Information processing system and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing system that, when image quality abnormality appears on a test chart along a paper feed direction during printing of the test chart, displays the appearance portions of the image quality abnormality on the test chart, compared to a case where the test chart is reduced and displayed.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus has: an image forming unit that, when continuous streaks appear on a test chart along a paper feed direction, creates an image P1 according to a normal image forming condition, and images P2, P3 according to an image forming condition according to a predetermined diagnostic method and different from the normal image forming condition, and estimates an image forming process that is the cause of the appearance of the streaks 42; and a display control unit that displays cut-out images 44 cut out from the images P1-P3 entirely in an axial direction and partially in the paper feed direction, on one screen of an operation panel 25 aligning the axial directions of the images.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing system and a program.

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus such as a printer usually prints a test chart on a paper medium or the like through an image forming process such as charging, exposure, development, and transfer. The image forming apparatus forms a document image serving as print source data by acquiring an electronic document via a network or reading a document by a scanner.

[0003] In an image forming apparatus, image quality abnormalities such as streaks may appear on the printed paper surface due to abnormalities or aging deterioration of members used during image formation, such as a charging roll or a mag roller. In this case, in the maintenance work of the image forming apparatus, among the members constituting the image forming apparatus, the member that is the cause of the appearance of the image quality abnormality is maintained to remove the image quality abnormality.

[0004] In recent years, there is a technique for determining an image forming process that is the cause of the appearance of an image quality abnormality. For example, in Patent Document 3, by using a combination of a plurality of test charts (hereinafter, "bias development images") generated according to imaging conditions different from those during normal imaging, it is possible to confirm at which imaging condition streaks appear or disappear. When the user identifies the image forming process that causes the occurrence of streaks, the maintenance staff performs work on the members operating in the identified image forming process as maintenance targets.

[0005] By the way, there is an image forming apparatus that has a function of allowing a user to check which image forming process has a problem by reading a test chart printed with imaging conditions changed and displaying the read image on a screen. Therefore, in this image forming apparatus, when an image quality abnormality is detected in a test chart printed under normal imaging conditions, a bias development image, which is a test chart printed under imaging conditions that do not use the functions of some image forming processes, is printed and read by a maintenance staff using a reading means, and then can be displayed on the screen. By referring to a plurality of bias development images displayed on the screen, the maintenance staff can check the presence or absence and the appearance position of the image quality abnormality in each bias development image, and thereby determine the image forming process that is the cause of the appearance of streaks.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, when a plurality of test charts are arranged and displayed on one screen, the test charts may be displayed in a reduced size due to the relationship with the screen size. If a plurality of test charts are displayed in a reduced size, there is a possibility that it becomes difficult to visually recognize the image quality abnormality. In particular, image quality abnormalities such as streaks that appear along the paper feed direction during printing of the original on the test chart become difficult to detect.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to display the appearance portion of an image quality abnormality on a test chart with good visibility as compared with the case where the test chart is displayed in a reduced size when the image quality abnormality appears along the paper feed direction during printing of the original on the test chart.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0009] The information processing system according to the present invention includes a processor. When an image quality abnormality appears along the paper feed direction during printing of a test chart generated according to normal imaging conditions, the processor acquires the test chart generated according to the normal imaging conditions as a reference image, and acquires a test chart generated according to imaging conditions different from the normal imaging conditions and serving as the cause of the appearance of the image quality abnormality as an abnormal imaging condition image. From the reference image, an image including at least a part of the portion where the image quality abnormality appears and having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction is cut out. From the abnormal imaging condition image, an image having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction is cut out. Each image cut out from the reference image and the abnormal imaging condition image is arranged with the positions in the direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction aligned and displayed on one screen without reduction.

[0010] Further, when the image quality abnormality appears intermittently along the paper feed direction, the processor cuts out an image at a position corresponding to the rotation period of a rotating member that rotates during printing of the original document in an image forming apparatus that continuously forms the test chart, from the position of the image cut out from the reference image in the abnormal imaging condition image.

[0011] Further, the processor is characterized by allowing the user to select the rotating member.

[0012] The program according to the present invention causes a computer to, when an image quality abnormality appears along the paper feed direction during printing of a test chart generated according to normal imaging conditions, acquire, as a reference image, the test chart generated according to the normal imaging conditions; acquire, as an abnormal imaging condition image, the test chart generated according to an imaging condition different from the normal imaging condition and serving as a cause of the appearance of the image quality abnormality for the user to determine the imaging process; cut out, from the reference image, an image including at least a part of the portion where the image quality abnormality appears and having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction; cut out, from the abnormal imaging condition image, an image having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction; and display, on one screen without reducing in size, the images cut out from the reference image and the abnormal imaging condition image by aligning their positions in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the invention described in claim 1, when an image quality abnormality appears along the paper feed direction during printing of a manuscript on a test chart, the portion where the image quality abnormality appears on the test chart can be displayed with good visibility as compared with the case where the test chart is reduced and displayed.

[0014] According to the invention described in claim 2, even if the image quality abnormality does not appear continuously along the paper feed direction but appears in the abnormal imaging condition image, an image including the image quality abnormality can be surely cut out from the abnormal imaging condition image.

[0015] According to the invention described in claim 3, an image can be cut out from a position corresponding to the rotation period of the rotating member selected by the user on the abnormal imaging condition image.

[0016] According to the invention described in claim 4, when an image quality abnormality appears along the paper feed direction during printing of a manuscript on a test chart, the portion where the image quality abnormality appears on the test chart can be displayed with good visibility as compared with the case where the test chart is reduced and displayed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 is a multi-functional device equipped with various functions such as a printing function, a copying function, and a scanner function, and is a device incorporating a computer. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment can be realized with a general-purpose hardware configuration that has existed conventionally. That is, the image forming apparatus 10 incorporates a computer including at least a CPU 21, a ROM 22, a RAM 23, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 24. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 includes a display unit for displaying information, an operation panel 25 as a user interface that functions as an input unit for the user to input, a scanner 26 that reads a document set on the document table and stores it as electronic data in the HDD 24 or the like, a printer 27 that prints a test chart on an output sheet, and a network interface (IF) 28 as a communication unit.

[0020] As will be described later, in the present embodiment, an image cut out from a plurality of images generated by being printed according to specified image forming conditions and read by a reading unit is arranged and displayed on one screen, and the operation panel 25 is used as the display unit for the arrangement and display. Of course, the display unit is not necessarily limited to the operation panel 25, and a dedicated display device may be separately provided in the image forming apparatus 10, or the display unit of an information processing device such as a PC connected to the image forming apparatus 10 via a network may be used.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram showing the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has an image forming unit 12, a display control unit 13, and a user interface (UI) unit 14. Components not used in the description of the present embodiment are omitted from the figure.

[0022] The image forming unit 12 forms a test chart according to a predetermined image forming process. The test chart is printed on the printer 27. Further, the test chart read after printing is displayed on the operation panel 25. The display control unit 13 performs display control of the image in the user interface unit 14. The user interface unit 14 is realized by the operation panel 25, accepts user operations, and displays an image under the display control by the display control unit 13.

[0023] Each component 12 to 14 in the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by the cooperative operation of a computer forming the image forming apparatus 10 and a program operating on the CPU 21 mounted on the computer.

[0024] Also, the program used in this embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or a USB memory and provided. The program provided from the communication means or the recording medium is installed in the computer, and various processes are realized by the CPU 21 of the computer sequentially executing the program.

[0025] Also, the "information processing system" in this embodiment will be described as being configured by a single image forming apparatus 10 as an example. However, for example, the image display may be performed by an information processing apparatus such as a PC as described above, and may be configured by a plurality of apparatuses such as the image forming apparatus 10 and the information processing apparatus.

[0026] Incidentally, the image forming unit 12 forms a test chart according to a predetermined image forming process. This predetermined image forming process generally consists of processes of charging, exposure, and development, and the test chart is formed through this image forming process. More specifically, in the image forming process of "charging", a charging machine including a charging roller is made to exhibit a charging function to charge the photoreceptor. In the image forming process of "exposure", an exposure machine including a laser or the like is made to exhibit an exposure function to lower the potential of the printed portion on the original from the surface of the charged photoreceptor. In the image forming process of "development", a developing machine including a mag roller is made to exhibit a developing function to attach toner to the portion where the potential of the photoreceptor has decreased. Incidentally, in the image forming process of "transfer", a transfer machine including a transfer roller is made to exhibit a transfer function to transfer the toner attached to the photoreceptor to the paper.

[0027] When image quality abnormalities appear in the printed matter, it is mainly considered that the cause is an abnormality in the image forming function in any of the image forming processes. For example, if there is a defect or the like in a part of the member, an image quality abnormality such as streaks appearing along the paper feed direction of the test chart may occur. In that case, the user can identify the image forming process that is the cause of the appearance of the image quality abnormality by comparing a plurality of test charts with different image forming conditions. In the case of this embodiment, an existing technique can be used as a predetermined diagnosis method, for example, the diagnosis method described in Patent Document 3 can be used.

[0028] Here, the description of the diagnosis method described in Patent Document 3 will be outlined, and a method of estimating the image forming process that is the cause of the appearance of the image quality abnormality using a plurality of test charts with different image forming conditions will be described with reference to the table shown in FIG. 3. This table may be stored in, for example, the HDD 24, or may be held inside the image forming unit 12.

[0029] Figure 3 classifies imaging processes that can cause image quality abnormalities into charging, exposure, development, or transfer. With only the diagnostic method described in Patent Document 3, the distinction between development and transfer is illustrated together in Figure 3 because other methods are used. In the present embodiment, since the direct objective is not to find imaging processes that can cause image quality abnormalities, for convenience of explanation, they are grouped together. In the following description, regarding "development or transfer", development will be used as a representative for explanation.

[0030] In this diagnostic method, usually, three types of predetermined test charts, namely VHD (VH-Bias development) and GLD (GND-level Bias development), are formed. In the present embodiment, since three types of test charts are formed one page at a time in order, the first page (P1), the second page (P2), and the third page (P3) are shown in Figures 4 to 7 by page numbers for convenience to indicate the types of test charts. Also, in Figure 3, whether or not to exert the functions originally possessed by each imaging process is indicated by "ON" or "OFF". For example, "ON" indicates that the function in the corresponding imaging process has been exerted, while "OFF" indicates that the function in the corresponding imaging process has not been exerted. And the imaging conditions are set according to the combination of "ON" or "OFF" of each imaging process of charging, exposure, development, or transfer.

[0031] As described above, the "imaging conditions" are set according to whether or not to exert the functions possessed by each imaging process. Under normal imaging conditions, imaging is performed using the functions in all imaging processes. That is, as shown in Figure 3, the imaging processes of charging, exposure, and development are made to function. The bias development image is generated according to imaging conditions different from normal imaging conditions, in other words, imaging conditions in which at least one imaging process does not function.

[0032] First, the test chart corresponding to "Normal (P1)" (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "normal chart") is generated according to the normal imaging process because each imaging process is "ON". Therefore, image quality abnormalities of streaks appear in the "normal chart". Since the "normal chart" is generated according to the normal imaging process, it corresponds to the "reference image".

[0033] In the case of the normal chart, in the charging imaging process (hereinafter also referred to as the "charging process"), the surface of the photoreceptor is charged using a charger. Let the voltage of the charged photoreceptor be "VH". In the exposure imaging process (hereinafter also referred to as the "exposure process"), the voltage of the part to be printed on the photoreceptor surface is lowered using an exposure machine. Let the voltage decreased from VH be "VL". In the development imaging process (hereinafter also referred to as the "development process"), toner is attached to the surface of the photoreceptor using a developing machine. In the normal case, by applying a potential of Vbias (VH > Vbias > VL) to the mag roller, the toner moves and adheres to the part of the photoreceptor where the voltage has been lowered to VL from the mag roller.

[0034] Subsequently, the test chart corresponding to "VHD (P2)" (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "VHD chart") is generated without using the exposure function because the exposure process is "OFF". The VHD image corresponds to the "abnormal imaging condition image" because it is generated according to imaging conditions different from the normal imaging conditions.

[0035] In the case of the VHD image, since "charging" is "ON" and the same as "normal", the description of the charging process is omitted. The exposure process is not executed as described above. In the development process in the case of the VHD image, by applying a potential of Vbias (Vbias > VH) to the mag roller, the toner moves and adheres to the photoreceptor at the part where the voltage is VH from the mag roller.

[0036] In the case of the VHD chart, since it is not exposed, a full - tone test chart is originally formed if there is no image quality abnormality. In this embodiment, no margin is formed on the test chart so that white streaks can be detected. The same applies to other test charts.

[0037] Subsequently, the test chart corresponding to "GLD(P3)" (hereinafter also simply referred to as the "GLD chart") is generated without using the charging function and the exposure function because the charging process and the exposure process are "OFF". Since the GLD chart is generated according to imaging conditions different from normal imaging conditions, it corresponds to an "abnormal imaging condition image".

[0038] In the case of the GLD chart, since the photoreceptor is not charged, the potential of the photoreceptor is 0V (GND). The exposure process is not executed as described above. In the development process in the case of the GLD image, by applying a potential of Vbias (Vbias > GND) to the mag roller, the toner moves and adheres from the mag roller to the part where the potential of the photoreceptor is GND.

[0039] In the case of the GLD chart, since it is not exposed, a full - tone test chart is formed if there is no image quality abnormality, similar to the case of the VHD chart.

[0040] Here, the imaging process that causes image quality abnormalities can be specified based on the presence or absence of streaks in the three types of test charts described above.

[0041] First, it is assumed that lines are present in a normal chart. Here, referring to the VHD chart, if the lines that should originally appear in the VHD chart do not appear, it can be inferred that this is due to non-exposure. Therefore, the imaging process that causes image quality abnormalities can be identified as the "exposure process." Subsequently, referring to the GLD chart, if the lines that should originally appear in the VHD chart appear and the lines that should originally appear in the GLD chart do not appear, it can be inferred that this is due to non-charging. Therefore, the imaging process that causes image quality abnormalities can be identified as the "charging process." Here, if lines appear in both the VHD chart and the GLD chart, the imaging process that causes image quality abnormalities can be identified as the "development process" or mechanical irregularities on the surface of the photoreceptor.

[0042] As described above, by using two types of test charts, namely the VHD chart and the GLD chart (corresponding to the above-mentioned "biased development image") generated according to imaging conditions different from those in the case of forming a normal chart, it is possible to estimate the imaging process that causes lines to appear on the test chart.

[0043] As described above, even if it is assumed that lines appear in a normal image, if it is not possible to correctly determine whether lines appear in the biased development image, it is not possible to correctly estimate the imaging process that causes image quality abnormalities. Therefore, below, a method for verifying the presence or absence of lines in the biased development image in this embodiment will be described using the screen display example shown in FIG. 4.

[0044] FIG. 4(a) shows the three types of test charts described above, namely, a normal chart P1, a VHD chart P2, and a GLD chart P3. Also, in FIG. 4(a), as shown in FIG. 3, the imaging conditions when each of the charts P1 to P3 is formed are shown in association with each other. And in the normal chart P1, streaks 42a that are continuous along the paper feed direction during printing of the test chart appear. Also, similar streaks 42b appear in the VHD chart P2. In contrast, no streaks appear in the GLD chart P3. Note that when the streaks 42a and 42b do not need to be distinguished from each other, they are collectively referred to as "streak 42".

[0045] Here, when the maintenance staff checks the presence or absence of streaks in each of the charts P1 to P3 by displaying them on the operation panel 25, it is usually preferable to display all of the charts P1 to P3 side by side for easier comparison. An example of the display at this time is shown in FIG. 4(b). However, if all of the charts are to be displayed on the operation panel 25, as shown in FIG. 4(b), it becomes necessary to display each of the charts P1 to P3 in a reduced size due to the relationship with the screen size of the operation panel 25. Then, since the streak 42 is also displayed in a reduced size, thin lines will be displayed as even thinner lines. Then, although it may also depend on the resolution of the operation panel 25, the maintenance staff may find it difficult to visually recognize the streak 42 even if it appears, and in some cases, may overlook it. If the determination of the presence or absence of the streak 42 is incorrect, as described above, the imaging process that causes image quality abnormalities may be erroneously estimated.

[0046] Therefore, instead of reducing each of the charts P1 to P3, the display control unit 13 in the present embodiment performs trimming, that is, cuts out a partial image from each of the charts P1 to P3 and displays it on the operation panel 25. Specifically, in the imaging process, when the printing direction of the original is defined as the length of the test chart and the direction orthogonal to the printing direction is defined as the width of the test chart, as shown in Fig. 4(a), when cutting out an image from each of the charts P1 to P3, in the direction orthogonal to the printing direction, the entire width of the test chart is the object of cutting, while in the printing direction, a partial image of the length of the test chart is the object of cutting. In the image forming apparatus 10, since the axis of a charging roll or the like that rotates during the formation of the test chart is disposed in the image forming apparatus 10 along the direction orthogonal to the printing direction, in the following description, the direction orthogonal to the printing direction will simply be referred to as the "axial direction".

[0047] Fig. 4(c) shows a case where a part is cut out from each of the charts P1 to P3 in the printing direction and arranged and displayed on the operation panel 25. In Fig. 4(a), the display ranges 44a to 44c for cutting out and displaying a partial image from each of the charts P1 to P3 are shown by broken lines.

[0048] Note that, as described above, a partial image is cut out from each of the charts P1 to P3, and the area that identifies the cut-out image becomes the display range on the operation panel 25. Therefore, when there is no need to distinguish between the reference numerals 44a to 44c, they are collectively referred to as "cut-out image 44", or simply "image 44", or "display range 44".

[0049] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, when the streak 42 appears in the charts P1 to P3, it is assumed that the streak 42 appears continuously along the entire length of the test chart in the paper feed direction. Therefore, in the axial direction, the image 44 is cut out so as to include the entire width of the test chart. As a result, the image 44 cut out from the normal chart P1 where the streak 42 appears always includes at least a part of the appearing streak 42. The paper feed direction of the normal chart P1 may have a predetermined width. This is because the display range 44a having a predetermined width includes the streak 42 regardless of the position and range (the above-mentioned "predetermined width") in the length direction of the normal chart P1 where the cutting is performed.

[0050] In the case of the present embodiment, for the charts P2 and P3, the images 44b and 44c may be cut out in the same manner as the normal chart P1. There is no particular need to impose restrictions on the position and range (the above-mentioned "predetermined width") of the image 44 cut out along the paper feed direction from each of the charts P1 to P3. Images 44 having different lengths (the above-mentioned "predetermined width") may be cut out from each of the charts P1 to P3. However, in the present embodiment, for easy comparison, the images are cut out from each of the charts P1 to P3 at the same position and within the same range (the above-mentioned "predetermined width") in the test chart.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 4(c), the display control unit 13 in the present embodiment arranges and displays the images 44a to 44c cut out in a strip shape from each of the charts P1 to P3 on one screen so as to align the positions in the axial direction without reducing them. As a result, it becomes easier for the maintenance staff to visually recognize the streak 42 that appears in the charts P1 to P3 along the paper feed direction. If the maintenance staff can visually recognize the streak 42 that appears in the charts P1 to P3 generated by the above diagnostic method without overlooking it, the diagnostic result by the above diagnostic method, that is, the imaging process that causes the streak 42 to appear in the test chart can be correctly estimated.

[0052] If the work process that causes the image quality abnormality can be identified, maintenance work becomes easier. For example, if streaks appear in the VHD chart P2 but not in the GLD chart P3, and if the charging process can be identified as the cause of the image quality abnormality as described above, then as a member constituting the image forming apparatus 10, it can be determined that the charging device used in the charging process is not normal, and the charging device, for example, the charging roll, can be narrowed down as the maintenance target. Also, since no streaks appear in both charts P2 and P3, if the exposure process can be identified as the cause of the image quality abnormality as described above, the exposure device can be narrowed down as the maintenance target. Further, since streaks appear in both charts P2 and P3, if the development process can be identified as the cause of the image quality abnormality as described above, for example, the developing device, for example, the mag roller, can be narrowed down as the maintenance target.

[0053] In this way, by displaying the image 44 cut out from the test chart on the operation panel 25, the maintenance staff can check the appearance of streaks in the bias development images P2 and P3. As a result, the maintenance staff can identify the image forming process that is the cause of the image quality abnormality, and thus can easily identify the members to be maintained among the members constituting the image forming apparatus 10.

[0054] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another example of the screen display of the test chart in the present embodiment, and is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4(c). In FIG. 5, an example of the display when the cut-out image 44 is arranged in the horizontal direction instead of the vertical direction of the screen as shown in FIG. 4(c) is shown. As shown in FIG. 5, if the image 44 is aligned in the axial direction, it may be displayed so as to be arranged horizontally.

[0055] Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a problem that may occur when the cut-out image 44 is displayed, (a) is an example of the test chart to be displayed, and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the screen display of the test chart.

[0056] In the above-described Embodiment 1, when streaks appear in images P1 to P3, an example in which they appear throughout the paper feed direction was shown. That is, the streaks 42 continuously appear on the test chart. However, for example, when streaks appear intermittently rather than continuously on the test chart, depending on the cutout position and range of the image 44 with respect to the paper feed direction, there is a possibility of misidentifying the image forming process that causes image quality abnormalities by overlooking streaks that are not actually disappearing.

[0057] As described above, when there is a problem only in a part in the circumferential direction of the rotating member that rotates during the operation of the image forming apparatus 10 and streaks appear on the test chart, the streaks 46a to 46c appear only at positions corresponding to the rotation period of the rotating member as illustrated in FIG. 6(a). For this reason, depending on the cutout position and range of the image 48, it is not possible to cut out the streaks 46b and 46c that appear in the VHD chart P2, such as the image 48b cut out from the image P2. Note that the streaks 46a, 46b, and 46c are collectively referred to as "streak 46" when there is no need to distinguish them from each other. Incidentally, no streaks appear in the GLD chart P3, but if streaks were to appear, the image 4 is shown at a position corresponding to the rotation period of the rotating member. In this case, referring to the images 48a, 48b, and 48c displayed on the operation panel 25, the image forming process that causes image quality abnormalities would be misidentified.

[0058] Therefore, in the present embodiment, positions that are integer multiples away from the rotation period of the rotating member are set as the cutout positions of the images 48a, 48b, and 48c.

[0059] Note that, similar to the case of Embodiment 1, a part of the image is cut out from each of the charts P1 to P3, and the area for specifying the cutout image becomes the display range on the operation panel 25. Therefore, the reference numerals 48a to 48c are collectively referred to as "cutout image 48" or simply "image 48" or "display range 48" when there is no need to distinguish them from each other.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method of setting the position of the image to be cut out in the present embodiment. (a) is an example of a test chart similar to FIG. 6(a), and (b) is a diagram showing an example of the screen display of charts P1 to P3 in the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7(a), the position where the image 48 is cut out is cut out from a position corresponding to the rotation period of the rotating member. Incidentally, the pitch at which the streaks 46 appear in the charts P1 to P3 is a position corresponding to the rotation period of the rotating member that causes image quality abnormalities. For example, it depends on specifications such as the rotation speed of the rotating member during printing, the paper conveyance speed, the printing interval of the paper, the diameter and circumference of the rotating member, or the operation control of the rotating member. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7(b), the user is allowed to select the rotating member. In FIG. 7(b), a charging roll and a mag roll can be selected as the rotating members, but other rotating members that can cause the appearance of the streaks 46 may also be selectable.

[0061] The user cannot determine what the rotating member is that causes the image quality abnormality. Therefore, the rotating members are sequentially selected from the screen shown in FIG. 7(b), and the display contents for each rotating member are compared to estimate the rotating member that causes the image quality abnormality.

[0062] When the rotating member is selected by the user, the image forming unit 12 acquires the specifications (such as diameter) of the known rotating member of the selected rotating member, and if streaks appear, calculates the period in which the streaks appear. Then, an image 48a including the whole or at least a part of the streak 46a in the normal chart P1 where the streak should always appear is cut out. When cutting out the image 48a from the normal chart P1, in the axial direction, the entire width of the test chart is cut out in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In the paper feeding direction, if the streak 46a is included in the image 48a cut out from the normal chart P1, there is no particular need for a limitation. The same applies to the charts P2 and P3. However, in the case of the present embodiment, there are features in the method of determining the cutting positions of the images 48b and 48c.

[0063] That is, regarding charts P2 and P3, based on the position of the image 48a cut out from the normal chart P1, a range including positions corresponding to the rotation period of the rotating member from the position of the image 48a, specifically positions separated by an integer multiple of the rotation period, is set as the cut-out position of the image 48b. Then, similar to the case of the first embodiment, the display control unit 13 in the present embodiment arranges and displays the images 48a to 48c cut out in a strip shape from each of the charts P1 to P3 on one screen so as to align the axial positions without reducing them.

[0064] Note that in order to cut out the images 48 and 48c at positions separated by an integer multiple of the rotation period of the rotating member from the position of the image 48a, the charts P1 to P3 need to be continuously formed in the image forming apparatus 10 at regular time intervals (or sheet intervals).

[0065] In this way, when cutting out the images 48a to 48c at arbitrary positions from each of the charts P1 to P3, as exemplified in FIG. 6(b), the appearing streak 46 may be overlooked. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, based on the cut-out position of the image 48a in the normal chart P1 where the streak 46a appears, the images 48b and 48c are cut out at positions separated by an integer multiple of the rotation period of the rotating member. Therefore, if the streak 46 appears in the charts P2 and P3, it can be displayed on the operation panel 25 without overlooking the streak 46.

[0066] Note that if it can be displayed on one screen without reduction, a set of cut-out images 48 corresponding to each of a plurality of rotating members selected by the user may be collectively displayed on the operation panel 25 so that the comparison of the images 48 is easy.

[0067] In the above-described embodiments, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including a general-purpose processor (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and a dedicated processor (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0068] Also, the operation of the processor in the above-described embodiments may be achieved not only by one processor but also by a plurality of physically separated processors cooperating with each other. Also, the order of each operation of the processor is not limited to the order described in the above respective embodiments and may be changed as appropriate.

[0069] (Supplementary Note) (((1))) Comprising a processor, The processor, When image quality abnormality appears along the paper feed direction during printing of a test chart generated according to normal imaging conditions, the test chart generated according to the normal imaging conditions is acquired as a reference image, A test chart generated according to imaging conditions different from the normal imaging conditions and for the user to determine the imaging process that is the cause of the appearance of image quality abnormality is acquired as an abnormal imaging condition image, An image including at least a part of the portion where the image quality abnormality appears and having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction is cut out from the reference image, An image having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction is cut out from the abnormal imaging condition image, Each image cut out from the reference image and the abnormal imaging condition image is arranged with their positions in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction aligned and displayed on one screen without reduction, An information processing system characterized by the above. (((2))) When the image quality abnormality appears intermittently along the paper feed direction, from the abnormal imaging condition image, the information processing system according to ((1)), characterized in that an image at a position corresponding to the rotation period of the rotating member that rotates during printing of the original document in the image forming apparatus that continuously forms the test chart is cut out from the position of the image cut out from the reference image. (((3))) The information processing system according to ((2)), characterized in that the processor causes the user to select the rotating member. (((4))) In a computer, When an image quality abnormality appears along the paper feed direction during printing of the original document on the test chart generated according to normal imaging conditions, a function of acquiring the test chart generated according to the normal imaging conditions as a reference image, A function of acquiring, as an abnormal imaging condition image, the test chart generated according to imaging conditions different from the normal imaging conditions and for which the user determines the imaging process that is the cause of the appearance of the image quality abnormality, A function of cutting out, from the reference image, an image that includes at least a part of the portion where the image quality abnormality appears and has a predetermined width in the paper feed direction, A function of cutting out, from the abnormal imaging condition image, an image having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction, A function of arranging and displaying, on one screen without reducing, the images cut out from the reference image and the abnormal imaging condition image by aligning the positions in the direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction, A program for realizing the above.

[0070] (((1))) According to the invention described above, when an image quality abnormality appears along the paper feed direction during printing of the original document on the test chart, the portion where the image quality abnormality appears on the test chart can be displayed with good visibility as compared with the case where the test chart is reduced and displayed. According to the invention described in ((2)), even if image quality abnormalities do not continuously appear along the paper feed direction, if they appear in the abnormal imaging condition image, an image including the image quality abnormalities can be reliably cut out from the abnormal imaging condition image. According to the invention described in ((3)), an image can be cut out from a position corresponding to the rotation period of the rotating member selected by the user on the abnormal imaging condition image. According to the invention described in ((4)), when image quality abnormalities appear along the paper feed direction during printing of the original on the test chart, the appearance portion of the image quality abnormalities on the test chart can be displayed with better visibility compared to the case where the test chart is reduced and displayed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0071] 10 Image forming apparatus, 12 Image forming unit, 13 Display control unit, 14 User interface (UI) unit, 21 CPU, 22 ROM, 23 RAM, 24 Hard disk drive (HDD), 25 Operation panel, 26 Scanner, 27 Printer, 28 Network interface (IF).

Claims

1. Comprising a processor, The processor, When an image quality abnormality appears along the paper feed direction during printing of the test chart in a test chart generated according to normal imaging conditions, the test chart generated according to the normal imaging conditions is acquired as a reference image, An imaging condition different from the normal imaging condition, and the test chart generated according to the imaging condition for the user to determine the imaging process that is the cause of the appearance of the image quality abnormality is acquired as an abnormal imaging condition image, Cut out from the reference image an image including at least a part of the portion where the image quality abnormality appears and having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction, Cut out from the abnormal imaging condition image an image having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction, The images cut out from the reference image and the abnormal imaging condition image are arranged with their positions in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction aligned and displayed on one screen without reduction, An information processing system characterized by the above.

2. When the image quality abnormality appears intermittently along the paper feed direction, the processor cuts out from the abnormal imaging condition image an image at a position corresponding to the rotation period of a rotating member that rotates during printing of the original in an image forming apparatus that continuously forms the test chart, from the position of the image cut out from the reference image. The information processing system according to claim 1, characterized by this.

3. The processor causes the user to select the rotating member. The information processing system according to claim 2, characterized by this.

4. In a computer, When an image quality abnormality appears along the paper feed direction during printing of the original in a test chart generated according to normal imaging conditions, a function of acquiring the test chart generated according to the normal imaging conditions as a reference image, A function of acquiring, as an abnormal imaging condition image, a test chart generated according to an imaging condition different from the normal imaging condition and for the user to determine the imaging process that is the cause of the appearance of the image quality abnormality, A function of cutting out from the reference image an image including at least a part of the portion where the image quality abnormality appears and having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction, A function of cutting out from the abnormal imaging condition image an image having a predetermined width in the paper feed direction, A function of arranging the images cut out from the reference image and the abnormal imaging condition image with their positions in a direction orthogonal to the paper feed direction aligned and displaying them on one screen without reduction, A program for realizing the above.

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