JPH03297262A - Check device for picture processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily discriminate the propriety of a signal processing system by comparing a generated pattern with a picture fetched from a picture processing system to check the occurrence of a trouble. CONSTITUTION:Prior to the check of a picture processing system, a pattern generating section 8 generates a two-dimensional picture pattern suitable for check purpose, the section 8 receives a pattern signal generated from a digital signal output device 11, fetches a picture signal processed by a digital signal input device 14 from a proper point at the post-stage or receives a pattern signal generated by an analog signal output device 12, fetches a picture signal processed by an analog signal input device 15, the signals are displayed on a display section 4 as a two-dimensional picture and the propriety of the checked circuit is discriminated. Thus, the propriety of the signal processing system is easily discriminated, and a pattern in response to the content of a trouble is generated, then the check device is applicable not only to a factory shipment check but also to a trouble occurred on market.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an inspection device for an image processing system suitable for use in detecting trouble spots in an image processing system such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile.

[Prior Art] In recent years, image processing systems such as copying machines, printers, and facsimile machines have been able to achieve higher image quality and multifunctionality by making full use of advanced control technology, image data processing technology, etc. with the introduction of computers. It is being In particular, in the field of copying machines, a color copying machine has been developed that reads a document with a line sensor equipped with a color filter, digitizes the obtained color image signal, performs desired image processing, and outputs a hard copy. There is.

By the way, when a trouble occurs in an image processing system such as a color copying machine, it is necessary to identify where the trouble is occurring in order to replace parts or circuit boards. For this reason, conventionally, service personnel have carried out inspections by using and copying various test charts depending on the purpose.

In addition, you can connect an oscilloscope to an appropriate point in the image processing system and observe the signal waveform when reading a test chart, or input the test pattern signal generated by a timing generator from an appropriate point, and then Image data obtained at appropriate locations is also output numerically using a logic analyzer for inspection.

Furthermore, in recent years, an image display device such as a CRT is connected to an appropriate part of the image processing system via an interface, the test chart is read, and the image signal obtained by the reading is displayed as a pattern. Inspections are also being carried out to determine what kind of trouble is currently occurring.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-287578 proposes an inspection device for an image forming system that includes a command sending means, a response taking means, and a determining means.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As described above, various inspection methods have been adopted, but the conventional inspection methods have the following problems.

In other words, in inspections performed by copying a test chart, although copying the test chart itself is easy, a service person copies a large number of test charts and compares the resulting hard copies with each other to troubleshoot. The problem is that it is extremely troublesome and takes a long time to perform the inspection because it specifies the content and problem location.

Particularly when the image processing system is a color copying machine or a color printer, expensive color toner is used for inspection, which is also uneconomical.

Testing using an oscilloscope allows you to observe the waveform of the image signal, and testing using a timing generator and logic analyzer provides numerical output, but it is possible to determine whether the signal processing system of the image processing system is functioning properly. However, since the information obtained by these inspections is only one-dimensional information in the main scanning direction, it is extremely difficult to judge the quality of the entire image processing system. In other words, since image processing systems process two-dimensional image information, for example, when copying with a color copier, a certain toner color may not be output in a certain range of sub-scanning, or In a certain range, problems such as the image expanding or contracting may occur. It is obvious that it is difficult to deal with such problems using only one-dimensional image information.

Furthermore, inspections performed by displaying the read test chart as a pattern using an image display device allow you to observe a two-dimensional image, making it easy to judge pass/fail. Therefore, it essentially involves the same problem as the above-mentioned inspection that copies the test chart.

Furthermore, an inspection device for an image forming system proposed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-287578 is designed to inspect whether control commands used within the image forming system are normally generated and transmitted. Since this method does not test image data, it is not possible to judge the quality of the image signal processing circuit.

As described above, various inspection methods have been proposed and actually put into practice, but they have had many problems.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an inspection device for an image processing system that can easily determine the quality of a signal processing system.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] The inspection device of the image processing system of the present invention achieves the above object, and as shown in FIG. A pattern creation section 8 capable of creating a desired two-dimensional pattern according to the contents of the inspection, a digital signal output device 11, and an analog signal output device 12 are provided, and the pattern signal created by the pattern creation section 8 is converted into a digital signal. Alternatively, it includes a pattern signal output unit 10 that outputs an analog signal to an external image processing system, a digital signal input device 14, and an analog signal input device 15, and a signal input that takes in a digital or analog image signal from the external image processing system. section 13 and the pattern created by the pattern creation section 8 or the signal input section 13
The display section 7 for displaying the image signal of the external image processing system imported by the system or both of these, the pattern creation section 8, the pattern signal output section 10, the signal input section 13, and the display section 4 are collectively managed and controlled. A control unit 1 is provided.

Therefore, prior to testing the image processing system, the pattern creation section 8 creates a two-dimensional image pattern according to the purpose of the test, and when testing the digital signal processing system of the image processing system, the digital signal output device By inputting the pattern signal created from 11, and capturing the image signal processed by the digital signal input device 14 from an appropriate location in the succeeding stage and displaying it as a two-dimensional image on the display section 4, the inspection location can be easily inspected. It is possible to judge whether it is good or bad. Similarly, when inspecting the analog signal processing system of an image processing system, a pattern signal created from the analog signal output device 12 is input, and the pattern signal is processed by the analog signal input device 15 from an appropriate location in the subsequent stage. By capturing the image signal and displaying it as a two-dimensional image on the display unit 4, it is possible to easily determine the quality of the inspection area.

[Example code] Examples will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an inspection device for an image processing system according to the present invention, in which 1 is a control unit, 2 is a CPU, 3 is a memory, 4 is a display unit, and 5 is a graphic Controller, 6 is an image memory, 7 is a display device, 8 is a pattern creation section, 9 is a digitizer, 10 is a pattern signal output section, 11 is a digital signal output device, 12 is an analog signal output device, 13 is a signal input section, 14 15 indicates a digital signal input device, and 15 indicates an analog signal input device.

Next, the configuration and functions of each part will be explained.

The control unit 1 includes a CPU 2, a RAM that temporarily stores various data, and a memory 3 that is composed of a ROM or a nonvolatile memory that stores fixed data necessary for processing. It centrally manages and controls the operation of the entire inspection device of the image processing system.

The display unit 4 includes a graphic controller 5 that creates and edits two-dimensional patterns similar to those used in well-known CAD, and also performs processing for display on a display device 7, an image memory 6 as a video RAM, Color CR
The display device 7 is provided with a display device 7 that displays a two-dimensional image, such as a T-screen or color liquid crystal display device. Further, the pattern creation section 8 has a configuration in which a digitizer 9 is added to the display section 4. The digitizer 9 may be separate from the display device 7, or the display device 7 may have a configuration in which a pressure-type or optical touch board is arranged on the display screen of the display device 7.
It may be integrated with.

The screen of the display device 7 or the digitizer 9 also displays a menu for creating a pattern, a menu for selecting an image to be displayed on the display device 7, and a menu for selecting the type of pattern signal to be supplied to the image processing system to be inspected. Various menus are displayed for testing the image processing system, such as a selection menu. Therefore, the operator can easily create a desired two-dimensional pattern by selecting the pattern creation menu. As is well known, the creation of a two-dimensional pattern can be performed by operating a stylus pen on the digitizer 9. For example, when creation of a rectangular pattern is selected, the graphic controller 5 inputs A rectangle whose diagonal vertices are the coordinates of the two points thus obtained is generated and displayed on the display device 7. Similarly, when you select to create a circular pattern and specify the center position and a point on the circumference, the graphic controller 5 generates a circle whose center is the first input point and whose radius is the second input point. and display it on the display device 7. Furthermore, by moving a stylus pen on the digitizer 9, so-called free-form input can be performed. Furthermore, it is also possible to color the created closed region by specifying a desired color and desired density.

Furthermore, the graphic controller 5 can not only display one image on the display device 7, but also divide the screen of the display device 7 and display two images side by side when a predetermined menu is selected. It is made possible.

According to this, the created pattern and the image imported from an external image processing system can be displayed side by side, so that comparison and judgment can be easily made.

Now, the pixel density of recent color copying machines and color printers is about 18 dots/m, so of course image data imported from an external image processing system is
The pixel densities of the patterns to be created are also comparable. On the other hand, the pixel density of a display device such as a color copier is generally 1/100 or less of the pixel density of an image processing system, so the created pattern and the image data imported from the image processing system are cannot be displayed all at once. Therefore, you can thin out the pixels of the displayed image appropriately so that you can observe the entire image, or you can display only a part of the image without thinning out the pixels and scroll the image to see the entire image. You can do it like this. The former method is convenient because the entire image can be observed at a glance, but it has the disadvantage that the reproducibility of small characters and fine striped patterns is poor due to thinning of pixels.

On the other hand, the latter method requires scrolling of the screen, but does not thin out pixels at all, so it has the characteristic of being able to reproduce small characters and fine striped patterns well. It is up to you which of these methods to adopt, but if the former method is adopted, the graphic controller 5 is required to send the created pattern or image data imported from an external image processing system to the display device 7. It goes without saying that there is a need for a function to appropriately thin out image data when displaying it. Also, the amount of data to be thinned out is arbitrary; you can thin out the entire image to the extent that it can be displayed at once, or you can thin out the data to a certain extent so that the parts that are not displayed on the screen can be displayed by scrolling. You may also do so.

Furthermore, the graphic controller 5 is configured such that the image data imported from the image processing system is yellow (Y),
Magenta (M), cyan (C).

In the case of black (K) toner signals, it has a function of converting these toner signals into three primary color signals of red (R), green (G), and blue (B). That is, in image processing systems such as color copying machines and color printers, image reading is performed in R, G, and B, but when outputting a hard copy, T, M, and C are read.

It is converted into a K toner signal. Therefore, during inspection, it may be necessary to import toner signals, but if a toner signal is imported, it cannot be displayed as is, so R
,G,B.

Whether or not it is necessary to convert to R, G, or B is indicated through a menu.

Conversely, when creating a pattern, the graphic controller 5 has R, G, and B color data, but converts the R, G, and B data into Y and M.

It also has a function to convert to C and K toner signals. This is because, as described above, the toner signal is ultimately used in the image processing system, so it is necessary to supply the toner signal when inspecting the signal processing system that handles the toner signal.

The pattern signal output unit 10 outputs the created pattern signal and various synchronization signals to an external image processing system to be inspected, and outputs the created pattern signal in the form of a digital signal. It includes an output device 11 and an analog signal output device 12 that converts into an analog signal and outputs it. Incidentally, it goes without saying that an interface may be provided as necessary to connect the pattern signal output section 10 and the image processing system.

The signal input unit 13 inputs image data and various synchronization signals from an external image processing system to be inspected.The signal input unit 13 inputs image data and various synchronization signals in the form of digital signals, and the digital signal input device 14 inputs them in the form of digital signals. Analog signal input device 15 that captures the state and converts it into a digital signal
It is equipped with Note that an interface is provided as necessary to connect the signal input section 13 and the image processing system.

Next, a color copying machine will be taken up as an example of an image processing system, and what kind of inspection can be performed by using the inspection apparatus of the image processing system according to the present invention will be explained.

As schematically shown in FIG. 2, a color copying machine includes an image reading device (hereinafter referred to as IIT) 21, an image processing system (hereinafter referred to as IPS) 22, and an image output device (hereinafter referred to as IOT) 23. It consists of

The IIT 21 decomposes the original image into electrical signals of three primary colors, R, G, and B, and is composed of a COD line sensor (hereinafter simply referred to as a line sensor) provided with a color filter. And the output of the line sensor is
If necessary, processing such as gain adjustment, offset adjustment, shading correction, etc. is performed, and the data is digitized into, for example, 8 bits, and is input to the IPS 22 as digital density data of BIG and R. The reading density of the line sensor is 16 dat/m.

I PS22 is output from IIT21 and is 9B.

Input the color density data of G and H, then select Y and M.
.

After converting to C and K toner signals, select the process color toner signal
This is what is output to. During this period, color reproducibility,
In order to improve gradation reproducibility, definition reproducibility, etc., various data processes such as density adjustment, contrast adjustment, and color balance adjustment are performed, as well as various editing processes such as coloring and color conversion. Note that various adjustments such as density adjustment, contrast adjustment, and color balance adjustment, and specific processing of various editing processes such as coloring and color conversion are well known, so the details thereof will be omitted.

10T23 performs exposure, development, and fixing for each color process of Y, M, C, and K, and consists of a photoreceptor and a laser for writing on/off data created by IPS22 onto the photoreceptor. Exposure device, Y,
It is equipped with M, C, and K developing machines, a fixing machine, etc.

Suppose that a problem occurs in such a color copying machine in that yellow is not output only in the leading 10 portions of the copy. In this case, the inspection can be performed as follows.

Figure 3 is an example of IIT21 testing;
The digital signal output device 11 of the inspection device 30 is connected to the synchronization signal input terminal of T21, and the synchronization signal 31 is supplied to the IIT 21, and the output of the IIT 21 is sent to the inspection device 30.
is connected to the digital signal input device 14 of. In this state, a test chart or a suitable original is placed on the IIT 21 and read, and the output signal 32 is taken into the inspection device 30 and displayed on the display device 7.

Then, by comparing the image displayed on the display device 7 with the image of the original, the operator can easily determine whether the trouble in question is occurring in the IIT 21 or not.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the case where the IPS 22 is inspected. In this case, two inspection methods shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are possible.

The configuration shown in FIG. 4(a) is similar to the configuration shown in FIG. It captures the image signal 33 output from the IPS 22 and displays it on the display device 7, and by comparing the original and the image displayed on the display device 7, it is possible to determine if the trouble is detected by the IIT 21 or IP
It is possible to easily determine whether or not the problem occurred in S22.

The configuration shown in FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing a configuration when only the IPS 22 is inspected. First, in the inspection device 30, a desired pattern is created prior to inspection. In this case, since the problem is that yellow is not output only in the 1 cm leading edge of the copy, for example, a 3-size pattern with yellow on the front side is created. The created pattern signal and synchronization signal 34 are then supplied to the input end of the IPS 22, and the output signal 33 of the IPS 22 is taken into the inspection device 30 from the digital signal input device 14.

In this case, since the created pattern is simple, it is possible to determine whether a problem has occurred in the IPS 22 by displaying only the image imported from the IPS 22 on the display device 7, but if the created pattern is complex By selecting the menu, the screen of the display device 7 is divided into two as shown in FIG. Display them side by side. This makes it easy to compare both images, making it extremely easy to determine whether there is any trouble in the IPS 22.

Note that when importing the output signal of the IPS 22 as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and (b), since the output signal of the IPS 22 is a toner signal, it is necessary to change the toner signal to R, G, and B signals using the menu in advance. As mentioned above, it is necessary to make settings so that conversion can be performed. Also, I
When inspecting the PS 22, desired editing processing may be set in the IPS 22 in advance.

The inspection of l0T23 can be performed with a configuration as shown in FIG. A pattern signal and a synchronization signal 37 generated from the digital signal output device 11 of the inspection device 30 are supplied to the input terminal of the l0T23. Needless to say, at this time, the toner signal is supplied according to the menu. Further, an image of the created pattern is displayed on the screen of the display device 7. As a result, l0
At T23, development and fixing are performed and a copy is output, but if you compare the output copy with the created pattern displayed on the display device 7, you can see that the problem has been resolved.
It is possible to easily determine whether or not the problem is occurring in 23.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, in the above embodiments, an example of testing each subsystem of a color copying machine has been described, but it is clear that testing can be similarly performed for each circuit board used in each subsystem.

In addition, we have prepared patterns corresponding to various trouble tests in advance.
It is also possible to store the pattern in a card-like recording medium such as a C card or a memory card, and read out a desired pattern from the card-like recording medium using a card reading device to perform the above-mentioned inspection. By writing not only pattern data on a card-shaped recording medium, but also rules for determining pass/fail, such as comparing the created pattern signal level and the image signal level imported from the image processing system for a predetermined pixel. It is also possible to automatically determine whether the inspection location is good or bad.

[Effects of the Invention] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, the presence or absence of trouble is inspected by comparing the created pattern with the image captured from the image processing system. It is extremely easy to judge whether the processing system is good or bad.

Furthermore, since a pattern can be created according to the nature of the trouble, it is possible to easily deal with troubles in the market as well as inspections at the time of factory shipment.

Furthermore, since it is equipped with digital and analog signal output devices and digital and analog signal input devices, it is possible to inspect not only the entire image processing system but also individual subsystems,
Not only is it possible to inspect each circuit board, but
Since image signals can be input and output at any location, inspection efficiency can be improved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an inspection device for an image processing system according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example configuration of a color copying machine, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the case where an inspection is performed using the inspection device of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the case where the inspection device of the present invention performs an IOT inspection. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a case. 1... Control unit, 2... CPU, 3... Memory, 4
...Display section, 5...Graphic controller, 6
... Image memory, 7... Display device, 8... Pattern creation section, 9... Digitizer, 10... Pattern signal output section, 11... Digital signal output device, 12...
- Analog signal output device, 13... signal input section, 14
...digital signal input device, 15...analog signal input device.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A pattern creation section that creates a desired pattern, a pattern signal output section that outputs the pattern signal created by the pattern creation section as a digital signal or analog signal to an external image processing system, and an external image processing system. a signal input section that takes in a digital or analog image signal from the above; a display section that displays the pattern created by the pattern creation section and/or the image taken in from the signal input section; the pattern creation section; the pattern An inspection device for an image processing system, comprising a signal output section, the signal input section, and a control section that controls the display section.