JP6781939B2 - Device management system, management server, and image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device management system, a management server, and an image forming apparatus.

A certain image forming device (multifunction device, etc.) reads a test pattern printed on the actual machine with the image reading device of the actual machine for the purpose of maintaining the print density or the print position and analyzing the cause of the defect, and the density, color shift, and defect It is equipped with an image diagnosis function that diagnoses such things as the above and maintains the actual machine and maintains the condition based on the diagnosis result (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 4-258080

The measurement accuracy of the image reader is important for realizing a high-precision image diagnosis function, but there are individual variations in the image reader, and the flatness of the contact glass part of the image reader and the main body housing. Displacement occurs in the scan density and scan position according to mechanical characteristics such as fluctuations in the distance between the scanner frame and the contact glass.

However, the above-mentioned diagnostic imaging function does not consider the potential displacement caused by the mechanical characteristics of such an image reader, and prints the print density and print so that the print density and the displacement of the print position become zero. When the position is adjusted, the print density and the print position are deviated by the amount of this potential displacement. Since such potential displacement differs for each individual image reading device, such potential displacement can be obtained by holding displacement data indicating the potential displacement for each individual image reading device in each image forming device. Although it is possible to perform an image diagnosis function in consideration of specific displacement, a memory area for displacement data is required, which increases the cost of the image forming apparatus.

As described above, it is difficult to accurately calculate an appropriate correction amount corresponding to the current print density and print position due to the above-mentioned potential displacement.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain a device management system, an image forming apparatus, and a management server that realize a highly accurate diagnostic imaging function.

The device management system according to the present invention includes an image forming device including an image reading device and a printing device, and a management server. The management server obtains (a) a test chart image read by the image reader from the test chart printed by the printing device from the image forming device, and (b) is currently based on the test chart image. The print density and the displacement of the print position are specified, (c) the scan density and the latent displacement of the scan position due to the mechanical characteristics of the image reader in the image forming apparatus are specified, and (d) the specified latent displacement is specified. Based on the above, correction data for correcting the print density and the displacement of the print position of the printing device from the current displacement to the latent displacement is calculated. Based on the correction data, the image forming apparatus adjusts the print density and the print position so that the displacement of the print density and the print position of the print apparatus becomes the latent displacement.

The management server according to the present invention is the image forming apparatus to be adjusted from the device identification unit that identifies the image forming apparatus to be adjusted and (a) the test chart printed by the printing apparatus in the image forming apparatus to be adjusted. The test chart image read by the image reader is acquired from the image forming apparatus, (b) the current print density and the displacement of the printing position are specified based on the test chart image, and (c) the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus. The scan density and the latent displacement of the scan position due to the mechanical characteristics of the image reader are specified, and (d) the print density and the displacement of the print position of the printing apparatus are currently determined based on the identified latent displacement. A correction calculation unit for calculating correction data for correcting from the displacement to the latent displacement is provided.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an image reading device, a printing device, a controller for controlling the printing device, a communication device, and (a) reading from a test chart printed by the printing device by the image reading device. Identify the current print density and displacement of the print position based on the test chart image obtained, and (b) use the communication device to scan density and potential displacement of the scan position due to the mechanical properties of the image reader. (C) Based on the identified latent displacement and the current print density and print position, the displacement of the print density and print position of the printing device is obtained from the current displacement from the potential. Based on the correction calculation unit that calculates the correction data to be corrected to the displacement, and the correction amount of the print density and the print position so that the displacement of the print density and the print position of the printing device becomes the latent displacement. It is provided with a correction amount adjusting unit for adjusting.

According to the present invention, a device management system, a management difference bar, and an image forming apparatus that realize a highly accurate diagnostic imaging function can be obtained.

The above or other object, feature and superiority of the present invention will be further clarified from the following detailed description with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a test chart. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the device management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

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

Embodiment 1.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device management system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the system shown in FIG. 1, the management server 1 is connected to the network 2, and one or more image forming devices 3 are connected to the network 2. Further, one or more terminal devices 4 are connected to the network 2.

The management server 1 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 3 and the terminal apparatus 4 via the network 2. The network 2 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) such as an intranet and a WAN (Wide Area Network) such as the Internet. The image forming apparatus 3 is a printer, a multifunction device, or the like. The terminal device 4 is installed at a vendor or manufacturer manufacturing base of the image forming device 3.

The management server 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a communication device 11 such as a network interface, an arithmetic processing unit 12, and a non-volatile storage device 13 for storing various programs and various data.

The communication device 11 is connected to the network 2 and performs data communication with another device (image forming device 3 or the like) connected to the network 2.

The arithmetic processing unit 12 is a computer provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The CPU loads a program from the ROM, the storage device 13, and the like into the RAM. By executing it, it operates as various processing units. Displacement data 24 is stored in the storage device 13. The displacement data 24 is data indicating the scan density and the latent displacement of the scan position due to the mechanical characteristics of the image reading device 32 in each image forming device 3. The displacement data 24 includes latent displacement data associated with the device identifier for each individual of the image forming apparatus 3.

In the first embodiment, the arithmetic processing unit 12 operates as a device identification unit 21, a correction calculation unit 22, and a displacement data registration unit 23.

In the first embodiment, the device identification unit 21 uses the communication device 11 to receive the correction data request from the image forming device 3 and specify the device identifier of the image forming device 3 that has transmitted the correction data request. ..

The correction calculation unit 22 forms an image of (a) a test chart image read by the image reading device 32 in the image forming device 3 to be adjusted from the test chart printed by the printing device 33 in the image forming device 3 to be adjusted. Obtained from the device 3, (b) the current print density and the displacement of the print position are specified based on the test chart image, and (c) a scan caused by the mechanical characteristics of the image reader 32 in the image forming device 3. The density and the latent displacement of the scan position are specified, and (d) based on the specified latent displacement, correction data for correcting the print density and the displacement of the printing position of the printing apparatus 33 from the current displacement to the latent displacement is calculated. Here, the correction data is a process correction amount of the printing apparatus 33 (correction amount of the print position, correction amount of the print density of each toner color (maximum density, density of each gradation, etc.)).

When the displacement data registration unit 23 receives a registration request from the terminal device 4 and a pair of the device identifier (serial number or the like) of the image forming device 3 and the latent displacement data, the displacement data registration unit 23 stores the pair of the device identifier and the latent displacement data. It is registered in the displacement data 24 in the device 13.

Further, the image forming apparatus 3 shown in FIG. 1 includes a communication device 31 such as a network interface, an image reading device 32, a printing device 33, a non-volatile storage device 34, and an arithmetic processing device 35 as internal devices.

The communication device 31 is connected to the network 2 and performs data communication with another device (management server 1 or the like) connected to the network 2. The image reading device 32 optically reads the original image from the original and generates image data of the original image. The printing device 33 prints an image based on the image data on printing paper by, for example, an electrophotographic method.

The arithmetic processing device 35 includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a computer that loads a program from a ROM, a storage device 34, or the like into a RAM and executes the program on a CPU, and operates as various processing units by the ASIC, the computer, or the like.

In the first embodiment, the arithmetic processing unit 35 operates as a controller 41 and a correction amount adjusting unit 42.

The controller 41 designates the print density and the print position to the printing device 33, and controls the printing device 33 to execute printing (printing).

In the first embodiment, the correction amount adjusting unit 42 (a) prints a test chart with the printing device 33, reads the printed image of the test chart with the image reading device 32, and based on the image of the test chart at the present time. The print density and the displacement of the print position are specified, and (b) the communication device 31 is used to transmit the correction data request, the device identifier of the image forming apparatus, and the current print density and the displacement of the print position to the management server 1. Then, the above-mentioned correction data is received from the management server 1, and (c) based on the received correction data, the printing density of the printing device 33 and the displacement of the printing position are latent displacements with respect to the controller 41. The print density and print position of the printing device 33 are set.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a test chart. The density detection pattern for detecting the density displacement and the position detection pattern for detecting the position displacement are printed on the printing paper, and a test chart is generated. The test chart may be one or more. Then, the scan density of the printed density detection pattern and the scan position of the printed position detection pattern are specified as the current print density and the print position. The density detection pattern shown in FIG. 2 has monochrome patches of the same density at three locations in the horizontal direction and five locations in the vertical direction in A3 size. Then, for example, the G value in the RGB data of the monochrome patch of the read test chart is taken as the scan density, and the difference from the predetermined reference value is taken as the displacement of the density. Further, the position detection pattern includes, for example, a monochrome patch consisting of thin lines in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction as shown in FIG. 2, and the displacement and color shift of the patch (that is, the displacement between toner colors) and a predetermined reference value. The difference from is the displacement of the position.

Further, the terminal device 4 is, for example, a personal computer having a network function, and is an image forming device 3 that accesses the management server 1 and is shipped from the base where the terminal device 4 is installed. The pair of the device identifier and the latent displacement data of each image forming apparatus 3 input to is specified, transmitted to the management server 1, and the pair of the device identifier and the latent displacement data is registered in the management server 1.

Next, the operation of the device management system device according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the device management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

Prior to shipment of the image forming apparatus 3, the operator (worker of the manufacturer or vendor) measures the latent displacement of the image forming apparatus 3 (step S1) and inputs it to the terminal apparatus 4. The terminal device 4 transmits the device identifier and the latent displacement data of the image forming device 3 to the management server 1 together with the registration request (step S2). When the displacement data registration unit 23 of the management server 1 receives the registration request, the device identifier and the latent displacement data, the displacement data registration unit 23 registers the device identifier and the latent displacement data in the displacement data 24 (step S3). The above-mentioned test chart is used for the measurement of the latent displacement (that is, the same test chart as the measurement of the displacement in step S11 described later is used). Specifically, with respect to the image forming apparatus 3 before shipment, the test chart image of the test chart printed by the printing apparatus 33 accurately adjusted before shipment is read by the image reading apparatus 32, and the scan density is read from the test chart image. And the scan position is specified, and the difference between the scan density and the scan position and their predetermined reference value (reference value common to each model, that is, between individuals) is specified as latent displacement.

When a predetermined user operation (operation by an administrator, a service person, etc.) is detected after the image forming apparatus 3 is shipped, the correction amount adjusting unit 42 of the image forming apparatus 3 displays, for example, a test chart as shown in FIG. Printing is performed by the printing device 33. Then, the user sets the printed test chart in the image reading device 32, and performs a predetermined operation on the image forming device 3. When the operation is detected, the correction amount adjusting unit 42 reads the image of the printed test chart with the image reading device 32 (step S11), and uses the communication device 31 to request the correction data and the image forming device. The device identifier and its test chart image are transmitted to the management server 1 (step S12).

Further, when the device identification unit 21 of the management server 1 receives the correction data request, the device identifier of the image forming apparatus, and the test chart image by using the communication device 11, the device identification unit 21 identifies the device identifier. Then, the correction calculation unit 22 specifies (a) the current displacement of the print density and the print position based on the test chart image (step S13), and (b) uses the specified device identifier in the displacement data 24. The associated latent displacement is specified (step S14), and correction data for correcting the print density and the displacement of the print position of the printing apparatus 33 from the current displacement to the latent displacement is calculated (step S15). Here, the above-mentioned current displacement includes the latent displacement of the image reading device 32.

Then, the correction calculation unit 22 uses the communication device 11 to transmit the correction data to the image forming device 3 as a response to the above-mentioned correction data request (step S16).

In the image forming apparatus 3, the correction amount adjusting unit 42 receives the correction data by using the communication device 31, and based on the received correction data, the print density of the printing device 33 and the print density of the printing device 33 are displayed on the controller 41. The print position is set (step S17). As a result, the displacement of the print density and the print position of the printing device 33 becomes a latent displacement, and the print density and the print position are adjusted to the same states as those at the time of shipment.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the management server 1 includes a device identification unit 21 and a correction calculation unit 22. Then, the device identification unit 21 identifies the image forming device 3 to be adjusted, and the correction calculation unit 22 (a) prepares the image to be adjusted from the test chart printed by the printing device 33 in the image forming device 3 to be adjusted. The test chart image read by the image reading device 32 in the forming device 3 is acquired from the image forming device 3, and (b) the current print density and the displacement of the print position are specified based on the test chart image, and (c). ) The scan density and the latent displacement of the scan position due to the mechanical characteristics of the image reading device 32 in the image forming apparatus 3 are specified, and (d) the print density and the print position of the printing device 33 are specified based on the specified latent displacement. The correction data for correcting the displacement of is from the current displacement to the latent displacement is calculated. The image forming apparatus 3 adjusts the print density and the print position so that the displacement of the print density and the print position of the print apparatus 33 becomes a latent displacement based on the correction data.

As a result, the print density and the print position are adjusted to the accurate state before shipment, so that the highly accurate image diagnosis function in the image forming apparatus 3 is realized.

Embodiment 2.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a device management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In the second embodiment, the device identification unit 21 of the management server 1 uses the communication device 11 to receive the displacement data request from the image forming device 3 and transmit the displacement data request to the device of the image forming device 3. The identifier is specified, the latent displacement associated with the specified device identifier is read from the displacement data 24, and the latent displacement is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 3.

Further, in the second embodiment, the arithmetic processing unit 35 of the image forming apparatus 3 also operates as the correction calculation unit 43.

In the second embodiment, the correction calculation unit 43 of the image forming apparatus 3 (a) prints the current print density and print position based on the test chart image read by the image reading device 32 from the test chart printed by the printing device 33. (B) The communication device 31 is used to obtain the scan density and the latent displacement of the scan position due to the mechanical characteristics of the image reader 32 from the predetermined management server 1 (c). Based on the specified displacement data and the current print density and print position, correction data for correcting the print density and the displacement of the print position of the printing device 33 from the current displacement to the latent displacement is calculated.

Since the other configurations of the device management system according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

Next, the operation of the device management system device according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the operation of the device management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Since the registration of the displacement data 24 (steps S1 to S3) is the same as that in the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

When a predetermined user operation is detected after the image forming apparatus 3 is shipped, the correction amount adjusting unit 42 uses the printing apparatus 33 and the image reading apparatus 32 in the image forming apparatus 3 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The test chart image is acquired, and the correction calculation unit 43 identifies the current displacement with respect to the print density and the print position based on the test chart image (step S21).

Then, in the second embodiment, the correction amount adjusting unit 42 uses the communication device 31 to transmit the displacement data request and the device identifier of the image forming device to the management server 1 (step S22).

When the device identification unit 21 of the management server 1 receives the displacement data request and the device identifier of the image forming device 3 by using the communication device 11, the device identification unit 21 identifies the device identifier and is associated with the device identifier. The displacement is extracted from the displacement data 24 (step S23) and transmitted as latent displacement data to the image forming apparatus 3 of the transmission source of the displacement data request (step S24).

Then, the correction calculation unit 43 of the image forming apparatus 3 receives the latent displacement data, and based on the current displacement obtained in step S21 and the received latent displacement data, the print density of the printing apparatus 33 and the print density and Correction data for correcting the displacement of the print position from the current displacement to the latent displacement is calculated (step S25).

Based on the correction data calculated by the correction calculation unit 43, the correction amount adjusting unit 42 of the printing device 33 with respect to the controller 41 so that the print density and the displacement of the printing position of the printing device 33 become latent displacements. The print density and the print position are set (step S26).

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the image forming apparatus 3 is based on (a) a test chart image read by the built-in image reading device 32 from the test chart printed by the built-in printing apparatus 33. The current print density and the displacement of the print position are specified, and (b) the communication device 31 is used to determine the scan density and the latent displacement of the scan position due to the mechanical characteristics of the image reader 32. (C) Based on the specified latent displacement and the current print density and print position, the correction data for correcting the print density and the displacement of the print position of the printing apparatus 33 from the current displacement to the latent displacement is calculated. Based on the correction data, the print density and the correction amount of the print position are adjusted so that the print density and the displacement of the print position of the printing device 33 become latent displacements.

As a result, the print density and the print position are adjusted to the accurate state before shipment, so that the highly accurate image diagnosis function in the image forming apparatus 3 is realized.

It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the intent and scope of the subject and without diminishing the intended benefits. That is, it is intended that such changes and amendments are included in the claims.

The present invention can be applied to, for example, adjusting an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction device.

1 Management server 3 Image forming device 4 Terminal device 21 Device identification unit 22 Correction calculation unit 32 Image reading device 33 Printing device (example of printing device)
42 Correction amount adjustment unit 43 Correction calculation unit

Claims (5)

An image forming apparatus including an image reading device and a printing device,
Equipped with a management server
The management server obtains (a) a test chart image read by the image reader from the test chart printed by the printing device from the image forming device, and (b) is currently based on the test chart image. The print density and the displacement of the print position are specified, (c) the scan density and the latent displacement of the scan position due to the mechanical characteristics of the image reader in the image forming apparatus are specified, and (d) the specified latent displacement is specified. Based on the above, correction data for correcting the displacement of the print density and the print position of the printing device from the current displacement to the latent displacement is calculated.
The image forming apparatus adjusts the print density and the print position so that the displacement of the print density and the print position of the print apparatus becomes the latent displacement based on the correction data.
A device management system featuring. A storage device for storing the device identifier and the latent displacement in association with each individual image forming device is further provided.
The image forming apparatus transmits the device identifier of the image forming apparatus to the management server.
The management server receives the device identifier, identifies the latent displacement associated with the device identifier, and calculates the correction data based on the identified latent displacement.
The device management system according to claim 1. With more terminal devices
The management server receives the device identifier and the latent displacement of the image forming apparatus from the terminal device before shipping the image forming apparatus, and stores the received device identifier and the latent displacement in the storage device. And
After shipping the image forming apparatus, the management server receives the device identifier, identifies the latent displacement associated with the device identifier, and calculates the correction data based on the identified latent displacement. ,
2. The device management system according to claim 2. A device identification unit that identifies the image forming device to be adjusted, and
(A) From the test chart printed by the printing device in the image forming apparatus to be adjusted, the test chart image read by the image reading device in the image forming apparatus to be adjusted is acquired from the image forming apparatus, and (b) The current print density and displacement of the print position are specified based on the test chart image, and (c) the scan density and the latent displacement of the scan position due to the mechanical characteristics of the image reader in the image forming device are specified. , (D) A correction calculation unit that calculates correction data for correcting the print density and the displacement of the print position of the printing device from the current displacement to the latent displacement based on the specified latent displacement.
A management server characterized by having. Image reader and
With a printing device
A controller that controls the printing device and
Communication equipment and
(A) The current print density and the displacement of the print position based on the test chart image read by the image reader are specified from the test chart printed by the printing device, and (b) the communication device is used. The scan density and the latent displacement of the scan position due to the mechanical characteristics of the image reader are acquired from a predetermined management server, and (c) based on the identified latent displacement and the current print density and print position, the said A correction calculation unit that calculates correction data for correcting the print density and displacement of the print position of the printing device from the current displacement to the latent displacement.
Based on the correction data, a correction amount adjusting unit that adjusts the print density and the correction amount of the print position so that the displacement of the print density and the print position of the print device becomes the latent displacement.
An image forming apparatus comprising.

Images