Patent US6023595A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6023595A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Image processing apparatus capable of remotely diagnosing failed portion of image processing unit
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1997-04-29
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Granted: 2000-02-08
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Expires: 2017-04-29
Abstract
Abstract It is an object to identify a failed portion in a circuit for image processing and notify a service center of the failed portion, thereby enabling the failed circuit to be promptly replaced. Circuit portions of image processing units are constructed on separate substrates. As processing routes of an image signal which is inputted from an A/D converting unit, a route in which the image signal passes through a given circuit portion and a route in which the image signal doesn't pass therethrough are set. Data of a predetermined pattern is processed by those processing routes. The presence or absence of a failure of each circuit portion is discriminated from the processing results. The discrimination result is transmitted to an external apparatus installed in a service center.
Inventors
- 👤 Takashi Suzuki
- 👤 Shinobu Arimoto
- 👤 Nobuyuki Watanabe
- 👤 Kazuhito Ohashi
- 👤 Akiko Kanno
- 👤 Hiroyuki Tsuji
- 👤 Tetsuya Nakamura
- 👤 Shingo Kitamura
- 👤 Tsunao Honbo
- 👤 Junichi Noguchi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 14:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N1/00; H04N1/00002; H04N1/00071; H04N1/00074; H04N1/00079; G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/50; G03G15/5075; G03G15/5079; G03G15/55; H04N1/00007; H04N1/00021; H04N1/00026; H04N1/00031; H04N1/00045; H04N1/00063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
93 words
An image processing apparatus having a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test image data; control means for sequentially causing said test image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating means for discriminating a failed portion in said processing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and transmitting means for transmitting a discrimination result obtained by said discriminating means to an external apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
93 words
An image processing apparatus having a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test image data; control means for sequentially causing said test image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating means for discriminating a failed portion in said processing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and transmitting means for transmitting a discrimination result obtained by said discriminating means to an external apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits and said processing circuits are formed on a plurality of substrates, and said discriminating means discriminates the presence or absence of a failure of said processing circuit substrate by substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further having receiving means for receiving an instruction to make said control means and said discriminating means function through communicating means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said generating means reads out contents in a memory for correcting a shading of said image data as said test image data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said discriminating means discriminates a failure of said plurality of processing circuits on the basis of contents in a memory for magnification in which the image data processed by said processing circuits are written.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits process color image data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits are circuits for processing the image data read out from reading means for reading an image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits are circuits for processing said image data and outputting recording data to recording means for recording an image.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further having setting means for setting so as to output the image data as it is without being subjected to an image process in said processing routes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said processing routes sequentially process every color component, and said control means allows the test image data to be transmitted to said plurality of processing routes for every color component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
A copying apparatus having reading means capable of reading an image of an original, recording means capable of recording the image, and a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data read by said reading means and outputting recording data to said recording means, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test pattern image data; control means for sequentially causing said test pattern image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating means for discriminating a failure in said processing routes on the basis of said test pattern image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and transmitting means for transmitting a discrimination result obtained by said discriminating means to an external apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
A copying apparatus having reading means capable of reading an image of an original, recording means capable of recording the image, and a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data read by said reading means and outputting recording data to said recording means, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test pattern image data; control means for sequentially causing said test pattern image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating means for discriminating a failure in said processing routes on the basis of said test pattern image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and transmitting means for transmitting a discrimination result obtained by said discriminating means to an external apparatus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image processing apparatus having a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test image data; control means for sequentially causing said test image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating means for discriminating a failed portion in said processing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and receiving means for receiving an instruction to make said control means and said discriminating means function through communicating means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
An image processing apparatus having a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test image data; control means for sequentially causing said test image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating means for discriminating a failed portion in said processing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and receiving means for receiving an instruction to make said control means and said discriminating means function through communicating means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
128 words
A copying apparatus having reading means capable of reading an image of an original, recording means capable of recording the image, and a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data read by said reading means and outputting recording data to said recording means, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test pattern image data; control means for sequentially causing said test pattern image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating means for discriminating a failure in said processing routes on the basis of said test pattern image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and receiving means for receiving an instruction to make said control means and said discriminating means function through communicating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
128 words
A copying apparatus having reading means capable of reading an image of an original, recording means capable of recording the image, and a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data read by said reading means and outputting recording data to said recording means, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test pattern image data; control means for sequentially causing said test pattern image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating means for discriminating a failure in said processing routes on the basis of said test pattern image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and receiving means for receiving an instruction to make said control means and said discriminating means function through communicating means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
An diagnosing method for an image processing apparatus using a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising the steps of: generating predetermined test image data; sequentially causing said test image data generated in said generating step to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating a failed portion in said processing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and transmitting a discrimination result obtained in said discriminating step to an external device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
88 words
An diagnosing method for an image processing apparatus using a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising the steps of: generating predetermined test image data; sequentially causing said test image data generated in said generating step to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating a failed portion in said processing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and transmitting a discrimination result obtained in said discriminating step to an external device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits and said processing circuits are formed on a plurality of substrates, and the presence or absence of a failure of said processing circuit is discriminated substrate by substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 14, further comprising receiving an instruction to make a control means and a discriminating means function through communicating means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein, in said generating step, contents in a memory are read out for correcting a shading of said image data as said test image data.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and a failure of said plurality of processing circuits is discriminated on the basis of contents in a memory for magnification in which the image data processed by said processing circuits are written.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits process color image data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits are circuits for processing the image data read out from reading means for reading an image.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits are circuits for processing said image data and outputting recording data to recording means for recording an image.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
91 words
A diagnosing method for an image processing apparatus using a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising the steps of: generating predetermined test image data; sequentially causing said test image data generated in said generating step to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating a failed portion in said processing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and receiving an instruction to make a control means and a discriminating means function through communicating means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
91 words
A diagnosing method for an image processing apparatus using a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising the steps of: generating predetermined test image data; sequentially causing said test image data generated in said generating step to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating a failed portion in said processing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and receiving an instruction to make a control means and a discriminating means function through communicating means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
77 words
An image processing apparatus having a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test image data; control means for sequentially causing said test image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; and discriminating means for discriminating a failed portion in said porcessing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
77 words
An image processing apparatus having a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test image data; control means for sequentially causing said test image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; and discriminating means for discriminating a failed portion in said porcessing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits and said processing circuits are formed on a plurality of substrates, and said discriminating means discriminates the presence or absence of a failure of said processing circuit on a unit basis of said substrates.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said generating means reads out contents in a memory for correcting a shading of said image data as said test image data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
53 words
An apparatus accoridng to claim 23, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said discriminating means discriminates a failure of said plurality of processing circuits on the basis of contents in a memory for magnification in which the image processed by said processing circuits are written.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits process color image data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits are circuits for processing the image data read out from reading means for reading an image.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits are circuits for processing said image data and outputting recording data to recording means for recording a image.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, further having a setting means for setting so as to output the image data as it is without being subjected to an image process in said processing routes.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 23, wherein said processing routes for sequentially process every color component, and said control means allows the test image to flow through said plurality of processing routes for every color component.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
125 words
A copying apparatus having reading means capable of reading an image of an original, recording means capable of recording the image, and a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data read by said reading means and outputting recording data to said recording means, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test pattern image data; control means for sequentially causing said test pattern image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating means for discriminating a failure in said processing routes on the basis of said test pattern image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and transmitting means for transmitting a discrimination result obtained by said discriminating means to an external apparatus.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
125 words
A copying apparatus having reading means capable of reading an image of an original, recording means capable of recording the image, and a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data read by said reading means and outputting recording data to said recording means, comprising: generating means for generating predetermined test pattern image data; control means for sequentially causing said test pattern image data generated by said generating means to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating means for discriminating a failure in said processing routes on the basis of said test pattern image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and transmitting means for transmitting a discrimination result obtained by said discriminating means to an external apparatus.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
88 words
A diagnosing method of an image processing apparatus having a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising the steps of: generating predetermined test image data; sequentially causing said test image data generated in said generating step to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating a failed portion in said processing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and transmitting a discrimination result obtained in said discriminating step to an external device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
88 words
A diagnosing method of an image processing apparatus having a plurality of changeable processing routes for processing image data, comprising the steps of: generating predetermined test image data; sequentially causing said test image data generated in said generating step to flow through each of said plurality of processing routes; discriminating a failed portion in said processing routes, on the basis of said test image data caused to flow through each of said processing routes; and transmitting a discrimination result obtained in said discriminating step to an external device.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits and said processing circuits are formed on a plurality of substrates, and the presence or absence of a failure of said processing circuit is discriminated substrate by substrate.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein, in said generating step, contents in a memory are read out for correcting a shading of said image data as said test image data.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
52 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and a falilure of said plurality of processing circuits is discriminated on the basis of contents in a memory for magnification in which the image data processed by said processing circuits are written.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits process color image data.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits are circuits for processing the image data read out from reading means for reading an image.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said processing routes are made up of a plurality of processing circuits, and said plurality of processing circuits are circuits for processing said image data and outputting recording data to recording means for recording an image.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 33, further having a step of setting so as to output the image data as it is without being subjected to an image process in said processing routes.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 33, wherein said processing routes sequentially process every color component, and allows the test image data to flow through said plurality of processing routes for every color component.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 14, further having a step of setting so as to output the image data as it is without being subjected to an image process in said processing routes.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 14, wherein said processing routes sequentially process every color component, and allows the test image data to flow through said plurality of processing routes for every color component.
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