JP4271382B2 - Image state verification device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image state verification method and apparatus for an electrophotographic image product using a light beam.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the pre-shipment inspection of electrophotographic image products, etc., conventionally, images are actually printed, and the image formation state of the product is inspected and verified by visual inspection, or the printed image is re-imaged with a CCD camera, etc. The image forming state is verified by taking in and processing by the input means.
[0003]
In addition, in order to evaluate the performance of various optical elements of the scanning optical system before assembly as a product, a method of acquiring and evaluating a scanning beam emitted from the scanning optical system by a two-dimensional light receiving means, There is a method in which the beam is stopped at the position (the beam scanning mechanism is stopped), and the light amount distribution of the beam is evaluated by temporal change of the light amount of the beam passing through the scanning slit.
[0004]
Among the above-mentioned conventional techniques, when actually inspecting and verifying by actually printing an image, it is accompanied by variations among persons in charge, fatigue of persons in charge during visual inspection, consumption of developer such as paper and toner, and printing. Product smudges, etc. Also, the method of capturing and evaluating images after printing with a CCD camera or the like may cause paper or developer consumption, product smudges due to printing, and each optical element constituting the product. There are many concerns about individual evaluations, such as the effects of image processing during printing are not reflected.
[0005]
Further, for example, a “beam diameter measuring device” described in JP-A-8-247732 is a laser beam diameter measuring device in a scanning optical system such as a laser printer. It is disclosed that a beam diameter is detected as a region up to an image of a side lobe in an image even for a beam that is out of focus from the surface of the photoreceptor and has a side lobe.
[0006]
Further, for example, in “Print Inspection Apparatus and Method and Storage Medium” described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-195124, the image quality printed on paper is optically read and A / D converted to digitally convert the image data. And detecting a feature quantity of image quality.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, an image product using the electrophotographic method is composed of a number of units. In particular, the writing optical system, which is the main mechanism, is important in image quality, and the amount of light, shape, and behavior of the light transmitted through and reflected by the individual optical elements that make up the unit on the scanning surface are the quality of the image that is formed. Greatly affects.
[0008]
In the prior art described in JP-A-8-247732, even when the beam diameter is deviated from the image forming point, the beam diameter is obtained including the side lobe by acquiring the beam diameter. Is possible. However, there is a problem that the lighting pattern at the time of actual image formation is not suitable for inspection and verification of the image state at the time of printing because adjacent beams partially overlap and the side lobe is buried. It was.
[0009]
In addition, the process of converting print data, copy data, and the like as print data and generating a light beam lighting pattern also greatly contributes to adjustments such as image quality and image visibility. Therefore, inspection and verification of the printed image that is the final output is indispensable. In the prior art described in JP-A-11-195124, the printed image is optically read and digitized by A / D conversion. This is a method that is naturally considered as an automatic evaluation of a printed image because it detects the amount of paper, but it cannot avoid the consumption of paper and developer and the contamination of equipment due to printing. In addition, when evaluating an image after printing, there is a discontinuity between feedback to the product and evaluation of the adjustment result by image printing again, which is inefficient.
[0010]
On the other hand, the printing state of the image product is greatly influenced by the quality of the light beam that reaches the photoconductor to form a latent image on the photoconductor. Therefore, if the image state and the light beam are relatively related, the light beam It is considered that the quality of the image state can be compensated by evaluating the above. At that time, it is optimal to acquire and evaluate the light beam by grasping the state of the light beam at the position of the photoconductor inside the product. This is because the environment at the time of printing is realized as it is. Therefore, the optical system for detecting the light beam of the writing optical system must be small and compatible with the operation of the scanning optical system. This is because products are becoming smaller and space-saving, and the space occupied by internal units is also small. This is because the light beam to be detected is in a region that is wide in the main scanning direction and narrow in the sub-scanning direction.
[0011]
In order to obtain the light beam of the scanning optical system with high resolution over the entire scanning width, it is desirable to use a light receiving device having an area in which the minute pixels cover the entire scanning width, but such a light receiving device has limited applications. Above all, it is clear that the cost of production is enormous. For this reason, in order to efficiently use a light receiving device having a limited area and resolution, a moving mechanism and an enlargement optical system are necessary, and it is necessary to join together optical data received at different times as image data. In addition, when an image product to be inspected / verified uses a plurality of light beams, if a plurality of development systems are held, it is necessary to evaluate the superimposed images.
[0012]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems. An optical system that can be inserted into a product to be inspected and verified is set, light beam data and image data are associated, and acquired light beam data. To provide an image state verification method and apparatus that enables image evaluation without actual printing, and at the same time, enables inspection and verification with reduced consumption of developer such as paper and toner. It is aimed.
[0013]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  To solve the above problem,An image state verification device according to the present invention is an image state verification device for an optical scanning unit of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor by a light beam. A light beam detecting means installed at a position; an image forming means for forming an image on the light beam detecting means; a data storing means for storing a light beam detection result by the light beam detecting means; and processing the detected data And a data display means for displaying the detected light beam data. The light beam detection means and the imaging means are independently installed at an angle, and the light beam reflection means , Detecting by changing the propagation direction of the light beam, the imaging means is an infinity correction type optical system, and the elements inserted into the product among the components of the optical system are the objective lens and the reflection means And then, characterized in that for fixing the imaging lens, the light receiving means to the product outside.
[0014]
  This inventionAccording toAfter assembly, the image state of an electrophotographic image product using a light beam is detected using a light beam detection system inserted into the product to detect a scanned and patterned light beam in the same way as when forming an image. The detected light beam data can be stored, processed and displayed. Another object of the present invention is to provide an image state verification device with high resolution. Further, according to the present invention, an image state in which the optical axis of the detection means can be polarized in the scanning direction by changing the direction of the light beam so as to correspond to a space that is long in the scanning direction and narrow in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction. It is to provide a verification device. Further, according to the present invention, the imaging system is an infinity correction type, so that only the objective lens and the reflection means are inserted into the product among the components of the detection optical system, and the imaging lens and the light receiving means are provided. The detection optical system fixed to the outside of the product and inserted into the product and its drive mechanism can be reduced in size.
[0029]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above inventionA plurality of imaging means are installed, the light beam from the first imaging means farthest from the light beam detecting means is reflected by the reflecting means, and the light beam from other than the first imaging means is propagated by the half mirror. The angle is changed and the light beam is incident on the light beam detecting means.
[0030]
  This inventionAccording to the above, it is possible to obtain a light beam at a plurality of positions in the scanning direction of the image product by using a single light beam detecting means.
[0031]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above inventionThe reflectance and transmittance of the reflecting means and the half mirror are changed according to the number of the imaging means.
[0032]
  This inventionAccording to this, it is possible to acquire a light beam by correcting individual light quantity attenuation by the element at each position of the detection optical system at a plurality of positions.
[0033]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above inventionThe number of the reflecting means and the half mirror is provided by providing an offset to the acquired data without adjusting the reflectance and transmittance of the reflecting means and the half mirror in advance. It is characterized by removing fluctuations in the amount of light due to.
[0034]
  This inventionAccording to the above, when receiving light at a plurality of positions, even if there is a difference in the amount of light attenuation by the optical element at each position, it can be corrected by processing the stored data.
[0039]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above inventionThe data of the detected light beam is arranged in the data storage means corresponding to the main / sub scanning direction, displayed on the image display means, and stored in the storage means.
[0040]
  This inventionAccording to the above, it is possible to virtually acquire, display, and store as image data by arranging the light beam data of the pattern lighting in two dimensions.
[0041]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above inventionThe threshold value of the acquired data can be changed, and the display density can be changed.
[0042]
  This inventionAccording to this, the display density can be made variable, and the comparison between the visual image state and the response characteristics of the photoconductor to the light amount of the light beam at the product design stage can be verified.
[0043]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above invention1, the density of the print image is relatively associated with one or more sets of acquired data.
[0044]
  This inventionAccording to the above, one or more sets of acquired data indicating the image status are compared with the actual print status, the correlation between the print image and the light beam light distribution status is set in advance, and used for subsequent verification. The reliability of the detected value of the light beam that expresses
[0047]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above inventionWhen there are a plurality of image forming units constituting the image product, the light beam detection system is installed in each of the image forming units.
[0048]
  This inventionAccordingly, when the image product to be detected has a plurality of image forming units such as color-compatible models, it is possible to detect the light beam at each image forming unit.
[0049]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above inventionThe light beam data acquired by a plurality of the light beam detection systems is stored in one data storage unit in an overlapping manner.
[0050]
  This inventionAccordingly, the distribution of the light beam can be detected in the same state as the output image overwritten by the plurality of image forming units.
[0051]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above inventionThe display is a color display.
[0052]
  This inventionAccording to the above, when the image product is color-compatible or uses a plurality of light beams, the light beam is distinguished from each image forming unit without overwriting the overwritten data on the storage means in the printed state. can do.
[0053]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above inventionThe threshold value can be individually changed for each color of the acquired data, and the display density can be changed.
[0054]
  This inventionAccording to the above, when the difference in sensitivity in each image forming unit or the color of the developer in the image forming unit is different, the light beam data is processed and stored in accordance with the sensitivity of each image forming unit, Or can be displayed.
[0055]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above inventionWhen the image forming unit of the image product is a scanning optical system, the light beam lighting pattern is constant in a certain region on the light beam scanning line, the scanning beam is received in the region, and the light beam scanning of the image product is performed. It is characterized in that it detects irregularities in the operation of the means, deviation in lighting timing of the light beam, and the like.
[0056]
  This inventionAccording to the above, the lighting start position of a different light beam lighting pattern for each scan of the image product, the rotation unevenness of the light beam scanning means such as polygons, etc. are detected, the detection timing of the light beam detection means, the light of the detected light beam It is possible to detect a positional deviation in the beam detecting means.
[0057]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above invention1, the timing of image formation for one sheet is detected in advance in the main and sub scanning directions, and the position of the data detected by the light beam detection system is corrected based on the detected timing.
[0058]
  This inventionAccording to the above, when it is not possible to detect all the light beams in all the scanning areas of the image product and all the lines in the sub-scanning direction to be printed at a time, the lighting is performed when the light beam is first detected by the light beam detecting means. Compared to the lighting timing and lighting position at the position where the light beam detecting means has moved with respect to the timing and lighting position or when the scanning beam on the second and subsequent lines in the sub-scanning direction is detected, the entire scanning area After acquiring the optical data for all the lines in the sub-scanning direction, the data can be rearranged on the storage means, or rearranged and displayed.
[0059]
  Also,Image state verification apparatus according to the present inventionIsThe above invention3, wherein the images acquired by the respective light beam detection optical systems are corrected in timing and formed on the data storage means, and then superimposed.
[0060]
  This inventionIn the case of having a plurality of image forming units, all the image forming units are based on the lighting timing and lighting position in one or each of the image forming units when the light beam is first detected by the light beam detecting unit. Compared with the lighting timing and lighting position at the position where the light beam detecting means moves or when the scanning beam after the second line in the sub-scanning direction is detected, the entire scanning region and all the lines in the sub-scanning direction After acquiring the optical data for the minute, the optical data detected by all the image forming units can be overwritten and rearranged on the storage means, or can be rearranged and displayed.
[0061]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Exemplary embodiments of an image state verification method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0062]
In FIG. 1, there is a laser scanning optical system 2 and a photoconductor unit 3 that receives the laser beam and forms an electrostatic latent image in the front cover of the copying machine 1. The photoreceptor unit 3 has a removable structure such as maintenance and replacement. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the laser scanning optical system 2a turns laser light into a scanning beam by the polygon mirror 5, and forms an image on the imaging surface 6 by the optical element 4 having the fθ characteristic. Here, the imaging surface is not flat or straight because the imaging surface actually has curvature of field, etc., but since the photoreceptor surface is assembled so as to coincide with this imaging surface 6, it is expressed as an imaging surface.
[0063]
Therefore, the removable photosensitive unit 3 is removed from the copying machine 1, and an aerial image of the scanning beam imaged on the imaging surface 6 is obtained using an imaging device such as a CCD camera. Depending on the lighting state, as shown in FIG. 3, images having different shapes depending on the lighting time in the scanning direction are obtained, such as a beam image 8 and a beam image 8a in the captured image 7. An electrostatic latent image is generated at the position where the scanning beam is applied to the photosensitive member, and a printed image is obtained by a developer such as transfer or toner. By verifying the image of the captured scanning beam, the printed image The state can be verified.
[0064]
On the imaging plane in the apparatus, the beam diameter when detecting the beam with the minimum lighting pattern is detected and compared with the design value. As a method for obtaining the beam diameter at that time, the effective beam area is the brightness up to 13.5% of the maximum light amount of the obtained beam image, and the width in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction is used as the beam diameter. is there.
[0065]
When the lighting pattern is changed, the response performance of the lighting state can be detected by regression analysis of the changed beam width. In the verification of the printing state, a print image can be virtually created on a memory of a computer or the like that has captured the image by connecting the images obtained by imaging the beam with the lighting pattern of the print data. The size of the developer such as toner is set as the pixel size, and the ratio of the size of the developer and the size of the paper in the print area is set as the display size of the computer.
[0066]
In the configuration and operation described above, as shown in FIG. 4, the imaging surface of the CCD area sensor 9 may be made to coincide with the imaging surface 6a of the scanning optical system 2b, and the captured image may be captured by the computer 10. .
[0067]
Further, in the above configuration and operation, as shown in FIG. 5, the magnifying lens 11 is fixed to the CCD area sensor 9a, and is set in alignment with the focal position of the lens 11 and the imaging surface 6b of the scanning optical system, and scanning. An enlarged image of the beam may be obtained.
[0068]
Further, in the above-described configuration operation, as shown in FIG. 6, the CCD area sensor 9b having the magnifying lens 11a fixed so that the focal position coincides with the imaging surface 6c of the scanning optical system is moved in the scanning direction by the linear motion cylinder 12. It can be moved. By selecting a linear cylinder or the like having a thin shaft, it is possible to move in a space where only the size of the detection optical system can be inserted.
[0069]
In the configuration and operation described above, as shown in FIG. 7, a signal from the PD for synchronization detection integrated with the laser unit 13 that emits the laser of the scanning optical system 2c is input to the computer 10a. The electronic shutter of the CCD area sensor 9c can be opened by the synchronization detection signal to the computer to prevent multiple writing of the scanning beam to the CCD area sensor.
[0070]
Further, in the above configuration and operation, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the structure of the member 16 that rotates and holds the photoconductor 15 and fixes the unit to the product, the radius of the photoconductor 15 is r. In this case, the linear motion cylinder 12a is held by the fixed member 16a having a fixed portion common to the member 16, and the CCD area sensor 9d and the magnifying lens 11c are placed at a distance r from the center position of the photoconductor 15 at the tip of the linear motion cylinder 12a. The position is fixed so that the focal position of the magnifying lens 11c coincides with the position. The fixing member 16a can be attached to and detached from other products, and 100% inspection is possible.
[0071]
In the above configuration and operation, as shown in FIG. 10, the beam transmitted through the magnifying lens 11d is bent at a right angle by the mirror 17 in the scanning direction and incident on the CCD area sensor 9e fixed with the optical axis in the scanning direction. And get an image.
[0072]
In the above configuration and operation, as shown in FIG. 11, the magnifying lens is an infinity correction type optical system including the objective lens 11e and the imaging lens 18, and the mirror 17 is used to connect the objective lens 11e and the imaging lens 18. By bending between the objective lens 11e and the mirror 17a in the scanning direction, the imaging lens 18 and the CCD area sensor 9f may remain fixed and can be installed outside the product.
[0073]
Further, in the above configuration / operation, as shown in FIG. 12, two sets of infinity correction type optical systems including two objective lenses 11f and 11g, one imaging lens 18a, and a CCD area sensor 9g are configured. The beam transmitted at the position of the objective lens 11f is bent by the mirror 17b and transmitted through the beam splitter 19, and the beam transmitted at the position of the objective lens 11g is bent by the beam splitter 19 and can enter the imaging lens 18a. .
[0074]
In the above configuration and operation, in the case of FIG. 12, if the reflectance of the mirror 17b is 70%, the transmittance T of the beam splitter 19 is 58.8% from 0.7T = (1-T). The light enters the image lens 18a and the CCD area sensor 9g with substantially the same amount of light.
[0075]
In the above configuration / operation, in the case of FIG. 12, when the reflectance of the mirror 17b is 70% and the transmittance of the beam splitter 19 is 50%, the amount of light transmitted through the objective lens 11f with respect to the acquired data. Attenuation is corrected by 30%.
[0076]
Further, in the above-described configuration and operation, as shown in FIG. 13, two sets of detection systems including objective lenses 11h and 11i and CCD area sensors 9h and 9i are installed to simultaneously detect a scanning beam.
[0077]
Further, in the above configuration / operation, as shown in FIG. 14, even if a plurality of sets of detection systems of infinity correction type optical systems are installed and an optical path difference occurs depending on the detection position, the size of the beam diameter is affected. And can be installed outside the product so that there is no spatial interference such as camera outer shells of the CCD area sensors 9j and 9k.
[0078]
In the above configuration / operation, as shown in FIG. 15, when the number of printing dots is i (horizontal direction) × j (vertical direction), at each position in the scanning direction of the product, (1,0), Acquire the number of lines in the sub-scanning direction (1, 1), (1, 2)... (1, j). Acquire i × j lighting patterns divided in multiple times, and connect them together. The virtual image shown in FIG. 16 is configured in the computer.
[0079]
In the above configuration and operation, the light beam data is stored in the computer as 10 bits, and the dot data is binarized and displayed in accordance with the threshold value.
[0080]
In the above configuration and operation, as shown in FIG. 17, the dot data of the limit sample 21 of the image printed with the verification pattern whose size is changed to 1 dot, 2 dots,... And stored in the computer 10b. The dot data and the detected value of the light beam at that time are held as a table, and the ratio of the dot diameter to the beam diameter is detected, so that the printing process, the sensitivity of the photoconductor, and the formation state of the electrostatic latent image are known. Even if not, the quality of the printing state is determined only by the light beam data.
[0081]
In the above configuration and operation, the minimum display dot system of the print image virtually generated in the computer is the toner size, and the display area is the paper size.
[0082]
Further, in the above configuration / operation, as shown in FIG. 18, when there are three image forming units including the scanning optical systems 2d, 2e, and 2f and the photosensitive units 3a, 3b, and 3c, the positions of the three photosensitive units. Insert each detection system into.
[0083]
Further, in the above configuration / operation, as shown in FIG. 19, the light beam detection images 7a, 7b, and 7c at the positions of the respective photosensitive units in FIG. 18 are added on one memory in the computer.
[0084]
Further, in the above configuration / operation, as shown in FIG. 20, even when the plurality of image forming units are not in color and are all monochrome, the light beam data for each photosensitive unit is colored and displayed. Data in each unit in the overlapped area can be distinguished.
[0085]
In the above configuration and operation, the light beam image data in each unit is stored in multiple gradations, and at the time of display, the threshold value is determined on each memory to adjust the dot size in the printing state. Then, when the dot size of each unit is determined, it is added on one memory.
[0086]
In the above-described configuration and operation, a PD is installed at a position that is not a printing area within the scanning range of the scanning optical system, and pulse lighting is performed. At that position, the PD light receiving area is set so that the light beam can always be acquired by the PD. By detecting the signal from the PD with a high-speed oscilloscope or the like, it is possible to detect variations in lighting time and scanning speed from the pulse width of the input current for pulse lighting and the rotation speed of the polygon mirror.
[0087]
Further, in the above configuration / operation, since it is difficult to acquire light beam data, which is print data for all lines in the sub-scanning direction, in the entire scanning region at a time, as shown in FIG. On the basis of the timing 23 at which the image 7f at the start of light beam detection in the scanning direction is acquired as a reference, the imaging timing 23a such as the image 7g is acquired on the same line in the subsequent sub-scanning direction, and the difference between the timings 23 and 23a is virtually printed. When the image is formed, it is corrected in the computer and displayed as shown in FIG. Also, the timing at the start of light beam detection in each line in the sub-scanning direction and the difference between the timings are stored, and the timing of the start of light beam detection in each line in the sub-scanning direction is stored when forming a single virtual image. Correct based on the difference.
[0088]
Further, in the above-described configuration and operation, an image obtained in an actual printing state is formed by correcting a positional deviation in which the images are overlapped based on a timing difference at the start of light beam detection of each unit.
[0089]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, after assembling an image product, each optical system of the image product, an electric / electronic circuit that generates a lighting pattern of a light beam, image processing software, etc. are integrated instead of a single unit. It is possible to verify the image formation state as a finished product, and it is possible to eliminate the difference between the case where each component is verified in a laboratory and the verification result after becoming a product, and the product itself Incorporating it into the system enables it to be used on the production line and other sites, enabling 100% inspection. In addition, since actual printing is not performed, it is possible to prevent consumption of paper, toner, etc. compared to conventional methods for verifying printed images, contributing to resource saving and preventing problems such as product contamination. Is possible.
[0090]
In addition, the light beam can be detected with high resolution. In addition, the light beam can be detected in the entire scanning region of the image product. Further, by synchronizing with the scanning timing and lighting timing of the light beam of the image product, it is possible to reliably detect the scanning light beam. In addition, 100% inspection is possible on the production line. Further, the detection optical system can be converted into a detection optical system that is long in the scanning direction peculiar to the image product and corresponds to a narrow space in the direction perpendicular to the scanning direction.
[0091]
In addition, the number of detection system components inserted into the image product is reduced, interference during installation and movement is prevented, and the load on the drive mechanism is reduced, so the detection system inserted into the product including the drive mechanism is downsized. It becomes possible to do. In addition, the number of movements of the detection system can be reduced and the detection time can be shortened. In addition, in the detection at a plurality of positions, it is possible to make the detected light amount uniform regardless of the number of optical elements that transmit or reflect the light beam.
[0092]
In addition, the amount of light to be detected can be made uniform regardless of the number of optical elements through which the light beam is transmitted or reflected, the transmittance, and the reflectance in the detection at a plurality of positions. In addition, the number of movements of the detection system can be reduced and the detection time can be shortened. Further, by reducing the number of elements of the detection optical system inserted into the product, it is possible to reduce the space for installing a plurality of detection systems.
[0093]
In addition, the detected light beam data array can be visualized as an image. In addition, it is possible to detect a difference in sensitivity depending on the type of photoconductor to be assembled in a product, and a difference between an ideal value and a detection value. In addition, the correlation between the actual printed image and the light amount of the light beam can be obtained and used as a limit sample of the detection result verification result.
[0094]
In addition, by setting the overall image size and the printing resolution to the developer size, it is possible to visually recognize the overall balance of the actual printed image. Further, it is possible to verify all the image forming units in the image product. In addition, each print data formed by a plurality of image forming units in the image product can be visually confirmed and verified as a single print state. Further, by color-coding data formed from each image forming unit in an image product, it is possible to improve the reliability of visual recognition and verification of color misregistration, positional misalignment, and the like.
[0095]
In addition, it is possible to detect a correction amount of the image forming unit that needs to be corrected, such as a difference in the sensitivity of the photoconductor and developer of each image forming unit in the image product, and a light amount of the light source. In addition, it is possible to detect a positional shift or a temporal shift such as a scanning mechanism or lighting timing of an image product. Further, when the light beam is detected in a plurality of times, the detected light beam data can be rearranged as a single image at the timing of actual printing. In addition, the light beam data detected by the plurality of image forming units can be rearranged as one image at the timing of actual printing.
[0096]
The image state verification method may be a computer-readable program prepared in advance, and is realized by executing the program on a computer such as a personal computer or a workstation. This program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as HD (hard disk), FD (floppy disk), CD-ROM, MO, and DVD, and is executed by being read from the recording medium by the computer. Further, this program may be a transmission medium that can be distributed via a network such as the Internet.
[0097]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, an optical system that can be inserted into a product and inspected and verified can be set, light beam data and image data are associated, and based on the acquired light beam data, There is an effect that an image state verification method and apparatus capable of performing image evaluation without actual printing and at the same time enabling inspection and verification with reduced consumption of developer such as paper and toner can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a copying machine in an image state verification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an optical system of the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an image acquired by the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a partial configuration of an optical system of the image state verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing another partial configuration of the optical system of the image state verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the configuration of the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a structure of a member that rotates, holds, and fixes a unit to a product in the image state verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing another structure of a member for rotating, holding, and fixing a unit to a product in the image state verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing another partial configuration of the optical system of the image state verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another partial configuration of the optical system of the image state verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing another partial configuration of the optical system of the image state verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing another partial configuration of the optical system of the image state verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing another partial configuration of the optical system of the image state verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an image acquired by the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a virtual image acquired by the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a verification method in the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing another configuration of the copying machine in the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an image acquired by the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an image acquired by the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of an image acquired by the image state verification device according to the embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing contents obtained by acquiring the image capturing timing and correcting the timing difference in the computer when forming the virtual print image in the image state verification apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Copying machine
2 Scanning optical system
3 Photoconductor unit
4 Optical elements
5 Polygon mirror
6 Imaging surface
7 Captured images
8 beam image
9 CCD area sensor
10 Computer
11 Magnifying lens and objective lens
12 Linear motion cylinder
13 Laser unit
15 photoconductor
16 Photoreceptor holding and fixing member
17 Mirror
18 Imaging lens
19 Beam splitter
21 Limit sample of print image
22 Enlarged imaging system
23 (Light beam data) detection timing

Claims (14)

In an image state verification device of an optical scanning unit of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that forms an electrostatic latent image on a photoreceptor by a light beam,
A light beam detecting means installed at an image forming unit position inside the image product;
Imaging means for imaging the beam on the light beam detecting means;
Data storage means for storing the detection result of the light beam by the light beam detection means;
Data processing means for processing the detected data;
Image display means for displaying the detected light beam data,
The light beam detecting means and the imaging means are installed independently at an angle, and the light beam reflecting means detects the light beam by changing the propagation direction,
The imaging means is an infinity correction type optical system,
An image state verification device characterized in that, among the components of the optical system, only an objective lens and a reflection means are elements inserted into a product, and an imaging lens and a light receiving means are fixed outside the product. A plurality of the imaging means are installed, the light beam from the first imaging means farthest from the light beam detecting means is reflected by the reflecting means, and the light beam from other than the first imaging means is propagated by the half mirror. The image state verification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image state verification apparatus is changed and incident on the light beam detection unit. 3. The image state verification apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reflectance and transmittance of the reflecting means and the half mirror are changed according to the number of the imaging means. A plurality of the image forming means are installed, the reflectance and the transmittance of the reflecting means and the half mirror are not adjusted in advance, and an offset is given to the acquired data, and the light quantity depending on the number of the reflecting means and the half mirror The image state verification apparatus according to claim 2, wherein fluctuations in the image are removed. 5. The detected light beam data is arranged in the data storage means corresponding to the main / sub scanning direction, displayed on the image display means, and stored in the storage means. The image state verification apparatus according to one. The image state verification apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the threshold value of the acquired data can be changed, and the display density can be changed. The image state verification apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one or more sets of acquired data and the density of the print image are relatively associated with each other. The image state verification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when there are a plurality of image forming units constituting the image product, the light beam detection system is installed in each of the image forming units. 9. The image state verification apparatus according to claim 8, wherein light beam data acquired by a plurality of the light beam detection systems is stored in one data storage unit. The image state verification apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the display is a color display. The image state verification apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the threshold value can be individually changed for each color of the acquired data, and the display density can be changed. When the image forming unit of the image product is a scanning optical system, the lighting pattern of the light beam is constant in a certain region on the light beam scanning line, the scanning beam is received in the region, and the light beam scanning unit of the image product The image state verification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation unevenness, a lighting timing shift of a light beam, or the like is detected. The timing of image formation for one sheet is detected in advance in the main / sub-scanning direction, and the position of the data detected by the light beam detection system is corrected based on the detected timing. The image state verification device described. 14. The image according to claim 8, 9 or 13, wherein the images acquired by the respective light beam detection optical systems are superimposed on each other after the timing is corrected and each image is formed on the data storage means. Condition verification device.

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