Information processing systems and programs

Abstract

Unlike cases where the inspection area pattern used for inspecting printed materials is switched only by sequential numbering from the first page of the printed material, this system provides a mechanism that also allows for setting inspection areas for printed materials where pages with the same layout appear at irregular intervals. [Solution] The information processing system has a processor, which acquires correspondence information that associates page numbers assigned to image data with regions within the image data, acquires scan data obtained by reading a printed document, and if the scan data includes a first group of pages and a second group of pages, it sets regions to perform inspection in the scan images included in the first group of pages based on the page numbers in the first group of pages and the correspondence information assigned to the scan images included in the first group of pages, and sets regions to perform inspection in the scan images included in the second group of pages based on the page numbers in the second group of pages and the correspondence information assigned to the scan images included in the second group of pages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is an inspection apparatus for inspecting printed matter that can set an inspection area (hereinafter referred to as an “inspection area”) for each page according to the layout of the page to be inspected. The arrangement of the inspection area within a page is called a “pattern”. Note that the pattern used in the inspection of printed matter is specified for each print job corresponding to the printed matter.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Some inspection apparatuses capable of setting patterns used for inspection can also instruct repetitions of inspection, etc. according to the order of a plurality of patterns. In this type of apparatus, the pattern used for inspection is switched according to the serial number from the first page of the print job corresponding to the printed matter to be inspected. By the way, there are also print jobs in which the period in which pages with the same layout appear changes irregularly. For example, in a transaction statement, the number of pages assigned to each destination within a print job may increase or decrease according to the number of transactions. When specifying inspection by a repeating pattern for this type of print job, a deviation occurs between the layout of the page to be inspected and the pattern used for inspection. Also, when the number of destinations is large, it is difficult to set an inspection area for each destination.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a technology that allows for the setting of inspection areas for printed materials where pages with the same layout appear at irregular intervals, unlike the case where the pattern of the inspection area used for inspecting printed materials is switched only by sequential numbering from the first page of the printed material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 is an information processing system having a processor, the processor acquires correspondence information that associates page numbers assigned to image data with regions within the image data, acquires scan data obtained by reading a printed document, and, if the scan data includes a first group of pages and a second group of pages, sets regions to be inspected in the scan images included in the first group of pages based on the page numbers in the first group of pages assigned to the scan images included in the first group of pages and the correspondence information, and sets regions to be inspected in the scan images included in the second group of pages based on the page numbers in the second group of pages assigned to the scan images included in the second group of pages and the correspondence information. The invention described in claim 2 is an information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processor obtains a setting for the number of copies to be printed of at least one of the first group of pages or the second group of pages, and sets an area to be inspected in a scanned image included in at least one of the first group of pages or the second group of pages based on the obtained setting for the number of copies to be printed. The invention described in claim 3 is an information processing system according to claim 2, wherein the processor sets an area in the scanned image included in the scanned data to perform inspection, based on the page number in the scanned data and the corresponding information assigned to the scanned image included in the scanned data, if the scanned data does not include a first group of pages and a second group of pages. The invention described in claim 4 is an information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the processor sets an area in the scanned image included in the scanned data to perform inspection, based on the page number in the scanned data and the corresponding information assigned to the scanned image included in the scanned data, if the scanned data does not include a first group of pages and a second group of pages. The invention described in claim 5 is an information processing system having a processor, the processor acquires correspondence information that associates page numbers assigned to image data with regions within the image data, acquires scan data obtained by reading a printed document and including a first group of pages and a second group of pages, accepts user input, and when setting regions to perform inspection in the scan images included in the scan data, the processor sets regions to perform inspection based on the page numbers in the scan data and the correspondence information, or sets regions to perform inspection based on the page numbers in the first group of pages or the second group of pages and the correspondence information, depending on the input received from the user. The invention described in claim 6 is an information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the print job corresponding to the printed material is a print job in data stream format, a print job combining multiple print jobs, a print job involving paper switching based on data delimiters, or a print job of a document file including a bookmark structure. The invention described in claim 7 is a program for a computer to implement the following functions: a function to acquire correspondence information that associates page numbers assigned to image data with regions within the image data; a function to acquire scan data obtained by reading a printed document; and, if the scan data includes a first group of pages and a second group of pages, a function to set regions to be inspected in the scan images included in the first group of pages based on the page numbers in the first group of pages assigned to the scan images included in the first group of pages and the correspondence information; and a function to set regions to be inspected in the scan images included in the second group of pages based on the page numbers in the second group of pages assigned to the scan images included in the second group of pages and the correspondence information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the invention described in claim 1, unlike the case where the pattern of the inspection area used for inspecting printed materials is switched only by sequential numbering from the first page of the printed material, it is possible to set the inspection area for printed materials in which pages with the same layout appear at irregular intervals. According to the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to set an inspection area for a printed document even when the number of copies to be printed differs for each group of pages. According to the invention described in claim 3, an inspection area can be set even when there is only one data set. According to the invention described in claim 4, the inspection area can be set even when there is only one data set. According to the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to set the inspection area of ​​the printed material for each data group. According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to set an inspection area for a printed document that corresponds to various print jobs containing multiple data sets. According to the invention described in claim 7, unlike the case where the pattern of the inspection area used for inspecting printed materials is switched only by sequential numbering from the first page of the printed material, it is possible to set the inspection area for printed materials in which pages with the same layout appear at irregular intervals. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates an example of the configuration of a printed material inspection system assumed in the embodiment. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of the inspection device used in the embodiment. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates the functional components of the inspection device used in this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a diagram explaining the report. [Figure 5] This is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern. [Figure 6] This diagram illustrates an example of the pattern settings screen. [Figure 7] This is an example of a flowchart illustrating the processing operations performed by an inspection device. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates the relationship between pages and patterns in configuration examples 1 through 3. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates the relationship between pages and patterns in configuration examples 4 and 5. [Figure 10] This diagram illustrates the relationship between pages and patterns in configuration examples 6 and 7. [Figure 11] This diagram illustrates the relationship between pages and patterns in configuration examples 8 and 9. [Figure 12] This diagram illustrates the relationship between the settings and the pattern in example 10. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. <Embodiment 1> <System Configuration> Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the print inspection system 1 assumed in the embodiment. The print inspection system 1 is an example of an information processing system. The printed matter inspection system 1 is composed of a management server 10, an image forming apparatus 20, an inspection apparatus 30, and a network 40. In the case of this embodiment, the network 40 is a LAN (= Local Area Network). The LAN may be a wired line or a wireless line. However, the network 40 may be a dedicated line or a mobile communication system such as 4G or 5G.

[0010] The management server 10 is a computer that manages print jobs. A print job is a processing unit for printing and also a management unit. The management server 10 supplies print data corresponding to the print job to the image forming apparatus 20. The print data is PDL (= Page Description Language) data. The image forming apparatus 20 is an apparatus that forms an image corresponding to print data on paper. The paper may be cut paper or roll paper. However, in this embodiment, cut paper is assumed. The inspection apparatus 30 is an apparatus that inspects printed matter. The printed matter refers to paper on which an image corresponding to a print job output by the image forming apparatus 20 is formed. In the inspection apparatus 30, the presence or absence of defects such as dirt and misalignment in a previously specified inspection area is inspected.

[0011] <Device Configuration> <Management Server> The management server 10 has a processor, a ROM (= Read Only Memory), a RAM (= Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the processor, an auxiliary storage device, a monitor, and a communication interface. Each device is connected through a bus or other signal lines.

[0012] A processor is a device that implements various functions through the execution of programs. Here, "program" refers to both the OS (Operating System) and application programs. For example, a processor provides the user with print job management functionality through program execution. The print job management screen is displayed on a monitor. The management screen displays various information about the print job being managed. The inspection area can be set for each print job on the management screen. The inspection results of the inspection device 30 can also be checked on the management screen.

[0013] The auxiliary storage device consists of, for example, a hard disk drive or semiconductor storage. The auxiliary storage device stores, for example, programs and print jobs. In this embodiment, the print jobs consist of PDL data, LCDS (Line Conditioned Data Stream) data, and IPDS (Intelligent Printer Data Stream) data. The communication interface is used for communication with the image forming apparatus 20, the inspection apparatus 30, etc.

[0014] <Image forming apparatus> The image forming apparatus 20 includes a processor, ROM, RAM used as the processor's work area, auxiliary storage device, image processing unit, printing unit, and communication interface. Each device is connected via a bus or other signal lines. In addition, the image forming apparatus 20 is also provided with a paper receiving mechanism and a paper transport mechanism. The processor controls the operation of each device through firmware execution and forms an image according to the print data.

[0015] The auxiliary storage device consists of, for example, a hard disk drive or semiconductor storage. In addition to firmware, the auxiliary storage device stores print data received from the management server 10. The image processing unit performs the process of converting PDL data, which is described in a page description language, into RIP (=Raster Image Processor) data. The printing unit is a mechanism that forms an image on paper, for example, using an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method. The communication interface is used for communication with the management server 10 and the inspection device 30, etc.

[0016] <Inspection equipment> Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the inspection device 30 used in the embodiment. The inspection device 30 includes a processor 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33 used as the processor's work area, an auxiliary storage device 34, a scanner 35, and a communication interface 36. Each device is connected via a bus or other signal lines 37.

[0017] The processor 31 inspects the printout through the execution of the firmware. The auxiliary storage device 34 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive or semiconductor storage. In addition to the firmware, the auxiliary storage device 34 stores print jobs 34A and inspection setting information 34B received from the management server 10. Inspection setting information 34B is setting information that defines the inspection of printed materials. In this embodiment, inspection setting information 34B is set through a management screen displayed on the monitor of the management server 10 (see Figure 1).

[0018] However, if the inspection device 30 is equipped with a monitor, the inspection setting information 34B may be set through a setting screen displayed on the monitor of the inspection device 30. Furthermore, if the image forming apparatus 20 is equipped with a monitor, the inspection setting information 34B may be set through a setting screen displayed on the monitor of the image forming apparatus 20. The inspection setting information 34B includes the pattern used for inspection, the correspondence between pages and patterns, whether the page-pattern correspondence is repeated, and whether it is applied to each report.

[0019] The scanner 35 is a device that optically reads the image formed on the surface of the paper and outputs it as image data. Hereinafter, the optically read image data will be referred to as "scan data," and the images contained in the scan data will be referred to as "scan images." The scanner 35 is installed on the paper transport path. In this embodiment, the image reading by the scanner 35 is performed immediately after the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 20. The communication interface 36 is used for communication with the management server 10 and the image forming apparatus 20, etc.

[0020] <Functional Configuration> Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the functional components of the inspection device 30 used in this embodiment. The functional components shown in Figure 3 are realized through the execution of firmware by the processor 31. Figure 3 shows the functional units of the inspection device 30, including a print job analysis unit 301, a page configuration management unit 302, a pattern management unit 303, a reference image generation unit 304, a scanned image generation unit 305, and an inspection execution unit 306.

[0021] The print job analysis unit 301 is a functional unit that analyzes the print job 34A (see Figure 2) and extracts information related to the report. The report is an example of a data delimiter within the print job 34A. A data delimiter refers to one or more data sections of print data. In this embodiment, the print job analysis unit 301 provides the number of reports, the number of pages in each report, etc., to the page configuration management unit 302 as the page configuration of the print job 34A. In this embodiment, although the number of pages that make up a report may differ, the page layout is basically the same across reports.

[0022] For example, if print job 34A is invoice data, the invoice data for each billing customer will be generated as a report. For example, the invoice data corresponding to billing customer A and the invoice data corresponding to billing customer B will each be generated as a report. For example, the first page of each report will consist of a layout including the recipient, and the second page and subsequent pages of each report will consist of one or more layouts according to the format of the statement. Multiple scanned images corresponding to each report are examples of the first and second page groups. If print job 34A is a combined print job, each individual print job becomes a report. If print job 34A includes paper switching settings, the data portions with different paper settings become reports. If print job 34A is a PDF (Portable Document Format) file, the data portions separated by bookmarks become reports. In this embodiment, the data portions separated by bookmarks are managed on a page-by-page basis. A PDF file is an example of a document file.

[0023] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the report. Figure 4 shows data stream-based print jobs 34A1 and 34A2. Examples of data stream-based print jobs 34A include LCDS (=Line Conditioned Data Stream) and IPDS (=Intelligent Printer Data Stream). Print job 34A1 has 1 report, and print job 34A2 has 3 reports.

[0024] Each page of print jobs 34A1 and 34A2 shown in Figure 4 is numbered sequentially for each report. For example, print job 34A1 has 15 pages numbered from "1" to "15". For example, in print job 34A2, "Report 1" has 3 pages numbered "1" through "3". The second "Report 2" has 8 pages numbered "1" through "8". The third "Report 3" has 4 pages numbered "1" through "4".

[0025] The page configuration management unit 302 (see Figure 3) is a functional unit that manages the page configuration of print job 34A (see Figure 2) and the inspection results of each page. The page configuration management unit 302 also has the function of instructing the inspection execution unit 306 to perform the inspection. The pattern management unit 303 is a functional unit that manages the patterns of the inspection area for each page. Figure 5 illustrates an example of a pattern. Figure 5 shows four patterns. Needless to say, the number of patterns is just an example. The inspection area used for inspecting printed materials is set, for example, through the operation screen. In Figure 5, the four patterns are labeled "Pattern A," "Pattern B," "Pattern C," and "Pattern D."

[0026] Figure 6 illustrates an example of the pattern setting screen 310. The pattern setting screen 310 is displayed, for example, on the monitor of the management server 10 (see Figure 1). If the inspection device 30 (see Figure 1) is equipped with a monitor, the pattern setting screen 310 is displayed on the monitor of the inspection device 30. The pattern setting screen 310 may also be displayed on the monitor of the image forming apparatus 20 (see Figure 1). The pattern settings screen 310 shown in Figure 6 consists of an "Add" button 311, an "Edit" button 312, a "Delete" button 313, a settings field 314, a "Repeat All" button 315, an "Apply to Each Report" button 316, a "Cancel" button 317, and an "OK" button 318.

[0027] The "Add" button 311 is used to add a correspondence between the pattern used for inspection and the page. The "Edit" button 312 is used to make edits to existing settings. The "Delete" button 313 is used to delete settings. The settings section 314 is the area used to configure the correspondence between the patterns used for inspection and the corresponding pages. In Figure 6, it is indicated that "Pattern A" is used for inspection on page 1, "Pattern B" is used for inspection on page 2, "Pattern C" is used for inspection on page 3, and "Pattern D" is used for inspection on page 4.

[0028] It is also possible to apply a single pattern to multiple pages. For example, to apply pattern D to all pages from page 4 onwards, enter "4-" in the "Page Setup" field. For example, to apply pattern D to pages 4 and 5, enter "4-5" in the "Page Setup" field. In this embodiment, applying a single pattern to multiple consecutive pages is referred to as "continuous page specification."

[0029] The "Repeat All" button 315 is used to instruct the system to repeatedly apply the correspondence set in the settings field 314 to all pages of the print job 34A. In Figure 6, the "Repeat All" button 315 is not selected. When the "Repeat Entire" button 315 is selected, "Pattern A," "Pattern B," "Pattern C," and "Pattern D" are applied sequentially to the first four pages (i.e., page 1) of print job 34A (see Figure 2), and then sequentially to pages 5 through 8. Similarly, "Pattern A," "Pattern B," "Pattern C," and "Pattern D" are applied sequentially every four pages thereafter.

[0030] The "Apply per report" button 316 is used to instruct the system to apply the correspondence set in the settings field 314 to each report in print job 34A. In Figure 6, the "Apply per report" button 316 is not selected. When the "Apply per report" button 316 is selected, "Pattern A," "Pattern B," "Pattern C," and "Pattern D" will be applied starting from the first page of the report. In other words, each pattern will be applied according to the page number of each report. Note that if a print job contains multiple reports, the "Apply per report" button may be automatically selected.

[0031] If the report has fewer than four pages, the patterns will be applied sequentially according to the number of pages in the report. On the other hand, if the report has more than 5 pages, the pattern is applied up to the 4th page of the report, but not from the 5th page onward. However, if the "Repeat Entire Report" button 315 is also selected, the checks using each pattern will be repeated from the 5th page onward of the report.

[0032] The "Cancel" button 317 is used to cancel the setting. The "OK" button 318 is used to confirm the settings. The confirmed settings are recorded in the auxiliary storage device 34 (see Figure 2) as inspection setting information 34B (see Figure 2). Inspection setting information 34B is an example of corresponding information. Note that inspection setting information 34B can be created not only by user input as described above, but can also be imported from an external device. The external device may be, for example, a management server 10 (see Figure 1) or an image forming apparatus 20 (see Figure 1). The pattern management unit 303 reads the inspection setting information 34B associated with the print job 34A (see Figure 2) when inspecting the printed material, and provides it to the inspection execution unit 306.

[0033] The reference image generation unit 304 (see Figure 3) is a functional unit that rasterizes the print data corresponding to the print job 34A and generates a reference image for inspection. In this embodiment, the reference image is generated as an overall image of each page. However, the reference image may also be generated for each inspection area of ​​the pattern associated with the page to be inspected. The scan image generation unit 305 (see Figure 3) is a functional unit that acquires scanned images of each page from the scanner 35 (see Figure 2). The scan image generation unit 305 generates a new scanned image each time a new page is fed into the scanner 35. The scanned image is assigned the page number in the scanned data and the page number in the report to which the scanned image belongs. At this time, the page numbers may be assigned according to the order in which they were scanned, or according to the corresponding print data.

[0034] The inspection execution unit 306 (see Figure 3) inspects the printed material by comparing a reference image corresponding to the page to be inspected with a scanned image. The comparison is performed on the inspection area of ​​the pattern provided by the pattern management unit 303. The inspection execution unit 306 outputs the comparison results obtained for each inspection area as inspection results to the page configuration management unit 302. The comparison results are classified, for example, into "match" and "mismatch". The comparison results may also include information representing the confidence level of "match" and "mismatch".

[0035] <Processing operation of the inspection device> Figure 7 is an example of a flowchart illustrating the processing operations performed by the inspection device 30 (see Figure 1). In Figure 7, "steps" are represented by the symbol S. The processing operations shown in Figure 7 are realized through the execution of a program by the processor 31 (see Figure 2). In other words, the processing operations shown in Figure 7 are realized through the coordination of the functional units shown in Figure 3. Once the inspection of the printed material begins, the inspection device 30 determines whether the inspection of all pages has been completed (step 101). The total number of pages to be inspected is determined by analyzing the print job 34A (see Figure 2).

[0036] If there are no pages remaining before inspection (i.e., if all pages have been inspected), a positive result is obtained in step 101. In this case, the inspection device 30 completes the inspection of the printed material corresponding to print job 34A (see Figure 2). On the other hand, if there are pages remaining that were not inspected (i.e., if the inspection of all pages has not been completed), a negative result is obtained in step 101. In this case, the inspection device 30 obtains the page number of the relevant page (step 102). The page number here is a sequential number starting from the first page (page 1) of the print job 34A. Note that the sequential number is an example of a page number in scanned data.

[0037] In this embodiment, the inspection is performed sequentially starting from the first page of the print job 34A. In other words, the inspection is performed sequentially starting from the oldest pages that have been removed from the image forming apparatus 20 (see Figure 1). Therefore, the relevant page is the page with the smallest sequential number from the first page among the pages before inspection, or the page with the oldest order of removal from the image forming apparatus 20 among the pages before inspection. However, if reverse printing is specified for print job 34A, the page in question is the page with the highest sequential number from the first page of the print job among the pages before inspection. In other words, if printing starts from the last page, the page in question is the page that was removed from the image forming apparatus 20 the oldest among the pages before inspection.

[0038] Next, the inspection device 30 determines whether or not to apply the set pattern to each report (step 103). This determination is made, for example, by determining whether the "Apply to each report" flag in the pattern setting information is "enabled" or "selected". If the setting is not to apply the pattern to each report, a negative result is obtained in step 103. In this case, the inspection device 30 obtains the pattern to be used for inspection from the page number (step 104). The page number here is the page number obtained in step 102.

[0039] On the other hand, if the setting is to apply the pattern to each report, a positive result is obtained in step 103. In this case, the inspection device 30 obtains the page number in the report (step 105). That is, the inspection device 30 obtains the page number in the report to which the page to be inspected belongs. Next, the inspection device 30 obtains the pattern to be used for inspection from the page numbers in the report (step 106). The page numbers in the report are calculated based on the page structure managed by the page structure management unit 302 (see Figure 3) and the page numbers obtained in step 102.

[0040] Next, the inspection device 30 determines whether or not there is a pattern to be used for inspection (step 107). As explained in the pattern settings screen 310 (see Figure 6), it is also possible to set the application of the correspondence between the set pattern and the page to be for only one cycle. Setting it to be for only one cycle means that the "Repeat All" button 315 is not selected. It is also possible to repeat the process for the entire page within the report. This includes cases where print job 34A consists of only one report. Furthermore, it is possible to apply a single pattern to multiple consecutive pages. Therefore, depending on the settings in the inspection setting information 34B (see Figure 2), there may be discrepancies in the correspondence between patterns and pages.

[0041] If there is a pattern to be used for the page to be inspected, a positive result is obtained in step 107. In this case, the inspection device 30 performs the inspection using a reference image of the corresponding pattern (step 108). In other words, the print quality is determined for each inspection area, or the presence or absence of defects in the printed material is determined. Note that the quality determination may not be a binary judgment such as good or bad, but may be accompanied by inspection results with three or more values. Inspection results with three or more values ​​represent a degree of three or more values ​​related to quality.

[0042] If there is no pattern to use for the page being inspected, a negative result is obtained in step 107. In this case, or after step 108 is performed, the inspection device 30 updates the page being inspected to the next page (step 109). After that, the inspection device 30 returns to step 101. The processing steps described above are repeated for all pages of print job 34A, as previously mentioned, until the inspection is complete.

[0043] <Example of examination> The following explains the differences in inspections based on the settings in the pattern setting screen 310 (see Figure 6), using Figures 8 to 12. Note that Figures 8 to 12 assume the settings in the pattern setting screen 310 shown in Figure 6. Figure 8 illustrates the relationship between pages and patterns in configuration examples 1 to 3. Figure 9 illustrates the relationship between pages and patterns in configuration examples 4 to 5. Figure 10 illustrates the relationship between pages and patterns in configuration examples 6 to 7. Figure 11 illustrates the relationship between pages and patterns in configuration examples 8 to 9. Figure 12 illustrates the relationship between pages and patterns in configuration example 10.

[0044] Figure 8 assumes the case where print job 34A (see Figure 2) contains only one report, i.e., print job 34A1. Figures 9 to 12 assume the case where print job 34A (see Figure 2) contains two reports, i.e., print job 34A2. For illustrative purposes, only two of the three reports are shown in Figures 9 to 12.

[0045] <Configuration Example 1> Example setting 1 is the case where both the "Repeat All" button 315 and the "Apply to Each Report" button 316 are not selected. In this case, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1," "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2," "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3," and "Pattern D" is applied to the inspection of "Page 4." In other words, only the first four pages of print job 34A1 are inspected, and pages 5 and beyond are not inspected.

[0046] <Setting Example 2> Example 2 of the settings shows the case where the "Repeat All" button 315 is selected, but the "Apply to Each Report" button 316 is not selected. In this case, the four patterns of testing are repeatedly applied until the last page. Specifically, "Pattern A" is applied to the "Page 1" test, "Pattern B" is applied to the "Page 2" test, "Pattern C" is applied to the "Page 3" test, and "Pattern D" is applied to the "Page 4" test. Next, "Pattern A" is applied to the "Page 5" test, "Pattern B" is applied to the "Page 6" test, "Pattern C" is applied to the "Page 7" test, and "Pattern D" is applied to the "Page 8" test.

[0047] <Setting Example 3> Example 3 of the settings is the case where both the "Repeat All" button 315 and the "Apply to Each Report" button 316 are not selected, but "Pattern D" has a specified sequence of pages. Specifically, this is the case where "4-" is set as the page corresponding to "Pattern D". In this case, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1," "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2," "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3," and "Pattern D" is applied to the inspection of pages from "Page 4" onward.

[0048] <Setting Example 4> Example 4 of the settings is the case where both the "Repeat All" button 315 and the "Apply to Each Report" button 316 are not selected. However, print job 34A2 contains two reports. Therefore, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 1". Similarly, "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2". Similarly, "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3". "Pattern D" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 2", which is the fourth page in the serial numbering of print job 34A2.

[0049] Similar to Example 1, "Pattern A," "Pattern B," "Pattern C," and "Pattern D" are applied sequentially to the first four pages of the sequentially numbered report, but "Pattern D" is applied to the first page of "Report 2." If print job 34A contains invoice data for multiple individuals, the order of pages within the report should be essentially the same. Therefore, page 1 of report 1 and page 1 of report 2 should have the same layout. In this embodiment, the layout up to page 4 is common across reports. As shown in Example 4, for print job 34A2 which contains multiple reports, applying a pattern according to the sequential number from the first page of print job 34A2 results in a mismatch between the pages to be inspected and the pattern used for inspection.

[0050] <Example Configuration 5> Example 5 of the settings is one where the "Repeat All" button 315 is not selected, but the "Apply to Each Report" button 316 is selected. Therefore, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 1," "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2," and "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3." Note that "Report 1" does not have a "Page 4," so "Pattern D" is not applied.

[0051] Furthermore, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 2," "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2," "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3," and "Pattern D" is applied to the inspection of "Page 4." In the case of Example 5, "Pattern A" will be applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 1" and "Report 2," and no mismatch in the patterns used for inspection will occur. The same applies to other pages. Page numbers "1" to "3" of "Report 1" are examples of page numbers in the first group of pages, and page numbers "1" to "8" of "Report 2" are examples of page numbers in the second group of pages.

[0052] <Setting Example 6> Example 6 shows the case where the "Repeat All" button 315 is selected, but the "Apply to Each Report" button 316 is not selected. Note that the layout of "Report 2" is repeated every 4 pages. For print job 34A2, which includes two reports, the pattern is applied according to the sequential numbering from the first page of print job 34A2. Specifically, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 1". Similarly, "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2". Similarly, "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3". "Pattern D" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 2".

[0053] Furthermore, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2" of "Report 2," "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3," "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 4," and "Pattern D" is applied to the inspection of "Page 5." Furthermore, "Pattern A" was applied to the inspection on "Page 6" of "Report 2," "Pattern B" was applied to the inspection on "Page 7," and "Pattern C" was applied to the inspection on "Page 8." This means that each page of "Report 2" will be inspected using mismatched patterns.

[0054] <Setting Example 7> Example 7 shows the case where both the "Repeat All" button 315 and the "Apply to Each Report" button 316 are selected. Note that the layout of "Report 2" is repeated every 4 pages. Therefore, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 1," "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2," and "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3."

[0055] Similarly, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 2," "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2," and "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3." In addition, "Pattern D" is applied to the inspection of "Page 4" of "Report 2." From here on, "Pattern A," "Pattern B," "Pattern C," and "Pattern D" are applied to each page in order. Therefore, there will be no mismatch in the patterns used for testing.

[0056] <Example Configuration 8> Example 8 shows the case where both the "Repeat All" button 315 and the "Apply to Each Report" button 316 are not selected. However, it differs from Example 4 (see Figure 9) in that "Pattern D" specifies consecutive pages. Note that the layout of pages 4 onwards of "Report 2" is assumed to be the same. Therefore, the pattern is also applied to print job 34A2, which contains two reports, according to the sequential numbering from the first page of print job 34A2.

[0057] Specifically, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 1". Similarly, "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2". Similarly, "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3". "Pattern D" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 2". Furthermore, "Pattern D" is applied to the inspection of all pages from "Page 2" onward in "Report 2". This means that "Pattern D" will be applied to the inspection of all pages in "Report 2," resulting in most pages corresponding to "Report 2" being executed with a mismatched pattern.

[0058] <Example Configuration 9> Example 9 shows the case where the "Repeat All" button 315 is not selected, but the "Apply to Each Report" button 316 is selected. However, it differs from Example 5 (see Figure 9) in that "Pattern D" specifies consecutive pages. Note that the layout of pages 4 onwards of "Report 2" is assumed to be the same. Therefore, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 1," "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2," and "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3."

[0059] Similarly, "Pattern A" is applied to the inspection of "Page 1" of "Report 2," "Pattern B" is applied to the inspection of "Page 2," and "Pattern C" is applied to the inspection of "Page 3." In addition, "Pattern D" is applied to the inspection of all pages of "Report 2" from "Page 4" onward. In the example setting 9, "Report 1" has 3 pages, but if it has 4 or more pages, the same check as "Report 2" will be performed. In any case, even in print job 34A2, which includes two reports, there is no mismatch in the patterns used for inspection.

[0060] <Example Configuration 10> Example 10 shows the case where both the "Repeat All" button 315 and the "Apply to Each Report" button 316 are selected. However, the difference from Example 7 (see Figure 10) is that the number of copies to print differs for each report. Note that the layout of "Report 2" is repeated every 4 pages. In this case, the inspection device 30 obtains the print quantity setting for each report through analysis of the print job 34A (see Figure 2). If there are differences in the print quantity between reports, the inspection device 30 manages the patterns used for inspection according to the print quantity of the report, using sequential numbers starting from the first page of the corresponding report.

[0061] In the example setting 10, there are instructions for 2 copies of "Report 1" and 3 copies of "Report 2". Even in this case, as long as the "Apply per report" button 316 is selected, it becomes possible to apply "Pattern A" to "Page 1" of "Report 2". Furthermore, if the "Apply to each report" button 316 is not selected, "Pattern D" will be applied to "Page 1" of "Report 2," as shown in setting example 6 (see Figure 10), and the correct test results cannot be obtained.

[0062] <Summary> As described above, in the inspection device 30 (see Figure 1) described in this embodiment, it is possible to set the pattern used for inspecting printed materials to be applied to each report. Therefore, even in a print job 34A2 (see Figure 2) with multiple reports, the settings for the correspondence between patterns and pages can be applied commonly to all reports. In other words, the inspection device 30 described in this embodiment can also be used to inspect printed materials in which pages with the same layout appear at irregular intervals.

[0063] <Other Embodiments> (1) Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It is clear from the claims that embodiments with various modifications or improvements made to those described above are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0064] (2) In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 20 and the inspection apparatus 30 are in separate housings. However, the image forming apparatus 20 and the inspection apparatus 30 may be integrated into a single unit.

[0065] (3) In the embodiments described above, the management server 10 was described as an independent device. However, the management server 10 may be integrated with the image forming apparatus 20 or with the inspection apparatus 30.

[0066] (4) The printed material inspection system 1 in the above-described embodiment may be implemented by a single device or by multiple devices.

[0067] (5) In the embodiments described above, each process is performed on any computer. Furthermore, any computer may perform these processes using a processor as hardware, a program as software, or a combination thereof. In that case, the processor is configured to work with the program to perform various processes in the embodiment, and can also function as a unit or means in the embodiment.

[0068] Furthermore, the order in which the processor executes the processes is not limited to the order described and may be changed as appropriate. Any computer may be a general-purpose computer, a computer designed for a specific purpose, a workstation, or any other system capable of performing each process. A processor may consist of one or more hardware components, and the type of hardware is not limited. For example, a processor may consist of a CPU (=Central Processing Unit), an MPU (=Micro Processing Unit), a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (=Field Programmable Gate Array), a dedicated circuit for performing specific processing such as an ASIC (=Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (=Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (=Neural Processing Unit).

[0069] Furthermore, the hardware may be a combination of different types of hardware. When multiple hardware components are configured to execute one or more processes of a processor, these components may reside in physically separate devices or in the same device. Also, in any embodiment, the order of each process performed by the processor is not limited to the order described above and may be changed as appropriate. The hardware is composed of electrical circuits, etc., which are combinations of circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0070] Furthermore, the program may be firmware or software such as microcode. Alternatively, the program may be, for example, a group of program modules, each of which may be implemented by a processor configured to perform its respective function. The program may also be program code or multiple code segments stored in one or more non-temporary computer-readable media (e.g., storage media or other storage devices).

[0071] A program may be divided and stored on multiple non-temporary computer-readable media located on devices that are physically separated from each other. Program code or code segments may represent any combination of procedures, functions, subprograms, routines, subroutines, modules, software packages, classes, or instructions, data structures, or program statements. Program code or code segments may be connected to other code segments or hardware circuits by sending and receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. This invention can also be applied to programs and program products.

[0072] <Note> (((1))) An information processing system comprising a processor, the processor acquires correspondence information that associates page numbers assigned to image data with regions within the image data, acquires scan data obtained by reading a printed document, and, if the scan data includes a first group of pages and a second group of pages, sets regions to be inspected in the scan images included in the first group of pages based on the page numbers in the first group of pages assigned to the scan images included in the first group of pages and the correspondence information, and sets regions to be inspected in the scan images included in the second group of pages based on the page numbers in the second group of pages assigned to the scan images included in the second group of pages and the correspondence information. (((2))) The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein the processor obtains the setting of the number of copies to print for at least one of the first group of pages or the second group of pages, and sets an area to perform inspection in the scanned image included in at least one of the first group of pages or the second group of pages based on the obtained setting of the number of copies to print. (((3))) The information processing system according to (((2))), wherein the processor sets an area in the scanned image included in the scanned data to perform inspection, based on the page number in the scanned data and the corresponding information assigned to the scanned image included in the scanned data, if the scanned data does not include a first group of pages and a second group of pages. (((4))) The information processing system according to (((1))), wherein the processor sets an area in the scanned image to be inspected in the scanned image included in the scanned data, based on the page number in the scanned data assigned to the scanned image included in the scanned data and the corresponding information, if the scanned data does not include a first group of pages and a second group of pages. (((5))) An information processing system having a processor, the processor acquires correspondence information that associates page numbers assigned to image data with regions within the image data, acquires scan data obtained by reading a printed document and including a first group of pages and a second group of pages, accepts user input, and when setting regions to perform inspection in the scan images included in the scan data, the system determines whether to set regions to perform inspection based on the page numbers in the scan data and the correspondence information, or based on the page numbers in the first group of pages or the second group of pages and the correspondence information, depending on the input received from the user. (((6))) The information processing system described in any one of (((1))) to (((5))) is such that the print job corresponding to the aforementioned printed material is a print job in data stream format, a print job combining multiple print jobs, a print job involving paper switching based on data delimiters, or a print job of a document file containing a bookmark structure. (((7))) A program for a computer to implement the following functions: a function to acquire correspondence information that associates page numbers assigned to image data with regions within said image data; a function to acquire scan data obtained by reading a printed document; and, if the scan data includes a first group of pages and a second group of pages, a function to set regions to be inspected in the scan images included in the first group of pages based on the page numbers in the first group of pages assigned to the scan images included in the first group of pages and the correspondence information; and a function to set regions to be inspected in the scan images included in the second group of pages based on the page numbers in the second group of pages assigned to the scan images included in the second group of pages and the correspondence information.

[0073] The inspection device described in (((1))) allows for setting inspection areas for printed materials where pages with the same layout appear at irregular intervals, unlike the case where the pattern of the inspection area used for inspecting printed materials is switched only by sequential numbering from the first page of the printed material. According to the inspection device related to (((2))), the number of copies to print can be set for each data segment included in the print job. According to the inspection device described in (((3))), it is possible to inspect printed materials even when they do not contain multiple groups of pages. The inspection device described in (((4))) makes it possible to inspect printed materials even when they do not contain multiple pages. The inspection device described in (((5))) allows for setting inspection areas for printed materials where pages with the same layout appear at irregular intervals, unlike the case where the pattern of the inspection area used for inspecting printed materials is switched only by sequential numbering from the first page of the printed material. The inspection device described in (((6))) enables the inspection of printed materials that correspond to various print jobs, including those with separators. According to the program described in (((7))), unlike the case where the pattern of the inspection area used for inspecting printed materials is switched only by sequential numbering from the first page of the printed material, it is possible to set the inspection area for printed materials in which pages with the same layout appear at irregular intervals. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 1…Print inspection system, 10…Management server, 20…Image forming apparatus, 30…Inspection apparatus, 40…Network

Claims

1. It has a processor, The aforementioned processor, We obtain correspondence information that associates the page number assigned to the image data with the region within that image data. By scanning printed materials, we obtain scanned data. If the scanned data includes a first group of pages and a second group of pages, Based on the page number in the first group of pages assigned to the scanned image in the first group of pages and the corresponding information, a region to be inspected is set in the scanned image in the first group of pages. Based on the page number in the second group of pages assigned to the scanned image in the second group of pages and the corresponding information, a region to be inspected is set in the scanned image in the second group of pages. Information processing system.

2. The aforementioned processor, The setting for the number of copies to print is obtained for at least one of the first group of pages or the second group of pages. Based on the acquired setting of the number of copies to print, a region to be inspected is set in the scanned image included in at least one of the first group of pages or the second group of pages. The information processing system according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned processor, If the scan data does not include the first group of pages and the second group of pages, Based on the page number in the scan data and the corresponding information assigned to the scan image included in the scan data, an area to be inspected is set in the scan image included in the scan data. The information processing system according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned processor, If the scan data does not include the first group of pages and the second group of pages, Based on the page number in the scan data and the corresponding information assigned to the scan image included in the scan data, an area to be inspected is set in the scan image included in the scan data. The information processing system according to claim 1.

5. It has a processor, The aforementioned processor, We obtain correspondence information that associates the page number assigned to the image data with the region within that image data. Obtain scan data obtained by reading a printed document, which includes a first set of pages and a second set of pages. Accepting user input, When setting the area to be inspected in the scanned image included in the scan data, the method of setting the area to be inspected based on the page number in the scan data and the corresponding information, or based on the page number in the first group of pages or the second group of pages and the corresponding information, is determined according to the input of the user received. Information processing system.

6. The print job corresponding to the aforementioned printed material is a print job in data stream format, a print job combining multiple print jobs, a print job involving paper switching based on data delimiters, or a print job of a document file containing a bookmark structure. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. On the computer, A function to obtain correspondence information that associates the page number assigned to the image data with the region within that image data, A function to obtain scanned data by reading printed materials, When the scan data includes a first group of pages and a second group of pages, the function sets an area to be inspected in the scan images included in the first group of pages based on the page number in the first group of pages assigned to the scan images included in the first group of pages and the corresponding information, and sets an area to be inspected in the scan images included in the second group of pages based on the page number in the second group of pages assigned to the scan images included in the second group of pages and the corresponding information, A program to achieve this.

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