JP2003186654A - Image output device operation verification device, image output device operation verifying method, recording medium, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image output device operation verification device, an image output device operation verifying method, a recording medium, and a program which enable verifying detailed behavior, including the operation timings of a engine part, of an image output device, even if a controller part and the engine part are mutually connected, to improve the speed of developments of the image output device, and reduce the development cost. <P>SOLUTION: A printer analyzer is provided with an interface part 27, which obtains the contents of data communication between a printer controller 21 and a printer engine 23, a general-purpose computer 28 which obtains a command signal output from the printer controller 21, a status signal output from the printer engine 23, and a control signal communicated to and fro between the printer controller 21 and the printer engine 23 and performs emulation of the state of the printer engine 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image output device operation verification device, an image output device operation verification method, a storage medium, and a program, and more particularly, to a controller unit for generating image data and the image data such as paper. An image output device operation verification device suitable for application to a printer analyzer device for analyzing and verifying printer operation and supporting development of the controller part and engine part in a printer including an engine part for outputting to media, The present invention relates to an image output device operation verification method, a storage medium, and a program.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image output device such as a printer converts image data (print data) instructed to be output by a host computer or a digital camera connected to the image output device into image data suitable for output. The controller unit and the engine unit that receives the image data output from the controller unit and outputs the image to a medium such as paper.

A laser beam printer will be described below as an example of the image output device. A laser beam printer receives image data (print data) from a host computer through a serial line, a parallel line, or a network line such as Ethernet (registered trademark), and converts the image data into bitmap data; It consists of an engine unit that controls and drives the electrophotographic process.

The controller section and the engine section are connected by a communication path called a video interface. This video interface includes a video signal for transferring image data, a control signal for controlling timing of the image signal, a command signal for the controller unit to instruct the engine unit, and an engine unit for informing the controller unit of the engine state. Communication such as status signals for transmission is performed. The engine unit operates according to a command received from the video interface, receives a video signal (image data) according to a control signal, and outputs an image to a medium such as paper using an electrophotographic process. The engine section holds various operating states such as the electrophotographic process, and sends error information such as paper size and paper jam that can be printed by the engine section to the controller section as status signals and control signals as appropriate. To do.

In such an image output device comprising a controller section and an engine section, in order for the print data to be normally output, the engine section is appropriate for the command signal and control signal output from the controller section. It is necessary to send various status signals and control signals, convert the print data into normal image data in the controller unit, and then send the image data to the engine unit to drive the engine unit properly and output the image data. .

Conventionally, in the development process, operation verification or performance test of an image output device, the engine unit and the controller unit are connected, various print data is transmitted from the controller unit to the engine unit, and the engine unit is actually operated. It is necessary to obtain an output image, and evaluation of whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the output image is performed by human eyes.

As another operation verification / testing method for the image output device, a function of outputting a command signal and a control signal for driving the engine unit and a video signal for transmitting image data to the engine unit are output. There is a method of using a dedicated test device having a function of
In this method, the above test equipment is connected to the engine section by a video interface, and image data suitable for the purpose of the test is transmitted to the engine section to obtain the image output from the engine section, thereby performing performance evaluation and operation verification. It is carried out. When the test apparatus is connected to the engine section, the test apparatus drives the engine section instead of the controller section, so that the connection between the engine section and the controller section is cut off.

In the above-mentioned method of testing by connecting the engine section and the controller section, the control signal, the status signal and various control signals are transmitted and received between the engine section and the controller section, It is usually difficult to figure out from. As a means for displaying the operating state of the engine section, there is a printer configured so that the display section connected to the controller section or the engine section displays the operating state of the engine section. The information available is very limited.

On the other hand, when the above-mentioned dedicated test device is used, the engine state can be displayed as needed, but the device is connected to the engine part instead of the controller part. Since the controller unit is disconnected from the engine unit while the device is connected, it is difficult to grasp a sufficient engine state during the development / test of the controller unit.

[0010] To these problems, actual Kaihei 5-5396
No. 3 proposed a device that receives a video signal and various control signals transmitted and received between the engine unit and the controller unit and compares them with previously recorded image data. According to the above apparatus, it is possible to test the image data output by the controller unit even when the engine unit and the controller unit are connected.

[0012] Further, Japanese Utility Model No. 2567276 discloses a device for receiving a signal indicating an operation state output from an engine unit connected to a controller unit and monitoring the state of the engine unit. According to the above device, the engine unit operates based on the controller unit, only the engine state information is sent to the device, and the engine state can be grasped even when the controller unit is connected.

[0012]

However, the above-mentioned conventional technique has the following problems. That is, in the former technique of verifying the operation of the image output device by connecting the engine unit and the controller unit, it is possible to confirm that the image data designated in advance is correctly transmitted from the controller unit to the engine unit. Stay,
The engine status during image output operation could not be grasped. Therefore, the effect in the development of the image output device has been limited.

On the other hand, the latter prior art for verifying the operation of the image output device by a dedicated test device is a device for monitoring the status signal output from the engine section, and the signal is the status of the engine section or the paper conveyance. Since only limited information such as the state is shown, the cause of the change in the state of the engine could not be specified. In addition, it was not possible to determine whether or not the controller unit was operating at the optimum timing with respect to the engine unit, and it could not be used in detailed development and testing.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points. Even in the state where the controller section and the engine section are connected, detailed operation verification of the image output apparatus including the operation timing of the engine section is performed. Allows you to do
An object of the present invention is to provide an image output device operation verification device, an image output device operation verification method, a storage medium, and a program capable of improving the development speed of the image output device and reducing the development cost.

[0015]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an operation of an image output apparatus having a controller section for generating image data and an engine section for forming an image on a medium based on the image data. An image output device operation verification device for verifying, comprising interface means for acquiring data communication contents between the controller part and the engine part, a command signal output from the controller part, and an output from the engine part. A status signal, a control signal that is transmitted and received between the controller unit and the engine unit, and a control unit that emulates a state of the engine unit.

The present invention is also an image output device operation verification method for verifying the operation of an image output device having a controller section for generating image data and an engine section for forming an image on a medium based on the image data. And a communication step of acquiring data communication contents between the controller unit and the engine unit via interface means, a command signal output from the controller unit, a status signal output from the engine unit, the controller Section and the engine section, and a control step for executing the acquisition of a control signal exchanged between the engine section and the emulation of the state of the engine section.

Further, the present invention is applied to an image output device operation verification device for verifying the operation of an image output device provided with a controller part for generating image data and an engine part for forming an image on a medium based on the image data. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing the image output device operation verification method described above, wherein the image output device operation verification method stores data communication contents between the controller unit and the engine unit. A communication step of acquiring through an interface means, a command signal output from the controller unit, a status signal output from the engine unit, acquisition of a control signal exchanged between the controller unit and the engine unit, and the engine Control step for emulating the state of a part It is characterized in.

The present invention also provides an image output device operation verification device for verifying the operation of an image output device having a controller part for generating image data and an engine part for forming an image on a medium based on the image data. And a command step output from the controller unit, and a communication step of acquiring data communication contents between the controller unit and the engine unit via an interface unit, the program signal being output from the engine unit. A control step of acquiring a status signal, a control signal exchanged between the controller section and the engine section, and emulating the state of the engine section.

[0019]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS First, the outline of the present invention will be described.
The present invention emulates the state of the engine unit by emulating the state of the engine unit from the signal output by the controller unit and the signal output by the engine unit in a state where the controller unit and the engine unit that form the image output device are connected. By visualizing the state, and more preferably by visualizing the image data output by the controller unit, it is possible to perform detailed operation verification of the image output device. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer analyzer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the printer analyzer apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a video data control unit 20 that receives and controls various signals.
0, a video interface unit 400 for connecting the video data control unit 200 to the controller unit 100 of the printer to be analyzed, and the video data control unit 200.
And a personal computer (not shown in FIG. 1, a general-purpose computer shown in FIG. 2) connected via the expansion bus 300. The video data control unit 200 includes an image input control unit 203, a dual port memory control unit 204, and an image output control unit 20 which are connected in series with each other.
5, a controller interface controller 202, an expansion bus interface controller 202, and a frame memory 206 connected to the dual port memory controller 204.

The video data control unit 200 constituting the printer analyzer device stores the image data output from the controller unit 100 in the frame memory 206, and further stores the stored image data via the expansion bus 300 in the processing unit of the personal computer. And a variety of signals such as command signals, status signals, and control signals output from the controller unit 100, to the expansion bus 3
It has a function of notifying the processing unit of the personal computer via 00.

Controller interface controller 20
1 receives various signals such as command signals, status signals, and control signals from the controller unit 100, and notifies the processing unit of the personal computer through the expansion bus interface control unit 202 as an interrupt. The image input control unit 203 transfers the image data output by the controller unit 100 to the dual port memory control unit 204, and the dual port memory control unit 204 writes the image data in the frame memory 206. The expansion bus interface control unit 202 notifies the transfer state of the image data via the expansion bus 300, reads the image held in the frame memory 206 according to the transfer request from the personal computer, and transfers it to the image output control unit 205. . Further, the image output control unit 205 outputs the image data to the expansion bus 300.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the connection configuration of the printer analyzer device of FIG. In FIG. 2, the printer 20 is a printer analyzer device 2 according to the present embodiment.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a printer to be analyzed, which includes a printer controller 21 (controller unit 100 in FIG. 1), a printer engine 23, and a video interface 2 for connecting both.
2. The connector 24 is provided. For example, in the case of an electrophotographic printer, the engine controller that controls the engine unit drives the laser driver to electrostatically form the raster image data generated by the printer controller on the surface of the photoconductor drum and magnetically remove the toner. Attach and develop on recording paper.

The printer controller 21 includes a parallel interface (not shown) and a USB (Universal Serial).
Bus) interface or network to connect to a personal computer or the like (not shown). The connector 24 is a connector to which a signal equivalent to the signal on the video interface 22 is supplied, and is installed on the printer controller 21.

The printer analyzer device 25 includes an interface unit (PCI (Peripheral Component Interconn
ect) a general-purpose computer 28 having a board) 27,
And a CRT 29 which is a display device. The display device is not limited to the CRT and may be a liquid crystal or the like. The interface unit 27 includes the video interface unit 400 and the video data control unit 200 shown in FIG. When the printer 20 is analyzed by the printer analyzer device 25 according to the present embodiment, the video interface 22
In order to obtain the signal transmitted / received by the printer, the interface part 27 of the printer analyzer device 25 and the connector 24 on the printer controller 21 are connected by the cable 26.

The interface unit 27 receives the command signal output by the printer controller 21 and the status signal output by the printer engine 23 corresponding to the command signal, stores the command signal in the memory on the interface unit 27, and generates an interrupt. It notifies the software running on the general-purpose computer 28 that the signal has been received. The interface unit 27 also receives control signals such as an image transfer request signal and an image transfer permission signal between the printer controller 21 and the printer engine 23, and notifies the software operating on the general-purpose computer 28 in the same manner as above. To do. From these signals, the software on the general-purpose computer 28 determines the engine state and displays it on the CRT 29 or the like which is a display device.

Further, the interface section 27 receives the video signal output from the printer controller 21, and holds the output image data in the frame memory 206 on the interface section 27. The image data held in the frame memory 206 is reconstructed by the software operating on the general-purpose computer 28 and displayed on the CRT 29.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the interface section 27 in FIG. In FIG. 3, the interface unit 27 includes the video interface unit 400 and the video data control unit 200 as described above. As described in the description of FIG. 1, the video data control unit 200 is composed of a video interface logic, a memory controller, a memory, a PCI interface, etc., and stores data via the video interface unit 400 and a command signal / control. Reception processing of various signals such as signals is performed. Video data control unit 20
0 is connected to the expansion slot of the general-purpose computer 28 as a PCI interface expansion board.

The video interface unit 400 is a unit that is inter-board coupled to the video data control unit 200 and has a replaceable structure. Interface part 2
Since 7 has a configuration that can be installed in a general-purpose expansion slot,
Depending on the required processing speed, the printer analyzer device 25
It becomes possible to replace the general-purpose computer 28 serving as the system control unit. Further, by making the video interface unit 400 replaceable, the printer analyzer device 25 can be easily applied to the development of an image output device having another different interface. As a result, the hardware can be supported only by changing the video interface unit 400.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the video interface unit 400 shown in FIG. In FIG. 4, the video interface unit 400 includes a connector 40, a line driver 41 connected to the connector 40, and a direct or FIFO (Fi
rst in first out) connector 42 for inter-plate coupling connected via a memory 42. The line driver 41 is composed of a balanced signal interface driver / receiver for connecting a high-speed video signal through a cable. Image data is held in the FIFO memory 42 in accordance with the video synchronization clock.

The connector 40 is connected to the printer controller 21 (controller unit 10) via a dedicated video cable.
0) and various signals such as a video signal, a command signal, a status signal, and a control signal which are transmitted and received by the video interface 22 are input. Connector 43
Manages a physical interface with the video data control unit 200. The video data control unit 200 extracts, from the FIFO memory 42, image data transmitted based on a synchronization signal (horizontal synchronization signal and vertical synchronization signal) generated by the printer engine 23 according to a print command transmitted from the printer controller 21.

FIG. 5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the printer analyzer device shown in FIG. The printer analyzer apparatus of FIG. 1 sequentially performs image transfer processing on image data of four colors in parallel. In order to execute this image transfer processing smoothly, the frame memory 206 of the printer analyzer apparatus has a capacity capable of storing data for two pages. By continuously outputting data for two pages, the data transfer timing for each color is used to start the data transfer for the second page before the data transfer for the first page is completed, thus shortening the page interval. And the overall processing time can be significantly reduced.

In FIG. 5, the image transfer request signal a indicates the printer controller 21 (the controller unit 100 in FIG. 1).
In response to this, the printer engine 23
Returns the image transfer permission signal b. The printer controller 21, which has returned the image transfer permission signal b, transfers the image data c to f on the video interface 22 in accordance with a predetermined timing.

The signals on the video interface 22 are:
The respective signals output to the connector 24 are also input to the interface unit 27 of the printer analyzer device. Image input control unit 203 of interface unit 27
Stores the transferred image data of c to f in the frame memory 206 via the dual port memory control unit 204. When the transfer of the image data input 4 of the first page is completed, the expansion bus interface control unit 202 generates an expansion bus interrupt signal g to notify the system side (general-purpose computer 2) that the data storage of the first page is completed.
Notify 8). On the other hand, the system side acquires the image data stored in the frame memory 206 of the video data control unit 200 based on the interrupt signal via the expansion bus 300.

For data transfer from the video data control unit 200 to the system side, any method that can be executed based on the expansion bus interface may be used. For example, a method of mapping the frame memory 206 into a memory space on the expansion bus 300 and reading it by normal memory read access, or providing the video data control unit 200 side with a master transfer function operable on the expansion bus 300, It is possible to use a method of transferring to a memory designated in advance.

Through the above series of operations, the image data of the first page is transferred from the controller section 100 (printer controller 21 in FIG. 2) to the expansion bus 300 via the video data control section 200, and the image data of the second page is transferred. The transfer procedure is the same as the image data transfer procedure for the first page.

As shown in FIG. 5, the printer analyzer apparatus according to this embodiment transfers image data of the second page from the controller section 100 to the video data control section 200, and from the video data control section 200 to the expansion bus 300.
The transfer of the image data of the first page is executed in parallel. The video data control unit 200 has a memory capacity capable of storing data for two pages in order to execute image data output for the first page and image data input for the second page in parallel. Since there is a means for controlling writing in parallel, the page interval can be shortened and the processing throughput can be improved.

Next, software executed by the printer analyzer apparatus according to this embodiment (software on the general-purpose computer 28 as a host) will be described.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a software configuration on the general-purpose computer 28 shown in FIG. In FIG. 6, the general-purpose computer 28 includes an operating system (basic software) 61, a driver 62, manager layer software 63, and application software 64.
Is equipped with. In the present embodiment, Windows (registered trademark) 2000 of Microsoft Corporation in the United States is used as the operating system.

The operating system 61 manages resources such as the memory, interrupts and hard disk of the general-purpose computer 28. The driver 62 is software that provides basic operations for the interface unit 27, which is the hardware required for this embodiment. The basic operation is access to a register on the interface unit 27, access to the frame memory 206, interrupt processing from the interface unit 27, and the like. The manager layer software 63 is middleware that provides more advanced operations to the interface unit 27. The advanced operation is a function of acquiring the image data stored in the frame memory 206 on the interface unit 27 in the DIB format (device-independent bitmap format), and at the same time, reduction / enlargement / dither correction is performed at the time of acquisition. Can be processed. The manager layer software 63 internally uses the driver 62.

The application software 64 is software that serves as a user interface for the operator of the printer analyzer. Through the application software 64, the operator can give instructions to the printer analyzer device such as start, stop, and analysis. In addition, application software 64
Has a function of analyzing a command signal, a status signal and the like received from the interface unit 27 and displaying them in an easy-to-understand manner for an operator, and analyzing and displaying the state of the printer engine 23 from various received signals. The application software 64 internally uses the manager layer software 63.

Next, details of the operation of the printer analyzer apparatus according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
It will be described with reference to FIGS. The software shown in each flowchart described later is software that operates on the general-purpose computer 28 of the printer analyzer apparatus. This software is a GUI for users.
(Hical User Interface) and controls the interface unit 27.

<Real Time Analysis Processing> FIG. 7 is a function for displaying in real time the emulation of the state of the printer engine 23 and the image data generated by the printer controller 21, which is executed by the printer analyzer apparatus of FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an analysis function). In FIG. 7, when this software is activated in the printer analyzer device, initialization processing is performed (step S701). This initialization process is a process of performing initialization of variables related to the software and initialization of hardware such as setting of registers related to the video data control unit 200.
Then, the CRT 29 of the printer analyzer displays the initial screen of FIG. 8 and the engine state chart screen of FIG. 10 described later (step S702).

FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the initial screen of the CRT 29 displayed in step S702 of FIG. In FIG. 8, 801 is an image display area, and the image data generated by the printer controller 21 is displayed in this image display area 801. The user first specifies the size and color space of the image to be displayed. Reference numeral 802 denotes a combo box area for designating a paper size, and the main scanning pixel number / main scanning start position / sub scanning line number / sub scanning start position corresponding to the paper size preset in the combo box area 802 is Is set.

Reference numeral 803 denotes a detailed setting button for displaying a user interface for detailed setting. When the detailed setting button 803 is pressed, the detailed window shown in FIG. 9 is displayed. In the detail window of FIG. 9, preset parameters (main scanning start position, main scanning effective pixel number, sub-scanning starting position, sub-scanning effective line number) can be changed. In FIG. 8, 804 is a radio button, and 80
Reference numeral 5 is a start button, 806 is a stop button, 807 is a printer command area, 808 is an information area, and 809 is a printed page number display area.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an engine state chart displayed on the CRT 29 together with FIG. 8 in step S702 of FIG. In FIG. 10, ellipses 1001 to 10
Reference numeral 06 denotes an internal state that the printer engine 23 can take. The printer engine 23 of this embodiment has six internal states (idle state 1001, initialization state 1002,
It can be seen that there are a paper feeding state 1003, a printing state 1004, a paper discharging state 1005, and a post-processing state 1006).

Each arrow connecting the ellipses indicates the transition direction of the engine state. By detecting the state transition in the direction not following the arrow or the occurrence of the transition between states without an arrow,
The abnormality of the printer engine 23 can be detected.
The engine state held by the application software 64 is displayed in a prominently colored manner such as 1001. An area 1007 displays a state of signals between the printer controller 21 and the printer engine 23. Incidentally, 1008 is an engine state log display button for displaying a log in which engine state transitions described later are recorded in time series.

Returning to FIG. 7, when the image size change is instructed (YES in step S703), parameters are set to display the designated image data (step S704), and then the process proceeds to step S705. The video data control unit 200 holds only the image data of the effective area in the frame memory 206 according to the set parameters. When the display color space is instructed to be changed (YES in step S705), the parameter is set to display the designated image data (step S7).
06), the process proceeds to step S707. The display color space is color, C (cyan) plane, M (magenta) plane,
It is possible to select five types of Y (yellow) planes and K (black) planes (by selecting the radio button 804 in FIG. 8 on the CRT 29).

Since the image data output by the printer controller 21 is normally in the CMYK color space, when color is selected here, the CM stored in the frame memory 206 is stored.
The YK image data is taken out, color-converted into RGB (red, green, blue) data, and then displayed in the image display area 801 of FIG. 8 on the CRT 29. When displaying the CMYK plane, only the necessary color plane data is fetched from the frame memory 206 and displayed in the image display area 801 of the CRT 29 shown in FIG.

When the image size and the display color space have been set as described above, the actual image capturing operation can be started. Since default values are set for these parameters, there is no need to reset them if they are unnecessary.

Next, it is judged whether or not the pressing of the start button 805 of FIG. 8 on the CRT 29 is detected (step S707). When the pressing of the start button 805 is not detected, the processing from step S703 is repeated. When the pressing of the start button 805 is detected, the application software 64 sets the start of the operation of acquiring image data and various signals such as command signals in the video data control unit 200 via the software 63 of the manager layer (step S708). ), The interrupt process described later for this software is enabled (step S709).

This interrupt processing includes (1) reception of a command signal output from the printer controller 21 (2) reception of a status signal output from the printer engine 23 (3) reception of a control signal such as an image request signal or an image transfer permission signal Reception (4) This is for the video data control unit 200 to notify the software of the end of the accumulation of one page of image data to the software. Hereinafter, command signal reception interrupt processing, status signal reception interrupt processing, control signal reception interrupt processing, page end Called interrupt processing, respectively, the processing of FIG. 11, FIG.
2 corresponds to the process of FIG. 16, the process of FIG. 16 and the process of FIG.

In addition to the hardware interrupt from the interface unit 27, the interrupt process includes (5) a software interrupt for notifying software of elapse of a fixed time, which will be referred to as a timer interrupt process hereinafter. It corresponds to the process of 18. When the interrupt is enabled, this software continues to wait for the interrupt processing until the stop button 806 of FIG. 8 on the CRT 29 is pressed, and then sets the register related to the video data control unit 200 (step S708) to perform real-time operation. Terminate the analysis function.

When an interrupt occurs (YES in step S710), predetermined interrupt processing (command signal reception interrupt processing, status signal reception interrupt processing, control signal reception interrupt processing, page end interrupt processing, timer interrupt processing). Is executed (step S711), the interrupt is not generated (NO in step S710), and the stop button 806 is pressed (YES in step S712), the register relating to the video data control unit 200 is set (step S71).
3) Then, this process ends.

<Command signal reception interrupt processing> FIG.
9 is a flowchart showing a command signal reception interrupt process which is one of the interrupt processes of step S711 of FIG. In FIG. 11, the application software 64 reads the command signal received from the video data control unit 200, records the received command signal in the application software 64 together with the time (step S1101), and makes the operator aware of the received command signal. It is easily decoded and displayed in the printer command area 807 of FIG. 8 on the CRT 29 (step S11).
02), and this processing ends.

<Status signal reception interrupt processing> FIG.
2 is a flowchart showing a status signal reception interrupt process which is one of the interrupt processes of step S711 of FIG. In FIG. 12, the application software 64 reads the command signal recorded in the immediately preceding step S1101 and determines the command signal corresponding to the received status signal (step S1201). Next, the status signal received from the video data control unit 200 is read, and the received status signal is recorded in the application software 64 together with the time (step S1202).

Received status signal and step S12
The command signal read in 01 is set in step S1102.
Corresponding to the command signal displayed in step 3, the operator can easily understand CR such as "Start printing preparation → normal execution".
It is displayed in the area 807 of FIG. 8 at T29. Steps S1204 to S1205 are processes for the application software 64 to emulate the engine state, and the engine state update process (step S1204) of FIG. 13 and the timer setting process (step S1205) of FIG. The process ends.

<Engine State Update Processing> FIG. 13 is a flowchart of FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing an engine state updating process of step S1204 of FIG. In FIG. 13, the application software 64 analyzes the current engine state, the command signal immediately before read in step S1201, and the received status signal, and when it determines that the engine state has transitioned (step S1301). And YE
S), the new engine state is recorded in the application software 64 together with the time (step S130).
2) The new engine status is displayed in the information area 808 of FIG. 8 on the CRT 29 (step S1303), and this processing ends.

For example, when the current engine state is the "idle" state, if the command signal read in step S1201 is the "print preparation execution" command and the received status signal is the "normal execution" status, the engine state Transitions to the "initialized" state. In the above step S1303, the engine state chart of FIG. 10 is also updated as shown in FIG. 14, and the new engine state (initialization state in this example) is displayed darkly as 1401, and the immediately preceding engine state (this example is shown). Then Idle) 1
By displaying the color slightly darker like 402, the progress of the engine state transition can be easily grasped.

<Timer Setting Process> FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the timer setting process of step S1205 of FIG. In FIG. 15, when the application software 64 needs to set the timer interrupt (YES in step S1501), for example, when there is a possibility that the engine state transitions due to the passage of a certain time such as “under processing”. , Sets a timer interrupt corresponding to the time required for engine state transition (step S150).
2).

<Control Signal Reception Interrupt Process> FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the control signal reception interrupt process which is one of the interrupt processes of step S711 of FIG. In FIG. 16, the application software 64 reads the control signal received from the video data control unit 200, and records the received control signal in the application software 64 together with the time (step S1601). The received control signal is the area 1007 in FIG.
It is displayed by updating the display of the portion of the signal corresponding to (step S1602). Next, the engine state is updated according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 (step S
1603). For example, when the engine state is the “paper feeding” state and the control signal read in step S1601 is the “image transfer permission signal”, the engine state transitions to the “printing” state. Next, FIG.
The timer setting process (step S1604) is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

<Page End Interrupt Process> FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the page end interrupt process which is one of the interrupt processes of step S711 of FIG. In FIG. 17, the application software 64 is
The time when the page end interrupt occurs is recorded in the application software 64 (step S170).
1). Next, it is determined whether color display is designated as the display color space (step S1702). Step S
As a result of the determination in 1702, when the color display is not designated, the frame memory 2 of the video data control unit 200
The image data stored in 06 is transferred onto the working memory of the general-purpose computer 28 while reducing the conversion of the designated plane (step S1703).

In many cases, the size of the image display area 801 of the CRT 29 is smaller than the size of the image data output by the printer controller 21, so the image data is taken out while performing reduction conversion. Specifically, the number of main scanning pixels stored in the frame memory 206 is 4864 pixels,
1 for high-definition image data with 6849 sub-scanning lines
It is reduced to / 8 times and the image data of 608 pixels × 856 lines is transferred to the general-purpose computer 28. Furthermore, at this time,
The band is limited by a predetermined spatial filter in order to suppress the influence of aliasing noise and the like due to subsampling. This reduction conversion can reduce the amount of data transferred from the frame memory 206 to the general-purpose computer 28 and realize a high-speed operation.

If the display image color space is set to the CMYK plane, the image data to be extracted is only the designated plane. When only the designated plane is displayed, the amount of data transfer and the amount of processing are smaller than in the case of displaying in color, so that the stress required for the processing required by the general-purpose computer 28 can be reduced. Further, the data of each plane can be observed as it is for each plane as the data generated by the controller 21.

Subsequently, the image data is negative-positive inverted to improve the visibility of the image (step S1704),
The image is displayed in the image display area 801 of FIG. 8 on the CRT 29 (step S1707), and the displayed number of prints,
That is, the page number 809 for which printing is completed is displayed (step S1
708). If the negative / positive inversion in step S1704 is not necessary, it may be omitted. On the other hand, step S1702
As a result of the judgment of, when color display is specified,
The image data of each CMYK plane is extracted at a predetermined reduction ratio (step S1705), and color conversion processing is performed on the extracted image data (step S170).
6) After that, step S1707 and step S1708 are executed.

The color conversion process in step S1706 is as follows.
CMYK image data is converted into RGB image data for display by a conversion formula that is generally used. The following formula shows an example of a conversion formula for color conversion.

R = 1- (C + K) G = 1- (M + K) B = 1- (Y + K) The RGB image data obtained by the above conversion formula is obtained in step S1707 in FIG. Is displayed in the image display area 801. In the case of color display, the CMYK image generated by the printer controller 21 is not exactly reproduced due to color conversion processing and the difference in color reproducibility between the printer engine 23 and the display device such as the CRT 29, but as a color image. Since it is reproduced, it is effective for finding a clear rasterization error.

By the processing of steps S1702 to S1708, as a page end interrupt occurs,
Similar to the image output to the paper by the printer engine 23, the image data to be rasterized by the printer controller 21 is displayed on the CRT 29 in the image display area 80 of FIG.
1 can be displayed in real time. Subsequently, the engine state is updated according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 (step S1709), and timer setting processing is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 (step S171).
0), this processing is ended.

<Timer Interrupt Process> FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing the timer interrupt process which is one of the interrupt processes of step S711 of FIG. In FIG. 18, the application software 64 performs engine state update processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 13 (step S1801), and timer setting processing according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 (step S1802).
For example, when the printer engine 23 is in the "paper discharge" state, a predetermined time (time required for paper discharge) from the start of paper discharge
When a timer interrupt for notifying the progress of is generated, the engine state is transited to the “post-processing” state.

When it is detected in step S712 of FIG. 7 that the stop button 806 of FIG. 8 on the CRT 29 is detected (YES in step S712), the generation of interrupt processing is prohibited via the software 63 of the manager layer. , The application software 64 stops the print emulation function. At this time, the system (printer analyzer device) shifts to the offline analysis mode in FIG. The offline analysis mode provides an analysis function for the image data of the last page and the page immediately before that stored in the frame memory 206 during the operation of the real-time analysis mode.

FIG. 19 shows a CRT in the offline analysis mode.
It is explanatory drawing which shows the display screen of 29. In FIG.
The image of the last page is displayed in the image display area 1901. In the off-line analysis mode, buttons that prompt operations such as the enlargement / reduction function 1902, the data storage function 1903, the signal log display function 1904, and the previous image data designation function 1908 are enabled. Note that 1907 is a start button and 1905 is a stop button. Similarly, in the engine state chart of FIG.
The engine state log display function 1008 is activated.

<Offline Analysis Processing> FIGS. 20 and 21 are executed by the printer analyzer device shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the offline analysis process which analyzes the acquired image data. 20 and 21, the application software 64 receives an instruction to change the display color space (YES in step S2001),
The image re-pickup display process of FIG. 22 described later is executed (step S2002), and the process proceeds to step S2003. The continuation of the offline analysis process will be described later. The image data to be analyzed offline is the image data of the last page stored in the frame memory 206 as described above. However, when the check box of the previous image data designation function 1908 is enabled, the page immediately before the last page is displayed. The image data of is analyzed.

<Image Re-acquisition Display Processing> FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the image re-acquisition display processing in step S2002 of FIG. In this image reacquisition display process, the image data of the desired plane reduced to a predetermined magnification is transferred from the frame memory 206, and the image data is displayed on the CRT 29 as shown in FIG.
The image display area 801 is displayed. In FIG. 22, first, the application software 64 is
It is determined whether or not color display is designated as the display color space (step S2101). As a result of the determination in step S2101, when the color display is not designated and the CMYK independent plane is designated, only the image data of the designated plane is reduced and converted by the desired reduction ratio and stored in the general-purpose computer 28. After transferring the image data to the apparatus (step S2102) and converting the transferred image data to negative-positive (step S2103), it is displayed in the image display area 801 of FIG. 8 on the CRT 29 as monochrome grayscale image data (step S2106), and this processing is executed. finish.

On the other hand, as a result of the discrimination in step S2101,
When color display is designated, the image data of each CMYK plane is transferred to the storage device of the general-purpose computer 28 while being reduced and converted into a predetermined magnification (step S210).
Along with 4), color conversion processing is performed on the transferred image data (step S2105), the obtained RGB image data is displayed in the image display area 801 of the CRT 29 in FIG. 8 (step S2106), and this processing ends. To do.

Returning to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, when the enlargement button (enlargement / reduction function 1902) of FIG. 19 on the CRT 29 is pressed (YES in step S2003), FIG.
The image reacquisition display process of No. 2 is executed (step S200
4) and proceeds to step S2005. By pressing the enlargement button once, for example, the image data enlarged by + 10% is retransferred from the frame memory 206.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram showing the image display area 2201 displayed on the CRT 29 when the enlargement button is pressed in step S2003 of FIG. In FIG. 23, high-resolution image data is transferred from the frame memory 206 and displayed by the image display area 2201. In this case, since the image does not fit in the image display area 2201, the scroll bar 2202 is automatically displayed. The entire image can be recognized by operating the scroll bar 2202.

Returning to FIGS. 20 and 21, when the reduction button (enlargement / reduction function 1902) of FIG. 19 on the CRT 29 is pressed (YES in step S2005),
The image reacquisition display process of No. 2 is executed (step S200
6) and proceeds to step S2007. By pressing the reduction button once, for example, the image data reduced by -10% is retransferred from the frame memory 206.

Subsequently, when the reload button is pressed (YES in step S2007), the image reacquisition display process of FIG. 22 is executed (step S2008), and the process proceeds to step S2009. By pressing the reload button, the image data is retransferred from the frame memory 206 at the reduction ratio designated in the real-time analysis processing. Further, enlarged display by designating a mouse area is also possible as shown in FIG.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing how the mouse is used to specify a region on the screen of the CRT 29. In FIG. 24, reference numeral 2301 denotes a designated area, and the image data is retransferred from the frame memory 206 at the same size without reduction conversion of the area and displayed. Note that steps related to mouse operation are not shown in the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

Returning to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, next, the user C
When the save button (data save function 1903) of FIG. 19 in RT29 is pressed (YE in step S2009)
S), it is determined whether or not the display color space is set to color display (step S2010). When the save button is pressed, for example, when the display color space is set to color display, the display screen of the CRT 29 becomes as shown in FIG. 25 (TIFF (Tag Image File Format) (CMYK)).
Save in format). If the display color space is set to color display as a result of the determination in step S2010, all the colors of the CMYK image data stored in the frame memory 206 are transferred to the storage device of the general-purpose computer 28 (step S2013). A file is created in the TIFF (CMYK) format and recorded in a storage device (hard disk or the like) (step S2014).

On the other hand, as a result of the determination in step S2010,
If the display color space is not color display and CMYK plane designation is set, only the image data of the designated CMYK plane is transferred from the frame memory 206 to the storage device of the general-purpose computer 28 (step S201).
1), record as a monochrome grayscale DIB format (BMP) image file (step S2)
012). By this processing, the printer controller 21
The rasterized image data can be filed in a general format according to the display color space of the image data displayed in the image display area of the CRT 29. As a result, the image data can be analyzed by using another analysis tool or the like.

Subsequently, when the signal log display button (signal log display function 1904) is pressed on the screen of the CRT 29 of FIG. 19 (YES in step S2015), step S1101 of FIG. 11 and step S120 of FIG.
2, the command signal, the status signal, the control signal, and the page end interrupt accumulated in step S1602 of FIG. 16 and step S1701 of FIG. 17 are read (step S2016), and the read signals are displayed on the CRT 29 of the general-purpose computer 28. (Step S2
017).

At this time, the screen display of the CRT 29 is shown in FIG.
The time when the command signal was received (25
01), the command signal (2502) in hexadecimal display, the decoded command signal (2503), the status signal (2504) in hexadecimal display, and the decoded status signal (2505), the combination of the command signal and the status signal is specified. Are displayed in chronological order. Furthermore, a control signal (2506) and a page end interrupt (25
08) information is also displayed in chronological order with time, and in particular, the image transfer permission signal indicating the start of printing and the page end interrupt indicating the end of printing also display the corresponding page number (2507 and 2509). In this way, by checking the command signal, the status signal, and the control signal between the printer controller 21 and the printer engine 23, it is possible to determine whether the printer controller 21 and the printer engine 23 are normally operating in cooperation with each other. Can be verified.

Returning to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, next, referring to FIG.
In the engine state chart of, the engine state log display button (engine state log display function 10
08) is pressed (YES in step S2018)
S), the record of the engine state accumulated in step S1302 of FIG. 13 is read (step S2019), and the read record of the engine state is displayed on the CRT 29 in time series (step S2020).

The display of the CRT 29 at this time is as shown in FIG. 27, and the time (260
1), engine status before transition (2602), and engine status after transition (2603) are displayed.
By confirming the state transition timing of the printer engine 23, more detailed verification such as whether or not the printer controller 21 and the printer engine 23 are operating normally can be performed.

In the off-line analysis mode, these analysis operations can be performed on the image data stored in the frame memory 206 and various signal data stored in the general-purpose computer 28. As a result, the verification of the image data in pixel level units, the comparison of the recording of the engine state transition and the recording of the command signal state, and the like can be performed immediately after the real-time analysis mode is stopped by an easy operation. In other words, by observing the status of continuous operation in the real-time analysis mode and if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the target image data and the command and engine status log up to the time when the stop button was pressed can be analyzed offline just by pressing the stop button. It can be analyzed in detail in the mode.

Returning to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, next, the CRT 29
When the start button 1907 in FIG. 19 is pressed (YES in step S2021), the process proceeds to step S708 in FIG. 7 to immediately shift to the real-time analysis mode. When the mode is changed to the real-time analysis mode, the image data output from the printer controller 21 is stored in the frame memory 206, and the image is displayed in real time on the image display area 801 of the CRT 29 shown in FIG.

With the above operation, the verification work of the printer controller 21 can be repeated by a simple operation while shifting between the real-time analysis mode and the offline analysis mode at an arbitrary timing.

As described above, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the printer analyzer device includes the interface unit 27 for acquiring the contents of data communication between the printer controller 21 and the printer engine 23, and the printer controller 21. A general-purpose computer 28 that obtains a command signal that is output, a status signal that is output from the printer engine 23, a control signal that is exchanged between the printer controller 21 and the printer engine 23, and emulates the state of the printer engine 23.
As a result, the following effects are achieved.

In an image output device comprising a printer controller 21 for generating image data and a printer engine 23 for outputting the generated image data to a medium such as paper, the printer controller 21 and the printer engine 23 are connected to each other. Various signals such as command signals output by the printer controller 21,
The state of the printer engine 23 can be emulated from various signals such as the status signal output by the printer engine 23, and the emulated state of the printer engine 23 can be visualized. As a result, even when the printer controller 21 and the printer engine 23 are connected, it is possible to verify the detailed operation of the image output device including the operation timing of the printer engine 23, and to improve the development speed of the image output device. It is possible to improve and reduce the development cost.

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment,
Although the case where the laser beam printer is targeted as the printer has been described, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be used for developing various other printer controllers and printer engines such as an inkjet printer. Is. In that case, the video interface 22 can be applied to various printers by changing the interface system of the engine unit and the controller unit of the printer.

In the above embodiment, the connection with the printer to be analyzed was made by providing the connector 24 on the printer controller 21, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the printer engine 23 may be provided. A similar connector may be provided and the printer controller 21
The signal on the video interface may be acquired from the video cable connecting the printer engine 23 and the printer engine 23.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where the state chart is used as an example of displaying the engine state has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a paper feed tray, a photosensitive drum, and a fixing device. The internal structure of the printer such as the paper discharge tray may be illustrated so that the state of the photosensitive drum and the paper feeding may be animated in accordance with the change of the engine state.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the case where Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corp. in the US is used as the operating system has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is configured in various other environments. It is also possible to do so.

In the above embodiment, the case where the system (printer analyzer device) is configured by combining with the personal computer has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and is realized by combining with various other devices. You may.

In the above embodiment, the case where the printer having the image forming function is used as the image output device has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the copying having the image reading function and the image forming function is performed. The present invention can also be applied to a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a machine, an image reading function, an image forming function, and a facsimile function.

Further, an object of the present invention is to provide a program in which a computer (or CPU or MPU) of a system or an apparatus stores a recording medium in which a program code of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiment is stored in the recording medium. It is also achieved by reading and executing the code. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the recording medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, C
A D-ROM, a CD-R, a magnetic tape, a non-volatile memory card, a ROM, etc. can be used.

Further, by executing the program code read by the computer, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS (operating system) running on the computer based on the instruction of the program code. ) And the like perform a part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written in the memory provided in the function expansion board inserted into the computer or the function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. This also includes a case where a CPU or the like included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs a part or all of the actual processing and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

The program code at this time is M
It may be PU native code, or written in a predetermined interpreter language and MPU at runtime.
It may be converted into a native code, or may be script data described in a predetermined format and interpreted and executed by an operating system or the like.

[0101]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In an image output device including a controller unit that generates image data and an engine unit that forms an image on a medium such as paper based on the generated image data, the controller unit is in a state in which the controller unit and the engine unit are connected. From various signals such as command signals output by, and various signals such as status signals output by the engine unit,
It is possible to emulate the state of the engine part and visualize the emulated state of the engine part. As a result, it is possible to verify the detailed operation of the image output device, including the operation timing of the engine part, even when the controller part and the engine part are connected, improving the development speed and development of the image output device. The effect is that the cost can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing apparatus having a printer analyzer apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection configuration of the printer analyzer device of FIG.

3 is a diagram showing a physical shape of an interface unit of FIG.

4 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of a video interface unit of FIG.

5 is a timing chart showing the operation of the printer analyzer apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of software on the general-purpose computer of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a real-time analysis process executed by the printer analyzer device of FIG.

8 is a diagram showing an initial screen of a CRT displayed in step S702 of FIG.

9 is a diagram showing a detailed setting window displayed on the CRT when the detailed setting button in FIG. 8 is pressed.

10 is a diagram showing an initial screen of a CRT displayed together with FIG. 8 in step S702 of FIG.

11 is a flowchart showing command signal reception interrupt processing in step S711 of FIG.

12 is a flowchart showing a status signal reception interrupt process in step S711 of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an engine state update process in step S1204 of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an engine state transition in step S1303 of FIG.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a timer setting process in step S1205 of FIG.

16 is a flowchart showing control signal reception interrupt processing in step S711 of FIG. 7. FIG.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing page end interrupt processing in step S711 of FIG.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing timer interrupt processing in step S711 of FIG.

19 is a diagram showing a window displayed on the CRT when the stop button in FIG. 8 is pressed.

20 is a flowchart showing an offline analysis process executed by the printer analyzer apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 20.

22 is a flowchart showing an image reacquisition display process in step S2002 of FIG.

23 is a diagram showing a display screen of the CRT when the enlargement button is pressed in step S2003 of FIG.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing how an area is designated by a mouse.

FIG. 25 is a diagram showing a display screen of the CRT when the save button is pressed in step S2009 of FIG.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a display screen of the CRT when the signal log display button is pressed in step S2015 of FIG. 21.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a display screen of the CRT when the engine status log display button is pressed in step S2018 of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 Printer (Image Output Device) 21 Printer Controller (Controller Unit) 23 Printer Engine (Engine Unit) 25 Printer Analyzer Device (Image Output Device Operation Verification Device) 27 Interface Unit (Interface Means) 28 General Purpose Computer (and Works on General Purpose Computer) Software: control means, command signal acquisition means, status signal acquisition means, control signal acquisition means, timing means, emulation means, image data acquisition means, command signal recording means, status signal recording means,
Control signal recording means, signal recording means, engine status recording means) 29 CRT (engine status display means, signal log display means, engine status log display means) 100 controller section 200 video data control section (interface means) 206 frame memory (image Data holding means) 400 Video interface section (interface means)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masami Kato             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation (72) Inventor Isamu Ozawa             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F-term (reference) 2C061 KK04 KK13 KK35                 5B021 BB00 NN00

Claims (52)

[Claims] 1. An image output device operation verification device for verifying the operation of an image output device comprising a controller part for generating image data and an engine part for forming an image on a medium based on the image data. Unit for acquiring data communication contents between the engine unit and the engine unit, a command signal output from the controller unit, a status signal output from the engine unit, exchanged between the controller unit and the engine unit Control signal acquisition,
And an image output device operation verification device, comprising: a control unit that executes emulation of a state of the engine unit. 2. A command signal acquisition unit for acquiring a command signal output from the controller unit via the interface unit, and a status signal acquisition unit for acquiring a status signal output from the engine unit via the interface unit. Means, control signal acquisition means for acquiring control signals transmitted and received by the controller part and the engine part via the interface means, timing means for notifying the elapse of a predetermined time, the acquired command signal and the 2. The image output apparatus operation verification apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising emulation means for emulating the state of the engine section according to the acquired status signal, the acquired control signal, and the time notification by the timing means. . 3. The image output apparatus operation verification apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising engine state display means for displaying a state of the emulated engine section. 4. An image data acquisition unit for acquiring the image data output from the controller unit via the interface unit, an image data holding unit for holding the acquired image data, and a visualization of the held image data. The image output apparatus operation verification apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: 5. A command signal recording means for recording the acquired command signal and the reception time of the command signal,
7. A status signal recording means for recording the acquired status signal and a reception time of the status signal, and a control signal recording means for recording the acquired control signal and a reception time of the control signal. 5. The image output device operation verification device according to any one of 1 to 4. 6. At least one of the acquired command signal and the reception time of the command signal, the acquired status signal and the reception time of the status signal, and the acquired control signal and the reception time of the control signal. The image output apparatus operation verification apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a signal recording unit that records one of them. 7. A command signal sequence recorded by the command signal recording unit, a status signal sequence recorded by the status signal recording unit, and a control signal sequence recorded by the control signal recording unit. The image output apparatus operation verification apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising signal log display means for displaying one or all of them. 8. The image output device operation verification device according to claim 7, wherein the signal log display means displays the command signal sequence, the status signal sequence, and the control signal sequence in time series. 9. The image output device operation verification apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the signal log display means clearly indicates a combination of the signal of the command signal sequence and the signal of the status signal sequence. 10. An engine state recording means for recording a state of the emulated engine section and a transition time of the state of the engine section.
10. The image output device operation verification device according to any one of 9 to 9. 11. The image output apparatus operation verification apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising engine state log display means for displaying an engine state sequence recorded by the engine state recording means. 12. The image output apparatus operation verification apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the engine status log display means displays the engine status sequence in time series. 13. The image output device includes a printer having an image forming function, a copying machine having an image reading function / image forming function, and a plurality of functions such as an image reading function / image forming function / facsimile function. The image output apparatus operation verification apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a multi-function peripheral. 14. An image output device operation verification method for verifying the operation of an image output device comprising a controller section for generating image data and an engine section for forming an image on a medium based on the image data, said controller comprising: Step of acquiring data communication contents between the engine section and the engine section through interface means, a command signal output from the controller section, a status signal output from the engine section, the controller section and the engine And a control step for executing emulation of the state of the engine section, the method for verifying operation of an image output apparatus. 15. A command signal acquisition step of acquiring a command signal output from the controller section via the communication step, and a status signal acquisition step of acquiring a status signal output from the engine section via the communication step. A step, a control signal acquisition step of acquiring a control signal exchanged between the controller section and the engine section via the communication step, a time counting step of notifying the elapse of a predetermined time, the acquired command signal and the 15. The image output apparatus operation verification method according to claim 14, further comprising: an emulation step of emulating a state of the engine unit according to the acquired status signal, the acquired control signal, and the time notification by the timing step. . 16. The image output apparatus operation verification method according to claim 14, further comprising an engine status display step of displaying a status of the emulated engine unit. 17. An image data acquisition step of acquiring image data output from the controller section through the communication step, an image data holding step of holding the acquired image data, and a visualization of the held image data. 17. The image output device operation verification method according to claim 14, further comprising: 18. A command signal recording step of recording the acquired command signal and a reception time of the command signal; a status signal recording step of recording the acquired status signal and a reception time of the status signal; 18. The image output device operation verification method according to claim 14, further comprising a control signal recording step of recording a control signal and a reception time of the control signal. 19. At least one of the acquired command signal and the reception time of the command signal, the acquired status signal and the reception time of the status signal, and the acquired control signal and the reception time of the control signal. 18. The image output apparatus operation verification method according to claim 14, further comprising a signal recording step of recording one of them. 20. At least one of a command signal sequence recorded in the command signal recording step, a status signal sequence recorded in the status signal recording step, and a control signal sequence recorded in the control signal recording step. 19. The image output apparatus operation verification method according to claim 18, further comprising a signal log display step of displaying one or all of them. 21. The image output device operation verification method according to claim 20, wherein in the signal log displaying step, the command signal sequence, the status signal sequence, and the control signal sequence are displayed in time series. 22. The image output device operation verification method according to claim 20, wherein in the signal log display step, a combination of the signal of the command signal sequence and the signal of the status signal sequence is clearly indicated. 23. The image output according to claim 14, further comprising an engine state recording step of recording a state of the emulated engine section and a transition time of the state of the engine section. Device operation verification method. 24. The image output apparatus operation verification method according to claim 23, further comprising an engine state log display step of displaying the engine state sequence recorded by the engine state recording step. 25. The image output device operation verification method according to claim 24, wherein the engine state log display step displays the engine state sequence in time series. 26. The image output device includes a printer having an image forming function, a copying machine having an image reading function / image forming function, and a plurality of functions such as an image reading function / image forming function / facsimile function. 15. The image output apparatus operation verification method according to claim 14, further comprising a multi-function peripheral. 27. An image output applied to an image output device operation verification device for verifying the operation of an image output device comprising a controller part for generating image data and an engine part for forming an image on a medium based on the image data. A computer-readable storage medium that stores a program for executing an apparatus operation verification method, wherein the image output apparatus operation verification method includes data communication contents between the controller unit and the engine unit via an interface unit. The communication step of acquiring the control signal, the command signal output from the controller unit, the status signal output from the engine unit, the control signal exchanged between the controller unit and the engine unit, and the state of the engine unit. And a control step for executing emulation. Storage medium. 28. A command signal acquisition step of acquiring a command signal output from the controller section via the communication step, and a status signal acquisition step of acquiring a status signal output from the engine section via the communication step. A step, a control signal acquisition step of acquiring a control signal exchanged between the controller section and the engine section via the communication step, a time counting step of notifying the elapse of a predetermined time, the acquired command signal and the 28. The storage medium according to claim 27, further comprising: an emulation step of emulating a state of the engine unit according to the acquired status signal, the acquired control signal, and the time notification by the timing step. 29. The storage medium according to claim 27, further comprising an engine status display step of displaying a status of the emulated engine unit. 30. An image data acquisition step of acquiring image data output from the controller section via the communication step, an image data holding step of holding the acquired image data, and a visualization of the held image data. 30. The storage medium according to claim 27, further comprising: 31. A command signal recording step of recording the acquired command signal and a reception time of the command signal; a status signal recording step of recording the acquired status signal and a reception time of the status signal; 31. The storage medium according to claim 27, comprising a control signal and a control signal recording step of recording a reception time of the control signal. 32. At least one of the acquired command signal and the reception time of the command signal, the acquired status signal and the reception time of the status signal, and the acquired control signal and the reception time of the control signal. 31. The storage medium according to claim 27, further comprising a signal recording step of recording one of them. 33. At least one of a command signal sequence recorded in the command signal recording step, a status signal sequence recorded in the status signal recording step, and a control signal sequence recorded in the control signal recording step. The storage medium according to claim 31, further comprising a signal log display step of displaying one or all of them. 34. The storage medium according to claim 33, wherein in the signal log displaying step, the command signal sequence, the status signal sequence, and the control signal sequence are displayed in time series. 35. The storage medium according to claim 33, wherein in the signal log displaying step, a combination of the signal of the command signal string and the signal of the status signal string is clearly indicated. 36. The storage medium according to claim 27, further comprising an engine state recording step of recording a state of the emulated engine section and a transition time of the state of the engine section. . 37. The storage medium according to claim 36, further comprising an engine state log display step of displaying the engine state sequence recorded by the engine state recording step. 38. The storage medium according to claim 37, wherein in the engine state log displaying step, the engine state sequence is displayed in time series. 39. The image output device includes a printer having an image forming function, a copying machine having an image reading function / image forming function, and a plurality of functions such as an image reading function / image forming function / facsimile function. 28. The storage medium according to claim 27, comprising a multi-function peripheral. 40. A program supplied to an image output device operation verification device for verifying the operation of an image output device comprising a controller part for generating image data and an engine part for forming an image on a medium based on the image data. A communication step of acquiring data communication contents between the controller unit and the engine unit through an interface unit, a command signal output from the controller unit, a status signal output from the engine unit, A program comprising: a control section, a control step of acquiring a control signal transmitted and received by the engine section, and a control step of emulating a state of the engine section. 41. A command signal acquisition step of acquiring a command signal output from the controller section via the communication step, and a status signal acquisition step of acquiring a status signal output from the engine section via the communication step. A step, a control signal acquisition step of acquiring a control signal exchanged between the controller section and the engine section via the communication step, a time counting step of notifying the elapse of a predetermined time, the acquired command signal and the 41. The program according to claim 40, further comprising: an emulation step of emulating a state of the engine unit according to the acquired status signal, the acquired control signal, and the time notification by the timing step. 42. The program according to claim 40, further comprising an engine status display step of displaying a status of the emulated engine unit. 43. An image data acquisition step of acquiring image data output from the controller section via the communication step, an image data holding step of holding the acquired image data, and a visualization of the held image data. 43. The program according to claim 40, further comprising: 44. A command signal recording step of recording the acquired command signal and a reception time of the command signal; a status signal recording step of recording the acquired status signal and a reception time of the status signal; 44. The program according to claim 40, further comprising a control signal recording step of recording a control signal and a reception time of the control signal. 45. At least one of the acquired command signal and the reception time of the command signal, the acquired status signal and the reception time of the status signal, and the acquired control signal and the reception time of the control signal. 44. The program according to claim 40, further comprising a signal recording step of recording one of them. 46. At least one of a command signal sequence recorded in the command signal recording step, a status signal sequence recorded in the status signal recording step, and a control signal sequence recorded in the control signal recording step. 45. The program according to claim 44, further comprising a signal log display step of displaying one or all of them. 47. The program according to claim 46, wherein in the signal log displaying step, the command signal sequence, the status signal sequence, and the control signal sequence are displayed in time series. 48. The program according to claim 46, wherein, in the signal log displaying step, a combination of the signal of the command signal string and the signal of the status signal string is specified. 49. The program according to claim 40, further comprising an engine state recording step of recording a state of the emulated engine unit and a transition time of the state of the engine unit. 50. The program according to claim 49, further comprising an engine status log display step of displaying an engine status string recorded by the engine status recording step. 51. The program according to claim 50, wherein the engine state log display step displays the engine state sequence in time series. 52. The image output device includes a printer having an image forming function, a copying machine having an image reading function / image forming function, and a plurality of functions such as an image reading function / image forming function / facsimile function. 41. The program according to claim 40, including a multi-function peripheral.