JP6032983B2 - Printing system, printed material inspection apparatus, inspection program, and inspection method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus that inspects printed matter, and more particularly to an inspection apparatus, an inspection program, and an inspection method for a printing result in a printing system that performs printing on a recording medium such as printing paper based on page data.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a printing system that executes printing processing based on printing data generated by imposing page data is known. In such a printing system, an inspection device (hereinafter referred to as “printed material inspection device”) for inspecting whether or not printing has been correctly performed by a printing device has been conventionally provided. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the entire conventional printing system. This printing system includes an editing device 91 for performing editing processing and the like to generate data for printing, a printing device 92 for printing on printing paper, and a printed matter inspection device 93 for inspecting printing results. Has been. Note that the printed matter inspection apparatus 93 may be incorporated in the printing apparatus 92.

  The editing device 91 includes a page data generation unit 911 and a print image data generation unit 912. The print image data generation unit 912 includes an imposition processing unit 9121 and a RIP processing unit 9122. The page data generation unit 911 generates page data D91 in which a print target is described in a page description language based on an editing operation by the operator. The imposition processing unit 9121 performs imposition processing such as pasting the page data D91 on, for example, a single sheet every four pages in accordance with conditions set by the operator. The RIP processing unit 9122 performs RIP processing on the page data D92 after imposition processing. The data after the RIP process is sent to the printing apparatus 92 as printing image data D93.

  The printing apparatus 92 includes a shading correction unit 921 and a printing unit 922. The shading correction unit 921 performs shading correction on the print image data D93 sent from the editing device 91. The printing unit 922 performs printing (printing) on printing paper based on the printing image data D94 after shading correction.

  The printed matter inspection apparatus 93 includes an imaging unit 931 and an inspection unit 932. The imaging unit 931 images the printed printing paper D95. The inspecting unit 932 inspects whether printing has been performed correctly by the printing apparatus 92.

  In the configuration as described above, the inspection unit 932 in the printed matter inspection apparatus 93 compares and compares the image data for printing D94 after shading correction and the image data D96 obtained by imaging by the imaging unit 931 (extraction of differences). Is done. Thereby, the difference between the print image to be represented by the print image data D93 sent from the editing device 91 to the printing device 92 and the print image (print result) represented in the actual printed matter is detected. As described above, whether or not the printing result is correct is checked. Depending on the inspection result, processing such as reprinting is performed if necessary.

  In relation to the present invention, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-58484 describes the configuration of a conventional printing apparatus including an inspection unit and the flow of inspection.

JP 2010-58484 A

  However, according to the inspection based on the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 13, the data compared with the imaging data D96 in the inspection unit 932 is data after the RIP process is performed. Here, when some trouble occurs after the RIP process, the trouble is detected by the inspection unit 932. However, when a failure occurs in an upstream process such as the RIP process or a process preceding the RIP process, the failure is not detected by the inspection unit 932. As described above, the inspection accuracy is insufficient in the conventional configuration.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it enables detection of a defect occurring in an upstream process in a printing system that performs printing on a recording medium based on page data.

A first invention is a printing system for performing printing on a recording medium based on page data,
Printing image data generating means for generating printing image data by performing imposition processing and rasterization processing based on predetermined imposition conditions based on the page data;
Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the printing image data;
A print image imaging unit that acquires a print image represented by the image data for printing as imaging data by imaging a recording medium on which printing by the printing unit is performed;
Display image data generating means for generating display image data based on the page data;
Comparison image data generating means for generating comparison image data for comparison with the imaging data by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition condition data indicating the predetermined imposition condition When,
And a first comparison unit that compares the imaged data with the comparison image data to extract a difference.

According to a second invention, in the first invention,
The printing system includes an editing apparatus including the printing image data generation unit and the display image data generation unit, a printing apparatus as the printing unit, the print image imaging unit, and the comparison image data generation unit. And a printed matter inspection apparatus including the first comparison unit,
The image data for printing is transferred from the editing device to the printing device via a data communication line,
The display image data and the imposition condition data are transferred from the editing device to the printed matter inspection device via a data communication line.

According to a third invention, in the second invention,
The printing apparatus includes printing status data transmission means for transmitting printing status data indicating a progress status of printing on the recording medium to the editing device,
The editing device includes image data generation control means for controlling the operation of the display image data generation means based on the printing status data transmitted from the printing status data transmission means,
The display image data generation means gradually generates the display image data in accordance with the progress of printing on the recording medium, and transfers the generated display image data to the printed matter inspection apparatus. And

According to a fourth invention, in the third invention,
The printing apparatus is connected in series to each other, the first printing apparatus for performing printing on one of the front and back surfaces of the recording medium and the second for performing printing on the other of the front and back surfaces of the recording medium. Printing device,
The printed matter inspection apparatus includes a first print image capturing unit for capturing a print result by the first printing device, and a second print image capturing unit for capturing a print result by the second printing device. Including
After printing is performed by a printing device arranged at a later stage of the first printing device and the second printing device, the imaging of the front surface of the recording medium and the imaging of the back surface of the recording medium are performed at the same timing. As described above, the first print image capturing unit and the second print image capturing unit are arranged.

According to a fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions,
The image processing apparatus further includes a second comparison unit that compares the imaged data with the printing image data and extracts differences.

According to a sixth invention, in any one of the first to fifth inventions,
The imposition condition data includes data for specifying how to arrange and rotate a page and data representing a display image of accessories arranged outside the page by imposition processing.

According to a seventh invention, in any one of the first to sixth inventions,
The display image data generating means is display application software for displaying an image based on the page data on a predetermined display means.

According to an eighth invention, in any one of the first to seventh inventions,
The printing means is an ink jet printer.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, a print result by a printing apparatus that prints on a recording medium is inspected based on image data for printing generated by performing imposition processing and rasterization processing under predetermined imposition conditions based on page data. A printed matter inspection apparatus for
Print image imaging means for acquiring a print image represented by the printing image data as imaging data by imaging a recording medium on which printing based on the printing image data by the printing apparatus is performed;
Display image data acquisition means for acquiring display image data generated based on the page data;
Imposition condition data acquisition means for acquiring imposition condition data indicating the predetermined imposition condition;
Comparison image data generating means for generating comparison image data for comparison with the imaging data by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition condition data;
And a first comparison unit that compares the imaged data with the comparison image data to extract a difference.

A tenth invention is the ninth invention,
The image processing apparatus further includes a second comparison unit that compares the imaged data with the printing image data and extracts differences.

In an eleventh aspect based on the ninth or tenth aspect,
The imposition condition data includes data for specifying how to arrange and rotate a page and data representing a display image of accessories arranged outside the page by imposition processing.

In a twelfth aspect of the invention, a print result by a printing apparatus that prints on a recording medium is inspected based on image data for printing generated by performing imposition processing and rasterization processing under predetermined imposition conditions based on page data. An inspection program for
A print image obtained by acquiring a print image represented by the print image data as image pickup data by causing a predetermined print image pickup unit to pick up a recording medium on which printing based on the print image data by the printing apparatus has been performed. Imaging step;
A display image data acquisition step of acquiring display image data generated based on the page data;
Imposition condition data acquisition step for acquiring imposition condition data indicating the predetermined imposition condition;
A comparison image data generation step for generating comparison image data for comparison with the imaging data by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition condition data;
A first comparison step of comparing the imaged data and the comparison image data to extract differences is executed by a CPU of a computer using a memory.

In a thirteenth aspect based on the twelfth aspect,
The method further includes a second comparison step of comparing the imaged data with the image data for printing and extracting a difference.

In a fourteenth aspect based on the twelfth or thirteenth aspect,
The imposition condition data includes data for specifying how to arrange and rotate a page and data representing a display image of accessories arranged outside the page by imposition processing.

A fifteenth aspect of the invention is an inspection method in a printing system that performs printing on a recording medium based on page data,
A printing image data generation step for generating printing image data by performing imposition processing and rasterization processing based on predetermined imposition conditions based on the page data;
A printing step for performing printing on a recording medium based on the printing image data;
A print image imaging step of acquiring a print image represented by the image data for printing as imaging data by imaging the recording medium printed in the printing step;
A display image data generation step for generating display image data based on the page data;
Comparison image data generation step for generating comparison image data for comparison with the imaging data by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition condition data indicating the predetermined imposition condition When,
And a first comparison step of comparing the imaged data with the comparison image data to extract differences.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, a print result by a printing apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium is inspected based on image data for printing generated by performing imposition processing and rasterization processing based on predetermined imposition conditions based on page data. An inspection method for performing
A print image imaging step of acquiring a print image represented by the printing image data as imaging data by imaging a recording medium on which printing based on the printing image data by the printing apparatus is performed;
A display image data acquisition step of acquiring display image data generated based on the page data;
Imposition condition data acquisition step for acquiring imposition condition data indicating the predetermined imposition condition;
A comparison image data generation step for generating comparison image data for comparison with the imaging data by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition condition data;
And a first comparison step of comparing the imaged data with the comparison image data to extract differences.

  According to the first aspect, in the printing system that performs printing on a recording medium (printing paper or the like) based on the page data, the display image data is generated based on the page data, and the printing image data is generated. Comparison image data is generated by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition conditions applied at the time. Then, the comparison image data is compared with imaging data obtained by imaging a printed matter. In this way, inspection using data obtained by imaging data before RIP processing (before rasterization processing) is performed. As a result, unlike the conventional case, when some trouble occurs in an upstream process such as RIP processing, the trouble can be detected by inspection.

  Further, in the inspection according to the prior art, since the data corrected according to the characteristics of each print head is compared with the imaged data, the inspection accuracy is insufficient. In this regard, according to the first aspect, data that does not need to be corrected (the comparison image data) is compared with the imaging data, so that the inspection accuracy is improved as compared with the conventional case.

  Imaging data, that is, output data from the camera is generally RGB format data. Here, the display image data and the comparison image data are not data used for printing. Therefore, the data format of the display image data and the comparison image data may be in the RGB format. As described above, unlike the prior art, it is possible to inspect printed matter without performing data conversion from the CMYK format to the RGB format. Thereby, the processing burden required for the inspection is reduced.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained in the printing system that can transfer data online from the editing apparatus to the printing apparatus or printed matter inspection apparatus.

  According to the third aspect, the display image data that is the generation source of the comparison image data is transferred from the editing device to the printed matter inspection device little by little as the printing progresses in the printing device. For this reason, it is possible to detect defects in upstream processes such as RIP processing without providing a large-capacity memory in the printed matter inspection apparatus.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in the printing system in which two printing apparatuses (a printing apparatus for front surface printing and a printing apparatus for back surface printing) are connected in series, the front surface printing result and the back surface printing result are the same. An imaging means for front surface imaging and an imaging means for back surface imaging are arranged so that images are taken at the timing. Here, the display image data can be sent from the editing device to the printed matter inspection device at an appropriate timing based on the printing status data, so that the printing deviation between the front surface and the back surface can be accurately performed without providing a large-capacity memory. It becomes possible to detect.

  According to the fifth aspect of the invention, two types of inspection are performed: inspection based on data before RIP processing and inspection based on data after RIP processing. For this reason, the inspection accuracy is improved and the identification of the defective portion is facilitated.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the inspection is performed using an image not only subjected to imposition processing but also attached with an accessory such as a registration mark. For this reason, the inspection accuracy is further improved.

  According to the seventh aspect, it is possible to generate display image data using general application software without developing special software. For this reason, the increase in cost is suppressed.

  According to the eighth aspect, in the printing system in which the ink jet printer is employed as the printing means, the same effect as any of the first to seventh aspects can be obtained.

  According to the ninth aspect, the printed matter inspection apparatus can achieve the same effect as the first aspect.

  According to the tenth aspect, the printed matter inspection apparatus can achieve the same effect as the fifth aspect.

  According to the eleventh aspect, the printed matter inspection apparatus can achieve the same effect as the sixth aspect.

  According to the twelfth aspect, an effect similar to that of the first aspect can be achieved in the inspection program for inspecting the print result.

  According to the thirteenth aspect, the same effect as that of the fifth aspect can be achieved in the inspection program for inspecting the printing result.

  According to the fourteenth aspect, the same effect as that of the sixth aspect can be achieved in the inspection program for inspecting the printing result.

  According to the fifteenth aspect, the same effect as the first aspect can be achieved in the inspection method in the printing system.

  According to the sixteenth aspect, an effect similar to that of the first aspect can be achieved in the inspection method for inspecting the print result.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the structure of the printing apparatus in the said 1st Embodiment with schematic structure of a printed matter inspection apparatus. It is a hardware block diagram of the printed matter inspection apparatus main body in the said 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of the whole printing system in the said 1st Embodiment. In the said 1st Embodiment, it is a figure for demonstrating the imposition process. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure from the generation of page data to the end of printed matter inspection in the first embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect in the said 1st Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of the whole printing system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect in the said 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect in the said 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect in the said 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating the effect in the said 2nd Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of a function structure of the conventional whole printing system.

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

<1. First Embodiment>
<1.1 Overall configuration>
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This printing system includes an editing site for designing a printed material, and a printing site for performing print output and printed material inspection. In this printing system, the editing site includes an editing device 10, and the printing site includes a printing device (printing means) 20 and a printed matter inspection device 30. The printed matter inspection apparatus 30 may be incorporated in the printing apparatus 20. The editing apparatus 10 is an apparatus for generating editing data by performing an editing process or the like. The printing device 20 performs printing on printing paper based on the data sent from the editing device 10. The printed matter inspection apparatus 30 is an apparatus for inspecting a print result.

  In the present embodiment, description will be made on the assumption that data is transferred from the editing site to the printing site via a network (data communication line). In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming that an ink jet printer is used as the printing apparatus 20. However, the present invention can also be applied to printing apparatuses other than inkjet printers.

<1.2 Configuration of printing apparatus>
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the printing apparatus 20 according to the present embodiment, together with the schematic configuration of the printed matter inspection apparatus 30. The printing apparatus 20 includes a paper feeding unit 202 that supplies a base material 201 that is a printing paper, a first drive roller 203 for transporting the base material 201 into the printing mechanism, and a base material 201 inside the printing mechanism. A plurality of support rollers 204 for transporting the ink, a print head 205 that performs printing by discharging ink onto the base material 201, a drying unit 206 that dries the base material 201 after printing, and a printing mechanism for the base material 201. A second driving roller 207 for outputting from the inside and a paper winding unit 208 for winding the printed substrate 201 are provided. The print head 205 includes, for example, a plurality of nozzles 205k, 205c, 205m, and 205y that discharge black, cyan, magenta, and yellow ink, respectively. The printing mechanism includes a camera 301 as a part of the printed matter inspection apparatus 30. The camera 301 images the printed substrate 201, and data (imaging data) obtained by the imaging is sent to the printed matter inspection apparatus main body 302.

<1.3 Configuration of printed matter inspection device>
As shown in FIG. 2, the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 includes a camera 301 and a printed matter inspection apparatus main body 302. FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the printed matter inspection apparatus main body 302. The printed matter inspection apparatus main body 302 is a computer, and includes a CPU 310, a ROM 320, a RAM 330, an auxiliary storage device 340, an input operation unit 350 such as a keyboard, a display unit 360, an optical disk drive 370, and a network interface unit. 380. Imaging data and data sent from the editing device 10 or the printing device 20 are given to the inside of the printed matter inspection apparatus main body 302 via the network interface unit 380.

  A program (hereinafter referred to as “inspection program P”) for inspecting the printed material is stored in the auxiliary storage device 340. When the operation of the printed matter inspection apparatus main body 302 is started, the inspection program P is read into the RAM 330, and the CPU 310 executes the inspection program P read into the RAM 330, whereby inspection processing is executed. The inspection program P is provided by being stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM. That is, for example, the user purchases an optical disk (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, etc.) 371 as a recording medium for the inspection program P, attaches it to the optical disk drive 370, and reads the inspection program P from the optical disk 371. Install in the auxiliary storage device 340. Alternatively, the inspection program P sent via a LAN or the like may be received by the network interface unit 380 and installed in the auxiliary storage device 340.

  The editing device 10 is also a computer and has the same hardware configuration as the printed matter inspection apparatus main body 302.

<1.4 Functional configuration>
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the entire printing system in the present embodiment. In the following description, a person who performs an operation when a human operation is involved is referred to as an “operator”.

  Functionally, the editing apparatus 10 includes a page data generation unit 11, a printing image data generation unit 12, and a rendering processing unit 13. The print image data generation unit 12 includes an imposition processing unit 121 and a RIP processing unit 122. The page data generation unit 11 generates page data D1 in which a print target is described in a page description language based on an editing operation by an operator. Here, the editing operation is an operation for creating image data to be printed on a screen using a plurality of types of parts such as characters, logos, designs, and illustrations constituting a printed matter. The imposition processing unit 121 performs imposition processing such as pasting the page data D1 on, for example, one sheet of paper every four pages according to the conditions set by the operator. In the imposition process, in addition to the determination regarding the arrangement / rotation of the page, the determination regarding various accessories such as the register marks arranged outside the page is also performed. A detailed description of the imposition process will be described later. In the present embodiment, data indicating conditions set by the operator (hereinafter referred to as “imposition condition data”) S <b> 1 is sent to the printed matter inspection apparatus 30. The imposition condition data S1 includes data representing display images of various accessories, in addition to data for specifying the layout and rotation of pages. The RIP processing unit 122 performs RIP processing on the page data D2 after imposition processing. The RIP process is a process (rasterization process) for converting page data into bitmap format data representing an image to be printed. Here, the bitmap format data D3 generated by the RIP process is referred to as “print image data”. The printing image data D3 is sent to the printing apparatus 20. The rendering processing unit 13 generates display image data D7, which is display data on the display device, from the page data D1 generated by the page data generation unit 11. The display image data D7 is sent to the printed matter inspection apparatus 30. In the present embodiment, display image data generating means is realized by the rendering processing unit 13.

  Here, the imposition process will be described in detail. When printing a booklet, a plurality of pages are generally assigned to each of the front and back sides of a large sheet. Then, one booklet is completed by binding an output product printed based on a plurality of sheets. FIG. 5 shows an example in which four pages are allocated to both sides of two sheets of a booklet composed of 16 pages. The numbers shown on each side represent the number of pages. The arrow in parentheses shown on the right side of the page number indicates the direction of the booklet, and the one with the arrowhead indicates the upper part of the booklet. Further, it is indicated that the portion indicated by A in the “first surface” and the portion indicated by A in the “first back surface” are in the same position, and indicated by B in the “second surface”. This indicates that the portion and the portion indicated by B in the “second back surface” are at the same position. Then, the output product is folded in the order indicated by the one-dot chain line and the part indicated by the dotted line, and the book is completed by combining the two sheets. In this way, imposition processing is performed in order to produce a booklet as printed matter using a sheet to which a plurality of pages are assigned.

  Functionally, the printing apparatus 20 includes a shading correction unit 21 and a printing unit 22. The shading correction unit 21 performs shading correction on the printing image data D3 sent from the editing apparatus 10. Note that shading correction is a correction applied to image data for printing according to the characteristics of each print head so that there is no unevenness in the ejection amount of ink output from each print head when printing on printing paper. That is. The printing unit 22 performs a printing process for printing on printing paper (base material) based on the printing image data D4 after shading correction.

  Functionally, the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 includes an imaging unit 31, a comparative image data generation unit 32, and an inspection unit 33. The imaging unit 31 continuously captures the printed printing paper D5 to acquire a print image represented by the printing image data as imaging data D6. The comparison image data generation unit 32 receives the imposition condition data S1 and the display image data D7 sent from the editing apparatus 10, and performs imposition processing on the display image data D7 according to the conditions indicated by the imposition condition data S1. Thus, comparison image data D8 for comparison with the imaging data D6 is generated. The inspection unit 33 inspects whether printing has been performed correctly. Specifically, the inspection unit 33 compares the comparison image data D8 and the imaging data D6 (extracts the difference between them) to check whether printing has been performed correctly (hereinafter, “first” And inspection for checking whether printing has been performed correctly by comparing and comparing the image data D4 for printing after shading correction and the imaging data D6 (extracting the difference between them) (see FIG. Hereinafter, it is referred to as “second inspection”. Note that the second inspection is a conventional inspection. By the way, the printing image data D4 after shading correction is CMYK format data, and the imaging data D6 is RGB format data. For this reason, when the second inspection is performed, processing for converting the data in the CMYK format into the data in the RGB format is performed in advance by the inspection unit 33 on the print image data D4 after the shading correction.

  In the present embodiment, a print image imaging unit is realized by the imaging unit 31, and a comparison image data generation unit, a display image data acquisition unit, and an imposition condition data acquisition unit are performed by the comparison image data generation unit 32. The first comparing means and the second comparing means are realized by the inspection unit 33.

<1.5 Processing procedure>
Next, a processing procedure from the generation of the page data D1 by the editing device 10 to the end of the inspection of the printed material by the printed material inspection device 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Here, processing in the editing apparatus 10, the printing apparatus 20, and the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 will be described separately.

<Processing in 1.5.1 Editing Device>
In the editing apparatus 10, after the generation of the page data D1, the operator first sets conditions for imposition processing (step S11). The operator sets conditions such as the number of pages to be included in one sheet, the orientation of each page, and the arrangement of various accessories. Imposition condition data S1 indicating the conditions set in step S11 is sent to the printed matter inspection apparatus 30. Next, the operator designates a rendering engine (rendering processing unit D7) for confirming an image based on the generated page data D1 on the display device (step S12). Note that the rendering engine is application software that forms an image for displaying on a display device a collection of abstract data (in this embodiment, page data D1) that indicates the contents of an image or a screen. An example of a rendering engine is Adobe's Acrobat (registered trademark).

  Next, a print job is input to the printing system by the operator (step S13). When a print job is input, imposition processing is performed according to the conditions set in step S11, and further, RIP processing is performed on the data after imposition processing, thereby generating print image data D3 (step S1). S14). Further, display image data D7 is generated using the rendering engine specified in step S12 (step S15). Typically, the process in step S14 and the process in step S15 are performed in parallel. The printing image data D3 generated in step S14 is sent to the printing apparatus 20, and the display image data D7 generated in step S15 is sent to the printed matter inspection apparatus 30. When the transmission of the printing image data D3 and the display image data D7 from the editing device 10 is completed, the processing in the editing device 10 ends.

  In this embodiment, unlike the second embodiment described later, display image data D7 corresponding to the entire print job is collectively sent from the editing apparatus 10 to the printed matter inspection apparatus 30. In the present embodiment, the RIP process is performed after the imposition process. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the imposition process is performed using the bitmap format data generated by the RIP process after the RIP process. Processing may be performed.

<Processing in 1.5.2 Printing Device>
First, the printing apparatus 20 receives the printing image data D3 sent from the editing apparatus 10 (step S21). Next, the above-described shading correction process is performed on the print image data D3 received in step S21 (step S22). The data after the shading correction (printing image data D4) is sent to the printing unit 22 in the printing apparatus 20 and also to the printed matter inspection apparatus 30. Next, in the printing unit 22, printing (printing) processing is performed based on the printing image data D4 after shading correction (step S23). When the printing process is completed, the process in the printing apparatus 20 ends.

  Note that the processing from step S21 to step S23 shows an operation focusing on a part of the printed matter, and actually the processing from step S21 to step S23 is performed in parallel. That is, at the time when the printing image data D3 corresponding to a certain part is received, the shading correction has already been performed on the received printing image data D3, and the shading correction has already been performed. Printing processing based on the applied printing image data D4 is performed.

<Processing with 1.5.3 Printed Inspection Device>
The printed matter inspection apparatus 30 first receives imposition condition data S1 sent from the editing apparatus 10 (step S31). Next, the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 receives the display image data D7 sent from the editing apparatus 10 (step S32). Next, by performing imposition processing on the display image data D7 according to the conditions indicated by the imposition condition data S1, comparison image data D8 is generated (step S33). Next, the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 receives the printing image data D4 after shading correction sent from the printing apparatus 20 (step S34).

  Thereafter, when a printing process is performed by the printing apparatus 20, the printed printing paper D5 is imaged by the imaging unit 31 (camera 301) (step S35). Then, a process (second inspection) for comparing and comparing the imaging data D6 obtained by imaging and the printing image data D4 after shading correction is performed (step S36). Further, a process of comparing and comparing the imaging data D6 and the comparative image data D8 (first inspection) is performed (step S37). Thereafter, a process for storing the results of the inspections performed in step S36 and step S37 is performed (step S38). After the inspection result is stored, the process in the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 ends.

  In the present embodiment, an imposition condition data acquisition step is realized by step S31, a display image data acquisition step is realized by step S32, a comparison image data generation step is realized by step S33, and step S35. The print image capturing step is realized, the second comparison step is realized by step S36, and the first comparison step is realized by step S37.

Similarly to the processing from step S21 to step S23 in the printing apparatus, the processing from step S34 to step S37 shows an operation focusing on a part of the printed matter.
Actually, the processing from step S34 to step S37 is performed in parallel.

<1.6 Effect>
According to the present embodiment, in the printing system in which printing on a base material (printing paper or the like) is performed based on the page data D1, the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 performs not only the second inspection using the data after RIP processing. A first inspection is performed using data obtained by rendering the page data D1 that is the data before the RIP process. For this reason, when some trouble occurs in an upstream process such as RIP processing, it is possible to detect the trouble by inspection, unlike the conventional case.

  Further, the data (printing image data D4) to be compared with the imaging data D6 in the second inspection is subjected to correction (shading correction) according to the characteristics of each print head. That is, in the second inspection, since the inspection (print image data D3) sent from the editing apparatus 10 is not directly performed, the inspection accuracy is insufficient. On the other hand, data (comparison image data D8) to be compared with the imaging data D6 in the first inspection is data that has not been subjected to the shading correction after being sent from the editing apparatus 10. For this reason, in the first inspection, data in a state where correction unnecessary for the inspection is not performed is compared with the imaging data D6. As a result, the inspection accuracy is improved as compared with the conventional case.

<1.7 Modification>
In the first embodiment, two types of inspections, the first inspection and the second inspection, are performed, but the present invention is not limited to this, and only the first inspection is performed. good. By the way, the format of data output from each of the print image data generation unit 12, the rendering processing unit 13, the shading correction unit 21, the imaging unit 31, and the comparison image data generation unit 32 is as shown in FIG. . As can be understood from FIG. 7 and as described above, in the second inspection, processing for converting data in the CMYK format into data in the RGB format is performed in advance. In this regard, in the first inspection, as can be understood from FIG. 7, using the RGB format data generated by the comparison image data generation unit 32, the comparison with the imaging data (RGB format data) is performed. Processing to be performed is performed. For this reason, if only the first inspection is performed, the process of converting the data in the CMYK format into the data in the RGB format becomes unnecessary, and the processing burden of the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 is reduced. In the conventional configuration, if the resolution of the printing image data D94 and the resolution of the imaging data D96 do not match, it is necessary to perform resolution conversion processing by the printed material inspection device 93 (see FIG. 13). On the other hand, in the present modification, the rendering processing unit 13 performs the rendering process in advance according to the resolution of the camera 301, so that the resolution conversion process in the printed material inspection apparatus 30 becomes unnecessary, and the printed material inspection apparatus. 30 processing load is reduced.

  In the first embodiment, data (print image data D3, imposition condition data S1, and display data) are transmitted from the editing apparatus 10 to the printing apparatus 20 and the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 via a network (data communication line). Although the image data D7) is transferred, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data is offline (that is, using a recording medium such as a CD-ROM) from the editing device 10 to the printing device 20 and the printed matter. You may make it give to the inspection apparatus 30. FIG.

<2. Second Embodiment>
<2.1 Configuration>
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the entire printing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In addition, about the component same as the said 1st Embodiment among the components in this embodiment, the same referential mark is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The printing apparatus 20 includes a printing status data transmission unit 23 in addition to the same components as those in the first embodiment. The print status data transmission unit 23 receives print status data Z1 indicating which part of the print job is being executed in the print unit 22 (for example, what page is being printed). Send to editing device 10. The editing apparatus 10 includes a rendering control unit 14 in addition to the same components as those in the first embodiment. The rendering control unit 14 controls the generation processing of the display image data D7 in the rendering processing unit 13 based on the printing status data Z1 sent from the printing device 20. In the present embodiment, an image data generation control unit is realized by the rendering control unit 14.

<2.2 Transfer of display image data>
Next, transfer of the display image data D7 from the editing apparatus 10 to the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 will be described. In the present embodiment, the operation of the rendering processing unit 13 is controlled by the rendering control unit 14 based on the printing status data Z1. Specifically, the operation of the rendering processing unit 13 is controlled so that the display image data D7 is generated in synchronization with the printing (printing) process in the printing unit 22. As a result, the rendering processing unit 13 generates display image data D7 little by little. As a result, the display image data D7 is transferred from the editing device 10 to the printed matter inspection device 30 little by little in accordance with the printing speed of the printing device 20.

<2.3 Effects>
According to the present embodiment, the display image data D7 that is the generation source of the comparison image data D8 is transferred from the editing device 10 to the printed matter inspection device 30 little by little. Therefore, compared with the first embodiment in which the display image data D7 corresponding to the entire print job is collectively transferred from the editing apparatus 10 to the printed matter inspection apparatus 30, the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 uses the display image data D7. The memory capacity required to hold the image data D7 is reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to detect a defect in an upstream process such as the RIP process without providing the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 with a large-capacity memory.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, when double-sided printing is performed, it is possible to easily detect a printing shift between the front surface and the back surface as compared with the conventional case. This will be described below. Regarding one print job, let us consider printing and imaging (for inspection) when attention is paid to a certain part (the part indicated by reference numeral K1 in FIG. 9) of the entire printing paper. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, for example, the printing of the portion indicated by the symbol K1 is performed at the time t1, and the imaging of the portion is performed at the time t2, which is a time later than the time t1. In this case, the printing image data D4 for the portion is given to the print head 205 and the printed matter inspection apparatus 30 at a timing immediately before time t1. Here, even if the comparison and collation between the printing image data D4 and the imaging data D6 is performed immediately after the imaging, the printing image data D4 of the portion indicated by the symbol K1 is held during the period from the time t1 to the time t2. Must have been. Accordingly, assuming that the printing speed is constant, the longer the time from printing to imaging, the larger the memory capacity required to hold the printing image data D4.

  By the way, a configuration is known in which two printing apparatuses are connected in tandem (in series) so that duplex printing is possible. In this configuration, for example, the first printing apparatus performs printing on the front surface, and the second printing apparatus performs printing on the back surface. Here, in order to detect the deviation between the printing on the front surface and the printing on the back surface, ideally, the front surface and the back surface have the same timing as shown in FIG. 11 (see the portion indicated by reference numeral 80). It is preferable to take an image. In FIG. 11, reference numerals 20a and 20b indicate printing apparatuses for front surface printing and back surface printing, reference numerals 205a and 205b indicate print heads for front surface printing and rear surface printing, respectively, and reference numerals 301a and 301b respectively. Cameras for front surface imaging and back surface imaging are shown (the same applies to FIG. 12).

  However, considering that “the longer the time from printing to imaging, the larger the memory capacity required to hold the image data for printing,” in order to reduce the capacity of the installed memory, Must be placed as close as possible to the print head. Therefore, in a configuration in which two printing apparatuses are connected in tandem, the front surface imaging camera 301a is usually arranged near the front surface printing print head 205a as shown in FIG. 301b is arranged near the print head 205b for backside printing. In this regard, according to the present embodiment, since the printing status data Z1 is sent to the editing device 10, the display image data D7 used in the first inspection is sent from the editing device 10 to the printed matter inspection device 30 at an appropriate timing. It becomes possible. Accordingly, the front surface imaging camera 301a and the back surface imaging camera 301b are shown in FIG. 11 without providing a large-capacity memory for holding data used for inspection (data for comparison with the imaging data D6). It is possible to arrange as shown (however, only the first inspection is performed). In the configuration shown in FIG. 11, the first printing apparatus is realized by the printing apparatus 20a for front side printing, and the second printing apparatus is realized by the printing apparatus 20b for back side printing, and the camera 301a for imaging the front side. Thus, the first print image capturing unit is realized, and the second print image capturing unit is realized by the back surface imaging camera 301b.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to image the front surface and the back surface at the same timing without providing a large-capacity memory. As a result, it is possible to easily detect a printing deviation between the front surface and the back surface.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Editing apparatus 11 ... Page data generation part 12 ... Printing image data generation part 13 ... Rendering process part 14 ... Rendering control part 20 ... Printing apparatus 21 ... Shading correction part 22 ... Printing part 23 ... Printing status data transmission part 30 ... Printed product inspection device 31 ... Imaging unit 32 ... Comparison image data generation unit 33 ... Inspection unit 121 ... Imposition processing unit 122 ... RIP processing unit

Claims (16)

A printing system that performs printing on a recording medium based on page data,
Printing image data generating means for generating printing image data by performing imposition processing and rasterization processing based on predetermined imposition conditions based on the page data;
Printing means for printing on a recording medium based on the printing image data;
A print image imaging unit that acquires a print image represented by the image data for printing as imaging data by imaging a recording medium on which printing by the printing unit is performed;
Display image data generating means for generating display image data based on the page data;
Comparison image data generating means for generating comparison image data for comparison with the imaging data by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition condition data indicating the predetermined imposition condition When,
A printing system comprising: a first comparison unit that compares the imaged data with the comparison image data and extracts differences. The printing system includes an editing apparatus including the printing image data generation unit and the display image data generation unit, a printing apparatus as the printing unit, the print image imaging unit, and the comparison image data generation unit. And a printed matter inspection apparatus including the first comparison unit,
The image data for printing is transferred from the editing device to the printing device via a data communication line,
The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the display image data and the imposition condition data are transferred from the editing device to the printed matter inspection device via a data communication line. The printing apparatus includes printing status data transmission means for transmitting printing status data indicating a progress status of printing on the recording medium to the editing device,
The editing device includes image data generation control means for controlling the operation of the display image data generation means based on the printing status data transmitted from the printing status data transmission means,
The display image data generation means gradually generates the display image data in accordance with the progress of printing on the recording medium, and transfers the generated display image data to the printed matter inspection apparatus. The printing system according to claim 2. The printing apparatus is connected in series to each other, the first printing apparatus for performing printing on one of the front and back surfaces of the recording medium and the second for performing printing on the other of the front and back surfaces of the recording medium. Printing device,
The printed matter inspection apparatus includes a first print image capturing unit for capturing a print result by the first printing device, and a second print image capturing unit for capturing a print result by the second printing device. Including
After printing is performed by a printing device arranged at a later stage of the first printing device and the second printing device, the imaging of the front surface of the recording medium and the imaging of the back surface of the recording medium are performed at the same timing. 4. The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the first print image capturing unit and the second print image capturing unit are arranged so as to be performed. 5.   5. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a second comparison unit that compares the imaged data with the printing image data and extracts a difference. 6.   The imposition condition data includes data for specifying how to arrange and rotate a page and data representing a display image of accessories arranged outside the page by imposition processing. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.   7. The display image data generation unit is display application software for displaying an image based on the page data on a predetermined display unit. Printing system.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit is an inkjet printer. Printed matter inspection apparatus for inspecting a printing result by a printing apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium based on image data for printing generated by performing imposition processing and rasterization processing under predetermined imposition conditions based on page data Because
Print image imaging means for acquiring a print image represented by the printing image data as imaging data by imaging a recording medium on which printing based on the printing image data by the printing apparatus is performed;
Display image data acquisition means for acquiring display image data generated based on the page data;
Imposition condition data acquisition means for acquiring imposition condition data indicating the predetermined imposition condition;
Comparison image data generating means for generating comparison image data for comparison with the imaging data by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition condition data;
A printed matter inspection apparatus comprising: a first comparison unit that compares the imaged data with the comparison image data and extracts differences.   10. The printed matter inspection apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a second comparison unit that compares the imaged data with the image data for printing and extracts differences.   The imposition condition data includes data for specifying how to arrange and rotate a page and data representing a display image of accessories arranged outside the page by imposition processing. The printed matter inspection apparatus according to claim 9 or 10. An inspection program for inspecting a printing result by a printing apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium based on image data for printing generated by performing imposition processing and rasterization processing under predetermined imposition conditions based on page data There,
A print image obtained by acquiring a print image represented by the print image data as image pickup data by causing a predetermined print image pickup unit to pick up a recording medium on which printing based on the print image data by the printing apparatus has been performed. Imaging step;
A display image data acquisition step of acquiring display image data generated based on the page data;
Imposition condition data acquisition step for acquiring imposition condition data indicating the predetermined imposition condition;
A comparison image data generation step for generating comparison image data for comparison with the imaging data by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition condition data;
An inspection program, wherein a first comparison step of comparing the imaging data and the comparison image data to extract a difference is executed by a CPU of a computer using a memory.   13. The inspection program according to claim 12, further comprising a second comparison step of comparing the imaged data with the printing image data to extract a difference.   The imposition condition data includes data for specifying how to arrange and rotate a page and data representing a display image of accessories arranged outside the page by imposition processing. The inspection program according to claim 12 or 13. An inspection method in a printing system that performs printing on a recording medium based on page data,
A printing image data generation step for generating printing image data by performing imposition processing and rasterization processing based on predetermined imposition conditions based on the page data;
A printing step for performing printing on a recording medium based on the printing image data;
A print image imaging step of acquiring a print image represented by the image data for printing as imaging data by imaging the recording medium printed in the printing step;
A display image data generation step for generating display image data based on the page data;
Comparison image data generation step for generating comparison image data for comparison with the imaging data by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition condition data indicating the predetermined imposition condition When,
An inspection method comprising: a first comparison step of comparing the imaging data and the comparison image data to extract differences. An inspection method for inspecting a printing result by a printing apparatus that performs printing on a recording medium based on image data for printing generated by performing imposition processing and rasterization processing under predetermined imposition conditions based on page data. There,
A print image imaging step of acquiring a print image represented by the printing image data as imaging data by imaging a recording medium on which printing based on the printing image data by the printing apparatus is performed;
A display image data acquisition step of acquiring display image data generated based on the page data;
Imposition condition data acquisition step for acquiring imposition condition data indicating the predetermined imposition condition;
A comparison image data generation step for generating comparison image data for comparison with the imaging data by performing imposition processing on the display image data based on the imposition condition data;
An inspection method comprising: a first comparison step of comparing the imaging data and the comparison image data to extract differences.

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