Inspection device, program, display system, and display device

Abstract

Provided is a technique for reducing the burden required for defect confirmation as compared with the case of matching a string decoded from a printed matter with a string given as a correct answer between different media. 【Solution means】The inspection device has a processor. The processor displays a first string decoded from an inspection area of an image obtained by scanning a printed matter in a first area on a confirmation screen of inspection results, reads out manuscript data corresponding to the inspection area from a storage area, and displays it as a second string in a second area adjacent to the first area.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device, a program, a display system, and a display device.

Background Art

[0002] The arrangement of barcodes printed on paper or the arrangement of character strings decoded from barcodes may have no regularity between pages. In this case, the user needs to confirm that the character string decoded from the printed barcode is correct.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the list used to confirm these character strings is prepared by a separate medium. Matching the character strings between separately prepared lists places a large workload. Further, this workload increases in proportion to the number of character strings and the number of digits of the character strings.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing the burden required to confirm defects as compared with the case of matching a character string decoded from a printed matter with a character string given as a correct answer between different media.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The invention according to claim 1 includes a processor, and the processor The first string included in the scanned image of the printed matter printed based on the print data, the second string included in the manuscript data input from the user, which is data different from the print data, and the collation result between the first string and the second string are obtained, and a confirmation screen including a region for displaying the first string, the second string, and the collation result adjacent to each other, and a region for displaying the image representing the manuscript data and the scanned image adjacent to each other is caused to be displayed on the display means display to is an inspection device. The invention according to claim 2 is such that the processor sets the display mode of the first character string to the reflect collation result in a mannerThe inspection apparatus according to claim 1, which controls. According to the invention of claim 3, the processor finds a defect by collation that The inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the first character string of the inspection area, a first symbol indicating a defect is associated and displayed. According to the invention of claim 4, the processor is for a plurality of pages constituting the printed matter the collation The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the results are displayed in a list format on the confirmation screen. According to the invention of claim 5, the processor finds a defect by collation result The inspection apparatus according to claim 4, wherein on the page including the inspection area, a second symbol indicating a defect is attached and displayed. According to the invention of claim 6, the processor is received through an operation by a user indicating the display content of the confirmation screen According to the conditions, the confirmation screen for display the set of the first string, the second string, and the collation result The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, which controls. According to the invention of claim 7, the condition is that a defect is found by collation result The inspection apparatus according to claim 6, which is a display of only the page including the inspection area. According to the invention of claim 8, the condition is 、 The original data corresponding to the inspection area and The inspection apparatus according to claim 6, which is a page in which both the first character string exist. According to the invention of claim 9, the condition is a rearrangement of the display order of the pages in the confirmation screen to the actual printing order of the printed matter. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6. Claim 10 The invention described in, the condition is the former reflect Scan image to The inspection apparatus according to claim 6, which is an overlapping display of the inspection area. Claim 11 The invention described in, the printed matter the In the inspection area, a pattern obtained by encoding the second character string is printed. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1. including a barcode or a QR code Claim Claim 12The invention described in claim 11 is the inspection apparatus described in claim Claim 13 The invention described in claim 11 is the inspection apparatus described in claim Claim 14 The invention described in claim is the inspection apparatus described in claim 1, wherein the manuscript data is text file data in which values and items are separated by commas. 15 Claim The first string included in the scanned image of the printed matter printed based on the print data, the second string included in the manuscript data input from the user, which is data different from the print data, and the collation result between the first string and the second string are obtained is a program for causing a computer to A confirmation screen including a region for displaying the first string, the second string, and the collation result adjacent to each other, and a region for displaying the image representing the manuscript data and the scanned image adjacent to each other is caused to be displayed on the display means realize a function of Claim 16 The invention described in claim included in the scanned image of has a processor, and the processor 、 compares a first string printed based on print data and that which is different from the print data, with a second string included in manuscript data input by a user the first string and and the second string displays a collation result are obtained, and a confirmation screen including a region for displaying the first string, the second string, and the collation result adjacent to each other, and a region for displaying the image representing the manuscript data and the scanned image adjacent to each other is on means a display caused to be displayed display system. Claim 17 The invention described in claim The first string included in the scanned image of the printed matter printed based on the print data, the second string included in the manuscript data input from the user, which is data different from the print data, and the collation result between the first string and the second string are obtained, and a confirmation screen including a region for displaying the first string, the second string, and the collation result adjacent to each other, and a region for displaying the image representing the manuscript data and the scanned image adjacent to each other is caused to be displayed on the display means has a processor, and the processor caused to be displayed is a display device for displaying. 18 Claim the scanned image of The invention described in claim for is an inspection apparatus The acquisition of the first string included in the scanned image of the printed matter printed based on the print data, the second string included in the manuscript data input from the user, which is data different from the print data, and the collation result between the first string and the second string having A confirmation screen including a region for displaying the first string, the second string, and the collation result adjacent to each other, and a region for displaying the image representing the manuscript data and the scanned image adjacent to each other is caused to be displayed on the display means means for cause inspecting and do display means for displaying.

[0007] According to the invention described in claim 1, compared with the case of collating a character string decoded from a printed matter with a character string given as a correct answer between different media, Support confirmation by comparing two imagesIt is possible. According to the invention described in claim 2, it is possible to facilitate the confirmation of the presence or absence of defects. According to the invention described in claim 3, it is possible to facilitate the confirmation of the inspection area with defects. According to the invention described in claim 4, it is possible to view the inspection results of multiple pages in a list. According to the invention described in claim 5, it is possible to facilitate the confirmation of the page including the inspection area with defects. According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to support the user in confirming the inspection results. According to the invention described in claim 7, it is possible to efficiently confirm the page with defects. According to the invention described in claim 8, it is possible to exclude the page with any omission. According to the invention described in claim 9, it is possible to facilitate the discovery of the page with defects from the printed matter. Claim 10 According to the described invention, it is possible to easily confirm the deviation within the page between the printing position and the inspection area. Claim 11 According to the described invention, it is possible to facilitate the confirmation of the inspection results regarding the quality of the pattern. Claim 12 According to the described invention, it is possible to streamline the confirmation operation of the character-by-character comparison required string. Claim 13 According to the described invention, it is possible to streamline the confirmation operation of the character-by-character comparison required string. Claim 14 According to the described invention, it is possible to streamline the confirmation operation of the character string in data where the burden of visual comparison is large. Claim 15 According to the described invention, compared with the case of comparing the character string decoded from the printed matter and the character string given as the correct answer between different media, Support confirmation by comparing two images It is possible. Claim 16 According to the described invention, compared with the case of comparing the character string decoded from the printed matter and the character string given as the correct answer between different media, Support confirmation by comparing two images It is possible. Claim 17According to the described invention, compared with the case of matching a character string decoded from a printed matter with a character string given as the correct answer between different media, Support confirmation by comparing two images it is possible. Claim 18 According to the described invention, compared with the case of matching a character string decoded from a printed matter with a character string given as the correct answer between different media, Support confirmation by comparing two images it is possible.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. <Embodiment 1> <System Configuration> FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a printed matter inspection system 1 assumed in the embodiment. 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 of 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 the 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 the quality of 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] <Apparatus Configuration> <Management Server> The management server 10 includes a processor, a ROM (= Read Only Memory), a RAM (= Random Access Memory) used as the working 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] The processor is a device that realizes various functions through program execution. The programs here are the general terms for the OS (= Operating System) and application programs. For example, through program execution, the processor provides the user with a print job management function. The print job management screen is displayed on the monitor. Various information about the print jobs being managed is displayed on the management screen. On the management screen, the inspection area can be set for each print job. On the management screen, it is also possible to confirm the inspection results of the inspection device 30.

[0013] The auxiliary storage device is composed of, for example, a hard disk device or a semiconductor storage. Programs and print jobs are stored in the auxiliary storage device, for example. The print jobs are, for example, PDL data, LCDS (= Line Conditioned Data Stream) data, IPDS (= Intelligent Printer Data Stream) data, and PDF (= Portable Document Format) data. The communication interface is used for communication with the image forming apparatus 20, the inspection device 30, etc.

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

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

[0016] <Inspection Device> FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a hardware configuration example 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 a work area for the processor, an auxiliary storage device 34, a scanner 35, and a communication interface 36. Each device is connected through a bus or other signal lines 37.

[0017] The processor 31 inspects the quality of printed matter through the execution of firmware. The auxiliary storage device 34 is composed of, for example, a hard disk drive or a semiconductor storage. The auxiliary storage device 34 is an example of a storage area. In the auxiliary storage device 34, in addition to the firmware, a print job 34A received from the management server 10, inspection setting information 34B, a scanned image 34C, a decoded character string 34D, and correct answer data 34E are stored.

[0018] The inspection setting information 34B is setting information that defines the inspection of printed matter. In the case of this embodiment, the inspection setting information 34B is set through a management screen displayed on the monitor of the management server 10 (see FIG. 1). However, when a monitor is provided in the inspection apparatus 30, the inspection setting information 34B is set through a setting screen displayed on the monitor of the inspection apparatus 30. When a monitor is provided in the image forming apparatus 20, 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 coordinates and other information of an area to be inspected (hereinafter referred to as "inspection area").

[0019] The scanned image 34C is an image obtained by scanning a printed matter. The decoded string 34D is a string decoded from the inspection area of the scanned image 34C. A string, barcode, or QR (= Quick Response) code (registered trademark) is printed in the inspection area. However, in the case of this embodiment, it is assumed that numbers are printed in the inspection area. Therefore, the decoded string 34D in this embodiment is a string read by OCR (= Optical Character Recognition). Note that the decoded string 34D may be a string obtained by decoding a barcode, QR code, or the like.

[0020] Information for specifying a page (for example, a page number) and information for specifying an inspection area within a page (for example, an area number) are attached to the decoded string 34D. In the case of this embodiment, the decoded string 34D is described in the CSV (= Comma Separated Values) format. That is, the decoded string 34D is text file data in which values and items are separated by commas. The decoded string 34D is an example of the first string.

[0021] The correct data 34E is a string corresponding to the inspection area in the manuscript data. The correct data 34E in this embodiment is also described in the CSV format. In the case of this embodiment, the manuscript data and the correct answer data 34E are managed by the inspection device 30, but may be managed by the management server 10 (see FIG. 1). In that case, the inspection device 30 reads the manuscript data and the correct answer data 34E and records them in the auxiliary storage device 34. The correct answer data 34E is an example of the second character string.

[0022] The scanner 35 is a device that optically reads an image formed on the surface of a sheet and outputs it as image data. The optically read image corresponds to the "scanned image" described above. The scanner 35 is provided on the paper conveyance path. In the case of this embodiment, the reading of the image by the scanner 35 is executed immediately after the formation of the image by the image forming device 20. The communication interface 36 is used for communication with the management server 10, the image forming device 20, and the like.

[0023] <Functional configuration> FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a functional configuration example of the inspection device 30 used in the embodiment. The functional units shown in FIG. 3 are realized through the execution of firmware by the processor 31 (see FIG. 2). FIG. 3 shows, as functions of the inspection device 30, a page configuration management unit 301, an inspection area setting unit 302, a correct answer data acquisition unit 303, a scanned image generation unit 304, a collation execution unit 305, and an inspection result display unit 306.

[0024] The page configuration management unit 301 is a functional unit that manages information on each page constituting the print job 34A (see FIG. 2) and the inspection results of each page. The information on each page includes, for example, information on the inspection area determined for each page. In the case of this embodiment, a barcode is printed in the inspection area. The page configuration management unit 301 also has a function of instructing the collation execution unit 305 to execute the inspection.

[0025] The inspection area setting unit 302 is a functional unit that determines the coordinates of the inspection area within the page. When the inspection area setting unit 302 receives a designation of the inspection area through a setting screen (not shown), it sets the corresponding coordinates. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of setting inspection areas. In the case of FIG. 4, six inspection areas 0 to 5 are set within one page. In the present embodiment, inspection areas 0 to 5 are also denoted as AR0 to AR5.

[0026] In the case of FIG. 4, the six "inspection areas 0" to "inspection areas 5" are set in three rows within one page. On the left side of the first row from the top, "inspection area 0" is set, and on the right side, "inspection area 1" is set. On the left side of the second row from the top, "inspection area 2" is set, and on the right side, "inspection area 3" is set. On the left side of the third row from the top, "inspection area 4" is set, and on the right side, "inspection area 5" is set.

[0027] In the case of the present embodiment, "inspection area 0", "inspection area 1", "inspection area 2", and "inspection area 4" are used for readable inspection. In the readable inspection, it is inspected whether the barcode can be correctly read. "Inspection area 3" is used for front-back inspection. In the front-back inspection, it is inspected whether the string decoded from the barcode on the front side matches the string decoded from the barcode on the back side. "Inspection area 5" is used for sequential number inspection. In the sequential number inspection, it is inspected whether there is continuity in the string between pages.

[0028] The correct data acquisition unit 303 (see FIG. 3) is a functional unit that acquires correct data from the manuscript data corresponding to the print job. The manuscript data is provided as a data file in CSV format. The correct data is provided as a string of characters, numbers, symbols, and other strings. The scan image generation unit 304 is a functional unit that acquires the scan image of each page from the scanner 35 (see FIG. 2). The scan image generation unit 304 generates a new scan image every time a new page is loaded into the scanner 35.

[0029] The verification execution unit 305 (see FIG. 3) is a functional unit that verifies the character string decoded from the scanned image corresponding to each inspection area and the character string of the correct data corresponding thereto. The verification here is also referred to as the quality inspection of the printed matter. Note that the character string decoded from the scanned image is an example of the first character string. The character string of the correct data is an example of the second character string. The verification execution unit 305 outputs the verification result obtained for each inspection area as an inspection result to the page configuration management unit 301. The verification results are classified into, for example, "match" and "mismatch". Note that the verification results may include information indicating the reliability of "match" and "mismatch".

[0030] The inspection result display unit 306 (see FIG. 3) is a functional unit that displays the inspection result of the print job on the monitor. In the case of this embodiment, the inspection result display unit 306 displays a confirmation screen of the inspection result on the monitor of the management server 10 (see FIG. 1). This confirmation screen is displayed as a part of the management screen of the print job. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation screen 310 of the inspection result. The confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 5 is composed of an inspection result display column 311, an operation reception column 312, and an image display column 313.

[0031] The inspection result display column 311 shown in FIG. 5 displays the inspection results of a plurality of pages constituting the printed matter in a list format. In the case of FIG. 5, each row corresponds to an individual page. In the case of FIG. 5, in each column, an information column 311A, a section / page column 311B, and a character string column 311C are provided in the direction from the left end to the right end. The character string column 311C is displayed for the number of inspection areas. In FIG. 5, only the character string column 311C corresponding to "inspection area 0" is displayed due to space limitations on the page, and the display of the character string columns 311C corresponding to "inspection area 1" to "inspection area 5" is omitted.

[0032] In the information column 311A, a symbol indicating a page in which an error is included in the inspection result is displayed. In the case of FIG. 5, an information mark (that is, a mark composed of an "i" and a circle) and a caution mark (that is, a mark composed of a triangle and an exclamation mark) are displayed. The caution mark is an example of the first symbol indicating a defect. In the case of this embodiment, the information mark is displayed on a page including an inspection area where correct data is missing or a page including an inspection area where no decoded string exists from a scanned image. In the case of FIG. 5, the information mark is displayed on the pages of "1-4" and "1-5". "1-4" means the "4"th page of the "1"st section. The information mark is an example of a second symbol indicating a defect.

[0033] The correct data for "1-4" should originally be "00404", but it is missing. Therefore, an information mark is displayed in the information column 311A corresponding to "1-4". Although "00405" exists in the correct data for "1-5", no decoded string exists from the scanned image. Therefore, an information mark is displayed in the information column 311A corresponding to "1-5".

[0034] In the case of this embodiment, the caution mark is displayed on a page including an inspection area where the decoded string from the scanned image does not match the correct data. In the case of FIG. 5, the caution mark is displayed on the page of "1-3". The read string corresponding to "1-3" should originally be "00403", but it is "00402". Therefore, caution marks are displayed in both the information column 311A corresponding to "1-3" and the read string.

[0035] In the section / page column 311B, it is indicated which page of which section the page of the printed matter is. In the case of FIG. 5, it is indicated as "1-1", "1-2", etc. The first number indicates which section, and the second number indicates which page within the section. Therefore, the page corresponding to "1-1" is the "1"st page of the "1"st section. The string column 311C is composed of a correct data column 311C1 and a read string column 311C2. As shown in FIG. 5, the correct data column 311C1 and the read string column 311C2 are adjacent to each other. The correct data column 311C1 is an example of a second area. The read string column 311C2 is an example of a first area. Therefore, the first area and the second area are adjacent to each other.

[0036] In the correct data column 311C1, the correct data (i.e., character string) of the corresponding inspection area is displayed for each page. In the case of Fig. 5, on the page indicated by "1-1", "00401" is displayed as the correct data. In the read character string column 311C2, the character string read (i.e., decoded) from the corresponding barcode is displayed. In the case of Fig. 5, on the page indicated by "1-1", "00401" is displayed as the read character string.

[0037] In the case of the pages corresponding to "1-1" and "1-2", the read character string matches the correct data. Therefore, no caution mark is displayed in the corresponding read character string column 311C2. In the case of the page corresponding to "1-3", the character string restored from the barcode does not match the correct data. Therefore, a caution mark is displayed in the read character string column 311C2.

[0038] The display of the caution mark in the read character string column 311C2 is an example of controlling the display mode of the read character string. The display of the above-mentioned information mark and caution mark is an example of control by the inspection result display unit 306 (see Fig. 3) according to the collation result between the read character string and the correct data.

[0039] The operation reception field 312 (see Fig. 5) is used to receive conditions for controlling the display of the inspection result display field 311, etc. Specifically, the operation reception field 312 is used to receive instructions regarding the display and storage of inspection results. In the case of Fig. 5, three check boxes are arranged in the operation reception field 312 (see Fig. 5). One is a check box used for narrowing down the number of pages to be displayed in the inspection result display field 311. One is a check box used for instructing the display mode of the image display field 313 (see Fig. 5). One is a save button for inspection results.

[0040] Incidentally, when the save button for the inspection result is operated, the content displayed on the inspection result confirmation screen 310 is saved as a file in, for example, CSV format. In the case of FIG. 5, as check boxes used for narrowing down the number of pages, "only defective pages", "only pages where both exist", and "display in output order" are provided. In the case of FIG. 5, "compare with reference image" is provided as a check box used for instructing the display mode of the image display column 313.

[0041] In the image display column 313 (see FIG. 5), the images of each page are displayed. When the "compare with reference image" check box is not selected, only the scanned image of the page selected by the user is displayed. When the "compare with reference image" check box is selected, the scanned image of the page selected by the user and the reference image are displayed. The reference image is the printed image of the manuscript data. The reference image can be generated by rasterizing the print data corresponding to the manuscript data.

[0042] <Processing operation of the inspection device> FIG. 6 is an example of a flowchart for explaining the processing operation executed by the inspection device 30 (see FIG. 1). In FIG. 6, "step" is represented by the symbol S. The processing operation shown in FIG. 6 is realized through the execution of a program by the processor 31 (see FIG. 2). In other words, the processing operation shown in FIG. 6 is realized by the cooperation of the functional units shown in FIG. 3.

[0043] First, the inspection device 30 accepts the CSV collation of the inspection result through the print job management screen (step 101). FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a display example of the management screen 320 of a print job. In the management screen 320 shown in FIG. 7, a selection column 321 for print jobs, a first-level pull-down menu 322, and a second-level pull-down menu 323 are provided. The first-level pull-down menu 322 corresponds to the print job selected in the selection column 321 for print jobs. The second-level pull-down menu 323 corresponds to the item selected in the pull-down menu 322.

[0044] In the selection column 321 for print jobs, the file names of the managed print jobs are listed. In the case of FIG. 7, "Print Job A" is selected. In the first-level pull-down menu 322, instructions and other items for "Print Job A" are listed. In the first-level pull-down menu 322, for example, "Start Printing", "Proof Print", "Interrupt Print", "Delete", "Copy", "Folder Move", "Inspection Device", "Job Save", "Job Transfer", etc. are displayed. In FIG. 7, "Inspection Device" is selected.

[0045] In the second-level pull-down menu 323, instructions and other items for the inspection device 30 are listed. In the second-level pull-down menu 323, for example, "Confirmation of Inspection Area", "Display of Inspection Results", "Save of Report", "Save of Read Inspection Results", "CSV Collation of Read Inspection Results", etc. are displayed. In FIG. 7, "CSV Collation of Read Inspection Results" is selected.

[0046] The inspection device 30 that has received an instruction from the user acquires the inspection results regarding Print Job A (step 102). The inspection results here are character strings decoded from the scan images corresponding to the inspection areas of each page. The inspection results are read from, for example, the auxiliary storage device 34 (see FIG. 2).

[0047] Next, the inspection device 30 acquires correct answer data (step 103). In the case of the present embodiment, the correct answer data is acquired from the management server 10 (see FIG. 1). As described above, manuscript data corresponding to the print job is recorded as the correct answer data in the management server 10. Note that the correct answer data may be acquired from a server (for example, a database) not shown that is connected to the network 40.

[0048] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a display example of the correct answer data selection screen 330. The selection screen 330 shown in FIG. 8 is provided with a folder display column 331, a file list 332, a “Cancel” button 333, and an “OK” button 334. In the folder display column 331, folders are hierarchically displayed. In the case of FIG. 8, the folder with the folder name “CSV collation” is selected.

[0049] In the file list 332, the file names stored in the folder selected in the folder display column 331 are listed. In FIG. 8, “correct_answer_data_of_print_job_A.csv” is selected. Note that when the “Cancel” button 333 is operated, the selection operation is canceled. When the “OK” button 334 is operated, the selection operation is confirmed.

[0050] Returning to the description of FIG. 6. When the inspection result and the correct answer data are acquired, the inspection device 30 determines whether or not the collation of all pages has been completed (step 104). If the collation has been completed for all pages, an affirmative result is obtained in step 104. In this case, the inspection device 30 proceeds to step 110.

[0051] On the other hand, if there are pages for which the collation has not been completed, a negative result is obtained in step 104. In this case, the inspection device 30 determines whether or not the collation has been completed for all inspection areas of the target page (step 105). In other words, the inspection device 30 determines whether or not the collation has been completed for all inspection areas within the page being collated. If the collation is completed for all the inspection areas of the target page, an affirmative result is obtained in step 105. In this case, the inspection device 30 returns to step 104.

[0052] On the other hand, if there is an inspection area on the target page for which the collation is not completed, a negative result is obtained in step 105. In this case, the inspection device 30 determines whether there is correct data for the collation target (step 106). If there is no correct data, a negative result is obtained in step 106. In this case, the inspection device 30 assigns an information mark to the corresponding page (step 107), and then returns to step 105.

[0053] If there is correct data, an affirmative result is obtained in step 106. In this case, the inspection device 30 determines whether the correct data and the inspection result are the same (step 108). If the correct data and the inspection result are the same, an affirmative result is obtained in step 108. In this case, the inspection device 30 returns to step 105. On the other hand, if the correct data and the inspection result are different, a negative result is obtained in step 108. In this case, the inspection device 30 assigns a caution mark to the corresponding page and the corresponding inspection result (step 109), and then returns to step 105.

[0054] When the collation of all pages is completed (affirmative result in step 104), the inspection device 30 determines whether the confirmation for all the correct data has been completed (step 110). If the confirmation for all the correct data has been completed, an affirmative result is obtained in step 110. In this case, the inspection device 30 ends a series of processing operations. On the other hand, if the confirmation for all the correct data has not been completed, a negative result is obtained in step 110. In this case, the inspection device 30 reads out the inspection result corresponding to the correct data (step 111).

[0055] Next, the inspection device 30 determines whether there is a corresponding inspection result (step 112). This determination aims to find inspection areas where the character string was not decoded. If there is a corresponding inspection result, an affirmative result is obtained in step 112. In this case, the inspection device 30 returns to step 110. On the other hand, if there is no corresponding inspection result, a negative result is obtained in step 112. In this case, the inspection device 30 determines whether there is correct data (step 113). This determination aims to confirm the reason why the decoded character string does not exist in the inspection area.

[0056] If there is no correct data, a negative result is obtained in step 113. This case means that the reason why the decoded character string does not exist in the inspection area to be inspected is that there is no correct data. In this case, it is not an abnormality. Therefore, the inspection device 30 returns to step 110. On the other hand, if there is correct data, an affirmative result is obtained in step 113. This case means that there is a problem with the printing of the barcode in the corresponding inspection area. In this case, the inspection device 30 assigns an information mark to the corresponding page (step 114), and then returns to step 110.

[0057] <Inspection result confirmation screen> Hereinafter, the screen changes due to operations on the inspection result confirmation screen 310 (see FIG. 5) will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 16. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the confirmation screen 310 on which all the inspection results corresponding to the print job are displayed.

[0058] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the confirmation screen 310 on which only the defective pages among the inspection results corresponding to the print job are displayed. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the confirmation screen 310 on which only the pages with both inspection results and correct data are displayed. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the confirmation screen 310 with the display rearranged in the physical printing order.

[0059] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining a confirmation screen 310 that displays a reference image and a scanned image in parallel in the image display column 313. FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining a confirmation screen 310 that displays an inspection area superimposed on a scanned image. FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a display example of an information box 340 that appears when the mouse hovers over the inspection area. In FIGS. 9 to 15, the parts corresponding to those in FIG. 5 are denoted by corresponding reference numerals. However, in FIGS. 9 to 15, the title “correct data” for each inspection area is denoted as “collation source”, and the title “read string” is denoted as “result”.

[0060] <Display Example 1> “Display Example 1” corresponds to the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 9. In the case of the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 9, all the check boxes in the operation reception column 312 are in an unselected state. Therefore, all the inspection results corresponding to the print job are displayed on the confirmation screen 310. In the inspection result display column 311, six “inspection areas 0” to “inspection areas 5” are displayed. Incidentally, there is no correct data on the “1-1” page of FIG. 9. Therefore, an information mark is displayed at the beginning of the corresponding row.

[0061] Also, in the “inspection area 4” on the “1-2” page of FIG. 9, the read string is different from the correct data. Therefore, attention marks are displayed at both the beginning of the corresponding row and “inspection area 4”. In the case of FIG. 9, the “1-1” page is selected by the user. In the image display column 313, the scanned image of the selected page is displayed. That is, the scanned image corresponding to the “1-1” page is displayed. In FIG. 9, for the sake of explanation, the string decoded from the barcode is described at the position of the barcode in the scanned image.

[0062] <Display Example 2> “Display Example 2” corresponds to the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 10. In the case of the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 10, "only defective pages" in the operation reception field 312 is in a selected state, and the other check boxes are in non-selected states. Therefore, on the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 10, only the pages including the inspection areas where a discrepancy with the correct data has been detected are displayed. Note that since "only defective pages" are displayed, the caution marks at the beginning of the lines are not displayed. Due to the display of "only defective pages", the number of pages displayed on the confirmation screen 310 is reduced, and it becomes possible to efficiently check only the pages with problems in print quality.

[0063] <Display Example 3> "Display Example 3" corresponds to the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 11. In the case of the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 11, "only pages where both exist" in the operation reception field 312 is in a selected state, and the other check boxes are in non-selected states. Therefore, on the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 11, only the pages where the correct data exists and at least one string could be decoded are displayed. As long as at least one decoded string is included, an incorrect string may be decoded, and there may be inspection areas where the string cannot be decoded.

[0064] Also in this case of display, the number of pages displayed on the confirmation screen 310 is reduced. Moreover, in the case of this display example, it is also possible to handle the case where the print quality is inspected only for a part of the printed materials of a print job. For example, if the original number of pages of a print job is 20 pages, but the inspection by the inspection device 30 (see FIG. 1) was performed up to the first 10 pages. In this case, it becomes possible to exclude the 11th page to the 20th page from the display target.

[0065] <Display Example 4> "Display Example 4" corresponds to the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 12. In the case of the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 12, "display in output order" in the operation reception field 312 is in a selected state, and the other check boxes are in non-selected states. In the cases of the aforementioned "Display Example 1" to "Display Example 3", they are displayed in the order of the pages of the manuscript data in the inspection result display column 311.

[0066] On the other hand, in FIG. 12, it is the case where the page output during printing is in the reverse direction. For this reason, the page order is in the actual output order, such as "1-8", "1-7", "1-6".... In this way, by making the display order match the order of the actual printed matter, it becomes easier to find the target page from the printed matter.

[0067] <Display Example 5> "Display Example 5" corresponds to the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 13. In the case of the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 13, "Compare with Reference Image" in the operation reception column 312 is in the selected state, and the other check boxes are in the non-selected state. For this reason, in the image display column 313 shown in FIG. 13, both the reference image and the scanned image are displayed. Also in the case of FIG. 13, for the sake of explanation, a character string as the correct data is described at the position of the barcode in the reference image. In the case of this display example, the user can confirm the printing quality not only by comparing the decoded character string with the correct data on the screen but also by comparing the actual printed matter with the reference image.

[0068] <Display Example 6> "Display Example 6" corresponds to the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 14. In the case of the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 14, "Compare with Reference Image" and "Display Inspection Area" in the operation reception column 312 are in the selected state, and the other check boxes are in the non-selected state. For this reason, also in the case of the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 14, similar to the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 13, both the reference image and the scanned image are displayed in the image display column 313.

[0069] Note that in the image display column 313, the reference image and the scanned image corresponding to the "1-7" page are displayed. In the case of FIG. 14, a barcode corresponding to "00207" is printed at a position corresponding to "Inspection Area 2" of the scanned image. However, there is a deviation between the printed position of the barcode and the position of "Inspection Area 2". For this reason, the character string decoded from the scanned image corresponding to "Inspection Area 2" is "0020", which is different from the correct data "00207". In the case of FIG. 14, since the inspection area is displayed superimposed on the scanned image, it becomes possible to confirm the cause of the caution mark being added. That is, it is possible to notice that the problem is the deviation of the printing position.

[0070] <Display Example 7> "Display Example 7" corresponds to the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 15. The display content of the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 15 is basically the same as the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 14. However, in the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 15, the mouse pointer P is superimposed on the inspection area at the lower right position of the scanned image. That is, the mouse pointer P is moused over the inspection area at the lower right position of the scanned image.

[0071] In the confirmation screen 310 shown in FIG. 15, as a result of mousing over, an information box 340 is displayed. In FIG. 15, the description content of the information box 340 is enlarged and shown. In this information box 340, it is described that the "detection type" is a collation error, the "inspection content" is a readability inspection, the "type" is OCR, the "character string" is "00508", and the "area" is "Inspection Area 5". Note that the character string decoded from the printed barcode is "00508", but the corresponding correct data is "00507". By the information box 340 being displayed on mouse over, the user can easily confirm mechanical information from the scanned image as well.

[0072] <Parentheses> As described above, in the inspection apparatus 30 (see FIG. 1) described in this embodiment, the corresponding correct data (i.e., character string) and the read character string (i.e., the decoded character string) are displayed in adjacent regions within the same screen in parallel. Further, on the inspection result confirmation screen 310 (see FIG. 5) described in this embodiment, defects related to "inspection area 0" to "inspection area 5" are displayed in information marks or caution marks in page units. Also, in the case of this embodiment, in the character string column 311C (see FIG. 5) of the inspection result confirmation screen 310, a caution mark is displayed for the read character string that does not match the correct data.

[0073] <Other Embodiments> (1) As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-described embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that various modifications or improvements added to the above-described embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0074] (2) In the above-described embodiment, when a defect is found, as shown in FIG. 5, it is displayed in a manner where a caution mark is attached to the read character string. However, the fact that a defect is found may be expressed by, for example, changing the font, changing the font size, changing the display color, or other display modes.

[0075] (3) In the above-described embodiment, information marks and caution marks are used separately depending on the type of defect, but the same mark may be displayed.

[0076] (4) In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 20 and the inspection apparatus 30 are separate housings. However, the image forming apparatus 20 and the inspection apparatus 30 may be integrally configured.

[0077] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the management server 10 has been described as an independently configured apparatus. However, the management server 10 may be integrally configured with the image forming apparatus 20 or may be integrally configured with the inspection apparatus 30.

[0078] (6) In the foregoing embodiments, the case of inspecting the print quality of barcodes has been described. However, the inspection target may be a QR code or a character string.

[0079] (7) As described in the foregoing embodiments The correct data 34E may or may not have regularity between consecutive pages. "Having regularity" means, for example, that the character strings are in serial order between pages or that there is a commonality of character strings between pages. "Having no regularity" means, for example, that the character strings are not in serial order between pages or that there is no commonality of character strings between pages.

[0080] (8) In the foregoing embodiments, each process is executed by an arbitrary computer. Also, an arbitrary computer may execute these processes by a processor as hardware, a program as software, or a combination thereof. In that case, the processor is configured to execute various processes in the embodiments in cooperation with the program and can function as each part (Unit) or each means in the embodiments.

[0081] Also, the execution order of the processes by the processor is not limited to the described order and may be changed as appropriate. An arbitrary computer may be a general-purpose computer, a computer for a specific purpose, a workstation, or any other system capable of executing each process. The processor may be constituted by one or more pieces of hardware, and the type of hardware is not limited. For example, the processor may be constituted by hardware such as a CPU (= Central Processing Unit), an MPU (= Micro Processing Unit), a programmable logic device such as an FPGA (= Field Programmable Gate Array), an application-specific circuit for executing specific processing such as an ASIC (= Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a GPU (= Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (= Neural Processing Unit).

[0082] Also, the type of hardware may be a combination of different types of hardware. When a plurality of pieces of hardware are configured to execute one or more processes of a certain processor, the plurality of pieces of hardware may exist in physically separate devices from each other, or may exist in the same device. Also, in any embodiment, the order of each process by the processor is not limited to the order described above and may be changed as appropriate. Note that the hardware is constituted by an electrical circuit (circuitry) combining circuit elements such as semiconductor elements.

[0083] Furthermore, the program may be firmware or software such as microcode. Also, the program may be, for example, a group of program modules, and each function thereof may be realized by a processor configured to execute each function. The program may be program code or a plurality of code segments stored in one or more non-transitory computer-readable media (for example, a storage medium or other storage).

[0084] The program may be stored in a divided manner on a plurality of non-transitory computer-readable media 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. The program code or code segments may be connected to other code segments or hardware circuits by transmitting and receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or the contents of memory. The present invention is also applicable to programs and program products.

[0085] <Appendix> (((1))) An inspection device having a processor, wherein the processor displays a first character string decoded from an inspection area of an image obtained by scanning a printed matter in a first area on a confirmation screen for inspection results, reads manuscript data corresponding to the inspection area from a storage area, and displays it as a second character string in a second area adjacent to the first area. (((2))) The inspection device according to (((1))), wherein the processor controls the display mode of the first character string according to the collation result between the first character string and the manuscript data. (((3))) The inspection device according to (((2))), wherein the processor associates and displays a first symbol indicating a defect with the first character string of the inspection area in which a defect is found by collation. (((4))) The inspection device according to any one of (((1))) to (((3))), wherein the processor displays the inspection results of a plurality of pages constituting the printed matter in a list format on the confirmation screen. (((5))) The inspection device according to (((4))), wherein the processor attaches and displays a second symbol indicating a defect to the page including the inspection area in which a defect is found by collation. (((6))) The processor controls the display of the confirmation screen according to the conditions received through the operation by the user, and the inspection apparatus according to any one of ((1)) to ((5)). (((7))) The condition is the display of only the page including the inspection area in which a defect is found by collation, and the inspection apparatus according to ((6)). (((8))) The condition is the page in which both the original manuscript data corresponding to the inspection area and the first character string decoded from the inspection area exist, and the inspection apparatus according to ((6)). (((9))) The condition is the rearrangement of the display order of the pages in the confirmation screen to the actual printing order of the printed matter, and the inspection apparatus according to ((6)). (((10))) The condition is the parallel display of the printed image of the original manuscript data corresponding to the inspection area and the image of the scanned image corresponding to the inspection area, and the inspection apparatus according to ((6)). (((11))) The condition is the superimposed display of the inspection area on the image of the scanned image corresponding to the inspection area, and the inspection apparatus according to ((6)). (((12))) In the inspection area of the printed matter, a pattern encoding the second character string is printed, and the inspection apparatus according to any one of ((1)) to ((11)). (((13))) The pattern appearing in the inspection area has no regularity between consecutive pages, and the inspection apparatus according to ((12)). (((14))) The second character string has no regularity between consecutive pages, and the inspection apparatus according to ((12)). (((15))) The original manuscript data is text file data in which values and items are separated by commas, and the inspection apparatus according to any one of ((1)) to ((11)). (((16))) A program for a computer that functions as a server to send a print job registered from a user terminal to a specified printing device at the output destination, and that realizes a function of notifying, as a response to an inquiry from the user terminal, information identifying a printing device used by a user who operates the user terminal for logging in to a print service. (((17))) A display system having a processor, the processor performing control to simultaneously display on a display screen a first character string read from a printed matter printed based on print data, a second character string that is data different from the print data and is included in manuscript data input by a user, and a collation result that is a result of collating the first character string and the second character string. (((18))) A display device having a processor, the processor reading an image obtained by scanning a printed matter, generating a first character string based on the read information, arranging and displaying the first character string and a second character string separately read, and further displaying information determining whether or not the character strings match. (((19))) An inspection device for inspecting image data read from a printed matter, having an extraction means for extracting information on an inspection area of the image data, an inspection means for inspecting the information extracted by the extraction means, and a display means for displaying the information extracted by the extraction means after the inspection by the inspection means is completed, the display means displaying the information input by the user as manuscript data and the extracted information in a comparable manner.

[0086] (((1))) According to the inspection device according to this, compared with the case of collating a character string decoded from a printed matter and a character string given as a correct answer between different media, the burden required for confirming a defect can be reduced. (((2))) According to the inspection device according to this, it is possible to facilitate confirmation of the presence or absence of a defect. (((3))) According to the inspection device according to this, it is possible to facilitate confirmation of an inspection area having a defect. (((4))) According to the inspection device according to this, inspection results of a plurality of pages can be confirmed in a list. According to the inspection device according to ((5)), it is possible to facilitate the confirmation of a page including an inspection area with a defect. According to the inspection device according to ((6)), it is possible to support the user in confirming the inspection result. According to the inspection device according to ((7)), it is possible to efficiently confirm a page with a defect. According to the inspection device according to ((8)), it is possible to exclude a page with any omission. According to the inspection device according to ((9)), it is possible to facilitate the discovery of a defective page from a printed matter. According to the inspection device according to ((10)), it is possible to support the confirmation by comparing two images. According to the inspection device according to ((11)), it is possible to easily confirm the deviation within a page between the printing position and the inspection area. According to the inspection device according to ((12)), it is possible to facilitate the confirmation of the inspection result regarding the quality of a design. According to the inspection device according to ((13)), it is possible to streamline the confirmation operation of a character string that requires character-by-character matching. According to the inspection device according to ((14)), it is possible to streamline the confirmation operation of a character string that requires character-by-character matching. According to the inspection device according to ((15)), it is possible to streamline the confirmation operation of a character string in data where the burden of visual matching is large. According to the program according to ((16)), compared to the case of matching a character string decoded from a printed matter and a character string given as the correct answer between different media, it is possible to reduce the burden required for defect confirmation. According to the program according to ((17)), compared to the case of matching a character string decoded from a printed matter and a character string given as the correct answer between different media, it is possible to reduce the burden required for defect confirmation. According to the program according to ((18)), compared to the case of matching a character string decoded from a printed matter and a character string given as the correct answer between different media, it is possible to reduce the burden required for defect confirmation. According to the program according to ((19)), the burden required for defect confirmation can be reduced as compared with the case of matching the string decoded from the printed matter and the string given as the correct answer between different media.

Explanation of Signs

[0087] 1…Printed matter inspection system, 10…Management server, 20…Image forming apparatus, 30…Inspection apparatus, 40…Network

Claims

1. A processor is provided. The processor, acquiring a first character string included in a scanned image of a printed matter printed based on the print data, a second character string included in manuscript data input by a user, which is data different from the print data, and a comparison result between the first character string and the second character string; displaying on a display means a confirmation screen including an area for adjacently displaying the first character string, the second character string, and the matching result, and an area for adjacently displaying an image representing the document data and the scanned image; Inspection equipment.

2. The processor, A display mode of the first character string is controlled to a mode that reflects the result of the comparison.

2. The inspection device according to claim 1.

3. The processor, a first symbol indicating the defect is associated with the first character string in the inspection area in which a defect is found by the comparison and displayed; 3. The inspection device according to claim 2.

4. The processor, displaying the collation results of the plurality of pages constituting the printed matter in a list format on the confirmation screen; 2. The inspection device according to claim 1.

5. The processor, A page including an inspection area in which a defect is found by the comparison is displayed with a second symbol indicating the defect.

5. The inspection apparatus according to claim 4.

6. The processor, controlling a set of the first character string, the second character string, and the matching result to be displayed on the confirmation screen according to a condition instructing a display content of the confirmation screen accepted through an operation by a user; 2. The inspection device according to claim 1.

7. The condition is to display only pages that include an inspection area in which a defect is found by matching.

7. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6.

8. the condition being that the document data corresponding to the inspection area and the first character string are both present on the page; 7. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6.

9. the condition being rearrangement of the display order of the pages on the confirmation screen to the actual print order of the printed matter; 7. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6.

10. the condition being a superimposition of an inspection area on the scanned image; 7. The inspection apparatus according to claim 6.

11. A pattern including a barcode or a QR code encoding the second character string is printed in the inspection area of ​​the printed matter.

2. The inspection device according to claim 1.

12. the pattern appearing in the inspection area has no regularity between successive pages; The inspection apparatus according to claim 11.

13. The second character string has no regularity between successive pages. The inspection apparatus according to claim 11.

14. The manuscript data is text file data in which values ​​and items are separated by commas.

2. The inspection device according to claim 1.

15. On the computer, a function of acquiring a first character string included in a scanned image of a printed matter printed based on print data, a second character string included in manuscript data input by a user, which is data different from the print data, and a comparison result between the first character string and the second character string; a function of displaying a confirmation screen on a display means, the confirmation screen including an area for displaying the first character string, the second character string, and the matching result adjacent to each other, and an area for displaying an image representing the document data and the scanned image adjacent to each other; A program to achieve this.

16. A processor is included. The processor, acquiring a first character string included in a scanned image of a printed matter printed based on the print data, a second character string included in manuscript data input by a user, which is data different from the print data, and a comparison result between the first character string and the second character string; displaying, on a display means, a confirmation screen including an area for adjacently displaying the first character string, the second character string, and the matching result, and an area for adjacently displaying an image representing the document data and the scanned image; Display system.

17. A processor is included. The processor, acquiring a first character string included in a scanned image of a printed matter printed based on the print data, a second character string included in manuscript data input by a user, which is data different from the print data, and a comparison result between the first character string and the second character string; displaying, on a display means, a confirmation screen including an area for adjacently displaying the first character string, the second character string, and the matching result, and an area for adjacently displaying an image representing the document data and the scanned image; Display device.

18. In an inspection device for inspecting scanned images of printed matter, an acquisition means for acquiring a first character string included in a scanned image of a printed matter printed based on print data, a second character string included in manuscript data input by a user, which is data different from the print data, and a comparison result between the first character string and the second character string; a display means for displaying on a display means a confirmation screen including an area for adjacently displaying the first character string, the second character string, and the matching result, and an area for adjacently displaying an image representing the document data and the scanned image; An inspection device having the above structure.

Images