MFP scanner diagnostics using a self-printed target to measure the modulation transfer function

Weibao Wang; Peter Bauer; Jerry Wagner; Jan P. Allebach

doi:10.1117/12.2037959

3 February 2014 MFP scanner diagnostics using a self-printed target to measure the modulation transfer function

Weibao Wang, Peter Bauer, Jerry Wagner, Jan P. Allebach

Proceedings Volume 9016, Image Quality and System Performance XI; 90160A (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2037959
Event: IS&T/SPIE Electronic Imaging, 2014, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

In the current market, reduction of warranty costs is an important avenue for improving profitability by manufacturers of printer products. Our goal is to develop an autonomous capability for diagnosis of printer and scanner caused defects with mid-range laser multifunction printers (MFPs), so as to reduce warranty costs. If the scanner unit of the MFP is not performing according to specification, this issue needs to be diagnosed. If there is a print quality issue, this can be diagnosed by printing a special test page that is resident in the firmware of the MFP unit, and then scanning it. However, the reliability of this process will be compromised if the scanner unit is defective. Thus, for both scanner and printer image quality issues, it is important to be able to properly evaluate the scanner performance. In this paper, we consider evaluation of the scanner performance by measuring its modulation transfer function (MTF). The MTF is a fundamental tool for assessing the performance of imaging systems. Several ways have been proposed to measure the MTF, all of which require a special target, for example a slanted-edge target. It is unacceptably expensive to ship every MFP with such a standard target, and to expect that the customer can keep track of it. To reduce this cost, in this paper, we develop new approach to this task. It is based on a self-printed slanted-edge target. Then, we propose algorithms to improve the results using a self-printed slanted-edge target. Finally, we present experimental results for MTF measurement using self-printed targets and compare them to the results obtained with standard targets.

Citation Download Citation

Weibao Wang, Peter Bauer, Jerry Wagner, and Jan P. Allebach "MFP scanner diagnostics using a self-printed target to measure the modulation transfer function", Proc. SPIE 9016, Image Quality and System Performance XI, 90160A (3 February 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2037959

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KEYWORDS

Modulation transfer functions

Scanners

Printing

Detection and tracking algorithms

Halftones

Nonimpact printing

Contrast transfer function

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