Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program

Abstract

To control, in inspection of a printed material, the number of reference images according to an inspection condition to reduce excessive detection or false detection.SOLUTION: An image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment compares a reference image being a print result to be a reference with a target image to be inspected to determine the presence or absence of a defect in the target image, and the image processing apparatus comprises: first setting means that sets an inspection condition for a printed material; second setting means that sets the number of the reference images according to the inspection condition; and comparison means that compares the reference image with the target image based on the set number of images.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing technology for inspecting printed matter.

Background Art

[0002] Visual inspection in which an inspector visually inspects whether there are so-called defects such as stains and color bleeding on printed matter requires a lot of time and cost. Therefore, in recent years, there has been a demand for an inspection system that automatically performs inspections without relying on the visual inspection of inspectors. In such an inspection system, there is a method of calculating the presence or absence of defects from the difference value between the scan data of the printed matter to be inspected and the image data obtained by scanning a printed matter without defects as a reference. Patent Document 1 discloses a method of preparing a plurality of reference images in order to improve inspection accuracy. And it is described that the difference between the inspection target image and each of the plurality of reference images is calculated, and the presence or absence of defects is determined from the combination with the smallest difference.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the signal-to-noise (S / N) ratio of the reference image cannot be adjusted, over-detection or mis-detection may occur in the inspection.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The image processing apparatus according to the present disclosure includes setting means for setting the printing quality when printing printed matter, Based on the printing quality, each of the printed materials printed by the printing device, the number of sheets set according to the printing quality obtained by reading each of the printed materials Generating means for generating a reference image by synthesizing candidate composite images, and inspection means for inspecting the target image based on the difference between the reference image and the printed by the printing device based on the printing quality target image obtained by reading a printed matter, characterized by comprising:

Advantages of the Invention

[0006] In the inspection of printed matter, over-detection or false detection can be reduced by controlling the number of reference image sheets according to the inspection conditions.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all combinations of the features described in this embodiment are essential for the solution means of the present invention. For the same configuration, the same reference numerals will be used for description, and duplicate descriptions will be omitted. Also, each step (step) in the flowchart is indicated by a symbol starting with S.

[0009] The image processing apparatus according to this embodiment inspects the presence or absence of defects in an inspection target medium (hereinafter, may also be referred to as a print result) which is a printed material. Here, image data representing a print result serving as a reference without defects is referred to as a reference image (reference image), and the read image data of the print result to be inspected is referred to as a target image. Also, as preprocessing for inspection, in order to match the brightness etc. between the reference image and the target image, a detection range of paper white (hereinafter, also referred to as a paper white region) may be determined based on the print position deviation amount, and the target image may be corrected using the detected paper white value.

Example

[0010] In Example 1, when inspecting the print result, a process of generating a reference image suitable for inspection by setting the print quality setting at the time of printing as an inspection condition and controlling the number of synthesized reference images according to the set inspection condition will be described.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a configuration example of an entire printing system that performs output and inspection of printed matter, including an image processing apparatus 100 to which this embodiment is applied. The printing system of this embodiment includes an image processing apparatus 100, a printing server 180, and a printing apparatus 190. The printing server 180 has a function of generating a print job for a document to be printed and inputting the print job to the printing apparatus 190. The printing apparatus 190 has a function of forming an image on a recording medium (printing paper) based on the print job input from the printing server 180. The printing apparatus 190 can use an apparatus such as an offset printing method, an electrophotographic method, or an inkjet method. In this embodiment, it is assumed to be an electrophotographic printing apparatus. The printing apparatus 190 has a paper feeding unit 191, and the user sets the printing paper in the paper feeding unit 191 in advance. When a print job is input, the printing apparatus 190 conveys the printing paper set in the paper feeding unit 191 along a conveyance path 192, forms an image on its front or both sides, and sends it to the image processing apparatus 100.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment performs an inspection process for examining the presence or absence of defects on the paper, that is, the printed matter, which the printing apparatus 190 has formed and sent through the conveyance path 192. That is, the image processing apparatus 100 functions as an inspection processing apparatus. The image processing apparatus 100 has a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, and a main storage device 104 inside. It also has an image reading device 105, an interface (I / F) 106 with the printing apparatus, a general-purpose interface (I / F) 107, a user interface (UI) panel 108, and a main bus 109. Furthermore, it has a conveyance path 110 for the printed matter connected to the conveyance path 192 of the printing apparatus 190, an output tray 111 for the printed products that have passed the inspection, and an output tray 112 for the printed matter in which defects have been found and the inspection has failed. Note that the classification of the printed matter may not be limited to these two types of qualified and unqualified, and may be configured to be classified more finely.

[0013] The CPU 101 is a processor that comprehensively controls each part within the image processing apparatus 100. The RAM 102 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 101. The ROM 103 stores a group of programs executed by the CPU 101. The main storage device 104 stores applications executed by the CPU 101, data used for image processing, etc. The image reading device (scanner) 105 can read one side or both sides of a printed matter sent from a printing device on the conveyance path 110 and acquire it as image data. The printing device I / F 106 is connected to the printing device 190 and can synchronize the processing timing with the printing device 190 and communicate their respective operating statuses. The general-purpose I / F 107 is a serial bus interface such as USB or IEEE 1394, through which a user can take out data such as logs or import some data into the image processing apparatus 100. The UI panel 108 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, functions as a user interface of the image processing apparatus 100, displays the current status and settings, and conveys them to the user. Also, by providing a touch panel or buttons, it can receive instructions from the user. The main bus 109 connects each part of the image processing apparatus 100. Although omitted from FIG. 1, various parts inside the image processing apparatus 100 and the printing system can be operated according to instructions from the CPU 101. For example, the conveyance paths can be moved synchronously, or it can be switched whether to send the printed matter to the qualified output tray 111 or the unqualified output tray 112 according to the inspection result. Also, in addition to the CPU, a GPU may be provided.

[0014] Overall, while conveying the printed matter sent from the printing device 190 on the conveyance path 110, the image processing apparatus 100 performs the inspection process described below based on the image data of the printed matter read by the image reading device 105. As a result of the inspection process, if the printed matter passes the inspection, it is conveyed to the qualified output tray 111; otherwise, it is conveyed to the unqualified output tray 112. In this way, only those with confirmed quality can be collected in the output tray 111 as the deliverable end products.

[0015] Among the system configurations as described above, Fig. 2 shows the configuration of each functional block of the image processing apparatus 100 related to the inspection process of this embodiment. The image processing apparatus 100 includes an image acquisition unit 201, an inspection setting unit 202, a composite number setting unit 203, an image composite unit 204, and an inspection processing unit 205.

[0016] The image acquisition unit 201 acquires the image data of the printed matter on the transmission path 110 as reference composite candidate image data or inspection target image data in synchronization with the output of the printed matter from the printing apparatus 190. The acquired image data is held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104. The inspection setting unit 202 performs various settings related to printing and inspection based on operations from the user acquired via the UI panel 108 and the like. The composite number setting unit 203 sets the number of composites when performing reference image composition based on the various settings set by the inspection setting unit 202. The image composite unit 204 generates reference image data by composing the reference composite candidate image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 206. The inspection processing unit 205 performs an inspection by comparing the inspection image data acquired by the image acquisition unit 206 with the reference image data, and outputs the inspection result.

[0017] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the inspection process of the process performed by the image processing apparatus 100 of this embodiment.

[0018] In S301, the inspection setting unit 202 performs printing settings and inspection settings based on operations from the user acquired via the UI panel 108 or the like. Each set value is held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104. In this embodiment, printing quality and printing target settings are performed as printing settings, and inspection sensitivity setting is performed in inspection settings, but other settings may be added. FIG. 5 shows an example of a printing setting screen on the UI panel. The user can set the printing quality in three levels: high quality, standard, and high speed, by operating the printing quality slider. In this example, it is shown that the printing quality increases as going to the right side. Also, the user can set the printing target from the pull-down list of the printing target. Next, FIG. 6 shows an example of an inspection setting screen on the UI panel. Here, the user can set the inspection sensitivity in two levels: high sensitivity and low sensitivity, by operating the radio button of the inspection sensitivity. Compared with the low sensitivity, smaller printing defects or printing defects with low contrast can be detected at high sensitivity.

[0019] In S302, the image composition unit 204 composes a reference composite candidate image and generates a reference image based on the inspection settings set in the previous step. An example of the reference image is shown in FIG. 7(a). The details of the reference image generation process will be described later.

[0020] In S303, the image acquisition unit 201 scans the printed matter printed by the printing device 190 with the image reading device 105 and reads it as an inspection target image. The read inspection target image is held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104. An example of the inspection target image is shown in FIG. 7(b).

[0021] In S304, the inspection processing unit 205 inspects the presence or absence of printing defects based on the difference image between the reference image and the inspection target image, and the inspection sensitivity, and outputs the result. An example of the difference image is shown in FIG. 7(c).

[0022] In S305, it is determined whether to end the process based on the printing information from the printing device 190 and the operations from the user obtained via the UI panel 108. If the process is not ended, the flow proceeds to S303.

[0023] <Reference Image Generation Process> Here, the details of the reference image synthesis process in S302 will be described.

[0024] Generally, the image of the printed matter scanned contains noise generated during printing and noise generated during scanning. Therefore, in this embodiment, a reference image with a good S / N ratio is generated by performing a synthesis process after aligning a plurality of scanned images. Note that since the amount of noise in the scanned image varies according to the printing settings at the time of printing, it is necessary to appropriately set the number of synthesized images based on this. The setting process for this number of synthesized images will be described later.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the reference image synthesis process in this embodiment. Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart will be described.

[0026] In S401, the image synthesis unit 204 sets the number of reference synthesis images when synthesizing the reference candidate images to generate a reference image. The number of reference synthesis images is set based on the printing settings and inspection settings set in S301. The details of the process will be described later.

[0027] In S402, the image acquisition unit 201 scans the printed matter printed by the printing device 190 with the image reading device 105 and reads it as a reference synthesis candidate image. The read reference synthesis candidate image is held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104. The reference synthesis candidate images are repeatedly printed and scanned until the number of syntheses set in the previous step is reached, and acquisition is performed.

[0028] In S403, the image synthesis unit 204 sets a reference image that serves as a standard for the alignment process during the reference synthesis process. For example, the first acquired reference synthesis candidate image is set as the reference image. Alternatively, a reference synthesis candidate image without defects may be visually confirmed and set as the reference image.

[0029] In S404, the image synthesis unit 204 performs a reference image synthesis process by obtaining the average value of each pixel of the reference synthesis candidate images, and generates a reference image (synthesized image). At this time, considering the positional deviation during scanning, alignment may be performed so that each reference synthesis candidate image is aligned with the reference image, and then each pixel is averaged. Note that a known alignment technique such as an affine transformation may be used for the alignment process. The generated reference image is held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104.

[0030] <Reference Synthesis Number Setting Process> Here, the details of the reference synthesis number setting process in S401 will be described.

[0031] In this embodiment, a process of setting the reference synthesis number based on the print quality among the print settings set in S301 will be described. Generally, compared to printed matter with high print quality, in an image with low print quality, density unevenness and the like are likely to occur, and the granularity tends to deteriorate. That is, since the noise component increases, the S / N ratio of the printed matter becomes low. Therefore, in order to reduce the noise component and obtain a reference image with a good S / N ratio, it is necessary to average more images than in high-quality printing.

[0032] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the reference synthesis number setting process performed by the synthesis number setting unit 203 in this embodiment. Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart will be described.

[0033] In S801, the print quality setting held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104 is acquired.

[0034] In S802, it is determined whether the obtained print quality is high quality. If it is high quality, the process proceeds to S803; otherwise, it proceeds to S804.

[0035] In S803, the reference synthesis number N1’ is set such that N1’ = N1. Here, N1 is the reference synthesis number determined so that the S / N ratio of the reference image becomes a sufficient value for the inspection when synthesizing the reference synthesis candidate images obtained from the printed matter printed with high quality.

[0036] In S804, the reference synthesis number N1’ is set such that N1’ > N1. The printed matter printed with a print quality determined not to be high quality tends to have a lower S / N ratio of the printed matter compared to high-quality printing. Therefore, in order to make the S / N ratio of the reference image a sufficient value for the inspection, it is necessary to average more reference synthesis candidate images. Therefore, the reference synthesis number N1’ is set to a value larger than N1, which is the default value set based on high-quality printing.

[0037] By the process described above, according to the print quality setting in the print settings, it is possible to set the reference synthesis number for generating a reference image suitable for inspection.

Example

[0038] In this example, as an inspection condition, a process of controlling the reference image synthesis number according to the print target setting in the print settings will be described.

[0039] The flow of the inspection process and the flow of the reference image generation process performed by the image processing apparatus 100 in this example are the same as those in Example 1, so the description is omitted. In this example, the reference synthesis number setting process is different from that in Example 1. In Example 1, the process according to the print quality setting was described. In this example, among the print settings, the reference synthesis number setting process according to the print target setting will be described.

[0040] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the reference composite number setting process performed by the composite number setting unit 203 in this embodiment. Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart will be described.

[0041] In S901, the print target setting held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104 is acquired.

[0042] In S902, it is determined whether the acquired print target setting is a photo. If it is a photo, the process proceeds to S903; otherwise, the process proceeds to S904.

[0043] In S903, the reference composite number N2' is set such that N2' < N2. Printed matter with the print target setting as a photo tends to contain more edge portions of the image than printed matter with the print target setting as an illustration. In the reference image composite process, when averaging a plurality of images, the edges are blurred due to subtle misalignment of each image. As a result, when there are printing defects around the edges of the image, the detection accuracy decreases. To reduce this influence, the following process is performed when synthesizing the reference composite candidate images obtained from the printed matter with the print target setting as an illustration. That is, the reference composite number N2' is set to a value smaller than the reference composite number N2 determined so that the S / N ratio of the reference image becomes a sufficient value for inspection. That is, the composite number is smaller for a photo that relatively contains more edge portions compared to an illustration with relatively fewer edge portions.

[0044] In S904, the reference composite number N2' is set such that N2' = N2.

[0045] Through the series of processes described above, it is possible to set the reference composite number for generating a reference image suitable for inspection according to the print target setting in the print settings.

[0046] In this embodiment, although the printing target setting has been described with examples of photos and illustrations, the printing target setting is not limited to this. For example, for a setting including many edges such as a document, by setting the reference synthesis number N2' so that N2' < N2, the blurring of the edges during reference synthesis can be suppressed, and a similar effect can be obtained.

Embodiment

[0047] In this embodiment, as an inspection condition, a process of controlling the number of reference image synthesis sheets according to the inspection sensitivity setting will be described.

[0048] The flow of the inspection process and the flow of the reference image generation process performed by the image processing apparatus 100 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted. In this embodiment, the reference synthesis number setting process is different from that in the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, a process according to the print quality setting of the print setting was described. In this embodiment, a reference synthesis number setting process according to the inspection sensitivity setting of the inspection setting will be described.

[0049] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the reference synthesis number setting process performed by the synthesis number setting unit 203 in this embodiment. Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart will be described.

[0050] In S1001, the inspection sensitivity setting held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104 is acquired.

[0051] In S1002, it is determined whether the acquired inspection sensitivity setting is a high-sensitivity setting. If it is a high-sensitivity setting, the process proceeds to S1003; otherwise, the process proceeds to S1004.

[0052] In S1003, the reference synthesis number N3' is set such that N3' > N3. When the inspection sensitivity setting is a high-sensitivity setting, that is, when the user desires to detect smaller printing defects or printing defects with lower contrast. When the S / N ratio of the scanned image is low due to noise generated during scanning, it is difficult to distinguish such small printing defects or low-contrast printing defects from the noise components in the scanned image, making it difficult to detect printing defects. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare a reference image with a high S / N ratio. Here, by setting the reference synthesis number N3' to a value larger than N3, which is the reference synthesis number determined so that printing defects can be appropriately detected when the inspection sensitivity setting is a low-sensitivity setting, a reference image with a higher S / N ratio is generated.

[0053] In S1004, the reference synthesis number N3' is set such that N3' = N3.

[0054] Through the series of processes described above, it is possible to set the reference synthesis number for generating a reference image suitable for inspection according to the inspection sensitivity setting in the inspection settings.

Example

[0055] In this example, the setting process of the reference image synthesis number when the inspection sensitivity setting in the inspection settings changes for a previously prepared inspection preset value will be described.

[0056] The flow of the inspection process of the image processing apparatus 100 in this embodiment is the same as the content described in the first embodiment except for S301. In this embodiment, in the inspection setting process of S301, the inspection setting unit 202 performs the setting of the inspection preset in addition to the print setting and the inspection setting based on the operation from the user acquired via the UI panel 108 or the like. Each set value is held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104. An example of the selection screen of the inspection preset is shown in FIG. 12(a). The user sets the inspection preset value by selecting one from preset A, preset B, and preset C by operating the radio button. In this embodiment, the following description will be made assuming that the user has selected preset B. An example of the content of each preset value is shown in FIG. 12(b). Here, the inspection sensitivity setting and the reference composite number are held as a set for each preset value. These are created in advance by setting the reference composite number suitable for each inspection sensitivity setting.

[0057] Since the flow of the reference image generation process is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] Next, the reference composite number setting process in this embodiment will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the reference composite number setting process performed by the composite number setting unit 203 in this embodiment. Hereinafter, each step of the flowchart will be described.

[0059] In S1101, the inspection sensitivity setting held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104 is acquired.

[0060] In S1102, the inspection preset value held in the RAM 102 or the main storage device 104 is acquired. For example, when the user has selected preset B in S301, preset B is acquired here as the inspection preset value. As shown in FIG. 12(b), preset B has a setting in which the inspection sensitivity setting is medium sensitivity and the reference composite number is N B and so on.

[0061] In S1103, the reference synthesis number N' is set to the preset value obtained in the previous step. For example, if preset B was obtained as the inspection preset in the previous step, in this embodiment, N' = N B This results in

[0062] In S1104, the inspection sensitivity setting obtained in S1101 is compared with the inspection sensitivity setting of the inspection preset obtained in S1102. If the inspection sensitivity setting obtained in S1101 is higher than the inspection sensitivity setting of the inspection preset, proceed to S1105. Otherwise, proceed to S1106.

[0063] In S1105, the reference synthesis number N' is set to a value larger than the reference synthesis number of the inspection preset obtained in S1103. For example, if preset B was obtained as the inspection preset, in this embodiment, N' > N B This results in

[0064] In S1106, the inspection sensitivity setting obtained in S1101 is compared with the inspection sensitivity setting of the inspection preset obtained in S1102. If the inspection sensitivity setting obtained in S1101 is lower than the inspection sensitivity setting of the inspection preset, proceed to S1107. Otherwise, end the process.

[0065] In S1107, the reference synthesis number N' is set to a value smaller than the reference synthesis number of the inspection preset obtained in S1103. For example, if preset B was obtained as the inspection preset, in this embodiment, N' < N B This results in

[0066] Through the series of processes described above, for a preset value prepared in advance, when the inspection sensitivity setting of the inspection setting changes, it is possible to set the reference synthesis number for generating a reference image suitable for inspection.

[0067] In this embodiment, an example in which an inspection sensitivity setting and a reference composite number are linked to each preset value has been described, but the contents of the preset are not limited to this. For example, in Fig. 13, a print quality setting, a print target setting, an inspection sensitivity setting, and a reference composite number are linked to each preset value. These are created by setting an appropriate reference composite number in advance when printing and inspection are performed with each setting value.

[0068] In this embodiment, the inspection sensitivity setting set in S301 is compared with the inspection sensitivity setting selected as a preset value to control the reference composite number. However, in the example shown in FIG. 13, for example, the print quality setting set in S301 may be compared with the print quality setting selected as a preset value to control the reference composite number. Also, the reference composite number may be controlled using a combination of the print quality setting, the print target setting, and the inspection sensitivity setting. For example, when preset B is selected and the user sets the print quality setting to high quality, the print target setting to illustration, and the inspection sensitivity setting to high sensitivity, the print quality setting is set to N'=N B、 Print target setting N'=N B , Inspection sensitivity setting N'>N B Therefore, overall, N'>N B In addition, by setting a priority order in advance for each setting item of the print quality setting, the print target setting, and the inspection sensitivity setting, it is possible to deal with cases where an increase or decrease in the reference composite number results in a contradictory result between each setting value.

[0069] [Other variations] In the above-described embodiment, an example of setting the number of reference images to be synthesized has been described. However, instead of synthesizing reference images, it is also possible to compare each of the set number of reference images with the target image, and synthesize (e.g., average) the comparison results to determine whether or not there are defects in the synthesized image.

[0070] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or apparatus via a network or a storage medium, and causing one or more processors in a computer of the system or apparatus to read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (for example, an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

Explanation of Signs

[0071] 201 Image acquisition unit 202 Inspection setting unit 203 Composite number setting unit 204 Image composite unit 205 Inspection processing unit

Claims

1. Setting means for setting the print quality when printing a printed matter; Generating means for generating a reference image by synthesizing synthetic candidate images obtained by reading each of the set number of printed matters printed by a printing apparatus based on the print quality; Inspection means for inspecting the target image based on the difference between the reference image and the target image obtained by reading the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus based on the print quality; An image processing apparatus comprising the same.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the set print quality is the first quality, the number of sheets is set to be larger than when the print quality is the second quality higher than the first quality.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the setting means sets the print quality based on an instruction from a user.

4. Setting means for setting print content as a printing target; Generating means for generating a reference image by synthesizing synthetic candidate images obtained by reading each of the set number of printed matters printed by a printing apparatus based on the print content; Inspection means for inspecting the target image based on the difference between the reference image and the target image obtained by reading the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus based on the print content; An image processing apparatus comprising the same.

5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when the set print content is a first image including an edge portion, the number of sheets is set to be smaller than when the print content is a second image having fewer edge portions than the first image.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the setting means sets an illustration or a photograph as the print content.

7. Setting means for setting inspection sensitivity when inspecting a printed matter; Generating means for generating a reference image by synthesizing synthetic candidate images obtained by reading each of the set number of printed matters printed by a printing apparatus based on the print data; Inspection means for inspecting the target image based on the difference between the reference image and the target image obtained by reading the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus based on the print data; An image processing apparatus comprising the same.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the set inspection sensitivity is the first inspection sensitivity, the number of sheets is set to be larger than when the inspection sensitivity is a second inspection sensitivity lower than the first inspection sensitivity.

9. A program for causing a computer to function as the image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A setting step of setting print quality when printing a printed matter, A generation step of generating a reference image by synthesizing composite candidate images obtained by reading, for each of the number of printed matters set according to the print quality, the printed matters printed by a printing apparatus based on the print quality, An inspection step of inspecting the target image based on a difference between the reference image and the target image obtained by reading the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus based on the print quality. An image processing method, characterized by comprising the above.

11. A setting step of setting print content as a print target, A generation step of generating a reference image by synthesizing composite candidate images obtained by reading, for each of the number of printed matters set according to the print content, the printed matters printed by a printing apparatus based on the print content, An inspection step of inspecting the target image based on a difference between the reference image and the target image obtained by reading the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus based on the print content. An image processing method, characterized by comprising the above.

12. A setting step of setting inspection sensitivity when inspecting a printed matter, A generation step of generating a reference image by synthesizing composite candidate images obtained by reading, for each of the number of printed matters set according to the inspection sensitivity, the printed matters printed by a printing apparatus based on print data, An inspection step of inspecting the target image based on a difference between the reference image and the target image obtained by reading the printed matter printed by the printing apparatus based on the print data. An image processing method, characterized by comprising the above.

Images