JP2021121840A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus in which maintenance processing is appropriately executed.SOLUTION: An image diagnosis processing unit 31 causes a printing device 10 to print a first image diagnosis document image and output the first image diagnosis document, causes an image reading device 21 to read an image of the first image diagnosis document as a first diagnosis image, detects an image defect in the first diagnosis image, causes the printing device 10 to print a second image diagnosis document image indicating a position of the detected image defect and including an instruction image that urges an operator to select whether maintenance processing on the image defect is necessary and output the second image diagnosis document, causes the image reading device 21 to read an image of the second diagnosis document as a second diagnosis image, specifies the image defect for which maintenance processing is designated to be necessary based on the second diagnosis image, and specifies maintenance processing corresponding to the image defect.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

An image processing device prints a test chart with a printer, scans the test chart with a scanner, and automatically determines whether or not the obtained scanned image contains image defects. Notify the image diagnosis result indicating the image defect. A maintenance treatment plan corresponding to the image diagnosis result is added to the image diagnosis result (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-46595

However, in the above-mentioned image processing device, since it is automatically determined whether or not the device has an image defect and a corresponding maintenance processing plan is presented, even in the case of an image defect that does not originally require maintenance processing, an image is displayed. There is a possibility that an image diagnosis result indicating a defect will be notified and unnecessary maintenance processing will be executed.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to obtain an image forming apparatus in which maintenance processing is appropriately executed.

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a printing apparatus, an image reading apparatus, and an image diagnostic processing unit. Then, the image diagnosis processing unit (a) prints the image of the first image diagnosis manuscript on the printing device to output the first image diagnosis manuscript, and (b) first diagnoses the image of the first image diagnosis manuscript. The image reader is made to read the image as an image, (c) the image defect in the first diagnostic image is detected, (d) the position of the detected image defect is specified, and (e) the position of the detected image defect is determined. A second image diagnosis manuscript image including an instruction image including an instruction image for prompting the operator to select whether or not maintenance processing for the image defect is necessary is printed on the printing device to output the second image diagnosis manuscript, and (f) the above. The image of the second diagnostic manuscript is read by the image reader as the second diagnostic image, and (g) the image defect designated by the operator as requiring maintenance processing based on the second diagnostic image is removed. Identify and (h) identify automatic or manual maintenance processes corresponding to the identified image defects.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus in which maintenance processing is appropriately executed.

The above or other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be further clarified from the following detailed description along with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a mechanical configuration of a printing device in the image forming device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a first image diagnosis manuscript image. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen pattern used as a test pattern in the first diagnostic imaging manuscript image. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a first diagnostic image corresponding to the first diagnostic imaging manuscript image shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a first image diagnosis manuscript image shown in FIG. 3 and a second image diagnosis manuscript image corresponding to the first diagnosis image shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen pattern used as a test pattern in the second diagnostic imaging manuscript image. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a second diagnostic image corresponding to the second diagnostic imaging manuscript image shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the second diagnostic image. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a first image diagnosis manuscript image according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a second image diagnosis manuscript image according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a second diagnostic image according to the second embodiment.

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

Embodiment 1.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing a mechanical configuration of a printing device in the image forming device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

This image forming apparatus is an apparatus having a printing function of an electrophotographic process, such as a printer, a facsimile apparatus, a copying machine, a multifunction device, and the like, and includes a printing apparatus 10 as shown in FIG.

The printing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a tandem type color developing apparatus. This color developing device includes photoconductor drums 1a to 1d, an exposure device 2, and developing devices 3a to 3d. The photoconductor drums 1a to 1d are cylindrical rotating bodies, and are photoconductors of four colors of black, magenta, cyan, and yellow. The exposure device 2 is a device that irradiates the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 1a to 1d with a laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image. The exposure apparatus 2 emits light along the main scanning direction on the surfaces of a laser diode that is a light source of laser light and an optical element (lens, mirror, and photoconductor drums 1a to 1d) that guides the laser light to the photoconductor drums 1a to 1d. It has a polygon mirror for scanning, etc.), a polygon motor for rotating the polygon mirror, and the like.

The developing devices 3a to 3d adhere the toner in the toner cartridge to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drums 1a to 1d and develop the toner image to form the toner image. Black is developed by the photoconductor drum 1a and the developing device 3a, magenta is developed by the photoconductor drum 1b and the developing device 3b, and cyan is developed by the photoconductor drum 1c and the developing device 3c. , The photoconductor drum 1d and the developing device 3d perform yellow development.

The intermediate transfer belt 5 is an annular intermediate transfer body that comes into contact with the photoconductor drums 1a to 1d and transfers the toner image on the photoconductor drums 1a to 1d. The intermediate transfer belt 5 is stretched on the drive roller 6 and the tension roller 7, and is rotated in the direction from the contact position with the photoconductor drum 1d to the contact position with the photoconductor drum 1a by the driving force from the drive roller 6. To go.

The transfer roller 8 brings the conveyed paper into contact with the intermediate transfer belt 5 and transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 5 to the paper. The paper on which the toner image is transferred is conveyed to a fuser (not shown), and the toner image is fixed on the paper.

The density sensor 9 irradiates the intermediate transfer belt 5 with light and detects the reflected light. In particular, the density sensor 9 detects the density, position, and the like of the adjustment toner pattern on the intermediate transfer belt 5 during the automatic density adjustment process. The density sensor 9 is a reflective optical sensor.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2 includes the above-mentioned printing apparatus 10, an image reading apparatus 21, a storage apparatus 22, and a controller 23.

The printing device 10 has a mechanical configuration shown in FIG. 1 and prints a document designated by the user and an image diagnosis document described later.

The image reading device 21 is an internal device that optically reads a document image from a document and generates image data (here, color image data) of the document image.

The storage device 22 is a non-volatile storage device such as a flash memory, and stores programs and data. For example, the storage device 22 stores image data of an image diagnosis manuscript, which will be described later, a table showing maintenance processing corresponding to the image diagnosis result, and the like.

The controller 23 has an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and / or a microcomputer, and controls each part (printing device 10, image reading device 21, etc.) in the image forming apparatus by hardware and / or software. Operates as various processing units. Here, the controller 23 operates as the diagnostic imaging processing unit 31.

The image diagnosis processing unit 31 causes the printing device 10 to print the first image diagnosis manuscript image on the print paper and output the first image diagnosis manuscript according to the operation by the operator such as the user or the service person, and the operator. According to the operation according to the above, the image of the first diagnostic imaging manuscript as a print product is read by the image reading device 21 as the first diagnostic image, and image defects (streaks, dots, etc. due to density change) are found based on the first diagnostic image. Perform an automatic diagnostic step to detect.

Further, the image diagnosis processing unit 31 (a) identifies the position of the detected image defect, indicates the position of the detected image defect, and prompts the operator to select the necessity of maintenance processing for the image defect (instruction image (a). A second image diagnosis manuscript image including (for example, a check box) is generated, and (b) the printing device 10 is made to print the second image diagnosis manuscript image on another printing paper and output the second image diagnosis manuscript. (C) The image of the second diagnostic document is read by the image reading device 21 as the second diagnostic image according to the operation by the operator, and (d) the operator specifies that maintenance processing is required based on the second diagnostic image. Identify the image defects that have been identified, and (e) identify the automatic or manual maintenance process that corresponds to the specified image defects.

Specifically, the operator visually confirms the test pattern in the second image diagnosis manuscript output as described above, and for the instruction image corresponding to the image defect that is determined to require maintenance processing. , Fill in the indication that maintenance processing is necessary (for example, check the check box), and indicate that maintenance processing is required for the instruction image corresponding to the image defect that is judged that maintenance processing is not necessary. Do not fill in to indicate. Then, the image diagnosis processing unit 31 detects the image of the entry made by the operator with respect to the instruction image in the second diagnosis image, and operates the image defect corresponding to the instruction image in which the image of such entry is detected. It is determined that the image defect is designated as requiring maintenance processing by the operator, and the image defect corresponding to the indicated image in which the image of such entry is not detected is the image defect designated as requiring maintenance processing by the operator. Judge that it is not.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a first image diagnosis manuscript image. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen pattern used as a test pattern in the first diagnostic imaging manuscript image. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a first diagnostic image corresponding to the first diagnostic imaging manuscript image shown in FIG.

The first image diagnostic manuscript image 101 shown in FIG. 3 is for detecting streaks along the sub-scanning direction as image defects, and the toner colors of the printing apparatus 10 (here, cyan, magenta, yellow, And black), including band-shaped test patterns 101C, 101M, 101Y, 101K along the main scanning direction.

For example, the image data of the first image diagnosis manuscript image 101 as shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage device 22 in advance, and the first image diagnosis manuscript image 101 is printed by the printing device 10 based on the image data. The first diagnostic imaging manuscript is output. At that time, the test patterns 101C, 101M, 101Y, and 101K are drawn with a screen pattern as shown in FIG. 4, for example. Then, from the first image diagnosis manuscript, for example, the first diagnostic image 111 as shown in FIG. 5 is read by the image reading device 21. The first diagnostic image 111 includes test patterns 111C, 111M, 111Y, 111K corresponding to test patterns 101C, 101M, 101Y, 101K. At this time, image defects may occur in the test patterns 111C, 111M, 111Y, and 111K due to the state of the printing device 10 and the like. In the case shown in FIG. 5, image defects occur in the test patterns 111C, 111M, and 111K.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a first image diagnosis manuscript image shown in FIG. 3 and a second image diagnosis manuscript image corresponding to the first diagnosis image shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen pattern used as a test pattern in the second diagnostic imaging manuscript image. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a second diagnostic image corresponding to the second diagnostic imaging manuscript image shown in FIG. 7.

The base image data of the second image diagnosis manuscript image (that is, the image data of the second image diagnosis manuscript image not including the instruction image) is stored in the storage device 22 in advance, and as described above, from the first diagnosis image 111. When the position of the image defect is automatically identified, based on the base image data, for example, as shown in FIG. 6, an image based on the base image data (that is, a second image diagnosis manuscript image that does not include an instruction image). The image data of the second image diagnosis original image 121 is generated by adding the indicated images 131 to 134 at the positions of the specified image defects. The second image diagnosis manuscript image based on the base image data includes the test patterns 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K corresponding to the test patterns 101C, 101M, 101Y, 101K.

Based on the image data of the second image diagnosis manuscript image 121, the second image diagnosis manuscript image 121 is printed by the printing device 10 and the second image diagnosis manuscript is output. At that time, the test patterns 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K are drawn with a screen pattern as shown in FIG. 7, for example. Then, from the second image diagnosis manuscript filled in by the operator, for example, the second diagnostic image 141 as shown in FIG. 8 is read by the image reading device 21. The second diagnostic image 141 includes the test patterns 141C, 141M, 141Y, 141K corresponding to the test patterns 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K, and also includes the instruction images 151 to 154 corresponding to the instruction images 131 to 134. Further, the second diagnostic image 141 includes the input images 161 to 163 based on the input by the operator, and the instruction images 151, 152, 154 (that is, the corresponding images) designated by the operator by the input images 161 to 163. Defects) are identified.

In this embodiment, the test patterns 101C, 101M, 101Y, and 101K of the first image diagnosis manuscript image 111 are images having a uniform density, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, and the test of the second image diagnosis manuscript image 121 is performed. The patterns 121C, 121M, 121Y, and 121K are images having a density gradation (here, a density gradation in which the density changes along the sub-scanning direction), as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

Specifically, each test pattern 101C, 101M, 101Y, 101K is an image having a uniform density in order to facilitate detection of image defects in automatic image diagnosis, and each test pattern test pattern 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K. Is an image having a density gradation so that the degree of image defects at each halftone level can be easily determined by the operator's visual inspection.

Further, in this embodiment, the test patterns 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K have the same shape as the test patterns 101C, 101M, 101Y, 101K, respectively. Then, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the test patterns 101C, 101M, 101Y, 101K of the first image diagnosis manuscript image 111 are the test patterns 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K of the second image diagnosis manuscript image 121. It has a screen pattern different from the screen pattern.

That is, in the screen pattern of the test patterns 101C, 101M, 101Y, 101K, the streaks along the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction as image defects are more likely to appear than the screen patterns of the test patterns 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K. Has. Specifically, for example, in the screen pattern of the test patterns 101C, 101M, 101Y, 101K, the line is a line screen along the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction, and the dot arrangement direction is the main scanning direction and / or the sub-scanning direction. Dot screen along. For example, the screen patterns of the test patterns 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K are line screens in which the lines are inclined from the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction, and dot screens in which the dot growth direction is inclined from the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction. And so on.

In the above example, the image diagnosis for detecting the streaks along the sub-scanning direction as an image defect is performed, but the image diagnosis for detecting the streaks along the main scanning direction as an image defect is performed in the same manner. You may do so. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing another example of the second diagnostic image. In this case, for example, the second diagnostic image 181 as shown in FIG. 9 is obtained. In this case as well, when streaks along the main scanning direction appear in the test patterns 181C, 181M, 181Y, and 181K along the sub-scanning direction, the second diagnostic image 181 is the instruction image 182 corresponding to the streaks. 184, and further includes images 191 to 193 entered by the operator.

In the first embodiment, when performing image diagnosis for detecting streaks along the main scanning direction as image defects, the first image diagnosis original image is a secondary image for detecting image defects along the main scanning direction. The first test pattern along the scanning direction is included, and the second image diagnosis manuscript image includes the same second test pattern as the first test pattern. Here, all the test patterns are images with uniform density, but as described above, the screen patterns are different from each other. Further, in this case, the printing device 10 includes a rotating body (photoreceptor drums 1a to 1d, etc.) used in the electrophotographic process, and streaks along the main scanning direction are generated corresponding to the period of the rotating body. Therefore, the image diagnosis processing unit 31 sets the rotation angle position of the rotating body when the printing device 10 prints the second test pattern of the second image diagnosis manuscript image to the first image of the first image diagnosis manuscript image. The test pattern is matched with the rotation angle position of the rotating body when the printing device 10 is printed. That is, the position of the streaks appearing in the first test pattern (position in the sub-scanning direction) and the position of the streaks appearing in the second test pattern (position in the sub-scanning direction) of the second diagnostic imaging manuscript image match. The rotation angle position of the rotating body is controlled at the time of printing.

Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment.

When a predetermined operation of the operator is detected on an operation panel or the like (not shown), the image diagnosis processing unit 31 causes the printing device 10 to print the first image diagnosis manuscript image 101 and outputs the first image diagnosis manuscript ( Step S1).

The operator sets the first diagnostic imaging document in the image reading device 21 and performs a predetermined operation on an operation panel (not shown) or the like.

When the operation is detected by an operation panel or the like (not shown), the image diagnosis processing unit 31 causes the image reading device 21 to read the image of the first diagnostic imaging manuscript as the first diagnostic image 111 (step S2), and first. When the diagnostic image 111 is obtained, the automatic diagnostic imaging process based on the first diagnostic image 111 is executed (step S3). In the automatic diagnostic imaging process, the diagnostic imaging processing unit 31 determines the image defect (density different from the original density) in the first diagnostic image 111 based on the density distribution of the test patterns 111C, 111M, 111Y, 111K in the first diagnostic image 111. The position of the detected image defect in the test patterns 111C, 111M, 111Y, 111K is specified.

Immediately after that, the image diagnosis processing unit 31 generates a first image diagnosis manuscript image 101 and a second image diagnosis manuscript image 121 corresponding to the position of the image defect, and causes the printing device 10 to print the second image diagnosis manuscript. Is output (step S4).

The operator visually confirms the print state of the test pattern in the second diagnostic imaging manuscript, determines whether or not maintenance processing is required for the image defect (streak, etc.) to which the instruction image is attached, and performs maintenance. For the instruction image attached to the image defect that needs to be processed, an entry indicating that maintenance processing is necessary is made by hand. After that, the operator sets the second diagnostic imaging document in the image reading device 21 and performs a predetermined operation on an operation panel (not shown) or the like.

When the operation is detected by an operation panel or the like (not shown), the image diagnosis processing unit 31 causes the image reading device 21 to read the image of the second diagnostic imaging manuscript as the second diagnostic image 141 (step S5), and the second. When the diagnostic image 141 is obtained, the input image for the instruction image in the second diagnostic image 141 is detected, and the image defect designated by the operator is identified (step S6).

Then, the image diagnosis processing unit 31 executes the maintenance identification process based on the image defect designated by the operator (that is, without considering the image defect not specified by the operator) (step S7). .. In the maintenance specific processing, the image diagnosis processing unit 31 performs manual or automatic maintenance processing corresponding to the image defect based on the above-mentioned table or the like based on the state (position, density, shape, etc.) of the image defect. Identify. In the case of a manual maintenance process, the specified maintenance process (maintenance process) is displayed on a display device (not shown) and presented to the operator, and the operator executes the presented maintenance process. In the case of automatic maintenance processing, the specified maintenance processing is executed by the diagnostic imaging processing unit 31. For example, the manual maintenance process includes replacement of a specific part in the printing device 10, and the automatic maintenance process includes a calibration operation of the printing device 10 and a drum refresh operation of the photoconductor drums 1a to 1d. ..

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the image diagnosis processing unit 31 causes the printing device 10 to print the (a) first image diagnosis manuscript image 101 and outputs the first image diagnosis manuscript (b). ) The image of the first diagnostic imaging manuscript is read by the image reading device 21 as the first diagnostic image 111, (c) the image defect in the first diagnostic image 111 is detected, and (d) the position of the detected image defect is specified. , (E) The second image diagnostic manuscript image 121 including the instruction images 131 to 134 indicating the position of the detected image defect and prompting the operator to select the necessity of maintenance processing for the image defect is printed on the printing device 10. The second diagnostic imaging manuscript is output, (f) the image of the second diagnostic manuscript is read by the image reading device 21 as the second diagnostic image 141, and (g) by the operator based on the second diagnostic image 141. Identify image defects designated as requiring maintenance, and (h) identify automatic or manual maintenance for the identified image defects.

As a result, among the automatically detected image defects, the maintenance process is selected without considering the image defects that were not visually determined by the operator to require the maintenance process, so that the maintenance process is unnecessary. Execution is suppressed and maintenance processing is executed appropriately.

Embodiment 2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a first image diagnosis manuscript image according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a second image diagnosis manuscript image according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a second diagnostic image according to the second embodiment.

In the second embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the first image diagnosis manuscript image 201 and the second image diagnosis manuscript image 211 are (a) the test patterns 101C, 101M, 101Y, 101K described above, respectively. Test patterns 201C, 201M, 201Y, 201K for automatic image diagnosis similar to the above, and (b) Test patterns 202C, 202M for visual diagnosis of the operator similar to the above-mentioned test patterns 121C, 121M, 121Y, 121K. , 202Y, 202K are included. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the second image diagnosis manuscript image 211 includes the instruction images 221 to 224. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, for example, a second diagnostic image including the corresponding test patterns 231C, 231M, 231Y, 231K, 232C, 232M, 232Y, 232K, the corresponding instruction images 241 to 244, and the entry images 251 to 253. 231 is obtained.

Since other configurations and operations of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

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

The present invention is applicable to, for example, an image forming apparatus.

1a to 1d Photoreceptor drum (example of rotating body)
10 Printing device 21 Image reading device 31 Image diagnostic processing unit

Claims (4)

With a printing device
Image reader and
Equipped with an image diagnosis processing unit
The image diagnosis processing unit (a) prints the first image diagnosis manuscript image on the printing apparatus to output the first image diagnosis manuscript, and (b) uses the image of the first image diagnosis manuscript as the first diagnosis image. It is read by the image reader, (c) detects an image defect in the first diagnostic image, (d) identifies the position of the detected image defect, and (e) indicates the position of the detected image defect. A second image diagnosis manuscript image including an instruction image for prompting the operator to select whether or not maintenance processing is necessary for the image defect is printed on the printing device to output the second image diagnosis manuscript, and (f) the second image diagnosis manuscript. The image of the diagnostic manuscript is read by the image reader as a second diagnostic image, and (g) the image defect designated by the operator as requiring maintenance processing is identified based on the second diagnostic image. , (H) Identifying automatic or manual maintenance processes corresponding to the identified image defects,
An image forming apparatus characterized by. The first image diagnostic manuscript image includes a first test pattern along the sub-scanning direction for detecting image defects along the main scanning direction.
The second image diagnostic manuscript image includes a second test pattern that is the same as the first test pattern.
The printing device comprises a rotating body to be used in the electrophotographic process.
The image diagnosis processing unit sets the rotation angle position of the rotating body when printing the second test pattern of the second image diagnosis manuscript image on the printing apparatus, and sets the position of the rotation angle of the first image diagnosis manuscript image in the first test. Matching the pattern with the rotation angle position of the rotating body when printing on the printing device,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The first diagnostic imaging manuscript image includes a first test pattern.
The second diagnostic imaging manuscript image includes a second test pattern.
The second test pattern has the same shape as the shape of the first test pattern, and has the same shape.
The first test pattern of the first image diagnosis manuscript image has a screen pattern different from the screen pattern of the second test pattern of the second image diagnosis manuscript image.
The screen pattern of the first test pattern has a dot pattern in which streaks along the main scanning direction or the sub-scanning direction as the image defects are more likely to appear than the screen pattern of the second test pattern.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The first diagnostic imaging manuscript image includes a first test pattern.
The second diagnostic imaging manuscript image includes a second test pattern.
The first test pattern is an image having a uniform density.
The second test pattern is an image having a density gradation.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

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