JP2005205722A - Inspection image data managing apparatus, controlling apparatus, control program, and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently hold inspection image data with defects found therein, by carrying out defect inspection of printing images on the basis of the inspection image data acquired by reading the printing images. <P>SOLUTION: After the defect inspection (S11) is carried out, history information with the result described therein is acquired (S12), and the presence or absence of defects is checked (S14). If no defects are detected, the inspection image data is deleted, and the fact of the deletion is recorded into the history information (S18). On the other hand, if the defect is detected, it is judged according to contents of the defect whether or not the data is to be deleted (S16). The judgment of the deletion can be carried out on the basis of a type of the defect, a generation frequency of defects of the same type, a size of the defect, a capacity of a storage region, a level of importance of the defect, and the like. A process of S18 is carried out when the deletion is to be executed. The inspection image data is stored when the deletion is not to be executed, and the fact of storage is recorded in the history information (S20). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique related to a print image inspection performed based on inspection image data created by reading a print image, and more particularly to a technique for managing defect inspection image data in which an image defect is found.

  A technique is known in which a print image formed by an image forming apparatus is picked up and an inspection of the print image is performed using the obtained inspection image data.

  In the following Patent Document 1, first, defect inspection image data obtained by monitoring a surface of a printed matter with a line sensor and detecting a defect and imaging and recording a defective portion with an area sensor when an image defect is detected is recorded as needed. A configuration enabling reading and display is disclosed. Further, a technique is described in which the number of defects for each print image is grasped based on an image defect detection signal.

  Patent Document 2 below discloses a technique for displaying a reduced image based on defect inspection image data corresponding to a defect detection history.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-188209 JP 2000-338052 A

  However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 do not describe a technique for efficiently storing defect inspection image data. In particular, in the technique of Patent Document 2, since the original defect inspection image data is held in addition to the reduced data, the amount of data to be accumulated tends to increase.

  An object of the present invention is to efficiently store inspection image data, particularly defect inspection image data in which image defects are found.

  The inspection image data management apparatus according to the present invention includes inspection means for inspecting a defect of the print image using inspection image data obtained by a print image reading process, and inspection image data in which an image defect is detected by the defect inspection. A storage unit that stores the defect inspection image data, a determination unit that determines whether to delete at least a part of the defect inspection image data based on a result of the defect inspection, and a deletion by the determination unit Deleting means for deleting at least part of the determined defect inspection image data.

  The inspection image data management apparatus is an apparatus that inspects inspection image data. The inspection image data is electronic information obtained by reading a print image printed on paper such as paper by an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a copier. The inspection image data may be acquired by the inspection image data management device having means for capturing and generating from a print image, or acquired by the inspection image data management device inputting data generated by another device. May be. The inspection image data management apparatus may be configured as an image forming system integrated with the image forming apparatus, or may be configured by a PC (personal computer) or the like.

  The inspection means is provided for performing a defect inspection for inspecting an image defect in quality of the printed image based on the inspection image data. The defect inspection may be performed using only the inspection image data to be inspected, or by comparison with other inspection image data, comparison with the original image data used when forming the print image, or the like. Is also possible.

  The storage means is means for storing inspection image data (referred to as defect inspection image data) in which an image defect is detected by defect inspection. Specifically, the storage is performed by being stored in the storage unit. The storage unit includes, for example, a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, and the like, and can appropriately move data between the two. When the storage unit is built in the inspection image data management apparatus, the storage unit stores the storage unit using the storage unit. When the storage unit is provided in the external device, the storage unit issues a storage instruction to the external device. The storage of the defect inspection image data is normally performed after the defect inspection, but can be performed before the defect inspection. That is, the inspection image data may be stored before the defect inspection regardless of the presence or absence of the image defect, and the defect inspection image data may be included therein as a result.

  The determination unit determines whether or not to delete the defect inspection image data, that is, whether or not to store the defect inspection image data. Generally, it is possible to store all defect inspection image data in order to facilitate later investigations, etc., but the defect inspection image data is stored from the viewpoint of storage capacity limitation or efficient storage. It is effective to classify them as those that are not stored. The determination means performs determination based on the result of the defect inspection in order to perform this classification in a preferable form. The determination criterion may be set in advance or may be set dynamically.

  The deletion unit deletes the defect inspection image data that has been determined to be deleted by the determination unit. The defect inspection image data to be deleted may be defect inspection image data already stored for long-term storage (for example, on a hard disk), or temporarily (for example, main storage device) before long-term storage. D) It may be stored defect inspection image data.

  The inspection image data management apparatus is controlled by a control unit configured by an arithmetic control function and application software (program) that defines the operation of the arithmetic control function. Usually, the inspection image data management apparatus is controlled by a control unit integrally formed with the inspection image data management apparatus, but may receive an appropriate control command from a control unit provided in the image forming apparatus or another PC. Is possible.

  According to this configuration, the defect inspection image data can be efficiently stored based on the result of the defect inspection. Note that the execution order and execution timing of each means can be made flexible. Therefore, it is possible to change the contents stored in the storage unit depending on whether the storage unit has sufficient capacity or near the capacity limit. For example, if there is enough capacity, store all the defect inspection image data and implement deletion means when approaching the capacity limit. After that, perform deletion means before storage and keep it below the capacity limit. Can be used.

  Preferably, in the inspection image data management device of the present invention, the defect inspection includes a partial data defect inspection that inspects an image defect with respect to partial data of the inspection image data corresponding to the partial area of the print image, and the determination The means includes non-partial data determination means for determining whether to delete all or a part of the data other than the partial data in the inspection image data based on a result of the partial data defect inspection, and the deletion means Includes non-partial data deleting means for deleting all or part of data other than the partial data determined to be deleted by the non-partial data determining means.

  The partial data defect inspection is an inspection for detecting an image defect in partial data corresponding to a partial area of a printed image. In this partial data defect inspection, partial data to be inspected can be determined in advance, and then the partial data can be inspected for defects. The method of determining the partial data can be performed by, for example, user setting or automatic setting by a character or figure recognition unit. In addition, the partial data defect inspection can take a form in which the defect inspection is performed on the inspection image data in the entire range or an appropriate range, and the partial data is determined based on the detected area of the image defect. In any case, partial data in which an image defect exists is determined by the partial data defect inspection.

  When the defect inspection image data is stored due to the result of the partial data defect inspection, there is no need to store at least a part of the data other than the partial data. Therefore, it is determined by the non-partial data determination means whether or not to delete at least a part of the data. In the determination of deletion, the necessity of storing defect inspection image data based on defect inspection other than partial data defect inspection and the storage range based on partial data defect inspection using other partial data are considered. The non-partial data deleting unit deletes the deleting unit based on the determination result of the non-partial data determining unit.

  According to this configuration, the size of defect inspection image data stored in the storage unit can be reduced. Therefore, the storage capacity of the storage unit can be reduced, and a large amount of defect inspection image data can be recorded in a limited storage capacity.

  Preferably, the inspection image data management apparatus according to the present invention includes a substitute characteristic generation / storage unit that generates and stores substitute characteristic information indicating a defect characteristic of the defect inspection image data, and the substitute characteristic generation / storage unit includes the determination The means is performed on the defect inspection image data determined to be deleted. The substitute characteristic information is information necessary for grasping the result of the defect inspection instead of the defect inspection image data to be deleted. Usually, a simple record regarding the found image defect is left in the separately generated history information. However, it is necessary to show the detailed contents of the defect because the image defect cannot be sufficiently grasped only by this. Therefore, as substitute characteristic information, the type of defect, the range of occurrence (position and size, etc.), the qualitative size of the defect (density density, magnitude of positional deviation, etc.), compression information (spectrum, frequency distribution, etc.) ) Etc., it becomes possible for the administrator or the like to grasp the details of the defect in detail. In addition, when the memory | storage part which memorize | stores substitute characteristic information is provided in the exterior, it can preserve | save by performing a memory | storage instruction | indication. For example, the substitute characteristic information may be generated by an arithmetic unit inside the inspection image data management device and stored in an external storage device. Preferably, the substitute characteristic generation storage unit is implemented when the image defect of the defect inspection image data covers the entire corresponding print image. As a result, the amount of defect inspection image data to be stored can be efficiently reduced.

  Preferably, in the inspection image data management apparatus according to the present invention, the determination unit determines whether or not to delete the defect inspection image data based on an occurrence frequency of the same type of image defect as the image defect found by the defect inspection. judge. The threshold of whether the occurrence frequency is high or low can be determined in advance, or based on the relative magnitude of the occurrence frequency obtained by referring to a log etc. that records the actual occurrence situation Various settings are possible. For example, the determination unit determines not to delete the defect inspection image data when the occurrence frequency is lower than a predetermined frequency. When the occurrence frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency, it is determined that the defect inspection image data is deleted. The defect inspection image data to be deleted is not necessarily the latest defect inspection image data, and can be arbitrarily selected from a plurality of defect inspection image data of the same type. For example, it is possible to delete sufficiently old defect inspection image data, or to select defect inspection image data to be deleted taking into consideration that the generation time of the remaining defect inspection image data is not biased to a specific time It is.

  Preferably, in the inspection image data management apparatus according to the present invention, the determination unit deletes the defect inspection image data so that the number or amount of the defect image data stored by the storage unit is a predetermined value or less. It is determined whether or not. The constant value that limits the number or amount of defect inspection image data may be determined in advance by user settings or the like, or may be determined dynamically by monitoring the usage status of the storage unit. For example, if the occurrence frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency, whether or not to delete the defect inspection image data so that the number or amount of defect inspection image data corresponding to the image defect of the same type is a predetermined value or less. It is also possible to determine whether or not.

  Preferably, in the inspection image data management apparatus of the present invention, the determination unit determines whether or not to delete the defect inspection image data based on the importance of the image defect found by the defect inspection. Preferably, in the inspection image data management apparatus of the present invention, the importance is determined based on the type of image defect. Preferably, in the inspection image data management device of the present invention, the importance is determined based on the size of an image defect in the printed image. Based on importance means that the order of importance associated with the priority of deletion is defined. The order of importance consists of at least two ranks, and the determination of the order may be determined in advance at the time of shipment from the manufacturer, or may be determined by user input.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing an outline of the apparatus configuration of the present embodiment.

  The image forming system 10 includes an image forming apparatus 20 and an inspection / control apparatus 30. The image forming apparatus 20 is assumed to be an apparatus having an image forming function such as a printer, a copying machine, or a facsimile, or an apparatus having these functions in combination. The following description will be made with a multifunction printer capable of color printing in mind. Further, the inspection / control device 30 can be realized by an arithmetic processing device including hardware having an arithmetic processing function and software defining the operation of the hardware, and uses a PC (personal computer) below. Will be described. The inspection / control apparatus 30 is directly connected to and controls the image forming apparatus 20, and also performs inspection of the print processing state of the image forming apparatus 20 and management of inspection results. The inspection / control apparatus 30 is further connected to a LAN (local area network) 300, and can accept a job requesting print processing or a control instruction from an apparatus connected to the network. .

  The image forming apparatus 20 is a multifunction machine capable of color printing, and includes an image forming unit 22 and an inspection image data generating unit 24 as a characteristic configuration. The image forming unit 22 forms a print image based on the original image data on paper such as paper. The original image data is read and generated by the image forming apparatus 20 using a scanner function at the time of copying, or input together with a print command through the inspection / control apparatus 30. The format of the original image data is not particularly limited. In the former case, the raster format (bitmap format) is standard, and in the latter case, a vector using PDL (page description language) or the like in addition to the raster format. The format is also widely used. The image formation is typically performed by an electrophotographic method, but may be performed by various types of methods such as an inkjet method and an offset method. The inspection image data generation unit 24 optically reads a print image on which image formation has been performed, and generates inspection image data for inspection of the print image. Note that the image forming apparatus 20 is provided with other functions for performing various processing configurations. Specific examples include a function for issuing a print instruction and a monitor for displaying an operation status. Can be mentioned. The image forming apparatus 20 itself may be provided with an appropriate control function, and can operate in cooperation with the control from the inspection / control apparatus 30 described below.

  Next, the inspection / control device 30 will be described. The inspection / control apparatus 30 is realized by installing a program that defines the operation of a general PC. That is, various processes can be realized by operating the arithmetic processing function using the CPU, the main storage device, and the like by a program including the OS. In addition, a storage device such as a hard disk, an external communication function, and the like can be used as appropriate. Each processing component described below is realized by organically utilizing such a function.

  The main functional configuration of the inspection / control apparatus 30 includes an input / output unit 32, a user output unit 36, an inspection unit 38, a history information management unit 40, a substitute characteristic generation unit 42, a control unit 50, a data analysis unit 60, and a determination unit. 70, a storage unit 80, a test chart data unit 90, and a security processing unit 100. The operations of these units are basically controlled by the control unit 50, and at the same time, are used for operation control of the image forming apparatus 20.

  The input / output unit 32 is provided to transmit / receive command signals and data to / from the image forming apparatus 20 and the inspection / control apparatus 30. The user input unit 34 is provided for the user to input an instruction signal or the like to the control unit 50 through an input device such as a keyboard. As a result, the user can operate the image forming system 10 by inputting an image formation command, security information of the original image data, and the like, and can also perform a defect diagnosis of the print image and an instruction to correct the print image. You can also. The display unit 36 is a part for displaying the operation status of the inspection / control apparatus 30 on a display or the like, or performing display for prompting the user to input.

  The inspection unit 38 is a part that performs image defect inspection of an image using the inspection image data generated by the inspection image data generation unit 24. The defect inspection may be performed on the entire inspection image data or on a specific portion. It is possible to perform various types of image quality defect inspections as defect inspections, whereby various defects on the entire printed image (paper) and partial areas of the printed image (paper) can be identified. . Examples of the defect over the whole include a defect called skew in which the position of the paper and the print image is shifted, and a density defect in which the density moves to the low density side or the high density side in the entire print image. Examples of partial defects include local printing defects such as white spots and missing letters, and density defects in which color unevenness and density unevenness occur locally. By performing such a defect inspection, the presence / absence of a defect, the type of defect, the position and range of the defect, the qualitative size of the defect, and the like are found. The history information management unit 40 creates and manages image formation records in the image forming apparatus 20 and inspection result records by the inspection unit 38 as history information. Also, the occurrence frequency and the like for each type of defect can be totaled based on this history information. In addition, the substitute characteristic generation unit 42 creates substitute characteristic information describing in detail the defect found by the inspection unit 38. The substitute characteristic information is data for making it possible to grasp the state of the defect instead of the defect inspection image data in which the defect is found. Specifically, for example, information such as defect type, occurrence range (part identification, etc.), defect strength (density unevenness, misalignment magnitude, etc.), compression information (spectrum, frequency distribution, etc.), etc. Can be mentioned. This substitute characteristic information can be stored together with the defect inspection image data.

  The control unit 50 controls the operation of each component unit, and receives an instruction signal sent from the LAN 300 or the image forming apparatus 20 via the input / output unit 32, an instruction signal sent from the user input unit 34, or the like. Can also be reflected. An instruction unit 52 provided in the control unit 50 is provided for this control, and plays a role of generating and transmitting an instruction signal to each component unit and the image forming apparatus 20. For example, it is possible to instruct the image forming unit 22 to print the original image data, or to instruct the inspection image data generation unit 24 to read the print image and create and transmit inspection image data. It is.

  The data analysis unit 60 analyzes the original image data and the defect image data, and extracts features of these data. Various types of feature information can be extracted. For example, color information (color or monochrome, how many colors are used), image quality information (density, resolution, etc.), character information (whether characters are included) , Which range includes characters, what characters are included, etc.), photo / graphic information (whether photos or graphics are included, what range is included, Etc.). The character information analysis unit 62 is provided for performing this character information analysis. For example, when the original image data is in a raster format, the original image data is obtained by PDL or the like by a method such as pattern recognition including OCR. If it is described, character information analysis can be performed by the language analysis method.

  The determination unit 70 determines the content of the storage process for the defect inspection image data in which a defect is found as a result of the defect inspection by the inspection unit 38. The determination content can be set in various ways, but here, a deletion determination unit 72, a security processing determination unit 76, and a test chart processing determination unit 78 are provided as a configuration that performs a particularly characteristic determination.

  The deletion determination unit 72 determines whether to delete the defect inspection image data. The determination can be based on the occurrence frequency for each defect type given by the history information management unit 40 and the quantity of defect inspection image data stored in the storage unit 80. It is also possible to make a deletion determination according to a table in which the importance of defects possessed by the deletion determination unit (this can be associated with the order of deletion). This table may be set in advance or dynamically created. The deletion determination unit 72 includes a non-partial data deletion determination unit 74. The non-partial data deletion determination unit 74 determines whether or not to delete at least a part of the other part when it is determined as a result of the defect inspection that the defect exists only in a part of the inspection image data. It is provided for judgment.

  The security processing determination unit 76 determines whether or not to perform security processing on the defect inspection image data. This determination is made based on security information that is input simultaneously with the original image data or input by the user during inspection. Security information includes information indicating the confidentiality level (this information can be associated with the security processing execution level), information indicating the confidentiality range (a range where some security processing needs to be performed), characters, figures, photographs, etc. Information (in the case where characters, figures, photographs, etc. are targeted for security processing) can be used. Further, the contents of the security processing can include read permission restriction, deletion, encryption, and the like. Further, as a result of analysis by the data analysis unit 60, it is possible to perform security processing on information (for example, character information) analyzed as important for security.

  The test chart process determination unit 78 determines whether or not to perform a test chart defect inspection image data storage process based on a print image of the test chart data instead of the defect inspection image data. The determination is typically performed by checking whether the defect inspection image data can be stored based on the security information described above. In other words, the storage process of the test chart defect inspection image data is typically performed in combination with the security process of defect inspection image data (mainly deleted but may be encrypted or the like) that cannot be stored for security. . The test chart processing determination unit 78 also determines whether to create test chart data to be used or to select from test chart data included in the test chart data unit 90.

  The determination unit 70 is not necessarily required to have all the functions (and the configuration for implementing the determination contents) included in the individual determination units exemplified here, and it is sufficient that the determination unit 70 has at least one function. Conversely, a plurality of such various determination functions may be provided, and may be configured to be appropriately combined depending on the setting. For example, it is effective to perform both the security process determination unit 76 and the test chart process determination unit 78. Furthermore, it is also effective to be able to select the determination contents by user input or the like, including the case where neither determination is performed (that is, normal storage processing is performed).

  The storage unit 80 is provided for storing defect inspection image data, and includes a deletion unit 82 and a non-partial data deletion unit 84 included in the deletion unit 82. Accordingly, the storage unit 80 can manage the defect inspection image data group 86 by storing the defect inspection image data group 86 in a storage device such as a hard disk, and can also delete the defect inspection image data group 86 using the deletion unit 82. The operations of the deletion unit 82 and the non-partial data deletion unit 84 are performed based on the determinations of the deletion determination unit 72 and the non-partial data deletion determination unit 74, respectively. Note that the deletion by these can be performed on the defect inspection image data group 86 already stored for the purpose of long-term storage, or a defect that has not been stored for a long time and is temporarily held. It can also be applied to inspection image data.

  The test chart data unit 90 is provided for preparing test chart data based on the determination result of the test chart process determination unit 78. The test chart data unit 90 includes a creation unit 92, a selection unit 94, and a test chart data group 96. The creation unit 92 is a part for newly creating test chart data. The creation unit 92 may create test chart data by modifying the test chart data group 96 or modifying original image data corresponding to defect inspection image data. The selection unit 94 selects test chart data from the test chart data group. The selection may be performed based on the similarity with the feature information extracted by the data analysis unit 60, or test chart data set in advance for each type of defect inspection revealed by the inspection unit 38 is selected. It may be.

  The security processing unit 100 performs security processing on the defect inspection image data according to the determination of the security processing determination unit 76. Therefore, the security processing unit 100 includes a deletion processing unit 102, an encryption processing unit 104, and a character information processing unit 106 as main components. The deletion processing unit 102 deletes a partial or entire area where confidentiality should be maintained, and may be implemented using the function of the deletion unit 82 of the storage unit 80. Also, the encryption processing unit 104 encrypts a partial or entire area that should be kept confidential. Then, the character information processing unit 106 performs security processing (deletion, encryption, etc.) on the target character or character area in order to maintain confidentiality of character information. In addition, the security processing unit 100 may perform other processes such as restricting users who have authority to read files and camouflaging information including confidential information. The processed defect inspection image data is subjected to storage processing in the storage unit 80 as appropriate.

  The configuration of the image forming system 10 described above is one of typical examples, and various other configuration modes can be adopted. For example, the inspection / control apparatus 30 can be integrated into the image forming apparatus 20. That is, it is possible to adopt such a configuration by incorporating into the image forming apparatus 20 application software that defines the operation of the arithmetic processing function. As another example, the inspection function of the inspection / control apparatus 30 can be realized by an appropriate computer connected to the LAN 300. Data transfer can eliminate security concerns by performing appropriate encryption. Further, in this computer, inspections of a plurality of image forming systems 10 may be performed collectively. As a similar example, a configuration in which the function of a storage unit used when the inspection / control apparatus 30 stores data is left to a storage server or the like connected to the LAN 300 can be cited. As described above, each function of the image forming system 10 can be distributed or integrated in various apparatuses.

  Next, a typical processing flow will be described using a flowchart. The description will be given in the order of [1] an example in which the deletion determination unit 72 is used, [2] an example in which the security processing determination unit 76 is used, and [3] an example in which the test chart processing determination unit 78 is used.

  [1] First, processing when the deletion determination unit 72 is used will be described. The flowchart of FIG. 2 shows a processing step related to storage of inspection image data. First, when the control unit 50 receives that a print command for copying is made in the image forming apparatus 20 (S10), the control unit 50 acquires inspection image data from the inspection image data generation unit 24 and causes the inspection unit 38 to perform defect inspection. (S11). The deletion determination unit 72 acquires a history describing the printing process and the inspection result from the history information management unit 40 (S12). The deletion determination unit 72 first confirms whether or not a defect has been detected based on the history information (S14). If a defect is found, a deletion determination is performed (S16). This determination of deletion is performed from two viewpoints. One is whether or not the occurrence frequency of the defect type obtained based on the history information is larger than a predetermined value, and the other is whether or not the defect is classified into a predetermined important defect. is there. Then, if the occurrence frequency is greater than a predetermined value and the defect is not important, the deletion is determined. Then, the inspection image data is deleted in the deletion unit 82, and the history information management unit 40 records that the inspection image data is deleted in the history information (S18). Similarly, when no defect is detected, the inspection image data is similarly deleted in the deletion unit 82, and the corresponding history is left in the history information management unit 40 (S18). On the other hand, when the occurrence frequency is smaller than a predetermined value or when it is determined that the defect is important, the storage unit 80 stores the defect inspection image data, and the history information management unit 40 records the defect occurrence. Is added with link information to the defect inspection image data (S20).

  FIG. 3 is an example of the history information table 110 displaying the history information managed by the history information management unit 40. The history information table 110 includes, as items, a printing date and time 112, a file name 114 indicating the name of the original image data, a defect status 116 (◯ indicates no defect, Δ indicates a defect, and × indicates a defect), defect type 118 (Indicated by A, B, C,...), A defect size level 120 (larger as the number is larger) indicating the spatial extent of the defect, and a recorded image number 122 for identifying inspection image data are provided. Recording is performed one after another in the order of printing. For example, in a certain printing process 130, since no defect was found, the defect status 116 is ◯ indicating no defect. However, in the printing process 132, the defect state is Δ, the defect type 118 is A, the defect size level is 1 indicating the smallest, and the recorded image number is 1. Similarly, in the printing process 134, the defect state is x, the defect type is A, the defect size level is 4, the recorded image number is 2, and in the printing process 136, the defect state is Δ, the defect type is B, and the defect The size level is 2 and the recorded image number is 3.

  On the other hand, the determination unit 70 determines that the defect of the printing process 132 in which the defect state 116 is gray, that is, a defect is suspected and the defect size level is 1 which is the minimum, is based on a predetermined reference. Judge that it is not important. Then, the deletion unit 82 deletes the defect inspection image data whose recording image number 122 is 1, and the history information management unit 40 rewrites the history information as in the history information table 140. The determination unit 70 can make other determinations. For example, the defect quality is such that all defects having a Δ state are deleted and all defects having a X state are left. It is also possible to determine deletion based on the target size.

  FIG. 4 is a table 150 showing the status of the type occurrence frequency for each type of defect obtained based on the history information as shown in FIG. The items represent the defect type 152, the number of times that a defect was suspected (Δ), and the number of times that a defect occurred (x). For example, type A is 3 times x 0 times, type B is 10 times x 2 times, type C is 5 times x 0 times, type D is 20 times x 5 times is there. Accordingly, the deletion determination unit 72 determines that it is not necessary to store a certain number or more of defect inspection image data for the type D having a high defect occurrence frequency. It is determined to delete the inspection image data. Note that the defect inspection image data to be deleted in this case is not necessarily the latest defect inspection image data. For example, it is possible to replace the data that is left as appropriate so that the oldest data, middle-aged data, latest data, and the like are included in a balanced manner.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the processing example described with reference to FIG. The same steps are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted. The difference between FIG. 5 and FIG. 2 is the processing after it is determined not to delete in step S16. In this case, the deletion determination unit 72 determines whether or not the defect is a defect over the entire page of the corresponding print image (S22). If the defect does not cover the entire page, the non-partial data deletion determination unit 74 determines an area that can be deleted for data other than the partial data including the defect. In this case, in the storage unit 80, the area determined by the non-partial data deletion unit 84 is deleted, and the defect inspection image data of the part including the remaining defect is stored. Further, the history information management unit 40 records the link information to the partial defect inspection image data in the defect occurrence record (S24).

  On the other hand, if the defect is a defect that covers the entire page, such as a skew in which the position of the entire print image is shifted or a density defect in which the density of the entire print image is shifted to the low density side or the high density side, the substitute characteristic generation unit 42 Substitute property information representing the property is generated. The substitute characteristic information includes the type of defect, the range of occurrence, the qualitative size of the defect, compression information, and the like. For example, in the case of skew, the rotation angle and direction, and in the case of a density defect, the density of the entire printed image. The amount of deviation from the average normal state can be mentioned. The storage unit 80 stores the substitute characteristic information instead of the defect inspection image data, and the history information management unit 40 adds link information to the substitute characteristic information to the record of the occurrence of the defect (S26).

  A plurality of example embodiments as described above are not necessarily intended to be implemented in a fixed manner. That is, it is possible to allow the user to select which mode to implement from among a plurality of modes each time. In this case, you may give the option which leaves the selection not to delete to a user input completely.

  [2] Next, processing when the security processing determination unit 76 is used will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing, and corresponds to FIG. Steps S30, S31, and S32 are the same as S10, S11, and S12 in FIG. 2, respectively. A characteristic point is that after acquiring the inspection image data and history information in step S32, the security level information is acquired as one of the security information (S34). The confidential level information is information indicating the level of confidentiality of the corresponding inspection image data. Then, the determination based on the defect inspection is performed in the same manner as in FIG. 2 (S36), and if a defect is found, whether or not the security processing determination unit 76 deletes the defect inspection image data based on this confidential level information. Is determined (S38). As a result, when deletion is determined, deletion processing is performed in the deletion processing unit 102 of the security processing unit 100 (S40). On the other hand, when the deletion is not performed, the defect image data is stored as in step S20 of FIG. 2 (S42).

  The determination criteria in the defect inspection in step S38 can be easily performed by setting a table or the like that links the contents of the confidential level information and the contents of the defects. It is also effective to have command information on what kind of security processing should be performed in a confidential level information situation.

  Next, an example when security processing is performed based on character information will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing. Here, after receiving a print command (S50) and performing a defect inspection (S52), information relating to confidentiality of characters is input as security information (S54). The control unit 50 performs character information analysis of the inspection image data on the character information analysis unit 62 of the data analysis unit 60 for the purpose of acquiring character information as security information in order to treat the character as confidential. (S56). Thereby, it becomes clear whether or not character data is included in the inspection image data, and if included, in which range. The security process determination unit 76 performs determination based on the presence / absence of character data (S58), and performs normal processing when character data is not included. That is, history information is acquired (S60), and the presence / absence of defect detection is determined (S62). If no defect is detected, the inspection image data is deleted and the history information is edited (S64). When a defect is detected, the defect inspection image data is stored and the storage information is added to the history information (S66).

  If it is determined that there is character data, the security processing determination unit 76 determines whether to perform security processing only on the character area in accordance with the security information or to process the entire print image (S68). When processing only the character area, the character information processing unit 106 prepares for mask generation, that is, for making the data in the character area unviewable (S70). Subsequently, history information is acquired (S72), and the result of the defect inspection is examined (S74). If no defect is detected, the inspection image data is deleted and reflected to the history information in step S64 (S64).

  On the other hand, if a defect is detected, the character information processing unit 106 performs mask composition, that is, disables browsing of data in the character area (S76). Inability to browse specifically refers to deletion, encryption, camouflage, etc. of the character information at the data level, but simply, deletion, encryption, camouflage, etc. at the image level to be formed It may be. The storage unit 80 stores the defect inspection image data subjected to the security processing, and the history information management unit 40 adds the storage information to the history information (S76).

  If it is determined in step S68 that the entire process including the character area should be performed, history information is acquired (S78), but the inspection image data is deleted regardless of the defect detection result (S72). Then, the corresponding history information is edited (S78).

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for specifically explaining the processing in step S72. The image 160 represented by the inspection image data includes a character group 162 composed of 12 characters “Iroha ni henri niruru” and a graphic group 164 composed of ○ and Δ. The graphic group 164 includes horizontal lines 166 as printing defects. When this defect is detected in the defect inspection in step S52, and the presence of the character area 168 is determined by the character information analysis S56, it becomes clear that the horizontal line 166 is generated outside the character area 168. Therefore, when storing the defect inspection image data, while leaving the horizontal line 166, the character area that should not be stored is masked from the viewpoint of maintaining confidentiality. As a result, the character group 162 in the character area 168 is removed from the processed image 170.

  FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but the horizontal line 186 generated in the image 180 overlaps the character group 162. In such a case, if the character area 168 is deleted for the security of the character group, the defect information cannot be left. Therefore, the image 190 is deleted after the security processing. In this way, depending on the relationship between the area that should be kept confidential and the scope of the defect, the security process for only the area that should keep the security and the case where the entire area is deleted can be flexibly used. Can do.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of security processing relating to a confidential area. Here, after receiving the print command (S80) and after defect inspection is performed (S82), a confidential area designated by the user is input as security information (S84). Therefore, a mask is generated to make this confidential area unviewable (S86). Subsequently, history information is acquired (S88), and the presence / absence of a defect is determined (S90). If there is no defect, the inspection image data is deleted and the fact is recorded in the history information (S92). On the other hand, when a defect is detected, a process is performed so that the confidential area cannot be browsed by mask composition (S94). Then, the masked defect inspection image data is stored, and the link information is added to the history information (S96).

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of security processing by encryption. Here, after receiving a print command (S100) and after a defect inspection is performed (S102), information about a print processing page that requires encryption as security information is input by user input or the like. (S104). Subsequently, history information is acquired (S106), and the presence / absence of a defect is determined (S108). If there is no defect, the inspection image data is deleted and the fact is recorded in the history information (S110). On the other hand, if a defect is detected, the security processing determination unit 76 determines whether the inspection image data corresponding to the print processing page is a page for which encryption is required (S112). If it is determined that encryption is not necessary, the defect inspection image data is stored without being encrypted, and the corresponding history information is edited (S114). On the other hand, when it is determined that the page needs to be encrypted, the encryption processing unit 104 performs encryption. Then, the encrypted defect inspection image data is stored, and the link information is added to the history information (S116). Note that decryption of encrypted data is usually performed by the user inputting a password. This makes it possible to keep the encrypted information unviewable for general users.

  [3] Next, processing when the test chart processing determination unit 78 is used will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing. Here, after receiving the print command (S120) and after the defect inspection is performed (S122), an instruction to store the inspection image data based on the test chart is used instead of the inspection image data subjected to the defect inspection. Input is possible (S124). In response to this, the data analysis unit 60 analyzes the original image data corresponding to the inspection image data subjected to the defect inspection, and extracts feature information (S126). Then, the test chart data unit 90 selects test chart data having feature information similar to the feature information from the test chart data group 96 (S128). Subsequently, history information is acquired (S130), and the presence / absence of a defect is determined (S132). If there is no defect, the inspection image data is deleted and the fact is recorded in the history information (S134). On the other hand, if a defect is detected, it is determined whether or not the defect inspection image data corresponds to the page designated for substitution in step S124 (S136). If the page is designated as a substitute, the image forming apparatus 20 is instructed to form an image based on the test chart data selected in step S128 and to generate corresponding inspection image data. Then, the obtained inspection image data is stored and the fact is recorded in the history information. On the other hand, when the page is not designated as a substitute, the defect inspection image data is stored and the link information is recorded in the history information.

  FIG. 13 shows an example of an image (hereinafter referred to as a test chart) represented by test chart data included in the test chart data group 96. A character test chart 200 shown in FIG. 13A is a test chart composed of only characters. The character test chart 200 is composed of hiragana, lower case alphabets, upper case alphabets, and numbers. However, the inspection image data subjected to the defect inspection is not necessarily composed of these characters, and in this case, it is conceivable that no defect occurs because the image forming conditions are different. Therefore, combinations of various character types (Hiragana, Kanji, numbers, etc.) (only one type, two types, three types of combinations, etc.) are provided so that test chart data as close as possible to inspection image data subjected to defect inspection can be prepared. It is also effective to create test chart data consisting of () for various character sizes (10 points, 20 points, etc.) and various character types (Mincho, Gothic, etc.). However, it is also effective to create appropriate test chart data according to the degree of similarity between the characteristics of these test chart data and the characteristics of inspection image data (or original image data) subjected to defect inspection. .

  A graphic test chart 202 shown in FIG. 13B is a test chart including only a graphic. For this graphic test chart 202, it is effective to prepare various types of test chart data according to the shape of the graphic, arrangement, number, color, line thickness, and the like. A photographic test chart 204 in FIG. 13C is a test chart including only photographs. Similarly, various variations of the photo test chart 204 such as a landscape photo, a person photo, and an animal photo can be prepared. A character graphic test chart 206 in FIG. 13D is a test chart in which characters and graphics are combined. In addition, various combinations such as a combination of characters and photos, a combination of photos and graphics, a combination of characters, photos, and graphics are possible, and there are various arrangements and sizes. Therefore, it is possible to prepare a test chart appropriately combining the test charts included in the database of the character test chart 200, the graphic test chart 202, and the photographic test chart 204, and efficiently prepare a large amount of data by increasing the variations. Is possible.

  Even when various test charts are prepared in this way, there is a possibility that a test chart having a high degree of similarity is not necessarily obtained. Therefore, it is also effective to create test chart data based on inspection image data and original image data subjected to defect inspection using the creation unit 92 in the test chart data unit 90. In particular, it is effective to perform data analysis of the original image data corresponding to a location where a defect is found, and to create a test chart that has the extracted features but is difficult to capture the information of the original image data. For example, when a defect occurs only at a single character, character analysis is performed to grasp information about the character and surrounding characters. Then, it is possible to create a test chart with a very high degree of similarity by performing a process of replacing another character with another character at random while keeping only one character having a defect the same character.

  Each aspect shown above is a typical example, Comprising: This invention is not limited to these examples. In each example, it is also possible to appropriately change the flow of processing. For example, the character information analysis (S56) and mask generation (S70) in FIG. 7 and the original image data analysis (S126) and substitute test chart selection (S128) in FIG. 12 are determined to be performed using these. By carrying out after that, it is possible to eliminate waste of processing.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the outline of an apparatus structure. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a deletion process. It is a figure which shows the example of log | history information. It is the figure which showed the example of a total of a defect. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of a deletion process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a security process. It is a flowchart which shows another example of a security process. It is a figure which shows the specific example of a security process. It is a figure which shows another specific example of a security process. It is a flowchart which shows the modification of a security process. It is a flowchart which shows another modification of a security process. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a test chart process. It is a figure which shows the example of a test chart.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming system, 20 Image forming apparatus, 22 Image forming part, 24 Inspection image data generation part, 30 Inspection / control apparatus, 32 Input / output part, 34 User input part, 36 User output part, 36 Display part, 38 Inspection part 40 history information management unit 42 substitute characteristic generation unit 50 control unit 52 instruction unit 60 data analysis unit 62 character information analysis unit 70 determination unit 72 deletion determination unit 74 non-partial data deletion determination unit 76 Security processing determination unit, 78 Test chart processing determination unit, 80 Storage unit, 82 Deletion unit, 84 Non-partial data deletion unit, 86 Defect inspection image data group, 90 Test chart data unit, 92 Creation unit, 94 Selection unit, 96 test Chart data group, 100 security processing unit, 102 deletion processing unit, 104 encryption processing unit, 106 character information Processing unit.

Claims (14)

Inspection means for inspecting defects of the print image using inspection image data obtained by the print image reading process;
Storage means for storing defect inspection image data which is inspection image data in which an image defect is detected by the defect inspection;
Determining means for determining whether or not to delete at least a part of the defect inspection image data based on the result of the defect inspection;
Deleting means for deleting at least a part of the defect inspection image data determined to be deleted by the determining means;
An inspection image data management apparatus comprising: In the inspection image data management device according to claim 1,
The defect inspection includes a partial data defect inspection for inspecting an image defect with respect to partial data of the inspection image data corresponding to a partial area of the printed image;
The determination means includes non-partial data determination means for determining whether to delete all or a part of data other than the partial data in the inspection image data based on a result of the partial data defect inspection,
The deletion means includes non-partial data deletion means for deleting all or part of data other than the partial data determined to be deleted by the non-partial data determination means.
An inspection image data management apparatus characterized by the above. In the inspection image data management device according to claim 1,
Substitute characteristic generation and storage means for generating and storing substitute characteristic information indicating defect characteristics of the defect inspection image data,
2. The inspection image data management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substitute characteristic generation / storage unit is implemented for the defect inspection image data determined to be deleted by the determination unit. In the inspection image data management device according to claim 3,
2. The inspection image data management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the substitute characteristic generation storage unit is implemented when an image defect of the defect inspection image data covers the entire corresponding print image. In the inspection image data management device according to claim 1,
The determination means determines whether or not to delete the defect inspection image data based on the occurrence frequency of the same type of image defect as the image defect found by the defect inspection. . In the inspection image data management device according to claim 1,
The determination unit determines whether or not to delete the defect inspection image data so that the number or amount of the defect image data stored by the storage unit is a predetermined value or less. Image data management device. In the inspection image data management device according to claim 1,
2. The inspection image data management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the determination unit determines whether or not to delete the defect inspection image data based on the importance of the image defect found by the defect inspection. In the inspection image data management device according to claim 7,
2. The inspection image data management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the importance is determined based on a type of image defect. In the inspection image data management device according to claim 7,
The inspection image data management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the importance is determined based on a size of an image defect in the print image. A program executed in the inspection image data management device,
A module that performs defect inspection of the print image using inspection image data obtained by a print image reading process;
A module for storing defect inspection image data which is inspection image data in which an image defect is detected by the defect inspection;
A module for determining whether to delete the defect inspection image data based on the result of the defect inspection;
A module for deleting the defect inspection image data determined to be deleted;
An inspection program characterized by comprising: A method executed in an inspection image data management device,
Performing a defect inspection of the print image using inspection image data obtained by a print image reading process;
Storing defect inspection image data which is inspection image data in which an image defect is detected by the defect inspection; and
Determining whether to delete the defect inspection image data based on the result of the defect inspection; and
Deleting the defect inspection image data determined to be deleted; and
An inspection method characterized by comprising: Inspection means for inspecting defects of the print image using inspection image data obtained by the print image reading process;
Storage means for storing defect inspection image data which is inspection image data in which an image defect is detected by the defect inspection;
A control device for controlling an inspection image data management device comprising:
Obtaining means for obtaining a result of the defect inspection from the inspection means;
Determining means for determining whether or not to delete the defect inspection image data based on the result of the defect inspection;
A deletion instruction means for instructing the storage means to delete the defect inspection image data determined to be deleted by the determination means;
A control device comprising: Inspection means for inspecting defects of the print image using inspection image data obtained by the print image reading process;
Storage means for storing defect inspection image data which is inspection image data in which an image defect is detected by the defect inspection;
A program for controlling an inspection image data management device comprising:
A module for obtaining a result of the defect inspection from the inspection means;
A module for determining whether to delete the defect inspection image data based on the result of the defect inspection;
A module that instructs the storage unit to delete the defect inspection image data determined to be deleted by the determination unit;
A control program comprising: Inspection means for inspecting defects of the print image using inspection image data obtained by the print image reading process;
Storage means for storing defect inspection image data which is inspection image data in which an image defect is detected by the defect inspection;
A method of controlling an inspection image data management device comprising:
Obtaining a result of the defect inspection from the inspection means;
Determining whether to delete the defect inspection image data based on the result of the defect inspection; and
Instructing the storage means to delete the defect inspection image data determined to be deleted by the determination means;
A control method comprising:

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