Image forming apparatus, image forming program, information processing apparatus, and information processing program

Abstract

To enable a user to select a print image data generating apparatus for obtaining a print result expected by the user from a plurality of print image data generating apparatuses, or alternatively, to enable the user to select an image forming apparatus for obtaining the print result expected by the user from a plurality of the image forming apparatuses.SOLUTION: In the first embodiment, a comparison unit 44 of a controller 18 of an image forming apparatus 16 compares a plurality of pieces of raster image data generated by each raster image data generating apparatus 14 in accordance with a print job with sample data 38 indicating characteristics of a print result expected by the print job, respectively, and a notification unit 46 notifies a user of the comparison results. In the second embodiment, a comparison unit 82 of the raster image data generating apparatus 14 compares a plurality of pieces of processed image data generated by each image forming apparatus 16 in accordance with the raster image data with sample data 74, and a notification unit 84 notifies the user of the comparison results.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming program, an information processing apparatus, and an information processing program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a cloud service selection system for selecting a cloud service provided to a user via a communication line, in which data indicating the performance of the cloud service required by the user is registered, and a cloud service corresponding to the request is selected from among a plurality of cloud services.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, based on a print instruction, a process of generating print image data (for example, raster image data such as bitmap data) that can be processed by an image forming apparatus may be performed by a print image data generation apparatus, which is an apparatus different from the image forming apparatus. Although not limited to this, such a print image data generation apparatus may be a server that provides the generation of print image data as a cloud service.

[0005]

[0006] Similarly, when a plurality of image forming apparatuses execute printing processing based on the same print image data, a problem may occur in that the print results in each image forming apparatus are slightly different. Further, even in the case of the same image forming apparatus, a problem may occur in that the print results based on the same print image data are slightly different before and after a specification change or version upgrade of the image forming apparatus.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to enable a user to select a print image data generation apparatus for obtaining a print result expected by the user from among a plurality of print image data generation apparatuses. Alternatively, an object of the present invention is to enable a user to select an image forming apparatus for obtaining a print result expected by the user from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The invention according to claim 1 includes a processor, and the processor receives a plurality of the print image data corresponding to the print instruction from each of a plurality of print image data generation apparatuses that generate print image data based on a print instruction, and notifies a user of a comparison result between sample data indicating characteristics of a print result expected by the print instruction and each of the plurality of the print image data. The image forming apparatus is characterized by this. The invention according to claim 2 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor notifies the user of a matching rate between the sample data and the print image data as the comparison result. The invention according to claim 3 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the processor emphasizes an area where there is a difference between the sample data and the print image data and notifies the user of the area. The invention according to claim 4 is the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that for the print instruction, the processor causes only the print image data from the print image data generation apparatus selected by the user based on the comparison result to be printed by a printing unit. The invention according to claim 5 causes a computer to receive, from each of a plurality of print image data generation devices that generate print image data based on a print instruction, the plurality of print image data corresponding to the print instruction, and to notify a user of a comparison result between sample data indicating characteristics of a print result expected by the print instruction and each of the plurality of print image data. An image forming program characterized by the above. The invention according to claim 6 includes a processor, and the processor prints print image data based on a print instruction on a print medium. Execute printing processing from each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, for each image forming apparatus for the print instruction The said printing An information processing apparatus that receives a plurality of processing result image data that are image data indicating results of processing in each image forming apparatus for the print instruction, and notifies a user of a comparison result between sample data indicating characteristics of a print result expected by the print instruction and each of the plurality of processing result image data. The invention according to claim 7 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processor notifies the user of a coincidence rate between the sample data and the processing result image data as the comparison result. The invention according to claim 8 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processor emphasizes a region where there is a difference between the sample data and the processing result image data and notifies the user. The invention according to claim 9 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the processor transmits the print image data only to the image forming apparatus selected by the user based on the comparison result for the print instruction, and causes the image forming apparatus to perform printing. The invention according to claim 10 causes a computer to print print image data based on a print instruction on a print medium. Execute printing processing from each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses, for each image forming apparatus for the print instruction The said printingCausing reception of a plurality of processed result image data which are image data indicating results of processing, and notifying a user of comparison results between sample data indicating characteristics of a print result expected according to the print instruction and each of the plurality of processed result image data. This is an information processing program characterized by the above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the invention according to claim 1 or 5, a user can select a print image data generation device for obtaining a print result expected by the user from among a plurality of print image data generation devices. According to the invention according to claim 2, a user can grasp the matching rate between the sample data and each print image data. According to the invention according to claim 3, a user can grasp an area where there are differences between the sample data and each print image data. According to the invention according to claim 4 or 9, for the print job, a user can obtain a print result expected by the user. According to the invention according to claim 6 or 10, a user can select an image forming device for obtaining a print result expected by the user from among a plurality of image forming devices. According to the invention according to claim 7, a user can grasp the matching rate between the sample data and each processed result image data. According to the invention according to claim 8, a user can grasp an area where there are differences between the sample data and each processed result image data.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] <First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing system 10 according to the first embodiment. The image processing system 10 includes a user terminal 12 used by a user, a plurality of raster image data generation devices 14, and an image forming device 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming device 16 includes a controller 18 and a printing unit 20. The user terminal 12, the plurality of raster image data generation devices 14, and the controller 18 are communicably connected to each other via a communication line 22 such as a LAN (Local Area Network), the Internet, or a mobile communication line.

[0012] The image processing system 10 is a system that executes a printing process of printing print image data based on a print job on a print medium such as paper by the image forming device 16 based on the print job as a print instruction from the user. Specifically, a print job is transmitted from the user terminal 12 to the controller 18. In response to a request from the controller 18, the raster image data generation device 14 generates raster image data as print image data, which is image data recognizable by the printing unit 20, based on the print job, and transmits it to the controller 18. The controller 18 sends the raster image data to the printing unit 20, and the printing unit 20 executes a printing process based on the raster image data.

[0013] In the image processing system 10, a plurality of raster image data generation devices 14 for generating raster image data are provided. Therefore, raster image data is generated by the raster image data generation device 14 selected from the plurality of raster image data generation devices 14, and the printing unit 20 performs printing processing based on the raster image data. Here, even when the plurality of raster image data generation devices 14 generate raster image data based on the same print job, the respective raster image data generated by each raster image data generation device 14 may be slightly different. For example, the color tone and printing position of each object may be slightly different. That is, even for the same print job, depending on the raster image data generation device 14 that generates the raster image data, the print result obtained by the printing process in the printing unit 20 may be slightly different. The causes are not limited to these, but for example, they are due to differences in the methods of raster image data generation processing performed by each raster image data generation device 14 (for example, differences in raster image data generation programs).

[0014] As will be described in detail later, the image processing system 10 assists the user in selecting a raster image data generation device 14 that can generate raster image data that provides the print result expected by the user.

[0015] The user terminal 12 may be, for example, a personal computer or a tablet terminal. The user terminal 12 includes, for example, a communication interface such as a network adapter, a display such as a liquid crystal panel, input interfaces such as a mouse, a keyboard, and a touch panel, a memory such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), an eMMC (embedded Multi Media Card), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a RAM (Random Access Memory), and a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The user terminal 12 transmits a print job to the controller 18 in response to a user's instruction.

[0016] The raster image data generation device 14 is a device other than the image forming device 16, and as described above, it is a device that executes a process of generating raster image data based on a print job. The raster image data generation device 14 may be a server computer that is communicatively connected to the user terminal 12 and the image forming device 16 via the Internet. Specifically, the raster image data generation device 14 may be a cloud server that provides the generation process of the raster image data as a cloud service. Further, in contrast to the cloud server, the raster image data generation device 14 may be a computer installed in a so-called on-premises environment and communicatively connected to the user terminal 12 and the image forming device 16 via a LAN.

[0017] The raster image data generation device 14 includes, for example, a communication interface such as a network adapter, a memory such as an HDD, an SSD, an eMMC, a ROM, or a RAM, and a processor such as a CPU.

[0018] The image forming device 16 is a device capable of performing a printing process, and is, for example, a printer or a multifunction device. The image forming device 16 may be a production printer (a printer for commercial printing). Further, the image forming device 16 may be a continuous paper printer that performs a printing process on a continuous paper that is a long strip of paper. As described above, the image forming device 16 includes a controller 18 and a printing unit 20.

[0019] The controller 18 is a computer that executes various processes related to a print job from the user terminal 12. Note that the controller 18 may also be a server computer. In that case, the controller 18 and the printing unit 20 are communicatively connected via a communication line such as the Internet or a mobile communication line. Details of the configuration and processes of the controller 18 will be described later.

[0020] The printing unit 20 includes a print head, an ink cartridge, a paper feed mechanism, etc., and executes printing processing based on the raster image data sent from the controller 18. The printing unit 20 according to the present embodiment performs printing by an inkjet method, but the printing unit 20 may perform printing by a laser method.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the controller 18.

[0022] The communication interface 30 is configured to include, for example, a network adapter, etc. The communication interface 30 functions to communicate with the user terminal 12, the raster image data generation device 14, and the printing unit 20 via a LAN or the like.

[0023] The display 32 is configured to include, for example, a liquid crystal panel. Various screens related to printing processing, such as a setting screen or a management screen of the input printing job, or a notification screen to the user, are displayed on the display 32. When the controller 18 is a server computer, the display of the user terminal 12 can serve as the display 32.

[0024] The input interface 34 is configured to include, for example, a touch panel, buttons, etc. The input interface 34 receives instructions from the user. For example, the user can input an instruction to start the controller 18 (and the printing unit 20) or an instruction related to the input printing job through the input interface 34. In particular, for example, the user can perform settings related to the imposition of the input printing job (details will be described later) by operating the input interface 34. Further, the input interface 34 may include a storage medium reading device such as a CD / DVD drive. The printing job may be input to the controller 18 by the storage medium reading device reading the storage medium storing the printing job. When the controller 18 is a server computer, the input interface of the user terminal 12 can serve as the input interface 34.

[0025] The memory 36 is configured to include, for example, an HDD, an SSD, an eMMC, a ROM, or a RAM. The memory 36 stores an image processing program for operating each part of the controller 18. Further, the memory 36 temporarily stores an input print job, raster image data generated based on the print job, and the like. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the memory 36 stores the sample data 38.

[0026] The sample data 38 is data indicating the characteristics of the print result expected (expected by the user) by the print job input by the user to the controller 18. That is, the sample data 38 becomes data corresponding to the print job, and the sample data 38 of different print jobs can be different from each other. The sample data 38 related to the print job is input to the controller 18 and stored in the memory 36 prior to the user inputting the print job to the controller 18 or together with the input of the print job.

[0027] Although not limited thereto, for example, when the print job relates to the reissue of a printed matter (such as an advertisement or a brochure) printed in the past, data indicating the characteristics of the printed matter printed in the past can be used as the sample data 38. For example, the sample data 38 may be scan data obtained by scanning the expected print result (such as the above-mentioned printed matter printed in the past). Also, the sample data 38 may be raster image data generated when the expected print result is obtained. Alternatively, the sample data 38 may be metadata indicating the characteristics of the expected print result.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of metadata 38a as sample data 38. In the example of FIG. 3, image data I related to an expected printing result (for example, scan data or raster image data) is divided into a plurality of regions, and the number of pixels of each color component for each region is tabulated as metadata 38a. In the example of FIG. 3, for simplicity, the image data I is divided into four regions by a dashed-dotted line, but actually, the image data I is divided into more regions. The upper left region of the image data I is the region indicated by X = "1" and Y = "1", the lower left region of the image data I is the region indicated by X = "1" and Y = "2", the upper right region of the image data I is the region indicated by X = "2" and Y = "1", and the lower right region of the image data I is the region indicated by X = "2" and Y = "2".

[0029] The metadata 38a shown in FIG. 3 indicates the number of pixels of each color component of C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), and K (key plate (black)) for each region. For example, in the metadata 38a, for the region indicated by X = "1" and Y = "1", the number of pixels of the color component C is 4,987,653, the number of pixels of the color component M is 96,624, the number of pixels of the color component Y is 77,846, and the number of pixels of the color component K is 437. Note that the generation of the metadata may be performed by another device or may be performed by the controller 18 based on the image data related to the expected printed matter.

[0030] Returning to FIG. 2, the processor 40 refers to a processor in a broad sense and is configured to include at least one of a general-purpose processor (such as a CPU, etc.) and a dedicated processing device (such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a programmable logic device, etc.). The processor 40 may be composed not by a single processing device but by the cooperation of a plurality of physically separated processing devices. As shown in FIG. 2, the processor 40 functions as a request unit 42, a comparison unit 44, a notification unit 46, and a print control unit 48 according to the image processing program stored in the memory 36.

[0031] When a print job is input from the user, the request unit 42 transmits the print job to a plurality of raster image data generation devices 14 included in the image processing system 10 and requests each raster image data generation device 14 to generate raster image data related to the print job. Based on the request from the request unit 42, each raster image data generation device 14 generates raster image data based on the sent print job. That is, each raster image data generation device 14 generates raster image data based on the same print job. Each raster image data generation device 14 transmits the generated raster image data to the controller 18, and the controller 18 receives a plurality of raster image data from a plurality of raster image data generation devices 14. In this embodiment, the user inputs a print job to the controller 18, and the request unit 42 transmits the print job to a plurality of raster image data generation devices 14. However, the user may directly transmit the print job to a plurality of raster image data generation devices 14. In this case as well, each raster image data generation device 14 generates raster image data based on the sent print job and transmits it to the controller 18.

[0032] The comparison unit 44 compares the plurality of raster image data generated by each raster image data generation device 14 according to the print job with the sample data 38 corresponding to the print job stored in the memory 36. For example, when the sample data 38 is scan data, the comparison unit 44 executes image comparison processing between the scan data as the sample data 38 and each of the plurality of raster image data. Since known methods can be adopted for the method of image comparison processing, detailed description is omitted here. Further, for example, when the sample data 38 is metadata, the comparison unit 44 compares the metadata as the sample data 38 with the similar metadata obtained from each of the plurality of raster image data. For example, when the sample data 38 is metadata 38a as shown in FIG. 3, the comparison unit 44 similarly divides each raster image data into four regions, generates metadata indicating the number of pixels of each color component in each region, and compares the metadata as the sample data 38 with the metadata of the plurality of raster image data (for example, detects the difference in the number of pixels of each color component).

[0033] The notification unit 46 notifies the user of the comparison results between the sample data 38 and each of the plurality of raster image data by the comparison unit 44. Any method may be used as the method of notifying the user of the comparison results. In the present embodiment, the notification unit 46 causes the display 32 of the controller 18 to display a comparison result notification screen, but the notification unit 46 may adopt a method such as causing the display of the user terminal 12 to display a comparison result notification screen.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the comparison result notification screen displayed on the display 32. In the comparison result notification screen, information for identifying the print job to be compared (in the example of FIG. 4, the data name of the data targeted by the print job) and the comparison results between the sample data 38 and each of the raster image data generated by each raster image data generation device 14 by the comparison unit 44 are shown. In FIG. 4, devices 1 to 3 each mean each raster image data generation device 14.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, the notification unit 46 may notify the user, as a comparison result, of the coincidence rate between the specimen data 38 and each of the raster image data generated by each raster image data generation device 14. In the example of FIG. 4, the coincidence rate is shown as a percentage. Note that a coincidence rate of 100% means that the specimen data 38 and the raster image data are exactly the same.

[0036] Further, when there is a difference between the specimen data 38 and the raster image data (when they do not exactly match) as a comparison result, the notification unit 46 may emphasize and notify the user of the area where the difference exists between the specimen data 38 and the raster image data. For example, the notification unit 46 may display a plurality of raster image data generated by a plurality of raster image data generation devices 14 on a comparison result notification screen, and emphasize and display the area where there is a difference from the specimen data 38 in each raster image data. As the emphasized display, for example, there are methods such as blinking the area where there is a difference and displaying an icon (such as an arrow) near the area where there is a difference, but it is not limited to these.

[0037] By notifying the user of the comparison results between the specimen data 38 and each of the plurality of raster image data by the notification unit 46, the user can select the raster image data generation device 14 that generates the raster image data based on the print job based on the comparison results. Specifically, the user can select the raster image data generation device 14 that generates raster image data with a print result that closely resembles (ideally exactly matches) the specimen data 38. When the coincidence rate between the specimen data 38 and the raster image data is notified as a comparison result, the user can select the raster image data generation device 14 that generated the raster image data with the highest coincidence rate. Also, when the area where there is a difference between the specimen data 38 and the raster image data is emphasized and notified as a comparison result, the user can select the raster image data generation device 14 with reference to the area where there is a difference.

[0038] Note that, as shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that a selection button is included in the comparison result notification screen, and the user can select the raster image data generation device 14 that generates raster image data based on the print job by operating the selection button.

[0039] Returning to FIG. 2, the print control unit 48 transmits the raster image data from the raster image data generation device 14 to the printing unit 20 to cause the printing unit 20 to execute printing processing. In particular, for the print job in which the specimen data 38 and the raster image data are compared, the print control unit 48 transmits only the raster image data from the raster image data generation device 14 selected by the user based on the notification from the notification unit 46 to the printing unit 20 and causes the printing unit 20 to print. Thereby, in the printing unit 20, a printing result expected by the user can be obtained.

[0040] Hereinafter, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, an example of the flow of the processing of the controller 18 in the first embodiment will be described. It is assumed that the specimen data 38 corresponding to the print job related to the processing is stored in the memory 36 at the start point of the flowchart in FIG. 5.

[0041] In step S10, the controller 18 receives a print job from the user.

[0042] In step S12, the request unit 42 transmits the print job received in step S10 to one raster image data generation device 14 and requests generation of raster image data.

[0043] In step S14, the request unit 42 determines whether there is a raster image data generation device 14 among the plurality of raster image data generation devices 14 included in the image processing system 10 that has not been requested to generate raster image data for the print job received in step S10. If there is, the process returns to step S12. In step S12 again, the request unit 42 transmits the print job to another raster image data generation device 14 and requests the generation of raster image data. When the generation of raster image data for the print job has been requested from all the raster image data generation devices 14 included in the image processing system 10, the process proceeds to step S16.

[0044] In step S16, the comparison unit 44 compares the sample data 38 with each of the plurality of raster image data received from the plurality of raster image data generation devices 14.

[0045] In step S18, the notification unit 46 notifies the user of the comparison result by the comparison unit 44 in step S16.

[0046] In step S20, the print control unit 48 transmits the raster image data generated by the raster image data generation device 14 selected by the user based on the comparison result notified in step S18 to the printing unit 20 and causes the printing unit 20 to execute a printing process. Thereafter, for the print job received in step S10, the print control unit 48 transmits only the raster image data generated by the selected raster image data generation device 14 to the printing unit 20.

[0047] <Second Embodiment> FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image processing system 60 according to the second embodiment. The image processing system 60 includes a user terminal 12 used by a user, a raster image data generation device 14 as an information processing device, and a plurality of image forming devices 16. The user terminal 12, the raster image data generation device 14, and the plurality of image forming devices 16 are communicably connected to each other via a communication line 22 such as a LAN, the Internet, or a mobile communication line.

[0048] The image processing system 60 is a system that executes a printing process of printing print image data based on a print job from a user on a printing medium by the image forming apparatus 16. Specifically, a print job is transmitted from the user terminal 12 to the raster image data generation apparatus 14, and the raster image data generation apparatus 14 generates raster image data, which is image data recognizable by the image forming apparatus 16 based on the print job, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 16. The image forming apparatus 16 executes a printing process based on the raster image data.

[0049] In the image processing system 60, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 16 are provided. Therefore, the printing process is performed by the image forming apparatus 16 selected from the plurality of image forming apparatuses 16. Here, even when the plurality of image forming apparatuses 16 perform a printing process based on the same raster image data, the printing results in each image forming apparatus 16 may be slightly different. For example, the color tone and printing position of each object may be slightly different. The causes are not limited to these, but are due to, for example, differences in the printing units of each image forming apparatus 16 and further processes (such as color tone correction processing) performed in the image forming apparatus 16 on the received raster image data.

[0050] Although it will be described in detail later, the image processing system 60 assists the user in selecting the image forming apparatus 16 that can obtain the printing result expected by the user.

[0051] Since the configuration of the user terminal 12 is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. Also, as in the first embodiment, each image forming apparatus 16 includes a controller 18 and a printing unit 20 (see FIG. 2), and executes a printing process based on the raster image data sent from the raster image data generation apparatus 14. However, in the second embodiment, the sample data 38 is not stored in the memory 36 of each image forming apparatus 16, and the processor 40 does not have the functions of the request unit 42, the comparison unit 44, and the notification unit 46.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of the raster image data generation device 14. Similar to the first embodiment, the raster image data generation device 14 is a device other than the image forming apparatus 16, and is a device that executes a process of generating raster image data based on a print job. The raster image data generation device 14 may be a server computer communicatively connected to the user terminal 12 and the image forming apparatus 16 via the Internet. Specifically, the raster image data generation device 14 may be a cloud server that provides the process of generating raster image data as a cloud service. Further, the raster image data generation device 14 may be a computer installed in a so-called on-premises environment, as opposed to a cloud server, and may be a computer communicatively connected to the user terminal 12 and the image forming apparatus 16 via a LAN.

[0053] The communication interface 70 includes, for example, a network adapter or the like. The communication interface 70 functions to communicate with the user terminal 12 and the image forming apparatus 16 via a LAN or the like.

[0054] The memory 72 includes, for example, an HDD, an SSD, an eMMC, a ROM, or a RAM. The memory 72 stores an information processing program for operating each part of the raster image data generation device 14. Further, the input print job or the like is temporarily stored in the memory 72. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the sample data 74 is stored in the memory 72.

[0055] Similar to the sample data 38 of the first embodiment, the sample data 74 is data indicating the characteristics of the print result expected (expected by the user) by the print job input by the user to the image forming apparatus 16. That is, the sample data 74 is data corresponding to the print job, and the sample data 74 for different print jobs may be different from each other. The sample data 74 related to the print job is input to the raster image data generation device 14 and stored in the memory 72 prior to the user inputting the print job to the raster image data generation device 14 or together with the input of the print job.

[0056] Similar to the sample data 38 of the first embodiment, the sample data 74 may be, for example, scan data obtained by scanning an expected printing result. Further, the sample data 74 may be raster image data generated when an expected printing result is obtained. Alternatively, the sample data 74 may be metadata (see FIG. 3) indicating the characteristics of an expected printing result.

[0057] The processor 76 refers to a processor in a broad sense and is configured to include at least one of a general-purpose processor (such as a CPU, etc.) and a dedicated processing device (such as a GPU, ASIC, FPGA, or a programmable logic device, etc.). The processor 76 may be constituted not by a single processing device but by the cooperation of a plurality of physically separated processing devices. As shown in FIG. 7, the processor 76 functions as a raster image data generation unit 78, a request unit 80, a comparison unit 82, a notification unit 84, and a transmission unit 86 according to an information processing program stored in the memory 72.

[0058] The raster image data generation unit 78 generates raster image data according to a print job transmitted from the user terminal 12.

[0059] When the raster image data generation unit 78 generates raster image data, the request unit 80 transmits the raster image data to a plurality of image forming apparatuses 16 included in the image processing system 10 and requests each image forming apparatus 16 to generate processing result image data, which is image data indicating the result of processing in the image forming apparatus 16 based on the raster image data. Based on the request from the request unit 80, each image forming apparatus 16 generates processing result image data based on the transmitted raster image data. That is, each image forming apparatus 16 generates processing result image data based on the same raster image data.

[0060] The processed result image data may be scan data obtained by scanning the printing result printed by the printing unit 20 on the printing medium based on the raster image data. In this case, the image forming apparatus 16 preferably has a structure for automatically scanning the printed printing medium after printing. Alternatively, the processed result image data may be the processed raster image data after the controller 18 performs processing on the raster image data input to the image forming apparatus 16 (specifically, the controller 18). Further, the processed result image data may be metadata indicating the characteristics of the processed raster image data (for example, data similar to the metadata 38a shown in FIG. 3).

[0061] Each image forming apparatus 16 transmits the generated processed result image data to the raster image data generating apparatus 14, and the raster image data generating apparatus 14 receives a plurality of processed result image data from the plurality of image forming apparatuses 16.

[0062] The comparison unit 82 compares the plurality of processed result image data generated by each image forming apparatus 16 according to the raster image data generated by the raster image data generation unit 78 with the sample data 74 stored in the memory 72 and corresponding to the raster image data (that is, the print job). Since the details of the comparison process between the sample data 74 and each processed result image data are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

[0063] The notification unit 84 notifies the user of the comparison results of the sample data 74 and each of the plurality of processed result image data by the comparison unit 82. Any method may be used as the method of notifying the user of the comparison results. In the present embodiment, the notification unit 84 displays a comparison result notification screen on the display of the user terminal 12. The comparison result notification screen may be a screen as shown in FIG. 4, similar to the first embodiment. In this case, apparatuses 1 to 3 each mean each image forming apparatus 16.

[0064] Similar to the first embodiment, the notification unit 84 may notify the user of the matching rate between the sample data 74 and each of the processing result image data generated by each image forming apparatus 16 as a comparison result. Also, similar to the first embodiment, when there is a difference (when there is no exact match) between the sample data 74 and the processing result image data as a comparison result, the notification unit 84 may emphasize the area where there is a difference between the sample data 74 and the processing result image data and notify the user.

[0065] By notifying the user of the comparison result between the sample data 74 and each of the plurality of processing result image data by the notification unit 84, the user can select the image forming apparatus 16 that executes the printing process based on the print job based on the comparison result. Specifically, the user can select the image forming apparatus 16 that obtains a printing result similar to (ideally, exactly matching) the sample data 74. When the matching rate between the sample data 74 and the processing result image data is notified as a comparison result, the user can select the image forming apparatus 16 that generated the processing result image data with the highest matching rate. Also, when an area where there is a difference between the sample data 74 and the processing result image data is emphasized and notified as a comparison result, the user can select the image forming apparatus 16 with reference to the area where there is a difference.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that a selection button is included in the comparison result notification screen, and the user can select the image forming apparatus 16 that executes the printing process based on the print job by operating the selection button.

[0067] The transmission unit 86 transmits the raster image data generated by the raster image data generation unit 78 to the image forming apparatus 16 to cause the image forming apparatus 16 to execute a printing process. In particular, for the print job in which the sample data 74 and the processing result image data are compared, the transmission unit 86 transmits the raster image data only to the image forming apparatus 16 selected by the user based on the notification from the notification unit 84, and causes the image forming apparatus 16 to perform printing. Thereby, in the image forming apparatus 16, a printing result expected by the user can be obtained.

[0068] Hereinafter, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the flow of an example of the processing of the raster image data generation device 14 in the second embodiment will be described. It is assumed that at the start point of the flowchart in FIG. 8, the sample data 74 corresponding to the print job related to the processing is stored in the memory 72.

[0069] In step S40, the raster image data generation unit 78 receives a print job from the user and generates raster image data based on the print job.

[0070] In step S42, the request unit 80 transmits the raster image data generated in step S40 to one image forming apparatus 16 and requests generation of the processed result image data.

[0071] In step S44, the request unit 80 determines whether there is an image forming apparatus 16 among the plurality of image forming apparatuses 16 included in the image processing system 60 for which a request for generation of the processed result image data for the print job received in step S40 has not been made. If there is, the process returns to step S42, and in step S42 again, the request unit 80 transmits the raster image data to another image forming apparatus 16 and requests generation of the processed result image data. When requests for generation of the processed result image data of the print job have been made to all the image forming apparatuses 16 included in the image processing system 60, the process proceeds to step S46.

[0072] In step S46, the comparison unit 82 compares the sample data 74 with each of the plurality of processed result image data received from the plurality of image forming apparatuses 16.

[0073] In step S48, the notification unit 84 notifies the user of the comparison result by the comparison unit 82 in step S46.

[0074] In step S50, the transmission unit 86 transmits raster image data to the image forming apparatus 16 selected by the user based on the comparison result notified in step S48, and causes the image forming apparatus 16 to execute a printing process. Thereafter, for the print job received in step S40, the transmission unit 86 transmits raster image data only to the selected image forming apparatus 16.

[0075] As described above, the embodiments according to the present invention have been explained. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0076] 10, 60 Image processing system, 12 User terminal, 14 Raster image data generation device, 16 Image forming apparatus, 18 Controller, 20 Printing unit, 22 Communication line, 30, 70 Communication interface, 32 Display, 34 Input interface, 36, 72 Memory, 38, 74 Sample data, 38a Metadata, 40, 76 Processor, 42, 80 Request unit, 44, 82 Comparison unit, 46, 84 Notification unit, 48 Print control unit, 78 Raster image data generation unit, 86 Transmission unit.

Claims

1. Comprising a processor, The processor, Receives a plurality of pieces of the print image data corresponding to the print instruction from each of a plurality of print image data generation devices that generate print image data based on a print instruction, and notifies a user of sample data indicating characteristics of a print result expected by the print instruction and a comparison result between the sample data and each of the plurality of pieces of print image data. An image forming apparatus characterized by the above.

2. As the comparison result, the processor notifies the user of a coincidence rate between the sample data and the print image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The processor emphasizes an area where there is a difference between the sample data and the print image data and notifies the user of the area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The processor, For the print instruction, causes only the print image data from the print image data generation device selected by the user based on the comparison result to be printed by a printing unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the above.

5. Causing a computer, To receive a plurality of pieces of the print image data corresponding to the print instruction from each of a plurality of print image data generation devices that generate print image data based on a print instruction, and to notify a user of sample data indicating characteristics of a print result expected by the print instruction and a comparison result between the sample data and each of the plurality of pieces of print image data. An image forming program characterized by the above.

6. Comprising a processor, The processor, Receives a plurality of pieces of processing result image data, which are image data indicating results of the print processing in each image forming apparatus for the print instruction, from each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute a print processing of printing print image data based on a print instruction on a print medium, and notifies a user of sample data indicating characteristics of a print result expected by the print instruction and a comparison result between the sample data and each of the plurality of pieces of processing result image data. An information processing apparatus characterized by the above.

7. As the comparison result, the processor notifies the user of a coincidence rate between the sample data and the processing result image data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

8. The processor emphasizes an area where there is a difference between the sample data and the processing result image data and notifies the user of the area. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

9. The processor: Regarding the printing instruction, transmits the print image data only to the image forming apparatus selected by the user based on the comparison result, and causes the image forming apparatus to perform printing. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, characterized by the above.

10. Causing a computer to: Receive, from each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses that execute a printing process for printing print image data based on a printing instruction on a printing medium, a plurality of processing result image data that are image data indicating the result of the printing process in each image forming apparatus for the printing instruction, and notify the user of a comparison result between specimen data indicating characteristics of a printing result expected by the printing instruction and each of the plurality of processing result image data. An information processing program, characterized by the above.

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