Defect analysis system, defect analysis method, and program

Abstract

To perform defect analysis when a defect in an image occurs in an image forming apparatus, by using apparatus information at the occurrence of the defect.SOLUTION: A defect analysis system 100 analyzing a defect in an image occurring in an image forming apparatus 1, every time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, acquires image information 27 on the image and apparatus information 28 during the execution of the job, and stores the image information 27 and the apparatus information 28 in association with each other. When defective image information is input, which is related to a defective image output as a result of the execution of the job, the defect analysis system 100 compares the defective image information with the image information 27 stored in advance, and specifies the apparatus information 28 at the occurrence of the defect. The defect analysis system 100 performs the defect analysis on the basis of the defective image information and the specified apparatus information 28.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a defect analysis system, a defect analysis method, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for analyzing defects in images generated by an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Image forming apparatuses such as MFPs (Multifunction Peripherals) execute various jobs such as scan jobs, print jobs, and copy jobs. When these jobs are executed in an image processing apparatus, defective images may be output.

[0003] Conventionally, in this type of image forming apparatus, when a defective image is output, it is known to reprint and output the output setting information specified by the user and the image data on paper (for example, Patent Document 1). In this conventional technique, the reprinted paper is transmitted to the manufacturer by the FAX function of the image forming apparatus and used for identifying the cause of the defect.

[0004] By the way, even when a defective image is output, the image forming apparatus often does not recognize the occurrence of a trouble. For example, when dirt adheres to the platen glass of the scanner unit, the dirt causes noise in the output image. However, if the dirt on the platen glass is not detected, the image forming apparatus does not detect the occurrence of a trouble even if noise occurs in the output image.

[0005] That is, when there is a problem with the image output from the image forming apparatus, it is often the user who recognizes the problem. When the user recognizes a problem with the image, the user instructs the operation panel of the image forming apparatus that a problem has occurred. The image forming apparatus transmits the information input by the user and the apparatus information indicating the state inside the apparatus to the service center and requests identification of the cause of the problem. At the service center, an operator performs a problem analysis while referring to the information input by the user and the apparatus information of the image forming apparatus, and identifies the cause of the problem. In particular, the apparatus information of the image forming apparatus is useful for identifying the state of the apparatus at the time when the problem occurred. When the cause of the problem can be identified, the operator guides the user to measures for solving the problem, such as part replacement and cleaning of the platen glass. In addition, the operator may dispatch a service technician to the installation location of the image forming apparatus to perform work.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, when the output image from the image forming apparatus contains a problem, the user may change the settings of the image forming apparatus in an attempt to solve the problem by himself / herself. And when the problem cannot be solved even after changing the settings several times, the user may send the apparatus information of the image forming apparatus to the service center. In this case, the apparatus information of the image forming apparatus has already been changed from the information at the time when the problem occurred. Information that has been changed from the information at the time when the problem occurred hinders accurate identification of the cause of the problem. Therefore, it is difficult for the operator to efficiently and accurately identify the cause of the problem even by analyzing the apparatus information obtained from the image forming apparatus.

[0008] In addition, after an image is output by an image forming apparatus, a user may notice a defect in the output image after a certain period of time has elapsed. In this case, when the user notices the defect, the device information of the image forming apparatus may already have been changed by another user. Also, when image stabilization processing or the like is automatically executed in the image forming apparatus, the device information inside the apparatus may have been changed by the automatically executed processing. Furthermore, the internal temperature, humidity, etc. of the image forming apparatus may already have changed since the occurrence of the defect. Therefore, even if the device information inside the apparatus is transmitted to the service center at the timing when the user notices the defect in the image, it may happen that it is difficult for the operator to efficiently and accurately identify the cause of the defect.

[0009] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a defect analysis system, a defect analysis method, and a program that can perform defect analysis using appropriate device information when a defect in an image occurs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a defect analysis system for analyzing a defect in an image generated by an image forming apparatus, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires image information regarding an image and device information at the time of job execution each time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus; a storage unit that stores the image information and the device information acquired by the acquisition unit in association with each other; a specifying unit that, when defect image information regarding a defective image output by the execution of a job is input, compares the defect image information with the image information stored in the storage unit and specifies the device information at the time of occurrence of the defect; and an analysis unit that performs defect analysis based on the defect image information and the device information specified by the specifying unit.

[0011] The invention according to claim 2 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 1, when a scan job or a copy job is executed by the image forming apparatus, the acquisition unit acquires image information corresponding to the image generated by the scan job or the copy job.

[0012] The invention according to claim 3 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 1, when a print job is executed by the image forming apparatus, the acquisition unit acquires image information corresponding to the print target image used in the print job.

[0013] The invention according to claim 4 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 1, the acquisition unit cuts out an image area indicating the characteristics of the image from the entire image to acquire image information.

[0014] The invention according to claim 5 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 4, the acquisition unit cuts out, as the image area, an area where the amount of gradation change is large in the entire image.

[0015] The invention according to claim 6 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 4, the acquisition unit cuts out, as the image area, an area where the number of colors is large in the entire image.

[0016] The invention according to claim 7 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 4, the acquisition unit cuts out, as the image area, an area including high-frequency components in the entire image.

[0017] The invention according to claim 8 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 1, when the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, the storage unit further includes an image conversion unit that sequentially converts image information into image feature amounts and stores them in the storage unit from the image information previously stored in the storage unit.

[0018] The invention according to claim 9 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 8, when the defect image information is input, the specifying unit converts the defect image information into defect image feature amounts and compares the defect image feature amounts with the image feature amounts stored in the storage unit.

[0019] The invention according to claim 10 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 1, when the specifying unit extracts a plurality of pieces of image information as image information similar to the defect image information as a result of comparing the defect image information with the image information stored in the storage unit, the specifying unit specifies information common to the plurality of pieces of device information associated with each of the plurality of pieces of image information as the device information at the time of occurrence of the defect.

[0020] The invention according to claim 11 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 1, when the specifying unit extracts a plurality of pieces of image information as image information similar to the defect image information as a result of comparing the defect image information with the image information stored in the storage unit, the specifying unit causes a user to select one piece of the plurality of pieces of image information and specifies the device information associated with the one piece of image information as the device information at the time of occurrence of the defect.

[0021] The invention according to claim 12 is a configuration characterized in that, in the defect analysis system of claim 1, the image forming apparatus further includes a sheet image reading unit that reads an image of a sheet output by execution of a print job, and the acquisition unit acquires image information based on the image read by the sheet image reading unit when a print job is executed in the image forming apparatus.

[0022] The invention according to claim 13 is a defect analysis method for analyzing defects in images generated by an image forming apparatus, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring image information regarding an image and apparatus information at the time of job execution each time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus; a storage step of mutually associating the image information and the apparatus information acquired in the acquisition step and storing them in a predetermined storage unit; a specification step of comparing the defect image information regarding a defect image output by the execution of the job with the image information stored in the storage unit when the defect image information is input, and specifying the apparatus information at the time of defect occurrence; and an analysis step of performing defect analysis based on the defect image information and the apparatus information specified in the specification step.

[0023] The invention according to claim 14 is a program for analyzing defects in images generated by an image forming apparatus, causing a computer to execute: an acquisition step of acquiring image information regarding an image and apparatus information at the time of job execution each time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus; a storage step of mutually associating the image information and the apparatus information acquired in the acquisition step and storing them in a predetermined storage unit; a specification step of comparing the defect image information regarding a defect image output by the execution of the job with the image information stored in the storage unit when the defect image information is input, and specifying the apparatus information at the time of defect occurrence; and an analysis step of performing defect analysis based on the defect image information and the apparatus information specified in the specification step.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] According to the present invention, when a defect occurs in an image in an image forming apparatus, defect analysis can be performed using appropriate apparatus information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiments described below, elements common to each other are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a defect analysis system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This defect analysis system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 1 composed of an MFP or the like, and an information processing apparatus 3 installed in a service center. The image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 are connected to a network 2 including a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. The image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 can perform data communication with each other via the network 2.

[0028] For example, the image forming apparatus 1 is installed in an office or the like and shared by a plurality of users. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a scanner unit 20 and a printer unit 21, and can execute various jobs such as print jobs, scan jobs, and copy jobs. The image forming apparatus 1 also includes an operation panel 13. The image forming apparatus 1 executes a job designated by a user via the operation panel 13. The image forming apparatus 1 can also execute a job received via the network 2. For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives a print job via the network 2, it executes the print job and outputs a print. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 also has a FAX function and can execute a FAX transmission job or a FAX reception job.

[0029] The information processing apparatus 3 is used by an operator who is stationed at the service center. For example, when a problem occurs in the image forming apparatus 1, the information processing apparatus 3 receives the problem analysis data D10 output from the image forming apparatus 1. By analyzing the problem analysis data D10, the operator identifies the cause of the problem that occurred in the image forming apparatus 1 and guides the user of the image forming apparatus 1 on how to solve the problem. Note that the information processing apparatus 3 may automatically analyze the problem analysis data D10, identify the cause of the problem, and present it to the operator.

[0030] The image forming apparatus 1 may cause a problem in the output image when executing a job. Examples of problems included in the output image are streak-like noise and dot-like noise. Even when a problem occurs in the output image, the image forming apparatus 1 often does not recognize it as a trouble. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 1 receives problem information indicating that a problem has occurred in the operation panel 13 from the user, it detects that a problem has occurred in the output image.

[0031] When the user inputs problem information, the image forming apparatus 1 shifts from the normal operation mode to the problem mode and executes a problem analysis process for analyzing the problem. The image forming apparatus 1 generates problem analysis data D10 in the problem analysis process. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 outputs the problem analysis data D10. The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment transmits the problem analysis data D10 to the information processing apparatus 3 of the service center. The operator causes the information included in the problem analysis data D10 to be displayed on the information processing apparatus 3 and identifies the cause of the problem that occurred in the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the problem analysis data D10 includes problem image information D11 indicating an image including the problem and apparatus information D12 indicating the internal state of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time when the problem occurred.

[0032] When malfunction information is input by the user, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires malfunction image information D11 based on the user's instruction. For example, when a printed sheet output by executing a print job contains a malfunction, the image forming apparatus 1 drives the scanner unit 20 to read the image printed on the sheet and generates the malfunction image information D11. The same applies when a malfunction occurs during a copy job. Also, when a scanned image output by executing a scan job contains a malfunction, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the scanned image from the recording medium storing the scanned image and generates the malfunction image information D11.

[0033] Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 executes a job in the normal operation mode, it stores the image information regarding the image used in the job or the image generated by the job and the apparatus information at the time of job execution in association with each other. The apparatus information stored at this time includes various setting information held inside the image forming apparatus 1, environmental information inside the apparatus, and the like.

[0034] The setting information includes, in addition to the set values applied at the time of executing various jobs, image processing parameters applied at the time of image processing, control parameters applied at the time of image reading or image formation, and the like. The set values applied at the time of executing various jobs are information that can be changed by the user. On the other hand, the image processing parameters and control parameters are information that cannot be changed by the user. However, the image processing parameters and control parameters may be appropriately changed by automatic processing such as image stabilization processing that is automatically executed regularly or irregularly in the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 acquires such setting information every time it executes a job.

[0035] The environmental information includes information such as the temperature and humidity inside the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is equipped with a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor inside. The image forming apparatus 1 acquires environmental information from those sensors every time it executes a job. Note that the environmental information may include information other than temperature and humidity.

[0036] When the image forming apparatus 1 acquires defect image information D11 in the defect mode, it identifies the job in which the defect has occurred based on the defect image information D11. The image forming apparatus 1 reads out the apparatus information D12 acquired at the time of execution of the identified job from the stored information and generates defect analysis data D10. By including the apparatus information D12 at the time of occurrence of the defect in the defect analysis data D10, it becomes easy to identify the cause of the defect. Hereinafter, such an image forming apparatus 1 will be described in detail.

[0037] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 10, an operation panel 13, a storage unit 16, a scanner unit 20, a printer unit 21, a FAX unit 22, and a communication interface 23.

[0038] The control unit 10 comprehensively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 10 includes a hardware processor 11 and a memory 12. The hardware processor 11 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The hardware processor 11 reads and executes the program 17 stored in the storage unit 16. The memory 12 stores temporary data and the like generated when the hardware processor 11 executes the program 17. For example, the memory 12 is a volatile storage device.

[0039] The operation panel 13 is a user interface when the user uses the image forming apparatus 1. The operation panel 13 includes a display unit 14 and an operation unit 15. The display unit 14 displays various operation screens operable by the user. For example, the display unit 14 is composed of a color liquid crystal display. The operation unit 15 receives the user's operation. For example, the operation unit 15 is composed of a touch screen key arranged on the screen of the display unit 14.

[0040] The storage unit 16 is a non-volatile storage device composed of a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD), etc. The storage unit 16 stores in advance a program 17 executed by the hardware processor 11. Also, the storage unit 16 stores job information 18. The job information 18 is information that accumulatively records the image information and device information acquired each time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the storage unit 16 can also store various information other than the program 17 and the job information 18.

[0041] The scanner unit 20 operates when a scan job or a copy job is executed. The scanner unit 20 includes an image reading unit 24. The image reading unit 24 optically reads the image of the document set by the user and generates image data. For example, the image reading unit 24 optically reads the document placed on the platen glass. Also, the scanner unit 20 may include an automatic document feeder (ADF). The image reading unit 24 reads an image and generates image data when the document continuously and automatically conveyed by the automatic document feeder passes through a predetermined position of the slit glass.

[0042] The printer unit 21 operates when a print job or a copy job is executed. The printer unit 21 includes an image forming unit 25. The image forming unit 25 forms an image on a sheet such as printing paper based on the image data to be printed and outputs a print. For example, the image forming unit 25 forms an image on the sheet by an electrophotographic method. However, it is not limited to this, and the image forming unit 25 may form an image on the sheet by an inkjet method.

[0043] The FAX unit 22 transmits and receives FAX data via the public telephone network. When the FAX unit 22 receives FAX data, it outputs the image data included in the FAX data to the printer unit 21. Also, when the FAX unit 22 acquires the image data to be transmitted from the scanner unit 20, it converts it into FAX data and transmits it to the designated transmission destination.

[0044] The communication interface 23 connects the image forming apparatus 1 to the network 2. The communication interface 23 communicates with external devices such as the information processing apparatus 3 via the network 2.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the control unit 10. When the hardware processor 11 executes the program 17, the control unit 10 functions as a panel control unit 29, a normal operation control unit 30, and a malfunction control unit 40.

[0046] The panel control unit 29 controls the operation panel 13. The panel control unit 29 displays an operation screen operable by the user on the display unit 14 and receives the user's operation performed on the operation unit 15. For example, in the normal operation mode, the panel control unit 29 displays a job setting screen on the display unit 14 and receives a job setting operation by the user. The panel control unit 29 outputs operation information based on the job setting operation to the normal operation control unit 30. Also, when receiving an instruction to execute a job from the user, the panel control unit 29 instructs the normal operation control unit 30 to start executing the job. When malfunction information is input by the user in the normal operation mode, the panel control unit 29 shifts the image forming apparatus 1 from the normal operation mode to the malfunction mode.

[0047] The normal operation control unit 30 functions when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the normal operation mode. The normal operation mode is an operation mode in which the image forming apparatus 1 can execute a job. The normal operation control unit 30 includes a job control unit 31, an acquisition unit 32, and an image conversion unit 33.

[0048] The job control unit 31 controls the execution of jobs in the image forming apparatus 1. When the job control unit 31 acquires operation information regarding job settings from the panel control unit 29, it changes the setting values to be applied during job execution based on the operation information. Also, when the job control unit 31 acquires an instruction to start job execution from the panel control unit 29, it starts the execution of the job specified by the user. For example, in the case of a scan job, the job control unit 31 drives the scanner unit 20 and controls the image reading operation of the original document set by the user. In the case of a print job, the job control unit 31 drives the printer unit 21 and forms and outputs an image on a sheet based on the image data to be printed. In the case of a copy job, the job control unit 31 drives the scanner unit 20 and the printer unit 21 and prints and outputs an image obtained by copying the image read by the scanner unit 20.

[0049] The acquisition unit 32 acquires the image information 27 as the job is executed by the job control unit 31. That is, the acquisition unit 32 acquires image information regarding the image used in the job or the image generated by the job. For example, in the case of a print job, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the image data used as the print target as the image information 27. In the case of vector format image data, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the image data after being converted to raster format by raster processing. Also, in the case of a scan job or a copy job, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the image data generated by the scanner unit 20 as the image information 27. At this time, the acquisition unit 32 acquires, as the image information 27, the image data after image processing has been performed on the RAW data, rather than the RAW data generated by reading the original document.

[0050] Also, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the device information 28 as the job is executed by the job control unit 31. That is, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the device information 28 indicating the internal state of the image forming apparatus 1 during job execution. This device information 28 includes various setting information held inside the image forming apparatus 1 and environmental information inside the apparatus, as described above.

[0051] When the acquisition unit 32 acquires the image information 27 and the device information 28, it associates the image information 27 and the device information 28 with each other and stores them in the job information 18 in the storage unit 16. At this time, the acquisition unit 32 may record information such as the job execution date and time and the job type in the image forming apparatus 1 in the job information 18.

[0052] Each time a job is executed by the job control unit 31, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the image information 27 and the device information 28 and accumulatively stores them in the job information 18. Therefore, the data amount of the job information 18 in the storage unit 16 increases each time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0053] The image conversion unit 33 functions when a job by the job control unit 31 is not being executed in the normal operation mode. For example, the image conversion unit 33 functions when the execution of a job by the job control unit 31 ends. The image conversion unit 33 determines whether or not the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit 16 has become equal to or less than a predetermined value. When the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit 16 has become equal to or less than the predetermined value, the image conversion unit 33 converts the image information 27 stored in the job information 18 into information representing the characteristics of the image, and reduces the data amount of the image information 27. For example, the image conversion unit 33 performs image conversion in order from the image information 27 stored earlier in the storage unit 16 among the image information 27 related to a plurality of jobs recorded in the job information 18.

[0054] There are various processes for the image conversion that can be executed in the image conversion unit 33. For example, the image conversion unit 33 reduces the data amount by converting the image information 27 into information regarding the image feature amount. An example of a specific method thereof will be described. For example, the image conversion unit 33 cuts out a feature area where the features of the image appear from the entire image indicated by the image information 27, and converts it into image information with a small image size of only the feature area. Examples of the feature area include, for example, an area with the largest amount of tone change per unit area in the entire image, an area with the largest number of colors per unit area, and an area with the highest spatial frequency component per unit area. For example, when the entire image includes a photo area and a character area, the image conversion unit 33 cuts out the photo area as the feature area. When a plurality of photo areas are included in the entire image, the image conversion unit 33 selects an area with the largest amount of tone conversion or an area with the largest number of colors, and cuts it out as the feature area. When the entire image is composed of only character strings, the image conversion unit 33 may convert the character strings into text data. Further, when the data amount of the image information 27 is smaller than a predetermined value, the image conversion unit 33 may exclude it from the target of data amount reduction. Note that the image conversion unit 33 may cut out a plurality of areas from the entire image as the feature areas. Then, the image conversion unit 33 stores the image information 27 indicating the image of the feature area cut out from the entire image in the job information 18.

[0055] In addition, the image conversion unit 33 may not only cut out the feature area from the entire image, but also calculate the image feature amount from the entire image. Examples of the image feature amount in this case include, for example, the spatial frequency distribution. The image conversion unit 33 may store the image information 27 indicating the image feature amount calculated from the entire image in the job information 18.

[0056] The image conversion unit 33 reduces the data amount of the image information 27 stored in the job information 18 as described above. Therefore, the image conversion unit 33 can greatly secure the remaining storable area of the storage unit 16 by performing the image conversion.

[0057] Incidentally, after a job is executed on the image forming apparatus 1, the user may notice that there is a problem with the image after a predetermined period has elapsed. For example, it is conceivable that the user notices a problem with the image when two weeks have passed after the execution of the job. However, since the image forming apparatus 1 is shared by a plurality of users, there is a possibility that the problem with the image forming apparatus 1 that occurred two weeks ago has already been resolved by another user. Therefore, it is highly likely that the image information 27 that has passed the predetermined period in the image forming apparatus 1 will not be used to resolve the problem. Thus, after the acquisition unit 32 stores the image information 27 and the device information 28 in the job information 18 of the storage unit 16, it may delete the image information 27 and the device information 28 from the job information 18 when the predetermined period has elapsed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the storage area of the storage unit 16 from being compressed by unused information.

[0058] Next, the defect control unit 40 functions when defect information is input by the user and the image forming apparatus 1 shifts to the defect mode. The defect control unit 40 executes processing for resolving the defect of the image generated by the image forming apparatus 1. The defect control unit 40 includes a defective image information acquisition unit 41, a specifying unit 42, an analyzing unit 43, and a detailed information generation unit 44.

[0059] The defect image information acquisition unit 41 acquires defect image information D11 regarding a defect image based on a user's instruction. For example, when a defect occurs in an output image in a print job or a copy job, the user sets a sheet including the defect image in the scanner unit 20. The defect image information acquisition unit 41 drives the scanner unit 20 based on a manuscript reading instruction by the user to read the defect image from the sheet, and acquires the defect image information D11 from the scanner unit 20. Also, when a defect occurs in a scan job, the user designates a recording medium on which the scan image is recorded. The defect image information acquisition unit 41 accesses the recording medium based on the designation by the user, and acquires the defect image information D11 from the recording medium. Note that the recording medium accessed by the defect image information acquisition unit 41 may be a storage device connected to the network 2, or may be a recording medium detachable from the image forming apparatus 1 such as a USB memory.

[0060] When the defect image information D11 is acquired by the defect image information acquisition unit 41, the specifying unit 42 reads the job information 18 from the storage unit 16. The specifying unit 42 compares each of the plurality of image information 27 recorded in the job information 18 with the defect image information D11. The defect image information D11 includes defects such as noise generated during the execution of the job. In contrast, the image information 27 recorded in the job information 18 does not include such defects. Therefore, the image information 27 recorded in the job information 18 and the defect image information D11 do not completely match. However, it can be said that the image information 27 having a high similarity to the defect image information D11 indicates an image used in the same job as the defect image information D11. Therefore, the specifying unit 42 specifies the image information 27 having the highest similarity to the defect image information D11 from among the plurality of image information 27. By specifying the image information 27 having the highest similarity to the defect image information D11, the specifying unit 42 can specify the device information 28 at the time of occurrence of the defect. That is, the specifying unit 42 uses the defect image information D11 to specify the device information 28 at the time of occurrence of the defect. The device information 28 specified by the specifying unit 42 becomes the device information D12 included in the defect analysis data D10.

[0061] When the specific unit 42 compares the defect image information D11 with the image information 27, the image information 27 may be converted into information regarding the image feature amount by the image conversion unit 33. In this case, it is preferable that the specific unit 42 converts the defect image information D11 into the feature amount of the defect image and compares the feature amounts with each other. Thereby, the specific unit 42 can extract the image information 27 having a high similarity to the defect image information D11.

[0062] The analysis unit 43 performs a defect analysis based on the defect image information D11 and the device information D12. For example, the defect analysis by the analysis unit 43 is performed as a process of requesting the information processing apparatus 3 of the service center to specify the cause of the defect. In this case, the analysis unit 43 generates defect analysis data D10 including the defect image information D11 and the device information D12. Then, the analysis unit 43 transmits the defect analysis data D10 to the information processing apparatus 3 via the communication interface 23. As a result, the defect analysis data D10 is analyzed in the information processing apparatus 3, and the cause of the defect is specified. At this time, since the device information D12 at the time of the occurrence of the defect is included in the defect analysis data D10, the information processing apparatus 3 can efficiently and accurately specify the cause of the defect.

[0063] Further, the analysis unit 43 may generate defect analysis data D10 including the defect detail information generated by the detail information generation unit 44.

[0064] When the detailed information generation unit 44 receives an input operation of detailed information at the time of occurrence of a problem by the user, it generates problem detailed information based on the input operation. For example, the detailed information generation unit 44 displays on the display unit 14 an operation screen on which detailed information at the time of occurrence of a problem can be input. Based on the user's input operation on the operation screen, the detailed information generation unit 44 generates problem detailed information. For example, the user inputs detailed information regarding the usage status of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time of occurrence of a problem, such as the type of job at the time of occurrence of a problem and whether or not the ADF was used at the time of reading the original document. Then, the detailed information generation unit 44 generates problem detailed information according to the user's usage status at the time of occurrence of a problem. However, the user may not perform an input operation of detailed information at the time of occurrence of a problem. In that case, the detailed information generation unit 44 does not generate problem detailed information.

[0065] When the detailed information generation unit 44 generates problem detailed information, it outputs the problem detailed information to the analysis unit 43. When the analysis unit 43 acquires the problem detailed information from the detailed information generation unit 44, it generates problem analysis data D10 including the problem detailed information. Then, the analysis unit 43 transmits the problem analysis data D10 including the problem detailed information to the information processing apparatus 3.

[0066] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are flowcharts showing an example of a processing procedure performed in the image forming apparatus 1. This processing is processing performed by the control unit 10. Specifically, this processing procedure is a processing procedure defined in a program 17 executed by the hardware processor 11.

[0067] When the control unit 10 starts this process, it determines whether it has received an instruction from the user to execute a job (step S10). If it has received an instruction to execute a job (YES in step S10), the control unit 10 executes the job specified by the user (step S11). Along with the execution of the job, the control unit 10 acquires image information 27 regarding the image used in the job or the image generated by the job (step S12). Also, the control unit 10 acquires device information 28 at the time of job execution (step S13). Then, the control unit 10 associates the image information 27 and the device information 28 and records them in the job information 18 (step S14). Note that if it has not received an instruction to execute a job (NO in step S10), the control unit 10 does not perform the processes of steps S11 to S14.

[0068] Next, the control unit 10 checks the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit 16 (step S15). The control unit 10 determines whether the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit 16 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (step S16). If the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit 16 is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the area for storing information other than the job information 18 in the storage unit 16 has decreased. Therefore, when the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit 16 becomes equal to or less than the predetermined value (YES in step S16), the control unit 10 performs a conversion process on the image information 27 recorded in the job information 18 (step S17). As a result, the data amount of the image information 27 is reduced, and an area for storing information other than the job information 18 in the storage unit 16 can be secured. Note that if the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit 16 is not equal to or less than the predetermined value (NO in step S16), the control unit 10 does not perform the process of step S17.

[0069] Next, the control unit 10 determines whether the user has instructed to shift to the malfunction mode (step S18). FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the operation screen G1 displayed on the display unit 14 of the image forming apparatus 1. This operation screen G1 is an initial screen that is first displayed when the user attempts to use the image forming apparatus 1. Also, the operation screen G1 is displayed when the execution of a job in the image forming apparatus 1 ends. This operation screen G1 includes an operation button B1 for shifting the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 to the malfunction mode. When the operation button B1 is operated by the user while the operation screen G1 is being displayed, the control unit 10 determines that an instruction to shift to the malfunction mode has been given.

[0070] If an instruction to shift to the malfunction mode has not been given (NO in step S18), the process by the control unit 10 returns to step S10. In this case, the processes of steps S10 to S17 described above are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, if an instruction to shift to the malfunction mode has been given (YES in step S18), the control unit 10 shifts the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 to the malfunction mode. Then, the control unit 10 executes malfunction analysis processing (step S19).

[0071] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the detailed processing procedure of the defect analysis process (step S19). When the defect analysis process starts, the control unit 10 displays an operation screen G2 shown in FIG. 7 on the display unit 14 of the operation panel 13. This operation screen G2 has a screen configuration that can instruct to read an image in which a defect has occurred using the scanner unit 20. When the user instructs to read an image on the operation screen G2, the control unit 10 drives the scanner unit 20 to read the image of the document. As a result, the control unit 10 acquires defect image information D11 regarding the image including the defect (step S20). On the other hand, when the user does not instruct to read an image, the control unit 10 causes the operation screen G2 to transition to another operation screen. The control unit 10 acquires defect image information regarding the image including the defect based on the user's operation on the transitioned operation screen. For example, when the user designates a recording medium such as a USB memory on another operation screen, the control unit 10 acquires the defect image information D11 from the recording medium designated by the user.

[0072] After acquiring the defect image information D11, the control unit 10 reads out the image information 27 from the job information 18 in the storage unit 16 (step S21). Then, the control unit 10 performs a comparison process between the defect image information D11 and the image information 27 (step S22). In this comparison process, for example, pattern matching between the defect image information D11 and the image information 27 is performed, and the similarity between them is calculated. When the control unit 10 calculates the similarity between the defect image information D11 and the image information 27 read in step S21, it determines whether the similarity is higher than a predetermined value (step S23). For example, when the similarity is lower than the predetermined value (NO in step S23), the process by the control unit 10 returns to step S21. Then, the control unit 10 reads out another image information 27 recorded in the job information 18 and executes the comparison process in the same manner as above. By repeatedly executing the processes of steps S21 and S22, in step S23, the image information 27 with a high similarity to the defect image information D11 is selected.

[0073] When the control unit 10 selects image information 27 with a high degree of similarity to the defect image information D11 (YES in step S23), it identifies the job in which the defect occurred (step S24). Then, the control unit 10 reads out the device information 28 associated with the selected image information 27 from the job information 18 (step S25). The device information 28 read out at this time represents the internal state of the image forming apparatus 1 when the defect of the image occurred.

[0074] Next, the control unit 10 displays an operation screen G3 as shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 14. This operation screen G3 has a screen configuration for asking the user whether to input detailed information about the defect. The control unit 10 determines whether to accept the input of the defect detailed information based on the user's operation on the operation screen G3 (step S26). When the user instructs the input of the detailed information (YES in step S26), the control unit 10 generates the defect detailed information based on the user's operation (step S27).

[0075] At this time, the control unit 10 displays an operation screen G4 as shown in FIG. 9 on the display unit 14. Then, the control unit 10 accepts the user's input operation for the defect. The operation screen G4 shown in FIG. 9 is a screen on which the user can select, as defects of the image, a defect in which the line becomes thin, a defect in which streak-like stains appear, and a defect misjudged in the automatic color determination. The user can input the defect occurring in the image by operating the operation screen G4.

[0076] When a malfunction is input by the user, the control unit 10 displays an operation screen G5 as shown in FIG. 10 on the display unit 14 of the operation panel 13. The operation screen G5 is a screen that inquiries the user about the type of job in which the malfunction occurred. When the type of job is specified by the user, the image forming apparatus 1 displays an operation screen G6 as shown in FIG. 11 on the display unit 14 of the operation panel 13. The operation screen G6 is a screen that inquiries the user about the specific symptoms of the malfunction. When the symptoms of the malfunction are input by the user, the image forming apparatus 1 generates malfunction detail information based on the information input by the user.

[0077] The malfunction detail information input by the user helps narrow down the cause of the malfunction. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the malfunction detail information and the cause of the malfunction. As shown in FIG. 12, the cause of the malfunction differs depending on the combination of the malfunction detail information input by the user. Therefore, if the malfunction detail information is included in the malfunction analysis data D10, the cause of the malfunction can be efficiently specified. If the user is not instructed to input the detail information (NO in step S26), the control unit 10 does not perform the process of step S27.

[0078] Subsequently, the control unit 10 generates the malfunction analysis data D10 (step S28). That is, the control unit 10 generates the malfunction analysis data D10 including at least the malfunction image information D11 and the apparatus information D12 at the time of the malfunction occurrence. When the malfunction detail information is generated in step S27, the control unit 10 further generates the malfunction analysis data D10 including the malfunction detail information.

[0079] When the defect analysis data D10 is generated, the control unit 10 executes a defect analysis based on the defect analysis data D10 (step S29). For example, as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 10 transmits the defect analysis data D10 including the defect image information D11, the device information D12, and the defect detail information D13 to the information processing device 3, and requests the information processing device 3 to perform a defect analysis. Then, the control unit 10 acquires the defect analysis result from the information processing device 3. The defect analysis result acquired by the control unit 10 includes information regarding a defect resolution measure. Therefore, by executing the defect analysis, the control unit 10 can guide the user to a resolution measure for eliminating the defect in the image.

[0080] As described above, each time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus 1, the defect analysis system 100 of the present embodiment stores the image information 27 and the device information 28 in association with each other. When it is instructed by the user that a defect has occurred in the image, the defect analysis system 100 receives an input of defect image information. When receiving the input of the defect image information, the defect analysis system 100 compares the image information 27 with the defect image information, and specifies the device information 28 at the time of the occurrence of the defect. The defect analysis system 100 executes a defect analysis based on the defect image information and the specified device information 28. Therefore, the defect analysis system 100 can perform a defect analysis using appropriate device information 28 when a defect occurs in the image. That is, even when the internal state of the image forming apparatus 1 has changed at the time when it is instructed by the user that a defect has occurred in the image, the defect analysis system 100 can appropriately read out the device information 28 at the time of the occurrence of the defect and use it for the defect analysis. Therefore, the defect analysis system 100 can efficiently and accurately specify the cause of the defect in the defect analysis.

[0081] Incidentally, in the defect analysis process shown in FIG. 5, when one piece of image information 27 similar to the defect image information is extracted, the job in which the defect has occurred is specified based on the image information 27. However, when a plurality of jobs using similar images are being executed in the image forming apparatus 1, the image information 27 extracted by the defect analysis process of FIG. 5 may be different from the image information used in the job in which the defect has occurred. Therefore, instead of the defect analysis process shown in FIG. 5, the following defect analysis process may be adopted.

[0082] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of the detailed processing procedure of a defect analysis process (step S19) different from that of FIG. 5. When the control unit 10 starts the defect analysis process of FIG. 14, the control unit 10 acquires defect image information regarding an image including a defect (step S30). The method by which the control unit 10 acquires the defect image information is the same as the method described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5. After acquiring the defect image information, the control unit 10 reads out one piece of image information 27 from the job information 18 in the storage unit 16 (step S31). The control unit 10 compares the image information 27 read from the job information 18 with the defect image information (step S32). Then, the control unit 10 calculates the similarity between the image information 27 and the defect image information (step S33). The similarity calculated at this time is temporarily stored in the memory 12.

[0083] The control unit 10 determines whether or not the comparison process with the defect image information has been completed for all the image information 27 included in the job information 18 (step S34). If the comparison process has not been completed (NO in step S34), the process by the control unit 10 returns to step S31. Then, the control unit 10 repeatedly executes the processes of steps S31 to S33 to calculate the similarity between each piece of image information 27 included in the job information 18 and the defect image information. When the comparison process with the defect image information has been completed for all the image information 27 (YES in step S34), the process by the control unit 10 proceeds to step S35.

[0084] The control unit 10 extracts image information 27 whose similarity to the defect image information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (step S35). When a job using similar images is executed multiple times in the image forming apparatus 1, multiple pieces of image information 27 may be extracted in step S35. Therefore, the control unit 10 determines whether or not multiple pieces of image information 27 have been extracted in step S35 (step S36).

[0085] When multiple pieces of image information 27 have been extracted (YES in step S36), the control unit 10 reads out multiple pieces of device information 28 associated with each of those multiple pieces of image information 27 (step S37). The control unit 10 cannot identify which of those multiple pieces of device information 28 is the device information 28 at the time of the occurrence of the defect. Therefore, the control unit 10 extracts information common to the multiple pieces of device information 28 from among the various setting information and environment information included in each of those multiple pieces of device information 28 (step S38). That is, the information common to the multiple pieces of device information 28 is information including the internal state of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time when the defect occurred. In other words, the information common to the multiple pieces of device information 28 does not include information that has been changed after the occurrence of the defect. Therefore, the control unit 10 acquires the information at the time of the occurrence of the defect by extracting the information common to the multiple pieces of device information 28. Then, the control unit 10 generates information including only the common information extracted from the multiple pieces of device information 28 as the device information 28 to be the analysis target of the defect (step S39). That is, the control unit 10 generates the device information 28 that is part of the defect analysis data D10.

[0086] On the other hand, when multiple pieces of image information 27 have not been extracted in step S35 (NO in step S36), the control unit 10 reads out the device information 28 associated with the image information 27 extracted in step S35 (step S40). At this time, the read device information 28 is information indicating the internal state of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time when the defect occurred. Therefore, the device information 28 read in step S40 is part of the defect analysis data D10.

[0087] After that, the control unit 10 executes the processes after step S26 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0088] Even when a plurality of pieces of image information 27 similar to the defect image information are extracted by the control unit 10 executing the defect analysis process shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 10 can generate device information 28 indicating the device state at the time when the defect occurred. Therefore, the defect analysis system 100 can appropriately analyze the device state at the time of defect occurrence based on the device information 28 included in the defect analysis data D10.

[0089] Next, FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the detailed processing procedure of a defect analysis process (step S19) that is further different from FIG. 14. The processes of steps S50 to S55 in the flowchart of FIG. 15 are the same as the processes of steps S30 to S35 in FIG. 14.

[0090] When the control unit 10 extracts the image information 27 in step S55, it determines whether or not a plurality of pieces of image information 27 have been extracted (step S56). If a plurality of pieces of image information 27 have been extracted (YES in step S56), the control unit 10 displays a selection screen for selecting a job on the display unit 14 (step S57). FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the selection screen G7. As shown in FIG. 16, the selection screen G7 includes a job list display area 50 in which jobs corresponding to each of the plurality of pieces of image information 27 extracted in step S55 are displayed in a list format. The job list display area 50 is scrollable so that jobs corresponding to all the image information 27 extracted in step S55 can be displayed. The job list display area 50 displays, for each job, a thumbnail image 51 corresponding to the image information 27, the job execution date and time, and the job type. Therefore, the user can select the job in which the defect occurred from the jobs displayed in the job list display area 50.

[0091] After the control unit 10 displays the selection screen G7, it accepts a job selection operation by the user (step S58). Based on the selection operation by the user, the control unit 10 identifies the job in which the problem has occurred and reads out the device information 28 associated with the identified job (step S59). At this time, the read device information 28 is information indicating the device state of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time when the problem occurred. Therefore, the control unit 10 can acquire the device information 28 that becomes part of the malfunction analysis data D10 based on the selection result by the user.

[0092] On the other hand, when a plurality of pieces of image information 27 are not extracted in step S55 (NO in step S56), the control unit 10 reads out the device information 28 associated with the image information 27 extracted in step S55 (step S60). At this time, the read device information 28 is information indicating the internal state of the image forming apparatus 1 at the time when the problem occurred. Therefore, the device information 28 read in step S60 becomes part of the malfunction analysis data D10.

[0093] Thereafter, the control unit 10 executes the processing after step S26 shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5.

[0094] Even when a plurality of pieces of image information 27 similar to the malfunction image information are extracted, the control unit 10 can generate the device information 28 indicating the device state at the time when the malfunction occurred based on the selection operation by the user by executing the malfunction analysis process shown in FIG. 15. Therefore, the malfunction analysis system 100 can appropriately analyze the device state at the time of malfunction based on the device information 28 included in the malfunction analysis data D10.

[0095] The above describes one embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the configuration examples described in the above-described embodiment. Various modifications can be applied to the above-described embodiment. Hereinafter, several modifications of the present invention will be described.

[0096] First, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the defect analysis data D10 to the information processing apparatus 3 and requests the information processing apparatus 3 to perform a defect analysis. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to identify the cause of a defect using the defect analysis data D10 by itself. In this case, when the analysis unit 43 generates the defect analysis data D10, it identifies the cause of the defect based on the information included in the defect analysis data D10. The cause of the defect identified by the analysis unit 43 is not limited to one. That is, the analysis unit 43 may identify a plurality of causes as the cause of the defect. For example, the analysis unit 43 can narrow down the cause of the defect by referring to the device information 28. At this time, the analysis unit 43 may not be able to narrow down the cause of the defect to one, and may identify a plurality of causes of occurrence.

[0097] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a communication mode when the analysis unit 43 identifies the cause of a defect. When the analysis unit 43 identifies the cause of the defect based on the defect analysis data D10, the image forming apparatus 1 transmits the defect analysis result D20 to the information processing apparatus 3. This defect analysis result D20 includes information regarding the cause of the defect identified by the analysis unit 43. When the information processing apparatus 3 receives the defect analysis result D20, it generates a defect resolution measure D30 for resolving the defect that occurred in the image forming apparatus 1 and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the information processing apparatus 3 may automatically generate the defect resolution measure D30 based on the defect analysis result D20, or may generate the defect resolution measure D30 based on an operator's instruction. The image forming apparatus 1 guides the user to a defect resolution measure based on the defect resolution measure D30 obtained from the information processing apparatus 3. Thereby, the user can resolve the defect that occurred in the image forming apparatus 1.

[0098] Note that FIG. 17 illustrates a case where the defect resolution measure D30 is generated in the information processing apparatus 3. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the defect resolution measure D30 may be generated by the analysis unit 43.

[0099] Second, in the above embodiment, as a method for the image forming apparatus 1 to acquire defect image information, a method of reading an image including a defect by the scanner unit 20 and a method of acquiring from a recording medium such as a USB memory were described. However, the method for the image forming apparatus 1 to acquire defect image information is not limited to this. For example, when the image forming apparatus 1 can communicate with a portable terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal possessed by a user, it may acquire defect image information from the portable terminal.

[0100] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example in which the image forming apparatus 1 acquires defect image information from the portable terminal 9. As shown in FIG. 18, the portable terminal 9 includes a photographing unit 48 and a wireless communication unit 49. The photographing unit 48 is mounted on the portable terminal 9 as a camera and photographs an image. The photographing unit 48 outputs the photographed image to the wireless communication unit 49. The wireless communication unit 49 performs wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 1. For example, the wireless communication unit 49 performs wireless communication compliant with a standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark). When a photographed image is output from the photographing unit 48, the wireless communication unit 49 transmits the photographed image to the image forming apparatus 1.

[0101] The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a wireless communication unit 46. The wireless communication unit 46 of the image forming apparatus 1 pairs with the wireless communication unit 46 of the portable terminal 9 to establish a wireless communication-enabled connection state. The wireless communication unit 46 receives the photographed image transmitted from the portable terminal 9. For example, when a user photographs a sheet on which a defective image has been printed using the portable terminal 9, the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the defect image information transmitted from the portable terminal 9. That is, the defect image information acquisition unit 41 acquires the defect image information via the wireless communication unit 46. Therefore, the user can input the defect image information to the image forming apparatus 1 by photographing a defective image with his or her own portable terminal 9. Therefore, the convenience of the defect analysis system 100 is improved.

[0102] In addition, the mobile terminal 9 as described above may not only have a function of capturing an image with a defect, but also have the function of the defect control unit 40 described in the above embodiment. In this case, when the mobile terminal 9 captures an image with a defect and acquires defect image information, it sequentially activates the specifying unit 42 and the analyzing unit 43. Then, the mobile terminal 9 executes the processes described in the above embodiment. That is, the defect analysis system 100 can also be realized as a configuration in which defect analysis is executed in the mobile terminal 9. Note that the communication form between the mobile terminal 9 and the image forming apparatus 1 is not limited to wireless communication. For example, the mobile terminal 9 and the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to communicate via the network 2.

[0103] Thirdly, in the above embodiment, an example in which the image conversion unit 33 reduces the data amount of the image information 27 when the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit 16 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the acquisition unit 32 acquires the image information 27 regarding an image including a defect, the acquisition unit 32 may reduce the data amount of the image information 27. As an example, the acquisition unit 32 may cut out an image area indicating the features of the image from the entire image including the defect and acquire the image information 27.

[0104] As an image area indicating the features of the image, for example, there is an area where the amount of gradation change is large in the entire image. For example, the acquisition unit 32 divides the entire image into a plurality of rectangular images, and calculates the amount of gradation change for each rectangular image. The acquisition unit 32 specifies a rectangular image indicating the maximum value among the amounts of gradation change calculated from each of the plurality of rectangular images. Then, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the image information 27 by cutting out the image area of the specified rectangular image.

[0105] Also, as an image area indicating the features of the image, an area having the largest number of colors in the entire image may be selected. For example, the acquisition unit 32 divides the entire image into a plurality of rectangular images, and calculates the number of colors for each rectangular image. The acquisition unit 32 specifies a rectangular image indicating the maximum value among the numbers of colors calculated from each of the plurality of rectangular images. Then, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the image information 27 by cutting out the image area of the rectangular image having the largest number of colors.

[0106] Also, as an image area indicating the characteristics of the image, an area including the most high-frequency components in the entire image may be selected. For example, the acquisition unit 32 divides the entire image into a plurality of rectangular images and calculates the spatial frequency components of each rectangular image. The acquisition unit 32 identifies a rectangular image including the most high-frequency components among the spatial frequency components calculated from each of the plurality of rectangular images. Then, the acquisition unit 32 acquires the image information 27 by cutting out the image area of the rectangular image including the most high-frequency components.

[0107] In this way, the acquisition unit 32 can reduce the data amount of the image information 27 stored in the job information 18 by cutting out the image area indicating the characteristics of the image from the entire image including defects and acquiring the image information 27. Incidentally, when the image information 27 from which the image area indicating the characteristics of the image has been cut out by the acquisition unit 32 is stored in the job information 18, when the identification unit 42 performs image comparison, it is necessary to cut out the same image area from the defective image information. Therefore, when the defective image information is acquired, the identification unit 42 cuts out the image area indicating the characteristics of the image from the defective image information and generates the image information to be the comparison target. Then, the identification unit 42 compares the image information to be the comparison target with the image information 27 of the job information 18 and identifies the job in which the defect has occurred.

[0108] Fourthly, in the above embodiment, in the case of a print job, an example in which the acquisition unit 32 acquires the image data used as the print target as the image information 27 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 may include a mechanism for reading the image of the sheet when outputting the sheet on which the image has been printed in the print job. In this case, the acquisition unit 32 can acquire the image of the sheet as the image information 27 when the sheet on which the image has been printed is output.

[0109] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the printer unit 21 of the image forming apparatus 1. The printer unit 21 feeds the sheet 61 accommodated in the paper feed cassette 60 by the paper feed roller 62. The fed sheet 61 is conveyed in the direction indicated by the arrow F1 through the conveyance path 63. The image forming unit 25 includes an intermediate transfer belt 67, a plurality of image forming units 68, and a fixing unit 69. The intermediate transfer belt 67 is constituted by an endless belt and circulates in the direction indicated by the arrow F2. The plurality of image forming units 68 are provided for each color of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan), and K (black). The image forming unit 68 primarily transfers the toner image of each color onto the intermediate transfer belt 67. The toner image primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 67 is secondarily transferred onto the surface of the sheet 61 conveyed through the conveyance path 63. The toner image transferred onto the sheet 61 is fixed to the sheet 61 by performing heat treatment and pressure treatment in the fixing unit 69. As a result, an image to be printed is formed on the sheet 61. The sheet 61 that has passed through the fixing unit 69 is discharged from the discharge port 65 by the discharge roller 64 and stacked on the discharge tray 66 provided above the printer unit 21.

[0110] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a sheet image reading unit 70 that reads the image of the sheet 61 output by the execution of the print job inside the discharge port 65. The sheet image reading unit 70 reads the image formed on the sheet and outputs it to the control unit 10. Therefore, the acquisition unit 32 can acquire the image formed on the sheet 61 by the execution of the print job as the image information 27. When a defect occurs in the image due to the execution of the print job, the acquisition unit 32 can acquire the image information 27 regarding the image including the defect. In this case, the defect image information acquired by the defect image information acquisition unit 41 exactly matches the image information 27 of the job in which the defect has occurred. Therefore, as described in the above embodiment, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to calculate the similarity.

[0111] Fifthly, in the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 is shifted to the malfunction mode by the user of the image forming apparatus 1 inputting malfunction information via the operation panel 13. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the image forming apparatus 1 can also input malfunction information from an external information processing apparatus 3. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 may be configured to shift the operation mode to the malfunction mode even when malfunction information is input from the external information processing apparatus 3. For example, the information processing apparatus 3 can transmit malfunction information to the image forming apparatus 1 based on an operator's instruction and shift the image forming apparatus 1 to the malfunction mode.

[0112] Sixthly, in the above embodiment, a case where the program 17 is stored in the image forming apparatus 1 in advance has been exemplified. However, the program 17 is not limited to being stored in the image forming apparatus 1 in advance. For example, the program 17 may be an object of transaction by itself. In this case, the program 17 may be provided in a mode that can be downloaded via a network 2 such as the Internet. Further, the program 17 may be provided in a state recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a USB memory.

[0113] Seventhly, in the above embodiment, a configuration example in which the malfunction analysis system 100 includes the image forming apparatus 1 and the information processing apparatus 3 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the malfunction analysis system 100 may be composed of only the image forming apparatus 1.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0114] 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Control unit 16 Storage unit 17 Program 18 Job information 27 Image information 28 Device information 30 Normal operation control unit 31 Job control unit 32 Acquisition unit 33 Image conversion unit 40 Defect control unit 41 Defect image information acquisition unit 42 Identification unit 43 Analysis unit 44 Detailed information generation unit 70 Sheet image reading unit

Claims

1. A defect analysis system for analyzing defects in images generated by an image forming apparatus, an acquisition unit that acquires image information regarding an image and apparatus information at the time of job execution each time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus; a storage unit that stores the image information and the apparatus information acquired by the acquisition unit in association with each other; a specifying unit that, when defect image information regarding a defect image output by job execution is input, compares the defect image information with the image information stored in the storage unit and specifies the apparatus information at the time of defect occurrence; an analysis unit that performs defect analysis based on the defect image information and the apparatus information specified by the specifying unit; A defect analysis system, characterized by comprising the above.

2. The defect analysis system according to claim 1, wherein when a scan job or a copy job is executed in the image forming apparatus, the acquisition unit acquires image information corresponding to an image generated by the scan job or the copy job.

3. The defect analysis system according to claim 1, wherein when a print job is executed in the image forming apparatus, the acquisition unit acquires image information corresponding to a print target image used in the print job.

4. The defect analysis system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit cuts out an image area indicating the characteristics of the image from the entire image and acquires the image information.

5. The defect analysis system according to claim 4, wherein the acquisition unit cuts out, as the image area, an area where the amount of gradation change is large in the entire image.

6. The defect analysis system according to claim 4, wherein the acquisition unit cuts out, as the image area, an area where the number of colors is large in the entire image.

7. The defect analysis system according to claim 4, wherein the acquisition unit cuts out, as the image area, an area including high-frequency components in the entire image.

8. When the remaining storage capacity of the storage unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value, an image conversion unit that sequentially converts image information into image feature amounts and stores the image feature amounts in the storage unit, starting from the image information stored earlier in the storage unit, The defect analysis system according to claim 1, further comprising the image conversion unit.

9. The defect analysis system according to claim 8, wherein when the defective image information is input, the specifying unit converts the defective image information into a defective image feature amount and compares the defective image feature amount with the image feature amounts stored in the storage unit.

10. The defect analysis system according to claim 1, wherein when the specifying unit extracts a plurality of pieces of image information as image information similar to the defective image information as a result of comparing the defective image information with the image information stored in the storage unit, the specifying unit specifies information common to the plurality of pieces of device information associated with each of the plurality of pieces of image information as the device information at the time of occurrence of the defect.

11. The defect analysis system according to claim 1, wherein when the specifying unit extracts a plurality of pieces of image information as image information similar to the defective image information as a result of comparing the defective image information with the image information stored in the storage unit, the specifying unit causes the user to select one of the plurality of pieces of image information and specifies the device information associated with the one piece of image information as the device information at the time of occurrence of the defect.

12. The image forming apparatus further includes a sheet image reading unit that reads an image of a sheet output by executing a print job. The image forming apparatus further includes the sheet image reading unit. The defect analysis system according to claim 1, wherein when a print job is executed in the image forming apparatus, the acquisition unit acquires image information based on the image read by the sheet image reading unit.

13. A defect analysis method for analyzing defects in an image generated by an image forming apparatus, comprising: an acquisition step of acquiring image information regarding an image and apparatus information at the time of job execution each time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus; a storage step of mutually associating the image information and the apparatus information acquired in the acquisition step and storing them in a predetermined storage unit; a specifying step of comparing the defect image information regarding a defect image output by job execution with the image information stored in the storage unit when the defect image information is input, and specifying the apparatus information at the time of defect occurrence; an analysis step of performing a defect analysis based on the defect image information and the apparatus information specified in the specifying step; A defect analysis method, characterized by comprising the above steps.

14. A program for analyzing defects in an image generated by an image forming apparatus, which causes a computer to execute an acquisition step of acquiring image information regarding an image and apparatus information at the time of job execution each time a job is executed in the image forming apparatus; a storage step of mutually associating the image information and the apparatus information acquired in the acquisition step and storing them in a predetermined storage unit; a specifying step of comparing the defect image information regarding a defect image output by job execution with the image information stored in the storage unit when the defect image information is input, and specifying the apparatus information at the time of defect occurrence; an analysis step of performing a defect analysis based on the defect image information and the apparatus information specified in the specifying step; A program, characterized by causing the above steps to be executed.

Images