Image inspection device, image inspection method, and program

Abstract

This invention provides an image inspection device, an image inspection method, and a program that can improve the efficiency of inspection work on defect detection pages. [Solution] The present invention comprises: a master image input unit that inputs source data for printing as a master image; a scan image input unit that inputs a scanned image obtained by reading an image printed by a print job of an image forming apparatus using a reading device; a detection processing unit that compares the master image and the scan image to detect defects in the scan image; a defect level determination unit that quantifies the feature quantities of the detected defects and assigns them levels; a detection result sorting processing unit that sorts the defect detection pages having the defects detected in the print job according to the level of the defects contained in the defect detection pages; and a detection result display unit that has the function of displaying the defect detection pages in a list in the order sorted by the detection result sorting processing unit.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In an image defect inspection apparatus, generally, the level of defects to be detected can be specified. In order to prevent overlooking defects, the user usually sets the level of defects to be detected to be strict. As a result, the defect images detected by the image defect inspection apparatus tend to include defects at a level that is not a problem for the user. In that case, the user needs to visually inspect and sort out whether there are problems.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which, for the purpose of easily changing the inspection level, a first defect is inspected at a first inspection level, a second defect is automatically inspected at a second inspection level, and the first defect and the second defect are displayed so as to be distinguishable. Although a mechanism for displaying the detection results of defects at a plurality of detection levels has been proposed, it does not reduce the above-mentioned labor of the user.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the above-mentioned image defect inspection apparatus has a function of displaying a list of defect pages detected in the corresponding print job, but the user needs to check whether there are problems for all pages where defects are detected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide an image inspection apparatus, an image inspection method, and a program capable of improving the efficiency of the inspection work for defect detection pages.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objective, the present invention comprises: a master image input unit that inputs the source data for printing as a master image; a scan image input unit that inputs a scanned image read by a reading device of an image forming apparatus printed by a print job; a detection processing unit that compares the master image and the scan image to detect defects in the scan image; a defect level determination unit that quantifies the feature quantities of the detected defects and assigns them levels; a detection result sorting processing unit that sorts the defect detection pages having the defects detected in the print job according to the level of the defects included in the defect detection page; and a detection result display unit that has the function of displaying the defect detection pages in a list in the order sorted by the detection result sorting processing unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the efficiency of inspection work on defect detection pages can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the image defect inspection apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of displaying a list of defect detection pages in the image defect inspection apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of a list of defect detection results for print jobs in the image defect inspection apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a display of a list of defect detection results for print jobs in the image defect inspection apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows an example of a display of a list of defect detection results for print jobs in the image defect inspection apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows an example of a display of a list of defect detection results for print jobs in the image defect inspection apparatus according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of an image defect inspection apparatus to which an image inspection device, an image inspection method, and a program are applied will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the image defect inspection apparatus according to this embodiment. The image defect inspection apparatus 100 according to this embodiment includes a master image input unit 101, a scan image input unit 102, a detection processing unit 103, a defect level determination unit 104, a detection result alignment processing unit 105, a detection result display unit 106, a feedback input unit 107, a detection level adjustment unit 108, and the like, as shown in Figure 1.

[0011] The master image input unit 101 is an example of a master image input unit that inputs the source data for printing as a master image. The scanned image input unit 102 is an example of a scanned image input unit that inputs a scanned image obtained by reading an image printed by a print job of an image forming device such as a printer.

[0012] The detection processing unit 103 is an example of a detection processing unit that compares a master image with a scanned image to detect defects (e.g., dots, streaks) in the scanned image. The defect level determination unit 104 is an example of a defect level determination unit that quantifies the characteristic quantities of the detected defects and assigns them a level.

[0013] For example, the defect level determination unit 104 may use the size of the defect as a feature to assign a level to the defect. This makes it possible to determine the level of the defect based on its size. Alternatively, the defect level determination unit 104 may use the brightness or density of the defect as a feature to assign a level to the defect. This makes it possible to determine the level of the defect based on its brightness or density. Furthermore, the defect level determination unit 104 may use the number of defects as a feature to assign a level to the defect. This makes it possible to determine the level of the defect based on its number.

[0014] Furthermore, the defect level determination unit 104 may, for example, assign a level to the defect depending on the type of defect. This allows the system to meet user inspection requirements by, for example, assigning a high level to linear defects and a low level to point-like defects. Additionally, the defect level determination unit 104 may switch the method of assigning a level to the defect depending on the type of image data. This allows the system to meet user inspection requirements by, for example, setting a higher level for photographic images and a lower level for text.

[0015] The detection result sorting processing unit 105 is an example of a detection result sorting processing unit that sorts defective pages detected in a print job according to the level of the defect contained in the defective page. The detection result display unit 106 is an example of a detection result display unit that has the function of displaying a list of defective pages in the order sorted by the detection result sorting processing unit 105. This allows for leveling of detected defects based on their size, density difference, and other characteristic quantities, and by displaying the print job results prioritizing the display of defective pages with higher levels, the user no longer needs to check for problems in order from the defective pages with higher levels, and check subsequent defective pages that are deemed to have no problems, thus improving the efficiency of the inspection work for defective pages.

[0016] The feedback input unit 107 is an example of an input unit that provides feedback input of the user's visual judgment result on the defect detection page. This allows the user's visual judgment result to be recorded. The detection level adjustment unit 108 is an example of a detection level adjustment unit that automatically adjusts the detection level of a defect so that a defect on a defect detection page that the user has determined to be fine is not identified as a defect in the next defect detection process.

[0017] Figure 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of displaying a list of defective pages in the image defect inspection apparatus according to this embodiment. The image defect inspection apparatus 100 according to this embodiment repeats the processes shown in steps S201 and S202 for the number of pages in the print job.

[0018] The master image input unit 101 and the scanned image input unit 102 input the master image and the scanned image of the page to be inspected. Next, the detection processing unit 103 compares the master image and the scanned image to detect defective portions (for example, dots, streaks) in the scanned image (step S201). The defect level determination unit 104 quantifies the feature amounts (for example, size, density) of the detected defective portions to grade the defective portions (step S202).

[0019] Next, the detection result alignment processing unit 105 sorts the defective detection pages detected in the print job in descending order based on the levels of the defects included in the defective detection pages (step S203). The detection result display unit 106 displays a list of the defective detection pages in the sorted order (step S204).

[0020] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a list of defect detection results of a print job in the image defect inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment. The detection result display unit 106 displays, for each print job (Job name), the date and time of printing (Date / Time), the number of pages (Pages), the number of defective detection pages in which defective portions are detected (Number of defective Pages), and the like. Then, by selecting the row of the print job for which the user wishes to confirm the details, the detection result display unit 106 displays a screen showing the details of the corresponding print job. In the present embodiment, the detection result display unit 106 may display a screen showing a list of defect detection results of the print job and a screen showing the details of the print job side by side on one screen, or may perform a screen transition from the screen showing the list of defect detection results of the print job to the screen showing the details of the print job.

[0021] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are diagrams showing an example of display of a list of defect detection results of a print job in the image defect inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection result display unit 106 sorts and displays the defect detection pages in the print job in descending order of the defect level (Order). When the number of defect detection pages is large and does not fit in the table, if the user clicks the "Next>" button below the table, for example, the detection result display unit 106 may list-display the remaining defect detection pages as shown in FIG. 5.

[0022] For example, when the user selects a row of a defect detection page to be confirmed, the detection result display unit 106 displays so that it can be seen which part of the printed image was detected as a defective part. Since the detection results are displayed in descending order of the defect level in the list, the user can check the actually printed results from the defect detection pages with a not-so-good level.

[0023] The user sequentially visually checks the printed materials from Order: 1 shown in FIG. 4. For example, if the defective part with a defect level (Defect Level) of 26 in Order: 5 can be determined as an acceptable defect level, the subsequent visual checks can be stopped, which has the effect of reducing the burden on the user. In the present embodiment, an example of displaying the defect level (Defect Level) numerically is shown, but it may also be displayed using ranked symbols such as "A, B, C".

[0024] The defect level determination unit 104 may calculate the defect level of the defective part based on the size, density, luminance, etc. of the defective part. Further, when the defect level determination unit 104 wants to set a composite condition of the size and density of the defective part, it may calculate the defect level of the defective part by weighted addition. For example, when a defective part included in the photo part of the original is a problem, the defect level determination unit 104 may adjust the value of the defect level of the defective part by multiplying a weighting coefficient to the defective part in the photo part.

[0025] Figure 6 shows an example of a display of a list of defect detection results for print jobs in the image defect inspection apparatus according to this embodiment. For example, on the defect detection result display screen shown in Figure 6, the user determines whether the actual printed material has a problematic defect level, in descending order of the defect level of the defective parts, and enters the determination result in the "Judgement" column. The detection level adjustment unit 108 adjusts the threshold (level) for detecting defects and re-executes the defect detection process for the defective pages that were judged to be OK to search for a defect detection threshold (level) that will result in a determination of no defects. If the search is successful, that threshold (level) may be applied to the defect detection of the next print job. Here, the threshold search can be carried out by, for example, relaxing the threshold one step at a time. This reduces the number of reports for defective pages that do not pose a problem, thereby reducing the burden of visual inspection on the user.

[0026] Thus, according to the image defect inspection device 100 of this embodiment, detected defects are leveled based on characteristic quantities such as their size and density difference, and the print job results are displayed prioritizing the display of defect detection pages with higher levels. This eliminates the need for the user to check for problems in order from the highest-level defect detection pages and to check subsequent defect detection pages that are deemed to have no problems, thereby improving the efficiency of the defect detection page inspection work.

[0027] The program executed by the image defect inspection device 100 in this embodiment is provided pre-installed in ROM (Read Only Memory) or the like. The program executed by the image defect inspection device 100 in this embodiment may also be provided as a file in an installable or executable format, recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0028] Furthermore, the program executed by the image defect inspection device 100 of this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading it via the network. Alternatively, the program executed by the image defect inspection device 100 of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0029] The program executed by the image defect inspection apparatus 100 of this embodiment is a module configuration that includes the above-mentioned parts (master image input unit 101, scan image input unit 102, detection processing unit 103, defect level determination unit 104, detection result alignment processing unit 105, detection result display unit 106, feedback input unit 107, detection level adjustment unit 108, etc.). In actual hardware, a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) reads the program from the above-mentioned ROM and executes it, loading the above-mentioned parts onto the main memory, and the master image input unit 101, scan image input unit 102, detection processing unit 103, defect level determination unit 104, detection result alignment processing unit 105, detection result display unit 106, feedback input unit 107, detection level adjustment unit 108, etc. are generated on the main memory. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0030] 100 Image defect inspection device 101 Master Image Input Section 102 Scan image input section 103 Detection Processing Unit 104 Defect level determination unit 105 Detection result alignment processing unit 106 Detection result display unit 107 Feedback Input Section 108 Detection level adjustment unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0031] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-136927

Claims

1. A master image input unit that inputs the source data for printing as a master image, A scanned image input unit that inputs scanned images read by a reader from an image forming apparatus print job, A detection processing unit compares the master image with the scanned image to detect defects in the scanned image, A defect level determination unit that quantifies the characteristic quantities of the detected defect and assigns a level to them, A detection result sorting processing unit sorts the defective pages having the defective portion detected in the print job according to the level of the defective portion contained in the defective page, A detection result display unit has the function of displaying a list of the defect detection pages in the order sorted by the detection result sorting processing unit, An image inspection device equipped with the following features.

2. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the defect level determination unit levels the defect using the size of the defect as a feature quantity.

3. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the defect level determination unit levels the defect using the brightness or density of the defect as a feature quantity.

4. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the defect level determination unit assigns a level to the defect using the number of defect portions as a feature quantity.

5. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the defect level determination unit levels the defect according to the type of defect.

6. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the defect level determination unit switches the method of leveling the defect portion for each type of image data.

7. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an input unit for receiving feedback input of the user's visual judgment result on the defect detection page.

8. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a detection level adjustment unit that automatically adjusts the detection level so that a defective portion of the defect detection page, which the user has determined to be free of problems, is not determined to be a defective portion during the next detection process.

9. An image inspection method performed by an image inspection device, The steps include: inputting the source data for printing as a master image, The process involves inputting a scanned image obtained by reading an image printed by a print job of an image forming apparatus using a reader, and The steps include comparing the master image with the scanned image to detect defects in the scanned image, A step of quantifying the characteristic quantities of the detected defect and assigning them a level, The steps include sorting the defective pages having the defective portion detected in the print job according to the level of the defective portion contained in the defective page, The steps include: displaying the defect detection pages in the sorted order; Image inspection methods, including those mentioned above.

10. Computers, A master image input unit that inputs the source data for printing as a master image, A scanned image input unit that inputs scanned images read by a reader from an image forming apparatus print job, A detection processing unit compares the master image with the scanned image to detect defects in the scanned image, A defect level determination unit that quantifies the characteristic quantities of the detected defect and assigns a level to them, A detection result sorting processing unit sorts the defective pages having the defective portion detected in the print job according to the level of the defective portion contained in the defective page, A detection result display unit has the function of displaying a list of the defect detection pages in the order sorted by the detection result sorting processing unit, A program to make it work.

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