Information processing device and program

Abstract

To enable the selection of a production line to instruct production of products including a printing medium from a plurality of production lines without considering inspection accuracy to printing media of a plurality of inspection devices provided in the plurality of production lines.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a processor, and the processor specifies quality required for a printing medium included in a product instructed to be produced in a specific production line among a plurality production lines, and one inspection device having inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality among a plurality of inspection devices provided in the plurality of production lines performs control so as to inspect the printing medium.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent document 1 describes an information processing device that encodes a print workflow indicated in a print process job ticket, embeds the encoded workflow in printing condition metadata in the print process job ticket, stores the print process job ticket, and compares the print process job ticket to be verified with each encoded workflow in the stored print process job ticket to determine the validity of the workflow in the print process job ticket to be verified. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-15917 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In some cases, multiple inspection devices installed on multiple production lines have different inspection accuracies for print media. In such cases, if a configuration is adopted in which production of a product is instructed to be performed on a production line equipped with an inspection device having an inspection accuracy according to the quality required for the print media included in the product, it becomes necessary to select a production line from the multiple production lines to instruct production of a product including print media, taking into consideration the inspection accuracies for the print media of the multiple inspection devices.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to make it possible to select a production line from multiple production lines to instruct the production of products including printing media, without considering the inspection accuracy of multiple inspection devices installed on the multiple production lines for the printing media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] Claim 1 The invention described in a processor that specifies the quality required for the print medium included in a product instructed to be produced on a specific production line among a plurality of production lines, and controls one inspection device among a plurality of inspection devices provided on the plurality of production lines, the inspection device having an inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality, to inspect the print medium; When at least two inspection devices have inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality, the processor selects the specific printing device from the at least two inspection devices as a printing device that prints the print medium. production An inspection device provided in another production line having the same or similar printing device as the line is selected as the one inspection device. Characterized by It is an information processing device. Claim 2 The invention described in the item (1) is characterized in that the processor selects the particular processing device that processes the print medium from the at least two inspection devices. production an inspection device provided in the other production line further having the same or similar processing device as the one inspection device is selected as the one inspection device. Claim 1 The information processing device is described in Claim 3 The invention described in is characterized in that, when a defect in the print medium is detected by the one inspection device, the processor controls the printing device in the other production line to reprint the print medium. Claim 1 The information processing device is described in Claim 4 The invention described in a processor that specifies the quality required for the print medium included in a product instructed to be produced on a specific production line among a plurality of production lines, and controls one inspection device among a plurality of inspection devices provided on the plurality of production lines, the inspection device having an inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality, to inspect the print medium; When the processor controls the one inspection device to inspect the plurality of print media printed on the plurality of production lines, the processor controls the one inspection device to inspect the plurality of print media in an order according to time information related to the plurality of production lines. Characterized by It is an information processing device. Claim 5 The invention described in is characterized in that the time information is information regarding a predetermined deadline for executing a process. Claim 4 The information processing device is described in Claim 6 The invention described in is characterized in that the predetermined process is a process of shipping the product. Claim 5 The information processing device is described in Claim 7The invention described in is characterized in that the time information is information about a time when a predetermined process can be executed. Claim 4 The information processing device is described in Claim 8 The invention described in is characterized in that the predetermined process is a process of shipping the product. Claim 7 The information processing device is described in Claim 9 The invention described in is characterized in that the predetermined process is a process of processing the print medium. Claim 7 The information processing device is described in Claim 10 The invention described in the item (1) above is a computer that realizes a function of specifying the quality required for a print medium included in a product that is instructed to be produced on a specific production line among a plurality of production lines, and a function of controlling one of a plurality of inspection devices provided on the plurality of production lines, which has an inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality, to inspect the print medium. The computer further realizes a function of selecting, from the at least two inspection devices, an inspection device provided in another production line having a printing device that is the same as or similar to the specific production line as the printing device that prints the print medium, as the one inspection device, when at least two inspection devices have inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality. This is a program for The invention described in claim 11 is a program that causes a computer to realize the functions of identifying the quality required for printing media contained in products instructed to be produced on a specific production line among multiple production lines, and the function of controlling one inspection device among multiple inspection devices provided on the multiple production lines, which has inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality, to inspect the printing media, and that when controlling the one inspection device to inspect multiple printing media printed on the multiple production lines, further realizes the function of controlling the one inspection device to inspect the multiple printing media in an order corresponding to time information related to the multiple production lines. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] Claim 1 According to the invention, when at least two inspection devices have inspection accuracy according to the quality required for the printing medium, an appropriate inspection device can be selected from the at least two inspection devices, taking into account the printing process after a defect in the printing medium is detected. Claim 2 According to the invention, when at least two inspection devices have the inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality required for the printing medium, an appropriate inspection device can be selected from the at least two inspection devices, taking into further consideration the processing to be performed after a defect in the printing medium is detected. Claim 3 According to the invention, printing processing can be carried out efficiently after a defect in the printing medium is detected. Claim 4According to the invention, when one inspection device inspects a plurality of print media printed on a plurality of production lines, the inspection can be performed in an order that takes into account time information related to the plurality of production lines. Claim 5 According to the invention, when a single inspection device inspects multiple printed media printed on multiple production lines, the inspection can be performed in an order that takes into account the deadlines for executing predetermined processes on the multiple production lines. Claim 6 According to the invention, when a single inspection device inspects multiple printed media printed on multiple production lines, the inspections can be performed in an order that takes into account the deadlines for the processes that ship the products of the multiple production lines. Claim 7 According to the invention, when a single inspection device inspects multiple printing media printed on multiple production lines, the inspections can be performed in an order that takes into account the time when predetermined processes on the multiple production lines can be executed. Claim 8 According to the invention, when a single inspection device inspects multiple printing media printed on multiple production lines, the inspections can be performed in an order that takes into account the time when the process for shipping the products of the multiple production lines can be carried out. Claim 9 According to the invention, when a single inspection device inspects multiple printing media printed on multiple production lines, the inspections can be performed in an order that takes into account the time when the processes for processing the printing media on the multiple production lines can be carried out. Claim 10 According to the invention, When at least two inspection devices have inspection accuracy according to the quality required for the print medium, an appropriate inspection device can be selected from the at least two inspection devices, taking into consideration the printing process after a defect in the print medium is detected. . According to the invention of claim 11, when a single inspection device inspects multiple printing media printed on multiple production lines, the inspection can be performed in an order that takes into account time information related to the multiple production lines. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a workflow management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first specific example of the operation of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second specific example of the operation of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a third operation of the printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the printing device according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of an inspection device determination process. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the inspection device according to the embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] [Outline of this embodiment] This embodiment provides an information processing device that identifies the quality required for the printing media contained in products instructed to be produced on a specific production line out of multiple production lines, and controls one inspection device out of multiple inspection devices installed on the multiple production lines that has inspection accuracy corresponding to that quality to inspect the printing media.

[0011] In addition, this embodiment also provides an information processing device that, when controlling a single inspection device to inspect multiple printing media printed on multiple production lines, controls the single inspection device to inspect the multiple printing media in an order according to time information related to the multiple production lines.

[0012] Here, a production line refers to a process of mass production of some product. Hereinafter, a "production line" will be simply referred to as a "line."

[0013] A product refers to an item produced through production. In this embodiment, the product is assumed to include a printed medium in particular. That is, the product may include anything else as long as it includes a printed medium, but the following explanation will be given using a printed matter that includes a printed medium containing the main text and a cover, etc.

[0014] Inspecting print media means checking whether the print media is normal or abnormal. While print media inspection can involve checking which parts of the print media are normal or abnormal, the following explanation will be given using the example of checking whether an image printed on the media is normal or abnormal.

[0015] A medium is an object used to convey information and on which an image can be printed. Examples of media include paper and plastic sheets, but the following description will use paper as an example.

[0016] Furthermore, the information processing device may be a workflow management device in a printing system that includes a workflow management device, a printing device, and an inspection device. Alternatively, the former information processing device and the latter information processing device may be separate devices in the printing system. In this case, the information processing device may be considered an "information processing system." In the following, an example will be described in which the former information processing device is a printing device and the latter information processing device is an inspection device.

[0017] [Overall configuration of the printing system] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a printing system 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, this printing system 1 is configured by connecting a workflow management device 10, printing devices 30a-30c, inspection devices 50a-50c, and post-processing devices 70a-70c via a communication line 80. As shown in the figure, it is assumed that the printing device 30a, inspection device 50a, and post-processing device 70a are installed on line A, the printing device 30b, inspection device 50b, and post-processing device 70b are installed on line B, and the printing device 30c, inspection device 50c, and post-processing device 70c are installed on line C.

[0018] In the figure, printing devices 30a-30c, inspection devices 50a-50c, and post-processing devices 70a-70c are shown, but when there is no need to distinguish between them, they may be referred to as printing device 30, inspection device 50, and post-processing device 70. Also, in the figure, only three printing devices 30, inspection devices 50, and post-processing devices 70 are shown, but four or more of each may be provided. Note that there may be a line that does not have an inspection device.

[0019] The workflow management device 10 is a device that schedules and manages processes such as the submission of manuscripts, printing onto paper based on the manuscripts, generating printed matter by post-processing the printed paper, and shipping the printed matter as a workflow. The workflow management device 10 also controls and monitors devices such as the printing device 30 that prints onto paper based on the manuscripts and the post-processing device 70 that post-processes the printed paper. The workflow management device 10 may be, for example, a general-purpose personal computer.

[0020] The printing device 30 is a device that prints images on paper and also has the function of reading images printed on paper.

[0021] The inspection device 50 inspects the image printed on paper by the printing device 30. Specifically, the inspection device 50 inspects the image by comparing a reference image, which is a reference image to be printed by the printing device 30, with a read image, which is an image obtained by reading the image actually printed by the printing device 30 with the printing device 30.

[0022] Here, an inspection configuration in which a sample image scanned in advance is used as the reference image is referred to as an "analog-analog configuration," and an inspection configuration in which a rasterized image, which is an image obtained by rasterizing a print instruction, is used as the reference image is referred to as a "digital-analog configuration." Alternatively, a sample rasterized image may be used as the reference image, and a rasterized image for each print, rather than a scanned image, may be used as the image to be inspected. This inspection configuration is referred to as a "digital-digital configuration." In this embodiment, either of these inspection configurations may be used, but the following description will be given taking the "digital-analog configuration" as an example.

[0023] In this embodiment, the inspection device 50 is shared among multiple lines. Although the figure shows the inspection device 50 outside the printing device 30, the inspection device 50 may be located inside the printing device 30. As the inspection device 50, for example, a general-purpose personal computer may be used.

[0024] The post-processing device 70 is a device that performs post-processing on the paper sheets on which images have been printed by the printing device 30. Examples of post-processing include a saddle stitching process in which a stack of paper sheets is folded in half and bound at the folded portion, and a cutting process in which the paper sheets are cut.

[0025] [Hardware configuration of workflow management device] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of workflow management device 10 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, workflow management device 10 includes processor 11, RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 13, communication interface (hereinafter referred to as “communication I / F”) 14, display device 15, and input device 16.

[0026] The processor 11 executes various software such as an OS (Operating System) and applications, and realizes the functions of the workflow management device 10, which will be described later.

[0027] The RAM 12 is a memory used as a working memory for the processor 11. The HDD 13 is, for example, a magnetic disk device that stores input data for various software programs and output data from various software programs.

[0028] The communication I / F 14 transmits and receives various information to and from the printing device 30 and the like via the communication line 80 .

[0029] The display device 15 is, for example, a display that displays various information, and the input device 16 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse that the user uses to input information.

[0030] [Printing device hardware configuration] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a printing device 30 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the printing device 30 includes a processor 31, a RAM 32, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 33, a HDD 34, an operation panel 35, a printing unit 36, a reading unit 37, and a communication I / F 38.

[0031] The processor 31 loads various programs stored in the ROM 33 or the like into the RAM 32 and executes them to realize the various functions of the printing device 30, which will be described later.

[0032] The RAM 32 is a memory used as a working memory for the processor 31. The ROM 33 is a memory that stores various programs executed by the processor 31. The HDD 34 is, for example, a magnetic disk device that stores print data used in printing by the printing unit 36.

[0033] The operation panel 35 is, for example, a touch panel that displays various information and accepts operation inputs from the user. Here, the operation panel 35 is composed of a display that displays various information and a position detection sheet that detects a position indicated by an indication means such as a finger or a stylus pen. Alternatively, a display and a keyboard may be used instead of the touch panel.

[0034] The printing unit 36 ​​prints an image on paper. Here, the printing unit 36 ​​is, for example, a printer, and it is preferable to use an electrophotographic system that forms an image by transferring toner attached to a photosensitive body onto paper, or an inkjet system that forms an image by ejecting ink onto paper.

[0035] The reading unit 37 reads the image printed on paper by the printing unit 36. Here, the reading unit 37 is, for example, a scanner, and may be of a CCD type in which the reflected light of light irradiated onto the document from a light source is reduced by a lens and received by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), or of a CIS type in which the reflected light of light irradiated sequentially onto the document from an LED light source is received by a CIS (Contact Image Sensor).

[0036] The communication I / F 38 transmits and receives various information to and from the workflow management device 10, the inspection device 50, and the like via a communication line 80.

[0037] [Hardware configuration of inspection equipment] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an inspection device 50 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the inspection device 50 includes a processor 51, a RAM 52, an HDD 53, and a communication I / F .

[0038] The processor 51 executes various software such as an OS (Operating System) and applications, and realizes the functions of the inspection device 50, which will be described later.

[0039] The RAM 52 is a memory used as a working memory for the processor 51. The HDD 53 is, for example, a magnetic disk device that stores input data for various software programs and output data from various software programs.

[0040] The communication I / F 54 transmits and receives various information to and from the printing device 30 and the like via the communication line 80 .

[0041] [Example of printing system operation] 5 to 7 are diagrams showing specific examples of the operation of the printing system 1 in this embodiment. Here, "high accuracy" and "low accuracy" are exemplified as the inspection accuracy of the inspection device 50. Also, "productivity-oriented" and "quality-oriented" are exemplified as the required quality. "Productivity-oriented" is information indicating that low quality is acceptable as long as productivity is high, while "quality-oriented" is information indicating that high quality is required. Therefore, in the following, each specific example will be described assuming that the "high accuracy" inspection device 50 inspects images based on a "quality-oriented" print instruction, and the "low accuracy" inspection device 50 inspects images based on a "productivity-oriented" print instruction.

[0042] 5 shows a specific example of the first operation of the printing system 1. In this first operation, the printing device 30 selects an inspection device 50 with an inspection accuracy that satisfies the required quality set in the print instruction and requests an inspection. The requested inspection device 50 then performs the inspection and returns the inspection results to the line to which the requesting printing device 30 belongs.

[0043] In Fig. 5, inspection device 50a is an inspection device 50 with low inspection accuracy, and inspection device 50b is an inspection device 50 with high inspection accuracy. Also in Fig. 5, of the print instructions received by printing device 30a, print instruction #1 is a print instruction that prioritizes productivity, and print instruction #2 is a print instruction that prioritizes quality. And, of the print instructions received by printing device 30b, print instruction #3 is a print instruction that prioritizes productivity, and print instruction #4 is a print instruction that prioritizes quality.

[0044] In this case, printing device 30a requests inspection device 50a, which has low inspection accuracy, to inspect image #1, which was printed based on print instruction #1. As a result, inspection device 50a inspects image #1 and returns inspection result #1 to printing device 30a. Printing device 30a also requests inspection device 50b, which has high inspection accuracy, to inspect image #2, which was printed based on print instruction #2. As a result, inspection device 50b inspects image #2 and returns inspection result #2 to printing device 30a.

[0045] Meanwhile, printing device 30b requests inspection device 50a, which has low inspection accuracy, to inspect image #3, which was printed based on print instruction #3. As a result, inspection device 50a inspects image #3 and returns inspection result #3 to printing device 30b. Also, printing device 30b requests inspection device 50b, which has high inspection accuracy, to inspect image #4, which was printed based on print instruction #4. As a result, inspection device 50b inspects image #4 and returns inspection result #4 to printing device 30b.

[0046] 6 shows a specific example of the second operation of the printing system 1. In this second operation, when there are multiple selectable inspection devices 50, the printing device 30 selects an inspection device 50 on a line with the same configuration as the line to which the printing device 30 belongs and requests the inspection. The requested inspection device 50 then performs the inspection. If an abnormality is found in the inspection results, the printing device 30 on the line to which the inspection device 50 belongs performs reprinting.

[0047] In FIG. 6, inspection device 50b is an inspection device 50 with high inspection accuracy, and inspection devices 50a and 50c are inspection devices 50 with similarly low inspection accuracy. Also in FIG. 6, line A, consisting of printing device 30a and post-processing device 70a, is a line consisting of printing device 30 that prints on continuous paper and post-processing device 70 that performs cutting. Line B, consisting of printing device 30b and post-processing device 70b, and line C, consisting of printing device 30c and post-processing device 70c, are both lines consisting of printing device 30 that prints on cut paper and post-processing device 70 that performs saddle stitching. Furthermore, in FIG. 6, of the printing instructions received by printing device 30b, print instruction #1 is a printing instruction that prioritizes productivity, and print instruction #2 is a printing instruction that prioritizes quality.

[0048] In this case, printing device 30b requests inspection of image #1 printed based on print instruction #1 from inspection device 50a, 50c, which has low inspection accuracy, on line C, which consists of a printing device 30 that prints on cut sheets like line B and a post-processing device 70 that performs saddle stitching. In this way, inspection device 50c inspects image #1. If an abnormality is found in the inspection results, as shown by arrow 500, printing device 30c on line C reprints based on print instruction #1.

[0049] Furthermore, the printing device 30b requests the inspection device 50b, which has high inspection accuracy, to inspect the image #2 printed based on the print instruction #2. As a result, the inspection device 50b inspects the image #2.

[0050] 7 shows a specific example of a third operation of the printing system 1. This third operation is based on the premise that the inspection device 50 performs inspection on each requested sheet of paper. When inspection of multiple sheets of paper is requested, the inspection device 50 starts inspection with the sheet for which the deadline for executing a predetermined process is earliest or the sheet for which the time when the predetermined process can be executed is earliest.

[0051] In Figure 7, inspection device 50b is an inspection device 50 with high inspection accuracy, and inspection devices 50a and 50c are inspection devices 50 with low inspection accuracy. Also in Figure 7, the travel time from printing device 30a on line A to post-processing device 70a is set to 3 minutes, the travel time from printing device 30b on line B to post-processing device 70b is set to 5 minutes, and the travel time from printing device 30c on line C to post-processing device 70c is set to 1 minute. Furthermore, in Figure 7, print instruction #1 received by printing device 30a, print instruction #2 received by printing device 30b, and print instruction #3 received by printing device 30c are all quality-oriented print instructions.

[0052] In this case, printing device 30a requests inspection device 50b, which has high inspection accuracy, to inspect image #1, which was printed based on printing instruction #1. Printing device 30b requests inspection device 50b, which has high inspection accuracy, to inspect image #2, which was printed based on printing instruction #2. Printing device 30c requests inspection device 50b, which has high inspection accuracy, to inspect image #3, which was printed based on printing instruction #3. As a result, inspection device 50b inspects images #1 to #3. In this case, since the travel time from printing device 30c on line C to post-processing device 70c is the shortest, inspection device 50b first inspects image #3, which was requested by printing device 30c, and then sends inspection result #3 to printing device 30c.

[0053] [Printing system functional configuration] 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of printing device 30 in this embodiment. As shown in the figure, printing device 30 includes print instruction receiving unit 41, required quality obtaining unit 42, inspection accuracy storage unit 43, line information storage unit 44, inspection device determining unit 45, inspection result receiving unit 46, reprint instruction receiving unit 47, and print control unit 48.

[0054] The print instruction receiving unit 41 receives a print instruction for the printing device 30, for example, from the workflow management device 10. Here, it is assumed that the print instruction includes a required quality, which is the quality required for the image to be printed. The print instruction receiving unit 41 then passes the print instruction to the required quality obtaining unit 42.

[0055] The required quality acquisition unit 42 acquires the required quality from the print instruction passed from the print instruction receiving unit 41. Then, the required quality acquisition unit 42 passes the print instruction and the required quality to the inspection device determination unit 45. In this embodiment, the processing of the required quality acquisition unit 42 is performed as an example of specifying the quality required for the print media included in the product that has been instructed to be produced on a specific production line.

[0056] The inspection accuracy storage unit 43 stores the inspection accuracy of the multiple inspection devices 50. For example, the inspection accuracy storage unit 43 may store, for each of the multiple inspection devices 50, inspection device information indicating the inspection device 50 and the inspection accuracy of the inspection device 50 in association with each other. Note that the inspection accuracy may be received from each inspection device 50 when the printing system 1 is constructed or at any time after the printing system 1 is constructed. Alternatively, the inspection accuracy may be received from each inspection device 50 when the printing device 30 receives a print instruction.

[0057] The line information storage unit 44 stores line information related to multiple lines. For example, the line information storage unit 44 may store, for each of multiple inspection devices 50, inspection device information indicating the inspection device 50 and line information related to the line to which the inspection device 50 belongs, in association with each other. The line information includes information related to the configuration of the line. Information related to the configuration of the line is, for example, information related to the type of equipment installed on the line. The line may include the current line and other lines. Note that the line information may be received from each line when the printing system 1 is constructed or at any time after the construction of the printing system 1. Alternatively, the line information may be received from each line when the printing device 30 receives a print instruction. In this embodiment, multiple lines are used as an example of multiple production lines, and the current line is used as an example of a specific production line among the multiple production lines.

[0058] In a first operation, the inspection device determination unit 45 determines an inspection device 50 having an inspection accuracy that satisfies the required quality as the inspection device 50 to be requested to inspect the image. In this embodiment, this process is performed by the inspection device determination unit 45 as an example of control so that one inspection device, out of multiple inspection devices installed on multiple production lines, that has an inspection accuracy that corresponds to the quality required of the print medium inspects the print medium.

[0059] In the second operation, the inspection device determination unit 45 determines, as the inspection device 50 to be requested to inspect the image, an inspection device 50 on a line that has an inspection accuracy that satisfies the required quality and has the same or similar configuration as the line itself. Here, a line that has the same or similar configuration as the line itself may be, for example, a line that includes a printing device 30 that is the same as or similar to the line itself. Alternatively, a line that has the same or similar configuration as the line itself may be, for example, a line that includes a post-processing device 70 that is the same as or similar to the post-processing device 70 on the line itself. In this embodiment, when at least two inspection devices have inspection accuracy that meets the quality required for the print medium, this process by the inspection device determination unit 45 is performed as an example of selecting, as an inspection device, an inspection device installed on another production line that has a printing device that is the same as or similar to the specific line as a printing device that prints the print medium. In addition, in this embodiment, this processing by the inspection device determination unit 45 is performed as an example of selecting an inspection device from the at least two inspection devices, which is installed on another production line that also has a processing device that is the same as or similar to the specific line as a processing device for processing printing media, as one inspection device.

[0060] Then, the inspection device determination unit 45 passes the print instruction passed from the required quality acquisition unit 42 and the inspection device information indicating the inspection device 50 determined as the device to be requested to inspect the image to the print control unit 48.

[0061] The inspection result receiving unit 46 receives the inspection result from the inspection device 50. Here, the inspection result is information indicating whether the image sent by the print control unit 48 to the inspection device 50 is normal or abnormal, as will be described later.

[0062] The reprint instruction receiving unit 47 receives a reprint instruction from the inspection device 50 when the inspection device 50 on the own line is selected as the destination for requesting image inspection and the inspection result of the image at the inspection device 50 is abnormal. Here, the reprint instruction is an instruction to reprint based on the rasterized image received by the inspection device 50 on the own line as a reference image. Therefore, the reprint instruction includes the rasterized image. In this embodiment, the processing of the reprint instruction receiving unit 47 is performed as an example of controlling a printing device on another production line that has the same or similar printing device as the specific line to reprint the printing medium when a defect in the printing medium is detected by one inspection device.

[0063] When the print instruction receiving unit 41 receives a print instruction, the print control unit 48 generates a rasterized image by rasterizing the print instruction. Next, the print control unit 48 transmits the rasterized image as a reference image to the inspection device 50 indicated by the inspection device information transferred from the inspection device determination unit 45. Next, the print control unit 48 instructs the printing unit 36 ​​to print based on the print instruction transferred from the inspection device determination unit 45, and when the printed image is read by the reading unit 37, the print control unit 48 acquires the read image from the reading unit 37. Then, the print control unit 48 transmits the read image acquired from the reading unit 37 to the inspection device 50 indicated by the inspection device information transferred from the inspection device determination unit 45.

[0064] Furthermore, when the inspection result receiving unit 46 receives the inspection results, the print control unit 48 instructs the printing unit 36 ​​to transport the paper in the normal case if the inspection result is normal, and instructs the printing unit 36 ​​to transport the paper in the abnormal case if the inspection result is abnormal. Here, transporting the paper in the normal case may involve, for example, transporting the paper on which an image has been printed based on the print instruction to the post-processing device 70. Transporting the paper in the abnormal case may involve, for example, discharging the paper on which an image has been printed based on the print instruction to a destination for paper with an abnormality, or transporting the paper to a disposal device for discarding the paper.

[0065] Furthermore, when the reprint instruction receiving unit 47 receives a reprint instruction, the print control unit 48 instructs the printing unit 36 ​​to reprint based on the rasterized image included in the reprint instruction.

[0066] 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the inspection device 50 according to this embodiment. As shown in the figure, the inspection device 50 includes a reference image receiving unit 61, a scanned image receiving unit 62, a workflow information acquiring unit 63, a line information acquiring unit 64, an inspection order determining unit 65, an image inspecting unit 66, a reprint instruction transmitting unit 67, and an inspection result transmitting unit 68.

[0067] The reference image receiving unit 61 receives the reference image transmitted by the print control unit 48 of the printing device 30. Then, the reference image receiving unit 61 transfers the reference image to the inspection order determining unit 65.

[0068] The scanned image receiving unit 62 receives the scanned image transmitted by the print control unit 48 of the printing device 30. Here, it is assumed that the scanned image is set with workflow information managed by the workflow management device 10 and line information relating to the line from which the scanned image was transmitted.

[0069] Among these, the workflow information includes time information in the workflow of the line from which the scanned image was sent. The time information may be information regarding the deadline for executing a predetermined process. In this case, the predetermined process may be a process for shipping a product. For example, the scheduled shipping time of the printed matter is an example of information regarding the deadline for executing the predetermined process when the predetermined process is a process for shipping a product. The time information may also be information regarding the time when the predetermined process can be executed. In this case, the predetermined process may be a process for shipping a product or a process for processing a print medium. For example, the running time shown in FIG. 7 indicates the time when post-processing of paper on which an image has been printed can be executed, and is therefore an example of information regarding the time when the predetermined process can be executed when the predetermined process is a process for processing a print medium.

[0070] The line information also includes information about the configuration of the line. For example, the information about the configuration of the line is information about the types of devices installed on the line. The line may include the current line and other lines.

[0071] Then, the read image receiving unit 62 transfers the read image to the workflow information acquiring unit 63, the line information acquiring unit 64, and the inspection order determining unit 65.

[0072] The workflow information acquisition unit 63 acquires workflow information from the scanned image received from the scanned image receiving unit 62. Then, the workflow information acquisition unit 63 transfers the workflow information to the examination order determination unit 65.

[0073] The line information acquiring unit 64 acquires line information from the read image received from the read image receiving unit 62. Then, the line information acquiring unit 64 transfers the line information to the image inspecting unit 66.

[0074] When the reference image and scanned images received from multiple printing devices 30 are transferred from the reference image receiving unit 61 and the scanned image receiving unit 62, the inspection order determination unit 65 determines the inspection order, i.e., which reference image and scanned image should be used first for inspection. When the inspection device 50 operates periodically at a predetermined short cycle, the inspection order determination unit 65 may determine whether the reference image and scanned image received are from multiple printing devices 30 based on whether there are multiple senders of the reference image and scanned image from the previous operation to the current operation. The inspection order determination unit 65 also determines the inspection order based on workflow information transferred from the workflow information acquisition unit 63. For example, when time information included in the workflow information indicates that the deadline or the time when a predetermined process related to a paper on which an image is printed is earlier, the inspection order determination unit 65 may determine the inspection order so that the image is inspected first. Then, the inspection order determination unit 65 passes the reference image and the read image to the image inspection unit 66, and when the inspection order is determined, passes the inspection order to the image inspection unit 66. In this embodiment, when a single inspection device is controlled to inspect a plurality of print media printed on a plurality of production lines, the processing of the inspection order determination unit 65 is performed as an example of controlling the single inspection device to inspect the plurality of print media in an order according to time information related to the plurality of production lines.

[0075] The image inspection unit 66 inspects the image printed by the printing device 30 based on the print instruction by comparing the read image with the reference image received from the inspection order determination unit 65. If the inspection order is received from the inspection order determination unit 65, the image inspection unit 66 inspects the image in the inspection order. The image inspection unit 66 also determines whether the image inspection result is normal or abnormal. For example, the image inspection unit 66 may determine the inspection result as normal if the degree of match between the reference image and the read image is equal to or greater than a predetermined standard, and may determine the inspection result as abnormal if the degree of match between the reference image and the read image is less than the predetermined standard. Furthermore, if the image inspection result is abnormal, the image inspection unit 66 determines whether the line it inspects has the same or similar configuration as the line that requested the image inspection, based on the line information received from the line information acquisition unit 64. If the image inspection result is abnormal and the line it inspects has the same or similar configuration as the line that requested the image inspection, the image inspection unit 66 instructs the reprint instruction transmission unit 67 to send a reprint instruction. In addition, if the image inspection result is normal, or if the image inspection result is abnormal but the line does not have the same or similar configuration as the line that made the request, the image inspection unit 66 instructs the inspection result transmission unit 68 to transmit the inspection result.

[0076] The reprint instruction sending unit 67 sends a reprint instruction to the printing device 30 on the same line. Here, the reprint instruction is, as described above, an instruction to reprint based on the rasterized image received as a reference image by the inspection device 50 on the same line. Therefore, the reprint instruction includes the rasterized image.

[0077] The inspection result transmission unit 68 transmits the inspection results of the image at the image inspection unit 66 to the printing device 30 that requested the image inspection.

[0078] [Example of printing system operation] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the printing device 30 in this embodiment. Note that this example of operation is executed periodically at predetermined short intervals.

[0079] As shown in the figure, in the printing device 30, first, the print instruction receiving unit 41 determines whether or not a print instruction has been received (step 401).

[0080] If it is determined in step 401 that a print instruction has been received, the required quality acquisition unit 42 acquires the required quality from the print instruction (step 402).

[0081] Next, the inspection device determination unit 45 executes an inspection device determination process to determine the inspection device 50 to be requested to inspect the image based on the print instruction received in step 401 (step 403).

[0082] Next, the print control unit 48 transmits the reference image, which is a rasterized image based on the print instruction received in step 401, to the inspection device 50 determined in the inspection device determination process of step 403 (step 404). The print control unit 48 also outputs the raster live image to the print unit 36, and when the read unit 37 reads the image printed on paper by the print unit 36 ​​based on the rasterized image, transmits the read image to the inspection device 50 determined in the inspection device determination process of step 403 (step 405).

[0083] Thereafter, the inspection result receiving unit 46 receives the inspection results from the inspection device 50 that was designated as the destination of the reference image in step 404 and the destination of the scanned image in step 405 (step 406). Then, the inspection result receiving unit 46 determines whether the inspection results received in step 406 are normal (step 407).

[0084] If it is determined in step 407 that the inspection result is normal, the print control unit 48 instructs the print unit 36 ​​to transport paper in the case where the inspection result is normal (step 408). On the other hand, if it is determined in step 407 that the inspection result is not normal, that is, that the result is abnormal, the print control unit 48 instructs the print unit 36 ​​to transport paper in the case where the inspection result is abnormal (step 409). Then, the print device 30 proceeds to the process at step 410.

[0085] On the other hand, if it is determined in step 401 that a print instruction has not been received, the printing device 30 proceeds to step 410 without executing steps 402 to 409.

[0086] Next, in the printing device 30, the reprint instruction receiving unit 47 determines whether a reprint instruction has been received from the inspection device 50 (step 410). Here, it is assumed that the reprint instruction includes a rasterized image transmitted as a reference image from one of the printing devices 30.

[0087] If it is determined in step 410 that a reprint instruction has been received, the print control unit 48 instructs the print unit 36 ​​to reprint by outputting the rasterized image included in the reprint instruction to the print unit 36 ​​(step 411).

[0088] On the other hand, if it is determined in step 410 that a reprint instruction has not been received, the printing device 30 ends the process without executing step 411.

[0089] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the inspection device determination process in step 403 in Fig. 10. Prior to this operation example, the inspection accuracy storage unit 43 stores the inspection accuracy for each of the multiple inspection devices 50, and the line information storage unit 44 stores, for each of the multiple inspection devices 50, line information relating to the line to which the inspection device 50 belongs.

[0090] As shown in the figure, first, the inspection device determination unit 45 searches for an inspection device 50 in the inspection accuracy storage unit 43 (step 451). Then, the inspection device determination unit 45 determines whether there is an unevaluated inspection device 50 (step 452).

[0091] If it is determined in step 452 that there is an unevaluated inspection device 50, the inspection device determination unit 45 determines whether the inspection accuracy associated with that inspection device 50 satisfies the required quality obtained in step 402 of Figure 10 (step 453).

[0092] If it is determined in step 453 that the inspection accuracy satisfies the required quality, the inspection device determination unit 45 adds this inspection device 50 to the inspection device list as a candidate entry (step 454 ), and the process returns to step 451 .

[0093] On the other hand, if it is determined in step 453 that the inspection accuracy does not satisfy the required quality, the inspection device determination unit 45 returns the process to step 451 without adding this inspection device 50 to the inspection device list.

[0094] Thereafter, the inspection device determination unit 45 repeats steps 451 to 454 until there are no unevaluated inspection devices 50 in the inspection accuracy storage unit 43. If it is determined in step 452 that there are no unevaluated inspection devices 50, the inspection device determination unit 45 searches for candidate entries from the inspection device list created in step 454 (step 455). Then, the inspection device determination unit 45 determines whether there are any unevaluated candidate entries (step 456).

[0095] If it is determined in step 456 that there is an unevaluated candidate entry, the inspection device determination unit 45 determines whether the line information associated with the inspection device 50 of that candidate entry matches the line information related to its own line (step 457).

[0096] If it is determined in step 457 that the line information does not match, the inspection device determination unit 45 repeats steps 455 to 457 until there are no more unevaluated candidate entries in the inspection device list. If it is determined in step 457 that the line information matches, the inspection device determination unit 45 determines the inspection device 50 of the candidate entry currently being considered as the inspection device 50 to be requested to inspect the image (step 458), and returns the process to FIG.

[0097] On the other hand, if it is determined in step 456 that there are no unevaluated candidate entries, the inspection device determination unit 45 determines the inspection device 50 in the first entry of the inspection device list created in step 454 as the inspection device 50 to be requested to inspect the image (step 459), and returns the processing to Figure 10.

[0098] 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the inspection device 50 according to this embodiment. Note that this example of the operation is executed periodically at predetermined short time intervals.

[0099] As shown in the figure, in the inspection device 50, first, the reference image receiving unit 61 receives the reference image from the printing device 30, and the scanned image receiving unit 62 receives the scanned image from the printing device 30 (step 601). Then, the workflow information acquiring unit 63 acquires workflow information from the scanned image received in step 601, and the line information acquiring unit 64 acquires line information from the scanned image received in step 601 (step 602).

[0100] Next, the inspection order determination unit 65 determines whether or not reference images and scanned images have been received from the multiple printing devices 30 in step 601 (step 603). Specifically, the inspection order determination unit 65 makes such a determination for the reference images and scanned images received from the previous execution to the current execution.

[0101] If it is determined in step 603 that reference images and scanned images have been received from multiple printing devices 30, the inspection order determination unit 65 determines the inspection order of the images based on the workflow information acquired in step 602 (step 604).

[0102] Next, the image inspection unit 66 inspects the image by comparing the reference image and the scanned image received in step 601 in the order determined in step 604 (step 605), and then proceeds to step 607.

[0103] On the other hand, suppose that it is determined in step 603 that the reference image and scanned image have not been received from multiple printing devices 30, that is, that the reference image and scanned image have been received from one printing device 30. In this case, since there is only one set of the reference image and scanned image received in step 601, the image inspection unit 66 inspects the image by directly comparing them (step 606), and the process proceeds to step 607.

[0104] Thereafter, the image inspection unit 66 searches for one inspection result from among the inspection results of the multiple images (step 607). The reason why the inspection results of the multiple images are the target here is that multiple inspection results are obtained when the image is inspected in step 605. On the other hand, when the image is inspected in step 606, only one inspection result is obtained.

[0105] Next, the image inspection unit 66 determines whether the inspection results retrieved in step 607 are normal (step 608).

[0106] Assume that the inspection result is determined to be abnormal, that is, abnormal, in step 608. In this case, the image inspection unit 66 determines whether the line information about its own line matches the line information acquired in step 602 (step 609).

[0107] If it is determined in step 609 that the line information matches, the reprint instruction sending unit 67 sends a reprint instruction to the printing device 30 on the same line (step 610).

[0108] On the other hand, if the inspection result is determined to be normal in step 608 or if the line information is determined to not match in step 609, the inspection result sending unit 68 sends the inspection result to the printing device 30 that requested the image inspection (step 611).

[0109] Thereafter, the image inspection unit 66 determines whether there are any other inspection results (step 612), and if it determines that there are any other inspection results, it returns the processing to step 607, and if it determines that there are no other inspection results, it ends the processing.

[0110] [Variations] In this embodiment, the workflow management device 10 may be configured to have some of the functions of the printing device 30 shown in Fig. 8 and some of the functions of the inspection device 50 shown in Fig. 9. The workflow management device 10 may also be configured to execute some of the operations of the printing device 30 shown in Figs. 10 and 11 and some of the operations of the inspection device 50 shown in Fig. 12.

[0111] Specifically, the workflow management device 10 may include at least the print instruction receiving unit 41, the required quality obtaining unit 42, the inspection device determining unit 45, and the reprint instruction receiving unit 47 shown in FIG.

[0112] In this case, the process performed by the required quality acquisition unit 42 of the workflow management device 10 is also an example of specifying the quality required for the print medium included in the product instructed to be produced on a specific production line.

[0113] The processing performed by the inspection device determination unit 45 of the workflow management device 10 is also an example of controlling one of multiple inspection devices installed on multiple production lines, which has inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality, to inspect the printed medium; selecting, from the at least two inspection devices when at least two inspection devices have inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality required of the printed medium, an inspection device installed on another production line that has a printing device that is the same as or similar to the specific line as a printing device for printing the printed medium, as the one inspection device; and selecting, from the at least two inspection devices, an inspection device installed on another production line that further has a processing device that is the same as or similar to the specific line as a processing device for processing the printed medium, as the one inspection device.

[0114] Furthermore, the processing performed by the reprint instruction receiving unit 47 of the workflow management device 10 is also an example of controlling a printing device in another production line that has the same or similar printing device as a specific line to reprint the printing medium when a defect in the printing medium is detected by one inspection device.

[0115] The workflow management device 10 may also include at least the inspection order determination unit 65 of FIG.

[0116] In this case, the processing performed by the inspection order determination unit 65 of the workflow management device 10 is also an example of controlling a single inspection device to inspect multiple printed media printed on multiple production lines in an order that corresponds to time information related to the multiple production lines.

[0117] [Processor] In this embodiment, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0118] Furthermore, the operations of the processor in this embodiment may not only be performed by one processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processor is not limited to the order described in this embodiment, and may be changed.

[0119] [program] The processes performed by the workflow management device 10 or the printing device 30 in this embodiment are prepared as a program such as application software, for example.

[0120] In this case, the program that realizes this embodiment can be seen as a program that causes a computer to realize the function of identifying the quality required for the printing media contained in products instructed to be produced on a specific production line out of multiple production lines, and the function of controlling one inspection device out of multiple inspection devices provided on the multiple production lines that has inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality to inspect the printing media.

[0121] Furthermore, the processes performed by the workflow management device 10 or the inspection device 50 in this embodiment are also prepared as a program such as application software.

[0122] In this case, the program that realizes this embodiment can be seen as a program that causes a computer to realize the function of controlling a single inspection device to inspect multiple printing media printed on multiple production lines in an order that corresponds to time information related to the multiple production lines.

[0123] The program for realizing this embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by being stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 1...printing system, 10...workflow management device, 30...printing device, 41...printing instruction receiving unit, 42...required quality acquisition unit, 43...inspection accuracy storage unit, 44...line information storage unit, 45...inspection device determination unit, 46...inspection result receiving unit, 47...reprint instruction receiving unit, 48...print control unit, 50...inspection device, 61...reference image receiving unit, 62...scanned image receiving unit, 63...workflow information acquisition unit, 64...line information acquisition unit, 65...inspection order determining unit, 66...image inspection unit, 67...reprint instruction transmitting unit, 68...inspection result transmitting unit, 70...post-processing device

Claims

1. A processor is provided, The processor: Identifying a quality required for the print media included in the product instructed to be produced on a particular production line among the plurality of production lines; controlling the printing medium to be inspected by one of a plurality of inspection devices provided on the plurality of production lines, the inspection device having an inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality; An information processing device characterized in that, when at least two inspection devices have inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality, the processor selects, from the at least two inspection devices, an inspection device installed in another production line that has a printing device that is the same as or similar to the specific production line as the printing device that will print the printing medium.

2. The information processing device described in claim 1, characterized in that the processor selects as the one inspection device from the at least two inspection devices an inspection device installed in the other production line that further has a processing device that is the same as or similar to that of the specific production line as a processing device that processes the printing medium.

3. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processor controls the printing device in the other production line to reprint the printing medium when a defect in the printing medium is detected by the one inspection device.

4. A processor is provided, The processor: Identifying a quality required for the print media included in the product instructed to be produced on a particular production line among the plurality of production lines; controlling the printing medium to be inspected by one of a plurality of inspection devices provided on the plurality of production lines, the inspection device having an inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality; An information processing device characterized in that, when the processor controls the one inspection device to inspect multiple printing media printed on the multiple production lines, the processor controls the one inspection device to inspect the multiple printing media in an order according to time information related to the multiple production lines.

5. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the time information is information relating to a predetermined deadline for executing a process.

6. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined process is a process of shipping the product.

7. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the time information is information about a time when a predetermined process can be executed.

8. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined process is a process of shipping the product.

9. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined step is a step of processing the print medium.

10. On the computer, A function for specifying the quality required for the print media included in the product instructed to be produced on a specific production line among the plurality of production lines; a function of controlling one of a plurality of inspection devices provided on the plurality of production lines, the inspection device having an inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality, to inspect the print medium; Realize this, A program for causing the computer to further realize the function of selecting, from the at least two inspection devices, an inspection device installed in another production line that has a printing device that is the same as or similar to the specific production line as the one inspection device to be used to print the printing medium, when the at least two inspection devices have inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality.

11. A computer comprising: A function for specifying the quality required for the print media included in the product instructed to be produced on a specific production line among the plurality of production lines; a function of controlling one of a plurality of inspection devices provided on the plurality of production lines, the inspection device having an inspection accuracy corresponding to the quality, to inspect the print medium; Realize this, A program for causing the computer to further realize the function of controlling the one inspection device to inspect multiple printing media printed on the multiple production lines in an order according to time information related to the multiple production lines when the one inspection device is controlled to inspect the multiple printing media.

Images