JP6950431B2 - Information processing equipment, image control method and image control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an image control method and an image control program, and more particularly to an information processing apparatus for processing an image, an image control method and an image control program executed by the information processing apparatus.

In recent years, an image forming apparatus represented by a multifunction device (hereinafter referred to as "MFP") has a function of processing an image, and an error may occur during the execution of the image processing. In this case, it is necessary to change or repair the settings of the image forming apparatus so that the error does not recur. In order to identify the changed part or the repaired part of the setting of the image forming apparatus, it may be necessary to reproduce the event in which the error occurs in the image forming apparatus. In this case, the data targeted for image processing. Is required. On the other hand, an external contractor other than the user who uses the image forming apparatus may be in charge of the work of changing or repairing the setting of the image forming apparatus. The external contractor is, for example, a manufacturer of the image forming apparatus or a company in charge of maintenance of the image forming apparatus. For this reason, there is a problem that confidential information is leaked to the outside when the data required for reproducing an event in which an error occurs in the image forming apparatus contains confidential information.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-51296 includes an image data conversion unit that converts print data into print image data in a printing device that prints and outputs print data received from a higher-level device. Has a character data replacement unit, the image data conversion unit determines whether the character data replacement mode is instructed, and if the replacement mode is set, the character data replacement unit randomly uses a random number. Described is an image forming apparatus characterized in that a character code is generated and print image data is generated with character font data corresponding to the generated character code.

However, in the image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-51296, since the character data is replaced with the character font data corresponding to the random character code generated by the random number, the non-confidential data contained in the characters is replaced. Although it can be generated, there is a problem that it is not possible to prevent the confidentiality from being leaked when the confidentiality is included in the information other than the characters.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-51296

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one of the purposes of the present invention is to provide an information processing device capable of generating image data capable of reproducing defects while removing confidential information. To provide.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image control method capable of generating image data capable of reproducing defects while removing confidential information.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an image control program capable of generating image data capable of reproducing defects while removing confidential information.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and according to a certain aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus detects a defect in image processing by an image processing means for image processing image data as a reference defect. Defect detection means to perform, and a generation means to generate verification data that includes at least a part of image data when a defect in image processing is detected and causes a reference defect when image processing is performed by the image processing means. The generation means includes a dividing means for dividing the image data, an intermediate data generating means for generating intermediate data including at least one of the divided plurality of divided portions, and an image processing means for executing the intermediate data. Includes confirmation means for confirming that a reference defect occurs .

According to this aspect, when a reference defect is detected in the image processing, verification data is generated that includes at least a part of the image data targeted for the image processing and causes the reference defect when the image processing is performed. .. Therefore, it is possible to generate verification data that can reproduce the defect. Further, when the image data contains confidential information, it is possible to generate verification data that does not include the confidential information. As a result, it is possible to provide an information processing device capable of generating image data capable of reproducing a defect while removing confidential information.

Further , when a defect is detected in the image processing, intermediate data including at least one of a plurality of divided portions obtained by dividing the image data is generated, and the intermediate data confirmed to cause a reference defect in the image processing is generated. Generated as verification data. Therefore, verification data can be easily generated.

Preferably, the dividing means divides the image data into a first number of divided portions, and the intermediate data generating means includes only one divided portion selected from the first number of divided portions. When the number of intermediate data is generated and the confirmation means does not confirm that the reference defect occurs in any of the first number of intermediate data, the dividing means divides the image data into a second number smaller than the first number. Divide into the divided parts of.

According to this aspect, the first number of intermediate data including only one divided portion selected from the first number of divided portions is generated, and the reference defect in any of the first number of intermediate data. If it is not confirmed that the above occurs, the image data is divided into a second number of divided portions smaller than the first number. Therefore, it is possible to easily generate intermediate data in which the same problems as in the case of image processing of image data occur.

Preferably, the generation means is selected from a partial division means for dividing the divided portion included in the intermediate data confirmed by the confirmation means that a reference defect occurs into a plurality of detailed portions, and a plurality of detailed portions. If the deletion means for deleting the detailed part from the intermediate data and the intermediate data after the selected detailed part is deleted are executed by the image processing means and the confirmation means does not confirm that the reference defect occurs, the intermediate data is deleted. Includes a restore means that restores the selected details to their pre-deleted state.

According to this aspect, the divided part included in the intermediate data in which the reference defect is confirmed to occur is divided into a plurality of detailed parts, and the detailed part selected from the plurality of detailed parts is deleted from the intermediate data. , When image processing of the intermediate data after the selected detail is deleted, if it is not confirmed that a reference defect occurs, the intermediate data is restored to the state before the selected detail was deleted. NS. Therefore, since the detailed part that does not cause the occurrence of the reference defect is deleted from the intermediate data, the amount of information of the verification data can be reduced as much as possible.

Preferably, the intermediate data generation means is a selection means that selects a first number of divided portions from the plurality of divided portions and generates a plurality of intermediate data including only the selected first number of divided portions. Including, if the confirmation means does not confirm that a reference defect occurs when the image processing means executes any of the plurality of intermediate data, the selection means is a number larger than the first number among the plurality of divided portions. Select the number of divided parts of 2.

According to this aspect, a first number of divided portions are selected from the plurality of divided portions, a plurality of intermediate data including only the selected first number of divided portions are generated, and a plurality of intermediate data are generated. In any case, if it is not confirmed that a reference defect occurs in the case of image processing, a second number of divided parts larger than the first number is selected from the plurality of divided parts, and the selected second number is selected. Generate multiple intermediate data including only the divided part of. Therefore, in the image data, it is possible to generate intermediate data in which the same problem as in the case of image processing the image data occurs.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus has a defect detecting means for detecting an image processing defect by an image processing means for image processing of image data as a reference defect, and a defect detecting means for detecting an image processing defect. It is provided with a generation means for generating verification data including at least a part of the image data and causing a reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means, and a blurring means for executing the blurring process on the verification data.

According to this aspect, since the verification data is blurred, the amount of information in the verification data can be made as small as possible and the reproduction of the image data can be made as difficult as possible.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus includes a defect detecting means for detecting a defect in image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a case where a defect in image processing is detected. Acquires image data from a generation means that includes at least a part of the image data and generates verification data that causes a reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means, and an image processing device provided with the image processing means. It includes an image data acquisition means and a simulation means for simulating an image processing device.

Preferably, when a defect in image processing is detected, the generation means does not generate verification data until it accepts an operation indicating permission for output input by the user.

According to this aspect, the verification data is generated when the operation indicating the output permission is input by the user, so that the verification data is not generated when the operation indicating the output permission is not input by the user. Therefore, the processing load can be reduced.

Preferably, an output means for outputting the verification data to the outside instead of the image data is further provided.

According to this aspect, it is possible to generate verification data that can reproduce the defect externally. Further, when the image data contains confidential information, the probability that the confidential information is leaked to the outside can be reduced.

Preferably, the output means further includes display control means for displaying the image of the verification data before the output means outputs the verification data to the outside, and the output means is after the image of the verification data is displayed. The verification data is not output to the outside until the operation indicating the permission of the output input by the user is accepted.

According to this aspect, since the image of the verification data is displayed before the verification data is output to the outside, the user can be notified of the data to be output to the outside. Further, since the verification data is not output to the outside until the operation indicating the output permission is input by the user, the user can prevent the confidentiality contained in the image data from being leaked to the outside.

According to this aspect, the image processing device is simulated, the verification data is generated from the image data acquired from the image processing device, and the verification data is output to the outside. Therefore, in addition to the image processing device and the information processing device, It is possible to prevent the leakage of confidential information.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the image control method includes a defect detection step of detecting a defect in image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a defect in image processing when a defect in image processing is detected. , A generation step of generating verification data including at least a part of the image data and causing a reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means is executed by the information processing apparatus, and the generation step divides the image data. An intermediate data generation step for generating intermediate data including at least one of a plurality of divided divided portions, and a confirmation step for causing an image processing means to execute the intermediate data and confirming that a reference defect occurs. And, including .

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image control method capable of generating image data capable of reproducing defects while removing confidential information.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image control method includes a defect detection step of detecting a defect in image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a case where a defect in image processing is detected. Information on a generation step that includes at least a part of the image data and generates verification data that causes a reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means, and a blur step that executes the blur processing on the verification data. Let the processing device execute.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image control method includes a defect detection step of detecting a defect in image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a case where a defect in image processing is detected. In addition, a generation step of generating verification data that includes at least a part of the image data and causes a reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means, and the image data is acquired from an image processing device provided with the image processing means. The information processing apparatus is made to execute the image data acquisition step and the simulation step of simulating the image processing apparatus.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image control program has a defect detection step of detecting a defect in image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a case where a defect in image processing is detected. In addition, a computer is made to execute a generation step of generating verification data that includes at least a part of the image data and causes a reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means , and the generation step divides the image data. A division step, an intermediate data generation step for generating intermediate data including at least one of a plurality of divided divided portions, and a confirmation step for causing an image processing means to execute the intermediate data and confirming that a reference defect occurs. , Including .

According to this aspect, it is possible to provide an image control program capable of generating image data capable of reproducing defects while removing confidential information.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image control program has a defect detection step of detecting a defect in image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a case where a defect in image processing is detected. A computer that includes at least a part of the image data and generates a verification data that causes a reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means, and a blur step that executes the blur processing on the verification data. To execute.
According to still another aspect of the present invention, the image control program has a defect detection step of detecting a defect in image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a case where a defect in image processing is detected. In addition, a generation step of generating verification data that includes at least a part of the image data and causes a reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means, and the image data is acquired from an image processing device provided with the image processing means. Have the computer execute the image data acquisition step and the simulation step of simulating the image processing device.

It is a figure which shows an example of the whole outline of the information processing system in one of the Embodiments of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the outline of the hardware configuration of the MFP in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the detailed structure of the main board in this embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function which the CPU included in the MFP in 1st Embodiment has. It is a figure which shows an example of the procedure which creates the verification data from the processing data. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the image control processing in 1st Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the data generation process for verification. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function which the CPU provided in the MFP in the modification. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the intermediate data generation processing in a modification. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the outline of the hardware configuration of the internal server in this embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the outline of the simulator provided in the internal server in 2nd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function which the CPU included in the MFP in the 2nd Embodiment has. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the function which the CPU included in the internal server in 2nd Embodiment has. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the image control processing in 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the data generation process for server side verification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are the same. Therefore, detailed explanations about them will not be repeated.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an overall outline of an information processing system according to one of the embodiments of the present invention. With reference to FIG. 1, the information processing system 1 includes an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) 100, an internal server 200, and a verification server 500.

The MFP 100 is an example of an image forming apparatus, and has at least an image processing function for image processing data to be processed and an image forming function for forming an image on a recording medium such as paper based on the image data. In addition to the image processing function and the image forming function, the MFP 100 may include a document reading function for reading a document and a facsimile transmission / reception function for transmitting / receiving facsimile data. The image processing is not limited, but is a process of converting image data into raster data capable of forming an image, a sharpening process of emphasizing edges in an image, a smoothing process of smoothing color changes in an image, and data. Includes a coding process that converts the image into smaller size coded data, a decoding process that decodes the coded data, and a conversion process that converts the format of the image data. The internal server 200 is a general computer.

The internal server 200 and the verification server 500 are general computers. Each of the internal server 200 and the MFP 100 is connected to the local area network (LAN) 3. The verification server 500 is connected to the Internet 5.

Each of the MFP 100 and the internal server 200 connected to the LAN 3 can send and receive data via the LAN 3. Since the LAN 3 has a closed environment in which the devices connected to the LAN 3 are limited, data transmitted and received between a plurality of devices connected to the LAN 3, here, between the MFP 100 and the internal server 200, is prevented from leaking to the outside. Security is ensured. The connection form of LAN3 may be wired or wireless. Further, instead of LAN3, if security is ensured, a network using a public switched telephone network (Public Switched Telephone Networks) or a wide area network (WAN) may be used.

LAN 3 is connected to the Internet 5. Therefore, each of the MFP 100 and the internal server 200 can communicate with the verification server 500 connected to the Internet 5 via the network 3. The MFP 100 and the internal server 200 are devices arranged internally, whereas the verification server 500 is a device arranged externally to the MFP 100 and the internal server 200.

In the information processing system 1 of the present embodiment, when a problem occurs in the MFP 100, the verification server 500 verifies the problem that has occurred in the MFP 100. Then, based on the verification result, the parameters to be set in the MFP 100 are determined, the program executed by the MFP 100 is modified, and the hardware resources are replaced or expanded so that the problem that occurs in the MFP 100 does not occur next. be able to. In the verification server 500, in order to reproduce the defect that occurred in the MFP 100, the data that causes the defect that occurred in the MFP 100 is required, but since the data may contain confidential information, the MFP 100 uses the data. Instead of transmitting the data itself to the verification server 500, the data is converted into verification data and the verification data is transmitted to the verification server 500. The verification data is transmitted to the external verification server 500 in a closed environment including the MFP 100 connected to the LAN 3 and the internal server 200, but if the confidential information contained in the data cannot be reproduced from the verification data, the confidentiality is external. It can be prevented from leaking to.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an outline of the hardware configuration of the MFP in the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, the MFP 100 includes a main board 111, a document reading unit 130 for reading a document, an automatic document transporting device 120 for transporting a document to the document reading unit 130, and a document reading unit 130. An image forming unit 140 for forming an image on paper or the like based on image data to be read and output, a paper feeding unit 150 for supplying paper to the image forming unit 140, and a communication interface (I / F) unit. It includes 160, a facsimile unit 170, an external storage device 180, a hard disk drive (HDD) 113 as a large-capacity storage device, and an operation panel 115 as a user interface.

The main board 111 is connected to an automatic document transfer device 120, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140 and a paper feeding unit 150, a communication I / F unit 160, a facsimile unit 170, an external storage device 180, an HDD 113, and an operation panel 115. And controls the whole MFP100.

The automatic document transfer device 120 automatically transports a plurality of sheets set on the document tray one by one to a predetermined document reading position set on the platen glass of the document reading unit 130, and the document reading unit 130. The original from which the image formed on the original is read is ejected to the original output tray. The document scanning unit 130 includes a light source that irradiates the document conveyed to the document scanning position with light and a photoelectric conversion element that receives the light reflected by the document, and scans the document image according to the size of the document. The photoelectric conversion element converts the received light into image data which is an electric signal and outputs the light to the image forming unit 140.

The paper feed unit 150 conveys the paper stored in the paper feed tray to the image forming unit 140. The image forming unit 140 forms an image by a well-known electrophotographic method, and the image data input from the document reading unit 130 is subjected to various data processing such as shading correction, and the image data after the data processing is performed. Alternatively, an image is formed on the paper conveyed by the paper feed unit 150 based on the image data received from the outside, and the paper on which the image is formed is discharged to the output tray.

The communication I / F unit 160 is an interface for connecting the MFP 100 to the network 3. The communication I / F unit 160 communicates with another computer connected to the network by a communication protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) or UDP (User Datagram Protocol). The protocol for communication is not particularly limited, and any protocol can be used.

The communication I / F unit 160 outputs the data received from the network 3 to the main board 111, and outputs the data input from the main board 111 to the network 3. The communication I / F unit 160 outputs only the data addressed to the MFP 100 among the data received from the network 3 to the main board 111, and discards the data received from the network 3 addressed to a device different from the MFP 100. do.

The facsimile unit 170 is connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to transmit and receive facsimile data. The external storage device 180 is equipped with a CD-ROM181 or a semiconductor memory. The external storage device 180 reads the data stored in the CD-ROM181 or the semiconductor memory. Further, the external storage device 180 stores data in the CD-ROM181 or the semiconductor memory.

The operation panel 115 is provided on the upper surface of the MFP 100 and includes a display unit 118 and an operation unit 119. The display unit 118 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD, and displays an instruction menu for the user, information on acquired image data, and the like. The operation unit 119 includes a plurality of hard keys and a touch panel. The touch panel is a multi-touch compatible touch panel provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the display unit 118 so as to be superimposed on the display unit, and detects a position designated by the user on the display surface of the display unit 118.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a detailed configuration of the main board according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 3, the main board 111 includes a CPU 171, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 173, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 175, and an image control ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 177.

The CPU 171 and the ROM 173, the RAM 175, and the image control ASIC 177 are each connected to the bus 179, and data can be transferred. The CPU 171 controls the entire MFP 100. The ROM 173 stores a program executed by the CPU 171. The RAM 175 is a volatile semiconductor memory used as a work area of the CPU 171.

The CPU 171 loads the program stored in the HDD 113 into the RAM 175 and executes the program. The program executed by the CPU 171 includes a control program for controlling hardware resources and an application program. Hardware resources include an automatic document transfer device 120, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a paper feeding unit 150, a communication I / F unit 160, a facsimile unit 170, an HDD 113, and an operation panel 115. The application program is, for example, a facsimile transmission program that controls the facsimile unit 170 to transmit facsimile data, a facsimile reception program that controls the facsimile unit 170 to receive facsimile data, and a print job that controls the communication I / F unit 160. Is included, a print program that controls the image forming unit 140 and the paper feeding unit 150 to form an image based on a print job, and a document reading program that controls the document reading unit 130 to read a document. Further, the application program may include a maintenance program for managing consumables included in the MFP 100 and an error status notification program for notifying an error status. The application program executed by the CPU 171 is not limited to these.

The image control ASIC 177 is controlled by the CPU 171 and is connected to the document reading unit 130, the image forming unit 140, and the facsimile unit 170 to control them. Further, the image control ASIC 177 is a process of storing the image data that the document reading unit 130 reads the document and outputs in the RAM 175, a process of converting the image data into raster data and outputting it to the image forming unit 140, and receiving by the facsimile unit 170. Process of converting the obtained facsimile data into image data and storing it in the RAM 175, processing of converting the image data into facsimile data and outputting it to the facsimile unit 170, conversion of the resolution of the image data stored in the RAM 175 and conversion of the image data Is stored in the RAM 175, the composite data obtained by synthesizing two or more image data stored in the RAM 175 is stored in the RAM 175, the format of the data stored in the RAM 175 is converted and stored in the RAM 175, and the image data is stored. The encryption process for converting to encrypted coded data and the decryption process for decrypting the encrypted data are executed.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the CPU included in the MFP in the first embodiment. The function shown in FIG. 4 is a function realized by the CPU 171 when the CPU 171 included in the MFP 100 executes an image control program stored in the ROM 173, the HDD 113, or the CD-ROM 181. With reference to FIG. 4, the CPU 171 has a data receiving unit 51 that receives processed data, an image processing unit 53 that executes image processing on the data, and a defect detecting unit that detects an image processing defect by the image processing unit 53. It includes 55, a generation unit 59 that generates verification data, an output unit 61 that outputs verification data to the outside, and a display control unit 63 that controls the display unit 118.

The data receiving unit 51 receives the processing data to be processed by the MFP 100. The data receiving unit 51 outputs the processed data to the image processing unit 53 and the generating unit 59 in response to receiving the processed data. When the document reading unit 130 reads the document, the data receiving unit 51 receives the image data that the document reading unit 130 reads and outputs the document. When the communication I / F unit 160 receives a print job from a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) connected to the LAN 3, the data reception unit 51 receives the print data included in the print job as processing data. When the communication I / F unit 160 receives Web data from a Web (Web) server connected to the Internet 5, the data reception unit 51 receives the Web data as processing data. Further, when the data receiving unit 51 receives an instruction to print the data stored in the HDD 113, the data receiving unit 51 receives the data stored in the HDD 113 as processing data.

The image processing unit 53 performs image processing on the data and generates image data. The image processing unit 53 performs image processing on the processed data in response to input of the processed data from the data receiving unit 51. The image processing executed by the image processing unit 53 includes a process of controlling the image control ASIC 177 in order to cause the image control ASIC 177 to perform image processing. For example, when the processing data is print data, the print data is image-processed according to the conditions determined by the print job. When the processed data is the image data output by the document reading unit 130, the Web data, or the data stored in the HDD 113, the image processing unit 53 performs image processing on the processed data according to the print conditions input to the operation unit 119 by the user. Here, the image processing executed by the image processing unit 53 includes, in addition to the image processing executed by the image control ASIC177, a sharpening process for emphasizing the edges in the image and a smoothing process for smoothing the color change in the image. It may be included.

The defect detection unit 55 detects a defect that occurs while the image processing unit 53 is executing image processing. The image processing unit 53 is an image processing task in which the CPU 171 executes an image processing program. The defect detection unit 55 detects a defect when the image processing task detects an error predetermined by the image processing program. The error predetermined by the image processing program includes a timeout error in which a predetermined time elapses after the image processing unit 53 starts image processing. The predetermined time may be, for example, a time proportional to the amount of data to be image-processed. In other words, the defect detection unit 55 may detect a defect when the processing speed at which the image processing unit 53 processes the data to be image-processed is less than a predetermined value.

Further, the defect detection unit 55 is a coding process in which the image processing converts the image data into coded data, and in the case of the lossless compression processing, the decoded data obtained by decoding the coded data is compared with the image data, and both are used. If they do not match, a defect may be detected. Further, in the case of the coding process in which the image processing converts the image data into the coded data, the defect detection unit 55 detects the defect when the data amount of the data after the image processing exceeds a predetermined upper limit value. You may try to do it. The upper limit value in this case is a value determined by a task for processing the data after image processing, and is predetermined. For example, the task for processing the data after image processing is a task in which the CPU 171 executes a program for transmitting data to the outside, for example, an e-mail transmission program.

When the defect detection unit 55 detects a defect, the defect detection unit 55 outputs the defect information for identifying the detected defect to the generation unit 59. The defect information includes error identification information for identifying a predetermined error by the image processing program. Here, a defect detected by the defect detection unit 55 when the image processing unit 53 processes the processed data is referred to as a reference defect.

The generation unit 59 includes at least a part of the processing data based on the processing data input from the data reception unit 51, and generates verification data in which the same defect as the reference defect occurs. The generation unit 59 includes a confirmation unit 71, a division unit 73, an intermediate data generation unit 75, and a blur unit 77.

The division unit 73 divides the processing data and generates a plurality of division portions. Here, the division unit 73 divides the processed data into the first number and generates the first number of division portions. The size of the divided portion may be determined in advance, and the first number may be determined from the size of the processed data and the size of the divided portion.

The confirmation unit 71 stores in the RAM 175 the defect information that the defect detection unit 55 detects and outputs the reference defect as the reference error information. The confirmation unit 71 causes the image processing unit 53 to execute each of the first number of division portions generated by the division unit 73, and when the defect detection unit 55 inputs the same defect information as the reference error information, the division portion Is output to the intermediate data generation unit 75.

The intermediate data generation unit 75 includes a partial division unit 81, a deletion unit 83, and a restoration unit 85. When one or more divided portions are input from the confirmation unit 71, the intermediate data generation unit 75 generates intermediate data including any one of the one or more divided portions and outputs the intermediate data to the partial division unit 81. do.

The partial division portion 81 divides the intermediate data into a plurality of detailed portions having a size smaller than that of the divided portion. The deletion unit 83 deletes any one of the plurality of detailed parts from the intermediate data. The confirmation unit 71 causes the image processing unit 53 to execute the intermediate data whose detailed parts have been deleted by the deletion unit 83, and when the same defect information as the reference error information is input from the defect detection unit 55, the intermediate data is used as verification data. If the same defect information as the reference error information is not input from the defect detection unit 55, a return instruction is output to the restore unit 85.

The restoration unit 85 restores the detailed portion deleted by the deletion unit 83 to the intermediate data in response to the input of the restoration instruction from the confirmation unit 71. In other words, the restoration unit 85 adds the detail portion deleted by the deletion unit 83 to the intermediate data to generate the intermediate data before the detail portion is deleted. The intermediate data before the detailed portion is deleted by the deletion unit 83 may be temporarily stored, and the intermediate data whose detailed portion is deleted by the deletion unit 83 may be replaced with the temporarily stored intermediate data. The intermediate data is data in which all of the detailed parts in which the reference defect occurs even if the detailed parts are deleted from the intermediate data are deleted from the intermediate data. The intermediate data generation unit 75 determines the intermediate data after the deletion unit 83 targets all of the plurality of detailed parts as the verification data.

The blur unit 77 executes a blur process on the verification data generated by the intermediate data generation unit 75. The blurring process is, for example, a process of using a predetermined filter to correct the pixel values of the pixels to be processed in each of the plurality of pixels included in the verification data by using the pixel values of a plurality of peripheral pixels. be. The confirmation unit 71 causes the image processing unit 53 to execute the verification data after being processed by the blurring unit 77, and when the defect detection unit 55 inputs the same defect information as the reference error information, the confirmation unit 71 outputs the verification data. It is output to 61 and the display control unit 63, and when the same defect information as the reference error information is not input from the defect detection unit 55, a reset instruction is output to the blur unit 77. The blur unit 77 executes a smaller degree of blur processing on the verification data generated by the intermediate data generation unit 75. For example, the blurring unit 77 executes the blurring process using a filter having a smaller correction amount.

Therefore, the verification data output by the blurring unit 77 to the output unit 61 and the display control unit 63 is data in which a reference defect occurs when the image processing unit 53 processes the image.

The display control unit 63 displays a notification screen on the display unit 118 in response to input of verification data. The notification screen includes an image of verification data generated by the generation unit 59 and a button for accepting an operation by a user who permits output.

When the notification screen is displayed by the display control unit 63, the output unit 61 receives the verification data in response to the operation unit 119 receiving the operation of instructing the button for accepting the operation permitting the output included in the notification screen. Send to the verification server 500. When the notification screen is displayed by the display control unit 63, the output unit 61 verifies the verification data until the operation unit 119 receives an operation for instructing a button for accepting an operation that allows output included in the notification screen. Do not send to.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a procedure for creating verification data from processed data. FIG. 5A is a diagram showing an example of division of processed data. The processed data 400 is divided into 10 equal parts in each of the vertical and horizontal directions, and includes 100 divided portions. Each of the six hatched divided portions in the figure indicates a divided portion in which a reference defect is detected by the defect detecting unit 55 when image processing is executed on the image processing unit 53. Intermediate data is generated that includes any one of the six hatched sections. Here, a case where intermediate data including the divided portion 410 is generated will be described as an example.

FIG. 5B is a diagram showing an example of a divided portion and a detailed portion. FIG. 5 (B) shows an enlarged view of the divided portion 410 in the processed data 400 of FIG. 5 (A). The divided portion 410 is divided into 10 equal parts in each of the vertical and horizontal directions, and includes 100 detailed portions. The detailed portion without hatching in the figure indicates a detailed portion in which a reference defect is not detected by the defect detecting unit 55 when image processing is executed by the image processing unit 53. Therefore, the plurality of hatched detailed parts in the figure become a part of the verification data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the image control process according to the first embodiment. The image control process is a process executed by the CPU 171 when the CPU 171 included in the MFP 100 executes an image control program stored in the ROM 173, the HDD 113, or the CD-ROM 181. With reference to FIG. 6, the CPU 171 acquires the processing data to be image-processed (step S01). When the document reading unit 130 reads a document, the document reading unit 130 receives the image data that reads the document and outputs it as processing data. When the communication I / F unit 160 receives the print job from the PC connected to the LAN 3, the print data included in the print job is accepted as the processing data. When the communication I / F unit 160 receives the Web data from the Web server connected to the Internet 5, the Web data is accepted as the processing data. Further, when receiving an instruction to print the data stored in the HDD 113, the data stored in the HDD 113 is received as the processing data.

In the next step S02, the processed data is image-processed (step S02). Then, it is determined whether or not a defect in image processing has been detected (step S03). When the task of executing the image processing program detects an error predetermined by the image processing program, a defect is detected. If a defect is detected, the process proceeds to step S04, but if not, the process proceeds to step S12. In step S12, the image forming unit 140 is controlled to form an image of the processed data that has been image-processed on paper, and the processing is completed.

In step S04, it is determined whether or not the security protection mode is set. If the security protection mode is set for the processed data, it is judged to be the security protection mode. If it is in the security protection mode, the process proceeds to step S05, but if not, the process proceeds to step S11. In step S11, the communication I / F unit 160 is controlled to transmit the processing data to the verification server 500, and the processing is terminated.

In step S05, the defect detected in step S03 is set as the reference defect. Since the defect is an error detected by the task that executes the image processing program, the error identification information of the error is stored in the RAM 175 as the defect information indicating the reference defect.

In the next step S06, the verification data generation process is executed, and the process proceeds to step S07. The details of the verification data generation process will be described later, but it is a process of generating verification data that is generated based on the processed data and in which the same defect as the reference defect occurs when the image is processed. In step S07, it is determined whether or not the display mode is set. The display mode is preset in the MFP 100 by the user. If the display mode is set, the process proceeds to step S08, otherwise the process proceeds to step S10.

In step S08, the notification screen is displayed and the process proceeds to step S09. The notification screen includes an image of verification data and a button that accepts an operation by a user who permits output. Then, it is determined whether or not the permission by the user has been accepted (step S09). If the operation of instructing the button to accept the operation by the user who permits the output included in the notification screen is accepted, the permission by the user is accepted. If the permission from the user is accepted, the process proceeds to step S10, but if not, the process ends. In step S10, the communication I / F unit 160 is controlled to transmit verification data to the verification server 500, and the process ends.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the verification data generation process. The verification data generation process is a process executed in step S06 of FIG. The processed data has been acquired and the standard defect has been set before the verification data generation process is executed. With reference to FIG. 7, the CPU 171 divides the processing data into a first number (step S21), and advances the processing to step S22. Here, a case where the processed data is divided into 10 equal parts vertically and horizontally and divided into 100 divided portions will be described as an example.

In step S22, one of the 100 divided portions is selected as the processing target. Then, the selected divided portion is image-processed. Then, it is determined whether or not a reference defect has been detected (step S24). If a reference defect is detected, the process proceeds to step S25, otherwise the process proceeds to step S26. In step S25, the divided portion to be processed is set as intermediate data, and the process proceeds to step S28.

In step S26, it is determined whether or not there is a divided portion that is not selected as the processing target in step S22 out of the 100 divided portions. If there is an unselected partition portion, the process returns to step S22, otherwise the process proceeds to step S27. In step S27, the number of divisions is changed to a small value, and the process returns to step S21. When the number of divisions is 2, which is the minimum, the number of divisions cannot be changed to a small value, so the process proceeds to step S28. The intermediate data in this case is the same as the processed data.

In step S28, the intermediate data is divided. Here, a case where the intermediate data is divided into 10 equal parts vertically and horizontally and divided into 100 detailed parts will be described as an example. In the next step S29, one of the 100 detailed parts is selected as the processing target. Then, the intermediate data is temporarily stored as storage data (step S30). In the next step S31, the detailed portion of the processing target is deleted from the intermediate data, and the processing proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the intermediate data is image-processed. Then, it is determined whether or not a reference defect has been detected (step S33). If a reference defect is detected, the process proceeds to step S35, otherwise the process proceeds to step S34. In step S34, the stored data is set in the intermediate data, and the process proceeds to step S35. As a result, the intermediate data is restored to the state before the detailed portion is deleted in step S31.

In step S35, it is determined whether or not there is a detail portion that is not selected as the processing target in step S29 among the 100 detail portions. If there is an unselected detail portion, the process returns to step S29, otherwise the process proceeds to step S36. When the process proceeds to step S36, out of the 100 detailed parts obtained by dividing the intermediate data, the image processing is executed to generate intermediate data including one or more detailed parts in which the same defect as the reference defect occurs. NS.

In step S36, the intermediate data is set as the verification data, and the process proceeds to step S37. In step S37, the blurring process is executed on the verification data, and the process is returned to the image control process.

<Modification example>
In the MFP 100 according to the first embodiment described above, intermediate data including one divided portion in which a reference defect occurs is generated from the processed data, and the verification data is one or more detailed portions in which the reference defect does not occur from the divided portion. Is the data deleted from the intermediate data. In the MFP 100 in the modified example, the processing data is divided into a plurality of divided portions, and the intermediate data in which one or more of the plurality of divided portions are combined and the intermediate data in which the reference defect occurs is used as the verification data.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the function of the CPU included in the MFP in the modified example. The difference from the function shown in FIG. 4 is that the generation unit 59 has been changed to the generation unit 59A. Since the other functions are the same as those shown in FIG. 4, the description will not be repeated here. The generation unit 59A includes at least a part of the processing data based on the processing data input from the data reception unit 51, and generates verification data in which the same defect as the reference defect occurs. The generation unit 59A includes a confirmation unit 71A, a division unit 73, an intermediate data generation unit 75A, and a blurring unit 77. Since the dividing portion 73 and the blurring portion 77 have the same functions as those shown in FIG. 4, the description thereof will not be repeated here.

The intermediate data generation unit 75A generates intermediate data including at least one of the plurality of divided portions generated by the divided unit 73, and outputs the intermediate data to the confirmation unit 71A. The intermediate data generation unit 75A includes a selection unit 87. The selection unit 87 selects one or more division portions from the plurality of division portions generated by the division unit 73. The intermediate data generation unit 75A generates intermediate data including one or more selected divided portions.

The confirmation unit 71A stores in the RAM 175 the defect information that the defect detection unit 55 detects and outputs the reference defect as the reference error information. The confirmation unit 71A causes the image processing unit 53 to execute the intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation unit 75A, and when the same defect information as the reference error information is input from the defect detection unit 55, the intermediate data is used as verification data. To decide.

Specifically, the selection unit 87 determines the number of selections, selects the division portion of the selection number from the plurality of division portions, and generates intermediate data including the division portion of the selected selection number. In this case, intermediate data is generated for the number of combinations of the selected number of divided portions from the plurality of divided portions. In the selection unit 87, until the verification data is determined by the confirmation unit 71A, in other words, when the intermediate data is image-processed by the image processing unit 53, the defect detection unit 55 detects the reference defect. Increases the number of selections in order from 1 until appears.

For example, the selection unit 87 first sets the number of selections to 1, and generates a plurality of intermediate data including each of the plurality of divided portions. In this case, the same number of intermediate data as the number of the plurality of divided portions is generated. When the confirmation unit 71A inputs the same defect information as the reference error information from the defect detection unit 55 when the image processing unit 53 performs image processing on any of the plurality of intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation unit 75A, The intermediate data is determined as verification data. On the other hand, when the confirmation unit 71A does not input the same defect information as the reference error information from the defect detection unit 55 even if the image processing unit 53 executes any of the plurality of intermediate data generated by the intermediate data generation unit 75A. , Outputs a regeneration instruction to the intermediate data generation unit 75A.

When a regeneration instruction is input from the confirmation unit 71A, the intermediate data generation unit 75A sets the number of selections to 2, which is increased by one, selects two from the plurality of division portions, and divides the two selected divisions. Generate intermediate data including parts. In this case, the same number of intermediate data as the number of combinations of two of the plurality of divided portions is generated. In this way, the selection unit 87 increases the number of selections and generates intermediate data until the verification data is determined by the confirmation unit 71A.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the intermediate data generation process in the modified example. The verification data generation process in the modified example is the process executed in step S06 of FIG. The processed data has been acquired and the standard defect has been set before the verification data generation process in the modified example is executed. With reference to FIG. 9, the CPU 171 divides the processing data into a plurality of divided portions (step S41), and advances the processing to step S42. Here, a case where the processed data is divided into 10 equal parts vertically and horizontally and divided into 100 divided portions will be described as an example.

In step S42, the number of selections is set to "1", and the process proceeds to step S43. The number of selections is a variable indicating the number of selections of the divided portion. In step S43, the same number of sets of divided portions as the selected number is determined, and the process proceeds to step S44. When the number of selections is 1, the set including one divided portion is determined by the number of divided portions. In step S44, a set to be processed is selected from the plurality of sets, and the process proceeds to step S45. In step S45, intermediate data including one or more divided portions included in the set selected as the processing target is generated, and the processing proceeds to step S46.

In step S46, the intermediate data is image-processed, and the processing proceeds to step S47. In step S47, it is determined whether or not a reference defect has been detected. If a reference defect is detected, the process proceeds to step S48, otherwise the process proceeds to step S50. In step S48, the intermediate data is set as the verification data, and the process proceeds to step S49. In step S49, the blurring process is executed on the verification data, and the process is returned to the image control process.

On the other hand, in step S50, it is determined whether or not there is a set that has not been selected as the processing target. If there is an unselected pair, the process returns to step S44, otherwise the process proceeds to step S51. In step S51, the number of selections is incremented and the process returns to step S43. When the number of selections is N (N is an integer of 0 or more), only the number of combinations of pairs including N selected from a plurality of divided portions is determined. In step S43, N pieces are selected from the plurality of divided parts, and the number of pairs including the selected N divided parts is determined by the number of combinations of the divided parts. The number of combinations of the divided portions is the number of combinations of N out of 100 divided portions.

As described above, the MFP 100 in the first embodiment functions as an information processing device, and when a defect is detected while the image processing unit 53 is processing the image data, at least the image data is processed. When the image processing unit 53 processes the image, including a part of the data, the image data is image-processed to generate verification data in which the same reference defect as the defect that occurs occurs. Therefore, it is possible to generate verification data that can reproduce the defect. Further, when the image data contains confidential information, it is possible to generate verification data that does not include the confidential information.

Further, it was confirmed that when a defect is detected in the image processing, the MFP 100 generates intermediate data including at least one of a plurality of divided portions obtained by dividing the image data, and performs the image processing to cause a reference defect. Generate intermediate data as verification data. Therefore, verification data can be easily generated.

Further, the MFP 100 divides the image data into a first number of divided portions, and generates a first number of intermediate data including only one divided portion selected from the first number of divided portions. If it is not confirmed that a reference defect occurs in any of the first number of intermediate data, the image data is divided into a second number of divided portions smaller than the first number. Therefore, it is possible to easily generate intermediate data in which the same problems as in the case of image processing of image data occur.

Further, the MFP 100 divides the divided portion included in the intermediate data in which the reference defect is confirmed to occur into a plurality of detailed portions, and deletes one selected from the plurality of detailed portions from the intermediate data. When processing the intermediate data after the detail part is deleted, if it is not confirmed that a reference defect occurs, the intermediate data is restored to the state before the detail part was deleted and the detail part is deleted. When it is confirmed that a reference defect occurs when the later intermediate data is image-processed, the intermediate data after the detailed part is deleted is determined as the verification data. Therefore, since the detailed part that does not cause the occurrence of the reference defect is deleted from the intermediate data, the amount of information of the verification data can be reduced as much as possible.

Further, since the MFP 100 executes the blurring process on the verification data, the amount of information of the verification data can be made as small as possible, and the reproduction of the image data can be made as difficult as possible.

Further, the MFP 100 generates verification data when the operation indicating the output permission is input by the user, and does not generate the verification data when the operation indicating the output permission is not input by the user. The load can be reduced.

Further, since the MFP 100 transmits the verification data to the verification server 500 instead of the image data, it is possible to generate the verification data in which the defect can be reproduced by the external verification server 500. Further, when the image data contains confidential information, the probability that the confidential information is leaked to the external verification server 500 can be reduced.

Further, since the MFP 100 displays an image of the verification data before transmitting the verification data to the verification server 500, the user can be notified of the data to be transmitted to the external verification server 500. Further, since the verification data is not transmitted to the verification server 500 until the operation indicating the output permission is input by the user, the user can prevent the confidentiality contained in the image data from leaking to the outside.

The MFP 100 in the modified example divides the image data into a first number of divided portions, selects the first number of divided portions from the plurality of divided portions, and selects only the selected first number of divided portions. If multiple intermediate data including the data are generated and it is confirmed that a reference failure occurs in any of the multiple intermediate data, the intermediate data is determined as verification data, and any of the multiple intermediate data is used. If it is not confirmed that a reference defect occurs in the case of image processing, a second number of divided parts larger than the first number is selected from the plurality of divided parts, and only the selected second number of divided parts is selected. Generate multiple intermediate data including. Therefore, in the image data, it is possible to easily generate intermediate data in which the same problem as in the case of image processing the image data occurs. When the verification data is transmitted to the outside, it is possible to prevent the confidentiality from being leaked to other than the MFP 100 and the internal server 200.

<Second Embodiment>
In the first embodiment, the MFP 100 has a function of generating verification data, but in the information processing system 1 in the second embodiment, the internal server 200 generates verification data in place of the MFP 100. It is designed to have a function to process.

The overall outline of the information processing system 1 in the second embodiment is the same as the overall outline shown in FIG. The hardware configuration of the MFP 100 in the second embodiment is the same as the block diagram shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of an outline of the hardware configuration of the internal server according to the present embodiment. With reference to FIG. 10, the internal server 200 is used as a central processing unit (CPU) 201 for controlling the entire internal server 200, a ROM 202 for storing a program to be executed by the CPU 201, and a work area of the CPU 201. RAM 203, a hard disk drive (HDD) 204 for non-volatile storage of data, a communication unit 205 for connecting the CPU 201 to the network 3, a display unit 206 for displaying information, and an operation unit for receiving user operation input. 207 and external storage device 208 are included.

The display unit 206 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic ELD (Electro-Luminescence Display). The operation unit 207 is a hard key such as a keyboard. Further, the operation unit 207 may be a touch panel. The touch panel is provided on the upper surface or the lower surface of the display unit 206 so as to be superimposed on the display unit 206. The touch panel detects a position designated by the user on the display surface of the display unit 206.

The communication unit 205 is an interface for connecting the CPU 201 to the network 3. The communication unit 205 communicates with the MFP 100 connected to the network by a communication protocol such as TCP or UDP. The protocol for communication is not particularly limited, and any protocol can be used. By registering the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the MFP 100 in the internal server 200, the internal server 200 can communicate with the MFP 100 and can send and receive data.

The HDD 204 stores a program executed by the CPU 201 or data necessary for executing the program. The CPU 201 loads the program recorded in the HDD 204 into the RAM 203 and executes the program.

The external storage device 208 is equipped with a CD-ROM (Compact Disk ROM) 209 that stores the program. The CPU 201 can access the CD-ROM 209 via the external storage device 208. The CPU 201 loads the program recorded in the CD-ROM 209 mounted on the external storage device 208 into the RAM 203 and executes the program. The medium for storing the program executed by the CPU 201 is not limited to the CD-ROM209, but is an optical disk (MO (Magnetic Optical Disc) / MD (Mini Disc) / DVD (Digital Versaille Disc)), an IC card, an optical card, and the like. It may be a semiconductor memory such as a mask ROM or an EPROM (Erasable Program ROM).

Further, the program executed by the CPU 201 is not limited to the program recorded in the CD-ROM 209, and the program stored in the HDD 204 may be loaded into the RAM 203 and executed. In this case, another computer connected to the network 3 may rewrite the program stored in the HDD 204, or add a new program and write the program. Further, the internal server 200 may download the program from the network 3 or another computer connected to the Internet and store the program in the HDD 204. The program referred to here includes not only a program that can be directly executed by the CPU 201, but also a source program, a compressed program, an encrypted program, and the like.

The internal server 200 in the second embodiment includes a simulator that simulates the MFP 100.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an outline of the simulator provided in the internal server according to the second embodiment. This simulator is formed in the CPU 201 by the CPU 201 executing a simulation program. With reference to FIG. 11, the simulator includes a CPU peripheral simulator 300 and a hardware (HW) simulator 320. The CPU peripheral simulator 300 includes a virtual CPU 301 that simulates the CPU 171 included in the MFP 100, a virtual memory 303 that emulates the ROM 173 and the RAM 175, a peripheral model 305, a synchronization setting model 307, and an interrupt control unit 309. .. The virtual CPU 301, the virtual memory 303, the peripheral model 305, and the synchronization setting model 307 are connected to the bus 311.

The peripheral model 305 includes an HDD 113, an operation panel 115, an HDD 113A that emulates a communication I / F unit 160 and an external storage device 180, respectively, an operation panel 115A, a communication I / F unit 160A, and an external storage device 180A included in the MFP 100.

The synchronization setting model 307 is set so that the virtual CPU 301 synchronizes with the virtual memory 303 and the peripheral model 305. The interrupt control unit 309 generates an interrupt in the virtual CPU 301 when the virtual CPU 301 is set to synchronize with the virtual memory 303 and the peripheral model 305.

The HW simulator 320 includes a PCI-Express Bus model 321, an image control ASIC model 323, and a hardware resource model 325. The PCI-ExpressBus model 321 is connected to bus 311 and emulates a connection according to the PCI-Express standard. The image control ASIC model 323 emulates the image control ASIC 177 included in the MFP 100. The hardware resource model 325 emulates the hardware resources included in the MFP 100. Specifically, the hardware resource model 325 includes an automatic document transfer device 120A that emulates an automatic document transfer device 120, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a paper feeding unit 150, and a facsimile unit 170 included in the MFP 100. It includes a document reading unit 130A, an image forming unit 140A, a paper feeding unit 150A, and a facsimile unit 170A.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the functions of the CPU included in the MFP in the second embodiment. The function shown in FIG. 12 is a function realized by the CPU 171 when the CPU 171 included in the MFP 100 executes a device-side image control program stored in the ROM 173, the HDD 113, or the CD-ROM 181. The device-side image control program is a part of the image control program. The difference from the function shown in FIG. 4 with reference to FIG. 12 is that the generation unit 59 has been changed to the verification request unit 59B. Since the other functions are the same as those shown in FIG. 4, the description will not be repeated here.

The verification request unit 59B receives the processing data from the data reception unit 51. The verification request unit 59B includes a processing data transmission unit 91, a device information transmission unit 93, and a verification data reception unit 95. The processing data transmission unit 91 controls the communication I / F unit 160 in response to the defect information input from the defect detection unit 55, and transmits the processing data and the defect information to the internal server 200.

The device information transmission unit 93 generates device information in response to input of defect information from the defect detection unit 55, and controls the communication I / F unit 160 to send the generated device information to the internal server 200. Send. The device information includes information about the CPU 171 installed in the MFP 100, hardware information about the hardware resources installed in the MFP 100, and software information about the software resources installed in the MFP 100. The information about the CPU 171 includes the model name of the CPU 171. The hardware information includes the hardware identification information for identifying the hardware resource and the hardware parameters set for controlling the hardware resource. When there are a plurality of hardware resources, the hardware information includes hardware identification information and hardware parameters for each of the plurality of hardware resources. The software information includes the program name of the program installed in the MFP 100 and the software parameters set to execute the program.

After the processing data transmission unit 91 transmits the processing data and the defect information to the internal server 200, the internal server 200 may return the verification data. When the communication I / F unit 160 receives the verification data from the internal server 200, the verification data receiving unit 95 acquires the verification data and outputs the verification data to the output unit 61 and the display control unit 63.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of a function of the CPU included in the internal server according to the second embodiment. The function shown in FIG. 13 is a function realized by the CPU 201 when the CPU 201 included in the internal server 200 executes a server-side image control program stored in the ROM 202, HDD 204, or CD-ROM 209. The server-side image control program is a part of the image control program.

With reference to FIG. 13, the CPU 201 included in the internal server 200 is verified by the device information acquisition unit 251, the processing data reception unit 253, the simulation unit 255, the virtual defect detection unit 257, and the server-side generation unit 259. Data transmission unit 261 and.

The device information acquisition unit 251 acquires device information from the MFP 100. As described above, the MFP 100 transmits device information when a defect is detected in the image processing of the processed data. When the communication unit 205 receives the device information from the MFP 100, the device information acquisition unit 251 acquires the device information received by the communication unit 205. When the device information acquisition unit 251 acquires the device information, the device information acquisition unit 251 outputs the device information to the simulation unit 255.

The processing data receiving unit 253 acquires the processing data and the defect information from the MFP 100. Since the MFP 100 transmits the processing data and the defect information together with the device information, when the communication unit 205 receives the processing data and the defect information from the MFP 100, the communication unit 205 acquires the received processing data and the defect information. When the processing data receiving unit 253 acquires the processing data and the defect information, the processing data receiving unit 253 outputs the processing data and the defect information to the server-side generation unit 259.

The simulating unit 255 simulates the MFP 100 based on the device information input from the device information acquisition unit 251 and performs image processing on the processing data input from the processing data receiving unit 253. First, the simulation unit 255 sets the hardware resources mounted on the MFP 100 based on the device information, causes the virtual CPU 301 to execute the software resources executed by the CPU 171 of the MFP 100, and sets the hardware parameters.

As hardware resources, the MFP 100 includes an image control ASIC 177, an automatic document transfer device 120, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a paper feeding unit 150, a communication I / F unit 160, a facsimile unit 170, an external storage device 180, and an HDD 113. And the operation panel 115. Therefore, the hardware information included in the device information includes the image control ASIC 177, the automatic document transfer device 120, the document reading unit 130, the image forming unit 140, the paper feeding unit 150, the communication I / F unit 160, the facsimile unit 170, and the external storage. The device 180, HDD 113, and operation panel 115 are defined as hardware resources. The simulation unit 255 includes an image control ASIC 177 defined by hardware information included in the device information, an automatic document transfer device 120, a document reading unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a paper feeding unit 150, a communication I / F unit 160, and a facsimile. An emulator that emulates each of the unit 170, the external storage device 180, the HDD 113, and the operation panel 115 is set, and the hard parameters included in the hard information are set. Further, the simulation unit 255 sets the synchronization with the hardware resource to be emulated. For example, the synchronization setting model 307 of the CPU peripheral simulator 300 shown in FIG. 11 is made to set the register value of the virtual CPU 301 so that the virtual CPU 301 synchronizes with the emulator of the hardware resource, and rewrites the memory map of the virtual memory 303. ..

Further, the simulation unit 255 sets the software resource defined by the software information included in the device information to the state in which the virtual CPU executes, and sets the set value included in the device information. Specifically, the simulation unit 255 installs the software resource defined by the software information included in the device information, and sets the set value included in the device information. As a result, the virtual device simulating the MFP 100 is completed in the simulation unit 255. The data stored in the RAM 175 of the MFP 100 may be acquired as a snapshot and stored in the virtual memory 303.

The virtual defect detection unit 257 detects a defect that occurs while the simulation unit 255 is executing image processing. The simulation unit 255 is an emulator that emulates an image processing task in which the virtual CPU 301 executes an image processing program and an image control ASIC177. The virtual defect detection unit 257 detects a defect when the image processing task detects an error predetermined by the image processing program. The error predetermined by the image processing program includes a timeout error in which a predetermined time elapses after the image processing task starts image processing. The predetermined time may be, for example, a time proportional to the amount of data to be image-processed. When the virtual defect detection unit 257 detects a defect, the virtual defect detection unit 257 outputs the defect information for identifying the detected defect to the server-side generation unit 259. The defect information includes error identification information for identifying a predetermined error by the image processing program.

The server-side generation unit 259 is verification data in which the same defect as the defect detected by the virtual defect detection unit 257 occurs when the image is processed by the image processing task based on the processing data input from the processing data reception unit 253. To generate. The server-side generation unit 259 includes a confirmation unit 71, a division unit 73, an intermediate data generation unit 75, and a blur unit 77. The confirmation unit 71, the division unit 73, the intermediate data generation unit 75, and the blur unit 77 are divided into the confirmation unit 71 shown as a function of the CPU 171 included in the MFP 100 in the first embodiment shown in FIG. The unit 73, the intermediate data generation unit 75, and the blur unit 77 are the same. Therefore, the description is not repeated here.

The verification data transmission unit 261 controls the communication unit 205 in response to the verification data being input from the confirmation unit 71, and transmits the verification data to the MFP 100.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the image control process according to the second embodiment. With reference to FIG. 14, the difference from the image control process in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is that steps S06A to S06C are executed instead of step S06. Since the other processes are the same as the processes shown in FIG. 6, the description will not be repeated here.

In step S06A, the CPU 171 controls the communication I / F unit 160 to provide the processing data acquired in step S01 and the reference defect information set in step S05 with the reference defect information in the internal server 200. Send to. In the next step S06B, the communication I / F unit 160 is controlled to transmit the device information to the internal server 200. In the next step S06C, the communication I / F unit 160 is controlled to be in a standby state until the verification data is received from the internal server 200, and when the verification data is received, the process proceeds to step S07.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the server-side verification data generation process. The server-side verification data generation process is a process executed by the CPU 201 when the CPU 201 included in the internal server 200 executes the server-side verification data generation program. The server-side verification data generation program is a part of the image control program. With reference to FIG. 15, the CPU 201 included in the internal server 200 controls the communication unit 205 to determine whether or not the processing data and the defect information have been received from the MFP 100 (step S201). The standby state is set until the processing data and the defect information are received (NO in step S201), and when the processing data and the defect information are received (YES in step S201), the process proceeds to step S202.

In step S202, the defect information received in step S201 is set as the reference defect information, and the process proceeds to step S203. In step S203, the communication unit 205 is controlled to receive device information from the MFP 100. Then, the verification data generation process shown in FIG. 7 is executed (step S204), and the process proceeds to step S205. In step S205, the communication unit 205 is controlled to transmit verification data to the MFP 100, and the process ends.

In the second embodiment, the internal server 200 simulates the entire MFP 100, but the MFP 100 may simulate the CPU 171 in charge of image processing and the image control ASIC. Specifically, in FIG. 11, the peripheral model 305 is unnecessary, and the hardware resource model 325 is unnecessary in the HW simulator 320.

As described above, the internal server 200 in the second embodiment functions as an information processing device, and simulates the MFP 100 when a defect is detected while the MFP 100 is processing image data. Therefore, when the image processing unit 53 performs image processing including at least a part of the image data, the verification data in which the same reference defect as the defect that occurs by image processing the image data is generated is generated. Therefore, it is possible to generate verification data that can reproduce the defect. Further, when the image data contains confidential information, it is possible to generate verification data that does not include the confidential information.

In the first and second embodiments described above, the MFP 100 or the internal server 200 is shown as an example of the information processing apparatus, but it is shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, or FIGS. 6 and 9. The invention is regarded as an image control method for causing the MFP 100 to execute the image control process, and an image control program for causing the CPU 171 included in the MFP 100 to execute the image control method, and FIGS. 15 and 7, or FIGS. 15 and 9. The invention can be regarded as an image control method for causing the internal server 200 to execute the server-side verification data generation process shown in the above, and an image control program for causing the CPU 201 included in the internal server 200 to execute the image control method. Needless to say.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and it is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

<Additional notes>
(1) When the image processing is a process of encoding the image data, the defect detecting means detects a defect in which the decoded data obtained by decoding the code data in which the image data is encoded does not match the image data. , The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.
(2) The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the defect detecting means detects a defect in which the image processing detects a defect in which the processing speed of the image data is less than a predetermined value.
(3) Claims 1 to 10, (1) and (2), wherein the defect detecting means detects a defect in which the amount of data of the image data after the image processing exceeds a predetermined upper limit value. The information processing device according to any one of.

1 Information processing system, 3 networks, 5 Internet, 100 MFP, 200 internal server, 500 verification server, 111 main board, 115 operation panel, 115A operation panel, 118 display unit, 119 operation unit, 120, 120A automatic document transfer device, 130, 130A document reading unit, 140, 140A image forming unit, 150, 150A paper feeding unit, 160, 160A communication I / F unit, 170, 170A facsimile unit, 171 CPU, 173 ROM, 175 RAM, 177 image control ASIC, 179 bus, 180, 180A external storage device, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 HDD, 205 communication unit, 206 display unit, 207 operation unit, 209 external storage device, 300 CPU peripheral simulator, 301 virtual CPU, 303 virtual Memory, 305 peripheral model, 307 synchronous setting model, 309 interrupt control unit, 311 bus, 320 HW simulator, 321 PCI-ExpressBus model, 323 image control ASIC model, 325 hardware resource model, 51 data reception unit, 53 image processing Unit, 55 Defect detection unit, 57 Defect detection unit, 59, 59A generation unit, 59B verification request unit, 61 output unit, 63 display control unit, 71, 71A confirmation unit, 73 division unit, 75, 75A intermediate data generation unit, 77 Blur part, 81 Partial division part, 83 Delete part, 85 Restoration part, 87 Selection part, 91 Processing data transmission part, 93 Device information transmission section, 95 Verification data reception section, 251 Device information acquisition section, 253 Processing data reception Unit, 255 Simulation unit, 257 Virtual defect detection unit, 259 Server side generation unit, 261 Verification data transmission unit.

Claims (15)

Defect detection means that detects the defect of the image processing by the image processing means that processes the image data as a reference defect, and
A generation means that includes at least a part of the image data when a defect in the image processing is detected and generates verification data in which the reference defect occurs when the image is processed by the image processing means. ,
The generation means includes a division means for dividing the image data and a division means.
An intermediate data generation means for generating intermediate data including at least one of the plurality of divided portions,
The intermediate data is the execution in the image processing unit, the reference and confirmation means for confirming that a trouble occurs, the including information processing apparatus. The dividing means divides the image data into a first number of divided portions, and then divides the image data into a first number of divided portions.
The intermediate data generation means generates a first number of intermediate data including only one divided portion selected from the first number of divided portions.
When the confirmation means does not confirm that the reference defect occurs in any of the first number of intermediate data, the dividing means divides the image data into a second number smaller than the first number. It is divided into parts, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The generation means includes a partial division means for dividing the division portion included in the intermediate data for which the reference defect has been confirmed by the confirmation means into a plurality of detailed parts.
A deletion means for deleting a detail portion selected from the plurality of detail portions from the intermediate data, and
When the image processing means executes the intermediate data after the selected detailed portion is deleted and the confirmation means does not confirm that the reference defect occurs, the intermediate data is transferred to the selected detailed portion. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a restoration means for restoring the state before the deletion. The intermediate data generation means selects a first number of divided portions from the plurality of divided portions, and selects means for generating a plurality of intermediate data including only the selected first number of divided portions. Including
When the confirmation means does not confirm that the reference defect occurs when the selection means is executed by the image processing means in any of the plurality of intermediate data, the first of the plurality of divided portions. selecting a split part of a larger second number than the number, the information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Defect detection means that detects the defect of the image processing by the image processing means that processes the image data as a reference defect, and
A generation means that includes at least a part of the image data when a defect in the image processing is detected and generates verification data that causes the reference defect when the image processing is performed by the image processing means.
An information processing device including a blurring means for executing a blurring process on the verification data. Defect detection means that detects the defect of the image processing by the image processing means that processes the image data as a reference defect, and
A generation means that includes at least a part of the image data when a defect in the image processing is detected and generates verification data that causes the reference defect when the image processing is performed by the image processing means.
An image data acquisition means for acquiring the image data from an image processing apparatus provided with the image processing means, and an image data acquisition means.
An information processing device including a simulation means for simulating the image processing device. The generation means according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein when a defect in the image processing is detected, the verification data is not generated until an operation indicating permission for output input by the user is accepted. Information processing equipment. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an output means for outputting the verification data to the outside in place of the image data. A display control means for displaying an image of the verification data is further provided before the output means outputs the verification data to the outside.
The information processing according to claim 8, wherein the output means does not output the verification data to the outside until an operation indicating permission for output input by the user is received after the image of the verification data is displayed. Device. A defect detection step for detecting a defect in the image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a defect detection step.
Information on a generation step that includes at least a part of the image data when a defect in the image processing is detected and generates verification data in which the reference defect occurs when the image is processed by the image processing means. is performed to the processing unit,
The generation step includes a division step for dividing the image data and a division step.
An intermediate data generation step that generates intermediate data including at least one of the plurality of divided portions,
An image control method including a confirmation step of causing the image processing means to execute the intermediate data and confirming that the reference defect occurs. A defect detection step for detecting a defect in the image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a defect detection step.
A generation step of generating verification data that includes at least a part of the image data when a defect in the image processing is detected and causes the reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means.
An image control method for causing an information processing apparatus to execute a blur step for executing a blur process on the verification data. A defect detection step for detecting a defect in the image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a defect detection step.
A generation step of generating verification data that includes at least a part of the image data when a defect in the image processing is detected and causes the reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means.
An image data acquisition step of acquiring the image data from an image processing apparatus provided with the image processing means, and an image data acquisition step.
An image control method for causing an information processing device to execute a simulation step for simulating the image processing device. A defect detection step for detecting a defect in the image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a defect detection step.
A computer that includes at least a part of the image data when a defect in the image processing is detected, and generates verification data in which the reference defect occurs when the image is processed by the image processing means. to run in,
The generation step includes a division step for dividing the image data and a division step.
An intermediate data generation step that generates intermediate data including at least one of the plurality of divided portions,
An image control program including a confirmation step of causing the image processing means to execute the intermediate data and confirming that the reference defect occurs. A defect detection step for detecting a defect in the image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a defect detection step.
A generation step of generating verification data that includes at least a part of the image data when a defect in the image processing is detected and causes the reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means.
An image control program that causes a computer to execute a blur step that executes a blur process on the verification data. A defect detection step for detecting a defect in the image processing by an image processing means that processes image data as a reference defect, and a defect detection step.
A generation step of generating verification data that includes at least a part of the image data when a defect in the image processing is detected and causes the reference defect when the image is processed by the image processing means.
An image data acquisition step of acquiring the image data from an image processing apparatus provided with the image processing means, and an image data acquisition step.
An image control program that causes a computer to execute a simulation step that simulates the image processing device.

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