Information processing device, information processing system, and program

Abstract

To reduce the possibility of defects being missed or mistakenly detected, as compared with the case where the size of outer shapes of characters is not taken into account when detecting defects such as dirt, white spots, etc., that are likely to exist in an image.SOLUTION: An image processing device 10 as an information processing device includes a control unit 11. In the control unit 11, a size acquisition unit 103 acquires a font size as information that indicates the size of outer shapes of characters included in the data of a correct-answer image to be compared and the data of an image to be inspected, and a determination unit 106 determines, for each character, the presence of a defect in the data of the image to be inspected, on the basis of the degree of a difference between the data of the correct-answer image and the data of the inspection target image having been detected under a detection condition that varies in accordance with the font size of characters.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] Inspections have been conducted to determine whether an image has been printed accurately by a printing machine, and techniques have been proposed to reduce false positives in such inspections (for example, see Patent Document 1). In such inspections, data on the image to be printed is compared with scanned data of the printed image under uniformly set detection conditions to detect defects such as stains and whiteouts that may occur in the printed image. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6323190 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since defect detection becomes more difficult as the external size of the inspection object becomes smaller, for example, accurate defect detection may not be possible depending on the font size of the characters contained in the image. On the other hand, the importance of the information contained in the characters in the image may increase as the font size becomes smaller. For this reason, it is desirable to accurately detect defects regardless of the font size of the characters.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to reduce the possibility of missing or erroneous detection of defects when detecting defects such as stains or white spaces that may exist in an image, compared to when the size of the outer shape of characters is not taken into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The invention described in claim 1 includes a processor, and the processor performs a process for comparing first image data and second image data. each The size of the outline of the included characters Take Depending on the size of the character, Strange A difference between the data of the first image and the data of the second image is detected under a detection condition that changes. Ini Based on this, the presence or absence of a defect in the data of the second image is determined for each character. The difference is detected for each character using the detection condition specified by whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size as the outer size of the character, and if the font size is equal to or smaller than the predetermined size, the difference is detected using the detection condition that makes it easier to recognize the edge of the character than the detection condition used for characters that exceed the predetermined size. The information processing device is characterized by: The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the processor is configured to: The size of the outer shape of the characters included in the data of the first image is obtained from at least one of the following: The analysis result of the data of the second image Fruit and others, Included in the data of the second image Character size Sawo The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that it acquires the information. The invention described in claim 3 is characterized in that the processor determines the size of the outer shape of the character. Sato Whether the value indicating the size of the outer shape of the character is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value Take The information processing device according to claim 2 is characterized in that it is advantageous. 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 medium output from an image forming device. In the invention described in claim 5, the processor sets the data of the first image as data of a correct image, and sets the data of the second image as data of an image to be inspected. When , The difference is Detected Then, the 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the difference is determined as a defect that occurred during processing by the image forming apparatus. The invention described in claim 6 is an information processing device described in claim 5, characterized in that the processor performs control to detect at least one of smudges on the characters and areas where the characters are insufficiently formed, contained in the data of the second image, as the difference. Claim 7 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that, when the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, the processor uses a detection condition that makes it easier to detect the difference than the detection condition used for characters larger than the predetermined size. 1 The information processing device is described in Claim 8 The invention described in a processor; The processor: acquiring the outer sizes of characters contained in the first image data and the second image data to be compared, and determining whether or not there is a defect in the second image data for each character based on the difference between the first image data and the second image data detected under detection conditions that vary depending on the outer sizes of the characters; and detecting the difference for each character using the detection conditions that are specified by whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size as the outer size of the characters; When the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, a detection condition is used in which a pixel value recognized as part of a character is higher than the detection condition used for characters larger than the predetermined size. , love It is an information processing device. Claim 9 The invention described in a processor; The processor: acquiring the outer sizes of characters contained in the first image data and the second image data to be compared, and determining whether or not there is a defect in the second image data for each character based on the difference between the first image data and the second image data detected under detection conditions that vary depending on the outer sizes of the characters; and detecting the difference for each character using the detection conditions that are specified by whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size as the outer size of the characters; When the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, the detection condition for detecting the difference is different from the difference detected by the detection condition used for characters larger than the predetermined size. , love It is an information processing device. Claim 10 The invention described in claim 1 is characterized in that the processor uses the detection condition of detecting, as the difference of the different type, pixels that constitute a character included in the data of the first image, which do not exist in pixels that constitute the character included in the data of the second image. 9 The information processing device is described in Claim 11 The invention described in the above is based on the first image data and the second image data to be compared. each The size of the outline of the included characters TakeThe acquisition means and the size of the character Strange A difference between the data of the first image and the data of the second image is detected under a detection condition that changes. Ini Based on this, the presence or absence of a defect in the data of the second image is determined for each character. The difference is detected for each character using the detection condition specified by whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size as the outer size of the character, and if the font size is equal to or smaller than the predetermined size, the difference is detected using the detection condition that makes it easier to recognize the edge of the character than the detection condition used for characters that exceed the predetermined size. and a determination means for determining whether or not the information processing system is a Claim 12 The invention described in the above is a computer-implemented method for detecting the size of the outline of characters included in the first image data and the second image data to be compared. Take Depending on the function and the size of the character Strange A difference between the data of the first image and the data of the second image is detected under a detection condition that changes. Ini Based on this, the presence or absence of a defect in the data of the second image is determined for each character. The difference is detected for each character using the detection condition specified by whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size as the outer size of the character, and if the font size is equal to or smaller than the predetermined size, the difference is detected using the detection condition that makes it easier to recognize the edge of the character than the detection condition used for characters that exceed the predetermined size. This is a program for [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention of claim 1, it is possible to provide an information processing device that reduces the possibility of missing defects and false positives when detecting defects such as stains or white spaces that may exist in an image, compared to when the size of the outer shape of characters is not taken into consideration. Furthermore, when detecting defects such as stains or whiteouts that may exist in an image, the effect of the font size of the characters contained in the image can be reduced, and the accuracy of defect detection can be improved for characters of a size that are easily affected by missing the outer edges when reading. According to the present invention of claim 2, by preparing a plurality of methods for acquiring "information indicating the size of the outer shape of characters," it is possible to prevent information from being overlooked and acquire accurate information. According to the present invention of claim 3, by defining one threshold value for the size of the outer shape of a character, defects in characters that are equal to or smaller than the threshold value can be easily detected. According to the present invention of claim 4, when detecting defects that may exist in an image output from an image forming device, it is possible to reduce the influence of the size of the outline of characters included in the image. According to the present invention of claim 5, when detecting defects that may exist in an output image by comparing the data of the image to be output with the data of the output image, the influence of the size of the outline of the characters contained in the image can be reduced. According to the present invention of claim 6, when detecting character smudges and areas where characters are not well formed as defects that may exist in the output image, the influence of the size of the outline of the characters contained in the image can be reduced. Claim 7 According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent defects in characters having small outer shapes from being missed from being detected. Claim 8 According to the present invention, It is possible to provide an information processing device that reduces the possibility of missing or erroneously detecting defects when detecting defects such as stains or whiteouts that may exist in an image, compared to when the size of the outer shape of characters is not taken into consideration. Also, when detecting defects such as stains or whiteouts that may exist in an image, it is possible to reduce the influence of the font size of the characters included in the image. This can improve the accuracy of defect detection for characters of a size that is faint like halftone characters even if they are black characters. Claim 9 According to the present invention, It is possible to provide an information processing device that reduces the possibility of missing or erroneously detecting defects when detecting defects such as stains or whiteouts that may exist in an image, compared to when the size of the outer shape of characters is not taken into consideration. Also, when detecting defects such as stains or whiteouts that may exist in an image, it is possible to reduce the influence of the font size of the characters included in the image. Since the impact varies depending on the size of the character outline and the type of defect, it is possible to give priority to detecting defects that have a greater impact. Claim 10 According to the present invention, it is possible to preferentially detect a defect in which a pixel that should be present is missing (so-called "whiteout"), which has a significant effect on characters with small outlines. Claim 11 According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing system that reduces the possibility of missing defects and false positives when detecting defects such as stains and white spots that may exist in an image, compared to when the size of the outer shape of characters is not taken into consideration. Furthermore, when detecting defects such as stains or whiteouts that may exist in an image, the effect of the font size of the characters contained in the image can be reduced, and the accuracy of defect detection can be improved for characters of a size that are easily affected by missing the outer edges when reading. Claim 12 According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a program that reduces the possibility of missing or erroneously detecting defects when detecting defects such as stains or white spots that may exist in an image, compared to when the size of the outer shape of characters is not taken into consideration. Furthermore, when detecting defects such as stains or whiteouts that may exist in an image, the effect of the font size of the characters contained in the image can be reduced, and the accuracy of defect detection can be improved for characters of a size that are easily affected by missing the outer edges when reading. [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] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of difference detection processing among the processing of the image processing device. [Figure 6] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating specific examples of the relationship between the threshold value of the outer size of a character and the set condition for detecting the difference. [Figure 7] 10A to 10C are diagrams showing specific examples of differences detected by the image processing apparatus and defects in printing processing. 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 storage medium to be output, the color mode (e.g., full color or black and white) when the image is formed, and the number of copies to be output. 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 from the comparison of the two sets of data, the presence or absence of defects in the printing process is determined. The detection of the difference is basically performed according to predetermined detection conditions. The detection conditions vary depending on the size of the outline of the characters included in the data of the image to be inspected. 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 processing. That is, the image processing device 10 acquires data of a correct image as data of a first image to be compared, and data of an image to be inspected as data of a second image. The image processing device 10 also acquires information indicating the sizes of the outlines of characters included in the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected. The image processing device 10 then determines the presence or absence of defects in the printing process for each character based on the difference between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, which is detected using detection conditions that change depending on the size of the outlines of the characters. The specific content of the processing by the image processing device 10 will be described later.

[0013] 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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] 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.

[0016] (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.

[0017] 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).

[0018] 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 a detection condition DB 802. The image DB 801 stores data of a reference image and data of an image to be inspected. The detection condition DB 802 stores the contents of detection conditions for detecting a difference between the data of the reference image and the data of the image to be inspected. Specific examples of the data stored in the detection condition DB 802 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0019] 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 and the outside.

[0020] The operation unit 15 is configured with, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, mechanical buttons, switches, etc., 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, etc. The display unit 16 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display used to display information.

[0021] 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.

[0022] The image forming unit 18 forms an image on a storage medium. Specifically, for example, the image forming unit 18 forms and outputs an image based on image information on a sheet of paper as a recording medium by a so-called electrophotographic method in which a toner image is formed on the sheet of paper, or a so-called inkjet method in which ink is ejected onto the sheet of paper.

[0023] (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.

[0024] (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. In the control unit 11 of the image processing device 10, an image acquisition unit 101, a character region extraction unit 102, a size acquisition unit 103, a detection condition setting unit 104, a difference detection unit 105, a determination unit 106, and an output control unit 107 function.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The character region extraction unit 102 extracts character regions included in the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, both of which are acquired by the image acquisition unit 101. Specifically, for example, the character region extraction unit 102 acquires character regions from tag information of the data of the correct image, the analysis result of the data of the correct image, or the analysis result of the data of the image to be inspected. The analysis of the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected is performed by AI (artificial intelligence) or the like.

[0027] Size acquisition unit 103, as an acquisition means, acquires information indicating the size of the outline of characters included in the character area extracted by character area extraction unit 102. The information indicating the size of the outline of characters includes, for example, information indicating whether the font size as a value indicating the size of the outline of characters is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold value.

[0028] The detection condition setting unit 104 sets conditions (hereinafter referred to as "detection conditions") for detecting a difference between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, based on information indicating the outer size of the character acquired by the size acquisition unit 103. Specifically, the detection condition setting unit 104 sets the detection conditions based on information indicating whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size. The detection conditions are stored in the detection condition DB 802 (see FIG. 2) of the storage unit 13 in association with information indicating the outer size of the character. Specific examples of the detection conditions will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0029] For example, when the font size of the characters is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, the detection condition setting unit 104 can set detection conditions that make it easier to detect the difference between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected than detection conditions used for characters that exceed the predetermined size.

[0030] Furthermore, for example, when the font size of a character is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, the detection condition setting unit 104 can set detection conditions that make it easier to recognize the edges of the character than detection conditions used for characters that exceed the predetermined size. Furthermore, for example, when the font size of a character is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, the detection condition setting unit 104 can set detection conditions that make it easier to recognize the edges of the character than detection conditions used for characters that exceed the predetermined size.

[0031] Furthermore, for example, when the font size of a character is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, the detection condition setting unit 104 can set detection conditions for detecting a different type of difference from the difference detected by detection conditions used for characters exceeding a predetermined size. Furthermore, for example, the detection condition setting unit 104 can set detection conditions for detecting, as a different type of difference from the difference detected by detection conditions used for characters exceeding a predetermined size, pixels constituting a character included in the data of the correct image that do not exist in the pixels constituting a character included in the data of the image to be inspected.

[0032] The difference detection unit 105 controls the detection of differences between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, using the detection conditions set by the detection condition setting unit 104. Hereinafter, the process of controlling the detection of differences between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected may be referred to as a "difference detection process." Examples of differences between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected that are detected by the difference detection unit 105 include those caused by defects such as the above-mentioned "stains," "whiteouts," and "blurred areas." Specific examples of differences detected by the difference detection unit 105 and defects in the printing process will be described later with reference to FIG. 6.

[0033] The determination unit 106, as a determination means, determines whether or not there is a defect in the printing process by the image processing device 10. Specifically, the determination unit 106 determines whether or not there is a defect in the printing process for each character based on the difference detected by the difference detection unit 105, thereby determining whether or not there is a defect in the printing process by the image processing device 10.

[0034] The output control unit 107 controls the output of the result of the determination made by the determination unit 106. Specifically, the output control unit 107 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.

[0035] (Image processing device processing) FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the overall processing flow of the image processing device 10. When the image processing device 10 acquires the data of the reference image and the image to be inspected (YES in step 401), it extracts character regions included in the acquired data of the reference image and the image to be inspected (step 402), and acquires information indicating the size of the outline of each character included in the data of the reference image and the image to be inspected (step 403). Specifically, the image processing device 10 acquires information indicating the font size of each character included in the data of the reference image and the image to be inspected. On the other hand, if the data 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 data of the reference image and the image to be inspected is acquired.

[0036] If the data of the reference image and the image to be inspected contain characters whose font size is equal to or smaller than the threshold (YES in step 404), the image processing device 10 aligns the data of the reference image and the image to be inspected so that they can be compared (step 405), and then performs a difference detection process (step 406). Details of the flow of the difference detection process will be described later with reference to FIG. 5. On the other hand, if the data of the reference image and the image to be inspected contain no characters whose font size is equal to or smaller than the threshold (NO in step 404), the process ends. If the image processing device 10 detects a difference as a result of the difference detection process (YES in step 407), it determines whether or not there is a defect in the printing process for each character based on the degree of the detected difference (step 408), and performs control to output the determination result (step 409). On the other hand, if the data of the reference image and the image to be inspected contain no differences (NO in step 407), the process ends.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the difference detection process among the processes of the image processing device 10. The difference detection process in step 406 in Fig. 4 described above is a process for detecting differences that may occur between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected, and is performed as shown in Fig. 5. That is, the image processing apparatus 10 determines the pixel values ​​of each pixel constituting a character whose font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, which is included in the data of the image to be inspected (step 601), and if any of the pixels has a pixel value exceeding a predetermined threshold that is recognized as part of a character (YES in step 602), it sets detection conditions so that the threshold for the pixel value is increased (step 603). On the other hand, if no pixel has a pixel value exceeding a predetermined threshold that is recognized as part of a character (NO in step 602), it proceeds to step 604.

[0038] The image processing device 10 determines the color difference for each pixel outside the pixels that form the edge of a character whose font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, included in the data of the image to be inspected (step 604), and if any of the pixels has a color difference equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold that is recognized as the edge of a character (YES in step 605), it sets the detection conditions to lower the color difference threshold (step 606).On the other hand, if no pixel has a color difference equal to or smaller than the predetermined threshold that is recognized as the edge of a character (NO in step 605), it proceeds to step 607.

[0039] The image processing device 10 sets detection conditions so that "whiteouts" are preferentially detected for characters whose font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, which are included in the data of the image to be inspected (step 607). Then, the image processing device 10 detects differences between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected using the set detection conditions (step 608). This ends the difference detection process, and the process proceeds to step 407 in FIG. 4 described above.

[0040] (Example) FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a specific example of the relationship between the threshold value of the size of the outer shape of a character and the set condition for detecting the difference. As described above, the detection conditions for detecting the difference between the data of the correct image and the data of the image to be inspected are associated with information indicating the size of the outline of the characters and stored in the detection condition DB 802 (see FIG. 2) of the storage unit 13 of the image processing device 10. FIG. 6 shows an example of information stored in the detection condition DB 802. That is, the item "character size threshold" shown in FIG. 6 stores a threshold for the font size of the characters as information indicating the size of the outline of the characters. Also, the item "detection conditions for the difference when the character size is equal to or smaller than the threshold" stores the contents of the set detection conditions.

[0041] For example, the first line associates the information that the "character size threshold" is "8 points" with the information that the "difference detection condition when the character size is equal to or less than the threshold" is "makes it easier to identify differences." This indicates that detection conditions are set for characters with small font sizes that detect differences more strictly than for characters with larger font sizes. Specifically, detection conditions used for characters with font sizes of 8 points or less are set to make it easier to detect differences between the data of the target image and the data of the image to be inspected than detection conditions used for characters with font sizes exceeding 8 points. By setting such detection conditions, it is possible to, for example, reduce the chance of missing defects in characters with small font sizes.

[0042] For example, the second line associates the information that the "character size threshold" is "8 points" with the information that the "difference detection condition when the character size is equal to or less than the threshold" is "stricter extraction of character edges." This indicates that, because characters with small font sizes are susceptible to overlooking the outer edges of characters when scanning an image to be inspected, detection conditions are set that make it easier to recognize the outer edges of characters. Specifically, when the font size is 8 points or less, detection conditions are set that make it easier to recognize the outer edges of characters than detection conditions used for characters with font sizes larger than 8 points. Setting such detection conditions makes it possible to improve the accuracy of defect identification for characters with a size that is susceptible to overlooking the outer edges of characters when scanning an image to be inspected.

[0043] For example, the third line associates the information that the "character size threshold" is "8 points" with the information that the "difference detection condition when the character size is equal to or less than the threshold" is "increase the threshold for pixel values ​​of pixels recognized as part of a character." This indicates that, because characters with small font sizes tend to appear pale, like halftones, even in black, detection conditions are set that broaden the range of pixel values ​​recognized as part of a character. Specifically, when the font size is equal to or less than 8 points, detection conditions are set that set higher pixel values ​​recognized as part of a character than detection conditions used for characters with font sizes greater than 8 points. By setting such detection conditions, it is possible to improve the accuracy of defect detection in characters that, for example, appear pale, like halftones, even in black.

[0044] For example, the fourth line associates the information that the "character size threshold" is "8 points" with the information that the "difference detection condition when the character size is equal to or less than the threshold" is "detect white spaces." This indicates that, since even a slight "white space" in a small font size is likely to lead to loss of information in the character, the detection condition for detecting "white spaces" is set with priority.

[0045] Specifically, even if a difference detected by a detection condition used for characters with a font size of more than 8 points is caused by, for example, "stains," if the font size is 8 points or smaller, a detection condition that detects a difference caused by "whiteout" rather than "stains" is set with priority. In this case, if the font size is 8 points or smaller, a detection condition is set to detect a different type of difference (e.g., a difference caused by "whiteout") from a difference detected by a detection condition used for characters with a font size of more than 8 points (e.g., a difference caused by "stains"). By setting such detection conditions, it becomes possible to prioritize the detection of defects that have a greater impact depending on, for example, the font size of the characters.

[0046] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing specific examples of differences detected by the image processing device 10 and defects in the printing process. As shown in Figure 7, the line where "Character size," which indicates the font size of a character, is marked "Above threshold" shows specific examples of the "correct image" and "Test image" of characters whose font size exceeds a predetermined threshold, as well as specific examples of differences detected using predetermined detection conditions. Also, the line where "Character size" is marked "Below threshold" shows specific examples of the "correct image" and "Test image" of characters whose font size is below a predetermined threshold, as well as specific examples of differences that could not be detected using the predetermined detection conditions.

[0047] The character region included in the image data being subjected to difference detection is "8.24." Therefore, differences are detected for each of the four characters included in this character region: "8," "." (decimal point), "2," and "4." Now, let's assume that defects such as "whiteout" and "blurring" have occurred in the "." (decimal point) of the four characters. In this case, if the font size exceeds the threshold, even if "whiteout" and "blurring" occur in the lower right part of the multiple pixels that form the "." (decimal point), as shown in the "Enlarged View of Decimal Point," the number can still be interpreted as "8.24," as shown in the "Image to be Inspected," so there is no problem of missing information.

[0048] On the other hand, when the font size is below the threshold, as shown in the "enlarged view of the decimal point," if there are "whiteouts" and "blurring," it becomes impossible or difficult to understand that it is "8.24," resulting in a problem of information loss. In other words, if there are "whiteouts" when the font size is below the threshold, the ratio of the "whiteout" area to the area of ​​a single character becomes large. For this reason, characters such as "." (decimal point), whose outline itself is relatively smaller than other characters of the same size, may appear as "whiteouts" in their entirety. In this case, the character will be understood as "824" rather than "8.24," resulting in a complete loss of information.

[0049] Furthermore, if the font size is below the threshold and "blurring" occurs, the entire character becomes faint due to the characteristics of reading small characters. Depending on the detection conditions for detecting "blurring," this may result in the character not being included in the difference detection. In this case, it may not be possible to clearly identify "8.24," resulting in information loss. For example, suppose the color difference threshold preset for character edges for difference extraction is "60," but the color difference between the edge of the "." (decimal point)" in the correct image and the edge of the "." (decimal point)" in the test image is "40." In this case, the color difference between the edge of the "." (decimal point)" in the correct image and the edge of the "." (decimal point)" in the test image is smaller than the threshold, so it will not be extracted as a difference. In particular, dot-like characters like "." (decimal point), which are relatively smaller in outline than other characters, can be considered a block of edges (the edges themselves), and the color difference of the edges will be the color difference of the character itself.

[0050] Therefore, for characters whose font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, the color difference threshold preset for the character edges is automatically corrected to a lower value for difference extraction. For example, the color difference threshold preset for the character edges for difference extraction is automatically corrected from "60" to "35." This allows a difference to be detected even if the color difference between the edge of the "." (decimal point)" in the correct image and the edge of the "." (decimal point) in the test image is "40," thereby reducing false detections.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 4 and 5 are merely examples and are not particularly limited. The steps are not necessarily performed in chronological order, but may be performed in parallel or individually. The specific examples of difference detection processing shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are also merely examples and are not particularly limited.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, when setting the difference detection conditions, the detection conditions are set based on information indicating whether the font size of the characters is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, as information indicating the size of the outer shape of the characters. That is, one font size of the characters is set as a threshold, and the detection conditions are set so that they change based on that threshold, but this is not limiting. For example, multiple font sizes of the characters may be set as thresholds, and the detection conditions may be set so that they change in stages depending on the font size of the characters.

[0054] 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]

[0055] 1...information processing system, 10...image processing device, 11...control unit, 50...client terminal, 90...network, 101...image acquisition unit, 102...character region extraction unit, 103...size acquisition unit, 104...detection condition setting unit, 105...difference detection unit, 106...determination unit, 107...output control unit

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: Obtaining the sizes of the outer shapes of characters included in the first image data and the second image data to be compared; determining whether or not there is a defect in the data of the second image for each character based on a difference between the data of the first image and the data of the second image, the difference being detected under detection conditions that vary depending on the size of the outer shape of the character; detecting the difference for each character using the detection condition specified by whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size as the outer size of the character; When the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, the detection conditions are used which make it easier to recognize the edges of characters than the detection conditions used for characters larger than the predetermined size. Information processing device.

2. The processor: obtaining an outer size of a character included in the data of the first image from at least one of tag information of the data of the first image and an analysis result of the data of the first image; The size of the outline of the characters included in the second image data is obtained from the analysis result of the second image data. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. The processor acquires, as the size of the outer shape of the character, whether a value indicating the size of the outer shape of the character is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value. 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 medium output from an image forming apparatus. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. the processor determines, when the first image data is set as correct image data and the second image data is set as inspection target image data, that the difference is detected as a defect that occurred during processing by the image forming device. The information processing device according to claim 4 .

6. The processor performs control to detect, as the difference, at least one of a smear on the character and an insufficiently formed portion of the character, which is included in the data of the second image. The information processing device according to claim 5 .

7. When the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, the processor uses a detection condition that makes it easier to detect the difference than the detection condition used for characters larger than the predetermined size. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

8. A processor is provided, The processor: Obtaining the sizes of the outer shapes of characters included in the first image data and the second image data to be compared; determining whether or not there is a defect in the data of the second image for each character based on a difference between the data of the first image and the data of the second image, the difference being detected under detection conditions that vary depending on the size of the outer shape of the character; detecting the difference for each character using the detection condition specified by whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size as the outer size of the character; When the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, a detection condition is used in which a pixel value recognized as part of a character is higher than the detection condition used for characters larger than the predetermined size. Information processing device.

9. A processor is provided, The processor: Obtaining the sizes of the outer shapes of characters included in the first image data and the second image data to be compared; determining whether or not there is a defect in the data of the second image for each character based on a difference between the data of the first image and the data of the second image, the difference being detected under detection conditions that vary depending on the size of the outer shape of the character; detecting the difference for each character using the detection condition specified by whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size as the outer size of the character; When the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, the detection conditions are used to detect the difference of a different type from the difference detected by the detection conditions used for characters larger than the predetermined size. Information processing device.

10. the processor uses, as the difference of the different type, the detection condition for detecting, among pixels constituting a character included in the data of the first image, pixels that do not exist among pixels constituting the character included in the data of the second image. The information processing device according to claim 9 .

11. an acquisition means for acquiring the sizes of the outlines of characters included in the first image data and the second image data to be compared; determining whether or not there is a defect in the data of the second image for each character based on a difference between the data of the first image and the data of the second image, the difference being detected under detection conditions that vary depending on the size of the outer shape of the character; detecting the difference for each character using the detection condition specified by whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size as the outer size of the character; a determination means for, when the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, using a detection condition that makes it easier to recognize the edges of characters than the detection condition used for characters larger than the predetermined size; An information processing system comprising:

12. On the computer, a function of acquiring the size of the outline of characters included in the first image data and the second image data to be compared; determining whether or not there is a defect in the data of the second image for each character based on a difference between the data of the first image and the data of the second image, the difference being detected under detection conditions that vary depending on the size of the outer shape of the character; detecting the difference for each character using the detection condition specified by whether the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size as the outer size of the character; A program for using detection conditions that make it easier to recognize the edges of characters when the font size is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size than the detection conditions used for characters that exceed the predetermined size.

Images