JP2021128574A - Document printing system, printing support server, and printing support program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a document printing system, a printing support server and a printing support program which can improve such a possibility that a tint block printed by a printing device is appropriate.SOLUTION: A document printing system includes an image formation apparatus which is provided with a printer that can print an image of a document with a tint image formed of a tint pattern combined therewith, and a scanner. The document printing system executes pattern matching of a scan tint pattern which is the tint pattern read out by the scanner from a printed matter of the tint pattern by the printer and a master scan tint pattern that is a tint pattern for comparison with the scan tint pattern, and thereby extracts a tint pattern in which the scan tint pattern is the closest to the master scan tint pattern among a plurality of kinds of tint patterns (S224), and updates the tint pattern applied to the printer, to the tint pattern extracted in S224 (S226).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

The present invention relates to a document printing system, a printing support server, and a printing support program that synthesize and print a tint block on a document image.

Conventionally, there is known a technique of synthesizing a tint block with an image of a document and printing it by a printing device of an image forming apparatus (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). In the copy, which is a copy of the printed matter printed by synthesizing the tint block on the image of the document, the check character, which is the character contained in the tint block, appears.

However, as a result of time-dependent changes in the printing of the tint block by the printing device, there is a problem that the check character does not properly appear in the copy in which the tint block is synthesized with the image of the document and the printed matter is copied. Here, as factors of the time-dependent change of the tint block printing by the printing device, for example, the deterioration of the image forming apparatus due to the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus and the deterioration of the image forming apparatus due to the influence of the environment such as temperature, humidity, and dust. Can be considered.

For example, a maintenance worker of an image forming apparatus visually confirms whether or not the printing of the tint block by the printing device has changed with time, and depending on the result of the check, the tint block is printed by the printing device among a plurality of types of tint block. You can change the tint block.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-22122 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-244180

However, among multiple types of tint block, when the tint block printed by the printing device is changed according to the result of visual confirmation by a human, the tint block printed by the printing device is perceived by the human who performed the visual confirmation. There is a problem that the tint block printed by the printing device may not be appropriate because it depends on.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a document printing system, a printing support server, and a printing support program that can improve the possibility that the tint block printed by the printing device is appropriate.

The document printing system of the present invention includes a printing device capable of printing an image of a document in which a tint block is synthesized, a reading device for reading an image from a printed matter produced by the printing device, and the tint block applied to the printing device. An applicable tint block registration unit for registering a tint block is provided, and the applicable tint block registration section is for comparing a scan tint block, which is the tint block read by the reading device from a printed matter of the tint block by the printing device, with the scanned tint block. By performing pattern matching with the master scan tint block which is the tint block, the tint block whose scan tint is closest to the master scan tint block is extracted from among a plurality of types of tint block, and the tint block is applied to the extracted tint block. It is characterized by updating the tint block.

With this configuration, the document printing system of the present invention updates the applicable tint block, which is the tint block applied to the printing device, among the plurality of types of tint block, so that the tint block printed by the printing device is updated. It can improve the likelihood of being appropriate.

The document printing system of the present invention includes a factor analysis unit that analyzes the factors of the time-dependent change in printing of the tint block by the printing device, and the factor analysis unit is a specification of the printing device when updating the applicable tint block. The factors may be analyzed based on at least one of the conditions and usage.

With this configuration, the document printing system of the present invention analyzes the factors of the change over time in printing the tint block by the printing device based on at least one of the specifications, states, and usage conditions of the printing device when updating the applicable tint block. Therefore, it is possible to make the user aware of the factors of the time-dependent change in the printing of the tint block by the printing device.

The print support server of the present invention is a print support server that supports printing by a printing device capable of printing an image of a document in which a tint block is synthesized, and registers an applicable tint block that is the tint block applied to the print device. The applicable tint block registration unit includes a scanning tint block which is the tint block read from the printed matter of the tint block by the printing device by a reading device that reads an image from the printed matter of the printing device, and the scan. By performing pattern matching with the master scan tint block, which is the tint block for comparison with the tint block, the tint block in which the scan tint block is closest to the master scan tint block is extracted and extracted from among a plurality of types of tint block. It is characterized in that the applied tint block is updated to the tint block.

With this configuration, the print support server of the present invention updates the applicable tint block, which is the tint block applied to the printing device, among the plurality of types of tint block, so that the tint block printed by the printing device is updated. It can improve the likelihood of being appropriate.

The print support program of the present invention is a print support program for supporting printing by a printing device capable of printing an image of a document in which a tint block is synthesized, and is an applicable tint block which is the tint block applied to the print device. The applicable tint block registration unit is realized in a computer, and the applicable tint block registration section is a scan of the tint block read from the printed matter of the tint block by the printing device by a reading device that reads an image from the printed matter of the printing device. By performing pattern matching between the tint block and the master scan tint block which is the tint block for comparison with the scan tint block, among the plurality of types of tint block, the scan tint block is the closest to the master scan tint block. It is characterized in that the applied tint block is updated to the extracted tint block.

With this configuration, the computer that executes the printing support program of the present invention updates the applicable tint block, which is the tint block applied to the printing device, among the plurality of types of tint block, without human judgment. It is possible to improve the possibility that the tint block to be printed is appropriate.

The document printing system, print support server, and print support program of the present invention can improve the possibility that the tint block printed by the printing device is appropriate.

It is a block diagram of the document printing system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram of the document providing server shown in FIG. 1 in the case of being composed of one computer. It is a figure which shows an example of the tint block database shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in the case of an MFP. It is a block diagram of the print support server shown in FIG. 1 in the case of being composed of one computer. It is a figure which shows an example of the applicable tint block information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the scan tint block database shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the tint block update device information shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the document printing system shown in FIG. 1 when the tint block pattern is registered. It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the document printing system shown in FIG. 1 when the applicable tint block pattern is registered. It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the document printing system shown in FIG. 1 when the applicable tint block pattern is confirmed. It is a sequence diagram of an example of the operation of the document printing system shown in FIG. 1 when printing a specific document. It is a sequence diagram of an example different from the example shown in FIG. 12 of the operation of the document printing system when printing a specific document. It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the document printing system shown in FIG. 1 when the scan tint block pattern is registered. It is a figure which shows an example of the printed matter of the tint block pattern generated by the operation shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the scanned image of the printed matter shown in FIG. It is a flowchart of the operation of the print support server shown in FIG. 5 when the application tint block pattern is updated. It is a sequence diagram of the operation of the document printing system shown in FIG. 1 in the case of analyzing the factor of the time-dependent change of the printing of the tint block pattern.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of the document printing system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the document printing system 10 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the document printing system 10 includes a document providing server 20 that provides image data of a specific document (hereinafter referred to as "specific document") such as a certificate such as a resident's card. The document providing server 20 may be configured by one computer or may be configured by a plurality of computers. The document providing server 20 is, for example, a system of the Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems (J-LIS).

The document printing system 10 constitutes an image forming apparatus 30 such as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) that prints a specific document based on the image data provided by the document providing server 20. The document printing system 10 can include at least one image forming apparatus having the same configuration as the image forming apparatus 30 in addition to the image forming apparatus 30. The image forming apparatus in the document printing system 10 may be installed in a retail store such as a convenience store.

The document printing system 10 includes a printing support server 40 that supports printing by an image forming apparatus. The print support server 40 may be configured by one computer or may be configured by a plurality of computers.

The document printing system 10 includes a computer 50 such as a PC (Personal Computer) used by a person who operates a service by an image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as an "operation manager").

The document providing server 20 and the image forming apparatus in the document printing system 10 can communicate with each other via a network 11 such as the Internet. The document providing server 20 and the printing support server 40 can communicate with each other via the network 11. The image forming apparatus in the document printing system 10 and the printing support server 40 can communicate with each other via the network 11. The print support server 40 and the computer 50 can communicate with each other via the network 11.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the document providing server 20 in the case of being composed of one computer.

The document providing server 20 shown in FIG. 2 is an operation unit 21 which is an operation device such as a keyboard or a mouse into which various operations are input, and a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Disk) which displays various information. A display unit 22, and a communication unit 23, which is a communication device that communicates directly with an external device via a network such as LAN (Local Area Information) or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without a network. It includes a storage unit 24 which is a non-volatile storage device such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) for storing various kinds of information, and a control unit 25 which controls the entire document providing server 20.

The storage unit 24 stores a tint block database 24a that stores a tint block image pattern (hereinafter referred to as a tint block pattern).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the tint block database 24a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tint block database 24a is information indicating the correspondence between the tint block ID, which is the identification information of the tint block pattern, and the tint block pattern.

The control unit 25 shown in FIG. 2 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores a program and various data, and a memory used as a work area of the CPU of the control unit 25. RAM (Random Access Memory) is provided. The CPU of the control unit 25 executes a program stored in the storage unit 24 or the ROM of the control unit 25.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the image forming apparatus 30 in the case of an MFP.

The image forming apparatus 30 shown in FIG. 4 includes an operation unit 31 which is an operation device such as a button into which various operations are input, a display unit 32 which is a display device such as an LCD for displaying various information, and a paper. A printer 33, which is a printing device that prints an image on a recording medium such as And the fax communication unit 35, which is a fax device that performs communication with an external device, and the communication unit 36, which is a communication device that directly communicates with an external device via a network such as LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without a network. A temperature sensor 37a that detects the ambient temperature of the image forming apparatus 30, a humidity sensor 37b that detects the ambient humidity of the image forming apparatus 30, and a non-volatile storage such as a semiconductor memory or an HDD that stores various information. It includes a storage unit 38 which is a device, and a control unit 39 which controls the entire image forming apparatus 30.

The storage unit 38 stores a document printing program 38a for printing a specific document. The document printing program 38a may be installed in the image forming apparatus 30 at the manufacturing stage of the image forming apparatus 30, or may be additionally installed in the image forming apparatus 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB (Universal Social Bus) memory. It may be installed, or it may be additionally installed on the image forming apparatus 30 from the network.

The control unit 39 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM for storing programs and various data, and a RAM as a memory used as a work area of the CPU of the control unit 39. The CPU of the control unit 39 executes the program stored in the storage unit 38 or the ROM of the control unit 39.

The control unit 39 executes the document printing program 38a to print the specific document, and the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern read by the scanner of the image forming apparatus from the printed matter of the tint block pattern printed by the printer of the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as the tint block pattern). It realizes the scan tint block registration request unit 39b that requests the print support server 40 (see FIG. 1) to register the “scan tint block pattern”). The scan tint block pattern constitutes the scan tint block of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the print support server 40 when it is composed of one computer.

The print support server 40 shown in FIG. 5 includes an operation unit 41 which is an operation device such as a keyboard and a mouse into which various operations are input, and a display unit 42 which is a display device such as an LCD that displays various information. A communication unit 43, which is a communication device that directly communicates with an external device via a network such as a LAN or the Internet, or directly by wire or wirelessly without a network, and a semiconductor memory that stores various information, for example. It includes a storage unit 44, which is a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD, and a control unit 45, which controls the entire print support server 40.

The storage unit 44 stores a print support program 44a for supporting printing by the image forming apparatus. The print support program 44a may be installed on the print support server 40 at the manufacturing stage of the print support server 40, or may be an external storage medium such as a USB memory, a CD (Compact Disk), or a DVD (Digital Versaille Disk). It may be additionally installed on the print support server 40 from the above, or it may be additionally installed on the print support server 40 from the network.

The storage unit 44 stores the tint block database 44b that stores the tint block pattern. The structure of the tint block database 44b is the same as that of the tint block database 24a (see FIG. 3).

The storage unit 44 stores the master scan tint block pattern 44c, which is a tint block pattern for comparison with the scan tint block pattern. The master scan tint block pattern 44c is an ideal scan tint block pattern. The master scan tint block pattern 44c constitutes the master scan tint block of the present invention.

The storage unit 44 stores the applicable tint block information 44d indicating the tint block pattern applied to the image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “applicable tint block pattern”). The applicable tint block pattern constitutes the applicable tint block of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the applicable tint block information 44d.

The applicable tint block information 44d shown in FIG. 6 is information indicating the correspondence between the serial number, which is the identification information of the image forming apparatus, and the tint block ID of the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 44 stores an image read by the scanner of the image forming apparatus, that is, a scanning tint block database 44e for storing the scanning tint block pattern from the printed matter of the tint block pattern by the printer of the image forming apparatus. ing.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the scan tint block database 44e.

The scan tint block database 44e shown in FIG. 7 contains the serial number of the image forming apparatus, the tint block ID of the tint block pattern, and the image read by the scanner of the image forming apparatus from the printed matter of the tint block pattern, that is, the scan tint block pattern. Information indicating the correspondence.

The scan tint block pattern shown in FIG. 7 is an image in which the tint block pattern shown in FIG. 3 is printed by a printer of an image forming apparatus having a serial number of "MFP001", and the printed matter is read by a scanner of this image forming apparatus. Is. The part of the tint block pattern drawn with large dots is read by the scanner of the image forming device, so it remains in the scanned tint block pattern, but the part of the tint block pattern drawn with small dots is of the image forming device. Since it cannot be read by the scanner, it disappears in the scanned tint block pattern. Characters that appear in the scan tint block pattern, such as "COPY" in the scan tint block pattern shown in FIG. 7, are called check-and-balance characters. In addition, among the tint block patterns, the pattern of the background part other than the check character is called the guard pattern pattern. The fact that the printed matter on which the tint block pattern shown in FIG. 3 is printed is copied means that the scanned tint block pattern shown in FIG. 7 is printed. Therefore, the printed matter on which the tint block pattern shown in FIG. 3 is printed is copied. Check letters as shown in FIG. 7 appear in the printed matter.

As shown in FIG. 5, the storage unit 44 stores the tint block update device information 44f indicating the specifications, state, and usage status of the image forming apparatus whose applied tint block pattern has been updated.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the tint block update device information 44f.

The tint block updater information 44f shown in FIG. 8 corresponds to the date and time when the applicable tint block pattern was updated, the serial number of the image forming apparatus whose applied tint block pattern was updated, and the specifications, states, and usage status of the image forming apparatus. Shows the relationship. The state of the image forming apparatus includes, for example, the mechanical characteristics of the image forming apparatus. The usage status of the image forming apparatus includes, for example, the number of prints as the frequency of use of the image forming apparatus, the temperature around the image forming apparatus, and the humidity around the image forming apparatus. Note that FIG. 8 is drawn with specific values of specifications and mechanical characteristics omitted.

The control unit 45 shown in FIG. 5 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM for storing programs and various data, and a RAM as a memory used as a work area of the CPU of the control unit 45. The CPU of the control unit 45 executes a program stored in the storage unit 44 or the ROM of the control unit 45.

By executing the print support program 44a, the control unit 45 acquires a specific document from the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern registration unit 45a for registering the tint block pattern, the applicable tint block registration section 45b for registering the applicable tint block pattern, and the document providing server 20. The acquisition unit 45c, the scan tint block registration section 45d for registering the scan tint block pattern, and the factor analysis section 45e for analyzing the factors of the time-dependent change in printing of the tint block pattern by the printer are realized.

Next, the operation of the document printing system 10 will be described.

First, the operation of the document printing system 10 when the tint block pattern is registered will be described.

FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the document printing system 10 when the tint block pattern is registered.

For example, the operation manager can instruct the registration of a plurality of types of tint block patterns and the master scan tint block pattern via an operation unit (not shown) of the computer 50.

When the computer 50 is instructed to register the plurality of types of tint block patterns and the master scan tint block pattern via the operation unit, the computer 50 registers the tint block pattern and the master scan tint block pattern included in the instruction as shown in FIG. Is requested from the print support server 40 (S101).

When the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern registration unit 45a of the print support server 40 receives the request in S101, the copy-forgery-inhibited pattern registration unit 45a registers the master scan tint block pattern included in the request as the master scan tint block pattern 44c (S102).

Next, the tint block registration unit 45a assigns a tint block ID to each of all the tint block patterns included in the request in S101 (S103), and sets a combination of these tint block patterns and the tint block ID given in S103 as a tint block. Register in the database 44b (S104).

When the registration in S104 is completed, the tint block registration unit 45a requests the document providing server 20 to register the combination of the tint block pattern and the tint block ID registered in the tint block database 44b in S104 (S105).

When the document providing server 20 receives the request in S105, the document providing server 20 registers the combination of the tint block pattern and the tint block ID included in the request in the tint block database 24a (S106).

When the registration in S106 is completed, the document providing server 20 notifies the print support server 40 of the completion of registration of the combination of the tint block pattern and the tint block ID (S107).

Upon receiving the notification in S107, the tint block registration unit 45a of the print support server 40 transmits the combination of the tint block pattern and the tint block ID registered in the tint block database 44b to the computer 50 (S108).

When the computer 50 receives the information transmitted from the print support server 40 in S108, the computer 50 displays the combination of the received tint block pattern and the tint block ID on a display unit (not shown) of the computer 50 (S109). Therefore, for example, the operation manager can confirm the tint block pattern registered in the document providing server 20 and the print support server 40 and the tint block ID of this tint block pattern.

Next, the operation of the document printing system 10 when the applicable tint block pattern is registered will be described.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the document printing system 10 when the applicable tint block pattern is registered.

For example, the operation manager can instruct the registration of the applicable tint block pattern via an operation unit (not shown) of the computer 50. In this instruction, among the serial number of the image forming apparatus to be registered of the applicable tint block pattern and the tint block ID displayed in S109, the tint block of the tint block pattern that the operation manager desires to be applied to the image forming apparatus. ID and is included.

When the registration of the applicable tint block pattern is instructed via the operation unit, the computer 50 requests the print support server 40 to register the applicable tint block pattern as shown in FIG. 10 (S121). The computer 50 includes the combination of the serial number and the tint block ID included in the instruction via the operation unit in the request in S121.

Upon receiving the request in S121, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b of the print support server 40 registers the combination of the serial number and the tint block ID included in the request in the applicable tint block information 44d (S122).

When the registration in S122 is completed, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b notifies the computer 50 of the completion of registration of the applicable tint block pattern (S123).

Upon receiving the notification in S123, the computer 50 displays the completion of registration of the applicable tint block pattern on a display unit (not shown) of the computer 50 (S124). Therefore, for example, the operation manager can confirm the completion of registration of the applicable tint block pattern on the document providing server 20.

Next, the operation of the document printing system 10 when the applicable tint block pattern is confirmed will be described.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the document printing system 10 when the applicable tint block pattern is confirmed.

For example, the operation manager can instruct confirmation of the applicable tint block pattern of the specific image forming apparatus via an operation unit (not shown) of the computer 50. This instruction includes the serial number of the image forming apparatus for which the applicable tint block pattern is confirmed.

When the computer 50 is instructed to confirm the applicable tint block pattern of the specific image forming apparatus via the operation unit, the computer 50 requests the print support server 40 to confirm the applied tint block pattern of the specific image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. (S141). Here, the computer 50 includes the serial number included in the instruction for confirming the applicable tint block pattern of the specific image forming apparatus in the request in S141.

When the applicable tint block registration unit 45b of the print support server 40 receives the request in S141, the tint block ID associated with the serial number included in the request in the applicable tint block information 44d, that is, the applicable tint block of the specific image forming apparatus. The tint block ID of the pattern is specified (S142).

Next, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b identifies the tint block pattern associated with the tint block ID specified in S142 in the tint block database 44b, that is, the applicable tint block pattern (S143).

Next, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b transmits the applicable tint block pattern specified in S143 to the computer 50 (S144).

When the computer 50 receives the applied tint block pattern transmitted from the print support server 40 in S144, the computer 50 displays the received applied tint block pattern on a display unit (not shown) of the computer 50 (S145). Therefore, the operation manager can confirm the applicable tint block pattern of the specific image forming apparatus.

Next, the operation of the document printing system 10 when printing a specific document will be described.

FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram of an example of the operation of the document printing system 10 when printing a specific document.

For example, the user of the image forming apparatus 30 can instruct the printing of a specific document via the operation unit 31.

When the document printing unit 39a of the image forming apparatus 30 is instructed to print the specific document via, for example, the operation unit 31, the document printing unit 39a requests the print support server 40 for the image data of the specific document as shown in FIG. 12 (S161). ). Here, the document printing unit 39a includes the serial number of the image forming apparatus 30 in the request in S161.

When the applicable tint block registration unit 45b of the print support server 40 receives the request in S161, the tint block ID associated with the serial number included in the request in S161 in the applicable tint block information 44d, that is, the applicable tint block of the image forming apparatus 30. The tint block ID of the pattern is specified (S162).

Next, the document acquisition unit 45c of the print support server 40 requests the document providing server 20 for the image data of the specific document requested in S161 (S163). Here, the document acquisition unit 45c includes the tint block ID specified in S162 in the request in S163.

Upon receiving the request in S163, the document providing server 20 identifies the tint block pattern associated with the tint block ID included in the request in S163 in the tint block database 24a, that is, the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30 (S164). ..

Next, the document providing server 20 synthesizes the image of the specific document requested in S163 and the tint block image formed by the applied tint block pattern specified in S164 (S165).

Next, the document providing server 20 transmits the combined image data in S165, that is, the image data of the image of the specific document in which the tint block image is synthesized, to the print support server 40 (S166).

When the document acquisition unit 45c of the print support server 40 receives the image data transmitted from the document providing server 20 in S166, the document acquisition unit 45c transmits the received image data to the image forming apparatus 30 (S167).

When the document printing unit 39a of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the image data transmitted from the print support server 40 in S167, the printer 33 executes printing based on the received image data (S168), and FIG. 12 shows. End the indicated operation.

When printing a specific document, the operation shown in FIG. 13 may be executed instead of the operation shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of an example of the operation of the document printing system 10 when printing a specific document, which is different from the example shown in FIG.

When the document printing unit 39a of the image forming apparatus 30 is instructed to print a specific document via, for example, the operation unit 31, the document printing unit 39a prints the tint block ID of the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30 as shown in FIG. Request 40 (S181). Here, the document printing unit 39a includes the serial number of the image forming apparatus 30 in the request in S181.

When the applicable tint block registration unit 45b of the print support server 40 receives the request in S181, the tint block ID associated with the serial number included in the request in S181 in the applicable tint block information 44d, that is, the applicable tint block of the image forming apparatus 30. The tint block ID of the pattern is specified (S182).

Next, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b transmits the tint block ID specified in S182 to the image forming apparatus 30 (S183).

When the document printing unit 39a of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the tint block ID transmitted from the printing support server 40 in S183, the document printing unit 39a requests the document providing server 20 for the image data of the specific document (S184). Here, the document printing unit 39a includes the tint block ID transmitted from the printing support server 40 in S183 in the request in S184.

Upon receiving the request in S184, the document providing server 20 identifies the tint block pattern associated with the tint block ID included in the request in S184 in the tint block database 24a, that is, the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30 (S185). ..

Next, the document providing server 20 synthesizes the image of the specific document requested in S184 and the tint block image formed by the applied tint block pattern specified in S185 (S186).

Next, the document providing server 20 transmits the combined image data in S186, that is, the image data of the image of the specific document in which the tint block image is synthesized, to the image forming apparatus 30 (S187).

When the document printing unit 39a of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the image data transmitted from the document providing server 20 in S187, the printer 33 executes printing based on the received image data (S188), and FIG. 13 shows. End the indicated operation.

Next, the operation of the document printing system 10 when registering the scan tint block pattern will be described.

For example, the maintenance worker of the image forming apparatus 30 can instruct the process of registering the scan tint block pattern through the operation unit 31 at the time of the annual regular visit to the image forming apparatus 30. When the image forming apparatus 30 is installed in a retail store such as a convenience store, the clerk at this retail store may, for example, print an inventory report with the printer 33, read a gift application form with the scanner 34, or the like. When the service for the clerk in the image forming apparatus 30 is used, the process of registering the scan tint block pattern can be instructed via the operation unit 31.

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the document printing system 10 when registering a scan tint block pattern.

When the scan tint block registration request unit 39b of the image forming apparatus 30 is instructed via the operation unit 31 to register the scan tint block pattern, as shown in FIG. 14, all the scan tint block registration request units 39b registered in the print support server 40. The copy-forgery-inhibited pattern pattern is requested from the print support server 40 (S201). Here, the scan tint block registration request unit 39b includes the serial number of the image forming apparatus 30 itself in the request in S201.

When the scan tint block registration unit 45d of the print support server 40 receives the request in S201, the tint block ID associated with the serial number included in the request in the applicable tint block information 44d, that is, the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30. The tint block ID of is specified (S202).

Next, the scan tint block registration unit 45d transfers the combination of the tint block ID and the tint block pattern associated in the tint block database 44b and the tint block ID of the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30 specified in S202 to the image forming apparatus 30. Transmit (S203).

When the scan tint block registration requesting unit 39b of the image forming apparatus 30 receives the information transmitted from the print support server 40 in S203, the scanned tint block registration request unit 39b displays the received tint block pattern on the display unit 32 in association with the tint block ID of the tint block pattern. (S204). Here, the scan tint block registration requesting unit 39b can specify the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30 based on the tint block ID of the applied tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30, and can determine the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30. It will be specified in S204.

When the scan tint block registration request unit 39b is instructed to print the information displayed in S204 via the operation unit 31 after the processing of S204, the scan tint block registration requesting unit 39b associates the tint block pattern displayed in S204 with the tint block ID of this tint block pattern. Printing is performed by the printer 33 (S205). Here, the scan tint block registration requesting unit 39b also prints that the tint block pattern indicating that it is the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30 is the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a printed matter having a tint block pattern generated by the process of S205.

The printed matter shown in FIG. 15 is printed with a tint block pattern to which the tint block IDs 1 to 9 are given. In FIG. 15, the tint block pattern having the tint block ID “3” is indicated by the thick frame as the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30.

As shown in FIG. 14, the scan tint block registration requesting unit 39b is generated in S205 when the scanning of the image by the scanner 34 from the printed matter generated in S205 is instructed via the operation unit 31 after the processing of S205. An image is read from the printed matter by the scanner 34 (S206).

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a scanned image of the printed matter shown in FIG.

The scanned image shown in FIG. 16 includes a scanned tint block pattern to which the tint block IDs 1 to 9 are assigned. In FIG. 16, the scan tint block pattern having the tint block ID “3” is indicated by the thick frame as the scan tint block pattern of the applicable tint block pattern of the image forming apparatus 30.

As shown in FIG. 14, the scan tint block registration requesting unit 39b supports printing the image read by the scanner 34 from the printed matter in S206, that is, the scanned image and the serial number of the image forming apparatus 30 itself after the processing of S206. It is transmitted to the server 40 (S207).

When the scan tint block registration unit 45d of the print support server 40 receives the information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 30 in S207, the scan tint block pattern and the tint block ID associated with the scan tint block pattern are transferred from the received scan image. Identify (S208). Here, the tint block ID is extracted from the scanned image by the image recognition technique.

After the processing of S208, the scan tint block registration unit 45d associates the serial number transmitted from the image forming apparatus 30 in S207 with the combination of the tint block ID and the scan tint block pattern specified in S208 and registers them in the scan tint block database 44e. (S209).

Next, the scan tint block registration unit 45d notifies the image forming apparatus 30 of the completion of registration of the scan tint block pattern after the processing of S209 (S210).

Upon receiving the notification in S210, the scan tint block registration requesting unit 39b of the image forming apparatus 30 displays the completion of registration of the scan tint block pattern on the display unit 32 (S211). Therefore, for example, the user of the image forming apparatus 30 can confirm the completion of registration of the scan tint block pattern on the print support server 40.

Next, the operation of the print support server 40 when updating the applicable tint block pattern will be described.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the operation of the print support server 40 when updating the applicable tint block pattern.

For example, the operation manager can instruct the print support server 40 to update the applicable tint block pattern via the computer 50. When the application tint block registration unit 45b of the print support server 40 is instructed to update the applicable tint block pattern, the operation shown in FIG. 17 is executed.

As shown in FIG. 17, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b determines whether or not the serial number is stored in the scan tint block database 44e (S221).

When the applicable tint block registration unit 45b determines in S221 that the serial number is stored in the scan tint block database 44e, it targets one of the serial numbers stored in the scan tint block database 44e (S222).

After the processing of S222, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b is each of all the scan tint block patterns associated with the current target serial number (hereinafter referred to as “target serial number”) in the scan tint block database 44e (hereinafter referred to as “target”). The scan tint block pattern ”) is subjected to image processing as preprocessing for performing pattern matching with the master scan tint block pattern 44c (S223). For example, in order to improve the accuracy of pattern matching, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b corrects noise and distortion, corrects brightness and hue, and emphasizes shades of color in the image of the target scanned tint block pattern. You may do it.

After the processing of S223, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b performs pattern matching between the target scan tint block pattern for which image processing was performed in S223 and the master scan tint block pattern 44c, thereby converting the target serial number into the scan tint block database 44e. From all the associated tint block IDs, the tint block ID whose target scan tint block pattern is closest to the master scan tint block pattern 44c is extracted (S224). The applicable tint block registration unit 45b may utilize a machine learning recognition method such as a neural network or SVM (Support Vector Machine) in pattern matching in S224. In S224, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b may perform pattern matching based on the feature points in the entire tint block pattern. The applicable tint block registration unit 45b may execute pattern matching based on the feature points of the guard pattern pattern in S224. In S224, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b states that the smaller the pixel error of each check character with respect to the target scan tint block pattern and the master scan tint block pattern 44c, the closer the target scan tint block pattern is to the master scan tint block pattern 44c. You may judge. In S224, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b determines that the target scan tint block pattern is closer to the master scan tint block pattern 44c as the pixel error of all the check characters is smaller with respect to the target scan tint block pattern and the master scan tint block pattern 44c. You may. The applicable tint block registration unit 45b may utilize, for example, OpenCV or TensorFlow (registered trademark) as the analysis method in S224.

After the processing of S224, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b is assigned a tint block ID associated with the target serial number in the applicable tint block information 44d, that is, an image forming apparatus to which the target serial number is assigned (hereinafter, “target image forming apparatus”). It is determined whether or not the tint block ID of the applicable tint block pattern and the tint block ID extracted in S224 are different (S225).

After the processing of S224, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b determines in S225 that the tint block ID of the applicable tint block pattern of the target image forming apparatus is different from the tint block ID extracted in S224, and determines that the tint block ID of the applicable tint block pattern of the target image forming apparatus is different. The tint block ID, that is, the tint block ID associated with the target serial number in the applicable tint block information 44d is updated to the tint block ID extracted in S224 (S226).

After the processing of S226, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b acquires the specifications, state, and usage status of the image forming apparatus from the target image forming apparatus (S227). The usage status acquired in S227 includes the ambient temperature of the target image forming apparatus detected by the temperature sensor of the target image forming apparatus and the target image forming apparatus detected by the humidity sensor of the target image forming apparatus. Includes ambient humidity.

After the processing of S227, the applicable tint block registration unit 45b renews the tint block by associating the date and time when the tint block ID was updated in S226, the target serial number, and the specifications, state, and usage status of the image forming apparatus acquired in S227. It is stored in the device information 44f (S228).

The applicable tint block registration unit 45b determines in S225 that the tint block ID of the applicable tint block pattern of the target image forming apparatus does not differ from the tint block ID extracted in S224, or when the processing of S228 is completed, the target serial number and this The combination of the tint block ID and the scan tint block pattern associated with the serial number is deleted from the scan tint block database 44e (S229), and the process of S221 is executed.

When the applicable tint block registration unit 45b determines in S221 that the serial number is not stored in the scan tint block database 44e, the operation shown in FIG. 17 ends.

Next, the operation of the document printing system 10 when analyzing the factors of the time-dependent change in the printing of the tint block pattern will be described.

FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram of the operation of the document printing system 10 when analyzing the factors of the time-dependent change in the printing of the tint block pattern.

For example, the operation manager can instruct the analysis of the factors of the time-dependent change in the printing of the tint block pattern through an operation unit (not shown) of the computer 50.

When the computer 50 is instructed to analyze the factors of the time-varying change in the printing of the tint block pattern via the operation unit, the computer 50 causes the printing support server 40 to analyze the factors of the time-dependent changes in the printing of the tint block pattern as shown in FIG. Request (S241).

Upon receiving the request in S241, the factor analysis unit 45e of the print support server 40 analyzes the factors of the time-dependent change in the printing of the tint block pattern based on the tint block update device information 44f (S242).

Next, the factor analysis unit 45e notifies the computer 50 of the result of the analysis in S242 (S243).

Upon receiving the notification in S243, the computer 50 displays the analysis result notified in S243 on a display unit (not shown) of the computer 50 (S244). Therefore, the operation manager can recognize the factors of the time-dependent change in the printing of the tint block pattern.

As described above, the document printing system 10 updates the applicable tint block pattern, which is the tint block pattern applied to the image forming apparatus, among the plurality of types of tint block patterns (S224 to S226). Therefore, it is possible to improve the possibility that the tint block pattern printed by the image forming apparatus is appropriate.

Since the document printing system 10 updates the tint block pattern applied to the image forming apparatus without human judgment, the tint block pattern applied to a large number of image forming apparatus such as 1000 or more installed in various areas is applied. Can be easily updated.

Since the document printing system 10 analyzes the factors of the time-dependent change in the printing of the tint block pattern by the printer based on the specifications, the state, and the usage status of the image forming apparatus when updating the applicable tint block pattern (S242), the tint block by the printer is analyzed. It is possible to make the user aware of the factors of the time-dependent change in pattern printing. It should be noted that the document printing system 10 does not need to use a part of the specifications, states, and usage conditions of the image forming apparatus when updating the applicable tint block pattern when analyzing the factors of the time-dependent change in the printing of the tint block pattern. good.

In the present embodiment, the document printing system 10 mutually performs the process of registering the scan tint block pattern (see FIG. 14) and the process of updating the applicable tint block pattern using the scan tint block pattern (see FIG. 17). Execute at independent timing. However, after the process of registering the scan tint block pattern, the document printing system 10 automatically executes the process of updating the applicable tint block pattern using the scan tint block pattern without receiving the instruction to update the applicable tint block pattern. Is also good.

In the present embodiment, the document printing system 10 registers an applicable tint block pattern for each image forming apparatus. However, the document printing system 10 may register an applicable tint block pattern common to all image forming devices. For example, in the document printing system 10, in the most image forming apparatus among all the image forming apparatus, the tint block pattern whose scan tint block pattern is closest to the master scan tint block pattern 44c is applied to all the image forming apparatus. It may be registered as a pattern.

10 Document printing system 33 Printer (printing device)
34 Scanner (reading device)
40 Printing support server 44a Printing support program 44c Master scan tint block pattern (master scan tint block)
45b Applicable tint block registration department 45e Factor analysis department

Claims (4)

A printing device that can print an image of a document with a tint block,
A reading device that reads an image from the printed matter by the printing device, and
It is provided with an applicable tint block registration unit for registering the applicable tint block which is the tint block applied to the printing device.
The applicable tint block registration unit performs pattern matching between the scan tint block which is the tint block read by the reading device from the printed matter of the tint block by the printing device and the master scan tint block which is the tint block for comparison with the scan tint block. By executing .. A factor analysis unit for analyzing the factors of the time-dependent change in printing of the tint block by the printing device is provided.
The document printing according to claim 1, wherein the factor analysis unit analyzes the factors based on at least one of the specifications, states, and usage conditions of the printing device when updating the applicable tint block. system. It is a printing support server that supports printing with a printing device that can print the image of a document with a tint block.
It is provided with an applicable tint block registration unit for registering the applicable tint block which is the tint block applied to the printing device.
The applicable tint block registration unit is a scanning tint block which is the tint block read from the printed matter of the tint block by the printing device by a reading device that reads an image from the printed matter by the printing device, and the tint block for comparison with the scan tint block. By performing pattern matching with the master scan tint block, the tint block whose scan tint is closest to the master scan tint block is extracted from among a plurality of types of tint block, and the applied tint block is updated with the extracted tint block. A printing support server characterized by It is a printing support program to support printing by a printing device that can print the image of a document with a tint block.
An applicable tint block registration unit for registering the applicable tint block, which is the tint block applied to the printing device, is realized in a computer.
The applicable tint block registration unit is a scanning tint block which is the tint block read from the printed matter of the tint block by the printing device by a reading device that reads an image from the printed matter by the printing device, and the tint block for comparison with the scan tint block. By performing pattern matching with the master scan tint block, the tint block whose scan tint is closest to the master scan tint block is extracted from among a plurality of types of tint block, and the applied tint block is updated with the extracted tint block. A printing support program characterized by doing.

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