Patent Publication Number: US-2012038949-A1

Title: Image processing apparatus and method of the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional application 61/372,410, filed on Aug. 10, 2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to an image processing apparatus and a method of the same. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An image processing apparatus such as a copying machine includes a scanning unit which optically scans and reads an image of an original document and outputs image data corresponding to the read image, an image processing section which processes the image data output from the scanning unit, a processing unit which transfers an image corresponding to the image data output from the image processing section onto an image forming medium such as a paper sheet, and an image data bus which transmits the image data between the scanning unit, the image processing section, and the processing unit. 
     When an abnormality occurs in the image data bus, the image data cannot be transmitted in an appropriate state. In this case, image formation quality is degraded. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing the overall configuration of each embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing main parts of an exposure unit in each embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing a control circuit of each embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a timing chart showing image data before void adjustment and after void adjustment in each embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a basic format of each piece of pixel data included in the image data of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a basic format of each piece of line data included in the image data of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing control of a controller according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an addition position of data for inspection according to the first embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an addition position of data for inspection according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing an addition position of data for inspection according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a diagram specifically showing the addition position of the data for inspection of  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram showing an addition position of data for inspection according to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram specifically showing the addition position of the data for inspection of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram showing an addition position of line data for inspection according to a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 15  is a diagram showing a plurality of pieces of data for inspection included in line data for inspection of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In general, according to one embodiment, an image processing apparatus includes: a first section which outputs image data; an image data bus which transmits the image data output from the first section; a second section which receives the image data transmitted by the image data bus; and a controller which adds data for inspection to the image data output from the first section, extracts the data for inspection from the image data received by the second section, and when the extracted data for inspection does not match with predetermined data for inspection, determines that the image data bus is abnormal. 
     [1] A first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a platen (glass plate)  2  is disposed at the upper portion of a main body  1 . A cover  3  is disposed on the platen  2 . A carriage  4  is disposed on the lower surface side of the platen  2 , and an exposure lamp  5  is disposed in the carriage  4 . The carriage  4  reciprocates along the lower surface of the platen  2 . As the exposure lamp  5  is lit while the carriage  4  moves forward, an original document on the platen  2  is exposed. By the exposure, an image of the original document is optically read. The read image is projected onto a CCD  10  via reflex mirrors  6 ,  7 , and  8  and a lens block  9 . 
     In the periphery of a photoconductive drum  20  which is an image holding body, a charging unit  21 , an exposure unit  22 , a developing unit  23 , a transfer unit  24 , a peeling unit  25 , a cleaner  26 , and a neutralizing unit  27  are disposed in this order. 
     Main parts of the exposure unit  22  are shown in  FIG. 2 . A laser beam emitted by a laser unit  31  for image formation illuminates a rotation-type polygon mirror  32 . The polygon mirror  32  reflects the laser beam emitted from the laser unit  31  toward the photoconductive drum  20 . The reflected laser beam illuminates the photoconductive drum  20  via lenses  33  and  34 . By the rotation and reflection of the polygon mirror  32 , main scanning is performed on the photoconductive drum  20  along the axial direction of the photoconductive drum  20 , and the main scanning is repeated along with the rotation of the photoconductive drum  20 . The repetition of the main scanning is sub-scanning. By the main scanning and the sub-scanning, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductive drum  20 . 
     The laser beam emitted from the laser unit  31  illuminates a laser detection unit  36  via the polygon mirror  32 , the lens  33 , and a mirror  35  at the start of the main scanning. The laser detection unit  36  detects the illuminating laser beam as a reference position of the main scanning. 
     A control circuit is shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     A scanning unit  51  includes the configurations from the platen  2  to the CCD  10  and a CPU  51   a , and converts and outputs an image signal output from the CCD  10  into image data by a binarization process. An image data bus  61  transmits the image data output from the scanning unit  51  to an image processing section  52 . 
     The image processing section  52  includes an ASIC, receives the image data transmitted by the image data bus  61 , and appropriately processes and outputs the received image data. An image data bus  62  transmits the image data output from the image processing section  52  to a processing unit  53 . An image data bus  63  transmits the image data in the image processing section  52  to a controller  54 . An image data bus  64  transmits the image data subjected to a software process of the controller  54  to the image processing section  52 . 
     The processing unit  53  includes the configurations from the photoconductive drum  11  to the neutralizing unit  27  and a CPU  53   a , and by performing the main scanning and sub-scanning on the photoconductive drum  20  on the basis of the image data received from the image data bus  62 , transfers (prints) an image corresponding to the image data received from the image data bus  62  onto a paper sheet which is an image forming medium. 
     In addition, a data size of the image data is greater than the size of data to be transferred onto the paper sheet both in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. The processing unit  53  sets a first void area B 1  as a non-image formation area at the front end of the main scanning, and sets a second void area B 2  as a non-image formation area at the rear end of the main scanning. In addition, the processing unit  53  sets a third void area B 3  as a non-image formation area at the front end of the sub-scanning, and sets a four void area B 4  as a non-image formation area at the rear end of the sub-scanning. The void areas B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , and B 4  are also referred to as whitened areas (“null” areas). In addition, a process of setting the void areas B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , and B 4  is also referred to as void adjustment. 
     The controller  54  includes a CPU  54   a  connected to the CPUs  51   a  and  53   a  via signal lines and has (1) to (5) control sections as main functions as follows: 
     (1) The first control section that adds data C for inspection to the image data output from the image processing section  52 . Specifically, the first control section replaces, with the data C for inspection, image data of an area corresponding to any of the first and second void areas B 1  and B 2 , from the image data output from the image processing section  52 . 
     (2) The second control section that extracts the data C for inspection from the image data received by the processing unit  53 . 
     (3) The third control section that compares the extracted data C for inspection to predetermined data Cs for inspection. 
     (4) The fourth control section that, when the comparison result does not match, determines that the image data bus  62  is abnormal. 
     (5) The fifth control section that, when it is determined that the image data bus  62  is abnormal, the details of the abnormality is notified by a display of a display section  56   b  of a control panel  56 . 
     A hard disk drive  55  for image data storage is connected to the controller  54  via image data buses  65  and  66 , and the control panel  56  is also connected thereto. The control panel  56  has an operation section  56   a , as well as the display section  56   b . In addition, a personal computer  58  for users is connected to the controller  54  via a communication network  57 . 
     The image data before void adjustment and after void adjustment is shown in the timing chart of  FIG. 4 . Image data for a page includes, as shown in  FIG. 5 , a plurality of pieces of pixel data D 1 , D 2 , . . . Dn lined up along the main scanning direction. The pixel data D 1 , D 2 , . . . Dn is, for example, 8-bit data. In addition, the image data for a page includes, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a plurality of pieces of line data L 1 , L 2 , . . . Lm lined up in the sub-scanning direction. Each piece of the line data L 1 , L 2 , . . . Lm is a set of the pixel data D 1 , D 2 , Dn lined up along the main scanning direction. The pixel data D 1 , D 2 , . . . Dn and the line data L 1 , L 2 , . . . Lm of  FIGS. 5 and 6  are basic formats. 
     The controller  54  performs control shown in  FIG. 7 . 
     First, the controller  54  adds the data C for inspection to the image output from the image processing section  52  (Act  101 ). The data C for inspection is 8-bit data having an appropriate combination of “1” and “0”, and has a data capacity which is the same as a data capacity of each piece of the pixel data D 1 , D 2 , . . . Dn. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the controller  54  replaces, with the data C for inspection, the single piece of pixel data D 1  of an area corresponding to the first void area B 1  from among the pieces of pixel data D 1 , D 2 , . . . Dn of the image data output from the image processing section  52 . 
     In addition, from among the pieces of pixel data D 1 , D 2 , . . . Dn of the image data output from the image processing section  52 , each of the two pieces of pixel data D 1  and D 2  of an area corresponding to the first void area B 1  may be replaced with the data C for inspection. From among the pieces of pixel data D 1 , D 2 , . . . Dn of the image data output from the image processing section  52 , the single piece of pixel data Dn of an area corresponding to the second void area B 2  may be replaced with the data C for inspection. 
     The controller  54  extracts the data C for inspection from the image data received by the processing unit  53  (Act  102 ). The controller  54  compares the extracted data C for inspection to the predetermined data Cs for inspection (Act  103 ). When the comparison result does not match (No in Act  104 ), the controller  54  determines that the image data bus  62  is abnormal (Act  105 ), and provides notification of the details of the abnormality by the display of the display section  56   b  of the control panel  56  (Act  106 ). The controller  54  performs the process of Acts  102  to  106  in a period in which a sub-scanning effective signal shown in  FIG. 6  is active (“1”). This period is also a processing period for determination of print end, void adjustment, and the like. 
     The user can be notified of the abnormality of the image data bus  62  by seeing the display of the display section  56   b . In addition, the user can request a repair. 
     While the main body  1  is operated, existence of the abnormality of the image data bus  62  is always monitored by the controller  54 . Therefore, a special device for detecting the abnormality of the image data bus  62  is unnecessary. A detection operation by the user or maintenance personnel is also unnecessary. 
     Since the data C for inspection exists in the first or second void area B 1  or B 2 , image formation by the processing unit  53  is not affected. 
     [2] A second embodiment will be described. 
     From the image data in the main scanning direction, image data corresponding to an area between the first and second void areas B 1  and B 2  is effective image data for image formation. On both sides of the effective image data for image formation, unnecessary areas X for image formation exist. The areas X include the first and second void areas B 1  and B 2 . In addition, from the image data in the sub-scanning direction, image data corresponding to an area between the third and fourth void areas B 3  and B 4  is effective image data for image formation. On both sides of the effective image data for image formation, unnecessary areas Y for image formation exist. The areas Y include the third and fourth void areas B 3  and B 4 . 
     The position of the data C for inspection may be in any of the unnecessary areas X and Y for image formation. That is, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the controller  54  replaces, with the data C for inspection, a single pixel of the image data of an area corresponding to the outer area of the first void area B 1  from the image data output from the image processing section  52 . 
     In addition, a single pixel of the image data of an area corresponding to the outer area of the second void area B 2  from the image data output from the image processing section  52  may be replaced with the data C for inspection. 
     Other configurations and control are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, description thereof will be omitted. 
     [3] A third embodiment will be described. 
     The position of the data C for inspection may be in any of the unnecessary areas X and Y for image formation. That is, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the controller  54  replaces, with the data C for inspection, a single pixel of the line data L 1  of an area corresponding to the third void area B 3  from the image data output from the image processing section  52 . Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 11 , the pixel data D 1  of the line data L 1  is replaced with the data C for inspection. The replacement position may be in plural of the pixel data D 1 , D 2 , . . . Dn of a line data. 
     In addition, a single pixel or two pixels of the line data L 1  of an area corresponding to the fourth void area B 4  from the image data output from the image processing section  52  may be replaced with the data C for inspection. 
     Other configurations and control are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, description thereof will be omitted. 
     [4] A fourth embodiment will be described. 
     A plurality of pieces of data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm which have different contents from each other may be used. Each of the pieces of data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm has a data capacity (8 bits) which is the same as the data capacity of each of the pieces of pixel data D 1 , D 2 , . . . Dn. 
     As an example of the data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm, for example, 12 pieces of 8-bit data “00h”, “01h”, “02h”, “04h”, “08h”, “10h”, “20h”, “40h”, “80h”, “55h”. “AAh”, and “FFh” which have different combinations of “1” and “0” are used. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the controller  54  replaces, with the data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm, the pixel data D 1  of each of the pieces of line data L 1 , L 2 , . . . Lm from the image data output from the image processing section  52 . When the number of pieces of data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm is 12, the pixel data D 1  of the 12 pieces of line data L 1 , L 2 , . . . become contrasts of replacement. 
     In addition, the controller  54  extracts the data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm from the image data received by the processing unit  53 , and when the contents and order of the extracted data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm do not match with the contents and order of the predetermined data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm, determines that the image data bus  62  is abnormal. 
     Using the plurality of pieces of data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm, accuracy of the detection of the abnormality of the image data bus  62  is enhanced. 
     For example, based on the contents of combination of two or more data for inspection that do not match from among the 12 pieces of data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm, it is accurately detectable any of each bit of the image data bus  62  have abnormalities. 
     In addition, from the image data output from the image processing section  52 , the two pieces of image data D 1  and D 2  of each of the pieces of line data L 1 , L 2 , . . . Lm may be replaced with the data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm. From the image data output from the image processing section  52 , the single piece of pixel data Dn of each of the pieces of line data L 1 , L 2 , . . . Lm may be replaced with the data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm. 
     Since the data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm exists in the first or second void areas B 1  or B 2 , image formation by the processing unit  53  is not affected. 
     Other configurations, control, and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, description thereof will be omitted. 
     [5] A fifth embodiment will be described. 
     The position of the data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cm may be in any of the unnecessary areas X and Y for image formation. That is, as shown in  FIG. 14 , the controller  54  replaces, with line data CL for inspection, the line data L 1  of an area corresponding to the third void area B 3  from the image data output from the image processing section  52 . The line data CP for inspection is, as shown in  FIG. 15 , a set of data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cn. The data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cn have different contents from each other. 
     In addition, the line data Lm of an area corresponding to the fourth void area B 4  from the image data output from the image processing section  52  may be replaced with the line data CL for inspection. 
     Since the data for inspection C 1 , C 2 , . . . Cn exist in the third or fourth void area B 3  or B 4 , image formation by the processing unit  53  is not affected. 
     Other configurations, control, and effects are the same as those of the fourth embodiment. Therefore, description thereof will be omitted. 
     [6] In addition, in each of the embodiments, the image data bus  62  between the image processing section  52  and the processing unit  53  is described as an object of abnormality detection; however, the image data bus  61  between the scanning unit  51  and the image processing section  52  may also be an object of abnormality detection. The image data buses  63  and  64  between the image processing section  52  and the controller  54  may also be an object of abnormality detection. The image data buses  65  and  66  between the controller  54  and the hard disk drive  55  may also be an object of abnormality detection. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changed in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.