setting for a reference image used in the inspection, and a setting for calibration in the inspection. (Item 3) 3. The image processing device according to item 1 or 2, further comprising a first setting means for setting a priority in printing by the printing control means of information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to have a defect by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection. (Item 4) 4. The image processing device according to item 3, wherein the first setting means sets the priority order based on a user input. (Item 5) 4. The image processing device according to item 3, wherein the first setting means sets the priority order so that, when the size of the defect is equal to or smaller than a threshold, a type of defect in the defect image is printed with priority. (Item 6) Item 4. The image processing device according to item 3, wherein the first setting means sets the priority as the inspection setting information so that when the type of defect is misalignment of the printing position, when detecting the misalignment of the printing position, priority is given to printing the allowable amount of misalignment of the printing position before it is detected as a defect. (Item 7) Item 3. The image processing device according to item 3, characterized in that the first setting means sets the priority so that the setting of the sensitivity of the inspection is printed as the setting information for the inspection with priority when any of the number of defects detected by the inspection, the number of defective images determined to have defects by the inspection, or the ratio of the number of defective images determined to have defects to the number of images inspected is equal to or greater than a threshold value. (Item 8) a second setting means for setting a sequence of a planned processing performed on the print medium after the printing of the plurality of images on the print medium and a visual inspection performed by a user after the inspection; a third setting means for setting, based on the context, an area in a margin area on the printing medium where the plurality of images are not printed, for printing the results of the inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to be defective by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection; 8. The image processing device according to any one of items 1 to 7, further comprising: (Item 9) The image processing device described in item 8 is characterized in that, when the setting of the front-to-back relationship is performed assuming that the visual inspection is performed after the processing step of removing the waste from the release paper, which is the printing medium, the third setting means sets the area in the margin area where the printing is to be performed as the area of ​​the margin area that remains on the release paper without being removed after the waste removal processing step. (Item 10) Item 9. The image processing device according to item 8, wherein the third setting means sets the area in the margin area where the printing is to be performed based on the division width by the slit division processing when the setting of the front-to-back relationship is performed assuming that the visual inspection is to be performed after the slit division processing of the printing medium as the processing. (Item 11) Item 11. The image processing device according to item 8 or 10, characterized in that when slit division processing of the printing medium is performed as the processing, the printing control means performs the printing in the margin area for each divided section of the printing medium after the slit division processing. (Item 12) 12. The image processing device according to any one of items 1 to 11, further comprising a limiting means for limiting the content of printing by the printing control means based on the size of an area to be printed, including the result of the inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to be defective by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection. (Item 13) Item 13. The image processing device according to item 12, characterized in that the limiting means limits the amount of printing by the print control means to an amount that can be printed in an area that prints the results of the inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to be defective by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and the setting information for the inspection. (Item 14) 14. The image processing device according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the print control means also prints the plurality of images on the print medium. (Item 15) inspecting each of a plurality of images printed on a print medium for defects; printing on the printing medium the results of the inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to be defective by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection; An information processing method comprising: (Item 16) A program for causing a computer to function as each means of the image processing device described in any one of items 1 to 14.

[0129] (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.

[0130] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 100: Image processing device, 101: Control unit, 102: Image printing unit, 103: Printing device, 104: Inspection unit, 105: Reading device, 106: Operation display panel, 107: Communication I / F unit, 108: Conveying path, 109: Storage unit

Claims

1. an inspection means for inspecting each of the plurality of images printed on the printing medium for defects; a print control means for printing on the printing medium the results of the inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to have a defect by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection; An image processing device comprising:

2. 2. The image processing device according to claim 1, wherein the inspection setting information includes at least one of a setting for the sensitivity of the inspection, a setting for the area on the printing medium where the inspection is to be performed, a setting for a reference image used in the inspection, and a setting for calibration in the inspection.

3. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first setting means for setting a priority in printing by the print control means of information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to have a defect by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection.

4. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said first setting means sets said priority order based on an input from a user.

5. 4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first setting means sets the priority order so that, when the size of the defect is equal to or smaller than a threshold value, a type of defect in the defect image is printed with priority.

6. 4. The image processing device according to claim 3, wherein the first setting means sets the priority as the inspection setting information so that when the type of defect is misalignment of printing position, when detecting the misalignment of printing position, priority is given to printing an allowable amount of misalignment of printing position before it is detected as a defect.

7. 4. The image processing device according to claim 3, wherein the first setting means sets the priority so that the inspection sensitivity setting is printed as the inspection setting information with priority when any of the number of defects detected by the inspection, the number of defective images determined to have defects by the inspection, or the ratio of the number of defective images determined to have defects to the number of images inspected is equal to or greater than a threshold value.

8. a second setting means for setting a sequence of a planned processing to be performed on the print medium after the printing of the plurality of images on the print medium and a visual inspection to be performed by a user after the inspection, after the printing of the plurality of images on the print medium; a third setting means for setting, based on the context, an area in a margin area on the printing medium where the plurality of images are not printed, for printing the results of the inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to be defective by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection; The image processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

9. The image processing device described in claim 8, characterized in that when the setting of the anteroposterior relationship is performed so that the visual inspection is performed after the processing step of removing the waste from the release paper, which is the printing medium, the third setting means sets the area in the margin area where the printing is to be performed as the area of ​​the margin area that remains on the release paper without being removed after the waste removal processing step.

10. The image processing device described in claim 8, characterized in that the third setting means sets the area in the margin area where the printing is to be performed based on the division width by the slit division processing when the setting of the front-to-back relationship is performed assuming that the visual inspection is to be performed after slit division processing of the printing medium as the processing process.

11. 9. The image processing device according to claim 8, wherein the printing control means performs the printing in the margin area for each divided section of the printing medium after the slit division processing when the processing involves slit division processing of the printing medium.

12. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a limiting means for limiting the content of printing by said print control means based on the size of an area in which to print the result of said inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among said plurality of images that has been determined to be defective by said inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in said defective image, the position of the defect in said defective image, the size of the defect in said defective image, and setting information for said inspection.

13. 13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the limiting means limits the amount of printing by the print control means to an amount that can be printed in an area that prints the results of the inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to be defective by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection.

14. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said print control means also prints said plurality of images onto said print medium.

15. inspecting each of a plurality of images printed on a print medium for defects; printing on the printing medium the results of the inspection, information indicating the position on the printing medium of a defective image among the plurality of images that has been determined to be defective by the inspection, and at least one of the type of defect in the defective image, the position of the defect in the defective image, the size of the defect in the defective image, and setting information for the inspection; An information processing method comprising:

16. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

Images