Information processing device, program, and information processing system

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus that can compare results of evaluation made with a plurality of determination methods by which an image can be evaluated.SOLUTION: The above-mentioned problem is solved by an information processing apparatus having: a plurality of evaluation units that can evaluate an image created by a printer simulator; a setting unit that receives, from a user, settings of one or more evaluation units used for evaluation of the image; a control unit that causes the one or more evaluation units the settings of which have been received to make an evaluation of the image; and a display control unit that displays results of evaluation made by the one or more evaluation units.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] There are cases where it is necessary to determine whether two images are the same. For example, in fields such as commercial printing that require high-quality printouts, users may want to evaluate whether printouts of the same image quality can be obtained even if the printer driver is changed due to an upgrade or the like. Also, a PDL module (Printer Description Language) that performs rendering runs on the image forming device such as a printer, and the PDL module may also be upgraded. In this case, users may want to evaluate whether printouts of the same image quality can be obtained.

[0003] Such evaluation work has traditionally been performed visually, but a technology to automate this has been devised (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 describes how a host computer sends a print job and setting values ​​to an image forming device to be evaluated, the image forming device creates image data based on the print job and setting values ​​and sends it to the host computer, and the host computer compares the stored image data created by the printer of the previous version with the image data created by the image forming device to be evaluated to evaluate the image forming device to be evaluated. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, when there are multiple evaluation methods available for evaluating an image, there is a problem in that it is difficult to compare the evaluation results obtained by the respective evaluation methods for evaluation.

[0005] An object of the embodiment of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of comparing evaluation results according to a plurality of evaluation methods capable of evaluating an image. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present application provides a printer simulator generated by For printing of source and target Image In comparison Multiple evaluation parts that can be evaluated and A comparison source OS, a printer driver, and a PDL module, and a comparison target OS, a printer driver, and a PDL module, The above For printing of source and target One or more evaluation elements used to evaluate the image and an evaluation file, A setting unit that accepts settings of Executing the printer simulator of the OS, printer driver, and PDL module of the comparison source that received the settings in a virtual machine to generate an image for the print processing of the comparison source of the evaluation file, and executing the printer simulator of the OS, printer driver, and PDL module of the comparison target that received the settings in a virtual machine to generate an image for the print processing of the comparison target of the evaluation file; The one or more evaluation units that have accepted the setting For printing of source and target The image processing device is characterized by comprising a control unit that causes evaluation of an image to be performed, and a display control unit that displays the evaluation results by the one or more evaluation units. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to compare the evaluation results of a plurality of evaluation methods capable of evaluating an image. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an outline of processing of the information processing system 100. [Diagram 2] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system 100 and a terminal device 30 according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the terminal device 30 or the information processing device 50. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is an example of a functional block diagram for explaining functions of a terminal device 30 by dividing them into blocks. [Diagram 5] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of virtual machines 61A and 61B constructed in a terminal device 30. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a diagram illustrating a flow of processing performed by a terminal device 30. FIG. [Figure 7] 4 is an image diagram of an example of a setting screen 400 displayed on the terminal device 30. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 5 is an image diagram of an example of a determination method selection screen 550. [Figure 9]FIG. 6 is an image diagram of an example of an evaluation result screen 600. [Figure 10] FIG. 7 is an image diagram of an example of a detailed evaluation result screen 700. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flow of processing performed by the terminal device 30 after the start of evaluation. FIG. [Figure 12] 13 shows an example of initial value information in which initial values ​​displayed on the setting screen 400 are registered. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a file of evaluation results. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a file of detailed evaluation results. [Figure 15] 1 is an example of a functional block diagram illustrating functions of a terminal device 30 and an information processing device 50, divided into blocks. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] <Outline of operation> In this embodiment, an information processing device that receives a user's request from a terminal device that can communicate via a network or an information processing device that accepts a user's request through keyboard operation or the like executes a printer simulator to create an image for print processing that was previously created by an image forming device. In this way, in this embodiment, even if there is no actual image forming device, the information processing device can create multiple images for print processing, and the evaluation results of multiple evaluation methods that can evaluate the images can be compared.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the processing of an information processing system 100. As shown in FIG.

[0012] (1) In the setting screen displayed by the terminal device 30, the user inputs settings related to image identity determination and presses the start button. Image identity determination is an example of image evaluation. The terminal device 30 transmits the settings related to identity determination to the information processing device 50. By performing image identity determination, the information processing device 50 can evaluate the impact of, for example, modification of a printer driver, a printer simulator, or an OS, etc.

[0013] (2) When the information processing device 50 installs the printer driver set by the user on the setting screen and the printing application calls the printer driver for the evaluation file (file that is the source of image generation), the printer driver creates a print file described in PDL (Printer Description Language). The OS and printer simulator are also set by the user on the setting screen. In addition, the printing conditions and the evaluation file may affect the image quality. (3) Normally, a print file is sent to an image forming device, and a PDL module running on the image forming device performs rendering and prints on paper. In this embodiment, the print file is not sent to an image forming device, but a printer simulator (PDL module) running on the information processing device 50 performs rendering processing. Therefore, in this embodiment, an image for print processing is created in the information processing device 50. (4) The information processing device 50 stores the created image for printing in a storage unit. The stored image for printing is compared with a source or target image for printing, which is created in the same manner, and evaluation results are generated using one or more evaluation methods.

[0014] In this way, this embodiment can generate evaluation results using multiple judgment methods that can evaluate an image without using an image forming device to evaluate the impact that differences in printer drivers, PDL modules, or OS have on an image, thereby simplifying the configuration of the information processing system 100 and reducing evaluation costs.

[0015] <Terminology> The printer simulator is software that reproduces the image processing performed by the image forming apparatus on an information processing apparatus. In this embodiment, the printer simulator has at least a PDL module and has a rendering function.

[0016] Image evaluation means inspecting whether an image meets a predetermined quality. Image evaluation includes, for example, comparing a source image with a target image, and estimating the degree of difference through the comparison. Thus, an example of image evaluation is determining whether two images are identical.

[0017] The evaluation result includes information regarding the quality of the image, and may include, for example, the degree of difference. The judgment method capable of evaluating images may include a completely identical judgment method that judges that images are not mechanically identical if there is a difference of a predetermined level or more, and an ambiguous identical judgment method that judges whether there is a difference that cannot be recognized by the human eye. Identical may also be referred to as similar. Non-identical may also be referred to as dissimilar. The judgment method capable of evaluating images may also include a judgment method that judges whether granularity is coarse or fine, whether thin lines are ignored / enabled, or whether color gamut / brightness is prioritized.

[0018] <Configuration example> Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of an example of the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment and the terminal device 30. Fig. 2(A) shows an example of the information processing system 100 according to this embodiment, and is a system configuration in which an information processing device 50, which corresponds to a server in a client-server type, determines whether two images are the same.

[0019] In the information processing system 100, the terminal device 30 and the information processing device 50 can communicate with each other via a network N. The information processing device 50 is also called a server or a server device, and is a device that mainly performs information processing on the network N and responds with information and processing results to requests received via the network N. The information processing device 50 may exist on the Internet or on-premise. In either form, the information processing system 100 may be called a cloud system. A cloud system is a system in which resources on the network N are used without being aware of specific hardware resources.

[0020] The information processing device 50, as a so-called Web server, generates screen information of a Web page to be processed (written in HTML, XML, script language, CSS (cascading style sheet), etc., and is information that is mainly analyzed and displayed by browser software) and provides it to the terminal device 30. A Web browser runs on the terminal device 30, which receives the screen information and displays the Web page. One of the Web pages has an interface that accepts settings for determining whether two images are the same. The user specifies (sets) one or more of the OS, printer driver, PDL module, etc., and requests the information processing device 50 to perform the process of determining the sameness.

[0021] The web page may be provided by a web app. A web app is software or a mechanism that runs on a browser and is operated by a program written in a programming language (e.g. JavaScript (registered trademark)) that runs on the browser and a program on the web server side in cooperation with each other. Web apps can dynamically change web pages.

[0022] Meanwhile, the terminal device 30 receives screen information from the information processing device 50, displays it on the Web browser, and accepts operations (selection operations) from the user including settings related to identity determination of two images. The Web browser running on the terminal device 30 transmits the settings related to identity determination to the information processing device 50 and requests the information processing device 50 to perform identity determination processing.

[0023] The terminal device 30 may not be a web browser, but may be an application software dedicated to the information processing system 100 that runs on the terminal device 30. The evaluation result obtained by the identity determination may be displayed on the terminal device 30, or may be sent by email from the information processing device 50 or may be stored on the network N.

[0024] 2B shows an example of the terminal device 30 according to the present embodiment, in which the terminal device 30 alone performs identity determination between two images. The terminal device 30 is a personal computer (PC), a tablet terminal, a PDA, a smartphone, an electronic whiteboard, a video conference terminal, or the like.

[0025] <Hardware configuration example> 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the terminal device 30 or the information processing device 50. Here, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 50 will be described.

[0026] The information processing device 50 is constructed by a computer and includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a HD 504, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a bus line 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0027] The CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the information processing device 50. The ROM 502 stores programs such as an IPL used to drive the CPU 501. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 504 under the control of the CPU 501.

[0028] The display 506 displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, characters, or an image. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, the external devices are, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a printer. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using a communication network. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501.

[0029] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 513 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that the recording medium is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

[0030] <Functional configuration> First, the functional blocks of the terminal device 30 in the case of Fig. 2(B) will be described. Fig. 4 is an example of a functional block diagram in which the functions of the terminal device 30 are divided into blocks and explained.

[0031] <<Terminal Device>> The terminal device 30 has a control unit 31, a printing application 32, one or more printer drivers 33, one or more printer simulators 34, one or more evaluation units 35, a setting unit 36, a management unit 37, a communication unit 38, a storage unit 39, a display control unit 40, and an operation reception unit 41. Each of these functional units of the terminal device 30 is a function or means realized by any of the components in FIG.

[0032] The communication unit 38 communicates with the outside world and transmits and receives various information. For example, the communication unit 38 sends the evaluation results of the image by email. The control unit 31 controls the entire process related to identity determination. For example, the control unit 31 manages the flow of the process based on the settings related to identity determination received from the user, and calls the necessary functions of the print application 32 and below. A control tool such as Jenkins is known as the control unit 31. The control unit 31 may also use RPA (Robotic Process Automation). RPA is a concept in which a software-type robot inside a computer substitutes for and automates desk work (mainly routine tasks).

[0033] The printing application 32 is application software that runs on the OS installed in the terminal device 30. The printing application 32 can open an evaluation file and calls the printer driver 33 to start printing the evaluation file. The printing application 32 is word processing software, web browser software, illustration software, paint software, or the like. There may be two or more printing applications 32. In the case of multiple applications, the terminal device 30 performs identity determination using different evaluation files.

[0034] Printer driver 33 is software that runs on the OS installed in terminal device 30. Printer driver 33 is essentially software that acts as an intermediary between a computer and an image forming device to allow a user to easily use the image forming device. Printer driver 33 has a function to display a user interface screen that accepts print settings (also called printing conditions) and a function to generate print data written in a PDL. Examples of PDLs include PostScript (registered trademark) and PCL (Printer Control Language). There are various other PDL formats depending on the manufacturer of the image forming device. A PDL module corresponding to each PDL runs in the image forming device.

[0035] The printer simulator 34 is software that runs on an OS installed in the terminal device 30. The printer simulator 34 performs rendering that was performed in the image forming device. The rendering may be called a RIP (Raster Image Processor) or drawing processing. The software that performs the rendering may be called a PDL module or drawing processing unit. The printer simulator 34 has one or more PDL modules. The printer simulator 34 may be included in the terminal device 30, or may exist on a network that the terminal device 30 can access.

[0036] The PDL module performs color matching and screening processes to generate images for printing for each of the colors C, M, Y, and K used by the image forming device for printing. For example, color matching is a process of converting input color (or monochrome) print data at an optimum conversion ratio for printing with the four colors C, M, Y, and K of the image forming device. Print data input from the printing application 32 may be expressed in either the RGB color space or the CMYK color space. When a general printing application 32 is used, the RGB color space is adopted.

[0037] The printer simulator 34 converts the print data in the RGB color space into a device independent color space by color matching processing, and then converts it into a device color space that matches the characteristics of the image forming device, thereby converting it into the CMYK color space. The conversion formula from RGB to C, M, Y, K may be a publicly known one, or a conversion formula optimized for the image forming device may be used.

[0038] Screening is a process that uses a pseudo-gradation expression method such as dithering to change the size and density of halftone dots to create an optical illusion and express differences in light and shade, and converts bitmap data into an image for printing that can be printed by an image forming device. In the image for printing, a value of 1 (ON: render) or 0 (OFF: not render) is set for each dot that corresponds to a pixel that is rendered as a point by laser or ink.

[0039] The evaluation unit 35 is an application module that runs on the terminal device 30. The evaluation unit 35 compares two images for printing processing that are of interest, and evaluates whether or not they can be considered to be the same. The evaluation unit 35 also generates difference information between the two images for printing processing. For example, the evaluation unit 35 compares whether or not there are the same pixels (CMYK) for each pixel position determined by the image resolution, and generates the difference information.

[0040] The setting unit 36 ​​is a setting module that operates on the terminal device 30. The setting unit 36 ​​generates a screen that accepts settings related to identity determination, such as image comparison conditions, from a user. The settings related to identity determination accepted by the setting unit 36 ​​from the user are used by the management unit 37 to control the entire process related to identity determination.

[0041] The management unit 37 manages settings related to identity determination received from the user by the setting unit 36 ​​and the evaluation results of the two images for printing processes. The management unit 37 may also manage a process of sending the image evaluation results to the user by email or a process of sending the results to the user using a chat system.

[0042] The display control unit 40 displays various screens on the display 506. For example, the display control unit 40 displays a screen that accepts settings related to identity determination such as image comparison conditions from the user, and a screen showing the image evaluation results. The operation accepting unit 41 accepts various operations for the screens displayed by the display control unit 40.

[0043] The storage unit 39 is constructed using at least one of the HD 504 and the RAM 503 shown in Fig. 3. The storage unit 39 stores images for print processing, difference information, evaluation results, and the like.

[0044] <About virtual machines> The image for print processing generated by the terminal device 30 is affected by various factors such as the OS, the printer driver 33, the PDL module, the printing conditions, or the evaluation file. Furthermore, at least with regard to the OS, it takes time for the user to replace the OS of the terminal device 30. In contrast, if a virtual machine is used, the terminal device 30 can install any guest OS while leaving the host OS running on the terminal device 30 as is. In addition, since it is possible to build multiple virtual machines on the host OS, the work involved in installing the guest OS can be reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the terminal device 30 generates an image for print processing on the virtual machine and evaluates the image for print processing.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of an example of virtual machines 61A, 61B constructed in a terminal device 30. The virtual machines 61A, 61B are information processing devices constructed in one terminal device 30 using virtualization technology and operate independently. A physical machine 65 in FIG. 5 corresponds to the original hardware configuration of the terminal device 30 shown in FIG. 3. A host OS 64 is an OS that runs directly on the terminal device 30. Virtualization software 63 runs on the host OS 64. The virtualization software 63 uses virtualization technology and is software that emulates hardware for the virtual machines 61A, 61B. For example, the virtualization software 63 includes VMware (registered trademark), Microsoft Virtual PC (registered trademark), etc.

[0046] The guest OS 62 is a general OS, and in this embodiment, it is one of the factors that affect images for print processing. From the perspective of the guest OS 62, the virtualization software 63 appears simply as an information processing device. For this reason, the virtual machines 61A, 61B operate independently of the host OS 64 and other virtual machines. Therefore, the same printing application 32, PDL module, and printer driver 33 as normal ones can be used. Note that the virtual machine shown in the figure is called a host type, but a hypervisor type virtual machine may also be used.

[0047] <Overall process flow> Next, the overall flow of processing performed by the terminal device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the flow of processing performed by the terminal device 30. As shown in Fig. 6, the terminal device 30 generates an image for a print process to be compared and an image for a print process to be compared under specified evaluation conditions, and evaluates the images. Note that not all of the processing in Fig. 6 is necessarily performed in one identity determination. For example, if an image for a print process to be compared or compared has been generated, image generation is not necessary, and if the printer driver 33 has already been installed, installation is not necessary.

[0048] In step S10, the user specifies evaluation conditions on a setting screen (described later) displayed on the terminal device 30. The evaluation conditions specified in step S10 include the printer driver 33, printing conditions, OS, evaluation file, PDL module, printer model, judgment method, result notification method, etc. Based on the evaluation conditions specified in step S10, the control unit 31 of the terminal device 30 starts evaluating the image.

[0049] In step S12, the control unit 31 starts the OSs (the comparison source OS and the comparison target OS) to be used for the evaluation specified as the evaluation conditions in step S10 on the virtual machine as guest OSs 62. If the OSs are already running, they do not need to be started.

[0050] In step S14, the control unit 31 installs the comparison source or comparison target printer driver 33 designated as an evaluation condition in step S10 in the corresponding comparison source guest OS 62 or comparison target guest OS 62. At this time, the storage unit 39 is designated as the print destination port. Note that in the case of an already installed printer driver 33, installation is not necessary.

[0051] In step S16, the control unit 31 launches the printing application 32 as the source or target of comparison for the evaluation file specified as the evaluation conditions in step S10. In step S18, the printing application 32 as the source or target of comparison prints the evaluation file to the storage unit 39 under the printing conditions specified in step S10, and stores the generated print data of the source or target of comparison in the storage unit 39. In this way, the printing application 32 as the source or target of comparison generates the print data of the source or target of comparison based on the evaluation conditions specified in step S10.

[0052] In step S20, the control unit 31 starts the printer simulator 34 of the PDL module of the comparison source or comparison target specified as the evaluation condition in step S10. In step S22, the printer simulator 34 of the comparison source or comparison target performs RIP processing (rendering processing) on ​​the print data of the comparison source or comparison target generated in step S18, and saves it in the storage unit 39 as image data of the comparison source or comparison target (image for print processing). The image for print processing is created in, for example, png format. The image for print processing may be created in other formats such as JPEG, Tiff, etc. by the user modifying the initial setting file described later.

[0053] For example, the control unit 31 generates an image for a comparison source print process in the first processing of steps S14 to S22, and generates an image for a comparison target print process in the second processing of steps S14 to S22. In step S24, the control unit 31 checks whether an image for a comparison target print process is stored in the storage unit 39.

[0054] If the image for the print process to be compared is not saved, the control unit 31 returns to the process of steps S14 to S22 for the second time of generating the image for the print process to be compared. If the image for the print process to be compared is saved, the control unit 31 selects in step S26 the determination method specified as the evaluation condition in step S10.

[0055] In this embodiment, the user can specify multiple judgment methods (image comparison methods) that can evaluate the images (image data) for printing of the comparison source and comparison target. The flowchart in Fig. 6 shows an example in which judgment method A, judgment method B, and judgment method C are specified as evaluation conditions, and the images for printing of the comparison source and comparison target are compared using the three judgment methods to create an evaluation result.

[0056] For example, in step S28, the control unit 31 uses determination method A to compare the images for printing process of the comparison source and comparison target, and creates an evaluation result. In step S30, the control unit 31 uses determination method B to compare the images for printing process of the comparison source and comparison target, and creates an evaluation result. Also, in step S32, the control unit 31 uses determination method C to compare the images for printing process of the comparison source and comparison target, and creates an evaluation result.

[0057] In step S34, the control unit 31 notifies the management unit 37 of the evaluation results created in steps S28 to S32. The management unit 37 collects and stores in the storage unit 39 the evaluation results created in steps S28 to S32.

[0058] In step S36, the management unit 37 notifies the user that the evaluation based on the comparison of the source and target images for printing processing has been completed, and notifies the user of the evaluation results, for example, by displaying them on the display 506 or by sending an email. For example, the email sent to the user may include the evaluation results, or may include a URL where the evaluation results are saved.

[0059] In FIG. 6, the generation of an image for a comparison-source print process and the generation of an image for a comparison-target print process are executed in sequence, but the two may be executed in parallel to reduce the time required.

[0060] <Settings screen> Fig. 7 is an image diagram of an example of a setting screen 400 displayed by the terminal device 30. The initial values ​​displayed on the setting screen 400 are held by the control unit 31. Fig. 12 shows an example of initial value information in which the initial values ​​displayed on the setting screen 400 are registered. For example, the initial value information in Fig. 12 is saved in a file called "c: / setting.ini". "#Image Comparison Tool Default Setting":The title of this file. "Image Format": The image format (file format) for printing. "Output Folder": The address of the destination to which images for printing are output. "Work Folder": A folder for temporarily storing print data or evaluation files. "Comparison": The comparison method is set to either exact match or fuzzy match. "E-mail": The email address to which the evaluation results will be sent.

[0061] The control unit 31 notifies the setting unit 36 ​​of the initial value information in FIG. 12, so that the setting unit 36 ​​can generate a setting screen 400 in which the initial values ​​are set.

[0062] Returning to Fig. 7, the description will continue. The setting screen 400 in Fig. 7 has a comparison source field 401, a comparison target field 405, and other setting fields. The items in the comparison source field 401 and the comparison target field 405 are the same. · OS402, 406...Guest OS is set. Printer Driver 403, 407...The printer driver 33 is set. PDL 404, 408...PDL modules (rendering processing units) are set. When the PDL modules are set, the printer simulator 34 is also set.

[0063] In the comparison source field 401 in FIG. 7, it is set that "64-bit version of Windows 10 (registered trademark)" is to be used for the OS 402. It is set that the package "C: / Driver / x64 / postscript_1.00" is to be used for the Printer Driver 403. Furthermore, it is set that the PDL module "C: / PDL / Postscript_1.00" is to be used for the PDL 404.

[0064] In the comparison target field 405 in FIG. 7, the use of "32-bit version of Windows 10 (registered trademark)" is set for OS 406. The use of the package "C: / Driver / x64 / postscript_1.00" is set for Printer Driver 407. Furthermore, the use of "C: / PDL / Postscript_1.00" is set for PDL 408.

[0065] Next, the items in the Other Settings section will be described. Evaluation file field 409: This is a field in which the file name of the evaluation file used to evaluate the image is set. The user can set multiple evaluation files. The user can also set files that can be sent directly to the image forming device without needing the print application 32, such as prn files and PDF files. The user can also directly specify image data such as png, jpeg, tiff, and bmp. Result save destination column 410: This column sets the save destination of the evaluation result. The evaluation result may be in a format such as a csv file, text file, or XML file. The evaluation result save destination saves not only the evaluation result, but also the images for print processing of the comparison source and comparison target, and difference information between the two images. The evaluation result saves an image RIP-processed under the conditions set in the comparison source column 401 and comparison target column 405, and the evaluation (comparison) result of that image.

[0066] 7 is a difference in the OS, it is possible to evaluate whether there are any differences in images between the OSs. Also, if the OS and printer driver 33 are set to the same in the comparison source column 401 and the comparison target column 405 and the PDL module is changed, it is also possible to evaluate the PDL module. Also, if the OS and PDL module are set to the same in the comparison source column 401 and the comparison target column 405 and the printer driver 33 is changed, it is also possible to evaluate the printer driver 33.

[0067] In the setting screen 400 of FIG. 7, the conditions to be set in the comparison source column 401 and the comparison target column 405 are shown as examples of the OS, the printer driver 33, and the PDL module, but it is also possible to extend the conditions by setting the printing application to be used, for example. Printing condition field 411: This is a field for setting a setting file that specifies printing conditions for the printer driver 33. This makes it possible to specify, for example, aggregate printing, color management, and the like in the printing condition field 411. Notification destination field 412: For example, an email address to which the evaluation result is to be notified is set. The email address to which the evaluation result is to be notified can also be used in the event of a failure. Multiple email addresses may be set. Also, the notification destination field 412 may be set with a chat system account of the user. This allows the terminal device 30 to use the chat system to transmit the evaluation result.

[0068] Furthermore, the user can select a judgment method by pressing judgment method selection button 413 to display judgment method selection screen 550 of Fig. 8 on display 506. The user can start evaluation of the comparison source and comparison target images by pressing start button 420. Furthermore, when the user presses cancel button 421, the settings on setting screen 400 are canceled and the screen transitions from setting screen 400 to, for example, a portal screen. Note that setting screen 400 shown in Fig. 7 is only an example, and other conditions such as evaluation start (reservation) time and evaluation priority level may be set in addition to the conditions described above.

[0069] <<Judgment method selection screen>> Fig. 8 is an image diagram of an example of a judgment method selection screen 550. The judgment method selection screen 550 is a screen displayed by pressing the judgment method selection button 413 in Fig. 7, and is a user interface that allows the user to set a judgment method (image judgment method) that can be used depending on the contract (contract details) with the user and other conditions. In the judgment method selection screen 550 in Fig. 8, the user can select a perfect match judgment that compares the image data to be compared with the image data to be compared and determines whether all pixels match perfectly, or image judgment methods A to D that allow a certain degree of difference.

[0070] The free course field 551 is a field for setting the judgment method for the free course, and shows the judgment method for the free course that anyone can use. Check box 552 is used to set exact match judgment as the judgment method used to evaluate the image data. Check box 553 is used to set image judgment method A as the judgment method used to evaluate the image data. The free course field 551 in Figure 8 shows an example in which exact match judgment and image judgment method A are set as the judgment methods used to evaluate the image data.

[0071] Paid course 1 column 554 is a column for a user who has subscribed to paid course 1 to set a judgment method, and shows the judgment methods of paid course 1 that can be used by users who have subscribed to paid course 1. For example, the contract is judged based on a login ID or the like. FIG. 8 shows an example in which a user has subscribed to paid course 1, and image judgment method B and image judgment method C displayed in paid course 1 column 554 can be set using check boxes 555 and 556. Paid course 1 column 554 in FIG. 8 shows an example in which image judgment method B is set as the judgment method used to evaluate image data, and image judgment method C is not set.

[0072] Paid course 2 field 557 is a field for a user who has subscribed to paid course 2 to set a judgment method, and shows the judgment methods of paid course 2 that can be used by a user who has subscribed to paid course 2. Fig. 8 is an example in which a user has not subscribed to paid course 2, and image judgment method D displayed in paid course 2 field 557 is grayed out, and image judgment method D cannot be set using check box 558.

[0073] When the user presses the OK button 560, the determination method set on the determination method selection screen 550 is saved. When the user presses the cancel button 561, the setting on the determination method selection screen 550 is canceled and the screen transitions to the setting screen 400.

[0074] <Example of evaluation results> FIG. 9 is an image diagram of an example of the evaluation result screen 600. The evaluation result screen 600 shows a tab 601 showing the evaluation result of the judgment method of perfect match judgment set in the judgment method selection screen 550 of FIG. 8, a tab 602 showing the evaluation result of the judgment method of image judgment method A, and a tab 603 showing the evaluation result of the judgment method of image judgment method B. In addition, the evaluation result screen 600 is an example in which a tab 604 showing the evaluation result of the judgment method of image judgment method C not set in the judgment method selection screen 550 of FIG. 8 and a tab 605 showing the evaluation result of the judgment method of image judgment method D are grayed out. The user can refer to the evaluation result by the judgment method of perfect match judgment by selecting the tab 601. In addition, the user can refer to the evaluation result by the judgment method of image judgment method A by selecting the tab 602. In addition, the user can refer to the evaluation result by the judgment method of image judgment method B by selecting the tab 603.

[0075] The evaluation result screen 600 also has an evaluation file display field 606, a page designation field 607, and an evaluation file selection field 608. The evaluation file selection field 608 is a field where the user selects which evaluation file to open from among the evaluation files used in the evaluation. Fig. 9 shows that the first of two evaluation files has been selected.

[0076] The evaluation file display field 606 is a field that displays the file name of the currently selected evaluation file. The page designation field 607 is a field that allows the user to select which page of the currently selected evaluation file the image of which is to be displayed.

[0077] The evaluation result screen 600 also has a comparison source image field 609, a comparison target image field 610, and a difference information field 611. The comparison source image field 609 displays an image (image data) for printing processing to be compared of the page specified in the page specification field 607 of the evaluation file selected in the evaluation file selection field 608. The comparison target image field 610 displays image data to be compared of the page specified in the page specification field 607 of the evaluation file selected in the evaluation file selection field 608.

[0078] The difference information field 611 displays image data showing the difference between the image data of the comparison source and the image data of the comparison target as difference information. In the difference information field 611, the parts where there is a difference between the image data of the comparison source and the image data of the comparison target are displayed in an emphasized color such as red. Note that the color may be changed in the difference information field 611, for example, so that slight differences that are not completely identical are displayed in black, and differences that are not ambiguously identical are displayed in red. The comparison source image field 609, the comparison target image field 610, and the difference information field 611 may display images by CMYK.

[0079] The evaluation result screen 600 also has three enlargement buttons 612, 613, and 614. The three enlargement buttons 612, 613, and 614 are buttons for enlarging and displaying the comparison source image data, the comparison target image data, and the difference information, respectively, and when the user presses one of them, each image is enlarged and displayed in a separate window.

[0080] Furthermore, the evaluation result screen 600 has an evaluation result field 615, a details button 616, and an exit button 617. The evaluation result field 615 displays the evaluation result such as match or mismatch. The details button 616 is a button for displaying detailed evaluation results. The exit button 617 is a button for closing the evaluation result screen 600.

[0081] 10 is an image diagram of an example of a detailed evaluation result screen 700. The detailed evaluation result screen 700 displays the details of the evaluation result. Contents 701 include the evaluation date, evaluation start time, evaluation executor, evaluation file, comparison source data (file name of the generated image for the comparison source print process), comparison target data (file name of the generated image for the comparison target print process), difference data (file name of the difference information), evaluation result (file name of the evaluation result), evaluation method, result, and details of the differences.

[0082] The comparison source data (the file name of the image for the print process of the comparison source) includes the file name of the evaluation target (J9.doc), the fact that it is the comparison source (org), and the page number (1). The same is true for the comparison target data and the difference data.

[0083] In addition, the evaluation result file contains the evaluation results for each page of all evaluation files. The contents of the evaluation result file "Resut_201909112200.csv" shown in Figure 10 are shown in Figure 13, which will be described later.

[0084] The details of the differences are shown numerically as difference information. As shown in the figure, it has the number of difference locations, area, screen occupancy, and coordinates (x coordinate, y coordinate). The number of difference locations is the number when consecutive pixels (difference locations) that are determined to have a difference are counted as one, the area is the number of pixels in the difference locations, the screen occupancy rate of the difference locations is the area / total number of pixels, and the coordinates are the top left coordinates of the difference locations.

[0085] The copy button 702 is a button for the user to copy the contents of the detailed evaluation result to the clipboard. The exit button 703 is a button for the user to close the detailed evaluation result screen 700.

[0086] The content shown in FIG. 10 is merely an example, and other details of the evaluation results created by the evaluation unit 35 can be displayed as necessary.

[0087] <Processing after evaluation begins> Next, a flow of processing performed by the terminal device 30 after the start of evaluation will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of a flow of processing performed by the terminal device 30 after the start of evaluation.

[0088] In step S100, the terminal device 30 accepts an evaluation start instruction from a user via a management tool or the like. In step S102, the terminal device 30 starts the OS specified on the setting screen 400 as the guest OS 62 on the virtual machine, and installs the printer driver 33 specified on the setting screen 400. The terminal device 30 also starts the printing application 32 for the evaluation file specified on the setting screen 400. The printing application 32 prints the evaluation file (generates print data to be compared or to be compared) under the printing conditions specified in step S10.

[0089] The terminal device 30 starts the printer simulator 34 of the PDL module specified on the setting screen 400. The printer simulator 34 performs RIP processing (rendering processing) on ​​the print data of the comparison source and comparison target. In step S104, the terminal device 30 stores the image data of the comparison source and comparison target (images for print processing) in the storage unit 39.

[0090] When the comparison source and comparison target image data are prepared, the terminal device 30 starts evaluation (image judgment) of the comparison source and comparison target image data in step S106. In step S108, the terminal device 30 selects the judgment method (image judgment method) specified as the evaluation condition on the setting screen 400.

[0091] In steps S110 to S114, the terminal device 30 evaluates the comparison source and comparison target image data for each judgment method selected in step S108, and stores the evaluation results in the storage unit 39. In step S116, the terminal device 30 notifies the user that the evaluation of the comparison source and comparison target image data has been completed, and the evaluation results, for example, by displaying them on the display 506 or by sending an email. The notification to the user may include a statement that each process failed.

[0092] <<Evaluation results by page>> Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a file of the evaluation result. The file of the evaluation result is saved as a file with a unique name in the save destination (folder) set in the result save destination field 410. For example, in the example of the contents 701 in Fig. 10, it is saved with a file name in csv format called "Resut_201909112200.csv".

[0093] The contents of the file "Resut_201909112200.csv" which saves the evaluation results of the 5-page evaluation file "J9.doc" and the 8-page evaluation file "J11.ppt" set in the evaluation file field 409, may be as shown in Figure 13, for example.

[0094] The contents of the evaluation result file in Figure 13 are listed, from left to right, in the columns: evaluation date, evaluation start time, evaluation performer, evaluation file, page number, image of the page in the comparison source settings, image of the page in the evaluation target settings, difference image of the page, exact match judgment result, judgment result of image judgment method A, judgment result of image judgment method B, judgment result of image judgment method C, judgment result of image judgment method D, and integrated judgment result of exact match judgment result to image judgment method D.

[0095] According to the contents of the evaluation result file in Figure 13, evaluation of the evaluation file "J9.doc" began at 22:00 on September 11, 2019. The first page does not match completely, but matches using judgment method A and also matches using judgment method B, resulting in an overall judgment result of match. Judgment methods C and D are not set, so there is no result. The second page does not match completely, but matches using judgment method A and does not match using judgment method B, resulting in an overall judgment result of mismatch. Judgment methods C and D are not set, so there is no result. The image data of the output results created by the evaluation process using each judgment method is saved as a file listed in the evaluation result.

[0096] Furthermore, in order to display the detailed evaluation result screen 700 of FIG. 10, detailed evaluation results are also saved for each individual evaluation file as shown in FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a detailed evaluation result file. The detailed evaluation result file is saved as a file with a unique name in the save destination set in the result save destination field 410. For example, in the example of contents 701 of FIG. 10, the evaluation result of the evaluation file "C: / Sample / J9.doc" is saved with the file name "C: / Output / J9.doc.log.xml".

[0097] The contents of the evaluation result file may look something like that shown in Figure 14. As shown in Figure 14, the evaluation result file stores the evaluation results for each assessment method. Note that while the above example uses XML format, any format is acceptable as long as it is separated by file name and page and the items are extensible.

[0098] In addition, the judgment method that can be set by the user in this embodiment may include a judgment method that performs judgment by machine learning. In the judgment method that performs judgment by machine learning, a learning model may be constructed using a neural network (deep learning) or the like from a sufficient number of human evaluation results of matches or mismatches for machine learning. When learning is completed, the learning model can output matches or mismatches close to the human evaluation results.

[0099] Machine learning is a technology for making a computer acquire a human-like learning ability, and refers to a technology in which a computer autonomously generates an algorithm required for data identification, etc. from learning data that is previously captured, and applies this to new data to make predictions. The learning method for machine learning may be any of supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, reinforcement learning, and deep learning. Furthermore, the learning method for machine learning may be a combination of these learning methods, and any learning method for machine learning is acceptable. Machine learning methods include perceptrons, deep learning, support vector machines, logistic regression, naive Bayes, decision trees, random forests, and the like, and are not limited to the methods described in this embodiment.

[0100] <About other functional configurations> The above describes the functional blocks of the terminal device 30 in the case of Fig. 2(B). The functional blocks in the case of Fig. 2(A) are configured, for example, as shown in Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is an example of a functional block diagram in which the functions of the terminal device 30 and the information processing device 50 are divided into blocks and explained.

[0101] <<Information processing devices>> The information processing device 50 has a control unit 51, a printing application 52, one or more printer drivers 53, one or more printer simulators 54, one or more evaluation units 55, a screen information generating unit 56, a management unit 57, a first communication unit 58, and a storage unit 59. Each of these functional units of the information processing device 50 is a function or means realized by any of the components in FIG.

[0102] The first communication unit 58 communicates with the terminal device 30 and transmits and receives various information. For example, the first communication unit 58 receives settings related to identity determination from the terminal device 30 and transmits the evaluation result. The first communication unit 58 may transmit the evaluation result by email. The control unit 51 controls the entire process related to identity determination. For example, the control unit 51 manages the flow of the process based on settings related to identity determination received from the user, and calls the necessary functions of the print application 52 and below. A control tool such as Jenkins is known as the control unit 51. The control unit 51 may also use RPA (Robotic Process Automation).

[0103] The printing application 52 is application software that runs on the OS installed in the information processing device 50. The printing application 52 is an application that can open an evaluation file and calls a printer driver 53 to start printing the evaluation file.

[0104] The printer driver 53 is software that runs on the OS installed in the information processing device 50. The printer simulator 54 is software that runs on the OS installed in the information processing device 50. The printer simulator 54 performs rendering that was executed in the image forming device. Note that the printer simulator 54 may be included in the information processing device 50, or may exist on the network N that the information processing device 50 can access.

[0105] The evaluation unit 55 is an application module that operates on the information processing device 50. The evaluation unit 55 compares two images for printing processing of interest and evaluates whether or not they can be regarded as the same. The evaluation unit 55 also generates difference information between the two images for printing processing.

[0106] The screen information generating unit 56 generates screen information for a screen displayed by the terminal device 30 as a Web server. In this embodiment, the screen information is mainly generated for a screen that accepts settings related to identity determination from a user. The settings related to identity determination accepted by the screen information generating unit 56 from a user are used by the control unit 51 to control the entire process related to identity determination. The management unit 57 manages the settings related to identity determination accepted by the screen information generating unit 56 from a user and the evaluation results of the images for the two print processes. The management unit 57 may also manage a process of sending the image evaluation results to a user by email or a process of sending the results to a user using a chat system.

[0107] The storage unit 59 is constructed using at least one of the HD 504 and the RAM 503 shown in Fig. 3. The storage unit 59 stores images for print processing, difference information, evaluation results, and the like.

[0108] <<Terminal Device>> The terminal device 30 has a second communication unit 71, a display control unit 72, and an operation receiving unit 73. Each of these functional units of the terminal device 30 is a function realized by any of the components shown in Fig. 3 operating in response to an instruction from the CPU 501 in accordance with a program for the terminal device 30 loaded from the HD 504 onto the RAM 503. Such a program for the terminal device 30 is assumed to be, for example, a Web browser.

[0109] The second communication unit 71 transmits and receives various information to and from the information processing device 50. For example, the second communication unit 71 requests various Web pages through HTTP communication and transmits to the information processing device 50 various operation contents for the Web pages.

[0110] The display control unit 72 analyzes various types of screen information received from the information processing device 50 and displays it on the display 506. The display control unit 72 displays a screen for accepting settings related to identity determination such as image comparison conditions from the user and a screen showing the image evaluation results. The operation accepting unit 73 accepts various operations on the screens displayed by the display control unit 72.

[0111] <Major Effects> As described above, the terminal device 30 or information processing system 100 of this embodiment does not use an image forming device to evaluate the impact that differences in printer drivers, PDL modules, or OS have on an image, but completes the evaluation through simulation, making it possible to prepare multiple evaluation environments at low cost.

[0112] Therefore, according to this embodiment, an evaluation environment capable of evaluating images using a plurality of evaluation methods can be prepared at low cost, and evaluation results using the plurality of evaluation methods performed in that evaluation environment can be compared.

[0113] <Other application examples> The above describes the best mode for carrying out the present invention using examples, but the present invention is not limited to these examples in any way, and various modifications and substitutions can be made within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0114] For example, the configuration examples in Fig. 4 or 15 are divided according to main functions to facilitate understanding of the processing by the terminal device 30 or the information processing device 50. The present invention is not limited by the manner in which the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The processing of the terminal device 30 or the information processing device 50 can be divided into more processing units depending on the processing contents. Also, it can be divided so that one processing unit includes more processes.

[0115] The devices described in this embodiment are merely one of a number of computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the terminal device 30 or the information processing device 50 includes a number of computing devices, such as a server cluster. The computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link, including a network, shared memory, and the like, and perform the processes disclosed herein. Similarly, the terminal device 30 may include a number of computing devices configured to communicate with each other.

[0116] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and a device such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a conventional circuit module designed to execute each function described above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 30 Terminal Equipment 31, 51 Control unit 32, 52 Printing Applications 33, 53 Printer driver 34, 54 Printer Simulator 35, 55 Evaluation Section 36 Setting section 37, 57 Management Department 38 Communications Department 39 Memory section 40, 72 Display control unit 41, 73 Operation reception section 50 Information processing device 56 Screen information generation section 58 First Communications Department 71 Second Communications Department 100 Information Processing Systems 506 Display [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0118] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-33472 A

Claims

1. a plurality of evaluation units capable of comparing and evaluating images for printing processing of a comparison source and a comparison target generated by the printer simulator; a setting unit that receives settings from a user of an OS, a printer driver, and a PDL module of a comparison source, an OS, a printer driver, and a PDL module of a comparison target, one or more evaluation units used to evaluate the images for printing processing of the comparison source and the comparison target, and an evaluation file; a control unit that executes, in a virtual machine, the printer simulators of the OS, printer driver, and PDL module of the comparison source that have received the settings to generate an image for the print processing of the comparison source of the evaluation file, and executes, in a virtual machine, the printer simulators of the OS, printer driver, and PDL module of the comparison target that have received the settings to generate an image for the print processing of the comparison target of the evaluation file, and causes the one or more evaluation units that have received the settings to evaluate the images for the print processing of the comparison source and the comparison target; a display control unit that displays an evaluation result by the one or more evaluation units; An information processing device having the above configuration.

2. The display control unit displays, for each of the one or more evaluation units, the evaluation results including the images for printing processing of the comparison source and comparison target that have been compared and evaluated by the evaluation unit, a difference between the images for printing processing of the comparison source and comparison target, and a determination result of the comparison.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. The setting unit changes the one or more evaluation units that accept settings from the user depending on the contents of a contract with the user.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a communication unit that transmits the evaluation results by the one or more evaluation units by email; The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. Computer, a plurality of evaluation units capable of comparing and evaluating images for printing processing of a comparison source and a comparison target generated by the printer simulator; a setting unit that receives settings from a user of an OS, a printer driver, and a PDL module of a comparison source, an OS, a printer driver, and a PDL module of a comparison target, one or more evaluation units used to evaluate the images for printing processing of the comparison source and the comparison target, and an evaluation file; a control unit that executes, in a virtual machine, the printer simulators of the OS, printer driver, and PDL module of the comparison source that have received the settings, to generate an image for the print processing of the comparison source of the evaluation file, and that executes, in a virtual machine, the printer simulators of the OS, printer driver, and PDL module of the comparison target that have received the settings, to generate an image for the print processing of the comparison target of the evaluation file, and that causes the one or more evaluation units that have received the settings to evaluate the images for the print processing of the comparison source and the comparison target; a display control unit that displays the evaluation results by the one or more evaluation units; A program to function as a

6. An information processing system in which a terminal device and an information processing device can communicate with each other, The information processing device includes: a plurality of evaluation units capable of comparing and evaluating images for printing processing of a comparison source and a comparison target generated by the printer simulator; a control unit that, in accordance with settings of a comparison source OS, printer driver, and PDL module, a comparison target OS, printer driver, and PDL module, one or more evaluation units used to evaluate images for print processing of the comparison source and comparison target, and an evaluation file received from the terminal device, executes the printer simulator of the comparison source OS, printer driver, and PDL module in a virtual machine to generate an image for print processing of the comparison source of the evaluation file, executes the printer simulator of the comparison target OS, printer driver, and PDL module in a virtual machine to generate an image for print processing of the comparison target of the evaluation file, and causes the one or more evaluation units to evaluate the images for print processing of the comparison source and comparison target; a first communication unit that transmits an evaluation result by the one or more evaluation units to the terminal device; having The terminal device an operation receiving unit that receives, from a user, a selection operation of the OS, printer driver, and PDL module of the comparison source, the OS, printer driver, and PDL module of a comparison target, one or more evaluation units used to evaluate the images for printing processing of the comparison source and comparison target, and the evaluation file; a second communication unit that requests the information processing device to evaluate the images for printing processing of the comparison source and comparison target using the OS, printer driver, and PDL module of the comparison source that have received the selection operation, the OS, printer driver, and PDL module of the comparison target, the one or more evaluation units, and the evaluation file, and receives the evaluation results by the one or more evaluation units from the information processing device; a display control unit that displays an evaluation result by the one or more evaluation units; An information processing system having the above configuration.

Images