JP2002052785A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printer in which acceptability of the installation of a printer driver or the print state in a printer engine can be checked easily while suppressing increase in the traffic of network. SOLUTION: At the time of inspecting decompose data, compose data delivered from an information processor 2 to a printer 1 is converted through a decomposer 12 into decompose data which is then inspected by means 15 for inspecting decompose data. Inspection results are transmitted by means 17 for transmitting inspection results to the information processor 2 where it is displayed by means 23 for displaying inspection results. A user can confirm acceptability of the decompose data generated from the decomposer 12 by looking up the displayed inspection results and can confirm normal installation of a printer driver in the information processor 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for printing an image on an output medium such as paper.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Documents and images created and edited by an information processing device (for example, a personal computer) are printed by a printing device (printer) as follows. That is, the data of a document or an image created and edited by the information processing device is converted into compose data by the printer driver of the information processing device. The compose data is sent from the information processing device to the printing device together with the print job control information. In the printing apparatus, the print job control information is analyzed, and the compose data is converted into decompose data according to the analysis result. Then, an image is printed on an output medium such as a sheet based on the decomposed data by a printer engine of the printing apparatus. Here, the compose data is described in a page description language (PDL), and the decompose data is bitmap data. The printer driver is
Information corresponding to the model and version of the printing apparatus is stored in the information processing apparatus.

When a new printing device is connected to the information processing device, it is necessary to install a printer driver corresponding to the printing device in the information processing device. Also, in order to check whether or not the printer driver can be normally installed in the information processing apparatus, and to check whether or not the printing apparatus can print normally, the information processing apparatus sends the information to the printing apparatus. Instruct test printing. At the time of the test printing, predetermined test image data is converted into compose data by a printer driver installed in the information processing apparatus, and the compose data is sent to the printing apparatus. In the printing apparatus, the compose data is converted into decompose data, and a test image is printed on an output medium based on the decompose data. Then, by visually checking the printed test image, it is checked whether or not the printer driver can be normally installed in the information processing apparatus, and whether or not the printing apparatus can print normally. To inspect.

[0004]

As described above, by visually checking the image actually printed by the printing apparatus, the quality of the installation of the printer driver in the information processing apparatus is inspected. The printing condition of the printer engine is inspected. Therefore,
Since it is necessary to visually confirm the image printed by the printing apparatus, these inspections are troublesome operations for the inspecting user. Further, when the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus are installed separately from each other, the user needs to move to a place where the printing apparatus is installed after issuing a print instruction in the information processing apparatus. Therefore, the inspection is a troublesome work for the user also in this respect. Further, when the test is performed, a test image is printed on the output medium, so that the output medium is wasted. When the information processing apparatus and a number of printing apparatuses are connected via a network, the above problem is particularly significant.

Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-101111 discloses a printing apparatus intended to save the output medium. This printing device sends the decomposed data to the information processing device without actually printing the test image on the output medium at the time of test printing. Then, the information processing device that has received the decomposed data displays the decomposed data on the screen. By visually checking the decomposed data displayed on the screen of the information processing apparatus, the user can check whether the printer driver is installed properly. This printing apparatus can solve the problem of waste of output media at the time of test printing, and also has the problem of having to move to the printing apparatus installation location when checking the installation of the printer driver. Can also be eliminated.

However, in the printing apparatus disclosed in the above publication, it is necessary to visually confirm the decomposed data displayed on the screen of the information processing apparatus when checking whether the printer driver is installed properly. However, the trouble of this point is not eliminated at all. In general, since decomposed data having a large data size is sent from a printing apparatus to an information processing apparatus, network traffic increases, which adversely affects other apparatuses connected to the network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and it is easy to check whether a printer driver is installed properly or whether a printing state of a printer engine is good. An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in traffic.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising: (1) when test image data is transmitted from an information processing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus, the test image data is decomposed; And (2) an inspection result transmitting unit for transmitting a result of the inspection by the decomposing data inspecting unit to the information processing apparatus. . According to this printing apparatus, when test image data is sent from the information processing apparatus, the decomposed data obtained by decomposing the test image data is inspected by the decomposed data inspection means, and the result of this inspection is It is transmitted to the information processing device by the inspection result transmitting means.

In the printing apparatus according to the first invention, when test image data is sent from the information processing apparatus, the inspection of the decomposed data is executed by the decomposed data inspection means prior to the printing of another image. It is characterized by further comprising inspection priority means. In this case, when the test image data is sent from the information processing device, the inspection by the decomposed data inspection unit is executed by the inspection priority unit prior to the printing of another image, and the result of this inspection is It is transmitted to the information processing device by the inspection result transmitting means.

[0010] In the printing apparatus according to the first invention, the decomposing data inspecting means decomposes the test image data obtained by decomposing the test image data based on a comparison with the genuine decomposing data corresponding to the test image data. Inspecting the data. In this case, the decomposed data inspecting means performs the inspection based on the comparison with the genuine decomposed data, so that the decomposed data obtained by decomposing the test image is surely inspected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing apparatus comprising: (1) an image printing means for printing an image on an output medium; and (2) an image printing means for reading an image printed on the output medium by the image printing means. Print image inspection means for inspecting the image data
(3) An inspection result transmitting unit for transmitting a result of the inspection by the printed image inspection unit to an information processing apparatus connected to the own apparatus. According to the printing apparatus, the image data generated by reading the image printed on the output medium by the image printing unit is inspected by the print image inspection unit, and thereby, the image data is printed on the output medium by the image printing unit. The inspected image is inspected, and the result of the inspection is transmitted to the information processing apparatus by the inspection result transmitting means.
Note that the image reading means for reading the image printed on the output medium by the image printing means may be one component of the printing apparatus or may be separate from the printing apparatus.

A printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is an inspection priority means for executing an image data inspection by a print image inspection means prior to printing of another image when an inspection instruction is sent from the information processing apparatus. Is further provided.
In this case, when the inspection instruction is sent from the information processing apparatus, the inspection by the print image inspection unit is executed by the inspection priority unit prior to the printing of another image, and the result of the inspection is the inspection result. The information is transmitted to the information processing device by the transmission unit.

[0013] A printing apparatus according to a second aspect is characterized in that the print image inspection means inspects the image data based on comparison with decomposed data of an image to be printed on an output medium. In this case, the image printed by the image printing unit is surely inspected by performing the inspection based on the comparison with the decomposed data before printing by the printed image inspection unit.

In a printing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention, the print image inspection unit inspects newly read and generated image data based on comparison with image data that has been read and stored in the past. To be characterized. In this case, the printed image inspection unit performs inspection based on comparison with previously stored image data that has been read in the past, so that the image newly printed by the image printing unit can be reliably inspected. You.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printing apparatus 1 and an information processing apparatus 2 according to this embodiment. The printing device 1 and the information processing device 2 are connected to each other via a network. The printing device 1 includes an interface unit 1
0, job analysis unit 11, decomposer 12, image printing unit 13, image reading unit 14, decomposed data inspection unit 15, printed image inspection unit 16, inspection result transmission unit 1.
7, a storage unit 18 and a control unit 19. on the other hand,
The information processing device 2 includes an interface unit 20, an inspection instruction unit 21, a composer 22, an inspection result display unit 23, a storage unit 24, and a control unit 25. The composer 22 is a component of the printer driver.

The interface unit 10 of the printing apparatus 1 includes:
The printing apparatus 1 transmits and receives data to and from other apparatuses including the information processing apparatus 2 via a network. For example, the interface unit 10 receives the print job control information and the compose data transmitted from the information processing device 2, and transmits the processing status or result of the printing device 1 to the information processing device 2. The inspection of the decomposed data generated by the decomposer 12 (hereinafter referred to as “decomposed data inspection”) is performed, and the inspection of the quality of the image printed by the image printing unit 13 (hereinafter referred to as “printing”). "Image inspection".)
Is performed, the print job control information sent from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1 includes an instruction to that effect.

The job analyzing means 11 analyzes the print job control information received by the interface unit 10. In particular, the job analysis unit 11 analyzes the print job control information and determines whether or not an instruction for decomposing data inspection or an instruction for print image inspection is included in the print job control information.

The decomposer 12 decomposes the compose data received by the interface unit 10,
Create decompose data (bitmap data). When the job analysis unit 11 determines that the decompose data inspection instruction is not included in the print job control information, the decomposer 12 outputs the decompose data to the image printing unit 13. On the other hand, when the job analysis unit 11 determines that the decompose data inspection instruction is included in the print job control information, the decomposer 12 outputs the decompose data to the decompose data inspection unit 15.

The image printing means 13 includes a printer engine, and when the job analysis means 11 determines that the decompose data inspection instruction is not included in the print job control information, the decomposition created by the decomposer 12 is performed. Receiving data and printing an image on an output medium based on the decomposed data. Then, when the job analysis unit 11 determines that the instruction for the print image inspection is not included in the print job control information, the image printing unit 13 discharges the output medium on which the image has been printed to the outside. On the other hand, when the job analysis unit 11 determines that the instruction for the print image inspection is included in the print job control information, the image printing unit 13 sends the output medium on which the image is printed to the image reading unit 14.

The image reading means 14 receives the instruction of the print image inspection from the print job control information,
When the determination is made, the output medium sent from the image printing means 13 is received, and the image printed on this output medium (which may be a test image or another normal image) Good) is read to generate image data (bitmap data), and the output medium is discharged to the outside. The image reading unit 14 may be one that captures an image printed on the output medium by a digital camera after the output medium is output from the image printing unit 13, or that is printed on the output medium. The scanned image may be read by a scanner. The image reading means 14 is provided on the output medium transport path after the image is printed by the printer engine in the image printing means 13.
The image printed on the output medium may be read by a scanner.

The decompose data inspecting means 15 inspects the decomposed data created by the decomposer 12 when the job analyzing means 11 determines that the instruction for inspecting the decomposed data is included in the print job control information (decompose data). Data inspection). Specifically, the decomposition data inspection means 15 may inspect this decomposition data based only on the decomposition data created by the decomposer 12. Further, it is preferable that the decomposed data inspecting means 15 inspects the decomposed data obtained by decomposing based on a comparison with the genuine decomposed data corresponding to the test image data. The genuine decomposed data is stored in the storage unit 18 in advance. The inspection based on the comparison between the decomposed data created by the decomposer 12 and the genuine decomposed data is performed by determining whether or not the data matches for each bit and based on the matching rate of the data of all bits.

The print image inspection unit 16 inspects the image data generated by the image reading unit 14 when the job analysis unit 11 determines that the instruction for the print image inspection is included in the print job control information. Thus, the image printed by the image printing unit 13 is inspected (print image inspection). Specifically, the print image inspection unit 16 may inspect this image data based only on the image data generated by the image reading unit 14. Further, the print image inspection unit 16 compares the image generated by the image reading unit 14 with the decomposed data of the image to be printed on the output medium (that is, the decomposed data created by the decomposer 12). It is preferred to inspect the data. The print image inspection unit 16 inspects the image data newly read and generated by the image reading unit 14 based on a comparison with the image data that has been read in the past by the image reading unit 14 and has already been stored. It is also preferred to do so. The decomposing data created by the decomposer 12 and the image data read in the past are stored in the storage unit 18.
The inspection based on the comparison between the image data generated by the image reading means 14 and other image data (decomposed data created by the decomposer 12 or image data read and stored in the past) is performed by using a bit Whether or not the data matches each other is determined based on the matching rate of the data of all bits.

The inspection result transmitting unit 17 sends the result of the decomposed data inspection by the decomposed data inspection unit 15 or the result of the printed image inspection by the printed image inspection unit 16 to the information processing apparatus 2 via the interface unit 10. To answer. The content of the answer from the inspection result transmitting unit 17 to the information processing apparatus 2 may be a coincidence rate obtained by the inspection by the decomposed data inspection unit 15 or the print image inspection unit 16, or the coincidence ratio may be a predetermined value. May be the result of the determination based on the comparison with the threshold. This determination may be made in two stages as to whether the result of the inspection was good or defective, or in three stages of unknown intermediate quality in addition to good and bad, or in many more stages. You may. Further, the matching rate or the result of the determination may be for the entire decomposed data or the printed image, or may be for each of a plurality of divided sections.

The storage unit 18 stores various data handled by each of the above components in the printing apparatus 1 and a program for control by the control unit 19. The storage means 18
For example, the print job control information and the compose data sent from the information processing apparatus 2 and received by the interface unit 10, the result of the analysis of the print job control information by the job analysis unit 11, the decompose data created by the decomposer 12, the image The image data generated by the reading unit 14, the genuine decomposed data used in the decomposed data inspection by the decomposed data inspection unit 15, and the past image reading used in the printed image inspection by the printed image inspection unit 16. Data / decomposition data inspection means 15 or printed image inspection means 1
The results of the inspection performed in step 6 are stored.

The control unit 19 controls the operation of the entire printing apparatus 1 based on the program stored in the storage unit 18. The control means (inspection priority means) 19, when an inspection instruction is sent from the information processing apparatus 2, gives priority to the printing of another normal image received earlier and gives priority to the decomposed data inspection means. It is preferable to execute the decomposed data inspection by 16 or the printed image inspection by the printed image inspection means 16.

The interface unit 20 of the information processing device 2
Is an information processing device 2 with another device including the printing device 1.
Is for transmitting and receiving data via a network. For example, the interface unit 20 transmits the print job control information and the compose data to the printing apparatus 1 and receives the status or the result of the processing in the printing apparatus 1. The inspection instruction unit 21 receives an instruction from the user to perform the decomposed data inspection or the printed image inspection.

The composer 22 operates according to a user's instruction.
The printer 1 converts image data to be printed into compose data, creates print job control information, and transmits the print job control information and compose data to the printer 1 via the interface unit 20. When the inspection instruction unit 21 receives an instruction from the user to perform the decompose data inspection or the print image inspection, the composer 21 includes the information to that effect in the print job control information.

The inspection result display means 23 receives the result of the inspection by the decomposed data inspection means 15 or the print image inspection means 16 from the inspection result answering means 17 of the printing apparatus 1 via the interface unit 10 and the interface unit 20, The result of this inspection is displayed.

The storage means 24 stores various data handled by each of the above components in the information processing apparatus 2 and a program for control by the control means 25. Storage means 24
Is, for example, image data to be printed by the printing device 1,
The print job control information and compose data created by the composer 22, the inspection result received by the inspection result display unit 23, and the like are stored. The control unit 25 controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 2 based on the program stored in the storage unit 24.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display example of the inspection instruction means 21 on the screen of the information processing apparatus 2. This screen is a screen of a driver installation tool for installing a printer driver in the information processing device 2, and the driver installation tool includes an inspection instruction unit 21. At the upper left of this screen, a message indicating that the installation of the printer driver has been completed is displayed. On the right side of the screen, a “print instruction setting (S)” column and a “printer inspection (T)” column are displayed. When the user clicks the "Print instruction setting (S)" column with a mouse, the user can select image data to be printed, set print conditions, and instruct printing. When the user clicks the "Printer Inspection (T)" column with a mouse, the user is notified that the decomposed data inspection or the print image inspection is to be performed for all the printing apparatuses connected to the network or a specific printing apparatus. Can be indicated.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a display example of the inspection result display means 23 on the screen of the information processing apparatus 2. In the display example of the screen shown in this figure, “installation result”, “print result” for each of the five printing devices (printers A to E).
The contents of “printing state” and “distance (m)” are shown. The “installation result” column indicates whether or not the printer driver was successfully installed, that is, the result of the decomposition data inspection performed by the decomposition data inspection unit 15. Is not possible (for example, when communication is not possible or when there is a failure), this is indicated. In the column of “printing state”, the print image inspection unit 16
2 shows the result of the printed image inspection. In the column of “distance (m)”, the distance between the printing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 or the installation location of the printing apparatus 1 is shown.

Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following, when performing normal image printing without performing any of the decompose data inspection and the print image inspection, performing the decompose data inspection, and performing the print image inspection, and performing the decompose data inspection and printing Each of the four cases of performing both image inspections will be described. The operation described below is performed under the control of the control unit 19 of the printing apparatus 1 and the control unit 25 of the information processing apparatus 2, respectively.

When normal image printing is performed, composer 22 creates compose data and print job control information based on document data or image data selected by the user in information processing device 2. The compose data and the print job control information are sent to the interface unit 10 of the printing apparatus 1 via the interface unit 20 and the network, and are stored in the storage unit 18. In the printing apparatus 1, the print job control information is analyzed by the job analysis unit 11, and it is determined that the print job is a normal print job without any inspection. Then, the compose data is decomposed by the decomposer 12 and converted into decompose data. An image is printed on an output medium by the image printing means 13 based on the decomposed data,
This output medium is ejected from the printing apparatus 1.

In the case of performing the decomposition data inspection, when the inspection instruction means 21 receives an instruction from the user to perform the decomposition data inspection, the composer 22 is checked.
Thus, compose data and print job control information are created based on the test image data. The print job control information includes an instruction to perform the decompose data inspection. The compose data and the print job control information are sent to the interface unit 10 of the printing apparatus 1 via the interface unit 20 and the network, and are stored in the storage unit 18. In the printing apparatus 1, the print job control information is analyzed by the job analysis unit 11, and it is determined that the print job is to perform the decompose data inspection.

Then, the compose data is decomposed by the decomposer 12 and converted into decompose data. The decompose data is inspected by the decompose data inspection means 15. The inspection result is transmitted to the interface unit 10 of the information processing apparatus 2 via the interface unit 10 and the network by the inspection result transmitting unit 17 and stored in the storage unit 24. In the information processing device 2, the inspection result is displayed by the inspection result display means 23. The user operates the inspection result display means 2
3, the quality of the decomposed data generated by the decomposer 12 can be confirmed, thereby confirming whether the printer driver has been properly installed in the information processing apparatus 2. can do.

In the case of performing the print image inspection, when an instruction from the user to perform the print image inspection is received by the inspection instruction means 21, the composer 22 causes the document data or the image data (which may be a test image; Compose data and print job control information are created based on a normal image selected by the user. The print job control information includes an instruction to perform a print image inspection. The compose data and the print job control information are sent to the interface unit 10 of the printing apparatus 1 via the interface unit 20 and the network, and are stored in the storage unit 18. In the printing apparatus 1, the print job control information is analyzed by the job analysis unit 11, and it is determined that the print job is to perform a print image inspection.

Then, the compose data is decomposed by the decomposer 12 and converted into decompose data, and an image is printed on an output medium by the image printing means 13 based on the decompose data. The image is read from the output medium by the image reading unit 14 to generate image data, and thereafter, is output from the printing apparatus 1. The image data generated by the image reading unit 14 is inspected by the printed image inspection unit 16. The inspection result is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2 by the inspection result transmitting unit 17 via the interface unit 10 and the network.
Is transmitted to the interface unit 10 and stored in the storage unit 24. In the information processing device 2, the inspection result is displayed by the inspection result display means 23. The user can check the quality of the image printed by the image printing unit 13 by viewing the inspection result displayed by the inspection result display unit 23.

In the case of performing both the decompose data inspection and the print image inspection, when the user gives an instruction to perform both inspections by the inspection instruction means 21, the composer 22 generates the compose data and the print image based on the test image data. Print job control information is created.
The print job control information includes an instruction to perform both the decompose data inspection and the print image inspection.
The compose data and the print job control information are sent to the interface unit 10 of the printing apparatus 1 via the interface unit 20 and the network, and are stored in the storage unit 18. In the printing apparatus 1, the print job control information is analyzed by the job analysis unit 11, and it is determined that the print job performs both the decompose data inspection and the print image inspection.

Then, the compose data is decomposed by the decomposer 12 and converted into decompose data. The decompose data is inspected by the decompose data inspection means 15. Further, an image is printed on an output medium by the image printing means 13 based on the decomposed data. In this output medium, an image is read by the image reading means 14 to generate image data,
Thereafter, the sheet is discharged from the printing apparatus 1. Image reading means 14
Image data generated by the printing image inspection means 16
Inspected by The inspection results by the decompose data inspection unit 15 and the print image inspection unit 16 are as follows:
The inspection result transmitting means 17 allows the interface unit 10
The data is sent to the interface unit 10 of the information processing apparatus 2 via the network and stored in the storage unit 24. In the information processing device 2, the inspection result is displayed by the inspection result display means 23. The user can check whether or not the printer driver has been properly installed in the information processing apparatus 2 by looking at the inspection result displayed by the inspection result display unit 23, and print the image data by the image printing unit 13. The quality of the image can be checked.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the test image data is sent from the information processing device 2 to the printing device 1 when performing the decomposed data inspection, the printing device 1 Decomposition data is generated by the decomposer 12 based on the data.
5, and the result of the inspection is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2 by the inspection result transmitting means 17. Then, the user can check the quality of the decomposed data generated by the decomposer 12 of the printing apparatus 1 by looking at the inspection result displayed by the inspection result display unit 23 of the information processing apparatus 2, thereby It is possible to confirm whether the printer driver has been normally installed in the information processing apparatus 2.

When performing a print image inspection, an image printed on an output medium by the image printing unit 13 is read by the image reading unit 14 to generate image data, and the image data is generated by the print image inspection unit 16. Inspected,
Thus, the image printed on the output medium is inspected by the image printing unit 13, and the result of the inspection is transmitted to the information processing apparatus 2 by the inspection result transmitting unit 17. Then, the user operates the inspection result display unit 23 of the information processing apparatus 2.
By looking at the inspection result displayed by (1), the quality of the image printed by the image printing unit 13 can be confirmed.

As described above, when performing the inspection of the decomposed data or the inspection of the printed image, the user does not need to visually confirm the image actually printed by the printing apparatus 1, The inspection work is easy for the user because there is no need to visually check the bitmap data (decomposed data generated by the decomposer 12 or image data generated by the image reading means 14) displayed in the. Further, even when the information processing apparatus 2 and the printing apparatus 1 are installed apart from each other, the user can issue a print instruction in the information processing apparatus 2 and check the inspection result on the spot. Inspection work is easy for the user in this respect as well.

Further, since it is not necessary to actually print the test image on the output medium when performing the decomposed data inspection, by not actually printing the test image on the output medium, waste of the output medium can be prevented. Can be solved. In general, it is not necessary to send bitmap data having a large data size from the printing apparatus 1 to the information processing apparatus 2. Therefore, by preventing bitmap data of the entire print image from being sent, an increase in network traffic is suppressed. be able to. It should be noted that only the bitmap data of the defective section out of the entire print image is
May be sent to the information processing apparatus 2. In this case as well, an increase in network traffic can be suppressed.

Further, in this embodiment, the information processing device 2
When the inspection instruction is sent from the printer 1, the decomposing data inspecting unit 16 or the decomposed data inspecting unit 16 gives the decomposed data inspecting unit 16 a priority over the printing of other normal images received earlier. Then, a print image inspection is performed. By doing so, the user can immediately check the inspection result, and depending on the inspection result, can cancel the print job for which the instruction has already been issued.

[0046]

As described in detail above, according to the printing apparatus of the first aspect, when test image data is sent from the information processing apparatus, the test image data is decomposed and obtained. The decomposed data is inspected by the decomposed data inspection means, and the result of this inspection is transmitted to the information processing apparatus by the inspection result transmission means.
Further, according to the printing apparatus of the second aspect, the image data generated by reading the image printed on the output medium by the image printing unit is inspected by the print image inspection unit, whereby the image printing unit Inspects the image printed on the output medium, and the result of this inspection is transmitted to the information processing apparatus by the inspection result transmitting means.

Therefore, the user can check whether or not the printer driver has been properly installed in the information processing apparatus by looking at the inspection result displayed by the information processing apparatus, or can confirm whether the printer driver has been printed by the printing apparatus. The quality of the image can be checked. As described above, the user does not need to visually check the image actually printed by the printing apparatus, and does not need to visually check the bitmap data displayed on the information processing apparatus. The inspection work is easy. In addition, even when the information processing apparatus and the printing apparatus are set apart from each other, the user can issue a print instruction in the information processing apparatus and check the inspection result on the spot, In this regard, the inspection work is also easy for the user. Further, since it is generally unnecessary to send bitmap data having a large data size from the printing apparatus to the information processing apparatus, it is possible to suppress an increase in network traffic by not sending bitmap data of the entire print image. it can.

Further, when the apparatus further comprises inspection priority means for executing the decomposed data inspection or the printed image inspection prior to the printing of another image, the user can immediately check the inspection result. Depending on the inspection result, it is possible to cancel the print job for which the instruction has already been issued.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a printing apparatus 1 and an information processing apparatus 2 according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an inspection instruction unit on a screen of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display example of an inspection result display unit on a screen of the information processing apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printing apparatus, 2 ... Information processing apparatus, 10 ... Interface part, 11 ... Job analysis means, 12 ... Decomposer,
13 ... image printing means, 14 ... image reading means, 15 ... decomposition data inspection means, 16 ... printed image inspection means, 1
7 ... inspection result transmitting means, 18 ... storage means, 19 ... control means, 20 ... interface unit, 21 ... inspection instruction means,
22 ... composer, 23 ... test result display means, 24 ... storage means, 25 ... control means.

Continued on front page F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 HH03 HJ08 HK04 HK11 HN02 HN05 HN15 KK18 KK26 KK35 2C087 AB05 BB10 BC05 BD01 BD13 BD41 BD46 5B021 AA01 BB02 CC07 DD12 EE04 NN23 PP08

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Decomposition data inspection means for inspecting decomposed data obtained by decomposing test image data when test image data is sent from an information processing apparatus connected to the apparatus. An inspection result transmitting unit that transmits a result of the inspection by the decomposition data inspection unit to the information processing apparatus. 2. An inspection priority means for executing inspection of said decomposed data by said decomposed data inspection means prior to printing of another image when test image data is sent from said information processing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 3. The decomposing data inspecting unit inspects decomposed data obtained by decomposing the test image data based on a comparison with genuine decomposed data corresponding to the test image data.
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 4. An image printing means for printing an image on an output medium; a print image inspection means for inspecting image data generated by reading the image printed on the output medium by the image printing means; A test result transmitting unit configured to transmit a result of the inspection performed by the print image inspecting unit to an information processing apparatus connected to the printing apparatus. 5. An image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an inspection priority unit configured to execute inspection of the image data by the print image inspection unit prior to printing of another image when an inspection instruction is sent from the information processing apparatus. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein 6. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the print image inspection unit inspects the image data based on a comparison with decomposed data of an image to be printed on an output medium. 7. The printing image inspection unit inspects newly read and generated image data based on comparison with image data that has been read and stored in the past. The printing device according to claim 4.