IMAGE INSPECTION DEVICE, IMAGE INSPECTION SYSTEM, IMAGE INSPECTION METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM

• US 20130301083A1
• Filed: 04/30/2013
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Canon Ayutthaya Limited (Canon Inc.)
• Inventors: Kaneda, Kanako
• Application Number:
  US13/873,757
• Publication Number:
  US 20130301083A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00005 relating to image data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00015 Reproducing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00031 Testing, i.e. determining the result of a trial H04N1/00029 takes precedence; using test signals for transmission mode changing H04N2201/33371
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00063 using at least a part of the apparatus itself, e.g. self-testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00087 Setting or calibrating picture signal circuits H04N1/40
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0091 Digital copier; digital 'photocopier' H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

A device comprises: a scanning unit configured to scan a printed material obtained by printing image data; a setting unit configured to set reference data based on the image data; and a determining unit configured to determine whether a printed material is proper by comparing the image data obtained by the scan with the reference data, wherein the setting unit sets again the reference data based on the image data obtained by the scan for a subsequent printed material in a case where the determining unit determines a printed material to be proper.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a scanning unit configured to scan a printed material obtained by printing image data;

a setting unit configured to set reference data based on the image data; and

a determining unit configured to determine whether a printed material is proper by comparing the image data obtained by the scan with the reference data, wherein

the setting unit sets again the reference data based on the image data obtained by the scan for a subsequent printed material in a case where the determining unit determines a printed material to be proper.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein

the determining unit determines a printed material to be proper in a case where a difference between the image data obtained from the comparison and obtained by the scan and the reference data is within a threshold range.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein

the determining unit determines a printed material to be proper by using a first threshold range in a case where the reference data prior to setting again is used, and by using a second threshold range in a case where the reference data after setting again is used, and wherein

the second threshold range is narrower than the first threshold range.

4. A method comprising the steps of:

scanning a printed material obtained by printing image data;

setting reference data based on the image data; and

determining whether a printed material is proper by comparing the image data obtained by the scan with the reference data, wherein

the setting step includes setting again the reference data based on the image data obtained by the scan for a subsequent printed material in a case where the determining determines a printed material to be proper.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein

the determining step includes determining a printed material to be proper in a case where a difference between the image data obtained from the comparison and obtained by the scan and the reference data is within a threshold range.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein

the determining step includes determining a printed material to be proper by using a first threshold range in a case where the reference data prior to setting again is used, and by using a second threshold range in a case where the reference data after setting again is used, and wherein the second threshold range is narrower than the first threshold range.

7. An image inspection device comprising:

a determination criteria generating unit configured to obtain a density value of an image, and generate determination criteria defining a density range based on the density value;

a scanned image generating unit configured to scan a first and a second printed material on which the image is printed, and generate a first and a second scanned image;

a setting unit configured to obtain a density value of the first scanned image, and set the first scanned image to a reference image in a case where the density value of the first scanned image is within a range defined by the determination criteria; and

a determining unit configured to obtain a density value of the second scanned image, and determine whether or not a density value of the second scanned image is within the range defined by the determination criteria.

8. The image inspection device according to claim 7, further comprising an image processing unit configured to process the image so as to reduce a characteristic difference between the image and the scanned image, wherein

the determination criteria generating unit generates determination criteria based on a density value of the image processed by the image processing unit.

9. The image inspection device according to claim 7, wherein

in a case where the first and second printed materials are made in a plural number for one print job and the second printed material is printed after making the first printed material,

the determination criteria generating unit generates determination criteria used for the second printed material that is different from determination criteria used for the first printed material, the determination criteria having a density range defined based on a density value of the reference image, wherein

the density range that is defined by the determination criteria used for the second printed material is narrower than the density range defined by the determination criteria used for the first printed material, and wherein

the determining unit obtains a density value of the second scanned image corresponding to the second printed material, and determines whether or not the density value of the second scanned image is within the range defined by the determination criteria used for the second printed material.

10. The image inspection device according to claim 7, wherein

in a case where the first and second printed materials are printed materials of different pages among printed materials including a plurality of pages based on a print job, and the first printed material and the second printed material each include a template area where a same image is printed and a variable area where a different image is printed,

the determination criteria generating unit generates determination criteria defining a density range based on a density value of the reference image corresponding to the first printed material, as determination criteria used for the template area of the second printed material, and generates determination criteria defining a density range based on a density value of an image to be printed onto the second printed material, as determination criteria used for the variable area of the second printed material, and wherein

the determining unit obtains a density value of the second scanned image corresponding to the second printed material, and determines whether or not the density value of the second scanned image is within the range defined by the determination criteria used for the second printed material.

11. An image inspection method comprising:

a determination criteria generating step of obtaining a density value of an image, and generating determination criteria defining a density range based on the density value;

a scanned image generating step of scanning a first and a second printed material on which the image is printed, and generating a first and a second scanned image;

a setting step of obtaining a density value of the first scanned image, and setting the first scanned image to a reference image in a case where the density value of the first scanned image is within the range defined by the determination criteria; and

a determining step of obtaining a density value of the second scanned image, and determining whether or not the density value of the second scanned image is within the range defined by the determination criteria.

12. A program for causing a computer to execute the image inspection method according to claim 11.