JP2009157856A - Image segmentation device and print inspection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image segmentation device capable of efficiently segmenting an image. <P>SOLUTION: Before grasping a position error Δ of a segmentation reference position, an image processing unit segments a larger image area than an inspectable area by grasping the number of transfer pulses of a transfer motor, and each inspection terminal calculates a position error from the segmentation image area (S312), corrects a segmentation reference position when the position error is not less than a predetermined value, and segments an inspection area without correcting the segmentation reference position when the position error is less than the predetermined value (S316 to S320). After grasping the position error Δ of the segmentation reference position, the image processing unit corrects the segmentation reference position to offset the position error of the segmentation reference position to segment the image in the inspectable area on the basis of the corrected segmentation reference position, and each inspection terminal segments a plurality of areas on the basis of the segmentation reference position from the images in the inspectable area without correcting the position error of the segmentation reference position (S349). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image cutout device and a print inspection device, and more particularly to an image cutout device that cuts out an image of a predetermined area including an image of a character printed on a form by a printer, and a character printed on a form provided with the image cutout device. The present invention relates to a printing inspection apparatus to be inspected.

  For example, a monthly usage statement or invoice issued by a financial institution or the like is printed on a predetermined form such as fanfold paper or the like (hereinafter referred to simply as “character”) on a predetermined form such as fanfold paper. .) Is printed, the form is cut by the post-processing device, and the cut form is folded as necessary, and is automatically enclosed in an envelope by the inserter device and sent to each customer. In particular, when the number of issued usage statements is large, a system printer capable of high-precision and high-speed printing is used.

  However, even if a high-precision printer such as a system printer is used, the characters of the printer printed on the form are not uniform, density differences (thinning or blurring, thickening or collapsed characters), missing characters, or skewed characters. Printing defects due to defects, paper quality, printing environment, etc. occur.

  In order to prevent such printing defects, a mark (start mark, end mark) for cutting out a page image is provided in the form, the mark is recognized by image processing, and an image for each page is cut out. A print inspection apparatus that cuts out an inspection area from an image and inspects each character in the inspection area is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). There is also known a printing system that uses the form size as known information and monitors the transport amount of the form to cut out an image of a predetermined transport section (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Note that as a technique related to the present invention, an OCR image recognition technique (see, for example, Patent Document 3) and a barcode image recognition technique have been disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 4).

JP 2007-172027 A JP 2002-86831 A JP 2001-283151 A Japanese Patent No. 2760803

  However, adding a mark for cutting out a page image at a predetermined position of the form requires correcting the form version that has been conventionally used. On the other hand, if the image is cut out based on the carry amount, the cutout position is displaced due to the instability of the form conveyance state. In preparation for this displacement, the search range for the character, symbol or barcode to be verified is expanded. Because it is necessary, excessive processing time is required.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image cutout apparatus that can cut out an image efficiently and a print inspection apparatus that includes the image cutout apparatus.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a first aspect of the present invention is an image cutout device that cuts out an image of a predetermined area including an image of characters printed on a form by a printer, and conveys the form in one direction. A conveying unit; an image reading unit that reads an image of a form conveyed by the conveying unit; a first image cutting unit that cuts out an image of a predetermined area from the image read by the image reading unit; and the first image First setting means for presetting a cutout reference position of an image cut out by the cutout means, a cutout reference position set by the first setting means, and an image cut out by the first image cutout means A position error calculation means for calculating a position error with respect to the cutout reference position of the image, and a region area smaller than that of the image cut out by the first image cutout means. A second image cutting means for cutting out at least one area, and a second setting means for presetting at least one area cut out by the second image cutting means, (1) the first The first image cutout means cuts out an image of a predetermined area according to the carry amount of the carry means, and the second image cutout means corrects the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation means as necessary. The at least one region is cut out based on the cutout reference position.

  In the first aspect, first, the first and second setting means preset in advance the cutout reference position of the image cut out by the first image cutout means and at least one area cut out by the second image cutout means. The Next, the form on which characters are printed by the printer is conveyed in one direction by the conveying means, the image of the form conveyed by the conveying means is read by the image reading means, and read by the image reading means by the first image cutting means. An image having a predetermined area area is cut out from the obtained image, and the cutout reference position set by the first setting means by the position error calculation means and the cutout reference position of the image cut out by the first image cutout means A position error is calculated, and at least one region having a smaller area than the image cut out by the first image cutout unit is cut out by the second image cutout unit. At this time, (1) the first image cutout means cuts out an image of a predetermined area according to the carry amount of the carry means, and the second image cutout means needs the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation means. Correction is made accordingly, and at least one region is cut out based on the cutout reference position. According to the first aspect, the first image cutout unit cuts out an image according to the conveyance amount of the conveyance unit. However, the leading end of the form is not easily held by the conveyance unit, so that looseness is likely to occur. In order to generate a discrepancy with the transport amount every page, the first image cutout unit cuts out an image of a predetermined area, and the second image cutout unit needs a position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit. Accordingly, the image can be cut out without causing the cutout image to be cut out by cutting out at least one area based on the cutout reference position.

  In this aspect, (1) the first image cutout means cuts out an image of a predetermined area according to the carry amount of the carry means, and the second image cutout means needs the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation means. And a process executed after (1), wherein (2) the first image cutout means is a position error calculation means. The cut-out reference position is corrected so that the position error of the cut-out reference position calculated by (2) is eliminated, an image of a predetermined area is cut out based on the corrected cut-out reference position, and the second image cut-out means is the first image cut-out means The image is cut out by two types of processing: cutting out at least one region from the image of the predetermined region cut out by the means based on the cutting reference position Unishi may be. According to such an aspect, in the process (1), the first image cutout unit cuts out an image according to the conveyance amount of the conveyance unit. However, since the leading edge of the form is difficult to be held by the conveyance unit, loosening easily occurs. In order for the slack portion to generate a discrepancy with the transport amount of the transport unit every page, the first image cut-out unit cuts out an image of a predetermined area, and the second image cut-out unit uses the cut-out reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit. In the process (2), the position error is corrected as necessary, and at least one region is cut out based on the cutout reference position, so that the cutout image can be cut out without any loss. The first image cutout unit corrects the cutout reference position so that the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit is eliminated, and By cutting out an image of a predetermined area based on the corrected cutout reference position, the second image cutout means reduces the need for position correction of the cutout reference position when cutting out at least one area based on the cutout reference position. Therefore, the processing time can be shortened.

  Further, in the process (2), the first image cutout unit may cut out an image having a smaller area than the image of the predetermined region cut out in accordance with the conveyance amount of the conveyance unit in the process (1). Further, the image processing apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit is larger than a preset value, and the second image cutout unit performs the determination in the process (1). When the means makes an affirmative determination, the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation means is corrected, and when the determination means makes a negative determination, the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation means is corrected. You may make it not correct | amend. Furthermore, the second image cutout unit is configured to extract the cutout reference from the image cut out by the first image cutout unit without correcting the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit in the process (2). You may make it cut out at least 1 area | region on the basis of a position.

  The first setting means includes a selection means for selecting a specific character, symbol or barcode printed in advance in a predetermined area of each page of the form, and a character, symbol or barcode selected by the selection means. Coordinate setting means for setting a cutout reference position with reference to the coordinates of the image, and the position error calculation means is a character, symbol or bar selected by the selection means for the image cut out by the first image cutout means. The code may be image-recognized to obtain the coordinates of the character, symbol or barcode, and the position error between the coordinates of the character, symbol or barcode set by the coordinate setting means and the obtained coordinates may be calculated. . In this case, the first setting means further includes a recognition area setting means for setting a recognition area having a predetermined area and capable of recognizing the character, symbol or barcode selected by the selection means. The position error calculation unit is configured to recognize the character, symbol, or barcode selected by the image selection unit cut out by the first image cutout unit within the recognition area, and to detect the character, symbol, or bar code. It is preferable to obtain the coordinates of the code and calculate the position error between the coordinates of the character, symbol or barcode set by the coordinate setting means and the obtained coordinates. At this time, the recognition area setting means can set at least two recognition areas having the same center and different sizes, and the position error calculation means is the image cut out by the first image cut-out means in the process (1). The character, symbol or barcode selected by the selection means is image-recognized in a large recognition area of the recognition area to obtain the coordinates of the character, symbol or barcode, and the character, symbol or barcode set by the coordinate setting means is obtained. A position error between the coordinates of the barcode and the obtained coordinates is calculated, and the second image cutout means recognizes the character, symbol or barcode selected by the selection means in the processing (2), which is a small recognition area. Image recognition is performed within the area to obtain the coordinates of the character, symbol, or barcode, the cutout reference position is calculated based on the obtained coordinates, and less is obtained based on the calculated cutout reference position. Also may be cut out one region.

  In the process (1), the second image cutout unit corrects the position error of the cutout reference position by changing the coordinates corresponding to the position error, and the first image cutout unit performs the process (2). The position error of the cutout reference position may be corrected by changing the coordinates corresponding to the position error, or may be corrected by changing the transport amount of the transport unit. Further, the form is a continuous form, and the first image cutout unit corrects the cutout reference position only once so that the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit is eliminated in the process (2). The image of the predetermined area may be cut out based on the corrected cutout reference position.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a second aspect of the present invention includes an image cutout device that cuts out an image of a predetermined area including an image of a character printed on a form by a printer, and inspects the character printed on the form. A print inspection apparatus that cuts out an image of a character printed on the form from an image cut out by the image cut-out apparatus, and calculates a feature amount of the cut-out character; Character information including codes, fonts, and font sizes of all characters that can be printed on the form by a printer, and the printer prints the form in a predetermined format corresponding to the character information, and is read by an image reading unit. A dictionary creating means for creating a dictionary that defines a correspondence relationship with the feature quantities of all the characters computed by the feature quantity computing means; Using the correct information on the character string printed on the form by the index as an index, the feature quantity of the character that is to be inspected and read from the form by the image reading means and calculated by the feature quantity calculating means is It is determined whether or not the feature amount of the associated character is equal to or greater than a predetermined determination reference value, and when it is determined to be equal to or greater than the determination reference value, the character to be inspected is correctly printed on the form by the printer. Print judging means for judging that the image has been cut out, and the image cutout device has the configuration of the first aspect.

  According to the second aspect, in addition to the same effect as the first aspect, the character image printed on the form is cut out from the image cut out by the image cutout device by the feature amount calculation means and cut out. Character features are calculated and a dictionary is created by the dictionary creation means to define the correspondence between the feature quantities of all characters actually printed on the form and the character information. If the information is an index, whether it is greater than a predetermined criterion value for the character feature value actually printed on the form by the printer and calculated by the feature value calculation means and the character feature value associated by the dictionary creation means Therefore, since the print determination means collates the feature amounts of characters printed by the same printer, it is possible to eliminate the influence due to individual differences between printers and to check the feature amounts. Therefore, it is not necessary to consider the logic at the time of collation for each character information. Furthermore, since the print determination means determines the determination reference value as a threshold, whether the character is printed correctly and flexibly by setting the threshold appropriately. Can be judged.

  According to the present invention, the first image cutout unit cuts out an image according to the conveyance amount of the conveyance unit. However, since the leading edge of the form is not easily held by the conveyance unit, looseness is likely to occur. In order to generate a mismatch with each page, the first image cutout means cuts out an image of a predetermined area, and the second image cutout means uses the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation means as necessary. By correcting and cutting out at least one region based on the cutout reference position, it is possible to obtain an effect that the image can be cut out without causing a cutout in the cutout image.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a print inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which a continuous form printed by a printer is inspected offline (not linked to printing by a printer).

(Constitution)
As shown in FIG. 1, a printing inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a main unit (reading unit) 10 that reads an image printed on a continuous form F such as fanfold paper (folded printing paper with feed holes) by a printer. And a processing unit 30 for determining whether characters (including numbers), symbols, or one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcodes (hereinafter referred to as characters) are correctly printed on the continuous form F by a printer.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main unit 10 has a plurality of protrusions that are engaged with feed holes formed on both sides of the continuous form F in a casing having a substantially horizontal transfer surface 10 </ b> A. It has two tractor belts 17 that convey in one direction (the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2). The tractor belt 17 is stretched between the tractor rollers 15 and 16. The main unit 10 has a tractor width adjustment motor TM for adjusting the tractor width between the two tractor belts 17 so as to conform to the width size of the continuous form F.

  On the other hand, the continuous form F is transported in one direction (in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2) in cooperation with the tractor belt 17 in the vicinity of the housing outlet (not shown), and the continuous form F is placed outside the main unit 10. Conveying and discharging rollers 18 and 19 for discharging are arranged. The tractor roller 16 and the conveyance discharge roller 18 are drive rollers, and a rotational driving force is transmitted from a conveyance motor FM including a stepping motor via a driving force transmission mechanism that is configured by a plurality of gears and not shown. In addition, between the conveyance discharge rollers 18 and 19, a structure is adopted in which the conveyance discharge roller 19 can be moved between two positions of contact and separation with respect to the conveyance discharge roller 18 so that the continuous form F can be set. Yes.

  The upper surface of the tractor belt 17 stretched between the tractor rollers 15 and 16 and the contact point between the transport discharge rollers 18 and 19 are set at substantially the same height position. For this reason, the continuous form F is guided into the housing of the main unit 10 substantially horizontally with its back surface in sliding contact with the transport surface 10A, and pulled with a constant force between the transport discharge rollers 18 and 19 and the tractor belt 17. Thus, the sheet is conveyed in a substantially horizontal state, and is discharged out of the housing by the conveyance discharge rollers 18 and 19. In the present embodiment, the maximum conveyance speed of the continuous form F is set to about 1.5 m / s.

  A surface line scan camera 11 that reads an image printed on the surface of the continuous form F is disposed above and downstream of the tractor belt 17 (left side in FIG. 2). A back surface line scan camera 13 that reads an image printed on the back surface of the continuous form F is disposed slightly downstream of the image forming apparatus 11. The line scan cameras 11 and 13 have a dichroic filter, a lens, and a CCD line sensor in a casing.

  White light LED arrays 12A, 12B and 14A, 14B for irradiating the reading positions are arranged on both sides of the reading positions of the line scan cameras 11, 13, respectively. A rod lens (not shown) for condensing white light in a line shape with respect to the reading position is disposed in the vicinity of the LED arrays 12A, 12B, 14A, and 14B.

  The main unit 10 includes a document set detection sensor 21 that detects whether the continuous form F is set on the main unit 10 above and upstream of the tractor belt 17, a tractor belt 17, and transport discharge rollers 18 and 19. In the meantime, a residual paper detection sensor 22 that detects whether or not the continuous form F remains, a rotary encoder 23 that is attached to the rotating shaft of the tractor roller 15 and detects the transport amount of the tractor belt 17 with respect to the continuous form F, two tractors A tractor width home position detection sensor 24 for detecting the home position of the tractor width, which is attached in the vicinity of a gear (not shown) for adjusting the tractor width between the belts 17, and a continuous form F attached to the rotation shaft of the transport discharge roller 19. A jam detection sensor 25 for detecting the jam is provided.

  Further, the main unit 10 includes a power source unit (not shown) that converts a commercial AC power source into a DC power source that can drive / operate the driving unit and the like, and a microcomputer (not shown, hereinafter, MCU) that controls the operation of the entire main unit 10. For short). The MCU includes, via an external bus, a sensor control unit that controls the above-described sensor, an actuator control unit that controls driving of the motor, an image processing unit that has a CPU and extracts an image for one page read by a line scan camera, and An interface for communicating with the processing unit 30 is connected.

  The casing of the main unit 10 is provided with a continuous form F and a plurality of open doors for inspection and repair. On the downstream side of the main unit 10, a folding device 50 that folds the continuous form F, and a loop base 40 that serves as a buffer for adjusting the folding speed of the folding device 50 and the conveyance speed of the continuous form F of the main unit 10. The loop base 40 and the folding device 50 are arranged in this order.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the processing unit 30 includes an inspection server 31 arranged in a housing and an inspection terminal 32 (32A, 32B, 32C, 32D, 32E) including a plurality of computers having the same specifications. It is configured. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1, the processing unit 30 is a rack that mechanically accommodates the inspection server 31 and the inspection terminal 32, and as shown in FIG. A computer group that determines whether characters are correctly printed on F. Note that FIG. 3 is an equivalent block diagram of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a display 31A of the inspection server 31 is arranged at the top of the processing unit 30, and a plurality of operation buttons 31B (corresponding to the keyboard of the inspection server 31 of FIG. 3) are provided on both sides of the display 31A. Has been placed. An inspection terminal 32 is disposed below the inspection server 31. As shown in FIG. 3, the inspection server 31, each inspection terminal 32, and the main unit 10 are connected to each other via a communication line.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the interface of the main unit 10 has a capture board 10B having a control circuit 20, a serializer, and a deserializer. On the other hand, each inspection terminal 32 includes an interface board 33 (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d) having a control circuit 34 (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e), a serializer, a deserializer, and a page memory for two pages. , 33e) are arranged. The capture board 10B of the main unit 10 and the interface board of each inspection terminal 32 are connected in a daisy chain via a communication line with the capture board 10B as the most upstream. For this reason, the main unit 10 can transmit image data and the like to the inspection terminal 32 waiting for processing.

(Continuous form)
Next, the continuous form F to be inspected by the print inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the following, for the sake of simplicity, the continuous form F will be described as being printed by a system printer 70 controlled by the print server 60 as shown in FIG.

  The continuous form F shown in FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of use as a usage statement. A character string constituting the contents of the usage statement is printed on the continuous form F by the system printer 70. In the present embodiment, the characters in the inspection area EF indicated by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 5 are the inspection target characters to be inspected by the print inspection apparatus 1. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a barcode area BC on which a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode is printed is also set in the inspectable area RF, and the inspection object is such a barcode. Good. In the present embodiment, printing is similarly performed on the back side of the continuous form F, but the inspection area EF can be set to a different area from the front side.

  The point to be noted here is that each page of the continuous form F is read on each page of the continuous form F so that the main unit 10 can read the image of the continuous form F on a page-by-page basis as compared with the technique of Patent Document 1 described above. A start mark to be displayed, an end mark to indicate the end of each page, a bar code in which page information for the continuous form F by the system printer 70 is coded, and the like are not printed.

(Operation)
Next, the operation of the print inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described in the order of dictionary creation processing, form registration processing, and print inspection processing. The dictionary creation process and the form registration process are executed before the print inspection process of the continuous form F by the print inspection apparatus 1 is performed.

<Dictionary creation process>
In short, the dictionary creation processing calculates each feature quantity of characters that can be printed on the continuous form F by the system printer 70, and creates a dictionary that defines the correspondence between the computed feature quantity and the characters (information). The details are as follows.

  First, the print server 60 is a dedicated continuous form for creating a dictionary in a predetermined format corresponding to character information including codes, fonts and font sizes of all characters that can be printed on the continuous form F by the system printer 70 (hereinafter referred to as a dictionary). A character string is printed on a continuous form for creation). In the present embodiment, a continuous form having the same paper quality as the continuous form F, which is different from the continuous form F shown in FIG. As a predetermined format, an identification mark indicating that a dictionary creation character is printed on each line, a reference character that indicates the size of the character, a plurality of font size characters for each font, and a single font size For this, a format in which two or more characters are printed is used. This “predetermined format” means a protocol that allows the processing unit 30 to grasp how all the characters constituting the character information are printed on the dictionary creation continuous form by the system printer 70. .

  Next, character information including codes, fonts, and font sizes of all characters that can be printed on the dictionary creation continuous form by the system printer 70 is written on the recording medium by the print server 60 so as to conform to the predetermined format described above. Character information is input to the inspection server 31 via the recording medium. The inspection server 31 transmits character information to each inspection terminal 32, and each inspection terminal 32 stores the character information in the hard disk. Thus, the preparation for the dictionary creation process is completed. In general, since the font and font size of characters printed on the continuous form F serving as a usage statement or an invoice are limited, the amount of information recorded on the recording medium by the print server 60 does not become so large. Therefore, the above-mentioned “all characters that can be printed” does not mean all characters that can be printed by the system printer 70, and means that fonts and font size characters that are not printed on the continuous form F are excluded. If there is a margin in the recording medium, all characters that can be printed by the system printer 70 may be recorded.

  When the operator creates a dictionary creation continuous form printed by the system printer 70 in the main unit 10 and presses a predetermined button (pre-feed button) among the operation buttons 31B, the print inspection apparatus 1 causes the dictionary creation continuous Start pre-feed for transporting a form for a predetermined distance.

  That is, the MCU of the main unit 10 that has received the pre-feed command from the processing unit 30 (inspection server 31) lights up the LED arrays 12A, 12B and 14A, 14B, and drives the transport motor FM via the actuator controller. Let Thus, the dictionary creation continuous form is conveyed at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2, and the line scan cameras 11 and 13 start reading images of the dictionary creation continuous form. Further, the MCU refers to a signal from the sensor control unit and starts monitoring a jam or the like of the dictionary creation continuous form.

  The image processing unit (CPU) of the main unit 10 determines whether or not the leading end of the dictionary creation continuous form has been transported to the reading position by monitoring the output from the surface line scan camera 11. When the determination is made, the fact is notified to the MCU of the main unit 10, and when the determination is negative, the determination of whether or not the leading end of the dictionary creating continuous form has been conveyed to the reading position is continued. Upon receiving this notification, the MCU of the main unit 10 drives the transport motor FM for a predetermined number of pulses through the actuator controller, and then stops driving the transport motor FM. Thus, the leading end of the dictionary creation continuous form is conveyed (pre-fed) by a predetermined distance (for example, 3 m) from the reading position of the surface line scan camera 11. After completing the pre-feed conveyance of the dictionary creating continuous form (after the leading end of the dictionary creating continuous form is discharged from the main unit 10 to the loop base 40 and stopped), the operator moves the leading end of the dictionary creating continuous form. Set in the folding device 50. Next, when a predetermined button (dictionary creation processing button) of the operation buttons 31B is pressed by the operator, the MCU of the main unit 10 drives the transport motor FM again, and the print inspection apparatus 1 starts the dictionary creation processing. The MCU of the main unit 10 also notifies the image processing unit (CPU) of the number of conveyance pulses output to the conveyance motor FM via the actuator control unit.

  The image processing unit (CPU) of the main body unit 10 counts the number of conveyance pulses output from the actuator control unit based on the conveyance amount management of the conveyance motor FM (in this example, based on the position of the leading end of the continuous form F). ), An image for one page is cut out at an approximate position, a sequential image index (for example, an image number) is assigned to the cut-out image, and the cut-out image data and image index for one page are captured by the capture board 10B. Is output to the control circuit 20.

  On the other hand, the control circuit 34 of the interface board 33 of each inspection terminal 32 includes a predetermined response (response) and state information indicating the operating state of each inspection terminal 32 with respect to the control circuit 20 of the capture board 10B of the main unit 10. A report is being created. The response is a status report as a result of executing commands such as initialization and image data transfer issued to the interface board 33 of each inspection terminal 32 by the capture board 10B. This is a report autonomously created by the control circuit 34 every time the operating state of the inspection terminal 32 changes. These responses and reports are transmitted from the interface board of the downstream inspection terminal to the capture board 10B toward the interface board of the upstream inspection terminal, and the control board of the intermediate (upstream) inspection terminal interface board (control circuit thereof) ) Transfers the response and the report to the upstream interface board or the capture board 10B so that the capture board 10B can receive the response and the report transmitted by the downstream interface board.

  For this reason, the control circuit 20 of the capture board 10 </ b> B can grasp the operating state of each inspection terminal 32 from the response and report from the interface board 33 of each inspection terminal 32. Therefore, the capture board 10B is based on a predetermined condition every time one of the inspection terminals 32 becomes ready to receive one page of image data or the like (one page of image data, image index). The transmission destination (inspection terminal waiting for processing) is determined, and the image data for one page output from the image processing unit is transmitted to the interface board of the determined inspection terminal. That is, when transmitting from the capture board 10B to the interface board 33 of each inspection terminal, the unique number assigned to the inspection terminal is specified and image data for one page is transmitted. The control circuit 34 of the interface board 33 of each inspection terminal 32 determines whether or not the specified unique number matches its own number. If they match, the image data for one page is captured. Transfers the received image data for one page to the downstream interface board.

  In the present embodiment, as the predetermined condition described above, when the capture board 10B determines to transmit image data or the like to the nth inspection terminal, the (1) first to (n-1) th inspection terminals are stored in the page memory. All pages are in operation and the nth inspection terminal is not in operation using the first page of page memory, or (2) all inspection terminals are in page memory All are in operation using the first page, and the 1st to (n-1) th inspection terminals are in operation using the second page of the page memory, and the nth inspection terminal is in the page memory. The condition is that the second page is not in operation.

  Each inspection terminal 32 first performs a blank check on the received image of one page of image data to determine whether the page is blank or a page on which characters or the like are printed. That is, when the ratio of black in a predetermined area (for example, the customer address inspection area in FIG. 5) of the image area for one page or the image area for one page is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (black color caused by dirt or dust) When the ratio is equal to or greater than the ratio, the page is determined to be a page on which characters or the like are printed. When the ratio of black is less than a predetermined value, the page is determined to be blank. When it is determined that the page is blank, there is no need to perform processing on the page, so that the process waits until image data for the next page is transmitted.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the page is printed with characters or the like, each inspection terminal 32 further determines whether the image data of the first page transmitted to the inspection terminal is not blank. Cuts out a character image, which will be described later, and reports an image index corresponding to the image data of the first page transmitted to the inspection terminal that is not blank to the inspection server 31 when an affirmative determination is made. The inspection server 31 refers to the report from all the inspection terminals 32 (image index corresponding to the first page that is not blank), so that the first page of the dictionary creation continuous form (the first one on which characters or the like are actually printed). Page) and the image index are grasped, and the grasped correspondence is notified to each inspection terminal 32. As a result, each inspection terminal 32 can know the correspondence between the physical page of the dictionary creation continuous form for which the feature amount is calculated and the image index. Since the image index is sequential, once the correspondence between the image index and the physical page of the dictionary creation continuous form is known, each inspection terminal 32 grasps how many pages are being processed by the image index. be able to.

  Further, when each inspection terminal 32 determines that a page on which characters or the like are printed, it cuts out character images one by one from the received image data image for one page, and sequentially extracts a character image index ( For example, a character image number) is assigned, and the image data of the cut character image, the character image index, and the above-described image index are stored in the hard disk.

  If each inspection terminal 32 is notified from the inspection server 31 about the correspondence between the physical page of the dictionary creation continuous form and the image index before starting to cut out the character image, it is not necessary to use the character image index. Character information stored in the hard disk can be used as an index. However, because of the processing timing, the inspection server 31 does not always notify the correspondence between the physical page of the dictionary creation continuous form and the image index before the character image is cut out. Therefore, each inspection terminal 32 provisionally assigns a character image index to the image data of the clipped image, and each inspection terminal 32 has a correspondence relationship between the physical page of the dictionary creation continuous form and the image index. When the inspection server 31 is notified, the character image index and the character information are matched, and the character information is used as the index thereafter.

  Next, the extracted character image and character image index (or character information) are read from the hard disk one character at a time, and divided into, for example, 5 × 5 small areas, and 8 directions (45 °) are used as reference vectors. A feature vector is calculated for the inclination in the image formation direction of each small region, and a feature amount obtained by multiplying each feature vector by a weighting coefficient is calculated. In addition, when dividing into 5 × 5 small areas and using eight-direction reference vectors, 200 feature spaces are formed for one character, and the weighting factor constitutes, for example, the outer portion of the character. It can be set so that the feature vector of a small region becomes larger. In the present embodiment, since two or more characters are printed on the dictionary creation continuous form for the same character (characters having the same code, font, and font size), each inspection terminal 32 is, for example, for one page. After the character is cut out and before the calculation of the feature amount of each extracted character, the character image index and the character information are matched, and the feature amount averaged for the same character is calculated. When each inspection terminal 32 calculates the feature amount of the received character for one page, the character information is indexed, and character information, feature amount, and character image data are associated one by one (a dictionary for one page is stored). Created) and transmitted to the inspection server 31 together with the image index.

  The inspection server 31 receives a dictionary created by one or more inspection terminals 32 and reconstructs a plurality of dictionaries created by the inspection terminal into one dictionary. This dictionary has a data structure that can have a plurality of additional feature amounts (described later) added as feature amounts. Next, with reference to the image index received from the inspection terminal 32, the correspondence relationship between the character information, the feature amount, and the image data has been determined for all characters constituting the character information input via the recording medium ( In the case of negative determination, in order to create the remaining dictionary portion, the inspection terminal waiting for processing (the feature amount or the like has been transmitted to the inspection server 31) is determined. Further, image data for one page, print processing information, and character information of the page are transmitted to 32. When the determination is affirmative, each inspection terminal 32 is made to verify the created dictionary.

  In other words, the inspection server 31 transmits character information, feature amounts, image data for several tens of characters in the created dictionary, and resolution information having a resolution lower than the image of the image data to each inspection terminal 32. Each inspection terminal 32 generates an image with reduced resolution according to the resolution information from the received image data, and divides the generated image into the above-described predetermined small regions and uses the eight directions as reference vectors. A feature vector obtained by multiplying each feature vector by a weighting coefficient is calculated by calculating a feature vector regarding the inclination in the forming direction. Next, it is determined whether or not the calculated feature value is equal to or greater than a verification reference value set in advance with respect to the received feature value. If the determination is affirmative, information indicating that the feature amount of the character to be verified is appropriate is added to the character information. If the determination is negative, the information indicating that the feature amount of the character to be verified is inappropriate. Is added to the character information, and the character information is transmitted to the inspection server 31 when the processing for several tens of characters is completed.

  The inspection server 31 determines whether or not character information has been received for all the characters in the created dictionary. If the determination is negative, the inspection server 32 that is waiting for processing further receives character information and characteristics for several tens of characters. The amount, the image data, and the resolution information are transmitted, and in the case of an affirmative determination, it is determined whether there is a character whose feature amount is determined to be inappropriate by referring to information added to each character information. If it is determined that there is no character for which the feature amount is determined to be inappropriate, the dictionary name is given to the created dictionary, and the created dictionary contents (corresponding relationships between character information, feature amounts, and image data are defined) Are stored in the hard disk, and the dictionary information and the dictionary name excluding information on the correspondence between the character information and the image data among the created dictionaries are transmitted to each inspection terminal 32, and the dictionary creation process is terminated. If it is determined that there is a character whose amount is determined to be inappropriate, the verification reference value is changed (lowered) by the inspection terminal 32 for that character, and the feature values of all the characters in the created dictionary are appropriate. The verification reference value (changed) is set as a determination reference value described later (by changing the default value of the determination reference value set in advance as dictionary attached information) and created. Assign dictionary name to dictionary The contents of the created dictionary are saved on the hard disk, and the dictionary information and the dictionary name excluding the correspondence information between the character information and the image data in the created dictionary are transmitted to each inspection terminal 32 to create the dictionary. End the process. Each inspection terminal 32 stores the received dictionary information and dictionary name in the hard disk.

<Form registration process>
Next, the form registration process will be described. In short, the form registration process is: the inspection area to be inspected if the characters are printed properly, the reference position recognition area to be a reference for cutting out the inspection area, and the character string printed in a specific area of the inspection area The uniqueness specific area for grasping the page number of the image cut out using the uniqueness of the image, and the barcode area where the one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode is printed. Details are as follows.

[Setting the reference position recognition area]
The CPU of the image processing unit outputs image data for one page of the continuous form F read by the main unit 10 to the control circuit 20 of the capture board 10B in accordance with the carry amount management described above. Here, the setting of the reference position recognition area will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when the image area for one page cut out by the carry amount management is IA, in the setting of the reference position recognition area, for example, the reference coordinate position R (0, 0) of the image area IA and the inspection A relationship with the coordinate position (X, Y) of a symbol (part of a ruled line) “┏” (hereinafter referred to as a mark “┏”) forming a corner of the possible region RF is set. When the image is cut out by the transport amount management, the leading edge of the continuous form F is not held by the pin of the tractor belt 17, and the slack is likely to occur, and the continuous form F and the transport amount are inconsistent by the amount of the slack (the mismatch amount). Therefore, the first reference position recognition area RPF1 and the second reference position recognition area RPF2 that are smaller than the first reference position recognition area RPF1 are set. Specifically, when the operator presses a predetermined button (reference position setting button) among the operation buttons 31B, an input box for inputting image data and a position for one page is displayed on the display 31, and the operator Specifies the mark “┏” that forms the corner of the inspectable region RF, and in the input box, the reference coordinate position R (0, 0), the coordinate position (X, Y) of the mark “┏”, The sizes (coordinates) of the first reference position recognition area RPF1 and the second reference position recognition area RPF2 are input. When the continuous form F is produced, the relationship between the reference coordinate position R (0, 0) and the coordinate position (X, Y) of the mark “┏” that forms the corner of the inspectable region RF is known (this book In the example, in consideration of the conveyance amount error, the position of the reference coordinate position R is set to a position of 3 mm in both the X and Y directions from the perforation that forms the boundary of one page of the continuous form. Further, the first reference position recognition area RPF1 has a predetermined size (displayed on the display 31) that can absorb the mismatch of the slack, and the operator sets the first reference position recognition area RPF1 to be larger than this size. To do.

  The control circuit 20 of the capture board 10B outputs the image data for one page of the continuous form F read by the main unit 10 to an arbitrary inspection terminal 32 as described above. On the other hand, the inspection server 31 acquires pattern information of the mark “┏” that forms the corner of the inspectable region RF in the inspection terminal 32. Thereby, the inspection server 31 has the reference coordinate position R (0, 0), the pattern information of the mark “┏” that forms the corner of the inspectable region RF, the coordinate position (X, Y) of the mark “┏”, and the The coordinates of the first reference position recognition area RPF1 and the second reference position recognition area RPF2 are grasped.

[Set inspection area]
Further, the inspection server 31 cuts out an image so as to include the inspectable region RF (see FIG. 5) with reference to the coordinate position (X, Y) of the mark “┏” that forms the corner of the inspectable region RF. The scaled image is corrected and the cut image is displayed on the display 31A, and waits until the operator designates the inspectable region RF and the inspection region EF. The operator first designates the inspectable region RF and then sequentially designates the inspection region EF by using the operation button 31B (or an external computer logged into the inspection server 31), and the inspection server 31 sets the coordinate position of the mark “┏”. The position information of the inspectable region RF and the inspection region EF is acquired as (X, Y).

  The inspection server 31 determines whether or not an operation button for ending the specification of the inspection area EF has been pressed (or whether a command for ending the specification is received from an external computer). Since there is a possibility that the inspection area EF may be continuously specified, the process waits. If the determination is affirmative, the acquired position information of the inspectable area RF and the inspection area EF is stored in the hard disk.

[Uniqueness specific area setting]
After the inspection area EF is specified, the inspection server 31 calculates the size (area area) of the specified inspection area EF, and for example, creates a list for the inspection areas EF in ascending order of area. Next, as in the case of the inspection area setting, the magnification of the image including the inspectable area RF is corrected and displayed on the display 31A, and the apparatus waits until the uniqueness specific area is specified by the operator. The operator specifies at least one uniqueness specifying area from the inspection area EF using the operation button 31B (or an external computer logged in to the inspection server 31), and the inspection server 31 is identified from the inspection area EF. Get information on gender specific areas. As the uniqueness specifying area, for example, an area of a customer code (“050216780” in FIG. 5) that can easily ensure uniqueness can be selected.

  The inspection server 31 determines whether or not an operation button for ending identification of the uniqueness specific area has been pressed (or whether a command for ending identification is received from an external computer). Since there is a possibility that the uniqueness specifying area may be specified continuously, in the case of an affirmative determination, a list of the inspection areas EF in order of decreasing area and information on the specified uniqueness specifying area are stored in the hard disk. To do.

[Barcode area settings]
As in the case of the inspection area setting, the inspection server 31 corrects the magnification of the image including the inspectable area RF, displays it on the display 31A, and waits until the operator specifies the barcode area BC. The operator designates the barcode area BC with the operation button 31B (or an external computer logged into the inspection server 31), and the inspection server 31 uses the position of the barcode area BC as the coordinate position (X, Y) of the mark “┏”. Get information.

  The inspection server 31 determines whether or not the operation button for ending the designation of the barcode area BC has been pressed (or whether or not a command for ending the specification has been received from an external computer). Since the bar code area BC may be continuously specified, the process waits. If the determination is affirmative, the position information of the bar code area BC is stored in the hard disk. In the above description, in order to clarify the explanation, an example in which the setting of the inspection area, the setting of the uniqueness specifying area, and the setting of the barcode area are sequentially performed has been described. Good.

[Registered form information]
The inspection server 31 assigns a registered form name to the continuous form F in which the inspection area EF or the like is specified, and the image data of the cut out continuous form F, the feature amount of the mark “領域” that forms the corner of the inspectable area RF , Position information (X, Y) of the mark “┏” with respect to the reference coordinate position R, position information of the first reference position recognition area RPF1, second reference position recognition area RPF2, position information of the inspectable area RF and inspection area EF, The information about the uniqueness specific area specified from the inspection area EF, the position information of the barcode area, and the list about the inspection area EF in ascending order of area are stored in the hard disk in association with the registered form name (hereinafter referred to as this Information is called registered form information.)

  A name that can be easily identified by the operator can be added to the registered form name described above. For example, the operator operates the operation button 31B (or logs in to the inspection server 31 from an external computer, and so on). .) By designating the name added to the registered form name, the inspection area EF and the like can be displayed on the display 31A. FIG. 5 shows an example in which ten inspection areas EF and one barcode area BC are designated.

<Print inspection process>
[Inspection job data]
Next, the print inspection process will be described. Prior to this print inspection process, the print server 60 outputs print data to the system printer 70 to print a character string desired by the operator on the continuous form F, and based on the print data output to the system printer 70, Inspection job data (correct answer information) is created and output to a recording medium. FIG. 7 shows an example of the data structure of the inspection job data. In the inspection job data, in addition to information for specifying the dictionary name and registered form information (registered form name) (code for identifying the printer, code for identifying the form), data of the continuous form F ( Width, length of one page), a job for the continuous form F by the system printer 70, information for specifying each page, and the character information described above.

  The operator operates the operation button 31B to cause the inspection server 31 to read the inspection job data created by the print server 60 and recorded on the recording medium (steps 402 and 404 in FIG. 13). When the inspection server 31 reads the inspection job data, the inspection server 31 stores the read inspection job data in the hard disk.

[Securing page uniqueness through uniqueness specific areas]
Next, the inspection server 31 specifies the field number (see FIG. 7) of the corresponding area in the inspection job data stored on the hard disk, based on the position information of the uniqueness specifying area among the registered form information stored on the hard disk. It is determined whether or not there is no data (identical) that matches the data in the field number in page units. For example, when the customer code is specified as the uniqueness specifying area and there is no matching data, the image extracted by referring to the page number (see FIG. 7) corresponding to the customer code in the inspection job data. Shows the page number. However, for example, when a plurality of usage price statements are issued to the same customer, the same customer code is printed on different pages, so the page cannot be specified. For this reason, in the setting process of the uniqueness specific area described above, other uniqueness specific areas are usually specified in addition to the customer code. In FIG. 9, the inspection area EF3 indicating the customer code, the inspection areas EF5 and EF7 indicating the usage date, and the inspection areas EF6 and EF8 indicating the usage amount are identified as uniqueness specifying areas among the inspection areas. An example is shown. On the other hand, if the number of uniqueness specifying areas increases, it is possible to ensure uniqueness for each page, but the processing time increases.

  For this reason, in step 406, the inspection server 31 first determines whether or not a combination of character strings (data) in a plurality of field numbers corresponding to the uniqueness specifying area is unique in page units. For example, in the example of FIG. 9, since the inspection areas EF5 to EF8 are specified as the uniqueness specifying areas in addition to the inspection area EF3 indicating the customer code, even if the same customer code is printed on different pages (Even if the character string in the area unit cannot be secured), it can be distinguished from other pages having the same customer code by combining the inspection areas EF3 and EF5 to EF8 (Uniqueness is ensured in the page unit) it can.). If the determination is negative, the display 31A displays that the specified uniqueness specifying area cannot ensure the uniqueness of the page, and refers to the list of the inspection areas EF in the order of decreasing area, and the uniqueness specifying area Inspection job data other than the inspection area EF in ascending order of area (as shown in FIG. 9, when there are a plurality of inspection areas EF having the same area, for example, in ascending order of the number of the inspection area EF). Increase the number of field numbers (for example, if the inspection area EF9 is added to the uniqueness specifying area, increase the field number in the inspection job data corresponding to the inspection area EF9) Repeated until uniqueness can be secured in page units, including the character string (data) in the selected field number. In addition to displaying information indicating that the uniqueness specific area has been added to the ray 31A, information on the uniqueness specific area corresponding to the increased field number is added to the information on the uniqueness specific area of the registered form information, and The registered form information updated by deleting the list of the inspection areas EF in ascending order (hereinafter referred to as update registered form information) is stored in the hard disk. On the other hand, when the determination is affirmative, even if the number of uniqueness specifying areas (field numbers) is further reduced (for example, even if the inspection areas EF6 and EF8 in FIG. 9 are reduced as uniqueness specifying areas), the uniqueness of the page unit. If the determination is negative (if uniqueness cannot be ensured), the updated registration form information obtained by deleting the list of the inspection areas EF in the order of decreasing area from the registration form information. Is stored on the hard disk, and when this determination is affirmative (when uniqueness can be ensured), information on the uniqueness specific area corresponding to the reduced field number is added to the information on the uniqueness specific area of the registered form information. (For example, the inspection area EF8 is not treated as a uniqueness specific area) and the list of the inspection areas EF in the order of decreasing area Deleted updated registration form information to be stored in the hard disk.

  Next, the inspection server 31 transmits the inspection job data and the update registration form information to each inspection terminal 32 (step 408). When each inspection terminal 32 receives inspection job data, the inspection terminal 32 receives the inspection job data and stores the inspection job data in the hard disk (steps 302 and 304 in FIG. 12). Thereby, the preparation for the print inspection process on the processing unit 30 (inspection server 31 and each inspection terminal 32) side ends.

  When the operator sets the continuous form F printed by the system printer 70 on the main unit 10 and presses the pre-feed button among the operation buttons 31B (step 410 in FIG. 13), the inspection server 31 issues a pre-feed command. The data is transmitted to the MCU of the main unit 10 (step 412).

  The MCU (step 102 in FIG. 10) of the main unit 10 that has received the prefeed command from the inspection server 31 turns on the LED arrays 12A, 12B and 14A, 14B (step 104), and then operates the CPU of the image processing unit. A start signal is output, the conveyance motor FM is driven via the actuator control unit, and the actuator control unit is also caused to output the number of conveyance pulses to the image processing unit (step 106). Thereby, the continuous form F is conveyed at a constant speed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2, and the line scan cameras 11 and 13 start reading the image of the continuous form F. Further, the MCU refers to a signal from the sensor control unit and starts monitoring jamming or the like of the continuous form F.

  When the operation start signal is received from the MCU of the main unit 10 (step 202 in FIG. 11), the image processing unit (the CPU) monitors the output from the surface line scan camera 11 as in the case of the dictionary creation process. In step 204, it is determined whether or not the leading end of the continuous form F has been conveyed to the reading position. If the determination is affirmative, the fact is notified to the MCU of the main unit 10 (step 206). If the determination is negative, the continuous form F is determined. Determination of whether or not the front end of F has been conveyed to the reading position is continued (step 204).

  When the MCU of the main unit 10 receives a notification from the image processing unit (step 108 in FIG. 10), the MCU continues to drive the transport motor FM for a predetermined number of pulses via the actuator control unit, and then stops driving the transport motor FM. (Step 110). As a result, the leading end of the continuous form F is conveyed a predetermined distance from the reading position of the surface line scan camera 11. The operator sets the leading end of the continuous form F in the folding device 50 after the pre-feed conveyance of the continuous form F is completed.

  Next, when a predetermined button (print inspection processing button) of the operation buttons 31B is pressed by the operator (step 414 in FIG. 13), the inspection server 31 transmits a print inspection processing command to the MCU of the main unit 10 (step 414). 416).

  When the MCU of the main unit 10 receives the print inspection process command from the inspection server 31 (step 112 in FIG. 10), the MCU is driven again (step 114), and the print inspection apparatus 1 starts the print inspection process. Thereafter, the main body unit 10 executes the print inspection process, but the MCU monitors whether the residual paper detection sensor 22 detects the end of the continuous form F, and detects the end of the continuous form F (step 116). In addition, an operation stop signal is output to the CPU of the image processing unit, reading by the line scan cameras 11 and 13 is stopped (step 118), the LED arrays 12A, 12B and 14A, 14B are turned off, and the transport motor FM is driven. Stop (step 120), and the process ends.

  The CPU of the image processing unit of the main unit 10 notifies the MCU of the main unit 10 that the leading end of the continuous form F has been conveyed to the reading position, and then reports the form data previously notified from the MCU of the main unit 10. Referring to (see FIG. 7), similarly to the case of the dictionary creation process, an image for one page (see image area IA in FIG. 6) is cut out at an approximate position by the above-described transport amount management (see image area IA in FIG. 11). In step 208, a sequential image index is assigned to the cut-out image, and the cut-out image data (image data and image index) for one page is output to the control circuit 20 of the capture board 10B (step 210).

  As described above, the control circuit 20 of the capture board 10B grasps the operating state of each inspection terminal 32 based on the response and report transferred by the interface board 33 of the inspection terminal, and determines the transmission destination based on a predetermined condition. The image data and the like for one page output from the image processing unit are transmitted to the interface board of the determined inspection terminal. The control circuit 34 of the interface board 33 of each inspection terminal 32 determines whether or not the specified unique number matches its own number. If they match, the image data for one page is captured. Transfers the received image data for one page to the downstream inspection terminal. Accordingly, the CPU of the image processing unit sequentially transmits image data and the like to the inspection terminal 32 waiting for inspection via the control circuit 20 of the capture board 10B.

  Each inspection terminal 32 stores the inspection job data and update registration form information received from the inspection server 31 on the hard disk, and then waits until image data or the like is transmitted from the control circuit 20 of the capture board 10B. When there is transmission of image data and image index, they are received (steps 306 and 308 in FIG. 12).

  Next, each inspection terminal 32 performs a blank check for determining whether the page is blank or a page on which characters are printed, as in the case of the dictionary creation process, for the received image data of one page. Perform (step 310). If it is determined that the page is blank, there is no need for a print inspection, so the system waits until the next image data or the like is transmitted (return to step 306).

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the page is a page on which characters or the like are printed, the position error Δ of the mark “┏” in the first reference position recognition area RPF1 is calculated (step 312). That is, each inspection terminal 32 recognizes an image of the mark “┏” in the first reference position recognition area RPF1 (and, if necessary, that is, if the accuracy cannot be ensured by image recognition, the mark “┏”). To obtain pattern information), and search for coordinates that match the pattern information of the mark “┏” in the update registration form information. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the coordinate position (X ′, Y ′) of the mark “┏” from the reference coordinate position R (0, 0) of the image area IA is acquired. If there is no conveyance error such as slack in the continuous form F, the mark “┏” is originally set to the coordinate (X from the center position of the first reference position recognition area RPF1, that is, the reference coordinate position R (0, 0) of the image area IA. , Y). As described above, the position of the coordinates (X, Y) is determined when a continuous form is created, and is included in the update registration form information. Therefore, each inspection terminal 32 calculates the position error Δ as (X−X ′, Y−Y ′). Next, each inspection terminal 32 notifies the calculated position error Δ to the inspection server 31 (step 314).

  Next, each inspection terminal 32 determines whether or not the absolute value of the X component (XX ′) and the absolute value of the Y component (YY ′) of the position error Δ are equal to or greater than a predetermined value. (Step 316). That is, when either the absolute value of the X component or the Y component of the position error Δ is greater than a predetermined value, the position of the mark “┏” serving as a reference for cutting out each inspection area EF (hereinafter referred to as a cutting reference position). Since an error is generated, it is necessary to correct the cutout reference position. On the other hand, if the cutout reference position is corrected even if the position error Δ is small, the processing time becomes longer. For this reason, in step 316, it is determined whether correction of the cut-out reference position of the inspection area EF and the barcode area BC is necessary even at the expense of the processing time. When affirmative determination is made, each inspection area EF and barcode area BC are cut out based on the cutout reference position corrected by correcting the cutout reference position in both the X direction and the Y direction (steps 318 and 320). Each inspection area EF and barcode area BC are cut out without correcting the cutout reference position (step 320). Each inspection terminal 32 recognizes the registered form name from the inspection job data, acquires the position information of the inspection area EF from the registered form name, and cuts out images of the inspection area EF and the barcode area BC.

  Next, in step 321, each inspection terminal 32 recognizes and decodes the barcode BC in the barcode area by referring to the inspection job data, and the decoded barcode information is the barcode of the inspection job data. It is determined whether or not it matches the data. If the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step 322, and if the determination is negative, the fact is notified to the inspection server (not shown). A technique for recognizing and decoding a barcode image is known. In this embodiment, such a known technique is used for decoding a barcode. Next, each inspection terminal 32 cuts out a character image character by character from the image in the inspection area EF (step 322), divides it into the predetermined small areas described above, and calculates the feature vector of the inclination in the image forming direction of each small area. Then, a feature amount obtained by multiplying each feature vector by a weighting coefficient is calculated (step 324). Next, it is determined whether or not the feature amount has been calculated for the characters in all the inspection areas EF (step 326). If a negative determination is made, the process returns to step 322 to continue character extraction for the next inspection area EF, and an affirmative determination is made. At the time of searching for the character string in the field number corresponding to the uniqueness specific area of the inspection job data having the characteristic quantity (of the same character string) that matches the characteristic quantity of each character in the uniqueness specific area, The page number corresponding to the received image data for one page is specified (step 328). Next, collation job data for the corresponding page character is extracted from the inspection job data, inspection job data (correct information) in the inspection area EF is specified, and the calculated feature amount corresponds to the extracted character of the dictionary. It is determined whether or not the feature amount is equal to or greater than a determination reference value (step 330). If the determination is affirmative, it is determined that the characters cut out from the image in the inspection area EF (characters to be inspected) are correctly printed on the continuous form F by the system printer 70.

  Next, each inspection terminal 32 collects the determination results in units of pages and transmits the results as inspection results to the inspection server 31 (step 332). At this time, for a character that has been negatively determined (determined that it has not been printed properly), the attribute information (page, inspection area, information on the number of characters and character information) related to the character, and the character from the inspection area EF. The image data of the clipped image is transmitted to the inspection server 31. Thereby, the processing of the first page on which characters or the like are printed is completed.

  On the other hand, after transmitting the print inspection processing command to the MCU of the main unit 10, the inspection server 31 waits until a position error Δ is transmitted from any inspection terminal (step 418 in FIG. 13). The position error Δ is received (step 420). Thereafter, if there is a transmission of the position error Δ from another inspection terminal within a predetermined time, the position error Δ is received (steps 418 to 422). Next, an average value of the received position errors Δ is calculated (step 424). Since the position error Δ is caused by the slack of the continuous form F on the main unit 10 side, it is not always necessary to receive the position error Δ from all the inspection terminals 32 when calculating the average value of the position error Δ. For example, the position error Δ received from any one inspection terminal may be used (step 422 is not necessarily required). Next, the inspection server 31 transmits the calculated average value of the position errors Δ to the CPU of the image processing unit (step 426).

  The CPU (step 212 in FIG. 11) of the image processing unit that has received the average value of the position error Δ from the inspection server 31 is a cut-out criterion so as to offset (eliminate) the position error by the average value of the position error Δ. The position is calculated (step 214), and an image including the inspectable region RF based on the calculated cutout reference position (for example, in order to prevent partial cutout of the mark “┓”, X, An image that is 3 mm in each Y direction and 6 mm in total is cut out (step 216). Then, the cut out image data and the image index are output to the control circuit 20 of the capture board 10B (step 218). Thereby, the area of the image for one page to be cut out is changed from the image area IA to an image slightly larger than the inspectable area RF with the cutout reference position as a reference (an image having a smaller area than the image area IA). The inspection terminal 32 acquires an image including the inspectable area RF as image data for one page. It should be noted that specific characters are added to the image index in order to notify each inspection terminal 32 of the change of the cutout reference position and the image size. Thereafter, until the CPU of the image processing unit receives an operation stop signal from the MCU of the main unit 10, the image processing unit continues to cut out the image including the inspectable region RF based on the reference position where the position error is offset. When an operation stop signal is received from 10 MCUs (step 220), the process is terminated.

  Each inspection terminal 32 determines whether there is transmission of the next image data or the like after finishing the processing of the first page on which characters or the like are printed (step 334 in FIG. 12). If the determination in step 334 is negative, it is determined whether an inspection job data deletion command has been transmitted from the inspection server 31 (see also step 364 and step 448 in FIG. 13). If the determination is negative, step 334 is determined. Returning to the step, if the determination is affirmative, the inspection job data is deleted (step 368), and the process is terminated. On the other hand, when the determination at step 334 is affirmative, image data or the like is received (step 336) and a blank check is performed (step 338), as in steps 308 and 310.

  As a result of the blank check, when it is determined that the page is blank, there is no need for a print inspection, so the process waits until the next image data is transmitted (return to step 334). On the other hand, when it is determined that the page is a page on which characters or the like are printed, it is determined whether or not the cutout reference position and the image size have been changed for the image data by determining whether or not a specific character is added to the image index. Judgment is made (step 340). When the determination in step 340 is negative, the position error Δ of the position of the mark “┏” in the first reference position recognition region RPF1 is calculated as in steps 312 and 316 to 321 (step 342). It is determined whether or not the absolute value of the X component (XX ′) and the Y component (YY ′) of the position error Δ are equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step 344). When the cutout reference position is corrected in both the X direction and the Y direction to cut out each inspection area EF and the barcode area BC (steps 346 and 348), each negative inspection is performed without correcting the cutout reference position. The area EF and the barcode area BC are cut out (step 348), and the barcode of the barcode area BC is decoded (step 350).

  On the other hand, when the determination in step 340 is affirmative, the mark “┏” in the second reference position recognition region RPF2 having a smaller area than the first reference position recognition region RPF1 is image-recognized (and, if necessary, the mark Cut out “┏” to obtain pattern information), search for coordinates that match the pattern information of mark “┏” in the update registration form information, and inspect based on the position of mark “┏”, that is, the cut-out reference position The region EF and the barcode region BC are cut out (step 349), and the process proceeds to step 350. In the next steps 352 to 362, as in steps 322 to 332, characters in each inspection area EF are cut out and inspected, the inspection result for one page is transmitted to the inspection server 31, and the process returns to step 334.

  Here, when the processing content when the negative determination is made at step 340 (steps 342 to 348) and the processing content when the positive determination is made (step 349) are compared, (1) the former is the first reference position recognition region RPF1. The latter mark targets the mark “┏” in the second reference position recognition area RPF2, while (2) the former requires correction by the position error Δ. When necessary, the position error Δ is corrected (the cut reference position is corrected) to cut out each inspection area EF, whereas the latter is not corrected by the position error Δ. The difference is that the EF is cut out. This is because the inspection terminal 32 transmits the position error Δ to the inspection server 31 (step 314), and the inspection server 31 calculates the average value of the position error Δ and transmits it to the CPU of the image processing unit (FIG. 13). Steps 424 and 426), because the CPU of the image processing unit corrects the cutout reference position so as to offset (cancel) the position error corresponding to the average value of the position error Δ, and cuts out the image, thereby increasing the accuracy of the cutout position. is there.

  The inspection server 31 (steps 428 and 430 in FIG. 13) that has received the inspection result determines whether or not there is a negatively determined character (step 432). For the determined character, an image of the character extracted by sequentially referring to the dictionary using the character information of the attribute information as an index, and an image of the character extracted from the inspection area EF and transmitted from the inspection terminal 32 Are simultaneously displayed on the display 31A (step 434), and the operator waits until a predetermined button of the operation buttons 31B is pressed to determine whether the operator visually determines OK or NG (step 436). When the operation button is pressed, the inspection server 31 takes in the input information, and when the information indicates OK, the character information is used as an index, and the character is cut out (character that is visually determined OK by the operator). Are added and registered in the dictionary as additional feature values, and information defining the correspondence with the image data is added to the dictionary. Further, the inspection result and the visual judgment result (OK) of the operator are displayed on the page. If the information is generated as an inspection log and represents NG, the inspection result and the operator's visual judgment result (NG) are generated as the inspection log for the page (steps 438 and 440). If the inspection server 31 receives notification from the inspection terminals 32 that the decoded barcode information does not match the barcode data of the inspection job data in steps 321 and 348 of FIG. Similar to the processing at 438 and 440, the fact that they do not match is created as the inspection log of the page.

  On the other hand, when the inspection server 31 determines that there is no negative character in the inspection result received from the inspection terminal 32, the inspection server 31 refers to the page data in the inspection job data and receives inspection results for all pages. Waiting, the same processing as described above is performed (step 442), the inspection log of all pages is saved (step 444), and the character information and additional feature amount of the character whose additional feature amount is registered in each inspection terminal 32 To update the dictionary information, delete the inspection job data (step 446), and send a deletion command such as inspection job data to each inspection terminal 32 (step 448). finish. Upon receiving this command (step 364 in FIG. 12), each inspection terminal 32 deletes the inspection job data (step 368) and ends the process. As a result, the next time the processing unit 30 examines the characters printed on the continuous form F by the system printer 70, it determines whether or not there are a plurality of feature amounts associated with the dictionary. It is determined whether the feature amount of the extracted character is equal to or greater than the determination reference value with respect to any one of the feature amounts associated with the dictionary. To determine if it is above the criterion value. The page determined as NG is printed again by the system printer 70 with reference to the inspection log, or corrected by handwriting or the like.

(Action etc.)
Next, the effect of the print inspection apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated.

  In the print inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the CPU of the image processing unit of the main unit 10 determines the position error Δ of the cut-out reference position based on the number of transport pulses output to the transport motor FM (by transport amount management). ) The image area IA larger than the inspectable area RF is cut out (step 208), and each inspection terminal 32 calculates the position error Δ from the image of the cut out image area IA (step 312), and the X component of the position error Δ or When the Y component is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the cutout reference position is corrected. When the Y component is less than the predetermined value, the cutout reference position is not corrected and the inspection area EF is cut out based on the cutout reference position (steps 316 to 320). . As described above, the leading edge of the continuous form F is likely to be slack, and this slack part causes a mismatch between the transport amount of the transport motor FM and every page. For this reason, the CPU of the image processing unit cuts out an image area IA that is larger than the inspectable area RF, and each inspection terminal 32 corrects the position error Δ of the cut-out reference position as necessary to cut out a plurality of inspection areas EF. Thus, the necessity for the correction process can be reduced, the processing time in each inspection terminal 32 can be shortened, and the image can be cut out without causing any omission in the cut-out image.

  On the other hand, when the above processing is continued (when the image processing unit cuts out an image area IA larger than the inspectable area RF necessary for the inspection by the inspection terminal 32), the cut-out area becomes large, and each inspection is performed from the image processing unit. The transmission time of image data to the terminal 32 also becomes long. Therefore, after the CPU of the image processing unit grasps the position error Δ of the cutout reference position (step 214), the cutout reference position is corrected so as to offset (cancel) the average value of the position error Δ of the cutout reference position. Then, the image of the inspectable region RF is cut out based on the corrected cutout reference position (step 216), and each inspection terminal 32 images the image of the inspectable region RF without correcting the position error Δ of the cutout reference position. A plurality of regions are cut out based on the cutout reference position (step 349). By performing such processing, it is possible to reduce the transmission time of the image data from the image processing unit to each inspection terminal 32, and in each inspection terminal 32, without correcting the position error Δ of the cutout reference position, Since a plurality of regions are cut out from the image of the inspectable region RF based on the cut-out reference position, the processing time can be reduced by the time required for the correction processing.

  In the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, in the form registration process, the mark “マ ー ク” that forms the corner of the inspectable area RF of the continuous form F and its position (cutout reference position) are set in advance. In the form inspection process, before the CPU of the image processing unit grasps the position error Δ of the cutout reference position, the image of approximately one page is cut out based on the “form data” of the inspection job data, and the position error Δ of the cutout reference position. After grasping the above, an image slightly larger than the inspectable region RF is cut out based on the cutout reference position. This continuous form F does not have a mark for cutting out a page image like the form used in Patent Document 1. Therefore, according to the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, a conventional page image cutout mark (start mark or end mark) is not added to the continuous form F (without changing the version of the continuous form F). An image can be appropriately cut out using the form that has been used.

  Further, in the print inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, in the form registration process, the first reference position recognition area RPF1 and the second reference position recognition area PRF2 smaller than this area and having the same center position are set in advance and printed. In the inspection process, each inspection terminal 32 recognizes the mark “┏” in the first reference position recognition region RPF1 and detects the inspection region EF because the transport error is large before the position error Δ of the cutout reference position is corrected. Since the bar code area BC is cut out (steps 312 to 320, steps 342 to 348) and the position error Δ of the cut reference position is corrected, there is no large fixed error due to the transport error. The mark “┏” is recognized in the position recognition area RPF2, and the inspection area EF and the barcode area BC are cut out (step 349). Thereby, the search time of the cut-out reference position by each inspection terminal 32 can be shortened.

  Furthermore, in the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the CPU of the image processing unit corrects (calculates) the cutout reference position only once so that the position error Δ of the cutout reference position is eliminated (step 212). An image of the inspectable region RF is cut out based on the calculated cutout reference position. For this reason, there is no large fixed error due to the conveyance error, and it is not necessary to make correction every time the inspectable region RF of each page of the continuous form F is cut out, so that the processing time required for image cutting can be shortened. it can.

  In the print inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the inspection server 31 stores the inspection job data stored on the hard disk according to the position information of the uniqueness specific area among the registered form information stored on the hard disk before performing the print inspection process. The corresponding field number is specified, and it is determined whether or not there is data that matches (identical) in page units with the data in the field number. For this reason, according to the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the page of the image data and the actual continuous form page (physical page) do not correspond to each other, and the correct information can be prevented from being erroneously extracted. .

  Furthermore, in the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, the inspection server 31 autonomously sets the uniqueness identification area (field number) based on the uniqueness identification area set in the form registration process. The number is increased or decreased (step 406). For this reason, according to the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to ensure the uniqueness of each page and shorten the processing time.

  Further, in the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the characters printed on the dictionary creation continuous form in a predetermined format corresponding to the character information by the system printer 70 are read by the main body unit 10 and all of the characters are processed by the processing unit 30. Character feature values are calculated, and a dictionary is created that defines the correspondence between the calculated feature values of all characters and the character information of all characters that are input in advance and can be printed on the continuous form F by the system printer 70. The For this reason, the processing unit 30 can determine whether the characters are correctly printed on the continuous form F by the system printer 70 even if the character to be inspected is an external character.

  In the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, in the dictionary creation process, a dictionary that defines the correspondence between all the characters that can be printed on the continuous form F by the system printer 70 and their feature amounts is created in advance, and the print inspection is performed. In the processing, the character image printed on the continuous form F is cut out to calculate the character feature amount, and the feature amounts are collated using the collation job data (correct information) as an index. Since the processing unit 30 (inspection terminal 32) collates the feature quantities, complicated character recognition processing using a recognition function or the like is not performed. For this reason, complicated processing for character recognition is not required, errors in character recognition can be eliminated, and feature quantities are collated with each other, so that it is not necessary to create logic for collation for each character information.

  Furthermore, in the print inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since the feature amounts of characters printed by the same printer are collated, the influence of individual differences among printers is eliminated without being affected by a slightly different font shape between printers. can do. Further, in the print inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since the processing unit 30 determines whether or not the feature amounts are equal to or larger than the determination reference value, the print inspection is performed flexibly and accurately by setting the determination reference value appropriately. be able to.

  Furthermore, in the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, even if the processing unit 30 determines that it is once less than the determination reference value, the operator's determination result can be input via the display 31A and the operation button 31B. Furthermore, according to the operator's decision result, the character feature amount once determined to be less than the determination reference value is registered as an additional feature amount in the dictionary, and the dictionary stores the additional feature amount. Since having a plurality has a data structure, print inspection can be sequentially performed on the plurality of feature amounts, and a learning function can be given to the print inspection apparatus 1. In this case, first, if it is determined whether the feature amount of the character to be inspected is equal to or greater than the determination reference value with respect to the newly added additional feature amount in the dictionary, it is possible to prevent the system printer 70 from aging. Correspondence can be improved.

  Furthermore, in the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the inspection terminal 32 is configured by a plurality of computers, and the inspection server 31 transmits an image read for each page to the inspection terminal 32 waiting for processing to calculate a feature amount or the like. Since the inspection terminal 32 determines whether only the characters in the inspection area EF set in the form registration process have been correctly printed on the continuous form F, the print inspection can be quickly performed. .

  In addition, the print inspection apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment performs offline print inspection and can perform dictionary creation processing, form registration processing, and print inspection processing for each of a plurality of printers (not limited to a specific printer). Therefore, high versatility can be secured.

  Further, in the print inspection apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the control circuit 20 of the capture board 10B grasps the operating state of each inspection terminal 32 based on the response and report transferred by the interface board 33 of the inspection terminal, and image data and the like. Is transmitted to the interface board of the determined inspection terminal 32, and the control circuit 34 of the interface board 33 of each inspection terminal 32 has the specified unique number. It is determined whether or not it matches with its own number, and when it matches, the image data for one page is taken in, and when it does not match, the image data for one page received on the interface board of the downstream inspection terminal etc. Forward. Accordingly, when the print inspection process is performed in the daisy chain configuration, the image data for one page can be sequentially transmitted to the inspection terminal 32 waiting for processing, and the operation rate of the inspection terminal 32 can be increased.

  In this embodiment, in order to simplify the description, an example in which the inspection region RF is cut out based on the mark “┏” that forms the corner of the inspectable region RF is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. It is not something. For example, the cutout reference position of the inspectable area RF is set based on the first character “G” of the “Glory card usage fee specification” printed in advance in the inspectable area RF of the continuous form F. Alternatively, the cutout reference position of the inspectable area RF may be set based on the barcode printed in the barcode area BC. In the present embodiment, the example in which the inspection region RF is cut out based on one mark “┏” that forms the corner of the inspectable region RF has been described. However, a plurality of reference characters, symbols, or barcodes are provided. It may be. That is, for example, an inspection is performed based on two marks, a mark “┏” that forms a corner of the inspectable region RF and a mark “┓” that forms a corner of the inspectable region RF and faces the mark “┏”. The region RF may be cut out.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, after grasping the position error Δ of the cutout reference position (step 214), the CPU of the image processing unit corrects the cutout reference position and cuts out an image of the inspectable region RF, and each inspection terminal. 32 shows an example in which a plurality of regions are cut out from the image of the inspectable region RF on the basis of the cutout reference position without correcting the position error Δ of the cutout reference position (step 349). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Instead, each inspection terminal 32 may correct the position error Δ of the cutout reference position in order to cut out the inspection area EF. In this way, since the position error Δ can be corrected with higher accuracy, for example, it is possible to improve the inspection quality in the print inspection of characters with small points. In the present embodiment, the example in which the position error Δ is simply (X−X ′, Y−Y ′) has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as described above, when a plurality of reference characters, symbols, or barcodes are provided, skew correction can be performed as disclosed in Patent Document 1.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an example in which two reference position recognition areas are set in the form registration process has been shown, but three or more are set, and in the print inspection process, the position error Δ is grasped a plurality of times to obtain a smaller reference It may be determined whether or not a reference character or the like fits in the region recognition area, and when an affirmative determination is made, a reference character or the like may be searched for in a smaller reference area recognition area.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the example in which the position error Δ of the cutout reference position is corrected by software so as to eliminate the position error Δ has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a conveyance motor The number of carrier pulses output to the FM may be changed and corrected so that the position error Δ is eliminated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, an example is shown in which the page in which the received image corresponds to each character in each inspection area EF satisfying the inspection based on the determination criterion is shown. (Step 328) For example, when one or more characters among the characters in each inspection area do not satisfy the determination criteria, the data processed so far is stored in the hard disk, and the image of another page is processed. When you find out what page the image corresponds to, read the data saved on the hard disk and continue the process that has been put on hold, using the fact that the image index is sequential, Compare the image index of the image whose page number is known to the image index of the data image saved on the hard disk, and then the image of the data saved on the hard disk. There may be judged whether corresponds to what-page, or, as in the case of the dictionary creation process, may be received a notification from the inspecting server 31.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example in which the characters of the continuous form F printed by the system printer 70 is inspected offline has been described. However, as described in the background art section, from printing on the continuous form F to sealing of the envelope. When performing a series of processes continuously, an online configuration may be adopted. In this case, the continuous form F discharged from the system printer 70 may be set in the main unit 10 with a buffer provided by a loop base, and the print server 60 and the processing unit 30 are connected by a communication line. Also good.

  In this embodiment, an example in which an image of a continuous form is read by a high-speed line sensor has been described. However, an area sensor may be used to increase the reading speed. Furthermore, in this embodiment, although the example which reads both surfaces of the continuous form F was shown, it does not wait that it may be made to read only one side.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the example in which the inspection job data has a code for identifying the printer and a code for identifying the form has been shown. The operator may input from the operation button 31B.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the character is printed on the dictionary creation continuous form with character information in a predetermined format in the dictionary creation processing, but the correct information is used as in the print inspection processing. Also good. Moreover, in this embodiment, although the example which inspects the character printed on the continuous form was shown, this invention is not restrict | limited to this, For example, the character printed on the single form is test | inspected continuously or intermittently. There is no doubt that it can be applied to a printing inspection apparatus.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a dictionary that defines the correspondence between all the characters that can be printed on the continuous form F by the system printer 70 and their feature amounts is created in advance, and an image of the characters printed on the continuous form F is cut out. In this example, the feature values of the characters are calculated, and the matching job data is used as an index to compare the feature values. However, the image data used for printing and the image data read from the printed image can be compared or printed. It can be applied to any technique of character collation in which the result of the conversion is read and subjected to OCR processing, character recognition is performed and the result converted into character data is collated.

  In the present embodiment, the interface board 33 has an example of having page memory for two pages. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and has page memory for one page or page memory for three pages or more. You may do it. For example, when a page memory for one page is provided, the above-described predetermined condition may satisfy the condition (1). Furthermore, in this embodiment, an example is shown in which an interface board waiting for processing is determined from the upstream side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and image data or the like is transmitted to any interface board waiting for processing. May be.

  The present invention provides an image cutout device and a print inspection apparatus including the image cutout device that can efficiently cut out an image without adding a mark for cutting out a page image. Since it contributes to the manufacture and sale of equipment, it has industrial applicability.

1 is an external perspective view of a printing inspection apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applicable. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the main-body unit of a printing inspection apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows typically the function of the processing unit of a printing inspection apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the daisy chain structure between a main body unit and a processing unit. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of printing printed on the continuous form with the system printer. It is explanatory drawing of the concept of the 1st reference position recognition area and the 2nd reference position recognition area for recognizing the mark "┏" which forms the corner part of a testable area. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of inspection job data. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the concept of position error (DELTA). It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a uniqueness specific area | region among the test | inspection area | regions of a continuous form. It is a flowchart of the processing routine which MCU of a main body unit performs in a printing inspection process. 6 is a flowchart of a processing routine executed by the CPU of the image processing unit in the print inspection process. It is a flowchart of the processing routine which an inspection terminal performs in a printing inspection process. It is a flowchart of the processing routine which an inspection server performs in a printing inspection process.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Print inspection apparatus 10 Main body unit (1st image cutout means)
11 Surface line scan camera (image reading means)
13 Backside line scan camera (image reading means)
17 Tractor belt (part of transport means)
18, 19 Transport discharge roller (part of transport means)
30 processing unit (feature amount calculation means, dictionary creation means, print determination means)
31 Inspection server (first setting means, second setting means, selection means, coordinate setting means, recognition area setting means)
32 Inspection terminal (part of position error calculation means, second image clipping means, determination means)
70 System Printer (Printer)
EF inspection area (multiple areas)
F Continuous form (form)
FM transport motor (part of transport means)
IA image area RF inspectable area RPF1 first reference position recognition area (recognition area)
RPF2 Second reference position recognition area (recognition area)

Claims (11)

In an image cutout device that cuts out an image of a predetermined area including an image of characters printed on a form by a printer,
Conveying means for conveying the form in one direction;
Image reading means for reading an image of a form conveyed by the conveying means;
First image cutout means for cutting out an image of a predetermined area from the image read by the image reading means;
First setting means for setting in advance a cutout reference position of an image cut out by the first image cutout means;
Position error calculation means for calculating a position error between the cutout reference position set by the first setting means and the cutout reference position of the image cut out by the first image cutout means;
A second image cutout unit that cuts out at least one region having a smaller area than the image cut out from the image cut out by the first image cutout unit;
Second setting means for presetting at least one region cut out by the second image cutout means;
With
(1) The first image cutout unit cuts out an image of a predetermined area according to the conveyance amount of the conveyance unit, and the second image cutout unit needs a position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit. And cutting out the at least one region with reference to the cutout reference position. (1) The first image cutout unit cuts out an image of a predetermined area according to the conveyance amount of the conveyance unit, and the second image cutout unit needs a position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit. And cutting out the at least one region with reference to the cutout reference position,
(2) The first image cutout unit corrects the cutout reference position so that the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit is eliminated, and a predetermined area based on the corrected cutout reference position The second image cutout means cuts out the at least one area based on the cutout reference position from the image of the predetermined area cut out by the first image cutout means.
The image cutting-out device according to claim 1, wherein:   The said 1st image cutting-out means cuts out the image whose area area is smaller than the image of the process area cut out according to the conveyance amount of the said conveyance means in said (1) in said (2). The image cutout device described.   A determination unit configured to determine whether or not the position error of the cut-out reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit is greater than a preset value, wherein the second image cut-out unit includes: When the determination means makes an affirmative determination, the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation means is corrected, and when the determination means makes a negative determination, the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation means The image clipping device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the position error is not corrected.   The second image cut-out means, in (2), without correcting the position error of the cut-out reference position calculated by the position error calculation means, from the image cut out by the first image cut-out means. The image cutout device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least one region is cut out based on a cutout reference position.   The first setting means includes a selection means for selecting a specific character, symbol, or barcode printed in advance in the predetermined area of each page of the form, and a character, symbol, or symbol selected by the selection means. Coordinate setting means for setting the cutout reference position with reference to the coordinates of the barcode, and the position error calculation means is selected by the selection means of the image cut out by the first image cutout means. The character, symbol or barcode is image-recognized to obtain the coordinates of the character, symbol or barcode, and the position of the character, symbol or barcode coordinates set by the coordinate setting means and the obtained coordinates 6. The image clipping device according to claim 1, wherein an error is calculated.   The first setting means further includes a recognition area setting means for setting a recognition area having a predetermined area and capable of recognizing the character, symbol or barcode selected by the selection means in the area. The position error calculation means is configured to recognize the character, symbol or barcode selected by the selection means of the image cut out by the first image cut-out means within the recognition area, The coordinates of the symbol or barcode are obtained, and the position error between the coordinates of the character, symbol or barcode set by the coordinate setting means and the obtained coordinates is calculated. Image clipping device.   The recognition area setting means can set at least two recognition areas having the same center and different sizes, and the position error calculation means is the image cut out by the first image cut-out means in (1). The character, symbol or barcode selected by the selection means is image-recognized within a large recognition area of the recognition area to obtain the coordinates of the character, symbol or barcode, and the coordinates set by the coordinate setting means A position error between the coordinates of characters, symbols or barcodes and the obtained coordinates is calculated, and the second image cutout means is the character, symbol or barcode selected by the selection means in (2). The image is recognized in a small recognition area in the recognition area to obtain the coordinates of the character, symbol, or barcode, and the cutout reference position is calculated based on the obtained coordinates. Image clipping device according to claim 7, characterized in that cutting out at least one region on the basis of the extraction reference positions out.   In the above (1), the second image cutout unit corrects the position error of the cutout reference position by changing the coordinates corresponding to the position error, and the first image cutout unit includes the (2) 3), the position error of the cutout reference position is corrected by changing the coordinates corresponding to the position error, or by correcting the transport amount of the transport means. The image cutting-out device described in 1.   The form is a continuous form, and the first image cutout unit corrects the cutout reference position only once so that the position error of the cutout reference position calculated by the position error calculation unit in (2) is eliminated. The image clipping device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein an image of the predetermined area is clipped on the basis of the corrected clipping reference position. In a printing inspection apparatus that includes an image cutout device that cuts out an image of a predetermined area including an image of characters printed on a form by a printer, and inspects characters printed on the form,
A feature amount calculation means for cutting out an image of a character printed on the form from an image cut out by the image cutout device, and calculating a feature amount of the cut out character;
Character information including codes, fonts, and font sizes of all characters that are input in advance and can be printed on the form by the printer, and printed on the form in a predetermined format corresponding to the character information by the printer. A dictionary creating means for creating a dictionary that defines a correspondence relationship with the feature quantities of all the characters read by the feature quantity computing means;
The correct amount of information about the character string that is input in advance and printed on the form by the printer is used as an index, and the feature amount of the character that is to be inspected and read from the form by the image reading unit and calculated by the feature amount calculating unit is It is determined whether or not the character feature amount associated with the dictionary creation means is greater than or equal to a predetermined criterion value, and the character to be inspected is determined to be greater than or equal to the criterion value by the printer. A print determination means for determining that the print has been correctly performed;
With
11. The print inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image cutout apparatus has the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images