Automated banding defect analysis and repair for document processing systems
First Claim
1. A diagnostic system for diagnosing the cause of banding defects in a document processing system comprising:
- a scanner far generating image data by digitizing hardcopy samples obtained by printing or copying a test pattern on said document processing system;
an image quality analysis module adapted to receive said image data and to detect the presence of banding defects, said image quality analysis module further analyzing said image data relating to a detected banding defect to obtain quantified parameters of said banding defect and extradting key features from said quantified parameters;
a diagnostic engine adapted to receive and analyze said key features, said diagnostic engine further identifying one or more malfunctions which are possible causes of said defect based on said analysis of said key features, through iterative cycles of analysis based on one or more test patterns;
a repair planning module adapted to receive the malfunctions identified by said diagnostic engine and select, from a plurality of service procedures1 one or more of said procedures which are likely to correct said malfunction;
a memory module for storing data and algorithms relating to said diagnostic system;
a diagnostic control module adapted to control and coordinate the operation of said modules.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Using a system of computer modules operatively associated with a document processing machine, banding defect analysis is accomplished by analyzing specific test patterns via image processing. The banding defects are characterized in terms of quantitative parameters based on an analysis of the banding defect. Key features are extracted from the banding defect parameters. The key features are analyzed in a diagnostic engine, to determine the possible source of the defect. The identified source is correlated to a recommended repair service procedure. The diagnostic process may be augmented by also including machine data in the analysis.
37 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A diagnostic system for diagnosing the cause of banding defects in a document processing system comprising:
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a scanner far generating image data by digitizing hardcopy samples obtained by printing or copying a test pattern on said document processing system;
an image quality analysis module adapted to receive said image data and to detect the presence of banding defects, said image quality analysis module further analyzing said image data relating to a detected banding defect to obtain quantified parameters of said banding defect and extradting key features from said quantified parameters;
a diagnostic engine adapted to receive and analyze said key features, said diagnostic engine further identifying one or more malfunctions which are possible causes of said defect based on said analysis of said key features, through iterative cycles of analysis based on one or more test patterns;
a repair planning module adapted to receive the malfunctions identified by said diagnostic engine and select, from a plurality of service procedures1 one or more of said procedures which are likely to correct said malfunction;
a memory module for storing data and algorithms relating to said diagnostic system;
a diagnostic control module adapted to control and coordinate the operation of said modules. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 24)
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10. A diagnostic system for diagnosing the cause of banding defects in a document processing system comprising:
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a scanner for generating image data by digitizing hardcopy samples obtained by printing or copying a test pattern on said document processing system an image quality analysis module adapted to receive said image data and to detect the presence of banding defects, said image quality analysis module further analyzing said image data relating to a detected banding defect to obtain quantified parameters of said banding defect and extracting key features from said quantified parameters;
a diagnostic engine adapted to receive and analyze said key features, said diagnostic engine further identifying one or more malfunctions which are possible causes of said defect based on said analysis of said key features;
a repair planning module adapted to receive the malfunctions identified by said diagnostic engine and select, from a plurality of service procedures, one or more of said procedures which are likely to correct said malfunction;
a memory module for storing data and algorithms relating to said diagnostic system;
a diagnostic control module adapted to control and coordinate the operation of said modules; and
a test pattern selection module that determines the next test pattern to be printed or copied and then scanned and the next set of features to be evaluated during successive diagnostic process cycles. - View Dependent Claims (13)
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21. A diagnostic system for diagnosing the cause of banding defects in a document processing system comprising:
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a scanner for generating image data by digitizing hardcopy samples obtained by printing or copying a test pattern on said document processing system an image quality analysis module adapted to receive said image data and to detect the presence of banding defects, said image quality analysis module further analyzing said image data relating to a detected banding defect to obtain quantified parameters of said banding defect and extracting key features from said quantified parameters;
a diagnostic engine adapted to receive and analyze said key features, said diagnostic engine further identifying one or more malfunctions which are possible causes of said defect based on said analysis of said key features;
a repair planning module adapted to receive the malfunctions identified by said diagnostic engine and select, from a plurality of service procedures, one or more of said procedures which are likely to correct said malfunction;
a memory module for storing data and algorithms relating to said diagnostic system;
a diagnostic control module adapted to control and coordinate the operation of said modules;
a machine data module for compiling machine operation data and performance data for analysis by said diagnostic engine to augment the analysis based on said banding defect analysis; and
a test selection module that determines the next test pattern to be scanned or the next machine test to be run and the next set of features to be evaluated during successive diagnostic process cycles. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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25. A diagnostic system for diagnosing the cause of banding defects in a document processing system comprising:
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a scanner for generating image data by digitizing hardcopy samples obtained by printing or copying a test pattern on said document processing system an image quality analysis module adapted to receive said image data and to detect the presence of banding defects, said image quality analysis module further analyzing said image data relating to a detected banding defect to obtain quantified parameters of said banding defect and extracting key features from said quantified parameters;
a diagnostic engine adapted to receive and analyze said key features, said diagnostic engine further identifying one or more malfunctions which are possible causes of said defect based on said analysis of said key features;
a repair planning module adapted to receive the malfunctions identified by said diagnostic engine and select, from a plurality of service procedures, one or more of said procedures which are likely to correct said malfunction;
a memory module for storing data and algorithms relating to said diagnostic system;
a diagnostic control module adapted to control and coordinate the operation of said modules; and
a user interface module adapted to receive information from the user that characterizes the banding defects observed by the user. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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27. A method for diagnosing the cause of banding defects in a document processing system comprising the steps of:
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producing a hardcopy print or copy sample of an original hardcopy or digital test pattern on said document processing system;
generating digital image data from said hardcopy print or copy sample;
analyzing said image data to detect the presence of banding defects;
analyzing the image data to obtain quantified parameters characterizing said banding defect;
extracting key features from said banding defect quantified parameters;
identifying one or more malfunctions which are possible causes of said defect by analysis of said key features through iterative cycles of analysis based on one or more test patterns;
selecting, from a plurality of service procedures, one or more of said procedures which are likely to correct said identified one or more malfunctions. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 49)
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45. A method for diagnosing the cause of banding defects in a document processing system comprising the steps of:
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producing a hardcopy print or copy sample of an original hardcopy or digital test pattern on said document processing system;
generating digital image data from said hardcopy print or copy sample;
analyzing said image data to detect the presence of banding defects;
analyzing the image data to obtain quantified parameters. characterizing said banding defect;
extracting key features from said banding defect quantified parameters;
identifying one or more malfunctions which are possible causes of said defect by analysis of said key features;
selecting, from a plurality of service procedures, one or more of said procedures which are likely to correct said identified one or more malfunctions; and
entering data through a user interface characterizing the banding defects observed by the user. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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47. A method for diagnosing the cause of banding defects in a document processing system comprising the steps of:
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producing a hardcopy print or copy sample of an original hardcopy or digital test pattern on said document processing system;
generating digital image data from said hardcopy print- or copy sample;
analyzing said image data to detect the presence of banding defects;
analyzing the image data to obtain quantified parameters characterizing said banding defect;
extracting key features from said banding defect quantified parameters;
identifying one or more malfunctions which are possible causes of said defect by analysis of said key features;
selecting, from a plurality of service procedures, one or more of said procedures which are likely to correct said identified one or more malfunctions; and
determining the next test pattern to be printed or copied and then scanned and the next set of features to be evaluated during successive diagnostic process cycles. - View Dependent Claims (48)
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Specification