EP1125738B1 - Change of parameters in a control unit of a printing press - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a device and a method for performing a parameter change in a control unit of a printing press according to the preamble of claims 1 and 8.

EP-A-0649 744 describes such a device and such a method.

In offset printing presses to control the printing operation of the printing press various parameters, eg. As the color and water supply, the register, the web speed and the web tension, monitored and changed if necessary. In modern printing machines, a graphical user interface (GUI) is often used for this purpose. The control of the parameters is usually done via a series of mouse movements and mouse clicks and keyboard shortcuts. Repetitive operations on a printing press thus require repetitive manual sequences of parameter change inputs to the GUI. Furthermore, the pre-setting of machine functions is known, whereby the preset machine status is stored and then called to bring the machine parameters back to the preset state.

It is thus an object of the present invention to allow the input of data and / or commands in a control unit with a parameter change in a simple manner, with time savings and for the operator with little effort. It is another object of the present invention to simplify the repetitive input of equal values.

This object is achieved by the claims 1 and 8. Further features of the invention are contained in the subclaims.

The inventive method for performing a parameter change in a control unit of a printing press, in particular in an operating and control unit of a web-fed rotary printing press, provides that at least one sequence of Parameter change inputs, which are carried out via a graphical user interface, recorded, that the sequence of parameter change inputs is stored in a memory unit that the stored parameter change inputs are read from the memory unit and that the read sequence of parameter change inputs in the Control unit for controlling the printing press is re-recorded.

The inventive method thus makes it possible to perform a parameter change in a control unit of a printing press in a simple and time-saving manner, wherein an operator of the control unit is required only minimal effort. By recording a sequence of parameter change inputs according to the invention, which take place via a graphical user interface, and by storing this sequence according to the invention in a memory unit, once entered parameters, data or commands are available, including in their necessary sequence, also for later change processes, in particular Parameter change, ready after they have been read from the memory unit and reinstated in the control unit for controlling the printing press. As a result, error inputs in the repeated input of the same parameters in the control unit can be avoided in an advantageous manner. It is also possible for once entered, recorded and stored values to be changed, adjusted or corrected after they have been read out and reimplemented so that a new sequence of parameter change inputs can be recorded and stored. By this procedure, the stored parameter change sequences can be constantly improved and adapted to changing external conditions of the printing press or the substrates and the printing inks.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the at least one sequence of parameter change inputs comprises mouse movements, mouse clicks and key commands.

The sequence of parameter change inputs may also be stored in a file on a magnetic disk, magnetic tape or optical disk.

Each of the stored sequences of parameter change inputs may be associated with a sequence button for triggering the reading and replaying of the associated sequence of parameter change inputs.

Each of the predetermined sequence buttons can be assigned to a working layer button that corresponds to a machine operator layer on the printing machine.

By assigning a sequence of parameter change inputs to a sequence button according to the invention, i. H. z. For example, to a mouse-clickable selection box on a screen, retrieving once recorded and stored sequences of parameter change inputs is made intuitive to the operator. By further providing work shift buttons to which sequence buttons have been assigned, it is possible with a shift change on the press without time and effort to select the assigned sequence buttons by intuitively selecting a work shift button and thereby the sequence -Buttons assigned sequences of parameter change inputs from the memory unit read and restore to the control unit. Furthermore, when switching to a new, changed print job, a shift layer button assigned thereto can also be selected or actuated so that all sequences of parameter change inputs stored in the control unit are restored to the relevant print job, thereby making them all necessary in the shortest possible time Input for the relevant print job, whereby the printing press can also be set up in a very short time.

The recording, storage, reading and replaying is preferably controlled by a processor executing a program.

A device according to the invention for performing a parameter change in a control unit of a printing press, in particular in an operating and control unit of a web-fed rotary printing press, comprises a graphical user interface for inputting at least one sequence of parameter change inputs, a memory unit for Storing at least one recorded sequence of parameter change inputs from which the stored sequence of parameter change inputs are read out and reimplemented into the control unit, and at least one processor for controlling the recording, storing, reading and replaying the parameter change inputs.

The storage unit preferably comprises a drive for magnetic disks, for a magnetic tape or for an optical storage disk.

The graphical user interface preferably further comprises a plurality of graphical function buttons, wherein the plurality of graphical function buttons comprises at least one sequence button, which is assigned a sequence of parameter change inputs of the GUI.

It is further possible for the plurality of graphical function buttons to comprise at least one working layer button, wherein each of the sequence buttons is associated with at least one working layer button corresponding to a machine operator layer on the printing machine.

Furthermore, a web-fed rotary printing press may advantageously be characterized by a device according to the invention as described in detail above.

The features of the present invention will be explained in more detail in the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings listed below.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung einer Vorrichtung zur Durchführung eines Parameterwechsels in einer Steuereinheit einer Druckmaschine;

Fig. 2

ein Flussdiagramm des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an apparatus for performing a parameter change in a control unit of a printing press;

Fig. 2

a flow chart of the method according to the invention.

Fig. 1 1 shows a graphical user interface (GUI) 2 for controlling the printing operation of a printing machine 6 which is adaptable to the customer's needs. GUI 2 comprises a screen 3, a keyboard 4 and a mouse 5. The keyboard 4 and the mouse 5 become Input of parameter change commands via GUI 2 for controlling the printing operation of the printing press 6 used. In addition to the usual icons (not shown) for controlling the printing press, graphical function selection fields or function buttons 12 are shown on the screen 3 of the GUI 2, the sequence selection fields or sequence buttons 12A, working-layer selection fields or working layer. Buttons 12B and a memory box or a memory button 12C include. A memory unit 20 is connected to a processor 16, which in turn communicates with the GUI 2.

Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of the method according to the invention. In method step 102, at least one sequence or sequence of parameter change inputs is stored. This stored sequence of parameter change inputs is subsequently read out and reinstated to control the printing press in method step 104. The sequence of parameter change inputs, which were preferably input via the GUI 2 by means of the keyboard 4 and / or the mouse 5, are stored by the memory unit 20 as a file 24. The processor 16 executes a program 26, preferably stored in the memory unit 20, to control the recording, storage, retrieval, and re-loading of the sequence of parameter change inputs.

The graphical function selection buttons or function buttons 12 on the screen 3 of the GUI 2 are used to input memory, read and rewrite commands as well as a particular sequence of parameter change inputs of a particular file and a particular file set for a machine operator work shift assign. The memory button 12C serves to initiate the storage process of the inputs for the parameter change. Upon actuation of the button 12C appears on the screen 3, a dialog box 7, which enters a file name for the file 24 calls with the stored sequence of parameter change inputs, in which the z. B. is stored directly subsequent sequence of parameter change inputs. A sequence of parameter change inputs, including mouse movements, mouse clicks and key commands, is then stored. After completion of the storage process, z. B. after pressing a memory end button or after repeated actuation of the memory button 12C, one of the sequence buttons 12A is actuated to assign the file 24 with the stored sequence of parameter change inputs this button. Until the time at which the corresponding button another, z. For example, if a new file is assigned, pressing this button causes the file 24 to be read and re-imported into the control unit of the printing machine 6. By operating one of the working layer buttons 12B, a single set of sequence buttons 12A is called so that each working layer at the Printing machine 6 can save their own, tailored to their needs files for parameter change and play.

The present invention accordingly enables the recording, storage, retrieval and reintroduction of sequences of parameter change inputs to control the printing press without the need to manually reenter each entry of the sequence. In this way, the ease of use of the printing machine and the service continuity of the printing machine is advantageously increased.

The GUI 2 is preferably embodied as a graphical human-machine interface, but may also be embodied as any other graphical interface suitable for controlling a printing press. Inputs via the GUI 2 can alternatively be made via any other suitable input devices, eg. B. by means of light pencils, track balls or touch screens, d. H. touch-sensitive screen surfaces. However, it is also conceivable, the machine via optical or acoustic systems, such. As camera-based motion detection or microphone-based voice or command recognition to control.

The graphical function buttons 12 can be modeled as any type of graphic icons shown on the GUI 2, ie, for example, real control buttons Election fields, be trained. The buttons are preferably connected to the program 26 stored in the memory unit 24, which is executed by the processor 16 in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Preferably, at least ten sequence buttons 12A, at least 3 working layer buttons 12B and a memory button 12C are provided.

The processor 16 is preferably implemented as a Von Neumann processor, which may be located in the machine to be controlled or elsewhere.

The program 26 is preferably in an object-oriented programming language such. Written C ++. However, any other conventional programming language may be used. Anyone skilled in the art will be able to write such a program.

The storage unit 20 is preferably formed as a drive for magnetic disks or optical disks. According to further embodiments, the storage device 20 may also be embodied as any other suitable device for storing the program 26 and file 24, e.g. B. as a drive for magnetic tapes.

List of reference numbers

2

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

3

screen

4

keyboard

5

mouse

6

press

7

dialog box

12

Function selection fields / function buttons

12A

Sequence selection fields / sequence buttons

12B

Working shift options / work shift buttons

12C

Memory box / memory button

16

processor

20

storage unit

24

file

26

program

102

step

104

step

Claims (13)

1. Method for carrying out a parameter change in a control unit of a printing machine, characterised by the following method steps;

   - recording of at least one sequence of parameter change entries, which is realised via a graphical user interface (2);

   - saving of the sequence of parameter change entries to a storage unit (20);

   - read-out of the saved parameter change entries via the storage unit (20); and

   - re-entering the read-out sequence of parameter change entries into the control unit for controlling the printing machine.
2. Method according to Claim 1, characterised in that the at least one sequence of parameter change entries includes mouse movements, mouse clicks, and keyboard commands.
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the sequence of parameter change entries are saved in a file (24) on a magnetic disc, a magnetic tape, or an optical storage disc.
4. Method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that each of the saved sequences of parameter change entries is associated with a sequence button (12A) for activating the read-out and re-entering the associated sequence of parameter change entries.
5. Method according to Claim 4, characterised in that each of the sequence buttons (12A) is associated with at least one working shift button (12B) corresponding with one machine operator shift of the printing machine (6).
6. Method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the recording, the saving, the read-out and the re-entering is controlled by a processor (16) executing a programme (26).
7. Method according to one of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the same is carried out in an operating and control unit of a cylinder rotation printing machine.
8. Device for carrying out a parameter change in a control unit of a printing machine,
   characterised by

   - a graphical user interface (2) for entering at least one sequence of parameter change entries, a storage unit (20) for saving at least one recorded sequence of parameter change entries, from which the stored sequence of parameter change entries can be read out and re-entered into the control unit, and at least one processor (16) for controlling the recording, the saving, the read-out and the re-entering of the parameter change entries.
9. Device according to Claim 8, characterised in that the storage unit (20) comprises a drive for magnetic discs, magnetic tapes, or for an optical storage disc.
10. Device according to Claim 8 or 9, characterised in that the graphical user interface (2) comprises a multitude of graphic function buttons (12A, 12B, 12C), whereby the multitude of graphic function buttons (12A, 12B, 12C) comprises at least one sequence button (12A) with which a sequence of parameter change entries from the GUI (2) is associated.
11. Device according to Claim 10, characterised in that the multitude of graphical function buttons (12A, 12B, 12C) comprises at least one working shift button (12B), whereby each of the sequence buttons (12A) is associated with at least one working shift button (12B) corresponding with one machine operator shift of the printing machine (6).
12. Device according to one of the Claims 8 to 11, characterised in that the control unit is an operating and control unit of a cylinder rotation printing machine.
13. Printing machine, characterised by a device according to one of the Claims 8 to 12.

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