JP2004122443A - Printer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate responsibility of a printer QC work by performing daily printer QC work automatically using a single printer on the user side. <P>SOLUTION: The printer having a quality control function of an outputted image comprises a means for outputting a test pattern for automatic image quality measurement and a test pattern for visual evaluation, a means for automatically measuring the image quality of the test pattern for automatic image quality measurement, a means for judging the image quality from image quality data obtained by automatic measurement, a means for inputting visual evaluation results of a test pattern for visual evaluation, a means for storing the image quality data obtained by automatic measurement, the decision results and the results of visual evaluation, and a means for displaying the stored image quality data, decision results and results of visual evaluation along with the record thereof. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a printer, and more particularly, to a printer having a function of automatically performing quality control (QC) of image quality.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in the medical field, various diagnostic image acquisition apparatuses using X-rays and the like have been used. X-ray imaging apparatuses, CR (computing radiography) apparatuses, CT (computing). -Tomography) devices, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) devices, etc. have come into practical use.
[0003]
Medical image information acquired by these apparatuses is reproduced as a hard copy by a printer on a recording material and used for medical diagnosis by an expert.
A medical diagnosis based on such an image is usually performed by using a monochrome image and looking at a fine structure based on a difference in image density. Therefore, medical diagnostic images are required to have very high sharpness.
[0004]
Therefore, it is necessary to perform QC (quality control) of the printer so that a constant quality can always be maintained with respect to the density and sharpness of the image output by the printer.
For example, as a prior art for performing such printer QC, the printer information is transmitted to the outside so that the printer information can be viewed, for example, by the printer manufacturer, so that the manufacturer does not need to dispatch a technician. 2. Description of the Related Art A printer quality management system that can grasp the status of a printer is known (see Patent Document 1).
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 8, the printer 90, the PC 91 as a host computer, and the Internet server 92 are connected by a LAN to store and manage the user's network 93 and printer quality control data. This is a system in which a manufacturer's network 97 configured by connecting a quality control server 94, a terminal PC 95 and an Internet server 96 via a LAN is connected via the Internet 98.
When a failure occurs during the operation of the printer 90, the status and operation history data of the printer 90 are transmitted to the manufacturer's network 97 via the Internet 98.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-55800
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional printer quality management system simply transmits information such as the status of the printer from the user side to the manufacturer side via the Internet when a failure occurs in the printer. Are not collected on the printer side, and there is a problem that the printer QC work routinely performed by the user is complicated and heavy.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and has an image quality QC function capable of automatically performing daily printer QC work with a single printer on the user side and eliminating the burden of the printer QC work. It is an object to provide a printer.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a printer having a quality control function of an output image, a means for outputting a test pattern for automatic image quality measurement and a test pattern for visual evaluation, and the automatic image quality measurement Means for automatically measuring the image quality of the test pattern for use, means for judging the image quality from the image quality data obtained by the automatic measurement, means for inputting the result of visual evaluation of the test pattern for visual evaluation, and the automatic Storage means for storing the image quality data obtained by measurement, the determination result and the result of the visual evaluation, the stored image quality data, the determination result, the result of the visual evaluation, and a display means for displaying the history thereof; A printer characterized by comprising:
[0010]
The test pattern for automatic image quality measurement preferably relates to at least one image quality among density, format, and sharpness.
[0011]
Moreover, it is preferable that the test pattern for visual evaluation is at least one of SMPTE and a reference clinical image.
[0012]
The test pattern for automatic image quality measurement and the test pattern for visual evaluation are preferably output on the same sheet.
[0013]
Further, the printer is preferably a medical printer that outputs a transparent monochrome film.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the printer of the present invention will be described in detail based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a printer having a quality control (QC) function for an output image according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 of the present embodiment includes an image output unit 14 that outputs an automatic measurement test pattern 10 and a visual evaluation test pattern 12, an image quality measurement unit 16, a determination unit 18, an input unit 20, and a memory. 22 and a control unit 24 that controls the operation of each unit constituting the printer 1, and a display 26 for displaying image quality QC results and the like is connected to the control unit 24.
The control unit 24 is connected to an external system or the like via a network 28 such as the Internet.
[0016]
The printer of this embodiment is not particularly limited, but is preferably a medical printer that outputs a transparent monochrome film. As such a medical printer, a dry printer that does not require wet development processing is preferable, and a thermal recording device using a thermal head or a heat mode laser, or a photosensitive thermal development recording material or photosensitive thermal recording material is used. The photosensitive thermochromic image recording apparatus is preferably exemplified.
[0017]
The automatic measurement test pattern 10 for automatically measuring the image quality and the visual evaluation test pattern 12 for the human to visually evaluate the image quality are based on data prepared in the memory 22 in advance. 14 is output.
As the image quality to be automatically measured, for example, density, format, sharpness, and the like are conceivable, and at least one of these image quality is automatically measured. For example, in the case of a density measurement pattern, a pattern that measures three densities of high density, medium density, and low density is used.
[0018]
Further, as the visual evaluation test pattern 12, a visual SMPTE pattern or a practical clinical image such as an X-ray photograph of the chest or knee is used. The SMPTE pattern is for inspecting image distortion, spatial resolution, contrast, artifacts, and the like. In addition, the practical clinical image is used to inspect whether a pseudo contour is generated or whether there is no problem as a diagnostic image.
[0019]
The automatic measurement test pattern 10 and the visual evaluation test pattern 12 are preferably recorded in one pattern sheet 11 as shown in FIG. If it does in this way, both automatic measurement and visual evaluation can be performed with one pattern sheet 11, the loss of the film to output can be decreased, and efficiency can be attained.
[0020]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, the visual evaluation test pattern 12 may output only one frame of an SMPTE pattern or a practical clinical image on one pattern sheet 11, or FIG. ), The SMPTE pattern and a plurality of practical clinical images may be output (all-in-one output) to one pattern sheet 11.
[0021]
The image quality measuring unit 16 is a measuring unit such as a densitometer built in the printer 1. When the automatic measurement test pattern 10 is output from the image output unit 14 by the operation of the control unit 24, this is external to the printer 1. Before being output to the printer 1, automatic measurement is performed inside the printer 1.
The measured data is sent to the determination means 18. The determination unit 18 performs determination on the data measured by the image quality measurement unit 16, and the measurement data and the determination result are recorded in the memory 22.
[0022]
The input means 20 is for manually inputting the result of visual evaluation performed by the human on the visual evaluation test pattern 12.
When the image quality measuring means 16 such as a built-in densitometer fails or when the image quality measuring means 16 is not installed, such as when the automatic measurement cannot be performed within the printer 1, the automatic measurement test pattern 10 is set to the printer 1. You may make it input the measured value measured with the external measuring means from this input means 20. FIG. Alternatively, these external measuring means and the printer 1 may be connected so that data can be directly input.
The visual evaluation result, the measurement value, and the like input from the input unit 20 are stored in the memory 22.
[0023]
The memory 22 stores the measurement data (image quality data) automatically measured as described above, the determination result thereof, the image quality inspection result obtained by visual evaluation, and the like as QC data.
The display 26 displays QC data or a history of QC data stored in the memory 22 and is not particularly limited. For example, an operation panel of a small LCD is exemplified.
[0024]
The printer 1 is connected to another printer, a system including the printer, or a printer QC system on the printer manufacturer side via the network 28, and can transmit QC data and the like to the outside.
In addition, the printer 1 may print the QC data by itself from the image output unit 14.
Further, the printer 1 preferably has a function of automatically calibrating the built-in image quality measuring means 16 such as a built-in densitometer. This calibration method is not particularly limited, and for example, a method may be used in which a test piece or the like serving as a reference is measured by a built-in measurement means 16 and the measurement result is compared with a correct value and inspected.
[0025]
Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
First, the case of daily QC will be described. When performing daily QC, for example, when the printer is turned on at the start of work, the QC program of the control unit 24 may be automatically started. For example, the QC program of the control unit 24 may be activated.
[0026]
Then, the control unit 24 reads the test pattern data from the memory 22 and sends the test pattern data to the image output unit 14. From the image output unit 14, for example, an automatic measurement test pattern 10 and a visual evaluation test as shown in FIG. The pattern sheet 11 on which the pattern 12 is recorded is output.
At this time, before the pattern sheet 11 is output to the outside of the printer 1, the test pattern 10 for automatic measurement of the pattern sheet 11 is measured by the image quality measuring means 16 built in the printer 1.
[0027]
For example, when the image quality measurement is related to density, the automatic measurement test pattern 10 is a density measurement pattern including three density patterns of high density, medium density, and low density. It is measured by the built-in densitometer. This density measurement is performed, for example, by scanning the pattern sheet 11 with a densitometer as indicated by an arrow F in FIG. The densitometer measures three densities of high, medium and low density on the density measurement pattern. Data measured by the image quality measuring means 16 (for example, a densitometer) is sent to the determining means 18.
The determination unit 18 performs determination based on the measurement value, and sends measurement data and a determination result (QC data) to the memory 22. This determination is performed, for example, by comparing the correct value of the data stored in advance in the memory 22 as the density measurement pattern with the measurement value obtained by measuring the output density measurement pattern.
[0028]
On the other hand, the pattern sheet 11 on which automatic image quality measurement has been performed is output outside the printer 1. The operator visually inspects the visual evaluation test pattern 12 recorded on the pattern sheet 11 for inspection, and inputs the inspection result to the printer 1 from the input means 20. The input inspection result is stored in the memory 22 and saved.
The QC result is displayed on the display 26 automatically or by an instruction from the input means 20 by the operator. At the same time, the image output unit 14 may output a hard copy.
[0029]
Next, the case of QC at the time of routine will be described.
In this case, as shown in FIG. 5, a practical image 32 is recorded on the output film 30, but the film 30 is hidden by the Shercus ten member holding the film 30 when observed on the Shercus ten or the like. For example, the density measurement pattern 34 is recorded in the portion.
During the routine, the density measurement is performed on the density measurement pattern 34 by the built-in densitometer (image quality measuring means 16) in the printer 1 for each output of the film 30.
[0030]
This measurement is performed by scanning the film 30 with a built-in densitometer as indicated by an arrow G in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an enlarged density measurement pattern 34.
As shown in FIG. 6, the density measurement pattern 34 includes a marker 34a indicating the start of the density measurement pattern 34, and high, medium, and low density patterns 34b, 34c, and 34d.
FIG. 7 shows the output of the measurement result by the densitometer. As shown by symbol A in FIG. 7, the film edge and the marker 34a are first detected, followed by the output of portions B, C, and D corresponding to the density patterns 34b, 34c, and 34d, respectively. An output value for the practical image indicated by E is detected.
[0031]
In this way, in the routine, the density is automatically measured for each film output. If the measured density value exceeds a preset allowable range at this time, the control unit 24 displays a warning (warning) on the display 26.
Note that this automatic density measurement does not necessarily have to be performed for every output. For example, the density measurement may be performed for every predetermined number of sheets such as 100 sheets.
[0032]
As described above, since the concentration measurement is automatically performed in the routine, the user does not need to be aware of the test, and the concentration QC can be performed very simply.
In the above description, the density QC is taken as an example of the image quality. However, the image quality QC can be automatically performed by the printer alone for other image quality elements such as the format and the sharpness.
[0033]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, daily QC work (constancy test) can be automatically and easily performed by a single printer.
The QC result may be stored in the memory 22, displayed on the display 26, or only the QC result may be output as a hard copy, and the QC data specifying information may be recorded on the output film.
Further, the automatic image quality measuring means is not necessarily provided in the printer, and the measuring data may be input to the printer by connecting a measuring device outside the printer and the printer.
[0034]
Although the printer of the present invention has been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Of course.
[0035]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically and easily perform daily QC work of image quality of a printer by a single printer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a printer having a quality control (QC) function for an output image according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a pattern sheet on which a test pattern for automatic measurement and a test pattern for visual evaluation are recorded in the present embodiment.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams showing test patterns for visual evaluation in the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of automatic measurement in daily QC of the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a state of automatic image quality measurement in the routine of the present embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a density measurement pattern in the present embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an output of a concentration measurement result at the time of a routine in the present embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a QC system of a conventional printer.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer 10 Automatic measurement test pattern 11 Pattern sheet 12 Visual evaluation test pattern 14 Image output part 16 Image quality measurement means 18 Determination means 20 Input means 22 Memory 24 Control part 26 Display 28 Network 30 Film 32 Practical image 34 Density measurement pattern 34a Markers 34b, 34c, 34d Density pattern

Claims (5)

A printer having a quality control function for output images,
Means for outputting a test pattern for automatic image quality measurement and a test pattern for visual evaluation;
Means for automatically measuring the image quality of the test pattern for automatic image quality measurement;
Means for determining the image quality from the image quality data obtained by the automatic measurement;
Means for inputting a result of visual evaluation of the test pattern for visual evaluation;
Storage means for storing the image quality data obtained by the automatic measurement, the determination result, and the result of the visual evaluation;
A printer comprising: display means for displaying the stored image quality data, determination results, results of visual evaluation, and history thereof. 2. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the test pattern for automatic image quality measurement relates to an image quality of at least one of density, format, and sharpness. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the test pattern for visual evaluation is at least one of SMPTE and a reference clinical image. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the test pattern for automatic image quality measurement and the test pattern for visual evaluation are output on the same sheet. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer is a medical printer that outputs a transparent monochrome film.

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