Inspection device, inspection system, control method for inspection device, and program

Abstract

To inspect a printed matter efficiently without trouble.SOLUTION: A client computer 110, which has generated a print job related to the printing of a printed matter to be inspected, transmits image data and layout information used for generating the print job to an inspection device in S502, S505, S506, and S508. The inspection device 108 receives and stores the image data and the layout information used for generating the print job from the client computer 110. An image scanned from the printed matter printed on the basis of the print job, and the image data used for generating the print job are compared based on the layout information to inspect the print quality of the printed matter in S601.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus for inspecting the print quality of printed matter, an inspection system, a control method for the inspection apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an inspection apparatus that reads printed matter printed by an image forming apparatus and inspects the quality. The inspection apparatus can detect image defects such as dirt and printing omission, character errors, barcode quality, and the like. The products in which these defects are detected are separated from the printed matter without defects, for example, by changing the paper discharge destination.

[0003] Printed matter inspection is divided into inspection preparation and inspection. <000​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​However, the method described in Patent Document 1 required the extra step of separating the text from the rest of the document before inspecting the printed material, which was time-consuming and inefficient.

[0006] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems. The purpose of this invention is to provide a mechanism that enables efficient and effortless inspection of printed materials. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to an inspection device for inspecting the print quality of a printed material based on a comparison between an image read from the printed material and a reference image, wherein the device generates a print job including at least a first image data and a second image data different from the first image data, and the device obtains the first image data and the second image data, and layout information indicating the arrangement of the first image data and the second image data on the printing paper, Inspection settings when performing inspection using the first image data as the reference image and inspection settings when performing inspection using the second image data as the reference image A receiving means for receiving the print job, and a means for identifying a region corresponding to the first image data based on the layout information from an image read from a printed document printed based on the print job, and the region corresponding to the first image data and the first image data When performing an examination using the reference image: The inspection is performed according to the inspection settings, and the region corresponding to the second image data is identified from the image read from the printed material based on the layout information, and the region corresponding to the second image data is compared with the second image data. When performing an examination using the reference image: It is characterized by having an inspection means that performs inspections according to the inspection settings. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, printed materials can be inspected efficiently and without effort. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of the image forming system (inspection system) illustrating this embodiment. [Figure 2]A block diagram showing the control configuration of an image forming apparatus, an inspection apparatus, a large-capacity stacker, an information processing apparatus, and a client computer. [Figure 3] This diagram shows an example of print data and its layout information created by a client computer. [Figure 4] An illustrative diagram of the correspondence table between print jobs and reference images for inspection. [Figure 5] A flowchart illustrating an example of processing on a client computer. [Figure 6] A flowchart showing an example of the processing of the inspection device in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] An illustrative diagram of the test results stored in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] A flowchart showing an example of the processing of the inspection device in the second embodiment. [Figure 9] An image diagram of the inspection results stored in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, the following embodiments are not intended to limit the invention as defined in the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0011] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of an image forming system (inspection system) having an information processing device, an inspection device, and an image forming device, which is one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the image forming device is described using an electrophotographic image forming device, but the image forming device in this embodiment may be an image forming device of a different image forming method, such as an inkjet method or an offset method.

[0012] The image forming apparatus 101 is communicably connected to the information processing apparatus 109 via a cable 112. The information processing apparatus 109 is communicably connected to the client computer 110 and the inspection apparatus 108 via a network 113.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 101 includes a UI panel 102, a paper feed deck 103, and a paper feed deck 104. Further, an optional deck 105 consisting of a three-stage paper feed deck is connected to the image forming apparatus 101. The image forming apparatus 101 is, for example, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. The UI panel 102 is, for example, a user interface provided with a capacitive touch panel.

[0014] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 101 includes an inspection unit 106 and a high-capacity stacker 107. The inspection unit 106 is communicably connected to the inspection apparatus 108 via a cable 114. The high-capacity stacker 107 includes a main tray and a top tray, and thousands of sheets of paper can be stacked on the main tray at a time.

[0015] The print job is generated by the client computer 110, transmitted to the information processing apparatus 109 via the network 113, and managed by the information processing apparatus 109. Then, the print job is transmitted from the information processing apparatus 109 to the image forming apparatus 101 through the cable 112, and the image forming apparatus 101 performs a process of printing on paper. Note that the print job may be generated and managed by the information processing apparatus 109, transmitted to the image forming apparatus 101 via the network 112, and managed by the image forming apparatus 101.

[0016] Note that the client computer 110, the information processing apparatus 109, and the inspection apparatus 108 may be connected to the cable 112 so as to be able to communicate with the image forming apparatus 101. That is, the connection form of the image forming apparatus 101, the information processing apparatus 109, and the client computer 110 shown in this embodiment is an example, and it is needless to say that there are various connection forms other than those shown in this embodiment.

[0017] The image data for printing is created by imposing multiple image data on the client computer 101. Therefore, the client computer 101 has information about how the image data for printing is laid out. In this embodiment, instead of extracting the area necessary for inspection from the image data as in the conventional method, the inspection is performed efficiently by using the layout information contained in the image data for printing.

[0018] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the control configuration of an image forming apparatus 101, an inspection apparatus 108, a large-capacity stacker 107, an information processing apparatus 109, and a client computer 110. First, let me explain the image forming apparatus 101. The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201 controls and performs calculations in various parts of the image forming apparatus 101 via the system bus 212. The CPU 201 is responsible for executing programs stored in the memory unit 205 and loaded into the RAM (Random Access Memory) 202.

[0019] RAM202 is a type of general volatile memory that can be accessed directly from CPU201 and is used as the CPU201's work area or other temporary data storage area. The storage unit 205 stores control programs and data for the image forming apparatus 101 and functions as a temporary storage area and work memory during the operation of the image forming apparatus 101. The storage unit 205 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive), etc.

[0020] The engine interface 209 is responsible for communication and control with the printer engine 210. The paper feed deck interface 204 is responsible for communication and control with the paper feed deck 211. The paper feed deck 211 is a collective term for the hardware configuration of paper feed decks 103, 104, and the optional deck 105. The UI panel 203 is the hardware configuration of the UI panel 102 and serves as a user interface for performing all operations of the image forming apparatus 101. In this embodiment, the UI panel 203 is equipped with a capacitive touch panel.

[0021] The network interface (hereinafter referred to as "NW I / F") 207 is connected to the NW I / F 238 of the information processing device 109 via cable 213 and is responsible for communication between the information processing device 109 and the image forming apparatus 101. In this example, the interfaces connected to system buses 212 and 239 are directly connected, but the information processing device 109 and the image forming apparatus 101 may be connected by a network, for example, and the connection method is not limited. The video I / F 206 is connected to the video I / F 233 of the information processing device 109 via video cable 241 and is responsible for the communication of image data between the information processing device 109 and the image forming apparatus 101. The connection interface between the information processing device 109 and the image forming apparatus 101 may be a form that integrates the functions of the NW I / F 238 and the video I / F 233. Furthermore, the connection interface between the image forming apparatus 101 and the information processing apparatus 109 may be a form that integrates the functions of the NW I / F 207 and the video I / F 206. In Figure 1, cable 213 and video cable 241 are collectively shown as cable 112.

[0022] Accessory I / F 208 connects to the accessory I / F 214 of the inspection unit 106 and the accessory I / F 220 of the high-capacity stacker 107 via cable 225. In other words, the image forming apparatus 101 communicates with the inspection unit 106 and the high-capacity stacker 107 via accessory I / F 208, 214, and 220.

[0023] Next, we will describe the inspection unit 106. The CPU 216 controls and performs calculations in each part of the test unit 106 via the system bus 219, and is responsible for executing programs stored in the memory unit 247 and loaded into the RAM 217. RAM217 is a type of common volatile memory that can be directly accessed by CPU216 and is used as the CPU216's work area or other temporary data storage area. The storage unit 247 stores the control program and data of the inspection unit 106 and functions as a temporary storage area and work memory during the operation of the inspection device. The storage unit 247 is composed of an HDD, SSD, or the like.

[0024] The inspection device interface 215 is connected to the inspection device unit interface 231 of the inspection device 108 via cable 248. That is, the inspection unit 106 communicates with the inspection device 108 via the inspection device interface 215 and the inspection device unit interface 231. Accessory I / F 214 connects to accessory I / F 208 of the image forming apparatus 101 via cable 225.

[0025] The imaging unit 218 is equipped with an imaging function, for example, a contact image sensor (hereinafter referred to as "CIS"), and captures images of paper passing through the inspection unit 106, and transmits the captured images to the inspection device 108 via the inspection device I / F 215. Note that the CIS for the imaging unit 218 is just one example of a sensor, and other types of sensors such as CCD image sensors may be used, and the imaging method is not limited.

[0026] Next, we will explain the large-capacity stacker 107. The CPU 221 controls and performs calculations in each part of the large-capacity stacker 107 via the system bus 224, and is responsible for executing programs stored in the memory unit 248 and loaded into the RAM 222. RAM222 is a type of general volatile memory that can be accessed directly from CPU221 and is used as the CPU221's work area or other temporary data storage area.

[0027] The storage unit 248 stores control programs and data for the large-capacity stacker 107 and functions as a temporary storage area and work memory during the operation of the large-capacity stacker. The storage unit 248 is composed of an HDD, SSD, or the like. Accessory I / F 220 connects to accessory I / F 208 of the image forming apparatus 101 via cable 225. The paper output unit 223 is responsible for the paper output operation to the main tray and top tray, as well as monitoring and controlling the loading status of the main tray and top tray, respectively.

[0028] Next, the inspection device 108 will be described. The CPU 226 controls and performs calculations in various parts of the inspection device 108 via the system bus 230, and is responsible for executing programs stored in the memory unit 228 and loaded into the RAM 227. RAM227 is a type of common volatile memory that can be directly accessed by CPU226 and is used as the CPU226's work area or other temporary data storage area. The storage unit 228 stores control programs and data for the inspection device 108 and functions as a temporary storage area and work memory during the operation of the inspection device. The storage unit 228 is composed of an HDD, SSD, or the like.

[0029] The PDL analysis unit 229 reads PDL data, such as PDF, PostScript, and PCL, received from the client computer 110 or the information processing device 109, and performs interpretation processing. The display unit 245 is, for example, a liquid crystal display connected to the inspection device 108, which accepts user input to the inspection device 108 and displays the status of the inspection device 108. The inspection device unit I / F231 is connected to the inspection device I / F215 of the inspection unit 106 via cable 248. NW I / F232 connects to network 113.

[0030] I will now describe the information processing device 109. The CPU 234 controls and performs calculations in various parts of the information processing unit 109 via the system bus 239, and is responsible for executing programs stored in the memory unit 236 and loaded into the RAM 235. RAM235 is a type of common volatile memory that can be accessed directly by CPU234 and is used as the CPU234's work area or other temporary data storage area. The storage unit 236 stores control programs and data for the information processing device 109 and functions as a temporary storage area and work memory during the operation of the information processing device. The storage unit 236 is composed of an HDD, SSD, or the like.

[0031] The NW I / F 238 is connected to the NW I / F 207 of the image forming apparatus 101 via cable 213. The video I / F 238 is connected to the video I / F 206 of the image forming apparatus 101 via video cable 241.

[0032] NW I / F 237 is connected to NW I / F 232 of the inspection device 108 and NW I / F 240 of the client computer 110 via network 113. In other words, the information processing device 109 communicates with the inspection device 108 via NW I / F 237 and NW I / F 232. The information processing device 109 also communicates with the client computer 110 via NW I / F 237 and NW I / F 240.

[0033] The following describes client computer 110. The CPU 243 controls and performs calculations in various parts of the client computer 110 via the system bus 246, and is responsible for executing programs stored in the memory unit 244 and loaded into the RAM 242.

[0034] RAM242 is a type of common volatile memory that can be directly accessed by CPU243 and is used as the CPU243's work area or other temporary data storage area. The storage unit 244 functions as a temporary storage area and work memory when the client computer is operating. The storage unit 244 is composed of an HDD, SSD, or the like. NW I / F240 connects to network 113.

[0035] Figure 3 shows an example of print data and its layout information created by the client computer 110. Figure 3(a) shows an example of print data. 301 represents print data. 302, 303, and 304 represent image data, respectively. The CPU 243 of client computer 110 can impose multiple image data, such as 302, 303, and 304, onto a single page to create print data like 301.

[0036] Figure 3(b) shows an example of layout information. Layout information 305 indicates how the print data 301 is imposed. Coordinate 306 is the information that determines the position of the data in the print data 301. Data ID 307 and data name 308 indicate what kind of image data is used in the print data 301. Data size 309 indicates the size at which the image data should be imposed in the print data 301. Using the information from 306 to 309, it is possible to determine which image data was imposed at what position and at what size to create the print data 301. In other words, the layout information 305 indicates the placement of the image data used to generate the print job on the printing paper.

[0037] Figure 4 is an illustrative diagram of a table showing how print jobs and reference images for inspection are associated with each other, stored in the memory unit 228 of the inspection device 108. The correspondence table 401 shows which reference image and which inspection settings are associated with which print job. The correspondence table 401 is created by the CPU 226 of the inspection device 108 and stored in the storage unit 228 of the inspection device 108.

[0038] Job ID 402 is the job ID of the print job and is information used to identify the print job. Data ID 402 and data name 403 are information that indicates what image data is used in the print job, similar to Figure 3(b). Reference image 405 is information indicating which reference image is registered (associated) with data ID 402 and data name 403. The inspection setting 406 contains information indicating what kind of inspection will be performed for the job ID 402, data ID 403, data name 404, and reference image 405. Using the information from 402 to 406, it is possible to determine which job, which image data, which reference image, and what type of inspection should be performed.

[0039] The overall flow of the inspection processing system in this embodiment will be explained using Figures 5, 6, and 7. Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing by the client computer 110. This process involves the client computer 110 generating a print job and sending a correspondence table 401 indicating which reference image and inspection settings correspond to which print job, along with layout information 305, to the inspection device 108. This flowchart is implemented by the CPU 243 of the client computer 110 reading programs stored in the storage device 244 into the RAM 242 as needed and executing them.

[0040] In S501, CPU243 generates print jobs. Next, in S502, the CPU 243 transmits the job ID of the print job generated in S501 to the inspection device 108 via the network 113. The CPU 226 of the inspection device 108 receives this job ID and stores it in the storage unit 228. Next, in S503, the CPU243 identifies what image data was used in the generation of the print job in S501.

[0041] Next, in S504, CPU243 converts one of the data identified in S503 into a Bitmap image to be used for inspection. Next, in S505, the CPU 243 transmits the image converted in S504 to the inspection device 108 via the network 113, along with the data ID, data name, and job ID of the print job, as a reference image to be used for inspection. The CPU 226 of the inspection device 108 receives this information and stores it in the storage unit 228, linked to the job ID. As a result, the reference image to be used for inspection is registered in the inspection device 108.

[0042] Next, in S506, the CPU 243 sets what kind of inspection to perform using the reference image registered in S505, and transmits this information (inspection settings) along with the job ID and data ID to the inspection device 108 via the network 113. The CPU 226 of the inspection device 108 receives this information and stores it in the storage unit 228, linked to the job ID and data ID. The inspection settings can be set by a user, for example, from an operation unit (not shown) on a client computer 110, as shown in 406 of Figure 4.

[0043] Next, in S507, CPU243 checks whether the processes described in S504 to S506 have been performed for all the image data to be used in the print job. If the process has not yet been performed for all the image data to be used in the print job (the answer in S507 is No), CPU243 returns to S504 and controls the system to repeat the process for all the image data. On the other hand, if this has already been done for all image data to be used in the print job (if the answer is Yes in S507), CPU243 moves the process to S508. The processing up to this point produces information like that shown in Figure 4 (correspondence table 401). In other words, information like that shown in correspondence table 401 is stored in the storage unit 228 of the inspection device 108.

[0044] In S508, the CPU 243 transmits the print job layout information generated in S501, along with the job ID, to the inspection device 108 via the network 113. The CPU 226 of the inspection device 108 receives this information and stores it in the storage unit 228, linked to the job ID. The layout information referred to here is the information shown in Figure 3(b) above.

[0045] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the inspection device 108 in the first embodiment. This processing corresponds to the process by which the inspection device 108 performs inspections based on information received from the client computer 110. The processing in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 226 of the inspection device 108 reading a program stored in the storage device 228 into the RAM 227 as needed and executing it.

[0046] In S601, when the CPU 226 of the inspection device 108 receives the image of the object to be inspected, captured by the imaging unit 216 of the inspection unit 106, via the inspection device I / F 0215, it proceeds to processing in S602.

[0047] In S602, the CPU 226 checks the job ID corresponding to the image to be inspected in S601 in order to obtain the necessary information for performing the inspection. The CPU 226 checks the job ID with, for example, the information processing device 109 or the printing device 101. Alternatively, the configuration may also include receiving the job ID related to printing the image along with the image to be inspected in S601. Alternatively, the configuration may include receiving the job ID from the information processing device 109 or the printing device 101 when a print job for printing the image to be inspected is started by the printing device 101.

[0048] Next, in S603, CPU226 acquires reference image information, including the data ID and data name associated with the job ID obtained in S602. Furthermore, in S604, the CPU226 obtains inspection setting information, which determines what kind of inspection to perform, based on the reference image information, including the job ID obtained in S602 and the data ID and data name obtained in S603. Next, in S605, CPU226 uses the job ID obtained in S602 to obtain the job layout information.

[0049] Next, in S606, the CPU226 inspects the image of the object to be inspected, which was acquired in S601, based on the information acquired in S602 to S605. In this embodiment, the image to be inspected is inspected region by region based on the layout information 305 (i.e., regions corresponding to one set of information from 306 to 309). When using the layout information 305 in Figure 3(b), for example, the image of a region with a data size (width: 100, Height: 55) based on the coordinates (X: 20, Y: 20) of the image to be inspected is inspected using (compared to) the reference image (AAA.bmp) of data A. The inspection settings at that time are the inspection settings (dot inspection: level 1, streak inspection: level 2) that correspond to "data A" which is set in the inspection setting 406 of Figure 4 and linked to the job ID "0001".

[0050] Next, in S607, CPU226 checks whether all areas to be inspected have been inspected (the inspection in S605 above). If there are still areas to be inspected that have not been inspected (the answer in S607 is No), CPU226 returns processing to S606 and controls the system to perform inspection on the next area to be inspected. On the other hand, if the inspection is completed for all areas to be inspected (if the answer to S607 is Yes), CPU226 will proceed to S608.

[0051] In this embodiment, inspection is performed for each area to be inspected based on layout information. However, the inspection device 108 may synthesize inspection image data based on the information from S602 to S605 above, use that as a reference image, and perform the inspection.

[0052] In S608, the CPU 226 saves (outputs) the overall inspection result, which includes the inspection of all areas to be inspected on one page, to the storage unit 228 of the inspection device 108. The data saved at this time is as shown in Figure 7, which will be described later.

[0053] Figure 7 is an illustrative diagram showing how the inspection results are stored in the first embodiment. These inspection results are stored in the storage unit 228 of the inspection device 108. Table 701 shows the inspection results when the inspection device 108 is used. The inspection results consist of a job ID 702 indicating which job the inspection results pertain to, a page number 703 indicating which page the inspection results pertain to, and an inspection result 704 indicating what the inspection results were.

[0054] In the test result 704, "OK" is stored if the test was successful, and "NG" is stored if there was a problem. Here, "OK" and "NG" are used as examples, but these are just examples; any information that can be expressed in a similar way is acceptable.

[0055] As described above, in the first embodiment, layout information such as how each image data is imposed, reference images, and inspection settings are transmitted from the client computer 110 to the inspection device 108, and the inspection is performed by the inspection device 108. This eliminates the need to print, scan, and register the reference images, allowing for efficient inspection.

[0056] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, the system is configured to save an overall result for each page as the inspection result. However, since the system identifies where each image data exists based on the layout information of the print job and performs the inspection accordingly, it may also be possible to save the inspection results for each region. Doing so would allow for a more detailed understanding of whether or not there are problems in the inspection, down to the portion of a page.

[0057] Figures 8 and 9 illustrate the process of saving test results by region. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing of the inspection device 108 in the second embodiment. The processing in this flowchart is achieved by the CPU 226 of the inspection device 108 reading the program stored in the storage device 228 into the RAM 227 as needed and executing it. First, the processes S801 to S806 are the same as the processes S601 to S606 in Figure 6 of the first embodiment, so we will omit their explanation.

[0058] In S807, the CPU 226 links the information inspected in S806 to the layout information in Figure 3(b) and stores it in the storage unit 228 of the inspection device 108. Specifically, it stores the information in the form shown in Figure 9, which will be described later. In other words, the inspection results are stored for each area to be inspected.

[0059] Next, in S808, CPU226 checks whether all areas to be inspected have been inspected (the inspection in S806 above). If there are still areas to be inspected that have not been inspected (the answer in S808 is No), CPU226 returns processing to S806 and controls the system to perform inspection on the next area to be inspected. On the other hand, once inspection is complete for all areas to be inspected (if S808 is answered with Yes), CPU226 terminates the processing of this flowchart.

[0060] Figure 9 is an illustrative diagram showing how the inspection results are stored in the second embodiment. These inspection results are stored in the storage unit 228 of the inspection device 108. Correspondence table 901 shows the inspection results when the inspection device 108 is used. The inspection results consist of job ID 902, page number 903, coordinates 904, data ID 905, data name 906, data size 907, and inspection result 704.

[0061] Job ID 902 indicates which job the inspection result belongs to. Page number 903 indicates which page the inspection result belongs to. Coordinates 904 are the basis for the information on where the data is imposed on the page, i.e., it indicates the location of the inspection result on the page. Data ID 905 and data name 906 are information that indicates what kind of image data is used. Data size 907 is information that indicates how large the image data should be imposed, and it indicates the size of the inspected image data. Inspection result 908 indicates the inspection result. If there were no problems in the inspection, the information "OK" is stored in inspection result 908, and if there were problems in the inspection, the information "NG" is stored. Here, "OK" and "NG" are written as examples, but any information that has a similar meaning is acceptable. Furthermore, in addition to the individual inspection results for each area, an overall result for each page may also be saved. In this case, if even one area is NG, the overall result may be NG, and if even one area is OK, the overall result may be OK (the same applies to the first embodiment).

[0062] As described above, by associating the inspection results with layout information such as how each image data is imposed, it becomes possible to efficiently and comprehensively identify which parts of a page have problems or not, without requiring extra effort.

[0063] The inspection device 108 may also be configured to be connected to the client computer 110 and the inspection unit 106 via the Internet or the like. For example, the functions of the inspection device 108 may be implemented using a cloud service.

[0064] As described above, in each embodiment of the present invention, instead of printing, scanning, and registering a reference image, the image data and layout information used to generate the print job are received from the client computer 110 that generated the print job. Then, the image read from the printed material printed based on the print job and the image data used to generate the print job are compared based on the layout information to inspect the print quality of the printed material. This eliminates the need to print, scan, and register a reference image, allowing for efficient and effortless inspection of the print quality of the printed material.

[0065] It should be noted that the structure and content of the various data described above are not limited to those mentioned, and it goes without saying that they can be composed of various structures and contents depending on the use and purpose. Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention can take the form of, for example, a system, apparatus, method, program, or storage medium. Specifically, it may be applied to a system consisting of multiple devices, or to an apparatus consisting of a single device. Furthermore, any configurations combining the above embodiments are also included in the present invention.

[0066] (Other embodiments) The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions. Furthermore, the present invention may be applied to a system consisting of multiple devices or to a device consisting of a single device. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications (including organic combinations of each embodiment) are possible based on the spirit of the invention, and these are not excluded from the scope of the invention. That is, all configurations that combine the above-described embodiments and their modified forms are included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 101 Image forming apparatus 106 Inspection Units 108 Inspection equipment 110 client computers

Claims

1. An inspection device for inspecting the print quality of a printed material based on a comparison of an image read from the printed material with a reference image, A receiving means for receiving, from an information processing device that has generated a print job including at least a first image data and a second image data different from the first image data, the first image data and the second image data, layout information indicating the arrangement of the first image data and the second image data on the printing paper, and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the first image data as a reference image and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the second image data as a reference image, An inspection apparatus characterized by comprising: an inspection means that identifies a region corresponding to the first image data based on the layout information from an image read from a printed document printed based on the print job, inspects the region corresponding to the first image data with the first image data and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the first image data as a reference image; identifies a region corresponding to the second image data based on the layout information from an image read from the printed document, and inspects the region corresponding to the second image data with the second image data and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the second image data as a reference image.

2. The printed material is arranged such that at least the first image data and the second image data are imposed on one page. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the inspection means outputs the inspection results for each region with respect to the region corresponding to the first image data and the region corresponding to the second image data.

3. The inspection device according to claim 2, characterized in that the inspection result for the page is OK if at least one of the areas corresponding to the first image data and the area corresponding to the second image data contained in the page is OK.

4. The inspection apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the inspection means outputs the inspection result for each page of the print job.

5. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the inspection settings include setting the level for spot inspection and streak inspection.

6. The inspection apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the inspection means converts the image data used for generation into a Bitmap image and compares it with an image read from a printed document for inspection.

7. An information processing device that generates print jobs, A registration means provides an inspection device that inspects the print quality of a printed material based on a comparison between an image read from the printed material printed based on the print job and a reference image, to which it transmits at least a first image data used to generate the print job and a second image data different from the first image data, and registers it as the reference image. An information processing device characterized by having layout information indicating the arrangement of the first image data and the second image data on a printing sheet, and a transmission means for transmitting inspection settings when performing inspection using the first image data as a reference image and inspection settings when performing inspection using the second image data as a reference image to the inspection device.

8. An inspection system comprising: an information processing device that generates a print job; and an inspection device that inspects the print quality of a printed material based on a comparison between an image read from the printed material printed based on the print job generated by the information processing device and a reference image, The aforementioned information processing device is The system includes a means for transferring to the inspection device at least a first image data used to generate the print job, a second image data different from the first image data, layout information indicating the arrangement of the first image data and the second image data on the printing paper, and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the first image data as a reference image and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the second image data as a reference image. The inspection device, The information processing device receives, from the information processing device, the first image data used to generate the print job, a second image data different from the first image data, layout information indicating the arrangement of the first image data and the second image data on the printing paper, and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the first image data as a reference image and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the second image data as a reference image. An inspection system characterized by comprising: an inspection means that identifies a region corresponding to the first image data based on the layout information from an image read from a printed document printed based on the print job, inspects the region corresponding to the first image data with the first image data and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the first image data as a reference image; identifies a region corresponding to the second image data based on the layout information from an image read from the printed document, and inspects the region corresponding to the second image data with the second image data and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the second image data as a reference image.

9. The printed material is arranged such that at least the first image data and the second image data are imposed on one page. The inspection system according to claim 8, characterized in that the inspection means outputs the inspection results for each region with respect to the region corresponding to the first image data and the region corresponding to the second image data.

10. The inspection device determines that the inspection result for the page is OK if at least one area corresponding to the first image data and the second image data contained in the page is OK. The inspection system according to feature 9.

11. A control method for an inspection device that inspects the print quality of a printed material based on a comparison of an image read from the printed material with a reference image, A receiving step of receiving, from an information processing device that has generated a print job including at least a first image data and a second image data different from the first image data, the first image data and the second image data, layout information indicating the arrangement of the first image data and the second image data on the printing paper, and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the first image data as a reference image and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the second image data as a reference image, A control method for an inspection apparatus, characterized by comprising: an inspection step of identifying a region corresponding to the first image data based on the layout information from an image read from a printed material printed based on the print job; inspecting the region corresponding to the first image data with the first image data and an inspection setting for when the inspection is performed using the first image data as a reference image; identifying a region corresponding to the second image data based on the layout information from an image read from the printed material; and inspecting the region corresponding to the second image data with the second image data and an inspection setting for when the inspection is performed using the second image data as a reference image.

12. A method for controlling an information processing device that generates print jobs, A registration step involves transmitting at least a first image data used to generate the print job and a second image data different from the first image data to an inspection device that inspects the print quality of a printed material based on a comparison between the image data read from the printed material and a reference image, and registering the second image data as the reference image. A control method for an information processing device, characterized by comprising: a transmission step of transmitting to the inspection device layout information indicating the arrangement of the first image data and the second image data on a printing sheet; and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the first image data as a reference image and inspection settings for when the inspection is performed using the second image data as a reference image.

13. A program for causing a computer to function as one of the means described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

14. A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means described in claim 7.

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