JP2009081665A - Data processor, image forming apparatus, system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for reducing misjudgments caused by abnormality that occurs during reading, for an apparatus which checks whether an image formed on a recording medium in accordance with image data is rightly formed or not by using image data generated by reading the formed image sequentially in a predetermined direction. <P>SOLUTION: A generation section 215 compares first image data used for image generation used by an image forming apparatus with second image data generated by reading an image formed by the image forming apparatus using an image reader and generates erroneous region designation data indicating an erroneous region in an image indicated by the second image data. A modification section 216 specifies a band region extending in a reading direction with a fixed width, in the erroneous region indicated by the erroneous region designation data, as a region caused by abnormality of a sensor. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, an image forming apparatus, a system, and a program.

  There is a need for a user to check whether an image formed on a recording medium such as paper is correctly formed by an image forming apparatus.

In Patent Document 1, as an example of a technique that satisfies the above-described needs, an image that should be the same printed continuously on a roll paper at a constant interval is orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the roll paper and is the same as the image interval. Read by using optical sensor groups arranged in rows on two parallel lines having an interval, and collate the read result by one optical sensor group with the read result by the other optical sensor group. Techniques for determining whether there is a difference between adjacent images that should be disclosed are disclosed.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 62-020363

  An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for inspecting whether or not an image formed on a recording medium according to image data is correctly formed using image data generated by sequentially reading the image in a predetermined direction. It is to provide a means for reducing misjudgment due to abnormality that sometimes occurs.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides, as a first aspect, first image data and an image formed on a recording medium in accordance with the first image data by an image forming apparatus in a predetermined direction sequentially. The acquisition means for acquiring the second image data generated by reading, and the difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is a predetermined value or more A generation unit that generates erroneous region designation data indicating a certain region as an error region, and the erroneous region designation data generated by the generation unit indicates a band region extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width; A data processing apparatus comprising correction means for correcting the erroneous area designation data so as to exclude the error area from the erroneous area.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, an image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium, first image data, and the image forming means are formed on the recording medium according to the first image data. Between the acquisition means for acquiring the second image data generated by sequentially reading the captured images in a predetermined direction, and the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data Generating means for generating erroneous area designating data indicating an area having a difference of not less than a predetermined value as an error area, and a band area in which the erroneous area designating data generated by the generating means extends in the predetermined direction with a certain width Is provided, the image forming apparatus includes correction means for correcting the erroneous area designation data so as to exclude the band area from the erroneous area.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, and an image data generating apparatus that sequentially reads the images formed on the recording medium in a predetermined direction to generate image data. And a data processing device, wherein the data processing device reads and generates first image data and an image formed on a recording medium by the image forming device according to the first image data. An acquisition means for acquiring the second image data, and an area in which a difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is not less than a predetermined value. When generating means for generating erroneous area designation data indicated as an area, and when the erroneous area designation data generated by the generating means indicates a belt area extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width, the belt area is designated as an erroneous area. Providing a system comprising a data processor and a modifying means for modifying the erroneous area specification data to al excluded.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided, as a fourth aspect, a first image data and an image formed by sequentially reading an image formed on a recording medium according to the first image data in a predetermined direction by the image forming apparatus. And an area where the difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is greater than or equal to a predetermined value is indicated as an error area. The process of generating erroneous area designation data, and when the generated erroneous area designation data indicates a band area extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width, the erroneous area designation so as to exclude the band area from the error area Provided is a program for causing a computer to execute processing for correcting data.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided, as a fifth aspect, an acquisition unit that acquires first image data and a sensor, and an image formed on a recording medium in accordance with the first image data by an image forming apparatus. A density difference between an image data generating unit that sequentially reads in a predetermined direction using a sensor to generate second image data, and an image indicated by the first image data and an image indicated by the second image data An erroneous area designation data generating means for generating erroneous area designation data indicating an area having a value equal to or greater than a predetermined value as an erroneous area, and the erroneous area designation data generated by the erroneous area designation data generating means is a predetermined width with the predetermined width A determination means for determining that there is an abnormality in the part of the sensor used for generating the data corresponding to the band area of the second image data when indicating a band area extending in the direction. To provide a processing apparatus.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided, as a sixth aspect, an acquisition means for acquiring first image data, a first sensor, and a second sensor, and a recording medium according to the first image data by an image forming apparatus. The image formed above is sequentially read in a predetermined direction using the first sensor to generate second image data, and the formed image is read sequentially in the predetermined direction using the second sensor. The image data generating means for generating the third image data and an area where the difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. First error area designation data shown as one error area is generated, and a difference in density between an image indicated by the first image data and an image indicated by the third image data is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The number indicating the region as the second error region An error area specifying data generating means for generating the error area specifying data, and an area not included in the second error area of the first error area is excluded from the first error area. There is provided a data processing device comprising correction means for correcting the first erroneous area designation data.

  In addition, as a seventh aspect, the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, an acquisition unit that acquires first image data, a first sensor, and a second sensor. The image formed on the recording medium in accordance with the first image data by the image forming means is sequentially read in a predetermined direction using the first sensor to generate second image data, and the formed image is An image data generation unit that sequentially reads in the predetermined direction using the second sensor to generate third image data; an image indicated by the first image data; and an image indicated by the second image data First error region designation data indicating a region where the difference in density between them is equal to or greater than a predetermined value as a first error region is generated, and the image indicated by the first image data and the third image data indicate The difference in density between images is predetermined. An error area specifying data generating means for generating second error area specifying data indicating the above area as a second error area, and the second error area included in the first error area. There is provided an image forming apparatus comprising correction means for correcting the first erroneous area designation data so as to exclude a non-existent area from the first erroneous area.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium, a first sensor, and a second sensor, and the image formed on the recording medium is the first aspect. Image data generation for generating one image data by sequentially reading in a predetermined direction using the sensor of No. 1 and generating other image data by sequentially reading the formed image in the predetermined direction using the second sensor And a data processing device, wherein the image processing device generates first image data and an image formed on a recording medium by the image forming device according to the first image data. The image data generating device reads the second image data generated by reading using the first sensor and the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming device according to the first image data. The acquisition means for acquiring the third image data generated by reading using the image, and the difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is a predetermined value or more Is generated as first error area, and there is a difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the third image data. Generating means for generating second error area designation data indicating an area equal to or greater than a predetermined value as a second error area, and an area not included in the second error area among the first error areas And correcting means for correcting the first erroneous region designation data so as to exclude the first erroneous region designation data from the first erroneous region.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided, as a ninth aspect, an image data generation apparatus having first image data and a first sensor and a second sensor on a recording medium according to the first image data by an image forming apparatus. Second image data generated by sequentially reading the formed image in a predetermined direction using the first sensor, and the image data generating device on the recording medium according to the first image data by the image forming device. Processing for acquiring the third image data generated by sequentially reading the image formed in the predetermined direction using the second sensor, the image indicated by the first image data, and the second image data First error area designating data indicating a first error area as an area having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value with respect to the image indicated by the image data is generated, and the image indicated by the first image data Processing for generating second erroneous region designation data indicating, as a second error region, a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value with respect to an image indicated by the third image data; and the first error A program for causing a computer to execute processing for correcting the first erroneous region designation data so as to exclude a region that is not included in the second erroneous region from the first erroneous region To do.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acquisition means for acquiring first image data, a first sensor, and a second sensor, and a recording medium according to the first image data by an image forming apparatus. The image formed above is sequentially read in a predetermined direction using the first sensor to generate second image data, and the image forming apparatus forms the second image data on the recording medium according to the first image data. Image data generating means for sequentially reading an image in the predetermined direction using the second sensor to generate third image data, an image indicated by the first image data, and an image indicated by the second image data First error region designation data indicating a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value as a first error region is generated, and the image indicated by the first image data and the third image data are generated. Between images shown by An error area designation data generation means for generating second error area designation data indicating an area having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value as a second error area; and the first image data out of the second image data. There is provided a data processing apparatus comprising: determination means for determining that there is an abnormality in a part of the sensor used for generating data corresponding to an area not included in the second error area among error areas.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acquisition means for acquiring first image data and a sensor, and an image formed on a recording medium in accordance with the first image data by an image forming apparatus. A density difference between an image data generating unit that sequentially reads in a predetermined direction using a sensor to generate second image data, and an image indicated by the first image data and an image indicated by the second image data Between the sensor and the recording medium on which the image to be read by the image data generating means is generated. A change unit that changes a relative positional relationship with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction; and the image data generation unit that generates the second image data before the change by the change unit. The erroneous area designation data generated by the erroneous area designation data generation means with respect to the image data indicates a first band area extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width, and the changing means among the second image data Regarding the image data generated by the image data generating means after the change, the erroneous area specifying data generated by the erroneous area specifying data generating means indicates a second band area extending in the predetermined direction with the constant width. The relative positional relationship between the first belt region and the second belt region with respect to the direction crossing the predetermined direction, and the sensor before the change when the position of the recording medium is used as a reference; When the relative positional relationship with the sensor after the change coincides in the direction and is a difference equal to or less than a predetermined value in the distance, the first band region and the first The band regions to provide a data processing apparatus and a correction means for correcting the erroneous area specification data so as to exclude from the area of the error.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the image forming unit includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium, an acquisition unit that acquires first image data, and a sensor. Image data generating means for sequentially reading an image formed on a recording medium according to the image data in a predetermined direction using the sensor to generate second image data; an image indicated by the first image data; Error region designation data generating means for generating error region specification data indicating an area having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value from an image indicated by two image data as an error region, the sensor, and the image data generation Changing means for changing a relative positional relationship between the recording medium on which the image is read by the means with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction, and a front of the second image data by the changing means. Showing the first belt region in which the erroneous region designation data generated by the erroneous region designation data generation unit is extended in the predetermined direction with a certain width with respect to the image data generated by the image data generation unit before the change, Of the second image data, the erroneous area designation data generated by the erroneous area designation data generation means with respect to the image data generated by the image data generation means after the change by the changing means is the constant width and the constant width. A second band region extending in a predetermined direction is shown, and a relative positional relationship between the first band region and the second band region and a position of the recording medium with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction are used as a reference. In this case, the relative positional relationship between the sensor before the change and the sensor after the change coincides in the direction, and the distance is less than a predetermined value. If a difference, to provide an image forming apparatus and a correction means for correcting the erroneous area specification data to exclude the first strip region and the second band regions from the region of the error.

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, an image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium, a sensor, and an image formed by sequentially reading the image formed on the recording medium in a predetermined direction using the sensor. Image data generating means for generating image data, and changing means for changing the relative positional relationship between the sensor and the recording medium on which the image read by the image data generating means is formed with respect to the direction crossing the predetermined direction. An image data generating device; and a data processing device, wherein the data processing device generates first image data and an image formed on a recording medium by the image forming device according to the first image data. Acquisition means for acquiring second image data including image data generated before and after the change by the changing means, and the first image data An error area specifying data generating means for generating error area specifying data indicating an area where the difference in density between the image and the image indicated by the second image data is a predetermined value or more as an error area; and Among the image data, the error area designation data generated by the error area designation data generation means is extended in the predetermined direction with a certain width with respect to the image data generated by the image forming apparatus before the change by the changing means. One of the second image data, the error region designation data generated by the error region specification data generation unit with respect to the image data generated by the image forming apparatus after the change by the change unit is the second image data. A second band region extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width is shown, and a relative position between the first band region and the second band region with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction. And the relative positional relationship between the sensor before the change and the sensor after the change when the position of the recording medium is used as a reference match in the direction and are less than or equal to a predetermined value in distance In the case of a difference, a system is provided comprising correction means for correcting the erroneous region designation data so as to exclude the first belt region and the second belt region from error regions.

  According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, a process for acquiring first image data, a sensor, and an image formed on a recording medium are sequentially read in a predetermined direction using the sensor to generate image data. An image data generating apparatus comprising: image data generating means; and changing means for changing a relative positional relationship between the sensor and a recording medium on which an image read by the image data generating means is formed with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction. 2nd image data including image data generated by the image data generating unit before and after the change by the changing unit, the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming apparatus according to the first image data In which the difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. Processing for generating erroneous area designation data indicating the error area, and erroneous area designation data generated for the image data generated by the image forming apparatus before the change by the changing unit, of the second image data. An error region designation data generated with respect to the image data generated after the change by the change unit by the image forming apparatus among the second image data, showing the first band region extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width. Indicates a second band region extending in the predetermined direction with the constant width, and a relative positional relationship between the first band region and the second band region with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction; The relative positional relationship between the sensor before the change and the sensor after the change when the position of the recording medium is used as a reference is the same in the direction, and the distance If the difference value below provides a program for executing a process of correcting the erroneous area specification data to exclude the first strip region and the second band regions from the region of the errors to the computer.

  According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an acquisition unit that acquires first image data and a sensor, and an image formed on a recording medium according to the first image data by an image forming apparatus A density difference between an image data generating unit that sequentially reads in a predetermined direction using a sensor to generate second image data, and an image indicated by the first image data and an image indicated by the second image data Between an erroneous area designation data generating means for generating erroneous area designation data indicating an area having a value equal to or larger than a predetermined value as an error area, the sensor, and a recording medium on which an image read by the image data generation means is formed. And changing the relative positional relationship with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction, and generating the image data by the image data generating unit before the change by the changing unit of the second image data. The erroneous area designation data generated by the erroneous area designation data generation means with respect to the obtained image data indicates a first band area extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width, and the changing means of the second image data A second band region in which the erroneous region designation data generated by the erroneous region designation data generation unit with respect to the image data generated by the image data generation unit after the change is extended in the predetermined direction with the constant width. The sensor before the change when the relative position relationship between the first band area and the second band area and the position of the recording medium is used as a reference with respect to the direction crossing the predetermined direction. And the relative positional relationship between the sensor and the sensor after the change match in the direction and the distance is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the second image data To provide a data processing apparatus and a serial first strip area and the second determination means and the banded region is abnormal portion of the sensor used for generating the corresponding data.

  According to any one of the first to fourth, sixth to ninth, and eleventh to fourteenth aspects, it is determined whether or not the image formed on the recording medium according to the first image data is correctly formed. When the second image data generated by sequentially reading in the direction is compared with the first image data and inspected, between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data. Since correction is performed to exclude areas that are highly likely to have been caused by abnormalities during reading from areas that have a difference in density greater than or equal to a predetermined value, erroneous determination due to abnormalities during reading is reduced compared to when correction is not performed can do.

  According to the fifth, tenth, or fifteenth aspect, whether the image formed on the recording medium according to the first image data is correctly formed is read by sequentially reading the image in a predetermined direction. In the case where the second image data is inspected by comparing with the first image data, the sensor used for reading the region that is highly likely to be generated due to an abnormality at the time of reading out of the image indicated by the second image data. Since the portion is specified as a portion having an abnormality, erroneous determination due to an abnormality at the time of reading can be reduced as compared with the case where the specification is not performed.

(1) 1st Embodiment Below, 1st Embodiment of this invention is described. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a system 1 according to the first embodiment. The system 1 includes a PC (Personal Computer) 11 used as a terminal device by a user, and an image forming apparatus 12 and an image reading apparatus 13 (image data generating apparatus) connected to the PC 11. The image forming apparatus 12 forms an image on a recording medium according to the image data received from the PC 11. The image reading device 13 reads an image formed on the recording medium, generates image data, and transmits the image data to the PC 11.

  The recording medium on which the image forming apparatus 12 forms an image and the recording medium on which the image reading apparatus 13 reads an image are generally surface-shaped media such as paper and film. A recording medium having a shape may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the PC 11. The PC 11 includes a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 111 that stores programs and various data, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112 that temporarily stores data and is used as a work area, and various programs according to programs stored in the HDD 111. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 113 that allows the PC 11 to function as various devices by performing data processing and controlling other components of the PC 11 and a communication I / F (Interface) that transmits and receives data between the other devices. ) 114, a keyboard 115 functioning as a user data input means by generating a signal in accordance with a user operation and outputting it to the CPU 113, a display 116 for displaying characters and images, and these components. And a bus 117 to be connected to. The configuration of the PC 11 is the same as that of the conventional PC except that the application according to the first embodiment (hereinafter referred to as “collation application”) is stored in the HDD 111.

  As long as the image forming apparatus 12 is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium in accordance with image data transmitted from the PC 11, any one of a thermal transfer method, a thermal method, a dot impact method, a dry electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, and the like can be used. An apparatus using a method may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of the dry electrophotographic image forming apparatus 12. The image forming apparatus 12 is an image holding member having a photosensitive layer formed on the surface of a cylindrical drum base. The photosensitive member 121 rotates in the direction of an arrow A around the central axis thereof, and contacts the surface of the photosensitive member 121. The charging roller 122 charges the surface of the photosensitive member 121 to a predetermined potential while rotating according to the rotation of the photosensitive member 121, and the surface of the photosensitive member 121 is electrostatically irradiated with light. An exposure unit 123 that forms a latent image; a developing unit 124 that forms a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 121 by supplying developer D to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductor 121; A transfer roll 125 for transferring the toner image formed on the surface of 121 onto the recording medium P by electrostatic force or the like, and a fixing device for fixing the toner image transferred on the recording medium P onto the recording medium P by heating and melting. 12 And a control unit 127 that controls other components of the image forming apparatus 12 such as forming an electrostatic latent image on the charging roll 122 by controlling the exposure unit 123 in accordance with image data transmitted from the PC 11. Yes.

  If the image reading device 13 is an image reading device that sequentially reads an image formed on a recording medium in a predetermined direction to generate image data, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) method, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) method, or the like. An apparatus using any of the above methods may be used. Further, the image reading device 13 is not limited to a method of optically reading an image. For example, the image reading device 13 magnetically detects a magnetic material contained in toner or ink forming an image on a recording medium, or detects toner or ink. For example, a device using another method may be used, such as electrically detecting a conductor included in the device.

  FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are diagrams illustrating an outline of the configuration of the image reading device 13 that optically reads an image. 5 is a diagram of the image reading device 13 as viewed in the direction of the arrow V shown in FIG. The image reading device 13 includes a light emitting device 131 that includes a rod-like fluorescent tube and emits light, and a light receiving device that is a set of a plurality of condensing lenses and optical sensors arranged in a row so as to be adjacent to the light emitting device 131. 132, a transport mechanism 133 that moves the light emitter 131 and the light receiver 132 from the basic position (the rightmost end in FIG. 4) in the direction of arrow B during the image reading process, and returns the basic position to the basic position. A controller 134 for controlling other components, a glass base 135 for placing the recording medium P with the image forming surface facing downward in the figure, and a glass base 135 on which the recording medium P is placed are covered from above. A cover (not shown) is provided. The cover is provided with a switch that outputs a signal to the control unit 134 when the cover is closed.

  When the user places the recording medium P on the glass table 135 and closes the cover, the control unit 134 causes the transport mechanism 133 to transport the light emitter 131 and the light receiver 132 using a signal from a switch provided on the cover as a trigger. At the same time, the light emitter 131 emits light. The light emitted from the light emitter 131 is reflected on the recording medium P, collected by each lens of the light receiver 132, and received by the optical sensor. As a result, signals indicating images formed on the recording medium P are sequentially output to the control unit 134 from the plurality of optical sensors constituting the light receiver 132. The control unit 134 generates image data based on a signal received from the light receiver 132 and transmits the image data to the PC 11.

  The image reading device 13 is not limited to the method of transporting the light emitter 131 and the light receiver 132. For example, the light emitter 131 and the light receiver 132 are fixed, and the image is read while the recording medium P is transported by the transport mechanism. The method of performing may be used. Further, in this specification, when the term “sensor” is simply used, it means a combination of the light emitter 131 and the light receiver 132. Therefore, for example, the “sensor abnormality” is not limited to the abnormality of the optical sensor constituting the light receiver 132, but the abnormality of the lens constituting the light receiver 132 or the abnormality of the light emitter 131 (for example, part of the fluorescent tube) Including dust adhering).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the data processing device 21 realized by the PC 11 when the CPU 113 executes the collation application. In addition, the arrow in FIG. 6 has shown the outline | summary of the flow of data.

  The data processing apparatus 21 outputs an image data transmission command to the transmission unit 212 according to a user operation, and reads out image data stored in the storage unit 213 according to the transmission command from the operation unit 211 to form an image. A transmission unit 212 that transmits to the apparatus 12 and a reception unit 214 that receives image data transmitted from the image reading device 13 and stores the image data in the storage unit 213 are provided. Hereinafter, the image data that the transmission unit 212 transmits to the image forming apparatus 12 is referred to as first image data, and the image data that the reception unit 214 receives from the image reading device 13 is referred to as second image data.

  The first image data is image data indicating an image that the user desires to form on the recording medium, and is prepared in advance and stored in the storage unit 213. The second image data is image data generated by a user setting an image formed on a recording medium according to the first image data on the image reading device 13 and reading the image. In the following description, the image data is, for example, in a format that indicates the density of each of a plurality of pixels constituting the image by 256 gradations, that is, a gradation value that is an integer of 0 to 255. Note that the gradation value is an example of an index indicating density and is not the density itself, but in the following description, for convenience of explanation, “density indicated by the gradation value” is simply referred to as “density”. Note that the image data in the present application is not limited to the format indicating the pixel density in 256 gradations. For example, as long as the data indicates an image, for example, a format indicating each shade of a plurality of pixels constituting the image in binary, Data in any format may be used, such as a format in which an image is displayed as a collection of vector values indicating the density region, or a format in which image data in those formats is subjected to compression processing, encryption processing, or the like. Further, for example, when the image forming apparatus 12 stores font data, data specifying the arrangement and size of the font data is also included in the image data in the present invention.

  The data processing device 21 further reads out the first image data and the second image data stored in the storage unit 213, and between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data. A generation unit 215 is provided that specifies a region having a density difference of a predetermined value or more as an error region and stores data indicating the specified error region in the storage unit 213 as error region designation data.

  The processing of the generation unit 215 is specifically as follows. First, the generation unit 215 associates each of the plurality of pixels constituting the image indicated by the first image data with each of the plurality of pixels constituting the image indicated by the second image data. At this time, the image indicated by the second image data is deformed from the image indicated by the first image data due to the positional deviation or expansion at the time of forming and reading the image to be read. Therefore, the generation unit 215 performs, for example, tilt correction, expansion / contraction correction, position correction, and the like on the second image data, compares the corrected second image data with the entire first image data, and compares them. The second image data when the degree of matching is the highest is specified. If the position of the pixel included in the image indicated by the corrected second image data specified as described above matches the position of the pixel included in the image indicated by the first image data, the generation unit 215 Are associated with each other.

  Subsequently, the generation unit 215 selects a predetermined pixel between pixels included in the image indicated by the first image data associated with the pixel among pixels included in the image indicated by the corrected second image data. A pixel having a density difference equal to or greater than a value (for example, 128 gradations or more when each pixel is represented by a density of 256 gradations) is specified as an error pixel. The generation unit 215 sets a value indicating the position of each pixel constituting the image indicated by the corrected second image data to, for example, “1” (black) for an error pixel and “0” (black) for a pixel that is not an error pixel. By associating (white) as a value indicating density, binary image data indicating an error pixel region is generated.

  The binary image data generated as described above indicates which region of the image indicated by the corrected second image data is an error. Therefore, the generation unit 215 performs the correction in the opposite direction to the correction such as the inclination correction, the expansion / contraction correction, and the position correction performed on the second image data in association with the first image data. By applying to the image data, the reception unit 214 generates binary image data indicating an area corresponding to an error pixel, that is, an error area in the image indicated by the second image data received from the image reading device 13. . The binary image data generated in this way is erroneous area designation data. Note that the method of generating the erroneous area designation data by the generation unit 215 is not limited to the above-described method, and is a method of associating the images indicated by the two image data, and specifying an area having a difference greater than or equal to a predetermined value. Any known method may be adopted as long as it exists.

  The data processing device 21 further includes a correction unit 216 that corrects the erroneous area designation data generated by the generation unit 215 (see FIG. 6). The correction unit 216 reads the erroneous area designation data stored in the storage unit 213 and reads when the image reading device 13 reads the image formed on the recording medium out of the erroneous areas indicated by the erroneous area designation data. A region that forms a band shape extending in a direction (in the direction of arrow B in FIGS. 4 and 5) with a certain width and a predetermined length or more is specified as an error region due to a sensor abnormality. The correcting unit 216 corrects the erroneous region designation data so that the erroneous region due to the sensor abnormality identified as described above is not included in the erroneous region indicated by the erroneous region designation data. The reason why the correction unit 216 corrects the erroneous area designation data as described above will be described below.

  7A shows an image formed on the recording medium by the image forming apparatus 12 in accordance with (a) an image indicated by the first image data, and (b) an image data indicated by the second image data, that is, the first image data. The image indicated by the image data read and generated by the image reading device 13 corresponds to (c) the image indicated by the erroneous area designation data generated by the generation unit 215 based on the first image data and the second image data, respectively. A part is shown. Note that an arrow B shown in FIG. 7B indicates a direction in which an image is read by the image reading device 13. In the example of FIG. 7, the image portion that should originally be “−” indicates “+” in the second image data, and as a result, a vertical bar interrupted in the middle due to erroneous area designation data is erroneous. The region is shown in black.

In general, the cause of the mismatch between the first image data and the second image data is one of the following two.
(I) There is an abnormality in the image formation by the image forming apparatus 12, or the recording medium is stained or damaged before and after the image formation, and the image formed on the recording medium is desired by the user It is different from the image.
(Ii) There is an abnormality when the image reading device 13 reads the image, and the image formed on the recording medium matches the image desired by the user, but the second image data includes an error. ing.

  One of the main causes for the above (ii) is sensor abnormality. For example, sensor abnormalities include (a) when dust is attached to a part of the light emitter 131, (b) when dust is attached to a lens of the light receiver 132 or a part of the optical sensor, and (c) the light receiver. For example, when a part of the 132 photosensors fails.

  In the case where there is a sensor abnormality as described above, the second image data includes data indicating black stripes having a band shape that does not exist on the recording medium and extends with a certain width in the reading direction. It will be. As a result, a streak region also appears in the error region indicated by the erroneous region designation data generated by the generation unit 215. This error area is an area caused by an abnormality of the sensor and does not indicate an area in which an image is not correctly formed on the recording medium (hereinafter referred to as an “error area due to an abnormality in image formation”). . Therefore, the correction unit 216 corrects the error region designation data so as to exclude the error region due to the abnormality of the sensor from the error region indicated by the error region specification data, so that the error region indicated by the error region specification data is the image. Only the area of error due to abnormal formation is shown.

  Some abnormalities at the time of image formation by the image forming apparatus 12 may cause streak stains or white spots. Therefore, an error region due to abnormal image formation may form a band shape similar to an error region due to sensor abnormality. However, these band shapes differ in detail.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are both enlarged views of the upper end of the “+” vertical bar shown in FIG. 7B. FIG. 8A shows a streak generated when the vertical bar forms an image. (B) shows the case where the vertical bar is generated due to the abnormality of the sensor. In the case of a vertical bar due to dirt generated at the time of image formation, even if the dirt appears to be a streak parallel to the reading direction to the naked eye, the recording medium is conveyed to the image reading apparatus 13 or when the recording medium is conveyed. When is set, there is always a tilt even if it is very small. In addition, there is often a slight distortion or the like that causes no practical problem during image formation. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8 (a), the length of the side surface of the vertical bar due to the dirt generated during the image formation is short in the portion parallel to the reading direction, and therefore the length of the constant width portion is also short. . On the other hand, the side surface of the vertical bar caused by the abnormality of the sensor is always parallel to the reading direction, and therefore the width of the vertical bar is always constant.

  The difference in the shape of the vertical bar in the image indicated by the second image data shown in FIG. 7B is directly reflected in the shape of the error region shown in FIG. In other words, the shape of the erroneous area indicating the interrupted vertical bar in the middle is that the length of the portion whose side surface is parallel to the reading direction is short and the width when it is caused by streak stains generated during image formation. The length of the constant portion is short, but when it occurs due to a sensor abnormality, the side surface is always parallel to the reading direction, and the width is always constant.

  For the reason described above, the correction unit 216 extends a predetermined width or more in the reading direction by the image reading device 13 with a certain width among the error regions indicated by the erroneous region designation data generated by the generation unit 215. The region forming the band shape is specified as an error region due to sensor abnormality.

  The band shape length threshold used when the correction unit 216 identifies an error area due to a sensor abnormality is the image formation resolution of the image forming apparatus 12, the image reading resolution of the image reading apparatus 13, and the image forming apparatus 12. An appropriate length is determined according to the accuracy of image formation and recording medium conveyance. For example, assuming that the resolution of the image forming apparatus 12 and the image reading apparatus 13 is the same at 4800 dpi (dot per inch) in any direction, and the inclination that occurs during image formation and image reading is 0.1% The side surface of the error region due to the formation abnormality is shifted by one pixel at least in the direction orthogonal to the reading direction when moving 1000 pixels in the reading direction. Therefore, as the threshold value of the length of the band shape used when the correction unit 216 identifies an error area due to a sensor abnormality, 25.4 mm (= 1 inch) ÷ 4800 × 1000≈5.29 mm may be employed. . Actually, the side surface of an error region due to abnormal image formation frequently becomes uneven due to factors such as tilt, recording medium distortion and toner scattering that cannot be confirmed with the naked eye. Therefore, in consideration of these factors, the belt shape length threshold used when the correction unit 216 identifies an error area due to a sensor abnormality may be made shorter than 5.29 mm.

The correction unit 216 causes the storage unit 213 to store the erroneous area designation data corrected as described above.
Further, when the error region due to the abnormality of the sensor is specified, the correction unit 216 generates position data indicating the position of the specified region in the direction orthogonal to the reading direction, and stores the position data in the storage unit 213. For example, in the case where a vertical bar shown in FIG. 7C is interrupted corresponds to the 28024th to 28050th pixels counted from the left end of the image indicated by the erroneous area designation data, the position data generated by the correction unit 216 is generated. Is, for example, “28024 to 28050”. The format of the position data is an example, and other formats may be used. The position data means data indicating which part of the light emitter 131 or the light receiver 132 of the image reading device 13 is abnormal. Therefore, the position data is used as a reference when, for example, maintenance personnel of the image reading device 13 take measures to eliminate the abnormality of the sensor.

  The data processing device 21 further includes a determination unit 217 that calculates the area of the erroneous region indicated by the erroneous region designation data and determines whether the calculated area is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (see FIG. 6). . The determination unit 217 reads the erroneous region designation data corrected by the correction unit 216 as necessary, from the storage unit 213, for example, the number of erroneous pixels indicated by the erroneous region designation data as a numerical value indicating the area of the erroneous region Use. If the determination unit 217 determines that the area of the error area is equal to or larger than a predetermined value indicating an allowable error, the determination unit 217 issues a notification command to the notification unit 218.

  When the notification unit 218 receives the notification command from the determination unit 217, the notification unit 218 performs error notification indicating that the image formed on the recording medium is not correct. The error notification method performed by the notification unit 218 may be any method such as a method of displaying characters or images on the display 116 or a method of generating a warning sound from a speaker connected to the communication I / F 114.

  The procedure for the user to use the system 1 having the above-described configuration is as follows. First, the user executes a collation application on the PC 11 to function as the data processing device 21 and designates image data on which image formation is to be performed. In response to the operation, the image forming apparatus 12 forms an image on the recording medium. The user places the recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming apparatus 12 on the glass table 135 of the image reading apparatus 13 and closes the cover. When the user closes the cover, the image reading device 13 reads an image on the recording medium. If the image formation by the image forming apparatus 12 is not performed correctly, the user receives an error notification from the PC 11 to that effect. At that time, an error notification is not received by mistake because of dust adhering to the sensor of the image reading device 13.

The data processing device 21 may be further configured to operate as follows.
When the correction unit 216 corrects the erroneous area designation data, the correction unit 216 issues a notification command to the notification unit 218. When the notification unit 218 receives the notification command from the correction unit 216, it notifies the user of an error indicating that a sensor abnormality has occurred. Upon receiving an error notification that a sensor abnormality has occurred, the user can take measures such as contacting maintenance personnel of the image reading device 13 and cleaning the sensor unit of the image reading device 13.

  The position data stored in the storage unit 213 indicates an abnormal part of the sensor provided in the image reading device 13. For example, when an abnormality occurs in a part of the sensor due to dust adhesion, in many cases, dust continues to adhere. In addition, when a part of the optical sensor is out of order, the failure hardly recovers naturally. Accordingly, the data generated by the sensor portion indicated by the position data in the second image data always includes an error unless the abnormality of the sensor is resolved. Therefore, the area of the position indicated by the position data among the error areas indicated by the erroneous area designation data generated based on such second image data need not be determined based on the shape of the error area. It may be regarded as an error area due to abnormalities.

  For the above reason, when the position data is stored in the storage unit 213, the generation unit 215 generates the position data from the comparison target of the first image data and the second image data when generating the erroneous region designation data. The erroneous region designation data is generated so as to exclude the region at the position indicated by, and not include the region in the erroneous region. For example, after taking a measure such as cleaning the sensor unit of the image reading device 13, the user performs a predetermined operation on the data processing device 21 to delete the position data from the storage unit 213. Operation can be returned to normal.

(2) Second Embodiment Subsequently, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since the second embodiment is common in many respects to the configuration and operation of the first embodiment, only the differences of the second embodiment from the first embodiment will be described below, and the rest Omitted.

  Similar to the system 1, the system 2 according to the second embodiment includes a PC 11 and an image forming apparatus 12 connected to the PC 11. Further, the system 2 includes an image reading device 23 connected to the PC 11 instead of the image reading device 13 included in the system 1.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of the image reading device 23. FIG. 9 corresponds to FIG. 5 relating to the image reading device 13 of the system 1. The image reading device 23 includes a light emitting device 231 and a light receiving device 232 having the same configuration as the light emitting device 131 and the light receiving device 132, respectively, in addition to all the components included in the image reading device 13. Hereinafter, a set of the light emitter 131 and the light receiver 132 is referred to as a “first sensor”, and a set of the light emitter 231 and the light receiver 232 is referred to as a “second sensor”. The second sensor is arranged adjacent to the first sensor so as to be parallel to the first sensor, and reads the image on the recording medium P placed on the glass table 135 while being transported together with the first sensor by the transport mechanism 133. Do.

  The control unit 134 generates second image data using a signal received from the first sensor, and also uses the signal received from the second sensor to call image data (hereinafter referred to as “third image data”). ) Is generated. When the control unit 134 generates the second image data and the third image data, the control unit 134 transmits them to the PC 11.

  The second image data and the third image data generated by the control unit 134 are image data generated by reading the same image. Therefore, the second image data and the third image data should originally show images of the same content, except for differences due to individual differences or the like that the first sensor and the second sensor have. However, when an abnormality such as adhesion of dust occurs in any of the sensors, the second image data and the third image data are affected by the abnormality and show different images.

  FIG. 10 shows (a) third image data and (b) second generated when an image is read by the image reading device 23 with dust attached to a part of the first sensor. It is a figure which shows the image data. An arrow B in FIG. 10 indicates the reading direction. The image shown in FIG. 10 (a) is an image indicated by the third image data read and generated by the second sensor without any abnormality such as dust adhesion, and is formed on the recording medium used for reading. Shows the correct image. In the image shown in FIG. 10A, the character portion is a portion indicated by the first image data used for image formation, and the streak X is dirt generated at the time of image formation.

  The image shown in FIG. 10B is an image indicated by the second image data read and generated by the first sensor to which dust has adhered, and is an image formed on the recording medium used for reading. In addition, it includes a streak Y generated by the adhesion of dust.

  When the PC 11 receives the third image data and the second image data indicating the image as shown in FIG. 10 from the image reading device 23, the PC 11 calculates the streak from the erroneous region designation data generated using the image data. An area caused by Y is corrected as an error area due to an abnormality of the sensor so as to be excluded from an error area indicated by the error area designation data.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the data processing device 31 realized by the PC 11 when the CPU 113 executes the collation application according to the second embodiment. The data processing device 31 is different from the data processing device 21 according to the first embodiment in the data stored in the storage unit 213 and the processing of the generation unit 215 and the correction unit 216.

  The receiving unit 214 of the data processing device 31 receives the second image data and the third image data from the image reading device 23 and stores them in the storage unit 213. The generation unit 215 generates erroneous region designation data based on the first image data and the second image data, and generates erroneous region designation data based on the first image data and the third image data. Hereinafter, the erroneous area designation data generated based on the first image data and the second image data is referred to as “first erroneous area designation data”, and is based on the first image data and the third image data. The generated erroneous area designation data is referred to as “second erroneous area designation data”.

  The process of generating the second erroneous area designation data by the generation unit 215 is the same as the process of generating the first erroneous area designation data except that the third image data is used instead of the second image data. is there. When the generation unit 215 generates the first erroneous region designation data and the second erroneous region designation data, the generation unit 215 stores them in the storage unit 213.

  When the second image data and the third image data indicating the image shown in FIG. 10 are transmitted from the image reading device 23, the image indicated by the first erroneous area designation data is the streak X and the line X in FIG. The line Y shows the line Y, and the image indicated by the second erroneous area designation data shows only the line X in FIG. The correcting unit 216 compares the first erroneous region designation data with the second erroneous region designation data, and among the portions (streaks X and Y) that are regarded as erroneous regions by the first erroneous region designation data, A portion (streak Y) that is not regarded as an error area by the second error area designation data is specified as an error area due to sensor abnormality, and the specified area is excluded from the error area. Correct the area specification data.

  The correction of the first erroneous area designation data by the correction unit 216 described above is performed when there is a mismatch between the contents of the first erroneous area designation data and the content of the second erroneous area designation data, that is, one erroneous area. If there is an area in which the designated data is an error area and the other erroneous area designation data is not an error area, it means that the data in which the area is not an error area is adopted. Since the erroneous area designation data is data generated by collating the first image data with the second image data or the third image data, data that is not an error area is an error area. This is because it is generally considered to be more reliable than the data.

  As described above, the first erroneous area designation data corrected by the correction unit 216 is data indicating only the streak X as an erroneous area. The determination unit 217 performs determination based on the first erroneous region designation data corrected by the correction unit 216 as necessary, and issues a notification command to the notification unit 218 based on the determination result. The point that the notification unit 218 performs error notification in accordance with the notification command is the same as in the data processing device 21.

  The correction unit 216 indicates the position in the direction orthogonal to the reading direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 10) and the area where the first erroneous area designation data is corrected, that is, the error area due to the abnormality of the sensor. Position data is generated and stored in the storage unit 213. The position data is data indicating a portion where the abnormality of the first sensor has occurred. Therefore, when generating the first erroneous area designation data, the generation unit 215 excludes the area at the position indicated by the position data from the comparison target of the first image data and the second image data, The first erroneous region designation data may be generated so as not to be included in the erroneous region.

  As described above, in the system 2, the reference for correcting the erroneous area designation data by the correcting unit 216 is different from that in the system 1. A configuration may be adopted in which a reference for correcting erroneous area designation data in the system 2 is combined with a reference for correcting erroneous area designation data in the system 1.

In the system 2 configured to use a combination of two correction criteria, when the correction unit 216 corrects the first erroneous area designation data, only the area that satisfies both of the following conditions is specified as an error area due to a sensor abnormality. To do.
(I) A band shape is formed with a certain width and extending in the reading direction by the image reading device 23 by a predetermined length or more.
(Ii) It is not included in the error area indicated by the second error area designation data.

  When the two conditions are combined as described above, for example, the inclination of the image at the time of image formation and image reading is extremely small. Under the condition (i) alone, an error area due to an abnormality in image formation can be reduced. Even if there is a possibility of being misidentified as a region, the misperception is avoided by the condition (ii), or when there is a difference in determination due to individual differences of the first sensor or the second sensor, for example. In addition, even if there is a possibility that an error area due to an abnormality in image formation may be mistaken as an error area due to an abnormality in the sensor only under the condition (ii), the error is avoided according to the condition (i). .

(3) Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, since the third embodiment is common in many respects to the configuration and operation of the first embodiment, only the differences of the third embodiment from the first embodiment will be described below. Omitted.

  Similar to the system 1, the system 3 according to the third embodiment includes a PC 11 and an image forming apparatus 12 connected to the PC 11. Further, the system 3 includes an image reading device 33 connected to the PC 11 instead of the image reading device 13 included in the system 1.

  FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an outline of the configuration of the image reading device 33. FIG. 12 corresponds to FIG. 5 relating to the image reading device 13 of the system 1. The image reading device 33 includes a light emitter 331 and a light receiver 332 (hereinafter simply referred to as “sensors”) instead of the light emitter 131 and the light receiver 132 included in the image reading device 13. The configurations and operations of the light emitter 331 and the light receiver 332 are the same as those of the light emitter 131 and the light receiver 132, but the length of the light emitter 331 and the light receiver 332 is the width of the recording medium P (perpendicular to the reading direction). Longer than the direction length).

  Further, the image reading device 33 includes a transport mechanism 333 instead of the transport mechanism 133 included in the image reading device 13. The transport mechanism 333 has a function of transporting the sensor in the reading direction (the direction of arrow B in FIG. 12) while the image is read, and in addition to a function orthogonal to the reading direction (for example, the direction of the arrow C in FIG. 12). ). Therefore, the transport mechanism 333 is driven by, for example, a motor (not shown), rotates in the direction of arrow E in FIG. 12 to move the sensor in the direction of arrow C in FIG. 12, and three rollers that support the sensor. 3332.

  Note that the mechanism by which the transport mechanism 333 moves the sensor in the direction of the arrow C is not limited to that illustrated in FIG. 12, and for example, a mechanism that moves the sensor so as to draw an arc with one end of the sensor as the center point may be adopted. Good. Further, instead of moving the sensor in the direction of the arrow C, a mechanism for moving the glass table 135 on which the recording medium is placed in the direction opposite to the arrow C may be employed. In other words, any mechanism that changes the relative position between the sensor and the recording medium on which an image is read by the sensor in the direction orthogonal to the reading direction may be used.

  When an image is read by the image reading device 33, the sensor temporarily stops in the direction of arrow B in FIG. Thereafter, the sensor moves, for example, by a distance of 1000 pixels in the direction of arrow C in FIG. During this time, no image is read. Thereafter, the sensor starts reading again and moves in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

  The control unit 134 of the image reading device 33 stops the image data among the plurality of optical sensors constituting the light receiver 332 before the reading is started again after the sensor is temporarily stopped and moved in the direction of the arrow C. Switch what is used for generation. For example, the photoreceiver 332 is provided with 31000 photosensors, and before the sensors move in the direction of the arrow C, the control unit 134 is output from the first to 30000th photosensors from the lower side of FIG. It is assumed that image data is generated using a signal. In that case, after the sensor has moved by 1000 pixels in the direction of arrow C, the control unit 134 generates image data using signals output from the 1001st to 31000th photosensors.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating image data (second image data) generated when an image is read by the image reading device 33 in a state where dust is attached to a part of the sensor. An arrow B in FIG. 13 indicates a reading direction, and an arrow C indicates a direction in which the sensor has moved once stopped. In the image shown in FIG. 13, the character portion is the portion indicated by the first image data used for image formation, the streak X is dirt generated at the time of image formation, and the streaks Y1 and Y2 are This is caused by dust adhering to the sensor. As shown in FIG. 13, dirt or the like on the recording medium does not follow the movement of the sensor in the arrow C direction, but the streak due to the sensor abnormality follows the movement of the sensor in the arrow C direction. From Y1 to the muscle Y2, the position in the direction of arrow C changes.

  When the PC 11 receives the second image data indicating the image as shown in FIG. 13 from the image reading device 33, the PC 11 uses the first image data and the error region designation data generated using the second image data. The region generated by the streaks Y1 and Y2 is corrected to be excluded from the error region indicated by the erroneous region designation data as an error region due to the abnormality of the sensor.

  When the CPU 113 executes the collation application according to the third embodiment, the configuration of the data processing device 41 realized by the PC 11 is the same as that of the data processing device according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. The data processing device 41 is different from the data processing device 21 according to the first embodiment in the processing of the correction unit 216.

When the second image data indicating the image shown in FIG. 13 is transmitted from the image reading device 33, the image indicated by the erroneous region designation data indicates the stripe X, the stripe Y1, and the stripe Y2 in FIG. As in the case of the first embodiment, the correction unit 216 first identifies an area that satisfies the following conditions as an error area due to a sensor abnormality.
(I) A band shape extending at a predetermined width or more in the reading direction by the image reading device 33 with a certain width is formed.

Based on the above-described conditions, the streak Y1 and the streak Y2 are specified as an error region due to sensor abnormality in the image indicated by the erroneous region designation data. Subsequently, the correcting unit 216 determines whether or not the region thus specified further satisfies the following condition, and only when that region is satisfied, finally determines the region as an error region due to sensor abnormality.
(Ii) The sensor in the area read with respect to the C direction, starting from the error area (strip Y1) due to the abnormality of the sensor in the area read before the movement of the sensor in the C direction. The vector whose end point is the position in the C direction of the error area (strip Y2) due to the abnormality of the sensor coincides with the vector indicating the movement of the sensor in the C direction in the direction, and the absolute value of the difference in length indicates an error It is below the predetermined threshold shown.

  Since the muscle Y1 and the muscle Y2 satisfy the above condition (ii), the correction unit 216 finally determines the muscle Y1 and the muscle Y2 as error areas due to sensor abnormality, and excludes these areas from the error area. Correct the erroneous area designation data as follows.

  As described above, when the condition (ii) is added to the condition (i), for example, the inclination of the image at the time of image formation and image reading is extremely small, and an error due to abnormal image formation occurs only under the condition (i). Even if there is a possibility that the area (2) may be mistaken as an error area due to a sensor abnormality, the condition (ii) avoids the misperception.

  In the above description, the image reading device 33 has been described as moving the position of the sensor in the direction of the arrow C in the middle of reading an image on a single recording medium, but is not limited thereto. For example, the position of the sensor in the direction of the arrow C is moved in units of recording media, and the error area indicated by (i) among the error areas indicated by each of the erroneous area designation data relating to the first image and the erroneous area designation data relating to the second image. ) Area that satisfies the condition (2) is specified as an error area due to sensor abnormality, and an error area specification data related to the first image is specified as an error area due to sensor abnormality and an error area related to the second image. When the above condition (ii) is satisfied with the area specified as the error area due to the sensor abnormality in the designated data, these areas are finally determined as the error area due to the sensor abnormality. Also good.

(4) Modifications The above-described embodiment can be variously modified within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. Such a modification is shown below.
In the above-described embodiment, the image forming apparatus and the image reading apparatus are connected to a PC that functions as a data processing apparatus, and the generation unit 215, the correction unit 216, the determination unit 217, the notification unit 218, and the like are described as being provided in the data processing apparatus. did. The arrangement of the components constituting the system according to the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image reading apparatus may receive the first image data from the image forming apparatus, and the image reading apparatus may include the generation unit 215, the correction unit 216, the determination unit 217, and the notification unit 218. In addition, the processing of the data processing apparatus includes a first data processing apparatus that performs processing up to generation of erroneous area designation data, and a process subsequent to correction of erroneous area designation data after receiving erroneous area designation data from the first data processing apparatus. A configuration may be adopted in which the processing is shared with the second data processing apparatus that performs processing.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example in which the system according to the present invention is configured such that the generation unit 215, the correction unit 216, the determination unit 217, the notification unit 218, and the like are provided in a composite apparatus that forms and reads an image. It is. In this system, a composite device 52 is connected to a PC 51. The PC 51 is a terminal device used for designating image data of an image that the user desires to form an image and instructing the composite device 52 to form the image. The PC 51 transmits image data prepared and stored in advance to the composite device 52 in accordance with the user's operation.

  The composite device 52 includes a control unit 521 that controls each component of the composite device 52, an image forming unit 522 that performs image formation, an image reading unit 523 (image data generating unit) that reads an image, and an image reading unit. A discharge tray group 524 is provided in which the recording medium after the image reading by 523 is completed is discharged.

  The control unit 521 controls the image forming unit 522 to perform image formation according to the image data received from the PC 51. The recording medium on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 522 is conveyed to the image reading unit 523 via the conveyance path F. The image reading unit 523 reads an image with a sensor having a fixed position while conveying the recording medium with a conveyance roller or the like. The image reading unit 523 transmits image data indicating the read image to the control unit 521.

  Based on the image data transmitted to the image forming unit 522 and the image data received from the image reading unit 523, the control unit 521, for example, the generation unit 215, the correction unit 216, the determination unit 217, and the notification unit 218 of the data processing device 21. The same processing as that to be performed is performed, whether or not an image is correctly formed by the image forming unit 522 is determined, and the determination result is notified to the user.

  When the control unit 521 determines that the image is correctly formed by the image forming unit 522, the control unit 521 moves the guide provided in the recording medium discharge unit of the image reading unit 523 upward so that the image is correctly formed. The recording medium is discharged to the upper stage of the discharge tray group 524. On the other hand, when the control unit 521 determines that the image is not correctly formed by the image forming unit 522, the control unit 521 moves the guide provided in the recording medium discharge unit of the image reading unit 523 downward to correctly form the image. After the unrecorded recording medium is discharged to the lower stage of the discharge tray group 524, the same image data is transmitted to the image forming unit 522 again, so that image formation is performed again.

  In addition, when the control unit 521 generates and stores position data indicating the abnormal position of the sensor of the image reading unit 523, the control unit 521 is connected to the maintenance staff of the composite device 52 by connecting to the Internet via the communication I / F. At the same time, every time a predetermined number of images, for example, 100 images are formed, the image forming process is temporarily stopped to prompt the user to confirm the formed image. This is because the sensor portion indicated by the position data is not used for collation and the accuracy of collation is reduced accordingly.

  Note that the collation application in the above-described embodiment may be provided by being stored in a recording medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be provided by being transmitted as a signal via a communication unit. In addition, each function of the data processing apparatus realized by causing the PC to execute the verification application in the above-described embodiment may be realized by hardware.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an entire system according to an embodiment. It is a figure showing composition of PC concerning an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an image reading apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is the figure which showed the structure of the data processor concerning 1st and 3rd embodiment. It is the figure which showed the image which the image data concerning 1st Embodiment and error area designation | designated data show. It is the figure which showed the image which the image data concerning 1st Embodiment shows. It is the figure which showed the structure of the image reading apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the image which the image data concerning 2nd Embodiment shows. It is the figure which showed the structure of the data processor concerning 2nd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the structure of the image reading apparatus concerning 3rd Embodiment. It is the figure which showed the image which the image data concerning 3rd Embodiment shows. It is the figure which showed the structure of the whole system concerning a modification.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Image forming apparatus, 13 ... Image reading apparatus, 21 ... Data processing apparatus, 23 ... Image reading apparatus, 31 ... Data processing apparatus, 33 ... Image reading apparatus, 41 ... Data processing apparatus, 51 ... PC, 52 ... Compound apparatus 111 ... HDD, 112 ... RAM, 113 ... CPU, 114 ... Communication I / F, 115 ... Keyboard, 116 ... Display, 117 ... Bus, 121 ... Photoconductor, 122 ... Charging roll, 123 ... Exposure unit, 124 ... Development 125 ... transfer roll, 126 ... fixer, 127 ... control unit, 131 ... light emitter, 132 ... light receiver, 133 ... conveying mechanism, 134 ... control unit, 135 ... glass stand, 211 ... operation unit, 212 ... transmission Unit 213 storage unit 214 reception unit 215 generation unit 216 correction unit 217 determination unit 218 notification unit 231 light emitter 232 light receiver 33 ... light emitter 332 ... light receiver 333 ... transport mechanism, 521 ... controller, 522 ... image forming unit, 523 ... image reading section, 524 ... discharge tray group.

Claims (15)

Acquisition means for acquiring first image data and second image data generated by sequentially reading an image formed on a recording medium in accordance with the first image data in a predetermined direction by the image forming apparatus;
Generating means for generating erroneous region designation data indicating, as an erroneous region, a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the image represented by the first image data and the image represented by the second image data;
When the erroneous area designation data generated by the generation means indicates a belt area extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width, the correction means for correcting the erroneous area designation data so as to exclude the belt area from the erroneous area A data processing apparatus comprising: Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
Acquisition means for acquiring first image data and second image data generated by sequentially reading images formed on a recording medium in accordance with the first image data in a predetermined direction by the image forming means; ,
Generating means for generating erroneous region designation data indicating, as an erroneous region, a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the image represented by the first image data and the image represented by the second image data;
When the erroneous area designation data generated by the generation means indicates a belt area extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width, the correction means for correcting the erroneous area designation data so as to exclude the belt area from the erroneous area An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium;
An image data generation device that sequentially reads images formed on a recording medium in a predetermined direction to generate image data;
A data processing device,
The data processing device includes:
Acquisition means for acquiring first image data and second image data generated by the image data generation device reading an image formed on a recording medium by the image forming device according to the first image data;
Generating means for generating erroneous region designation data indicating, as an erroneous region, a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the image represented by the first image data and the image represented by the second image data;
When the erroneous area designation data generated by the generation means indicates a belt area extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width, the correction means for correcting the erroneous area designation data so as to exclude the belt area from the erroneous area A data processing apparatus comprising: Processing for acquiring first image data and second image data generated by sequentially reading an image formed on a recording medium in accordance with the first image data in a predetermined direction by the image forming apparatus;
Processing for generating erroneous region designation data indicating, as an erroneous region, a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the image represented by the first image data and the image represented by the second image data;
When the generated erroneous area designation data indicates a belt area extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width, the computer executes a process of correcting the erroneous area designation data so as to exclude the belt area from the erroneous area. Program to make. Obtaining means for obtaining first image data;
An image data generating unit that includes a sensor and sequentially reads an image formed on a recording medium according to the first image data by the image forming apparatus in a predetermined direction using the sensor to generate second image data;
Error region specification data for generating error region specification data indicating, as an error region, a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data Generating means;
When the erroneous area designation data generated by the erroneous area designation data generation means indicates a band area extending in the predetermined direction with a certain width, the second image data is generated for data corresponding to the band area. A data processing apparatus comprising: determination means for determining that there is an abnormality in the used sensor portion. Obtaining means for obtaining first image data;
A first sensor and a second sensor, wherein an image formed on a recording medium according to the first image data by the image forming apparatus is sequentially read in a predetermined direction using the first sensor; Image data generating means for generating image data, and sequentially reading the formed image in the predetermined direction using the second sensor to generate third image data;
First erroneous area designation data indicating, as a first error area, an area in which a difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is a predetermined value or more. A second error region that is generated and indicates, as a second error region, a region in which the density difference between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the third image data is equal to or greater than a predetermined value An erroneous area designation data generation means for generating the designation data;
Correction means for correcting the first erroneous area designation data so as to exclude an area that is not included in the second error area from the first error area from the first error area; Data processing device. Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
Obtaining means for obtaining first image data;
A first sensor and a second sensor, wherein the image formed on the recording medium in accordance with the first image data by the image forming means is sequentially read in a predetermined direction using the first sensor; Image data generating means for generating third image data by sequentially reading the formed image in the predetermined direction using the second sensor;
First erroneous area designation data indicating, as a first error area, an area in which a difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is a predetermined value or more. A second error region that is generated and indicates, as a second error region, a region in which the density difference between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the third image data is equal to or greater than a predetermined value An erroneous area designation data generation means for generating the designation data;
Correction means for correcting the first erroneous area designation data so as to exclude an area that is not included in the second error area from the first error area from the first error area; Image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium;
The first sensor and the second sensor are provided, and images formed on a recording medium are sequentially read in a predetermined direction using the first sensor to generate one image data, and the formed image is An image data generation device that sequentially reads in the predetermined direction using the second sensor to generate other image data;
A data processing device,
The data processing device includes:
First image data and second image data generated by the image data generating device reading the image formed on the recording medium according to the first image data by the image data generating device using the first sensor. And the third image data generated by the image data generation device reading the image formed on the recording medium according to the first image data using the second sensor. Acquisition means;
First erroneous area designation data indicating, as a first error area, an area in which a difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is a predetermined value or more. A second error region that is generated and indicates, as a second error region, a region in which the density difference between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the third image data is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Generating means for generating specified data;
Correction means for correcting the first erroneous area designation data so as to exclude an area that is not included in the second error area from the first error area from the first error area; system. An image data generation device having first image data and a first sensor and a second sensor uses an image formed on the recording medium according to the first image data by the image forming device to use the first sensor. Second image data generated by sequentially reading in a predetermined direction and the image formed by the image data generation device on the recording medium according to the first image data by the image forming device. Processing to acquire the third image data generated by sequentially reading in the predetermined direction using
First erroneous area designation data indicating, as a first error area, an area in which a difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is a predetermined value or more. A second error region that is generated and indicates, as a second error region, a region in which the density difference between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the third image data is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Processing to generate specified data;
A process of correcting the first error region designation data so as to exclude a region of the first error region that is not included in the second error region from the first error region. The program to be executed. Obtaining means for obtaining first image data;
A first sensor and a second sensor, wherein an image formed on a recording medium according to the first image data by the image forming apparatus is sequentially read in a predetermined direction using the first sensor; Image data is generated, and the image formed on the recording medium in accordance with the first image data by the image forming apparatus is sequentially read in the predetermined direction using the second sensor to generate third image data. Image data generating means for
First erroneous area designation data indicating, as a first error area, an area in which a difference in density between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data is a predetermined value or more. A second error region that is generated and indicates, as a second error region, a region in which the density difference between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the third image data is equal to or greater than a predetermined value An erroneous area designation data generation means for generating the designation data;
In the second image data, it is determined that the part of the sensor used for generating data corresponding to a region not included in the second error region in the first error region is abnormal. A data processing device comprising: Obtaining means for obtaining first image data;
An image data generating unit that includes a sensor and sequentially reads an image formed on a recording medium according to the first image data by the image forming apparatus in a predetermined direction using the sensor to generate second image data;
Error region specification data for generating error region specification data indicating, as an error region, a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data Generating means;
Changing means for changing a relative positional relationship between the sensor and a recording medium on which an image read by the image data generating means is formed with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction;
Among the second image data, the error area designation data generated by the error area designation data generation means with respect to the image data generated by the image data generation means before the change by the changing means is a constant width. A first band region extending in a predetermined direction is shown, and the image data generated by the image data generation unit after the change by the change unit among the second image data is generated by the error region designation data generation unit. The erroneous region designation data is a second band region extending in the predetermined direction with the constant width, and relative to the first band region and the second band region with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction. Relative positional relationship between the sensor before the change and the sensor after the change when the position of the recording medium is used as a reference Is a matching means for correcting the erroneous region designation data so as to exclude the first belt region and the second belt region from the error region when they coincide with each other in the direction and have a difference of a predetermined value or less in the distance. A data processing apparatus comprising: Image forming means for forming an image on a recording medium;
Obtaining means for obtaining first image data;
An image data generating unit that includes a sensor, and that sequentially reads an image formed on the recording medium according to the first image data by the image forming unit in a predetermined direction using the sensor to generate second image data; ,
Error region specification data for generating error region specification data indicating, as an error region, a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data Generating means;
Changing means for changing a relative positional relationship between the sensor and a recording medium on which an image read by the image data generating means is formed with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction;
Among the second image data, the error area designation data generated by the error area designation data generation means with respect to the image data generated by the image data generation means before the change by the changing means is a constant width. A first band region extending in a predetermined direction is shown, and the image data generated by the image data generation unit after the change by the change unit among the second image data is generated by the error region designation data generation unit. The erroneous region designation data is a second band region extending in the predetermined direction with the constant width, and relative to the first band region and the second band region with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction. Relative positional relationship between the sensor before the change and the sensor after the change when the position of the recording medium is used as a reference Is a matching means for correcting the erroneous region designation data so as to exclude the first belt region and the second belt region from the error region when they coincide with each other in the direction and have a difference of a predetermined value or less in the distance. An image forming apparatus comprising: An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium;
A sensor, image data generating means for generating image data by sequentially reading an image formed on the recording medium in a predetermined direction using the sensor, and a record in which an image read by the sensor and the image data generating means is formed An image data generating device comprising: a changing unit that changes a relative positional relationship with a medium with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction;
A data processing device,
The data processing device includes:
1st image data and the image data which the image formation apparatus produced | generated on the recording medium according to the 1st image data according to the 1st image data and the image data which each produced | generated before and after the said change by the said change means are included Acquisition means for acquiring second image data;
Error region specification data for generating error region specification data indicating, as an error region, a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data Generating means;
Of the second image data, the erroneous region designation data generated by the erroneous region designation data generation unit with respect to the image data generated by the image forming apparatus before the change by the changing unit is a predetermined width and the predetermined direction. Is an erroneous region generated by the erroneous region designation data generating unit with respect to the image data generated by the image forming apparatus after the change by the changing unit in the second image data. The designated data indicates the second band region extending in the predetermined direction with the constant width, and the relative positional relationship between the first band region and the second band region with respect to the direction crossing the predetermined direction And the relative positional relationship between the sensor before the change and the sensor after the change when the position of the recording medium is used as a reference match in the direction. If a difference of less than a predetermined value in the distance, a system and a correction means for correcting the erroneous area specification data to exclude the first strip region and the second band regions from the region of the error. Processing for obtaining first image data;
Sensor, image data generating means for generating image data by sequentially reading images formed on the recording medium in a predetermined direction using the sensor, and recording medium on which an image read by the sensor and the image data generating means is formed An image data generation device comprising a changing means for changing a relative positional relationship between the first image data and the image data on the recording medium according to the first image data. Processing for obtaining second image data including image data generated by the image data generation means before and after the change by the change means;
Processing for generating erroneous region designation data indicating, as an erroneous region, a region having a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the image represented by the first image data and the image represented by the second image data;
A first belt region in which the erroneous region designation data generated by the image forming apparatus regarding the image data generated before the change by the changing unit out of the second image data extends in the predetermined direction with a certain width. A second band in which erroneous region designation data generated by the image forming apparatus regarding the image data generated after the change by the changing unit out of the second image data extends in the predetermined direction with the constant width. In the direction crossing the predetermined direction, the relative positional relationship between the first band area and the second band area, and before the change when the position of the recording medium is used as a reference When the relative positional relationship between the sensor and the sensor after the change matches in the direction and is a difference equal to or less than a predetermined value in distance, the first band region and the second Program for executing a process of correcting the erroneous area specification data to exclude regions from the region of the errors to the computer. Obtaining means for obtaining first image data;
An image data generating unit that includes a sensor and sequentially reads an image formed on a recording medium according to the first image data by the image forming apparatus in a predetermined direction using the sensor to generate second image data;
Error region specification data for generating error region specification data indicating an error region that has a density difference equal to or greater than a predetermined value between the image indicated by the first image data and the image indicated by the second image data Data generation means;
Changing means for changing a relative positional relationship between the sensor and a recording medium on which an image read by the image data generating means is formed with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction;
Among the second image data, the error area designation data generated by the error area designation data generation means with respect to the image data generated by the image data generation means before the change by the changing means is a constant width. A first band region extending in a predetermined direction is shown, and the image data generated by the image data generation unit after the change by the change unit among the second image data is generated by the error region designation data generation unit. The erroneous region designation data is a second band region extending in the predetermined direction with the constant width, and relative to the first band region and the second band region with respect to a direction crossing the predetermined direction. Relative positional relationship between the sensor before the change and the sensor after the change when the position of the recording medium is used as a reference Are the same in the direction and the difference in distance is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the data used for generating the data corresponding to the first band area and the second band area of the second image data A data processing apparatus comprising: determination means for determining that there is an abnormality in the sensor portion.

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