A supply item has toner for use in an imaging device. A chip has memory storing quanta indicating allowed usage of the supply item over its lifetime and a multiplier correlating the quanta to toner mass. The imaging device requires quanta to conduct imaging operations and loads the quanta and multiplier by way of a certificate stored in the memory. The imaging device retrieves quanta from the chip over time and both devices keep tally. Initialization between the supply item and imaging device includes providing encrypted and unencrypted instances of firmware versions and certificates from the supply item that the imaging device can compare for security. Alternatively, the supply item defines a fuser assembly, imaging unit, intermediate transfer member, or other component installed for use in the imaging device.

A method for printing defect detection includes processing and analyzing a difference image obtained by comparing an image scanned with a verifier to a reference image. The detected defects are grouped, and the grouping is refined. Confidence level values are then assigned to the refined groups, and analysis is performed to determine if one or more servicing actions should be taken.

An image forming apparatus includes a processor configured to: receive paper information on a type of paper on which an image is formed; acquire assist information about assistance to supply the paper by supplying gas to the paper and adjustment information about positioning of the paper after assistance to supply the paper is performed, the assist information and the adjustment information corresponding to the received paper information and relating to transport of the paper; and perform control for storing the paper information, the assist information, and the adjustment information in association with one another into a memory.

An inspection apparatus registers, as a reference image, image data generated based on a print job or image data obtained by scanning a printed sheet. The inspection apparatus sets a determination criterion value used in an inspection of a printed material to determine quality of the printed material and determines, in an inspection method for inspecting the printed material using the registered reference image which is based on image data generated based on a print job, quality of the printed material based on a difference between scanned image data that is obtained by scanning the print material and the registered reference image and on the determination criterion value. The inspection apparatus controls updating of the registered reference image based on a result of the determination.

An image inspection apparatus includes a processor configured to acquire printing data that is data as a base of an image to be printed, acquire read data that is data obtained by reading the image printed on a paper sheet, specify whether or not the printing data or the read data is an image corresponding to any of an image having a periodic structural feature or an image not having a structural feature, in a case where the printing data or the read data corresponds to the image having the periodic structural feature or the image not having the structural feature, perform registration using a position correction amount that is a correction amount for registering an image based on the printing data and an image based on the read data and is calculated for an already printed image, and inspect the image by comparing the printing data with the read data.

An image inspection apparatus includes a processor configured to acquire printing data that is data as a base of an image to be printed, acquire read data that is data obtained by reading the image printed on a paper sheet, perform correction of a blur caused by floating of the paper sheet occurring in the reading of the image, on the read data, and inspect the image by comparing the printing data with the read data after the correction.

An information processing apparatus holds a print job and identification information of a reference image that is associated with the print job and is used in inspection printing of the print job. In a case that a reprint according to the held print job is instructed, the information processing apparatus determines whether or not a change has been made in print settings of the held print job and whether or not inspection printing that uses the reference image being associated with the held print job is possible, and in a case that it is determined that the inspection printing that uses the reference image being associated with the held print job is not possible, controls so as to set the identification information of the reference image in the held print job to none and transmits the held print job to the printing apparatus.

A first inspection apparatus registers an image scanned from a print product printed by a first printing apparatus as a first reference image, and registers information of a print job related to printing of the image with the image and first configuration information indicating configuration of the first printing apparatus. A second inspection apparatus imports the first reference image registered in the first inspection apparatus and registers the imported first reference image as the second reference image. Based on information of the print job registered with the first reference image, the first configuration information, and the second configuration information indicating the configuration of the second printing apparatus, it is controlled whether the first reference image is registered as the second reference image by reversing a front and back of the first reference image or as the second reference image without reversing the front and back of the first reference image.

A processor identifies print defect locations where printing defects occur and a assigns different sensitivity values to different zones of a job image being prepared for printing by a printing engine. The processor changes the orientation of the job image to a revised orientation, relative to print media, to avoid locating one or more high-sensitivity zones of the job image in the print defect locations. The high-sensitivity zones are ones of the zones having a sensitivity value above a threshold sensitivity value. The printing engine prints the job image on the print media at the revised orientation.

An image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit configured to acquire first image data indicating a reference image as a target print result, and second image data indicating a target image to be inspected, and a processing unit configured to inspect the target image by performing a correction on a second partial region adjacent to a first partial region to enhance the second partial region relative to a difference image representing a difference between the reference image and the target image based on the first image data and the second image data, the first partial region having a difference in between the reference image and the target image.