Patent Description:
Conventionally, there are inspection apparatuses and inspection methods useful for determining a printing failure of a printed product.

For example, <CIT> discusses an apparatus which reads an image printed on a sheet by a sensor, compares the image read by the sensor with an original image input to the printer when the printing is performed, and determines whether the printed image has been printed appropriately. Further, <CIT> discusses an inspection method useful for inspecting misregistration of print images printed on two sides of a sheet by using a mark printed on the two sides. Furthermore, <CIT> discusses an inspection method useful for determining a printing failure by converting a RGB signal obtained by a sensor reading a printed product, into a Lab color space and comparing a color difference value in the Lab color space with a predetermined threshold value.

As discussed in <CIT>, <CIT>, and <CIT>, many inspection items for inspection processing are used in determining printing failures. They are, for example, inspection items used for the inspection of a print position, tint, and character portion. Since the inspection each user performs is different depending on the user, it is useful if the user can make a setting regarding whether to perform the inspection for each inspection item.

However, if the user makes the setting for each inspection item, it takes much time. Further, time is necessary when searching for a desired inspection item from many inspection items.

Further prior art can be found in document <CIT>, disclosing an image inspecting device, an image forming apparatus, an image inspecting method, and an image forming method. The image inspecting device sets predetermined conditions for image inspection automatically according to a paper type. Conditions for image inspection can also be set by a user if required. Based upon the set conditions for the inspection, the image inspecting device inspects output images.

Further prior art can be found in document US <NUM>/<NUM> A1, disclosing an image forming apparatus, an image inspection method, as well as a storage medium.

The present invention is directed to a method useful for simplifying user operations necessary in setting an inspection item in the processing for inspecting a printed product.

The above mentioned objects are achieved by what is defined in the appended independent claims. Advantageous modifications thereof are set forth in the appended dependent claims.

Further features and aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

Various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of the invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Exemplary embodiments described below shall not be construed as limiting the present invention and, further, not all of the combinations of the features described in the exemplary embodiments are essential to the present invention.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of an image forming apparatus <NUM> according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus <NUM> includes an operation unit <NUM>, a printer unit <NUM>, a controller unit <NUM>, an inspection unit <NUM>, and a discharge tray <NUM>. The image forming apparatus <NUM> can print an image on a sheet and inspect the obtained printed product.

When the image forming apparatus <NUM> performs printing on a sheet, the controller unit <NUM> (described in detail below with reference to <FIG>) transmits cyan, magenta, yellow, and black (CMYK) color signals to exposure control units 123C, <NUM>, 123Y, and <NUM>, respectively. Then, each of the exposure control units outputs a laser light that corresponds to the color signal it has received.

When the laser light is directed on each of photosensitive drums 121C, <NUM>, 121Y, and <NUM>, which have been charged by charging devices 122C, <NUM>, 122Y, and <NUM>, an electrostatic latent image is formed on each of the photosensitive drums. Each photosensitive drum rotates counterclockwise by a motor (not illustrated). The latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed by a corresponding developer out of developers 125C, <NUM>, 125Y, and <NUM>. The developers are connected to toner cartridges 124C, <NUM>, 124Y, and <NUM>. Thus, toner is continuously supplied to the developers as a recording material in the print processing.

An intermediate transfer member <NUM> contacts the photosensitive drums and rotates clockwise in accordance with the rotation of the photosensitive drums. When the photosensitive drum rotates, a toner image which has been developed is transferred to the intermediate transfer member <NUM>. The toner image transferred to the intermediate transfer member <NUM> is further transferred to a sheet conveyed from a cassette <NUM> or a cassette <NUM> by a transfer roller <NUM>. Further, a cleaning unit <NUM>, which cleans the toner that remains on the intermediate transfer member <NUM> after the transfer of the image by the transfer roller <NUM>, is provided at a subsequent stage. Furthermore, a density sensor <NUM>, which measures a density of the toner image on the intermediate transfer member <NUM>, is provided in the image forming apparatus.

The sheet onto which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to a fixing portion <NUM>. At the fixing portion <NUM>, the toner image is fixed by a built-in heater and a pressure roller.

The sheet that passed through the fixing portion <NUM> is temporarily conveyed from a path <NUM> to a path <NUM> by a flapper (not shown). After the trailing edge of the sheet passes the path <NUM>, the sheet is switch-backed and conveyed to a path <NUM> and to a discharge roller <NUM>. In this manner, the sheet is discharged from the printer unit <NUM> by the rotation of the discharge roller <NUM>. The image-transferred side of the sheet is face down when it is discharged.

Further, if two-sided printing is performed, the sheet is conveyed from the fixing portion <NUM> to the path <NUM> and to the path <NUM>. Then, immediately after the trailing edge of the sheet passes the path <NUM>, the sheet is switch-backed and conveyed to a two-sided conveying path <NUM> by a flapper (not shown). Subsequently, a toner image is transferred again to the sheet conveyed to the two-sided conveying path <NUM> by the transfer roller <NUM>. This toner image is also fixed to the sheet at the fixing portion <NUM>.

The sheet discharged from the discharge roller <NUM> is conveyed to the inspection unit <NUM>. At the inspection unit <NUM>, a reading unit <NUM> and a reading unit <NUM> read the image printed on the sheet and generate image data. The inspection unit <NUM> includes a sheet detection unit <NUM> which detects the sheet. The inspection unit <NUM> controls the reading timing of the image printed on the sheet according to the timing the sheet detection unit <NUM> has detected the sheet.

The image data which has been read is transmitted to an inspection control unit <NUM> (described below in detail with reference to <FIG>). Various types of inspection processing are performed at the inspection control unit <NUM>. If the sheet passes the inspection, the sheet is discharged on the discharge tray <NUM>. If the sheet does not pass the inspection, the sheet is discharged on a NG tray <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an inner configuration of the controller unit <NUM>.

A central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> performs overall control of the controller unit <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> reads out a control program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) <NUM> or a hard disk drive (HDD) <NUM> and controls the controller unit <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> stores programs used by the CPU <NUM>. A random access memory (RAM) <NUM> is used as a main memory and a temporary storage area such as a work area of the CPU <NUM>.

A non-volatile RAM (NVRAM) <NUM> stores control parameters. A network unit <NUM> performs communication control. For example, the network unit <NUM> controls transmission/reception of electronic mails and input/output of page description language (PDL) data with a host apparatus (described below with reference to <FIG>) via a local area network (LAN). The HDD <NUM> stores programs used by the CPU <NUM> as is the case with the ROM <NUM>.

An operation unit I/F <NUM> is an interface used for the communication between the controller unit <NUM> and the operation unit <NUM>. A printer communication I/F <NUM> is an interface used for the communication between the controller unit <NUM> and the printer unit <NUM>. A power control I/F <NUM> is an interface used for the communication between the controller unit <NUM> and a power control unit <NUM>.

An ACC I/F <NUM> is an interface used for the communication between the controller unit <NUM> and the inspection unit <NUM>. A HDD I/F <NUM> is an interface used for the communication between the controller unit <NUM> and the HDD <NUM>. A timer <NUM> is used for keeping the current time and monitoring whether the time which has been set has elapsed. Each of the above-described units communicates with one another via a system bus <NUM>.

An image Bus I/F <NUM> connects an image bus <NUM> which transfers image signals and the system bus <NUM>. An image compression unit <NUM>, an image rotation unit <NUM>, a raster image processor (RIP) unit <NUM>, and a printer I/F <NUM> are connected to the image bus <NUM>.

The image compression unit <NUM> performs compression/decompression processing of image data in, for example, Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) format. The image rotation unit <NUM> rotates the image data. The RIP unit <NUM> rasterizes the PDL data. The printer I/F <NUM> corrects the image data to be output and printed on a sheet. For example, the printer I/F <NUM> performs resolution conversion and transmits the print data to the printer unit <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an inner configuration of the inspection control unit <NUM> in the inspection unit <NUM>.

A CPU <NUM> performs overall control of the inspection unit <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> read outs a control program stored in a ROM <NUM> or a HDD <NUM> and controls the inspection unit <NUM>. Programs used for the operation performed by the CPU <NUM> are stored in the ROM <NUM>. Further, image data which is printed on a sheet by the printer unit <NUM> is stored in the ROM <NUM>.

A RAM <NUM> is used as a main memory and a temporary storage area such as a work area of the CPU <NUM>. A program used by the CPU <NUM> and image data printed on a sheet by the printer unit <NUM> are stored in the HDD <NUM> as is the case with the ROM <NUM>. A HDD I/F <NUM> is used for the communication between the inspection control unit <NUM> and the HDD <NUM>.

A reading I/F <NUM> performs communication between the inspection control unit <NUM> and the reading unit <NUM>. A reading I/F <NUM> performs communication between the inspection control unit <NUM> and the reading unit <NUM>. The reading I/F <NUM> controls the reading unit <NUM> and receives image data read by the reading unit <NUM>. The reading I/F <NUM> controls the reading unit <NUM> and receives image data obtained read by the reading unit <NUM>. The reading unit <NUM> reads the front side of the sheet and the reading unit <NUM> reads the back side of the sheet. Each of the reading unit <NUM> and the reading unit <NUM> includes a sensor array. The sensor arrays are arranged in such a manner that images on the entire area of the conveyed sheet can be read by the sensor arrays.

A read image processing unit <NUM> performs processing such as variable magnification processing and gamma correction processing on the image data sent from the reading units <NUM> and <NUM>, and transmits the processed data to the RAM <NUM>. A motor control unit <NUM> controls various motors in the inspection unit <NUM>. A sensor control unit <NUM> detects the state of the various sensors in the inspection unit <NUM> and notifies the CPU <NUM> of the detection result. A HOST I/F <NUM> is used for communication between the inspection control unit <NUM> and the ACC I/F <NUM> of the controller unit <NUM>. The HOST I/ F <NUM> performs transmission/reception of print setting and image data.

An image processing unit <NUM> executes inspection processing of a printed product by comparing the image data (image data for printing) stored in the ROM <NUM> or the HDD <NUM> and the image data obtained by the reading of the reading unit <NUM> or the reading unit <NUM>. Each of the above-described units communicates with one another via a system bus <NUM>.

According to the present embodiment, three types of inspection processing, which are print misregistration inspection, color inspection, and character inspection, are executable. The print misregistration inspection is used for inspecting whether there is print misregistration between the front side (first side) and the back side (second side). The color inspection is used for inspecting whether the image is printed with an appropriate tint or density. The character inspection is used for inspecting whether text information has been correctly printed. The inspection processing according to the present embodiment is not limited to the print misregistration inspection, the color inspection, and the character inspection, and the present embodiment can be applied to other inspection processing.

Regarding the print misregistration inspection, first, a distance from a reading start position to a reference point is acquired for both the front side and the back side of the sheet. Then, if the difference between the distance of the front side and the distance of the back side is greater than a predetermined threshold value, it is determined that print misregistration has occurred and the sheet is discharged on the NG tray <NUM>.

Regarding the color inspection, first a region is designated as the target of the color inspection. Next, a mean value of each RGB color of the designated region of image data read by the reading unit <NUM> (the reading unit <NUM> if the side to be inspected is the back side) and the designated region of the image data for printing is calculated. Then, a difference between the two mean values is calculated. This difference indicates the color difference. If the color difference is greater than a predetermined threshold value set in advance, it is determined that the image is not printed with the appropriate tint according to the color inspection, and the sheet is discharged on the NG tray <NUM>.

The above-described determination is made based on the assumption that a color image is printed on a sheet. If inspection of a monochromatic image is to be performed, a mean value of the density of a designated region is obtained in place of the mean value of each RGB color. Then, the difference (density difference) between two mean values is calculated and compared with a threshold value set in advance as the color inspection.

Regarding the character inspection, optical character recognition (OCR) processing is applied to the image data obtained by the reading of the reading unit <NUM> or the reading unit <NUM> and whether an appropriate character is printed in the inspection target region is determined. When the character inspection is performed, text information in PDL data is compared with text information obtained by the reading of the sheet according to the OCR processing. If it is determined that appropriate character is not printed on the sheet by the character inspection, the sheet is discharged on the NG tray <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a configuration of a host apparatus <NUM>. The host apparatus is, for example, a personal computer (PC) operated by the user.

A CPU <NUM> performs overall control of the host apparatus <NUM>. The CPU <NUM> reads out a control program stored in a ROM <NUM> or a HDD <NUM> and controls the host apparatus <NUM>. The ROM <NUM> stores programs used by the CPU <NUM>. A RAM <NUM> is used as a main memory and a temporary storage area such as a work area of the CPU <NUM>. Although programs used by the CPU <NUM> are stored in the ROM <NUM>, they are also stored in the HDD <NUM>.

A connection I/F <NUM> connects the host apparatus <NUM> and the LAN. The host apparatus <NUM> communicates with the image forming apparatus <NUM> via a network. A keyboard <NUM> is used for inputting information to the host apparatus <NUM>. Various screens are displayed on a display unit <NUM>.

By installing a printer driver in the host apparatus <NUM>, print processing and inspection processing executed by the image forming apparatus <NUM> can be controlled by the host apparatus <NUM>. When the processing is controlled by the host apparatus, a setting screen used for setting the print processing or the inspection processing is displayed on the display unit <NUM>. A print job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus <NUM> based on the setting made on the setting screen.

<FIG> illustrates a print setting screen <NUM> used for making the print setting.

The print setting screen <NUM> is displayed on the display unit <NUM> when the printer driver, which has been installed in the host apparatus <NUM>, is executed. The user can select printing methods such as "one-sided printing" and "two-sided printing" from a pull-down menu <NUM> displayed on the print setting screen <NUM>.

By selecting either of the printing methods, the user determines whether to perform printing on one side or both sides of a sheet. After then, if the user selects an OK key <NUM>, the print setting is made and the job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus <NUM>. On the other hand, if the user selects a cancel key <NUM>, the display of the print setting screen <NUM> ends.

If the user selects an inspection setting tab <NUM>, an inspection setting screen used for setting the inspection processing of the printed product is displayed. This inspection setting screen will be described in detail below with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates the inspection setting screen used for setting the inspection processing.

An inspection setting screen <NUM> is displayed when the inspection setting tab <NUM> on the print setting screen <NUM> is selected by the user. The inspection setting screen <NUM> is displayed on the display unit <NUM> when the printer driver, which has been installed in the host apparatus <NUM>, is executed as is the case with the print setting screen <NUM>. According to the present embodiment, three inspection items, which are the above-described print misregistration inspection, character inspection, and color inspection, can be set.

If the user selects a key <NUM>, a setting screen used for setting the character inspection setting is displayed. If the user selects a key <NUM>, a setting screen used for setting the color inspection is displayed. Further, if the user desires to perform the print misregistration inspection, the user clicks a check box <NUM>. Additionally, by inputting a permissible value of print misregistration between the front side and the back side of the sheet in a permissible value field <NUM>, an accuracy level of the print misregistration inspection can be set.

If the user selects an OK key <NUM>, the inspection setting is set. Then, the inspection setting is transmitted to the image forming apparatus <NUM> together with the print setting as a job. Further, if the user selects a cancel key <NUM>, the display of the inspection setting screen <NUM> ends.

As described above, the user can respectively make the setting for each inspection item via the inspection setting screen <NUM>. However, since the print misregistration inspection is effective only when the two-sided printing is selected, it is useless for a user who performs one-sided printing. A screen considering this point is an inspection setting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

The inspection setting screen <NUM> is displayed when the user selects one-sided printing on the print setting screen <NUM>. The difference between the inspection setting screen <NUM> and the inspection setting screen <NUM> is that the setting of the print misregistration inspection is disabled on the inspection setting screen <NUM>. The setting of the print misregistration inspection on the inspection setting screen <NUM> is disabled by a strikethrough <NUM>. Thus, the user is unable to make the setting for the print misregistration inspection.

Accordingly, it will be clear for the user who performs one-sided printing that the print misregistration inspection is unnecessary. Further, the screen is helpful in avoiding useless setting of unnecessary print misregistration inspection. If two-sided printing is selected by the user via the print setting screen <NUM>, the inspection setting screen <NUM> is displayed.

Although the setting of the print misregistration inspection is disabled by the strikethrough <NUM> on the inspection setting screen <NUM>, the method for disabling the setting of the present embodiment is not limited to such a method. For example, the inspection item of the print misregistration inspection can be grayed out so that the setting of the print misregistration inspection cannot be set or the inspection item of the print misregistration inspection can be hidden.

Further, a warning message can be displayed on the inspection setting screen <NUM> if the user selects the print misregistration inspection. In this case, the execution of the print misregistration inspection is enabled if the user makes the setting of the print misregistration inspection after confirming the warning message. According to this method, whether an image is printed at the correct position on the sheet when one-sided printing is performed can be determined.

Although the present embodiment has been described using one-sided printing and two-sided printing, the present embodiment can be applied to any print setting if printing on both sides or one side of a sheet is determined by the setting.

Next, the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> will be described.

The flowchart in <FIG> illustrates a display control of the print setting screen and the inspection setting screen according to the present embodiment. Each step from steps S601 to S605 is processed by the CPU <NUM> executing the printer driver installed in the host apparatus <NUM>.

In step S601, the display unit <NUM> of the host apparatus <NUM> displays the print setting screen. The print setting screen which is displayed is, for example, the print setting screen <NUM> in <FIG>.

In step S602, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the inspection setting screen is to be displayed. If the user selects the inspection setting tab <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the inspection setting screen is to be displayed (YES in step S602), and the processing proceeds to step S603. On the other hand, if the user does not select the inspection setting tab <NUM> and selects the OK key <NUM> or the cancel key <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the inspection setting screen is not to be displayed (NO in step S602), and the processing ends.

In step S603, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the printing is to be performed on both sides of the sheet based on the print setting set on the print setting screen <NUM>. For example, if the user selects two-sided printing on the print setting screen <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the printing is to be performed on both sides of the sheet (YES in step S603), and the processing proceeds to step S604. In step S604, the display unit <NUM> displays the inspection setting screen. The print misregistration inspection setting is enabled on this screen. An example of this inspection setting screen displayed is the inspection setting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

On the other hand, for example, if the user selects one-sided printing on the print setting screen <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that it is not necessary to perform printing on both sides of the sheet (NO in step S603), and the processing proceeds to step S605. In step S605, the display unit <NUM> displays the inspection setting screen. The print misregistration inspection setting is disabled on this screen. An example of this inspection setting screen displayed is the inspection setting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

If one-sided printing is set as default and is displayed on the print setting screen <NUM> and, further, if the default setting is not changed by the user, in step S603, the host apparatus determines that printing on both sides of the sheet is not necessary.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, an inspection setting screen disabling or enabling the setting of the print misregistration inspection is displayed depending on whether the printing is to be performed on both sides or one side of a sheet. Thus, the necessary inspection item becomes clearer for the user. Further, since this display is helpful in avoiding useless setting of unnecessary print misregistration inspection items, user operation necessary for the setting of the inspection items can be simplified.

According to the present embodiment, although the setting of the print misregistration inspection is disabled if one-sided printing is selected by the user as the inspection setting screen <NUM> shows, the setting of the print misregistration inspection itself can be enabled and only disabled at timing when the user executes the print misregistration inspection (e.g., selects the OK key). Further, a message that explains the reason why the setting of the print misregistration inspection has been disabled or why the execution of the print misregistration inspection has been disabled can be displayed on the screen.

Print misregistration inspection has been described in detail according to the first exemplary embodiment. The present invention, however, is not limited to the above-described system. According to a second exemplary embodiment, an example of a different embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the configurations of the image forming apparatus in the second exemplary embodiment are similar to those of the image forming apparatus in the first exemplary embodiment, their descriptions are not repeated.

The print setting screen <NUM> is displayed when the printer driver, which has been installed in the host apparatus <NUM>, is executed. The user can select whether to use a toner-saving mode from a pull-down menu <NUM> on the print setting screen <NUM>. By using the toner-saving mode (second print mode), the use amount of toner can be reduced compared to when the normal printing (first print mode) is performed. However, if the toner-saving mode is used, the print image may be faded or light-colored due to the reduced amount of toner.

If the user selects the OK key <NUM>, the print setting is set, and a job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus <NUM>. On the other hand, if the user selects the cancel key <NUM>, the display of the print setting screen <NUM> ends. Further, if the user selects an inspection setting tab <NUM>, an inspection setting screen used for the setting of the inspection processing of a printed product is displayed.

<FIG> illustrates an inspection setting screen <NUM> which is displayed when the user selects the toner-saving mode from the pull-down menu <NUM> of the print setting screen <NUM>.

On the inspection setting screen <NUM>, the inspection items which are displayed are same as those displayed on the inspection setting screen <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> except that the setting of the color inspection is disabled by a strikethrough <NUM>. When printing is performed using the toner-saving mode, the obtained print image may be faded or light-colored. Thus, an image with an appropriate tint or density may not be obtained.

Considering this point, the color inspection is dealt with as an unnecessary inspection when the printing is performed using the toner-saving mode according to the present embodiment. If the user makes the selection of not using the toner-saving mode on the print setting screen <NUM>, the inspection setting screen <NUM> in <FIG> is displayed instead of the inspection setting screen <NUM>.

Although the setting of the color inspection is disabled by the strikethrough <NUM> on the inspection setting screen <NUM>, the method for disabling the setting of the present embodiment is not limited to such a method. For example, the inspection item of the color inspection can be grayed out so that the setting of the color inspection cannot be set or the inspection item of the color inspection can be hidden.

Next, the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> will be described. The flowchart in <FIG> illustrates a display control of the print setting screen and the inspection setting screen according to the present embodiment. Each step from steps S901 to S905 is processed by the CPU <NUM> executing the printer driver installed in the host apparatus <NUM>.

In step S901, the display unit <NUM> of the host apparatus <NUM> displays a print setting screen. The print setting screen which is displayed is, for example, the print setting screen <NUM> in <FIG>.

In step S902, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the inspection setting screen is to be displayed. If the user selects the inspection setting tab <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the inspection setting screen is to be displayed (YES in step S902), and the processing proceeds to step S903. On the other hand, if the user does not select the inspection setting tab <NUM> and selects an OK key <NUM> or a cancel key <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the inspection setting screen is not to be displayed (NO in step S902), and the processing ends.

In step S903, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the toner-saving mode is to be used. If the user selects the use of the toner-saving mode on the print setting screen <NUM> (YES in step S903), the CPU <NUM> determines that the toner-saving mode is to be used and the processing proceeds to step S904. In step S904, the display unit <NUM> displays the inspection setting screen. The color inspection is disabled on this screen. An example of the inspection setting screen displayed at this time is the inspection setting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

On the other hand, if the user does not select the use of the toner-saving mode on the print setting screen <NUM> (NO in step S903), the CPU <NUM> determines that the toner-saving mode is not to be used, and the processing proceeds to step S905. In step S905, the display unit <NUM> displays the inspection setting screen. The color inspection is enabled on this screen. An example of the inspection setting screen displayed at this time is the inspection setting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Further, if the toner-saving mode is not used as the default setting and, further, if the user does not change the default setting, then the CPU <NUM> determines that the toner-saving mode is not to be used in step S903.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, an inspection setting screen disabling or enabling the setting of the color inspection is displayed depending on whether the toner-saving mode is used. Thus, the necessary inspection item becomes clearer for the user. Further, since this display is helpful in avoiding useless setting of unnecessary print misregistration inspection items, user operation necessary for the setting of the inspection items can be simplified.

According to a third exemplary embodiment, a method for simplifying input of setting items necessary in the character inspection by the user regarding the character inspection used for inspecting whether text information is correctly printed will be described. Since the configurations of the image forming apparatus in the third exemplary embodiment are similar to those of the image forming apparatus in the first exemplary embodiment, their descriptions are not repeated.

The print setting screen <NUM> is displayed on the display unit <NUM> when the printer driver, which has been installed in the host apparatus <NUM>, is executed. The user can select whether to print a date by using a pull-down menu <NUM> of the print setting screen <NUM>.

If a date is to be printed, the user can select whether to print the date on the upper left corner or the upper right corner of the sheet. However, the print area of the date is not limited to such areas. Further, if the user selects printing of the date from the pull-down menu <NUM>, the date the printing is performed or a date designated by the user is automatically printed on all the pages or on a designated page.

Further, the user can select whether to print a page number from a pull-down menu <NUM> on the print setting screen <NUM>. If a page number is to be printed, the user can select whether to print the date on the lower right corner or the lower left corner of the sheet. However, the print area of the page number is not limited to such areas. Further, if the user selects printing of the page number from the pull-down menu <NUM>, a page number is automatically printed on all the pages or on a designated page.

If the user selects an OK key <NUM>, the print setting is set and the job is transmitted to the image forming apparatus <NUM>. On the other hand, if the user selects a cancel key <NUM>, the display of the print setting screen <NUM> ends. If the user selects an inspection setting tab <NUM>, an inspection setting screen used for setting the inspection processing of the printed product is displayed. The inspection setting screen which is displayed is, for example, the inspection setting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

If the user selects the key <NUM> on the inspection setting screen <NUM>, a character inspection setting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is displayed on the display unit <NUM>. The user can make the setting for the character inspection used for inspecting whether text information is correctly printed from the character inspection setting screen <NUM>.

An image <NUM> is an example of a print image printed on a sheet. If the user selects a key <NUM>, the size of the image <NUM> can be enlarged or reduced. If the user operates a page selection bar <NUM>, the print image displayed as the image <NUM> can be changed to a print image corresponding to a different page. Further, items registered as the targets of the character inspection are listed in a registered item <NUM> displayed on the character inspection setting screen <NUM>.

Next, the content of the registered item <NUM> will be described in detail. "No" of the registered item <NUM> is an identification number automatically set for each item. Further, "page" indicates a page number of the page included in the target of the character inspection. If "all pages" is displayed in the "page" column, the character inspection is applied to all pages. Additionally, "start position" and "end position" are information useful for identifying the region of the target in the character inspection.

The item No. <NUM> of the registered item <NUM> is automatically registered as the target of the character inspection when the user selects printing of the date by using the pull-down menu <NUM> of the print setting screen <NUM>. Items of "page", "start position", and "end position" are determined based on the content selected from the pull-down menu <NUM>.

The item No. <NUM> of the registered item <NUM> is automatically registered as the target of the character inspection when the user selects printing of the page number by using the pull-down menu <NUM> of the print setting screen <NUM>. Items of "page", "start position", and "end position" are determined based on the content selected from the pull-down menu <NUM> as are determined regarding the item No. <NUM>.

If the user desires to set a certain region as a target area of the character inspection in addition to the inspection of the date and page number which have been automatically registered, the user selects a desired region (e.g., a region <NUM>) from the image <NUM> and selects an add key <NUM>. Then, the selected region will be added to the registered item <NUM> and a character inspection setting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> will be displayed. The region <NUM> is registered as the item No. <NUM> of a registered item <NUM> on a character inspection setting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Character inspection is performed according to the content of the registered items <NUM> and <NUM>. To be more precise, the image data read by the reading unit <NUM> or the reading unit <NUM> undergoes optical character recognition (OCR) processing. According to this processing, whether text information is appropriately printed in the inspect target region is determined.

Next, the flowchart illustrated in <FIG> will be described. The flowchart in <FIG> illustrates a display control of the print setting screen, the inspection setting screen, and the character inspection setting screen according to the present embodiment. Each step from steps S1201 to S1209 is processed by the CPU <NUM> executing the printer driver installed in the host apparatus <NUM>.

In step S1201, the display unit <NUM> of the host apparatus <NUM> displays a print setting screen. An example of the print setting screen which is displayed is the print setting screen <NUM> in <FIG>.

In step S1202, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the inspection setting screen is to be displayed. If the user selects the inspection setting tab <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the inspection setting screen is to be displayed (YES in step S1202), and the processing proceeds to step S1203. On the other hand, if the user does not select the inspection setting tab <NUM> and selects the OK key <NUM> or the cancel key <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the inspection setting screen is not to be displayed (NO in step S1202), and the processing ends.

In step S1203, the display unit <NUM> displays the inspection setting screen. The inspection setting screen which is displayed is, for example, the inspection setting screen <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

In step S1204, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the character inspection setting screen is to be displayed. If the user selects the key <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the character inspection setting screen is to be displayed (YES in step S1204), and the processing proceeds to step S1205. On the other hand, if the user does not select the key <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the character inspection setting screen is not to be displayed (NO in step S1204), and the processing ends.

In step S1205, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the date is to be printed. For example, if the user selects printing of date from the pull-down menu <NUM> on the print setting screen <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the date is to be printed (YES in step S1205), and the processing proceeds to step S1206. On the other hand, if the user does not select printing of date from the pull-down menu <NUM> on the print setting screen <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the date is not to be printed (NO in step S1205), and the processing proceeds to step S1207.

In step S1206, the CPU <NUM> registers date as the target of the character inspection based on the content selected from the pull-down menu <NUM>.

In step S1207, the CPU <NUM> determines whether the page number is to be printed. For example, if the user selects printing of page number from the pull-down menu <NUM> on the print setting screen <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the page number is to be printed (YES in step S1207), and the processing proceeds to step S1208. On the other hand, if the user does not select printing of page number from the pull-down menu <NUM> on the print setting screen <NUM>, the CPU <NUM> determines that the page number is not to be printed (NO in step S1207), and the processing proceeds to step S1209.

In step S1208, the CPU <NUM> registers page number as the target of the character inspection based on the content selected from the pull-down menu <NUM>.

In step S1209, the display unit <NUM> displays the character inspection setting screen. If date or page number is registered as the target of the character inspection in step S1206 or S1208, since date or page number is displayed on the character inspection setting screen <NUM>, it is automatically displayed in a registered state as the target of the character inspection in the registered item <NUM>. On the other hand, if date or page number is not registered as the target of the character inspection in step S1206 or S1208, it is not displayed in the registered state as the target of the character inspection in the registered item <NUM>.

As described above, if print setting is set so that text information such as date or page number is automatically printed according to the present embodiment, the text information can be automatically registered as the target of character inspection used for determining whether the text information is correctly printed. Thus, the user does not need to register the text information as a target of the character inspection.

According to the above-described exemplary embodiments, processing has been performed by the user operating the host apparatus <NUM> in which the printer driver has been installed. However, the user can make the print setting and the inspection setting by using a setting screen displayed on the operation unit <NUM> of the image forming apparatus <NUM>. In this case, the host apparatus <NUM> in which the printer driver is installed or the image forming apparatus <NUM> will be the setting apparatus that performs the setting of the inspection processing.

Further, although the print setting screen and the inspection setting screen are displayed as different screens in the above-described exemplary embodiments, the content of the print setting screen and the inspection setting screen can be displayed on a same screen.

Further, the above-described exemplary embodiments can also be achieved by supplying a software program that realizes each function of the aforementioned exemplary embodiments to a system or an apparatus via a network or various types of storage media, and a computer (or a CPU or a MPU) in the system or the apparatus reads and executes the program stored in such storage media.

Claim 1:
A setting apparatus performing a setting of inspection processing for inspecting a printed image, the setting apparatus comprising:
a display unit (<NUM>) configured to display a print setting screen (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) for setting a print setting for printing at least one of date and page number on a sheet in addition to an image to be printed on the sheet; and
a control unit (<NUM>) configured to register, based on the print setting for printing the at least one of date and page number being set on the print setting screen (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), an area where the at least one of date and page number is printed as a target area on which a character inspection is to be performed by an inspection unit,
characterized in that
in a case where an instruction related to an area on which the character inspection is to be performed is executed by a user on a character inspection setting screen, the control unit registers the instructed area as the target area on which the character inspection is to be performed by the inspection unit.