JP7135736B2 - Image forming apparatus, image forming method, and image forming program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an image forming method, and an image forming program.

In an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Printer/Peripheral/Product), when an abnormal image occurs, the user is asked to print a diagnostic chart and scan it to a service center, and the cause of the abnormality is identified from the transmitted scanned image. Techniques for analysis are known.

In Patent Document 1, an image forming apparatus that prints a test chart corresponding to the type of defect in an image to be analyzed and transmits the read image data of the printed test chart to another apparatus is configured to reduce the file size of the transmitted image. It is described to reduce Specifically, we will change the resolution, compression rate, color mode, etc., for each test chart corresponding to the type of error, and we will use the history of parts replacement, exchanges during calls, and the occurrence of errors in the same model. A method for narrowing down (excludes test charts and color plates that are judged to be irrelevant) is described.

However, if you decide the resolution and compression ratio for each type of test chart in advance, there is a problem that even test charts that do not show any abnormalities may be sent as large files with high resolution and low compression ratio. there were. On the other hand, if test charts are narrowed down based on part replacement history, communication at the time of call, etc., there is a problem that test charts that actually have errors may be excluded (missed). there were.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to reliably transmit a scanned image necessary for detecting an abnormality while suppressing the file size.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention provides a printing unit that prints a transmission chart including a plurality of test patterns, and reads the transmission chart printed by the printing unit. a reading unit; a transmission image generation unit that generates a transmission image from the transmission chart read by the reading unit; a transmission unit that transmits the transmission image generated by the transmission image generation unit to a center; an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in the plurality of test patterns included in the credit chart, and the transmission image generation unit includes: High image quality image processing is performed, and low image quality image processing is performed on the transmission images of the transmission charts for which no abnormality has been detected by the abnormality detection unit.

Scanned images necessary for detecting anomalies can be reliably transmitted while suppressing the file size.

A diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to the first embodiment. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment; FIG. Functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment Schematic diagram of transmission chart Schematic diagram of confirmation chart Flowchart of processing for transmitting an abnormality detection image performed in the first embodiment Table showing an example of switching contents of image processing A diagram showing a modification of the confirmation chart Functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment Flowchart of processing for transmitting an abnormality detection image performed in the second embodiment A table showing an example of feature amounts and judgment criteria used in the abnormality judgment process in step S203 Functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing the data size of a transmission image according to the third embodiment; FIG.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate understanding of the description, the same constituent elements in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system S1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing system S1 includes n (n=1, 2, 3, . . . ) image forming apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, . and a terminal device 400 used by a customer engineer or the like are connected by a network N. Here, the network N is a communication line including the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a FAX line, a telephone line, and the like. Any one of the image forming apparatuses 100-1, 100-2, .

The image forming apparatus 100 is, for example, a multifunction machine called an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral/Printer/Product), that is, an information processing apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a scanner, a copier, or a printer, which has an image processing function and a communication function. Also, the image forming apparatus 100 may be a printer having a printer function and a scanner function.

The server device 200 acquires, via the network N, operation information, which is information relating to the operation of the image forming apparatus 100, failure diagnosis results, or the like, or receives provided operation information, failure diagnosis results, or the like. Based on this information, the server apparatus 200 provides necessary information to the image forming apparatus 100, the call center 300, and the terminal apparatus 400 via the network N as necessary.

Call center 300 responds via network N to inquiries about image forming apparatuses 100-n from users of image forming apparatuses 100-n. Also, the call center 300 receives various information about the image forming device 100-n from the user of the image forming device 100-n or the server device 200 via the network N. FIG. Then, based on the received information, the call center 300 responds to the user about measures to be taken for the image forming apparatus 100-n as necessary. Examples of measures include replacement/supplementation of consumables, replacement of parts, cleaning of parts, and change of various settings.

In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned various information refers to an image formed on paper or the like by the printer function of the image forming apparatus 100 (hereinafter referred to as "transmission Chart 110”) is image data generated by being read by a scanner. The call center 300 can determine the location of the failure and the cause of the failure based on the characteristics of the received image data of the transmission chart 110 . Specifically, if an abnormality is detected in a specific color on paper, it is possible to determine the possibility that a member forming that color is defective. Also, if an abnormality is detected on the paper at a specific cycle, it is possible to determine the possibility that a member operating at that cycle is malfunctioning.

Further, the call center 300 sends the image forming device 100-n to the terminal device 400 as necessary based on various information regarding the image forming device 100-n received from the user of the image forming device 100-n or the server device 200. Request action against The processing of the call center 300 may be performed by humans, or may be partially or wholly automated. Alternatively, the processing may be automated and executed by the server device 200 .

The terminal device 400 receives a treatment request for the image forming device 100-n from the call center 300 via the network N. FIG. Examples of measures include parts replacement, parts cleaning, and various setting changes. Terminal device 400 also receives operation information, failure diagnosis results, etc. of image forming device 100 from server device 200 and call center 300 .

A customer engineer who is a user of the terminal device 400 visits the installation location of the image forming device 100-n according to the treatment request received by the terminal device 400, and performs necessary treatment on the image forming device 100-n. Further, the customer engineer can appropriately use the operation information of the image forming apparatus 100 received from the server device 200 or the call center 300 received by the terminal device 400 to take necessary measures for the image forming device 100 .

In the information processing system S1, operation information of the image forming apparatus 100, for example, image data generated by reading an abnormal image formed by the image forming apparatus 100, results of failure diagnosis performed in the image forming apparatus 100, etc. The server device 200, the call center 300, and the terminal device 400 can receive and use the calls via the network N, respectively. As a result, the program of each device further analyzes the information, and the user of each device sees the information, so that the user of the system can obtain the fault diagnosis performed in the image forming device 100 .

As described above with reference to FIG. 1, by using the information processing system S1, the user of the image forming apparatus 100 or the image forming apparatus 100 can use the network N when a failure such as forming an abnormal image occurs. can be notified to the server device 200 and the call center 300 via the . Furthermore, the customer engineer takes action on the image forming apparatus 100 as necessary.

FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. As an example of the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, a copy function, a FAX function, a print function, a scanner function, an input image (an original image read from paper by the scanner function, or an image input by the printer function or the FAX function). An MFP (Multi-Functional Peripheral/Printer/Product) having a combined function of storing and distributing a printed image) will be described.

The image forming apparatus 100 has an operation unit 10 that receives operations from a user or a customer engineer, and a main body 20 that can implement various functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function. Note that accepting an operation is a concept that includes accepting information that is input according to an operation. The operation unit 10 and the main body 20 are connected via a dedicated communication path 30 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The communication path 30 may be of the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, for example, but may be of any standard regardless of whether it is wired or wireless.

The main body 20 can perform operations according to operations received by the operation unit 10 . The main body 20 can also communicate with an external device such as a PC (Personal Computer), and can perform operations according to instructions received from the external device.

First, the hardware configuration of the operation unit 10 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a flash memory 14, and a connection I/F (inter Face) 15 , communication I/F 16 and operation panel 17 , which are interconnected via a system bus 18 .

The CPU 11 comprehensively controls the operation of the operation unit 10 . The CPU 11 controls the overall operation of the operation unit 10 by executing an OS (Operating System) stored in the ROM 12 or the flash memory 14 using the RAM 13 as a work area (work area), and other various application programs. It realizes various functions such as displaying information according to the received input.

A setting widget program is stored in the ROM 12 or the flash memory 14, and a setting widget indicating current settings of various functions such as a copy function or a printer function may be displayed on the home screen.

The connection I/F 15 is an interface for communicating with the main body 20 via the communication path 30 . The communication I/F 16 is an interface for connecting with the network N described in FIG.

The operation panel 17, which is an example of an input unit, receives various inputs according to operations by a user or a customer engineer. The operation panel 17 also functions as a display unit that displays various kinds of information (for example, information corresponding to the received operation, information indicating the operation status of the image forming apparatus 100, information indicating the setting state, etc.).

The operation panel 17, which is an example of a display unit, is configured by a liquid crystal display (LCD) equipped with a touch panel function, but is not limited to this. For example, it may be composed of an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display device equipped with a touch panel function. Furthermore, in addition to or instead of this, it is also possible to provide hardware keys and the like as an example of an input section, and lamps and the like as an example of a display section. Also, the operation panel 17 may be a portable information terminal that can be used even when it is removed from the image forming apparatus 100 .

Next, the hardware configuration of the main body 20 will be explained. As shown in FIG. 2, the main body 20 includes a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 24, a connection I/F 25, a communication I/F 26, an image reading unit 1, an image forming unit 2 and a paper feed unit 3 , which are interconnected via a system bus 29 .

The CPU 21 controls operations of the main body 20 . The CPU 21 controls the overall operation of the main body 20 by executing the OS and other various application programs stored in the ROM 22 or HDD 24 using the RAM 23 as a work area, thereby performing the above-described copy function, scanner function, facsimile function, and printer function. Realize various functions such as At least part of a fault diagnosis program for fault diagnosis, which will be described later, is also stored in the ROM 22 or the HDD 24 . The operation contents of these various functions can be saved in the HDD 24 or the like as an operation log of the image forming apparatus 100 each time.

The connection I/F 25 is an interface for communicating with the operation unit 10 via the communication path 30 . Communication I/F 26 is an interface for connecting with network N. FIG.

The image reading unit 1, the image forming unit 2, and the paper feeding unit 3 are hardware that performs processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication for realizing a copy function, a scanner function, and a printer function.

As an example, the image reading unit 1 functions as a scanner that optically reads an image printed on a recording medium such as paper and creates image data. As an example, the image forming unit 2 forms or prints an image on a recording medium such as paper by an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or another method capable of printing on paper or the like. Other methods may be used as long as printing is possible. As an example, the paper feeding unit 3 supplies the image forming unit 2 with a recording medium such as paper on which the image forming unit 2 forms an image. Hardware configurations of the image reading unit 1, the image forming unit 2, and the paper feeding unit 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

The main body 20 further functions as hardware for performing processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication for realizing the copy function, scanner function, facsimile function, and printer function. It may have a finisher for sorting the media.

The body 20 may also have a media I/F for reading and writing various media.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, image data generated by reading an image (transmission chart 110) formed on paper or the like by the printer function of the image forming apparatus 100 by a scanner when some kind of abnormality occurs in the image forming apparatus 100. (Transmission image) is transmitted to the call center 300 . Then, based on the characteristics of the transmitted image received by the call center 300 , the location and cause of the failure of the image forming apparatus 100 are determined and fed back to the image forming apparatus 100 . That is, the information processing system S1 according to this embodiment includes an abnormality image diagnosis system that diagnoses an abnormality in the image forming apparatus 100 based on an image. The image forming apparatus 100 includes, as functions related to such an abnormality image diagnosis system, a printing unit 101, a scanning unit 102 (reading unit), a designation operation input unit 103, an abnormality detection unit 104, and a transmission image generation unit 105. , and a transmission unit 106 .

The printing unit 101 prints a transmission chart 110 including a plurality of test patterns and a confirmation chart 120 including a pattern identical to at least part of the plurality of test patterns.

Here, an outline of the transmission chart 110 and the confirmation chart 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the transmission chart 110. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission chart 110 includes Bk (black), C (cyan), Y (yellow), and M (magenta) uniform patterns 110A, 110B, 110C, and 110D, a checkered pattern 110E, and A group of six sheets in which six types of test patterns of the grid pattern 110F are formed on individual sheets. Each of the sheet groups will also be referred to as "charts 110A to 110F" below. The checkered pattern 110E has a checkered pattern of gray patch portions and white portions. The gray patch portion is a mixed color of C/M/Y/Bk. The grid pattern 110F has lines formed in a grid pattern on a white background. The line portion is a mixed color of C/M/Y/Bk.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the confirmation chart 120. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the confirmation chart 120 is a single sheet on which vertical stripe patterns of white, Bk, C, Y, and M are formed. That is, on the confirmation chart 120, the same color as the entire uniform patterns 110A to 110D of the transmission chart 110 is arranged together with a reduced area. contains the same pattern as the four that are part of In the example of FIG. 5, on the confirmation chart 120, vertical strip patterns 120A, 120B, 120C, and 120D of each color of Bk, C, Y, and M are arranged in parallel from the left side in the center in the horizontal direction, and A white vertical strip pattern 120E is arranged. By using such confirmation charts 120, the user can roughly visually confirm what kind of abnormality has occurred in each of the test patterns 110A to 110D with a small number of sheets.

Returning to FIG. 3 , the scanning unit 102 scans the transmission chart 110 printed by the printing unit 101 .

The designation operation input unit 103 receives an operation of designating a pattern in which the user visually recognizes an abnormality in the confirmation chart 120 .

An anomaly detection unit 104 detects anomalies in a plurality of test patterns. Especially in this embodiment, the abnormality detection unit 104 detects an abnormality in the test pattern corresponding to the designated pattern in accordance with the designation operation input by the designation operation input unit 103 .

A transmission image generation unit 105 generates a transmission image from the transmission chart 110 scanned by the scanning unit 102 . In particular, in this embodiment, the transmission image generation unit 105 determines the file size of the transmission image of a test pattern for which an abnormality was not detected by the abnormality detection unit 104 among a plurality of test patterns. Make it smaller than the file size of the test pattern transmission image.

The transmission unit 106 transmits the transmission image generated by the transmission image generation unit 105 to the call center 300 .

The functions of the printing unit 101, the scanning unit 102, the abnormality detection unit 104, the transmission image generation unit 105, and the transmission unit 106 of the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. By reading computer software (image forming program), the image reading unit 1, the image forming unit 2, the paper feeding unit 3, and the communication I/F 26 are operated under the control of the CPU 21, and the data in the RAM 23 and HDD 24 are stored. It is realized by reading and writing. The functions of the designated operation input unit 103 are controlled by the operation panel 17 and the operation panel 17 under the control of the CPU 11 by loading predetermined computer software (image forming program) onto the hardware such as the CPU 11 and the RAM 13 of the operation unit 10 . It is realized by operating the connection I/F 15 and reading and writing data in the RAM 13 and the flash memory 14 . That is, by executing the image forming program of the present embodiment on a computer, the image forming apparatus 100 includes the printing unit 101, the scanning unit 102, the designation operation input unit 103, the abnormality detection unit 104, and the It functions as a transmission image generation unit 105 and a transmission unit 106 .

An image forming method for forming a transmission image for diagnosing an abnormality of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of processing for transmitting an abnormality detection image performed by the image forming apparatus 100 in the first embodiment.

In step S<b>101 , the confirmation chart 120 is printed by the printing unit 101 . In this step, for example, when the user presses the "check chart print" button on the operation panel 17 of the operation unit 10 when some kind of abnormality occurs in the printing of the image forming apparatus 100, referring to FIG. One confirmation chart 120 described above is printed.

In step S102, information on an abnormal location is input by the specifying operation input unit 103 (abnormality detection step). In this step, the user visually confirms the printed confirmation chart 120 and inputs an operation to designate a location in the chart 120 where an abnormality has occurred via the operation panel 17 of the operation unit 10 .

As an example of a specific input method in step S102, for example, the user performs the following designation operations (1) and (2).
(1) Color of the location where the abnormality is occurring Select which color band of white/Bk/C/M/Y on the confirmation chart 120 in FIG. (You can choose none of the colors.)
(2) Abnormal color (2-1) White defect (e.g. white streak)
(2-2) Abnormality with the same color as the band where the abnormality is occurring (example: dark cyan streak on cyan)
(2-3) Abnormality in a color different from the band where the abnormality is occurring (example: black stain on cyan)

Furthermore, in step S<b>102 , the abnormality detection unit 104 detects an abnormal portion of the test pattern included in the confirmation chart 120 according to the designation operation input of the designation operation input unit 103 .

In step S103, the transmission chart 110 is printed by the printing unit 101 (printing step). In this step, for example, when the user presses a "transmission chart print" button on the operation panel 17 of the operation unit 10, the six transmission charts 110A to 110F described with reference to FIG. 4 are printed. .

In step S104, the transmission chart 110 is scanned by the scanning unit 102 (reading step). In this step, for example, when the user sets the six transmission charts 110A to 110F on the scanner (image reading unit 1) and presses the "scan transmission" button on the operation panel 17 of the operation unit 10, all the charts 110A to 110F are scanned. 110F is scanned at 600 dpi and temporarily stored in the main body 20 .

In steps S105 to S108, a transmission image is generated by the transmission image generation unit 105 (transmission image generation step). First, in step S105, the transmission image generation unit 105 determines whether the charts 110A to 110F of the transmission chart 110 scanned in step S104 are related to the abnormality input in step S102. be done.

As an example of a specific determination method in step S105, for example, in the following cases, it is determined to be "related to abnormality", and in other cases, it is determined to be "not related to abnormality".
(A) Uniform patterns 110A to 110D (4 sheets for each color of C/M/Y/Bk)
If (2-1) or (2-2) is selected in step S102, the color selected in (1) is determined to be "related to abnormality".
If (2-3) is selected in step S102, all four sheets are determined to be "related to abnormality" regardless of the color selected in (1).
(B) Checkered pattern 110E
- If "white" is selected in step S102 (1), it is determined to be "related to abnormality".
(C) Lattice pattern 110F
- If no color is selected in step S102 (1), it is determined to be "related to abnormality".

If it is determined in step S105 that the chart is "related to an abnormality" (Yes in step S105), the process proceeds to step S106, and image processing with a large file size (high image quality) is performed on the scanned image of the chart. will be

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S105 that the chart is "unrelated to abnormality" (No in step S105), the process proceeds to step S107 to perform image processing with a small file size (low image quality) on the scanned image of the chart. is done.

That is, depending on whether or not the chart is related to the abnormality input in step S102, the image processing content is switched between high image quality and low image quality of the scanned image. Note that specific parameters for image processing of high image quality and low image quality are, for example, resolution and compression rate. For example, in the case of low image quality, a low resolution or a high compression ratio may be used.

FIG. 7 is a table showing an example of switching contents of image processing. As shown in FIG. 7, the resolution of the scanned image and the JPEG compression rate are changed based on the determination result of the relationship with abnormality of each of the test patterns 110A to 111F in step S105.

For the chart determined to be "related to abnormality", image processing is performed so that the image quality is high even if the file size is increased. On the other hand, priority is given to reducing the file size for charts that are determined to be "not related to anomalies", and image quality is allowed to deteriorate compared to charts that are determined to be "related to anomalies". .

The uniform patterns 110A to 110D and the checkered pattern 110E switch resolution and JPEG compression rate. The resolution is set to 300 dpi when it is determined to be "related to abnormality", and to 200 dpi when it is determined to be "not related to abnormality". A resolution of 300 dpi is sufficient even if it is determined to be "related to abnormality". This is because 300 dpi or more is not necessary for abnormalities such as streaks and stains. Also, the JPEG compression rate is set to low compression when it is determined to be "related to abnormality", and to high compression when it is determined to be "not related to abnormality".

The lattice pattern 110F has a resolution of 600 dpi when it is determined to be “related to anomalies”, while the resolution remains at 600 dpi even when it is determined to be “not related to anomalies”, and only the JPEG compression rate is used. from low compression to high compression. Even if it is determined that it is not related to an abnormality, there is a possibility that an abnormality such as color shift has actually occurred. Since the abnormality cannot be confirmed, only the JPEG compression rate is changed to reduce the file size.

Returning to FIG. 6, in step S108, it is determined whether or not all charts have been processed. If there are charts that have not been processed yet (No in step S108), the process returns to step S105 to repeat the image processing of the scanned image.

On the other hand, if the processing of all charts is completed (Yes in step S108), the process proceeds to step S109, and the transmission unit 106 sends the transmission image formed in steps S105 to S108 to a preset transmission destination (for example, a call center 300) (sending step). When the process of step S109 is completed, this control flow ends.

Effects of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a printing unit 101 that prints a transmission chart 110 including a plurality of test patterns 110A to 110F; a scanning unit 102 that scans the transmission chart 110 printed by the printing unit 101; A transmission image generation unit 105 that generates a transmission image from a scanned transmission chart 110, a transmission unit 106 that transmits the transmission image generated by the transmission image generation unit 105 to a call center 300, and multiple test pattern abnormalities are detected. and an anomaly detection unit 104 that performs the detection. The transmission image generation unit 105 calculates the file size of the transmission image of the test pattern for which an abnormality was not detected by the abnormality detection unit 104 among the plurality of test patterns 110A to 110F. smaller than the file size of the image to be sent.

With this configuration, before transmitting the transmission image for abnormality diagnosis to the call center 300, the image forming apparatus 100 first determines whether each of the test patterns 110A to 110F of the transmission chart 110 is abnormal. Then, after performing image processing for reducing the file size of the test pattern for which no abnormality was detected, the transmission image is transmitted. As a result, the total size of transmission images transmitted from the image forming apparatus 100 to the call center 300 can be reduced. In addition, although the file size is changed, the images of all the test patterns 110A to 110F are transmitted regardless of whether or not an abnormality is detected. It is also possible to prevent overlooking test charts in which an abnormality actually occurs. As a result, the image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment can reliably transmit the scanned image necessary for detecting an abnormality while suppressing the file size.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, the printing unit 101 prints a plurality of patterns 120A to 120E that are the same as at least some of the plurality of test patterns 110A to 110F (uniform patterns 110A to 110D in the present embodiment). , and the abnormality detection unit 104, in response to input through the designation operation input unit 103 of an operation for designating a pattern in which the user visually recognizes an abnormality in the confirmation chart 120, Detect anomalies in the specified pattern and the corresponding test pattern.

With this configuration, the confirmation chart 120 different from the transmission chart 110 to be sent for execution can be used to make an abnormality judgment by the user, and the abnormality of the test patterns 110A to 110F can be detected based on the user's judgment result, so that the reliability is increased. This makes it possible to detect anomalies with high accuracy.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment, the transmission chart 110 is a plurality of sheet groups in which the plurality of test patterns 110A to 110F are respectively formed on individual sheets, and the confirmation chart 120 is a plurality of test patterns. It is one sheet on which the patterns 120A to 120E are formed.

With this configuration, the user can collectively determine the presence/absence of an abnormality in a plurality of patterns 120A to 120E simply by looking at one sheet of the confirmation chart 120, thereby reducing the burden on the user.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a modification of the confirmation chart 120. As shown in FIG. For example, as in a chart 120-1 shown in FIG. 8A, a CMYK-mixed gray "+" mark 120F may be added to the portion of the white vertical strip pattern 120E. It is also conceivable to perform image processing in which the transmission file size of the grid chart 110F is switched depending on whether or not there is an abnormality (colored) in the "+" mark 120F.

For example, when using this confirmation chart 120-1, in step S102 of FIG. 6, the option of the "+" mark 120F is added to (1) (the color of the location where an abnormality occurs) among the input items. do. Further, in step S105, the grid pattern 110F is determined to be "related to abnormality" when the "+" mark 120F is selected in step S102 (1).

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8B, two confirmation charts 120-2 may be used. For example, in addition to chart 120-2A consisting of vertical band patterns 120A to 120E similar to FIG. 5, chart 120-2B consisting of horizontal band patterns is added. In chart 120-2B, the extending direction of the belt-like pattern is the lateral (horizontal) direction orthogonal to the vertical (vertical) direction in FIG. 5 or the like. When using this confirmation chart 120-1, in step S102 of FIG. 6, the user inputs the results of visual confirmation of the two charts 120-2A and 120-2B.

If the type of abnormality is a vertical streak, there is a case where no abnormality appears in the vertical strip confirmation chart 120-2A (for example, a cyan vertical streak occurs in a portion other than the cyan vertical strip). By adding a horizontal band pattern 120-2B to the confirmation chart 120-2 as in the example of FIG. 8B, such an oversight can be prevented.

Further, in the first embodiment, the confirmation chart 120 exemplifies a configuration including patterns 120A to 120D that are the same as four of the six test patterns 110A to 110F included in the transmission chart 110. However, it is sufficient to include a plurality of patterns that are the same as at least some of the plurality of test patterns included in the transmission chart 110, and the confirmation chart 120 may include all of the six test patterns 110A to 110F. However, a configuration including a part other than the four types is also possible.

[Second embodiment]
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 11. FIG. FIG. 9 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus 100A according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the second embodiment, the confirmation chart 120 is not used, and the abnormality detection unit 104A analyzes the transmission chart 110 scanned by the scanning unit 102, and based on the analysis results, a plurality of differs from the first embodiment in that an abnormality in the test pattern is detected.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of processing for transmitting an abnormality detection image performed by the image forming apparatus 100A in the second embodiment. Steps S201, S202, and S205 to S208 in the flowchart of FIG. 10 are the same as steps S103, S104, and S106 to S109 of FIG. 6, so description thereof will be omitted.

In step S203, the abnormality detection unit 104A performs abnormality determination based on the scanned image scanned in step S202, and detects abnormal locations in the test patterns 110A to 110F of the transmission chart 110. FIG. For example, the abnormality detection unit 104A calculates image feature amounts for the scanned images of the charts 110A to 110F stored in the main body 20, and uses the image feature amounts to determine whether the charts are abnormal.

FIG. 11 is a table showing an example of feature amounts and determination criteria used in the abnormality determination process in step S203. As shown in FIG. 11, in the abnormality determination process, different feature amounts and determination criteria can be used for each of the charts 110A to 110F of the transmission chart 110. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 11, the uniform patterns 110A to 110D and the checkered pattern 110E use histograms as image feature quantities.

In the uniform patterns 110A to 110D on the entire surface, when no abnormality occurs, the RGB values corresponding to the uniform density portions have histogram peaks, indicating good uniformity (small variance). On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs, for example, when a white streak occurs, a peak also occurs in the white portion of the histogram, resulting in poor uniformity (large variance). Therefore, for the uniform patterns 110A to 110D on the entire surface, it is determined whether or not they are related to abnormality from the uniformity of the histogram.

In the checkered pattern 110E, when no abnormality occurs, the number of pixels of white and gray (RGB values corresponding to the density of the patch portion) is approximately half and half. On the other hand, when an abnormality occurs, for example, when dirt occurs in the white portion, the number of white pixels decreases and the number of pixels with RGB values corresponding to the density of the dirt increases. Therefore, in the checkered pattern 110E, "related/not related to abnormality" is determined from the number of pixels other than white and gray (RGB values corresponding to the density of the patch portion).

As shown in FIG. 11, the lattice pattern 110F uses the number of chromatic/achromatic pixels as the image feature amount. For each pixel, chromatic pixels (pixels whose maximum difference in RGB values is equal to or greater than a predetermined value) and achromatic pixels (pixels whose maximum difference in RGB values is less than a predetermined value) are determined, and the number of such pixels is counted. If no color misregistration has occurred, almost all pixels are achromatic pixels. On the other hand, if there is an abnormality in color misregistration, the number of chromatic pixels increases. Therefore, in the lattice pattern 110F, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality based on the number of chromatic pixels.

Returning to FIG. 10, in step S204, the transmission image generation unit 105 determines that the charts 110A to 110F of the transmission chart 110 scanned in step S202 are "related to abnormality" in step S203. It is checked whether the chart is

In the image forming apparatus 100A of the second embodiment, the abnormality detection unit 104A analyzes the transmission chart 110 scanned by the scanning unit 102, and detects abnormalities in a plurality of test patterns based on the analysis results. With this configuration, the presence or absence of an abnormality in a plurality of test patterns can be automatically determined using the scanned image of the transmission chart 110, so that the burden on the user can be reduced, and the presence or absence of an abnormality can always be stably determined.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIG. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus 100B according to the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the third embodiment, a feature amount calculation unit 107 is provided for calculating image feature information from test patterns 110A to 110F of the transmission chart 110 scanned by the scanning unit 102, and a transmission unit 106A. However, it differs from the above-described embodiment in that image feature information corresponding to the test pattern is added to the transmission image of the test pattern for which no abnormality was detected by the abnormality detection unit 104 and then transmitted.

FIG. 13 is a diagram schematically showing the data size of transmission images according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 13, the size relationship of the data size is indicated by the length in the horizontal direction. As shown in FIG. 13, the transmission image of the test pattern in which no abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit 104 is converted from the high quality image to the low quality image, so the data size is reduced. A feature amount is added to the vacant area by this. That is, for charts that transmit low-resolution/high-compression-ratio scanned images (=charts that are determined to be “unrelated to abnormalities”), characteristic information (text data such as histograms) is added to the scanned image and transmitted. . Add additional information, but make the total file size smaller than the high-quality image.

With this configuration, even if a scanned image with a small file size (=low image quality) is sent, the call center 300 can use the added image feature information together to perform an abnormality diagnosis, and check whether an abnormality has occurred. and diagnosis of the cause of the abnormality can be performed with higher accuracy.

Although the block diagram of FIG. 12 is based on the first embodiment, the second embodiment may have a configuration in which the feature amount calculation unit 107 is added.

In the flowcharts of the first and second embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 10, in the image transmission step of steps S109 and S208, the chart determined as "unrelated to abnormality" includes the image feature amount ( For example, the feature amount for each chart shown in FIG. 11) is also transmitted.

In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 10, since the image feature amount is calculated for the abnormality determination in step S203, the calculated feature amount can be used as it is.

On the other hand, in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6, for example, the process of calculating the image feature amount is added only to the chart determined to be "unrelated to abnormality" in step S105.

Since the data of the image feature amount is text data and the file size is small, even if the data of the image feature amount is additionally transmitted, the overall transmission file size can be suppressed.

The present embodiment has been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific examples. Design modifications to these specific examples by those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the present disclosure as long as they have the features of the present disclosure. Each element included in each specific example described above and its arrangement, conditions, shape, etc. are not limited to those illustrated and can be changed as appropriate. As long as there is no technical contradiction, the combination of the elements included in the specific examples described above can be changed as appropriate.

In the above embodiment, the scanning unit 102 scans the transmission chart 110 and the confirmation chart 120 printed by the printing unit 101 to generate a transmission image. As long as the device can read the transmission chart 110 and the confirmation chart 120, the scanning function is not limited to the scanner function of the scanning unit 102. FIG. For example, a two-dimensional sensor (camera) may be used to read the transmission chart 110 and the confirmation chart 120 .

100, 100A, 100B image forming apparatus 101 printing unit 102 scanning unit (reading unit)
104, 104A Abnormality detection unit 105 Transmission image generation unit 106, 106A Transmission unit 110 Transmission chart 110A to 110F Test pattern 120 Confirmation chart 300 Call center (center)

Japanese Patent No. 6223167

Claims (7)

a printing unit that prints a transmission chart including a plurality of test patterns;
a reading unit that reads the transmission chart printed by the printing unit;
a transmission image generation unit that generates a transmission image from the transmission chart read by the reading unit;
a transmission unit that transmits the transmission image generated by the transmission image generation unit to a center;
an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality in the plurality of test patterns included in the transmission chart ;
with
The transmission image generation unit is
performing high-quality image processing on the transmission image of the transmission chart in which the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit;
low image quality image processing is performed on the transmission image of the transmission chart in which no abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit;
Image forming device. The printing unit prints a confirmation chart including a plurality of patterns identical to at least part of the plurality of test patterns,
The anomaly detection unit detects an anomaly in a test pattern corresponding to the specified pattern in response to an operation of specifying a pattern in which a user visually recognizes an anomaly in the confirmation chart.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. wherein the transmission chart is a group of sheets in which the plurality of test patterns are formed on individual sheets;
The confirmation chart is a single sheet on which the plurality of patterns are formed,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2. The abnormality detection unit analyzes the transmission chart read by the reading unit, and detects an abnormality in the plurality of test patterns based on the analysis result.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. a feature amount calculation unit that calculates image feature information from each test pattern of the transmission chart read by the reading unit;
The transmission unit adds the image feature information corresponding to the test pattern to the transmission image of the test pattern for which no abnormality was detected by the abnormality detection unit, and transmits the image.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. a printing step of printing a transmission chart including a plurality of test patterns;
a reading step of reading the transmission chart printed in the printing step;
a transmission image generating step of generating a transmission image from the transmission chart read in the reading step;
a transmission step of transmitting the transmission image generated in the transmission image generation step to a center;
an abnormality detection step of detecting an abnormality in the plurality of test patterns included in the transmission chart ;
including
The transmission image generation step includes:
performing high-quality image processing on the transmission image of the transmission chart in which an abnormality is detected in the abnormality detection step;
performing low-quality image processing on the transmission image of the transmission chart for which no abnormality was detected in the abnormality detection step;
Imaging method. a print function that prints a transmission chart containing multiple test patterns;
a reading function for reading the transmission chart printed by the printing function;
a transmission image generating function for generating a transmission image from the transmission chart read by the reading function;
a transmission function for transmitting the transmission image generated by the transmission image generation function to a center;
an abnormality detection function for detecting an abnormality in the plurality of test patterns included in the transmission chart ;
An image forming program for realizing on a computer,
The transmission image generation function includes:
performing high-quality image processing on the transmission image of the transmission chart in which the abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection function;
low image quality image processing is performed on the transmission image of the transmission chart in which no abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection function;
Image forming program.

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