Information processing device, information processing system, and program

Abstract

To reduce the possibility of positioning being carried out at an unintended position, as compared with the case where positioning is carried out without taking periodicity into account when carrying out positioning in order to compare two image data that have periodicity.SOLUTION: An image processing device 10 as an information processing device includes a control unit 11. In the control unit 11, a periodicity information acquisition unit 102 acquires information regarding the periodicity of an image included in the data of a correct-answer image to be compared and the data of an image to be inspected, and an information correction unit 104 corrects predetermined information in order for alignment of the correct-answer image data with the inspection target image data, on the basis of information regarding the image periodicity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] It has been customary to inspect whether an image has been printed accurately by a printing machine (for example, see Patent Document 1). Such inspections may detect defects that may occur in the printed image by comparing the data of the image to be printed with scan data of the printed image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5409237 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, such a comparison requires so-called "alignment" to eliminate misalignment between the images being compared, but if the images being compared have periodicity, alignment may occur at an unintended position.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of alignment occurring in an unintended position when alignment is performed to compare data from two periodic images, compared to when alignment is performed without taking the periodicity into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 includes a processor, and the processor performs a process of comparing first image data and second image data. Each of Included in 1st image Information about the periodicity and second image Information on periodicity and and correcting predetermined information for aligning the data of the first image and the data of the second image based on information about the periodicity of the images. and correcting at least one of information indicating an area to be aligned and information indicating a search amount for the area as predetermined information for the alignment. The information processing device is characterized by the above. The invention described in claim 2 is the information processing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the processor obtains information regarding the periodicity of the image from at least one of information regarding objects contained in the data of the first image and the data of the second image, information regarding the frequency of the data of the first image and the data of the second image, and information input separately. The invention described in claim 3 is an information processing device described in claim 2, characterized in that the processor acquires at least one of the position, size, and quantity of the area that serves as the unit of the period as information regarding the periodicity of the image. The invention described in claim 4 is the information processing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the data of the second image is data of an image generated by reading the first image formed on a recording medium output from an image forming device. The invention described in claim 5 is the information processing device described in claim 4, characterized in that the processor controls the alignment in the comparison by using the data of the first image as data of the correct image and the data of the second image as data of the image to be inspected. Claim 6 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that, when performing the correction, the processor takes into consideration the consistency of the shape and size of the area to be aligned and the area that is the unit of the period. 1 The information processing device is described in Claim 7 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the processor corrects the information indicating the area to be aligned by matching the shape and size of the area to the shape and size of the area that is the unit of the period. 1 The information processing device is described in Claim 8The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the processor corrects the information indicating the search amount by matching the shape and size of the area indicating the search amount with the shape and size of the area to be aligned. 1 The information processing device is described in Claim 9 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that, when performing the correction, the processor refers to information indicating the outer edge of the recording medium on which the second image is formed. 1 The information processing device is described in Claim 10 The invention described in the above is a method for comparing first and second image data. Each of Included in 1st image Information about the periodicity and second image Information on periodicity and and correcting predetermined information for aligning the first image data and the second image data based on the acquired information about the periodicity of the images. and correcting at least one of information indicating an area to be aligned and information indicating a search amount for the area as predetermined information for the alignment. and a correction means for correcting the error. Claim 11 The invention described in the above is a method for making a computer acquire data of a first image and data of a second image to be compared. Each of Included in 1st image Information about the periodicity and second image Information on periodicity and and correcting predetermined information for aligning the data of the first image and the data of the second image based on information about the periodicity of the acquired images. and correcting at least one of information indicating an area to be aligned and information indicating a search amount for the area as predetermined information for the alignment. It is a program that realizes the functions described above. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention of claim 1, when alignment is performed to compare data of two images having periodicity, an information processing device can be provided that reduces the possibility of alignment being performed at an unintended position compared to when alignment is performed without taking the periodicity into consideration. Furthermore, by correcting at least one of the area to be aligned and the search amount for that area, it is possible to reduce the possibility of alignment being performed at an unintended position. According to the present invention of claim 2, by preparing multiple methods for obtaining "information regarding the periodicity of an image" depending on the situation, the possibility of missing information can be reduced and highly accurate information can be obtained. According to the present invention of claim 3, it is possible to identify the type of periodicity of the image from the acquired information. According to the present invention of claim 4, when alignment is performed to detect defects that may exist in an image output from an image forming device, the possibility of alignment being performed at an unintended position can be reduced. According to the present invention of claim 5, when detecting defects that may exist in the output image by comparing the data of the image to be output with the data of the output image, the possibility of alignment being performed at an unintended position can be reduced. Claim 6 According to the present invention, if the shape and size of the area to be aligned and the area that is the unit of the period match, correction processing can be eliminated. Claim 7 According to the present invention, by correcting the shape and size of the area to be aligned with the area that is the unit of the period so that they match, it is possible to reduce the possibility of alignment occurring at an unintended position, thereby improving the accuracy of the comparison results and reducing the number of undetected defects. Claim 8 According to the present invention, by correcting the shape and size of the area indicating the search amount and the area to be aligned so that they match, the possibility of alignment occurring in an unintended position can be reduced. Claim 9 According to the present invention, when the predetermined information for alignment is corrected, the information indicating the outer edge of the recording medium (e.g., paper) on which the second image is formed is taken into consideration, thereby further reducing the possibility of alignment being performed at an unintended position. Claim 10According to the present invention, when alignment is performed to compare data of two periodic images, an information processing system can be provided that reduces the possibility of alignment being performed at an unintended position compared to when alignment is performed without taking the periodicity into consideration. Furthermore, by correcting at least one of the area to be aligned and the search amount for that area, it is possible to reduce the possibility of alignment being performed at an unintended position. Claim 11 According to the present invention, when alignment is performed to compare data of two periodic images, a program can be provided that reduces the possibility of alignment being performed at an unintended position compared to when alignment is performed without taking the periodicity into consideration. Furthermore, by correcting at least one of the area to be aligned and the search amount for that area, it is possible to reduce the possibility of alignment being performed at an unintended position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image processing apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a control unit of the image processing apparatus. [Figure 4] 1 is a flowchart showing the overall processing flow of the image processing device. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of information correction processing. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of information correction processing among the processing of the image processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. (Configuration of information processing system) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an information processing system 1 to which this embodiment is applied. The information processing system 1 is configured by connecting an image processing device 10 and a client terminal 50 via a network 90. ​​The network 90 is, for example, a local area network (LAN) or the Internet. The image processing device 10 and the client terminal 50 can also be directly connected using a communication method such as infrared communication, visible light communication, close proximity wireless communication, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or RFID (registered trademark) without using the network 90. ​​Although only one client terminal 50 is shown in FIG. 1, multiple client terminals 50 may be connected to the network 90.

[0010] The image processing device 10 is an information processing device having basic functions such as a function to form an image on a recording medium, a function to read the image formed on the recording medium, and a function to send and receive image information via communication. The image information sent and received by the image processing device 10 includes data on the image to be formed on the recording medium and information required to form the image on the recording medium. Examples of information required to form an image on the recording medium include the size of the recording medium to be output, the color mode (e.g., full color or black and white) when the image is formed, the number of copies to be output, etc. In this embodiment, the recording medium is paper.

[0011] After performing a process of forming an image on paper as a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as "printing"), the image processing device 10 inspects whether the printing was performed accurately. Specifically, the data of the image to be printed is used as data of the correct image, and the data of the image generated by the process of reading the image printed on paper is used as data of the image to be inspected, and the two sets of data are compared. Then, based on the difference detected as a result of comparing the two sets of data, it is determined whether there is a defect in the printing process. The detection of the difference is performed according to predetermined detection conditions. Examples of defects in the printing process include "stains" caused by ink or the like adhering to unintended locations, "whiteouts" where printing is missing, and "faint spots" where printing is insufficient.

[0012] In the above inspection, the image processing device 10 performs the following process. That is, the image processing device 10 acquires information about image periodicity contained in the data of the correct image as the data of the first image to be compared and the data of the image to be inspected as the data of the second image. "Image periodicity" refers to the aspect of an image in which the same or similar patterns of colors, designs, characters, etc. are repeated.

[0013] Based on the information regarding the periodicity of the acquired images, the image processing device 10 corrects predetermined information for alignment performed when comparing the data of the authentic image with the data of the image to be inspected. Then, based on the content of the correction, the image processing device 10 controls the alignment between the data of the authentic image and the data of the image to be inspected. The specific content of the processing by the image processing device 10 will be described later.

[0014] The client terminal 50 is an information processing device such as a personal computer, tablet terminal, or smartphone operated by a user U. The client terminal 50 creates or acquires image data to be printed by the image processing device 10 based on operations by the user U. The client terminal 50 then transmits the created or acquired image data and information required for printing (e.g., paper size, color mode, number of copies to be output, etc.) to the image processing device 10, thereby causing the image processing device 10 to perform printing.

[0015] Furthermore, the client terminal 50 receives and outputs the determination results transmitted from the image processing device 10. Specifically, the client terminal 50 receives and outputs the determination results, transmitted from the image processing device 10, for each character as to whether or not there is a defect in the printing process. For example, the client terminal 50 displays the determination results transmitted from the image processing device 10 on a display unit in a manner that is visible to the user U.

[0016] The functions of the devices and terminals constituting the information processing system 1 described above are merely examples, and it is sufficient that the information processing system 1 as a whole has the above functions. Therefore, some or all of the above functions may be shared or cooperated within the information processing system 1. For example, some or all of the functions of the image processing device 10 may be functions of the client terminal 50. Also, some or all of the functions of the image processing device 10 may be transferred to a server or the like (not shown). This facilitates processing in the information processing system 1 as a whole and enables processes to be complemented by each other.

[0017] (Hardware configuration of image processing device) FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the image processing device 10. As shown in FIG. The image processing device 10 has a control unit 11, a memory 12, a storage unit 13, a communication unit 14, an operation unit 15, a display unit 16, a reading unit 17, and an image forming unit 18. These units are connected to each other via a data bus, an address bus, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, etc.

[0018] The control unit 11 is a processor that controls the operation of the image processing device 10 through the execution of various software such as an OS (operating system) and application software. The control unit 11 is configured, for example, by a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The memory 12 is a storage area that stores various software and data used for executing the software, and is used as a work area for calculations. The memory 12 is configured, for example, by a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0019] The storage unit 13 is a storage area for storing input data for various software programs and output data from various software programs, and stores databases for storing various information, such as an image DB 801 and an alignment information DB 802. The image DB 801 stores data of a target image and data of an image to be inspected in association with each other. The alignment information DB 802 stores predetermined information for alignment performed when comparing the data of the target image with the data of the image to be inspected.

[0020] The storage unit 13 is configured with, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), a semiconductor memory, etc., used to store programs, various setting data, etc. The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data via the network 90 or by a communication method such as infrared communication. The communication unit 14 transmits and receives data between the client terminal 50 (see FIG. 1) and the outside.

[0021] The operation unit 15 is configured with, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, mechanical buttons, and switches, and accepts input operations. The operation unit 15 also includes a touch sensor that forms a touch panel integrally with the display unit 16. The display unit 16 displays images, text information, and the like. The display unit 16 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display used to display information.

[0022] The reading unit 17 reads an image recorded on paper as a recording medium. The reading unit 17 is configured, for example, with a CCD scanner that uses a lens to reduce the reflected light of light irradiated onto an original from a light source and receives the light with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), or a CIS scanner that uses a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) to receive the reflected light of light sequentially irradiated onto an original from an LED light source.

[0023] The image forming unit 18 forms an image on a recording medium. Specifically, for example, the image forming unit 18 forms and outputs an image based on image information on paper as a recording medium by a so-called electrophotographic method in which a toner image is formed on paper, or a so-called inkjet method in which ink is ejected onto paper. The image processing device 10 functions as an image forming device because it has the image forming unit 18 that forms an image on paper as a recording medium.

[0024] (Client terminal hardware configuration) The hardware configuration of the client terminal 50 is the same as the hardware configuration of the image processing device 10 shown in Fig. 2 except for the reading unit 17 and the image forming unit 18. Therefore, illustration and description of the hardware configuration of the client terminal 50 will be omitted.

[0025] (Functional configuration of the control unit of the image processing device) FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 11 of the image processing device 10. As shown in FIG. The control unit 11 of the image processing device 10 functions as an image acquisition unit 101, a periodicity information acquisition unit 102, an alignment information acquisition unit 103, an information correction unit 104, an alignment control unit 105, a difference detection unit 106, a judgment unit 107, and an output control unit 108.

[0026] The image acquisition unit 101 acquires data of a correct image to be compared and data of an image to be inspected. Specifically, the image acquisition unit 101 acquires data of the correct image stored in advance in the image DB 801 (see FIG. 2) of the storage unit 13. As described above, the data of the correct image is data of an image that is created or acquired by the client terminal 50 and then transmitted to the image processing device 10 as a print target.

[0027] The periodicity information acquisition unit 102, as an acquisition unit, acquires information about the periodicity of the image contained in the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected acquired by the image acquisition unit 101. Specifically, the periodicity information acquisition unit 102 acquires information about the periodicity of the image from information about objects contained in the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, information about the frequency of the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, or information separately input by the user U.

[0028] Of the information acquired by the periodicity information acquisition unit 102, information relating to objects in the data of the original image and the data of the image to be inspected includes, for example, information on so-called tiling, in which one image is printed on multiple sheets, information on so-called N-up, in which multiple images are printed together on one sheet, etc. Furthermore, information relating to the frequency of the data of the original image and the data of the image to be inspected includes, for example, information obtained by frequency analysis of images transformed by Fourier transform processing, which converts a spatial domain into a spatial frequency domain.

[0029] Information about objects contained in the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, information about the frequency of the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, or information about the periodicity of the image obtained from information separately input by user U includes, for example, information about the position, size, and quantity of areas that serve as units of the period. A "unit of the period" is an area that indicates the smallest unit of a pattern such as the same or similar color, design, or character. For example, in an image in which the pattern of a single letter "a" is arranged repeatedly, the area in which the letter "a" exists is the "unit of the period."

[0030] The alignment information acquisition unit 103 acquires predetermined information for alignment. Specifically, the alignment information acquisition unit 103 acquires predetermined information for alignment performed when comparing data of a target image with data of an inspection target image, which information is stored in the alignment information DB 802 of the storage unit 13 (see FIG. 2).

[0031] The information correction unit 104, as a correction means, corrects predetermined information for aligning the data of the reference image with the data of the image to be inspected, based on information about the periodicity of the image acquired by the periodicity information acquisition unit 102. Specifically, the information correction unit 104 corrects at least one of information indicating an area to be aligned between the data of the reference image and the data of the image to be inspected, and information indicating a search amount for the area to be aligned, as predetermined information for aligning the data of the reference image with the data of the image to be inspected. Hereinafter, the process of correcting predetermined information for aligning the data of the reference image with the data of the image to be inspected may be referred to as an "information correction process."

[0032] When correcting information indicating the area to be aligned between the data of the target image and the data of the inspection image and information indicating the search amount of the area to be aligned as part of the information correction process, the information correction unit 104 can take into consideration the consistency of the shape and size of the area to be aligned with the area that serves as the unit of the period. For example, if the shape and size of the area to be aligned with the area that serves as the unit of the period and the search amount of the area to be aligned also match, the information correction unit 104 will not encounter the problem of alignment being performed at an unintended position. For this reason, the information correction unit 104 does not correct information predetermined for alignment.

[0033] Furthermore, for example, if the shape and size of the area to be aligned and the area that serves as the unit of the period match, but the range of the search amount for the area to be aligned is too wide, the information correcting unit 104 may perform alignment at an unintended position. For this reason, the information correcting unit 104 corrects the information indicating the search amount for the area to be aligned. In this case, the information correcting unit 104 performs a correction to narrow the search amount for the area to be aligned.

[0034] Furthermore, when correcting the information indicating the area to be aligned between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected and correcting the information indicating the search amount for the area to be aligned, the information correcting unit 104 can refer to information indicating the outer edge of the paper on which the image to be inspected is printed. For example, the information correcting unit 104 refers to information indicating the outer edge of the paper on which the image to be inspected is printed as an alternative means for reducing erroneous position determinations that are made only by template matching, which will be described later.

[0035] The information correcting unit 104 can correct the information indicating the area to be aligned, for example, by correcting the shape and size of the area to be aligned to match the shape and size of the area that serves as the unit of the period. Furthermore, the information correcting unit 104 can correct the information indicating the search amount of the area to be aligned, for example, by correcting the shape and size of the area indicating the search amount to match the shape and size of the area to be aligned. A specific example of the information correcting process by the information correcting unit 104 and its flow will be described later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0036] The alignment control unit 105 controls the alignment in the comparison between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, based on information predetermined for aligning the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, or, if correction has been made by the information correction unit 104, based on correction information of the information predetermined for aligning the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected.

[0037] The difference detection unit 106 performs control to detect the difference between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected using predetermined detection conditions. The determination unit 107 determines whether or not there is a defect in the printing process by the image processing device 10. Specifically, the determination unit 107 determines whether or not there is a defect in the printing process by the image processing device 10 by determining whether or not there is a defect in the printing process for each character based on the difference detected by the difference detection unit 106.

[0038] The output control unit 108 controls the output of the result of the determination made by the determination unit 107. Specifically, the output control unit 108 controls the transmission of the result of the determination to the client terminal 50 and the output of the result of the determination from the client terminal 50. For example, the output control unit 108 controls the display unit of the client terminal 50 to display the result of the determination in a manner that is visible to the user U.

[0039] (Image processing device processing) FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall processing flow of the image processing device 10. The image processing device 10 acquires data for each of the reference image and the image to be inspected (YES in step 401), and if the image data acquired in step 401 contains information about the periodicity of the image (YES in step 402), it acquires the information about the periodicity of the image (step 403). On the other hand, if the image data for each of the reference image and the image to be inspected has not been acquired (NO in step 401), the image processing device 10 repeats the processing of step 401 until the image data for each of the reference image and the image to be inspected is acquired. Furthermore, if the image data acquired in step 401 does not contain information about the periodicity of the image (NO in step 402), the image processing device 10 returns to the processing of step 401.

[0040] When the image processing device 10 acquires predetermined information for aligning the data of the original image with the data of the image to be inspected (YES in step 404), it performs information correction processing (step 405). Details of the flow of the information correction processing will be described later with reference to Fig. 6. On the other hand, when the image processing device 10 has not acquired predetermined information for aligning the data of the original image with the data of the image to be inspected (NO in step 404), it repeats the processing of step 404 until it acquires predetermined information for aligning the data of the original image with the data of the image to be inspected.

[0041] The image processing device 10 performs alignment so that the data of the original image and the data of the image to be inspected can be compared based on the information that has been corrected or not corrected by the information correction process of step 405, i.e., information that has been predetermined for aligning the data of the original image and the data of the image to be inspected (step 406).Then, the image processing device 10 performs control to detect the difference between the data of the original image and the data of the image to be inspected using predetermined detection conditions (step 407).

[0042] When the image processing device 10 detects a difference between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected (YES in step 408), it determines the presence or absence of defects in the printing process for each character based on the degree of the detected difference (step 409), and performs control to output the determination result (step 410). On the other hand, when no difference between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected is detected (NO in step 408), the processing ends.

[0043] (Information correction processing) FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a specific example of the information correction process. The information correction process in step 405 in FIG. 4 described above is a process of correcting predetermined information for aligning the data of the target image with the data of the inspection target image. Template matching is used to align the data of the target image with the data of the inspection target image. In addition, information indicating the outer edge of the paper, etc., is used as information to assist template matching. This can reduce erroneous position determinations that are made using template matching alone.

[0044] Template matching refers to searching for an image with the same pattern as a partial image in the entire image. For example, in the correct image (template matching) in FIG. 5, the rectangular portion surrounded by the dashed line is taken as the partial image, and the entire image to be inspected below it is taken as the entire image. In this case, the area indicated by the partial image is the area to be aligned. Note that information indicating the area to be aligned is stored in the alignment information DB 802 (see FIG. 2) of the storage unit 13 of the image processing device 10 as information predetermined for alignment.

[0045] In template matching, a search is performed to determine whether an image with the same pattern as the partial image exists within the entire image. Specifically, the partial image is superimposed on the entire image and moved in the direction of the arrow to determine whether an image with the same pattern exists within the entire image. The extent of the search is indicated as a search amount for the area to be aligned. Note that information indicating the search amount for the area to be aligned is stored in the alignment information DB 802 (see FIG. 2) of the storage unit 13 of the image processing device 10 as information predetermined for alignment.

[0046] When using the template matching technique to align an image in which, for example, the letter "a" pattern is periodically arranged, the following process is performed. First, Fig. 5 (Example 1) shows an example of aligning an image in which a total of nine letter "a" patterns are arranged, three vertically and three horizontally. In this example, a partial image indicating the area to be aligned becomes the area (one unit) that serves as the unit of the period, and the search amount for the area to be aligned also becomes the area (one unit) that serves as the unit of the period.

[0047] In this case, the shape and size of the partial image and the area to be aligned match, so there is no problem of alignment being performed at an unintended position. Therefore, information predetermined for alignment is not modified. Note that information indicating whether the area serving as the unit of period is n units (n is an integer value of 1 or more) is stored in the alignment information DB 802 (see FIG. 2) of the storage unit 13 of the image processing device 10 as information predetermined for alignment.

[0048] Next, (Example 2) in Figure 5 is an example of aligning an image in which a total of 36 "a" patterns are arranged in a matrix of 6 vertical and 6 horizontal rows. In this example, the partial image indicating the area to be aligned is an area that serves as a periodic unit (4 units), while the search amount for the area to be aligned is an area that serves as a periodic unit (16 units). In this case, the search amount for the area to be aligned includes multiple areas that match the area that serves as a periodic unit (4 units), so there is a possibility that alignment will be performed at an unintended position. Therefore, the following information correction process is performed.

[0049] In (Example 2) of FIG. 5, the following two examples are given as specific examples of information correction processing. Of these, the first example is an example in which information indicating the search amount of the area to be aligned is corrected. In this example, the shape and size of the area indicating the search amount are corrected so that they match the shape and size of the area to be aligned. Specifically, as shown in (Information Correction Processing 1), the number of area units (i.e., n units), which is the unit of the period indicating the search amount of the area to be aligned, is corrected from 16 units to 4 units. As a result, as in (Example 1) above, the partial image and the area to be aligned match, preventing alignment from being performed at an unintended position.

[0050] The second example is an example in which the information indicating the area to be aligned and the information indicating the search amount of the area to be aligned are both corrected. In this example, the shape and size of the area to be aligned are corrected to match the shape and size of the area (one unit) that is the unit of the period, and the shape and size of the area indicating the search amount are corrected to match the shape and size of the area to be aligned.

[0051] Specifically, as shown in (information correction process 2), the partial image indicating the area to be aligned is narrowed, and the area serving as the unit of period is corrected from 4 units to 1 unit. Also, the number of units of the area serving as the unit of period indicating the search amount of the area to be aligned (i.e., n units) is corrected from 16 units to 1 unit. As a result, as in (example 1) above, the shape and size of the partial image and the area to be aligned match, preventing alignment from being performed at an unintended position.

[0052] 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of information correction processing among the processes of the image processing device 10. The flow of information correction processing will be described below with reference to the specific example of FIG. The information correction process in step 405 in Figure 4 described above is a process of correcting predetermined information for aligning the data of the target image with the data of the image to be inspected, based on information about the periodicity of the images, and is performed as shown in Figure 6.

[0053] If the area (n units) that is the unit of period for the area to be aligned matches the search amount for the area to be aligned (YES in step 601), the image processing device 10 ends the information correction process without correcting the information predetermined for alignment (step 602). This is, for example, the process corresponding to (Example 1) in FIG. 5.

[0054] On the other hand, if the search amount for the area to be aligned is wider than the area (n units) that is the unit of the period for the area to be aligned (NO in step 601) and n=1 (YES in step 603), the image processing device 10 corrects the information indicating the search amount (step 604). Specifically, the image processing device 10 corrects the search amount to narrow it so that the area (1 unit) that is the unit of the period for the area to be aligned matches the search amount.

[0055] Also, if n is 2 or more (NO in step 603), the image processing device 10 corrects only the information indicating the search amount, or corrects both the information indicating the area to be aligned and the information indicating the search amount (step 605). Specifically, when correcting only the information indicating the search amount, the image processing device 10 narrows the search amount to match the area to be aligned, as in (information correction process 1) of FIG. 5 described above. When correcting the information indicating the area to be aligned and the information indicating the search amount, the image processing device 10 narrows the area to be aligned and also narrows the search amount to match the two, as in (information correction process 2) of FIG. 5 described above. This ends the information correction process, and the process proceeds to step 406 of FIG. 4 described above.

[0056] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, the effects of the present invention are not limited to those described in the above-described embodiment. For example, the configuration of the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1 and the hardware configuration of the image processing device 10 shown in FIG. 2 are merely examples for achieving the object of the present invention and are not particularly limited. Furthermore, the functional configuration of the image processing device 10 shown in FIG. 3 is also merely an example and is not particularly limited. It is sufficient that the information processing system 1 of FIG. 1 is provided with a function that can execute the above-described processing as a whole, and the functional configuration used to realize this function is not limited to the example of FIG. 3.

[0057] 4 and 6 are merely examples and are not particularly limited. The steps do not necessarily have to be performed in chronological order, but may be performed in parallel or individually. The specific example of the information correction process shown in FIG. 5 is also merely an example and is not particularly limited.

[0058] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the paper that the image processing device 10 reads as an inspection target is one that has been printed by the image processing device itself, but this is not limited to this and may be one that has been printed by another image processing device 10. In this case, the data of the correct image is acquired from the image processing device 10 that performed the printing or the client terminal 50 that originally created the data of the correct image, via a server or external storage medium (not shown). [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 1...information processing system, 10...image processing device, 11...control unit, 50...client terminal, 90...network, 101...image acquisition unit, 102...periodicity information acquisition unit, 103...alignment information acquisition unit, 104...information correction unit, 105...alignment control unit, 106...difference detection unit, 107...determination unit, 108...output control unit

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: acquiring information regarding the periodicity of the first image and information regarding the periodicity of the second image, which are included in the data of the first image and the data of the second image to be compared, respectively; correcting predetermined information for aligning the first image data and the second image data based on information about the periodicity of the images; As the information predetermined for the alignment, at least one of information indicating an area to be aligned and information indicating a search amount for the area is corrected. Information processing device.

2. the processor acquires information about the periodicity of the images from at least one of information about objects included in the first image data and the second image data, information about frequencies of the first image data and the second image data, and separately input information. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the processor acquires, as information regarding the periodicity of the image, at least one of information regarding the position, size, and quantity of an area that is a unit of the period. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. The data of the second image is data of an image generated by reading the first image formed on a recording medium output from an image forming apparatus. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the processor controls the alignment in the comparison by using the data of the first image as data of a correct image and the data of the second image as data of an image to be inspected. The information processing device according to claim 4 .

6. When performing the correction, the processor takes into consideration the consistency of the shape and size of the area to be aligned with the area that is the unit of the period. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. the processor corrects the information indicating the area to be aligned by matching the shape and size of the area to the shape and size of an area that is a unit of the period. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. the processor corrects the information indicating the search amount by matching a shape and a size of an area indicating the search amount with a shape and a size of an area to be aligned. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

9. the processor refers to information indicating the outer edge of the recording medium on which the second image is formed when making the correction. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

10. an acquisition means for acquiring information regarding the periodicity of the first image and information regarding the periodicity of the second image, which are included in the data of the first image and the data of the second image to be compared, respectively; correcting predetermined information for aligning the first image data and the second image data based on information about the periodicity of the acquired images; a correcting means for correcting at least one of information indicating an area to be subjected to the alignment and information indicating a search amount for the area, as information predetermined for the alignment; An information processing system comprising:

11. On the computer, a function of acquiring information regarding the periodicity of the first image and information regarding the periodicity of the second image, which are included in the data of the first image and the data of the second image to be compared, respectively; correcting predetermined information for aligning the first image data and the second image data based on information about the periodicity of the acquired images; a function of correcting at least one of information indicating an area to be aligned and information indicating a search amount for the area, as information predetermined for the alignment; A program to achieve this.

Images