JP2001274941A - Device and method for inspecting picture reading system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inspection device and an inspection method of a picture reading system, which can easily and highly precisely inspect quality. SOLUTION: The inspection device 50 is provided with an auxiliary scanning direction position recognition part 52, an original position recognition part 53, a lightness recognition part 60, a main scanning direction color slurring recognition part 55, auxiliary scanning direction color slurring recognition part 56, an auxiliary scanning direction resolution recognition part 57 and a subject recognition part 58. Thus, the position precision and magnification precision of the reading original of an original stand are recognized. Position precision and feeding precision on the maximum operation side of a carriage are recognized. Reading resolution in a main scanning direction and an auxiliary scanning direction is recognized, lightness uniformity and lightness reproducibility are recognized and the reading color slurring in the auxiliary scanning direction is recognized. Thus, the arrangement of the original stand, a light source, a mirror, a lens, a line sensor or the like, the performance of the light source, the mirror, the lens, the line sensor and the signal processing part and the driving performance of the auxiliary scanning direction of the carriage or the like can highly precisely be inspected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus and an inspection method for an image reading system, and more particularly to an inspection apparatus and an inspection method for an image reading system that converts an image on a document into an electric signal and reads the image.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a large number of image pickup devices are arranged in a line, and three CCs for reading each of three primary colors are used.
2. Description of the Related Art An image reading system such as an image reading apparatus that reads a document image by moving a carriage equipped with a line sensor such as D in parallel with a document surface is known.

[0003] For example, in the case of a flat bed type image reading apparatus, a platen made of a transparent plate such as glass for placing a document is provided on the upper surface of a box-shaped casing. A carriage that is moved by a driving device in parallel with the document table is provided. The carriage is provided with a linear light source and the above-described line sensor. The light emitted from the light source is reflected on the surface of the document on the document table, and is condensed on a line sensor by a condenser lens.

[0004] When reading a transparent original such as a photographic film, a second light source is provided above the original table and moves with the movement of the carriage. When reading an image, the original placed on the platen is irradiated with light from a light source, reflected light or transmitted light from the original is condensed on a line sensor by a condenser lens, detected while moving the carriage, and detected. Is converted into an electric signal. Here, the direction in which the image sensors of the line sensor are arranged is referred to as a main scanning direction, and the direction in which the line sensor moves together with the carriage is referred to as a sub-scanning direction.

[0005] An output signal from the line sensor is converted to a digital signal by an A / D converter through an amplifier. This digital signal is, for example, when the read gradation is 8 bits,
It becomes a numerical value from 0 to 255.

[0006]

By the way, in the image reading apparatus having such a configuration, all the quality inspections are performed before the product is shipped, and only those which pass a predetermined standard are shipped as products. As the quality inspection described above, a subjective evaluation is generally performed in which image data actually read by an image reading device is loaded into a processing device such as a computer, and an image is projected on a monitor or the like to evaluate the image quality.

However, in the above-described subjective evaluation, there is a possibility that the quality standard varies due to the subjectiveness of the operator who actually performs the inspection, and the determination of a good or defective product may vary. There is a problem that if the determination of a good product or a defective product varies, the quality of a device to be shipped as a product is consequently varied.

Therefore, a quality inspection method is conceivable in which the quality of the image reading apparatus is objectively evaluated by quantifying the quality using a computer. Factors that objectively evaluate the quality of a device include the arrangement of physical elements that make up the device, the performance of the physical optical system, and the performance of the electrical signal converter, and these are important factors that affect the performance of the device. It is. here,
The arrangement of the physical elements constituting the apparatus is the arrangement of the document table, light source, mirror, lens, optical sensor, and the like, and the performance of the physical optical system is the performance of the light source, mirror, lens, and the like. The performance of the electric signal conversion unit refers to the performance of the optical sensor, the signal processing unit, and the like.

Incidentally, in order to inspect each item such as the arrangement of physical elements constituting the apparatus, the performance of the physical optical system, the performance of the electric signal converter, etc., an appropriate inspection apparatus suitable for each item is required. Must be used. However, in the past, it was a fact that there was no such an appropriate inspection device. Furthermore, the inspection of the above-mentioned items by a computer usually requires a complicated operation of the computer, so that there is a problem that the skill of the operator who actually performs the inspection needs to be enhanced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and provides an inspection apparatus and an inspection method of an image reading system capable of performing a quality inspection simply, easily, and with high accuracy. The purpose is to provide.

[0011]

According to the inspection apparatus for an image reading system according to the first aspect of the present invention or the inspection method for an image reading system according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the main scanning and the sub-scanning of the reading origin of the document table are performed. Confirming the position accuracy and magnification accuracy, and confirming the main scanning position accuracy and feed accuracy on the maximum operation side in the sub-scanning direction of the electric signal converted by the optical sensor, thereby arranging the physical elements constituting the image reading system. , And the performance of a drive system that drives one or both of the physical optical system and the electrical signal converter in the sub-scanning direction can be inspected with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the quality inspection before the product is shipped, and to prevent the quality of the image reading system shipped as the product from being varied.

Here, the magnification accuracy means the origin position confirmation unit 2
This is a result of comparing the distance between two points and the distance in an actual document at the same time as confirming the position of a point, and is also called reading width accuracy. The term "feed accuracy" refers to a comparison between the distance between the two points and the actual distance of the document at the same time as the main scanning position of the two points is confirmed by the sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit.

According to the inspection apparatus of the image reading system of the present invention, one or both of the origin position confirmation unit and the sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit is a white point portion provided on a black background. Therefore, it is possible to easily confirm the positional accuracy of the reading origin of the document table and the positional accuracy of the electric signal converted by the optical sensor in the sub-scanning direction due to the remarkable difference in contrast. Therefore, the quality inspection can be performed easily and easily.

According to the inspection apparatus of the image reading system according to the third aspect of the present invention or the inspection method of the image reading system according to the eleventh aspect, one or both of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the image reading system are provided. The reading resolution of the image reading system, the brightness of the image read by the image reading system is checked, and the reading color shift in one or both of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the image reading system is checked. Arrangement of the physical elements constituting the device, the performance of one or both of the physical optical system and the electric signal converter, and the drive system for driving one or both of the physical optical system and the electric signal converter in the sub-scanning direction Can be inspected with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the quality inspection before the product is shipped, and to prevent the quality of the image reading system shipped as the product from being varied. Here, the brightness of the image read by the image reading system includes brightness uniformity, brightness reproducibility, and the like.

According to the inspection apparatus of the image reading system of the present invention, one or both of the resolution checking section and the color misregistration checking section are provided at a plurality of equally-spaced plural parallel parts. Since there are line segments, by reading the plurality of line segments in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction, it is possible to easily confirm the reading resolution and the reading color shift in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, the quality inspection can be performed easily and easily.

According to the inspection apparatus of the image reading system according to the fifth or ninth aspect of the present invention, the brightness confirmation section has a uniform density portion. The brightness of the image read by the image reading system can be easily confirmed. Therefore, the quality inspection can be performed easily and easily.

According to the inspection apparatus of the image reading system of the present invention or the inspection method of the image reading system of the twelfth aspect, the accuracy of the main scanning and the sub-scanning of the reading origin of the document table and the accuracy of the magnification are provided. And the position accuracy and feed accuracy of the electric signal converted by the optical sensor on the maximum moving side in the sub-scanning direction are checked, and the reading resolution of one or both of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the image reading system is checked. The image reading system checks the brightness of the image read by the image reading system, and checks the reading color shift in one or both of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the image reading system. Of physical elements, performance of one or both of physical optics and electrical signal converter, and whether physical optics and electrical signal converter One or a drive system performance to drive both the sub-scanning direction can be inspected with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the quality inspection before the product is shipped, and to prevent the quality of the image reading system shipped as the product from being varied.

[0018]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention; (First Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment in which the present invention is applied to an inspection apparatus and an inspection method of a carriage moving type flat bed type image reading system.

As shown in FIG. 2, an image reading apparatus 100 as an image reading system is provided with a document table 1 made of a transparent plate such as glass on the upper surface of a housing 2. A carriage 3 that can reciprocate in parallel with the original table 1 by a driving device (not shown) is provided inside the housing 2, and a light source 4 and a line sensor 5 are mounted on the carriage 3. The irradiation light of the light source 4 is reflected on the surface of the inspection device 50 on the document table 1, reflected by a plurality of mirrors 6, and then condensed on the line sensor 5 by the condensing lens 7. The line sensor 5 includes red (R: Red) and green (G: Green)
n) and blue (B: Blue) light are converted into electric signals and output. The reflection from the plurality of mirrors 6 increases the optical path length from the inspection device 50 to the condenser lens 7. At the end of the document table 1 in the direction of movement of the carriage 3, a white reference plate 9 having a highly reflective uniform reflection surface is provided.

The signal processing unit 10 includes the interface unit 1
5 is connected to a computer 40 via a parallel transmission or serial transmission bus 16. FIG.
As shown in the figure, the signal processing unit 10 includes an amplifier 11, an A / D
It comprises a conversion unit 12, a shading correction unit 13, a gamma correction unit 16, other correction units 17, and a control unit 14.

In FIG. 3, the control device 14 includes a CPU,
The interface unit 15 and the bus 16 are configured by a microcomputer including a RAM, a ROM, and the like.
And controls the charge accumulation time of the line sensor 5 and selects a gamma function used for gamma correction, which will be described later, in accordance with a command signal from the computer 40.

The A / D converter 12 converts a light amount signal from the line sensor 5 input via the amplifier 11 into a digital signal and passes the digital signal to the shading corrector 13. This digital signal is a signal indicating a numerical value from 0 to 1023 when, for example, the read gradation is 10 bits.
The shading correction unit 13 uses the previously stored black reference data and the data obtained by reading the white reference 9 before the start of reading to determine the sensitivity variation and the light amount of the light source 4 for each photoelectric conversion element array. Correct for variations. The gamma correction unit 16 performs gamma correction using a predetermined gamma function, and converts the light amount signal output from the shading correction unit 13 into an image signal. The other correction unit 17 performs various conversions such as color correction, edge enhancement, and area enlargement / reduction.

The computer 40 is connected to a monitor 20 and a mouse 30 as an image display device, and has a central processing unit (CPU), a RAM as a main storage device,
A hard disk or the like is provided as an auxiliary storage device. By executing the inspection computer program installed on the hard disk or the like of the computer 40, control such as displaying an image on the monitor 20 and selecting an execution procedure using the mouse 30 is performed. The computer program for inspection includes a floppy disk, a CD,
-Provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a ROM or a magneto-optical disk (MO), installed on a hard disk of the computer 40,
It is read into the AM and executed by the CPU. Alternatively, the program can be provided on a network such as the Internet, and the program can be stored in a location remote from a computer that executes the program.

Next, the A4 size inspection apparatus 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The inspection device 50 is a metal plate member, and includes an inspection device main body 51, a sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit 52, and an origin position confirmation unit 53. The inspection apparatus main body 51 is connected to the sub-scanning direction position checking section 52 and the origin position checking section 53 by connecting sections 70 and 71. The inspection device body 51 includes a lightness confirmation unit 6
0, a main-scanning-direction color shift checking unit 54, a main-scanning-direction resolution checking unit 55, a sub-scanning-direction color shift checking unit 56, a sub-scanning-direction resolution checking unit 57, and a subjective checking unit 58. . The mount 51 is attached to the inspection device main body 51.

The origin position checking section 53 has white spots 53a and 53b provided on a black metal member. The white spots 53a and 53b fill holes formed in the metal member with white pigment. Formed. White spot 53a
And when the distance from the end portion of 53b and L ₁ and L _2, are set to L ₁ = L ₂ = 8mm. Also, a white spot 53a and a white spot 53b
The distance between When L _4, is set to L ₄ = 204 mm. Here, the white dot portion 53a is for confirming the positional accuracy of the reading origin of the document table 1 shown in FIG. 2, and the white dot portion 53b is for the housing 2 and the carriage 3 shown in FIG.
To check the inclination in the main scanning direction and the magnification accuracy. As the origin position confirmation unit 53, a black metal member and a hole formed in the metal member are filled with a white pigment, so that the position accuracy of the reading origin, the magnification accuracy, the housing 2 and the carriage 3 Can be checked with high precision in the main scanning direction.

The sub-scanning direction position confirmation section 52 has white spots 52a and 52b provided on a black metal member, and the white spots 52a and 52b fill holes formed in the metal member with white pigment. It is formed as follows. The distance from the end of the white spots 52a and 52b in the main scanning direction is L
₃ If is set to L ₃ = 8 mm. Also, a white point portion 52a and a white point portion 52b
When the distance between the L _5, are set L ₅ = 100 mm, the. Here, white spots 52a and 52b
Is for confirming the position accuracy and the feed accuracy on the maximum operation side of the carriage 3 shown in FIG. As the sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit 52, a black metal member and a hole formed in the metal member are filled with a white pigment, so that the maximum operation of the carriage 3 of the electric signal converted by the line sensor 5 is achieved. The position and feed accuracy on the side, that is, on the maximum operation side in the sub-scanning direction, can be confirmed with high accuracy. In FIG. 1, the black and white of the origin position confirmation unit 53 and the sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit 52 are shown inverted.

The lightness checking section 60 is for evaluating the performance of the line sensor 5 and the signal processing section 10 shown in FIG. 2, and includes a white portion 61 and a black portion 62 for checking lightness reproducibility. , And a gray portion 63 and a light gray portion 64 for confirming brightness uniformity. White part 6
1, the black part 62, the gray part 63, and the light gray part 64 have photographs of uniform density attached on a mount. White part 61,
The reflectance of the black portion 62, the gray portion 63 and the light gray portion 64 is specified to be 85%, 3%, 30% and 58%, respectively.

The main scanning direction color misregistration check section 54 is for evaluating the performance of the line sensor 5 shown in FIG. 2, and includes a plurality of line segments 54a for checking the reading color misregistration in the main scanning direction. Printed printed matter is stuck on the backing paper. A plurality of line segments 54a provided at equal intervals in parallel with each other
Means that a pair of one line segment 54a and one blank portion is 1
It is defined to be one set (1 Line-Pair / mm) per mm.

The main scanning direction resolution checking section 55 is for evaluating the performance of the mirror 6 and the condenser lens 7 shown in FIG. 2, and is provided with a plurality of lines for checking the reading resolution in the main scanning direction. The printed matter on which the minute 55a is printed is stuck on the backing paper. The plurality of line segments 55a provided at equal intervals in parallel with each other include, for example, eight pairs of one line segment 55a and one blank portion per mm (8 Line-Pair / m
m).

The sub-scanning direction color misregistration checking section 56 is for evaluating the driving performance of the carriage 3 in the sub-scanning direction shown in FIG. The printed matter on which the line segment 56a is printed is stuck on the backing paper. The plurality of line segments 56a provided at equal intervals in parallel with each other include, for example, one pair of one line segment 56a and one blank portion per 1 mm (1 Line-Pair / m
m).

The sub-scanning direction resolution checking section 57 includes a mirror 6
And to evaluate the performance of the condenser lens 7 and the like, and the driving performance of the carriage 3 in the sub-scanning direction.
A plurality of line segments 5 for confirming the reading resolution in the sub-scanning direction
The printed matter on which 7a is printed is stuck on the backing paper. The plurality of line segments 57a provided at equal intervals in parallel with each other are defined so that, for example, eight pairs (8 Line-Pair / mm) of pairs of one line segment 57a and one blank portion are provided per mm.

The subjective confirmation section 58 is provided for the monitor 20 shown in FIG.
A printed matter on which a picture image 59 of a person or the like is printed is affixed on a mount. In the origin position checking unit 53 and the sub-scanning direction position checking unit 52, an inspection is performed for a monochrome monochrome, and the brightness checking unit 60, the main scanning direction color shift checking unit 54, the main scanning direction resolution checking unit 55, the sub-scanning In the direction color misregistration confirmation unit 56 and the sub-scanning direction resolution confirmation unit 57, inspections are performed on the three colors of light R, G, and B, respectively.
An inspection is performed on the combined light of the three colors R, G, and B. Here, the monochrome monochrome means that “monochrome reading” is sent by a read command from the computer program for inspection to the image reading apparatus 100 (color reading is performed for the subjective confirmation unit 58), and monochrome data is transmitted from the image reading apparatus 100 side. Is output. When the “color reading” is sent, the R, G, and B data
Returned to 0. The monochrome data is read by R, G, and B on the image reading apparatus 100 side. However, a single color (one color) data is created by color correction (monochrome data).
It is sent to the computer 40 as image data. That is,
R, G and B are not one of the three colors,
It is monochrome data.

Next, the inspection apparatus 5 configured as described above
A method of inspecting the image reading apparatus 100 using 0 will be described. (1) The operator connects the computer 40 to the interface 15 of the image reading apparatus 100, places the inspection apparatus 50 on the platen 1 so that the surface thereof faces down, and
Starts the computer program for inspection of the image reading apparatus 100. Then, when the model of the image reading apparatus 100, the transmission method of the interface, the inspection method, and the like are selected from the images displayed on the monitor 20, a list of inspection items is displayed on the monitor 20. When the inspection method is the single method, the operator can select an item to be inspected from the displayed inspection items. In the case where the inspection method is the sequential method, the inspection is started at every predetermined inspection order and the automatic judgment is performed by pointing the pointer at the displayed execution button and pressing the button of the mouse 30. When the inspection is performed, the control device 14 controls the light source 4
Is turned on, and the carriage 3 is moved at a constant speed perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the imaging elements in each photoelectric conversion element row.
An image of one line is read by each photoelectric conversion element row of the line sensor 5 by a drive signal generated at predetermined time intervals, and output to the signal processing unit 10.

(2) The analog pixel data output to the signal processing unit 10 is converted into digital pixel data by the A / D conversion unit 12, subjected to shading correction by the shading correction unit 13, and sent to the gamma correction unit 16. .
Then, gamma correction is performed by a predetermined gamma function,
The other correction unit 17 performs a color correction process on the RGB data. The pixel data is temporarily stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the computer 40 from the interface unit 15 via the bus 16 and the inspection is performed.

Next, the case where the sequential system is selected will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In step S1 of FIG. 4, a so-called ramp test for inspecting a signal value that is not subjected to shading correction using the white reference data and the black reference data is performed. In the lamp test, inspections are performed on light of three colors of R, G, and B, respectively. In step S2 in FIG. 4, when the above signal value is within the predetermined reference range, the smoothness of the movement of the carriage 3 is inspected, dust check is performed by downloading the gamma function, and the process proceeds to step S3 in FIG. When the signal value is out of the predetermined reference range, it is determined that the product is defective in step S16 in FIG. 4, and the inspection is terminated.

In step S 3 of FIG. 4, the origin position confirmation unit 53 of the inspection device 50 is read, and the inspection of the position of the original point of the original platen 1 and the magnification accuracy inspection are performed. The inspection of the origin position and the magnification accuracy is performed for monochrome monochrome. If the origin position and the magnification accuracy are within the predetermined reference ranges in step S4 in FIG. 4, the process proceeds to step S5 in FIG. When the origin position or the magnification accuracy deviates from the predetermined reference range, step S16 in FIG.
Is judged to be defective and the inspection is terminated.

In step S 5 in FIG. 4, the sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit 52 of the inspection device 50 is read, and the position inspection and the feed accuracy inspection on the maximum operation side of the carriage 3 are executed. In the carriage maximum operation side position inspection and the feed accuracy inspection, an inspection is performed for monochrome monochrome. If the sub-scanning direction position and the feed accuracy are within the predetermined reference range in step S6 in FIG. 4, step S6 in FIG.
Go to 7. When the origin position or the feed accuracy is out of the predetermined reference range, it is determined as a defective product in step S16 in FIG. 4, and the inspection is terminated.

In step S 7 of FIG. 4, the main scanning direction resolution checking section 55 and the sub-scanning direction resolution checking section 57 of the inspection apparatus 50 are read, and the resolution checking in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is executed. In the resolution inspection in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, inspection is performed for each of the three colors of light of R, G, and B. Step S8 in FIG.
If the reading resolution in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is within a predetermined reference range, the process proceeds to step S9 in FIG. When the reading resolution in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction is out of the predetermined reference range, it is determined to be defective in step S16 in FIG. 4, and the inspection is terminated. In the resolution inspection in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction, 30 sets of line segments 55a and 57a and a blank portion are read, and the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value is divided by the sum of the maximum value and the minimum value. The non-defective or defective product is determined. Here, in the resolution inspection in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction, seven inspections are performed in the main scanning direction.

In step S 9 of FIG. 4, the brightness checking unit 60 of the inspection device 50 is read, and a brightness uniformity and brightness reproducibility test is executed. In the lightness uniformity and lightness reproducibility inspection, inspection is performed for each of the three colors of light of R, G, and B. If the brightness uniformity and the brightness reproducibility are within the predetermined reference range in step S10 in FIG. 4, the process proceeds to step S11 in FIG. If the brightness uniformity or the brightness reproducibility deviates from the predetermined reference range, it is determined as a defective product in step S16 in FIG. 4, and the inspection is terminated. In the brightness uniformity and brightness reproducibility inspection, the white portion 61, the black portion 62, the gray portion 63, and the light gray portion 64 of the brightness checking portion 60 are read, and the reflectance is compared with a reference value to determine whether the product is good or bad. A good product is determined.

In step S 11 of FIG. 4, one or both of the main-scanning-direction color misregistration checking unit 54 and the sub-scanning-direction color misregistration checking unit 56 of the inspection device 50 are read, and either one of the main-scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is read. One or both reading color misregistration inspections are performed. In the reading color misregistration inspection, inspection is performed for each of the three colors of light of R, G, and B. In step S12 of FIG. 4, when the read color shift is within the predetermined reference range, the process proceeds to step S13 of FIG. If the read color misregistration is out of the predetermined reference range, it is determined to be defective in step S16 in FIG. 4, and the inspection is terminated. In the reading color misregistration inspection, three sets of line segments 54 are used.
a or 56a and the blank portion are read, the degree of color misregistration is quantified, and a non-defective or defective product is determined. Here, the reading color misregistration inspection is performed at five locations in the main scanning direction. Usually, the read color shift in the sub-scanning direction is more problematic than the read color shift in the main scanning direction, so only the read color shift in the sub-scanning direction is inspected.

In step S 13 of FIG. 4, the subjective confirmation unit 58 of the inspection device 50 is read, and a subjective inspection is performed. In the subjective inspection, an inspection is performed on the combined light of the three colors of R, G, and B. In step S14 of FIG.
If the operator determines that the inspection is acceptable, the inspection is determined to be non-defective in step S15 in FIG. 4, and the inspection is terminated. When the operator determines that the product is rejected, it is determined that the product is defective in step S16 in FIG. 4, and the inspection is terminated. In FIG. 4, the order of inspection in each step can be changed.

In the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the position accuracy and magnification accuracy of the reading origin of the document table 1 are checked, and the position accuracy and feed accuracy of the carriage 3 on the maximum operation side are checked. Check the reading resolution in the scanning direction and sub-scanning direction, check brightness uniformity and brightness reproducibility,
By confirming the reading color shift in one or both of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the arrangement of the document table 1, the light source 4, the mirror 6, the lens 7, the line sensor 5, the light source 4, the mirror 6, the lens 7, the performance of the line sensor 5, the signal processing unit 10 and the like, and the driving performance of the carriage 3 in the sub-scanning direction can be inspected with high accuracy. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the quality inspection before the product is shipped, and prevent the quality of the image reading device 100 shipped as the product from being varied.

Further, in the first embodiment, since the origin position confirming section 53 and the sub-scanning direction position confirming section 52 have white spots 53a, 53b and 52a, 52b provided on a black background, there is a remarkable difference in contrast. The position accuracy of the reading origin of the document table 1 and the position accuracy of the carriage 3 in the sub-scanning direction can be easily confirmed. Therefore, the quality inspection can be performed easily and easily.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the main scanning direction resolution checking section 55 and the sub-scanning direction resolution checking section 5
7. Since the main-scanning-direction color shift checking unit 54 and the sub-scanning-direction color shift checking unit 56 have a plurality of parallel line segments 55a, 57a, 54a and 56a provided at equal intervals, a plurality of line segments 55a, By reading 57a, 54a and 56a in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction, it is possible to easily confirm the reading resolution and the reading color shift in the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction. Therefore, the quality inspection can be performed easily and easily.

Further, in the first embodiment, since the lightness confirmation section 60 is composed of a white portion 61, a black portion 62, a gray portion 63 and a light gray portion 64 having a portion of uniform density, By reading the uniform density portions 61, the black portion 62, the gray portion 63, and the light gray portion 64, the brightness uniformity and the brightness reproducibility of the image reading device 100 can be easily confirmed. Therefore, the quality inspection can be performed easily and easily.

In the first embodiment, the present invention is applied to the inspection device 50 and the inspection method of the carriage moving type flat bed type image reading apparatus 100. However, the line sensor and the condenser lens are fixed, and the light source and the reflection mirror group are fixed. The present invention can be applied to an inspection apparatus and an inspection method of a flat-bed image reading apparatus of a mirror moving type to be moved.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of the present invention.
Shown in In the second embodiment, the main-scanning-direction color shift confirmation unit 54 and the sub-scanning-direction color shift confirmation unit 56 of the inspection apparatus 50 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 are integrated, and the others are the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 5, the color misregistration checking unit 151 of the inspection device 150 is for evaluating the performance of the line sensor and the driving performance of the carriage in the sub-scanning direction. A printed matter on which a plurality of line segments 151a for confirming a read color shift in the scanning direction is printed is affixed on a mount. The plurality of line segments 151a provided at equal intervals in parallel with each other are, for example, one line segment 151a.
And one blank space pair per mm (1 Line
−Pair / mm). The angle of the plurality of line segments 151a with respect to the main scanning direction is defined as α = 45 °, so that a single reading confirms a read color shift in both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. can do. The evaluation becomes impossible when the read color shifts in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are the same amount. However, the probability that the read color shifts in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are the same amount is extremely small. Therefore, there is almost no problem. In the second embodiment of the present invention described above, the first
The same effect as that of the embodiment can be expected.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 6 shows a third embodiment of the present invention.
And FIG. In the third embodiment, the inspection apparatus 50 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is changed to an A3 size, and an origin position checking unit 53 and a sub-scanning direction position checking unit 5 are used.
2, a lightness confirmation unit 60, a main scanning direction color misregistration confirmation unit 54,
Main scanning direction resolution checking unit 55, sub-scanning direction color shift checking unit 56, sub-scanning direction resolution checking unit 57, and subjective checking unit 5
8 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment is divided into a first inspection apparatus 200, a second inspection apparatus 250, and a third inspection apparatus 300. .

The first inspection device 200 is a metal L-shaped plate member and includes an origin position confirmation unit 201 and a sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit 202. The origin position confirmation unit 201 has white spots 201a and 201b provided on a black metal member.
1b is formed by filling a hole formed in a metal member with a white pigment. When the distance from the edge of the white spots portions 53a and 53b and L ₁ and L _2, are set to L ₁ = L ₂ = 8mm. Also, the white point portion 201a and the white point portion 20
When the distance between 1b and L _4, are set to L ₄ = 275 mm. Here, the white point portion 201a is for confirming the positional accuracy of the reading origin of the document table, and the white point portion 201b is for confirming the inclination and magnification accuracy of the housing and the carriage in the main scanning direction. is there. Home position confirmation unit 2
01, the black metal member and the hole formed in the metal member are filled with a white pigment to obtain the positional accuracy of the reading origin, the magnification accuracy, and the inclination of the housing and the carriage in the main scanning direction. Can be checked with high accuracy.

The sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit 202 has white spots 202a and 202b provided on a black metal member. The white dots 202a and 202b fill holes formed in the metal member with white pigment. It is formed as follows. When the distance from the main scanning direction end portion of the white spots portions 202a and 202b and L _3, is set to L ₃ = 8 mm. Also, the white point portion 202a and the white point portion 20
When the distance between 2b and L _5, is set to L ₅ = 110 mm. Here, white spots 202a and 20a
2b is for confirming the position accuracy and the feed accuracy of the carriage in the sub-scanning direction. As the sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit 202, a black metal member and a hole formed in the metal member are filled with a white pigment, so that the position of the image read by the image reading device in the sub-scanning direction can be changed. Feeding accuracy can be checked with high accuracy.

The second inspection device 250 includes a lightness confirmation unit 6
0, a main-scanning-direction color shift checking unit 54, a main-scanning-direction resolution checking unit 55, a sub-scanning-direction color shift checking unit 56, and a sub-scanning-direction resolution checking unit 57. The second inspection apparatus 250 has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment except for the subjective confirmation unit and the dimension in the main scanning direction, and thus the description is omitted. The third inspection device 300 includes a subjective confirmation unit 58. In the third embodiment of the present invention described above, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an inspection device of an image reading system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an image reading system applied to the inspection method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an image reading system applied to the inspection method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining an inspection method of the image reading system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an inspection device of an image reading system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a first inspection device of an image reading system according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a second inspection device of the image reading system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a third inspection device of the image reading system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 platen 2 housing 3 carriage 4 light source 5 line sensor 6 mirror 7 condenser lens 40 computer 50 inspection device 52 sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit 53 origin position confirmation unit 54 main scanning direction color shift confirmation unit 55 main scanning direction resolution confirmation Unit 56 sub-scanning direction color shift checking unit 57 sub-scanning direction resolution checking unit 58 subjective checking unit 60 lightness checking unit 100 image reading device (image reading system) 150 inspection device 200 first inspection device 250 second inspection device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/10 H04N 1/10 1/107 F term (Reference) 2F065 AA03 AA14 BB02 BB27 EE00 FF04 FF42 FF61 GG16 HH12 JJ02 JJ25 LL12 MM07 PP02 QQ00 QQ03 QQ24 QQ25 QQ26 QQ27 QQ29 QQ32 RR06 SS02 SS13 2H108 AA02 CB01 JA00 5B047 BA02 BB02 BC05 BC09 BC11 BC14 CA02 CA05 CA07 CA11 CB07 CB08 CB09 DA04AC02 DA05AC04 XA01

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A document table on which a document is placed, a light source for irradiating light on the document surface, a mirror for reflecting light reflected on the document surface or transmitted through the document surface, and reflected light from the mirror A lens for condensing light, and an optical sensor for converting the light condensed by the lens into an electric signal. Main scanning and sub-scanning position accuracy of origin,
And an origin position confirmation unit for confirming magnification accuracy, and a sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit for confirming main scanning position accuracy and feed accuracy on the sub-scanning direction maximum operation side of the electric signal converted by the optical sensor. An inspection apparatus for an image reading system, comprising: 2. The inspection of the image reading system according to claim 1, wherein one or both of the origin position confirmation unit and the sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit have a white spot provided on a black background. apparatus. 3. A document table on which a document is placed, a light source for irradiating light on the document surface, a mirror reflecting light reflected on the document surface or transmitting light transmitted through the document surface, and reflected light from the mirror A lens that condenses the light, and an optical sensor that converts the light condensed by the lens into an electrical signal. A resolution checking unit for checking the reading resolution in one or both of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction; a brightness checking unit for checking the brightness of an image read by the image reading system; and the image reading system An inspection device for an image reading system, comprising: a color misregistration confirmation unit for confirming a color misregistration in one or both of the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction. 4. The image reading system according to claim 3, wherein one or both of the resolution check unit and the color shift check unit have a plurality of parallel line segments provided at equal intervals. Inspection equipment. 5. The inspection apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the brightness confirmation unit has a portion having a uniform density. 6. A document table for placing a document, a light source for irradiating light to the document surface, a mirror for reflecting light reflected on the document surface or transmitted through the document surface, and reflected light from the mirror A lens for condensing light, and an optical sensor for converting the light condensed by the lens into an electric signal. Main scanning and sub-scanning position accuracy of origin,
And an origin position confirmation unit for confirming magnification accuracy, and a sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit for confirming main scanning position accuracy and feed accuracy on the sub-scanning direction maximum operation side of the electric signal converted by the optical sensor. A resolution checking unit for checking the reading resolution in one or both of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the image reading system; and a brightness checking unit for checking the brightness of an image read by the image reading system. An inspection device for an image reading system, comprising: a color misregistration confirmation unit for confirming a color misregistration in one or both of a main scanning direction and a sub scanning direction of the image reading system. 7. The inspection of the image reading system according to claim 6, wherein one or both of the origin position confirmation unit and the sub-scanning direction position confirmation unit have a white point provided on a black background. apparatus. 8. The image according to claim 6, wherein one or both of the resolution checking unit and the color shift checking unit have a plurality of parallel line segments provided at equal intervals. Inspection equipment for reading systems. 9. The inspection apparatus for an image reading system according to claim 6, wherein the brightness confirmation unit has a portion having a uniform density. 10. A document table on which a document is placed, a light source for irradiating light on the document surface, a mirror for reflecting light reflected on the document surface or transmitting light transmitted through the document surface, and reflected light from the mirror A method for inspecting the quality of an image reading system comprising a lens for condensing light and an optical sensor for converting light condensed by the lens into an electric signal, Sub-scanning position accuracy,
And a step of confirming magnification accuracy, and a step of confirming main scanning position accuracy and feed accuracy on the maximum operation side in the sub-scanning direction of the electric signal converted by the optical sensor. Inspection methods. 11. A document table on which a document is placed, a light source for irradiating light to the document surface, a mirror for reflecting light reflected on the document surface or transmitted through the document surface, and reflected light from the mirror A method for inspecting the quality of an image reading system comprising a lens for condensing light and an optical sensor for converting light condensed by the lens into an electric signal, comprising: a main scanning direction and a sub-scanning direction of the image reading system. A step of checking one or both scanning resolutions of the scanning direction; a step of checking the brightness of the image read by the image reading system; and either one of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the image reading system or A step of confirming both read color misregistrations. 12. A document table on which a document is placed, a light source for irradiating light on the document surface, a mirror for reflecting light reflected on the document surface or transmitted through the document surface, and reflected light from the mirror A method for inspecting the quality of an image reading system comprising a lens for condensing light and an optical sensor for converting light condensed by the lens into an electric signal, Sub-scanning position accuracy,
And a step of confirming a magnification accuracy; a step of confirming a main scanning position accuracy and a feed accuracy of the electric signal converted by the optical sensor on a maximum operation side in a sub scanning direction; and a main scanning direction and a sub scanning of the image reading system. Confirming the reading resolution of one or both of the directions; confirming the brightness of the image read by the image reading system; and or one or both of the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction of the image reading system. Confirming a reading color shift of the image reading system.