JP2009107149A - Device and method for estimating set-off, device and method for controlling printing using the same, device and method for preparing printing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to suppress the generation of set-off while securing printability on a device and a method for estimating set-off, a device and a method for controlling printing, a device and a method for preparing printing. <P>SOLUTION: The device is constituted so as to have an image data acquisition means 21a for obtaining the image data of printing patterns, a color developing value detecting means 23 for detecting the color developing values of the objective paper surface printed by the printing plate corresponding to the image data, and an estimating means 22 for estimating the generation of set-off between the objective paper surface and an adjacent paper surface contacting with the same comparing the estimated color developing value estimated according to the image data of the objective paper surface obtained by the image data acquisition means 21a and the real color developing value detected by the color developing value detecting means 23. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a set-off estimation apparatus and method, a print control apparatus and method, and a print preparation apparatus and method using the set-off estimation apparatus, which estimate the occurrence of set-off, which is a phenomenon of smearing the opposing surface that occurs when the printed paper is superimposed. It is about.

In printing, since the printing paper is folded after printing and the printing surfaces come into contact with each other, a so-called set-off in which a part of the ink on the printing surface is transferred to the adjacent printing surface in contact may occur. Such a set-off causes the printing surface to become dirty, and is to be avoided.
Newspaper printing is a typical example of printing in which this set-off is likely to occur. Newspaper printing allows high-speed printing by osmotic drying that allows rapid surface drying by penetrating ink into the printing paper. For example, as shown on the left page in FIG. 8, the amount of ink transferred to the paper surface is large. Then, the amount of ink that cannot penetrate into the printing paper increases so that the surface of the printing surface cannot be completely dried. In the folding process, the ink on one page of the continuous page (for example, the left page shown in FIG. 8) is transferred to the other page (for example, FIG. 8). Set off on the right page).

  In the case of newspaper printing, high-quality (high saturation) advertising paper tends to be preferred in recent years, and the printing operator adjusts the amount of ink to match the color tone of the high-saturation galley (proof paper). . For this reason, the amount of ink on the paper surface tends to increase, and the set-off is more likely to occur. When a set-off occurs, the print operator will adjust the ink with a lighter color than the galley to prevent the set-off from occurring.

  In the case of newspaper printing, a relatively low cost printing paper is used, and the dry-down after printing is large due to osmotic drying, and the printing operator is skilled to print highly saturated paper according to the galley requested by the client. Advanced technology is required. In particular, if ink adjustment is performed with a lighter color than the galley to avoid set-off, it is difficult to print as the galley because the color tone is lighter than the galley. Advanced technology is required.

  The present applicant has developed a technology for automatically controlling the print color tone so that a highly saturated paper surface can be printed according to the galley without requiring advanced technology (see Patent Document 1). . In this technique, the color development state of the paper immediately after printing is detected by a sensor, and the ink supply amount is automatically controlled so as to approach the target color development state. With this technique, anyone can easily print a highly saturated paper surface according to the galley, but it is not considered until set-off.

Therefore, if the set-off occurs, this cannot be avoided, and further, the print color tone automatic control is adversely affected.
As a phenomenon that adversely affects the automatic control of the print color tone, the ink printed on the paper surface behind the detection target paper surface of the sensor passes through the print paper and passes through the detection target paper surface, and the sensor detects this. For this reason, the present applicant has also proposed a technique (see Patent Document 2) that focuses on the fact that detection data for automatic color tone control is affected by the ink on the back side of the paper, preventing correct control.
Japanese Patent No. 3825427 JP 2006-341520 A

As described above, although the problem that set-off occurs in printing has been recognized, no countermeasure has been proposed for this, and currently, if the set-off occurs as a result of actual printing, the print operator is thinner. There is no choice but to rely on operator skills to adjust the ink supply to be printed in color.
In particular, in the case of a printing apparatus that can automatically control the print color tone, since printing can be relied on for automatic control, the burden of printing management on the operator at the time of printing is greatly reduced. There are concerns about reduction and an increase in the number of unskilled operators in print management. As a result, when printing is performed by automatic control, there is a high risk that even if a set-off occurs, this cannot be quickly grasped, and even if the set-off is recognized, an appropriate response cannot be obtained. ing.

  The cause of the set-off is not the automatic control target paper surface but the adjacent paper surface in contact with it, but in the case of automatic control of the print color tone, the sensor also includes the ink transferred by the set-off, and the color development state of the control target paper surface [Coloration density, color coordinate values such as Lab, spectral spectrum value R (λ), etc.] are detected, and the color development state of the paper to be controlled is grasped to be darker than actual, and based on this, the control target If the ink supply to the paper surface is controlled, the ink supply may be unnecessarily reduced, and it becomes difficult to control the ink to a target color tone.

Moreover, even if the set-off is recognized, it is highly advanced to manually reduce the ink supply amount of the adjacent paper that causes the set-off and to keep the color tone of the adjacent paper good, in order to suppress the occurrence of the set-off. Since skill is required, and if the color supply state is reduced by darkly suppressing the ink supply amount, the color tone cannot be kept good, and the request from the client cannot be satisfied.
Furthermore, when manual adjustment by the operator intervenes, for example, when printing the same sheet of paper at a plurality of factories, such as a newspaper, the color tone may vary among all factories, and the request from the client side may not be satisfied. Come.

  The present invention has been devised in view of such a problem, and is capable of estimating the occurrence of set-off, and is capable of suppressing the occurrence of set-off while ensuring print quality. It is an object to provide an apparatus and method, a print control apparatus and method using the apparatus, a method, and a print preparation apparatus and method.

  In order to achieve the above object, a set-off estimation apparatus according to the present invention (Claim 1) includes an image data acquisition means for acquiring image data of a printed picture, and a target paper surface printed by a printing plate corresponding to the image data. A color value detection unit that detects an actual color value that is an actual color value, and an estimated color value estimated according to the image data of the target paper acquired by the image data acquisition unit and the color value detection unit The present invention is characterized by comprising estimation means for comparing the actual color value thus generated and estimating the occurrence of set-off between the target paper surface and the adjacent paper surface in contact with the target paper surface. Here, the paper surface to which ink is transferred by set-off is the target paper surface.

The estimation means obtains a correlation value that becomes larger as the correlation between the estimated color value and the actual color value is lower, compares the correlation value with a preset set-off occurrence threshold value, and compares the correlation value with the target paper surface. It is preferable to estimate the occurrence of a set-off between the adjacent paper surface that contacts with (claim 2).
It is preferable that the correlation value is a ratio of a difference between the estimated color value and the actual color value at a corresponding print location of the printed pattern to the estimated color value.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set-off estimation apparatus (claim 4), an image data acquisition unit that acquires image data of a printed picture, and a target paper surface according to the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit. A parameter value corresponding to the ink supply amount supplied to the printer is obtained, and the obtained value is compared with a preset set-off occurrence threshold value to determine the set-off between the target paper surface and the adjacent paper surface in contact with the target paper surface. It is characterized by having an estimation means for estimating the occurrence. Here, the paper surface on the side where ink is transferred by set-off is the target paper surface.

It is preferable that the parameter value is a value of a halftone dot area ratio at each printing location of a printed pattern or an added value of the halftone dot area ratio of each ink color obtained from the image data.
It is preferable that the set-off occurrence threshold is set according to the conditions of the printing material including paper and ink used for printing, and the printing conditions including the printing speed and the number of origami pages. .

Furthermore, it is preferable that the set-off occurrence threshold is corrected according to the image data on the adjacent paper.
It is preferable that the estimation unit estimates the occurrence of set-off on the target paper in a preset print area unit.
Further, it is preferable to further include an alarm generation means for issuing an alarm when the estimation means estimates the occurrence of set-off.

  The print control apparatus according to the present invention (claim 10) includes a target color value acquisition unit that acquires a target color value that is a target value of a color value of a target paper to be printed by a printing plate corresponding to image data of a print pattern; An actual color value detection unit that detects an actual color value that is an actual color value of the target paper printed by a printing plate, and an actual color value detected by the actual color value detection unit is detected by the target color value acquisition unit And a printing control unit that controls an ink supply amount so as to approach the set target color value, the printing control unit comprising: a set-off estimation device according to claim 2; When set-off is estimated for the target paper surface based on set-off estimation information, target color value correcting means for reducing the target color value is provided.

  The print preparation apparatus (claim 11) of the present invention includes a target color value acquisition unit that acquires a target color value that is a target value of a color value of a target paper surface to be printed by a printing plate corresponding to image data of a print pattern; A printing preparation device comprising: a preset unit that presets an ink supply device by setting a preset value of an ink supply amount according to a target color value acquired by the target color value acquisition unit; Based on the set-off estimation information from the set-off estimation device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, the ink supply amount preset value is corrected to the supply reduction side for the paper surface on which the set-off is estimated. It is characterized by having preset value correction means.

  The set-off estimation method of the present invention (claim 12) includes an image data acquisition step of acquiring image data of a printed pattern, and an actual color value that is an actual color value of a target paper surface printed by a printing plate corresponding to the image data. A color value detection step for detecting a value, and an estimated color value estimated according to the image data of the target paper acquired in the image data acquisition step and the actual color value detected in the color value detection step are compared. And an estimation step for estimating the occurrence of set-off between the target paper surface and the adjacent paper surface in contact with the target paper surface.

In the estimation step, a correlation value that is larger as the correlation between the estimated color value and the actual color value is lower is obtained, and the correlation value is compared with a preset set-off occurrence threshold value to compare with the target paper surface. It is preferable to estimate the occurrence of a set-off between the adjacent paper surface that contacts with (claim 13).
The correlation value is preferably a ratio of the difference between the estimated color value and the actual color value at the corresponding print location of the printed pattern to the estimated color value.

  According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a set-off estimation method (claim 15), wherein an image data acquisition step of acquiring image data of a printed pattern, and on the paper according to the image data acquired in the image data acquisition step. A parameter value corresponding to the supplied ink supply amount is obtained, and the obtained value is compared with a preset set-off occurrence threshold value to determine the occurrence of set-off between the target paper surface and the adjacent paper surface in contact with the target paper surface. An estimation step for estimation is provided.

It is preferable that the parameter value is a value of a halftone dot area ratio at each printing location of a printed pattern or an added value of the halftone dot area ratio of each ink color obtained from the image data.
The set-off occurrence threshold is preferably set in accordance with conditions for printing materials including paper and ink used for printing, and printing conditions including printing speed and the number of origami pages. .

Furthermore, it is preferable that the set-off occurrence threshold value is corrected according to the image data of the adjacent paper surface.
In the estimating step, it is preferable to estimate the occurrence of set-off on the target paper surface in units of preset printing areas.
Preferably, an alarm generation step for generating an alarm when a set-off occurrence is estimated in the estimation step is provided.

  The print control method (claim 21) of the present invention includes a target color value acquisition step of acquiring a target color value that is a target value of a color value of a target paper surface to be printed by a printing plate corresponding to image data of a print pattern; An actual color value detection step for detecting an actual color value that is an actual color value of the target paper printed by a printing plate, and an actual color value detected in the actual color value detection step is detected in the target color value acquisition step. 21. A print control method, comprising: a print control step for controlling an ink supply amount so as to approach the target color value, wherein the target color value acquisition step is described in any one of claims 13 to 20. When the set-off is estimated for the target paper based on the set-off estimation information estimated by the set-off estimation method, the target color value is reduced.

  The print preparation method (claim 22) of the present invention includes a target color value acquisition step of acquiring a target color value that is a target value of a color value of a target paper surface to be printed by a printing plate corresponding to image data of a print pattern; A printing preparation method comprising: a preset step for presetting an ink supply device by setting a preset value of an ink supply amount according to the target color value acquired in the target color value acquisition step, wherein the preset step includes: A preset value of the ink supply amount when set-off is estimated for the target paper surface based on set-off estimation information estimated by the set-off estimation method according to any one of claims 13 to 20. Is corrected to the supply reduction side.

  According to the set-off estimation apparatus (Claim 1) and the method (Claim 12) of the present invention, the estimated color value estimated according to the image data of the target paper surface, and the actual color value detected from the actual printing result, Are further estimated by estimating the occurrence of set-off between the target paper surface and the adjacent paper surface in contact with the target paper surface. 14), the correlation value between the estimated color value estimated in accordance with the image data of the target paper and the actual color value obtained by actually detecting the print result (the lower the correlation, the larger the value) is set off. By estimating the occurrence of set-off between the target paper surface and the adjacent paper surface in contact with the target paper surface as compared with the occurrence threshold, it is possible to reliably estimate the occurrence of set-off without relying on the operator's visual recognition. For example, ready for printing By estimating the set-off in this way, set-off measures can be taken in advance prior to the actual printing, and the occurrence of waste paper due to set-off and the increase in printing time due to re-printing can be suppressed. it can.

  According to the set-off estimation apparatus (Claims 4 and 5) and the method (Claims 15 and 16) of the present invention, the parameter value corresponding to the ink supply amount supplied on the paper surface according to the image data of the target paper surface. This parameter value is compared with the set-off occurrence threshold value to estimate the occurrence of set-off between the target paper surface and the adjacent paper surface in contact with the target paper surface. Without actually printing, it is possible to take a set-off measure in advance prior to the actual printing, and it is possible to suppress the occurrence of damaged paper due to the set-off and the increase in printing time due to re-printing.

  The set-off occurrence threshold related to the correlation value or the set-off occurrence threshold related to the parameter value depends on the conditions of the printing materials including paper and ink used for printing, and the printing conditions including the printing speed and the number of origami pages. If this is set, the occurrence of set-off can be estimated more accurately, and the occurrence of set-off can be reliably suppressed. Such a problem is less likely to occur (claims 6 and 17).

  Further, by correcting this set-off occurrence threshold according to the image data of the adjacent paper, it is possible to estimate the occurrence of set-off to be suppressed more accurately (claims 7 and 18). In other words, the trouble is caused by the set-off phenomenon on the adjacent paper surface.For example, when this adjacent paper surface is the same color as the target paper surface and the difference in color development is small, ink is transferred from the target paper surface to the adjacent paper surface. Even if the image is transferred, the influence may be negligible. For example, the set-off occurrence threshold is increased as the distance becomes smaller according to the distance on the color coordinate between the image data of the adjacent paper and the image data of the target paper. To do. Thus, it is not estimated that the set-off occurs until the correlation between the estimated color value and the actual color value becomes lower (Claims 2 and 13) or until the ink supply amount becomes larger (Claims 3 and 14). Thus, even if the ink is transferred from the target paper surface to the adjacent paper surface, if the influence can be ignored, it is not determined that the set-off occurs.

In addition, by estimating the occurrence of set-off on the target paper in units of preset print areas, focusing on the specific print area where the occurrence of set-off is estimated, more optimal set-off countermeasures can be taken (Claims 8 and 19).
Further, by issuing an alarm when the occurrence of set-off is estimated, the print operator can reliably recognize the possibility of occurrence of set-off (claims 9 and 20).

According to the printing control apparatus (claim 10) and the method (claim 21) of the present invention, when the set-off is estimated for the target paper surface when the printing is automatically controlled, the coloring of the target paper surface is performed. Since the target color value, which is the target value, is reduced, printing can be automatically controlled while avoiding set-off.
According to the printing preparation apparatus (claim 11) and the method (claim 22) of the present invention, when the ink supply device is preset by setting the preset value of the ink supply amount according to the acquired target color value, When set-off is estimated for the target paper, the target color value, which is the target value of the target paper color, is reduced, so that the ink supply device can be preset while avoiding set-off. Become.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
<First Embodiment>
1 to 5 illustrate a set-off estimation apparatus and method, a print control apparatus and method, and a print preparation apparatus and method using the same according to the first embodiment of the present invention. explain.

[Printer]
First, the printing press according to the present embodiment will be described. In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a newspaper rotary press 6 is applied as a printing press.
The newspaper rotary press 6 will be described. The newspaper rotary press 6 according to the present embodiment is a multi-color double-sided printing press, and is provided in various printing factories. A paper feeding unit 11 and an infeed unit (not shown) are provided. The printing unit 12 includes a printing unit 12, a web pass unit 13, a folding machine 14, and a paper discharge unit 15. The printing unit 12 performs printing on a web (continuous paper, also referred to as a print sheet hereinafter) 10 supplied from the paper feeding unit 11. Then, the web 10 is cut by the folding machine 14 through the web pass unit 13, folded, and discharged by the paper discharge unit 15. The printing unit 12 includes a color tone measurement sensor (coloring state detection unit, coloring value detection means) 16 that detects the actual value (actual color value) of each color, which is the color development state of the printed portion of the printed portion of the web 10. And a rotary press control device 17 for controlling the ink supply amount (specifically, ink key) and dampening water in the printing unit 12.

  The color development value is a value indicating a color development state. Here, as an example, an IRGB densitometer that detects each density of I, R, G, and B as a color development value will be described as a color tone measurement sensor. In addition, a color coordinate value such as Lab or a spectral spectrum value R (λ) can also be used as the color value, and a color value sensor such as a color coordinate sensor or a spectral spectrum measuring instrument can be used as the color value detection means. Various things can be applied if possible.

Further, an image server 2, an operation terminal personal computer 3, a CCS personal computer 4, and a quality control device 5 are provided for such a newspaper rotary press 6.
Among these, the image server 2 has a high resolution as print data from a CTP (Computer To Film) server [or CTF (Computer To Film) server] 1 of the print command department of the head office of a newspaper company that supervises printing factories in various places. Paper image data (image data) in Tiff format, job information in XML format, respectively, and a predetermined standard (for example, CIP4 standard, or printing company or print) Convert to factory-specific data (image data). Although not shown, in each printing factory, a printing plate is made by CTP based on the paper image data from the CTP server 1.

  The operation terminal personal computer (or image center terminal personal computer) 3 is a paper image data and job information converted into data of a predetermined standard (for example, a dedicated standard of a printing company or a printing factory) by the image server (operation terminal) 2. Based on the above, the ink supply amount is preset or controlled at the time of printing, and is used for the operator to perform monitoring, command, etc. when performing color tone control described later by adjusting the ink supply amount. In particular, the touch display 3a is provided, and a command or the like can be performed while viewing the screen of the touch display 3a.

The CCS personal computer 4 is provided in the management system on the rotary press side, and the processing such as which printing unit the page of the paper image data converted into the predetermined standard data by the image server 2 is assigned to or other operating conditions. This is for processing such as input.
The quality control device 5 performs automatic control to ensure printing quality during printing, and automatically controls the color tone of each printing press based on the color value signal of the paper image output from the color tone sensor 16 of each printing press. An arithmetic device 5a for calculating the control amount for the ink, control key information from these arithmetic devices 5a, a state signal of the rotary press, and an encoder signal from the paper discharge unit 15, and an ink key control for automatic tone control A signal, a dampening water control command, and a defective paper surface discharge command are output to perform each control. In particular, the print control according to the present embodiment is a function related to automatic color tone control by ink supply amount control through ink key control or discharge amount control of a digital ink pump among these functions of the quality control device 5.

As described above, since the operation terminal personal computer 3 performs various settings related to the control performed by the quality control device 5 based on the information from the image server 2, the print control device (print color tone control device) according to the present embodiment. 8A and the print preparation device 8B are composed of the image server 2, the operation terminal personal computer 3 and the quality control device 5.
In the print picture image display device and print control apparatus according to the present embodiment, the monitor (operation terminal monitor) 2a of the image server 2 is used as a display monitor for displaying the print picture and the like when actual printing is performed. Is also used.

[Set-off estimation device]
As shown in FIG. 1, the set-off estimation apparatus according to the present embodiment includes, for example, an image data input unit (image data acquisition unit) 21a provided as a functional element in the arithmetic unit 20b of the server 20 at the head office of a newspaper company. , A sensor data input unit (sensor data acquisition unit) 21b, a set-off estimation unit (estimation unit) 22 for estimating the occurrence of set-off, and a color tone measurement sensor 23 as a color value detection unit.

In addition, as the color tone measurement sensor 23, if the color tone measurement sensor 16 itself provided in the printing factory of each place and used for printing control can be used, it may be used.
Image data used for plate making is input to the image data input unit 21a. On the other hand, in the sensor data input unit 21b, a detection result (sensor data) which is detected by the color measurement sensor 23 is extracted from the line after printing is actually performed with a printing plate made based on this image data and the folding process is performed. ) Which is the actual color value (density values of R _D , G _D , B _D , and I _D ).

  In the image data input unit 21a, the ink on the printing paper surface to be estimated from the image data (the paper surface to which ink is transferred by set-off among the continuous printing paper surfaces that come into contact with other printing surfaces by folding processing, the target paper surface) The estimated color value (estimated color value) is estimated. This estimated color value is the gradation data of each ink color [here, c (cyan; indigo), m (magenta; red), y (yellow; yellow), k (black; black)] obtained from the image data [ The halftone dot area ratio (c, m, y, k)] is estimated. The color value is estimated in units of sensor pixels (minimum area that can be detected) of the color tone measurement sensor 23 or in units of areas corresponding to a predetermined number of sensor pixels.

That is, between the halftone dot area ratio (c, m, y, k) and the ink coloring value [density of R (red), G (green), B (blue), I (infrared light)]. Since there is a correspondence relationship, if this correspondence relationship is acquired in advance, the halftone dot area ratio (c, m, y, k) can be converted into a color value [R, G, B, I]. Here, the halftone dot area ratio (c, m) for each region unit is obtained from the correspondence between the halftone dot area ratio (c, m, y, k) acquired in advance and the color value (R, G, B, I). , Y, k), the estimated color values (R _P , G _P , B _P , I _P ) are obtained.

In the set-off estimation unit 22, a correlation value indicating a correlation between the actual color value (R _D , G _D , B _D , I _D ) and the estimated color value (R _P , G _P , B _P , I _P ) is displayed. A correlation value calculation unit 22a to be calculated and a determination unit 22b that determines the occurrence of set-off based on the correlation value calculated by the correlation value calculation unit 22a are provided.
In the present embodiment, the actual color value _{(R D, G D, B} D, I D) and the estimated color value _{(R P, G P, B} P, I P) estimated color value of the difference between (R _P, G _The ratio [= (actual color value−estimated color value) / estimated color value] to _P , B _P , I _P ) is the correlation value. Further, in the correlation value calculation unit 22a of this embodiment, the correlation value is obtained for each color of R, G, B, and I, and (R _D −R _P ) / R _P , (G _D −G _P ) / G _P, obtained by _{(B D -B P) / B} P, (I D -I P) / I area unit four correlation value is above _P.

The determination unit 22b, the color correlation values of each region _{(R D -R P) / R} P, (G D -G P) / G P, (B D -B P) / B P, (I D -I _P ) / I _P is compared with the set-off occurrence thresholds RR _S , GR _S , BR _S , and IR _S, and it is determined that the set-off occurs when the correlation value becomes larger than the threshold value. Note that the threshold values RR _S , GR _S , BR _S , and IR _S are the reference threshold values (threshold values corresponding to the reference printing material conditions and the reference hue relationship) and the paper and ink used for printing. According to the printing material conditions such as the type of printing, the printing conditions such as the printing speed and the number of origami pages, and the hue relationship between the continuous pages (contacting adjacent paper surfaces), those corrected by the correction unit 24 are used.

  In other words, the actual color value (color value obtained by actual printing) is close to the estimated color value (standard color value) unless set-off occurs. Usually, the difference is less than a predetermined size. However, since the difference between the actual color value and the estimated color value tends to increase as the color value itself increases, in this embodiment, the ratio of the difference between the actual color value and the estimated color value to the estimated color value is set to the actual color value. The correlation value between the color value and the estimated color value is used, and the occurrence of set-off is determined based on the idea that this correlation value is usually a predetermined magnitude (threshold value) or less.

Since such a correlation value becomes large especially in a non-image area or a light-colored area, such a correlation value is used by limiting to such an area where the non-image area or color is thinner than a reference value. A determination may be made. Note that such a non-image portion or a light-colored region can be easily detected from image data.
Also, depending on the setting of the threshold in this case, there may be a case where it is erroneously determined that a set-off has not occurred, or a case where a set-off has occurred, which is erroneously determined, I want to avoid misjudgment as much as possible that the set-off has not occurred. The occurrence of set-off is also likely to occur depending on printing material conditions such as the type of printing paper and ink used, and printing conditions such as printing speed and the number of folded pages. Therefore, for example, the correction unit 24 corrects the threshold value to be smaller as printing paper or ink that is likely to be set off is used, and the printing speed increases (drying time decreases) and the number of origami pages increases. By correcting the threshold value to be small so that set-off is likely to occur, such erroneous determination is being reduced.

  In addition, regarding the hue relationship with continuous pages (contacting adjacent paper surfaces), the closer the hue, the less the effect on the paper surface even if set-off occurs. The threshold value is corrected to be larger as the color is closer, and the threshold value is corrected to be smaller as the hue is farther away, so that the set-off determination with less influence is not performed excessively. Note that the comparison of the hue relationship between the corresponding portions of the continuous pages is based on, for example, the color coordinate values (L, a, b), and the difference between the color coordinate values (L, a, b) of the corresponding portions of the continuous pages is calculated. Then, the smaller the difference, the larger the threshold value can be corrected, and the larger the difference, the smaller the threshold value can be corrected.

  When the determination unit 22b of the set-off estimation unit 22 determines that there is a risk of set-off, the set-off estimation unit 22 outputs set-off determination information, and an alarm means (not shown) receives this and a set-off occurs. In addition, the print operator is notified that there is a risk of occurrence of a set-off or set-off, and the target value is corrected in the print preparation device and the print control device.

The functional element in the arithmetic unit 20b of the head office server 20 is further provided with a target color value setting unit (target color value setting means) 25. The target color value setting unit 25 uses the image data as described above. From the correspondence between c, m, y, k and the color values R, G, B, I, based on the color values R, G, B, I corresponding to the image data c, m, y, k used for plate making. , Target color values R _T , G _T , B _T , and _IT are set. The target color value can be set based on a value measured by the color tone measuring sensor 16 for a printing sample (carry-in galley) in addition to the image-making image data c, m, y, k. However, in this case, since a separate measurement work is required, it is easier to obtain from the plate-making image data c, m, y, k.

  In the target color value setting unit 25, when the set-off determination information is output from the set-off estimation unit 22, the target values of the color values R, G, B, and I for the image data c, m, y, and k are corrected. It is like that. This correction is basically performed automatically, but can also be performed manually by a printing operator. The automatic correction of the target density in this case is basically a correction for lowering the color value, in other words, a correction for reducing the ink supply amount. In this case, each ink supply amount may be simply decreased by a certain amount or by a certain rate, but the ink supply amount decreases as the correlation value is larger than the threshold value depending on the difference or ratio between the correlation value and the threshold value. The amount or rate of decrease may be increased.

  The display mode of the monitor 20a of the head office server 20 can be a mode for displaying a target image (an image showing a color development target). In particular, the initial target image and the corrected target image are displayed in comparison. Be able to. When the target color value correction process is manually performed, the correction is performed manually by switching to the manual mode through a switch (not shown). At this time, the monitor 20a is switched to the original target image (the original target color value). And a mode in which the corrected target image (image corresponding to the corrected target color value) is displayed for comparison, and the operator looks at the monitor 20a to correct the corrected target image as the initial target image. Correction processing can be performed while comparing with the image.

[Configuration of Print Preparation Device, Print Control Device, and Image Display Device]
Here, the print preparation device, the print control device, and the image display device according to the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, the arithmetic device 2b has a common print preparation device, print control device, and image display device. As a function, a target color value input unit (target color value acquisition means) 121 and a detection information input unit 122 to which detection information of a color state of a printed pattern is input are provided, and display image information is generated as a function of the image display device. The display image information generation unit 123 is provided with a preset unit (preset means) 124 as a function of the print preparation device, and an ink supply control unit 125 as a function of the print control device.

The target color value input unit 121, a target color value from the head office server _{20 R T, G T, B} T, is I _T is input via the communication unit or the like.
In the detection information input unit 122, detection information detected by the color tone sensor 16, that is, IRGB detection data of each part of the printed pattern indicating the color development state of the printed matter on which a predetermined printed pattern is printed by the printer 6 ( Actual color value) is input.

  In the display image information generation unit 123, display image information corresponding to detection information (actual color value information) detected by the color tone measurement sensor 16 input to the detection information input unit 122 and target color development input to the target color value input unit 121. Display image information corresponding to the value is generated and output to the monitor 2a. This display mode includes a mode in which only the detected image (image indicating the color development state detected by the color tone measuring sensor 16) or only the target image (image indicating the color development target) is displayed, and the detection image and the target image. It is possible to select a mode for displaying in comparison and a mode for displaying in comparison with the original target image and the corrected target image.

  Based on the target color value input to the target color value input unit 121, the preset unit 124 presets the state (ink key opening) of the ink supply amount adjustment element (here, the ink key) 126 before starting printing. That is, normally, after the preliminary ink supply is completed, the ink supply amount for each ink supply unit width of the ink supply amount adjustment mechanism 52 is preset based on the correspondence relationship between the image drawing rate and the ink supply amount obtained in advance. However, in this case, by presetting the value corresponding to the line ratio based on the target color value including the correction process at the time of offset, an appropriate ink supply state according to the correction process of the target color value at the time of offset Can start printing.

  The ink supply control unit 125 compares the actual color value that is the color development state of the printed pattern detected by the color tone measuring sensor 16 with the target color value that is the color development target during printing, and the actual color value approaches the target color value. As described above, the ink supply amount is adjusted by controlling the state (ink key opening degree) of the ink supply amount adjustment element 126 (here, the ink key). Also at this time, since the control is performed based on the target color value including the correction process at the time of offset, printing can be performed in an appropriate ink supply state according to the correction process of the target color value at the time of offset.

The print preparation apparatus includes a target color value input unit (target color value acquisition unit) 121, a color tone measurement sensor (actual color value detection unit) 16, and a detection information input unit 122 to which information from the color tone measurement sensor 16 is input. , A preset unit (preset unit) 124 and a correction unit 24 as a preset value correction unit.
The print control apparatus includes a target color value input unit (target color value acquisition unit) 121, a color tone measurement sensor (actual color value detection unit) 16, and a detection information input unit 122 to which information from the color tone measurement sensor 16 is input. The ink supply control unit (printing control unit) 124 and the correction unit 24 as a preset value correction unit are configured.

  The image display device also includes a target color value input unit (target color value acquisition unit) 121, a color tone measurement sensor (actual color value detection unit) 16, and a detection information input unit that receives information from the color tone measurement sensor 16. 122, a display image information generation unit 123, and a monitor 2a for displaying an image.

[Action, Effect]
Since the set-off estimation apparatus, print preparation apparatus, and print control apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention are configured as described above, set-off estimation, print preparation, and print control are performed as follows. .

  First, regarding the set-off estimation, as shown in FIG. 4, the head office server 20 is used to read image data about the continuous page (step a10), and print (test print) the continuous page. (Step a20), the color development value RGBI of the image of the target paper surface (the paper surface to which ink is transferred by the set-off) of the continuous pages for which the set-off is estimated is detected by the sensor (in this case, the color tone measuring sensor 16) a30).

Then, a correlation value [= (actual color value−estimated color value) / estimated color value] between the estimated color value corresponding to the image data of the continuous pages (target paper surface) and the actual color value obtained in step a30 (R _D -R _P) / R _P, is calculated by _{(G D -G P) / G} P, (B D -B P) / B P, (I D -I P) / I P of each area unit (step a40). Further, the correlation value is compared with the set-off occurrence thresholds RR _S , GR _S , BR _S , and IR _S (step a50). If the correlation value is larger than the threshold value, it is determined that the set-off has occurred (step a60) If the correlation value is less than or equal to the threshold value, it is determined that no set-off has occurred (step a70).

When it is determined that the set-off has occurred, an alarm (alarm sound, alarm lamp, etc.) is issued to notify the print operator that the set-off has occurred (step a80), and target value correction information is output. (Step a90). Here, the target value correction information is information relating to the difference or ratio between the correlation value and the threshold value.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5A, the target color values relating to print preparation and print control are set by the target color value setting unit (target color value setting means) 25 of the head office server 20 as shown in FIG. y, the target color value from _{k R T, G T, B} T, sets the I _T (step b10). When the set-off determination information is output, the target color value R _T based on the target value correction information, G _T, B _T, corrects the I _T (Step b20). That is, according to the difference or ratio between the correlation value and the threshold value, the ink supply amount is decreased or the rate of decrease is increased as the correlation value is larger than the threshold value. Thus, to transmit appropriately corrected target color value _{R T, G T, B T} , the data of I _T in the printing plant (step b30).

  Each printing factory performs printing preparation and printing control as shown in FIG. That is, when a target value (target color value) is input (step c10), the printing press is preset according to the target value (step c20). Here, as a preset, the ink supply state, specifically, the opening degree of the ink key is set according to the target value before starting printing. When it is determined that the set-off occurs, the target value (target color value) is corrected so as to avoid the set-off and maintain the print quality. The opening is preset. Therefore, it is possible to avoid set-off and ensure print quality from the start of printing.

Next, printing is started (step c30), and during this printing, the color values R, G, B, and I of the printing result are acquired while detecting the image of the printed printing paper surface by the sensor 16 (step c40). Then, the ink supply amount (opening degree of the ink key) is controlled so that the detected actual color values R, G, B, I approach the target color values R _T , G _T , B _T , I _T (step c50). Since the target color value is corrected so as to avoid set-off and maintain print quality, the opening degree of the ink key is controlled so as to avoid set-off and maintain print quality during printing.
Then, when the print end is determined (step c60), the print control is ended together with the print end.

  In this way, the risk of set-off can be estimated in advance before printing, and by preparing for printing based on this, it is possible to avoid set-off and ensure print quality from the start of printing. In addition, after the start of printing, print quality is ensured while avoiding set-off by print control.

  In addition, the threshold used for the estimation of the set-off is the conditions of printing materials such as the type of paper and ink used for printing, the printing conditions such as the printing speed and the number of origami pages, and the continuous pages (contacting adjacent paper surface). Since correction is performed according to the hue relationship, occurrence of set-off can be determined more appropriately.

Second Embodiment
6 and 7 illustrate a set-off estimation apparatus and method according to the second embodiment of the present invention, which will be described with reference to these drawings.
In the present embodiment, the set-off estimation technique is different from that in the first embodiment. Thus, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described.
In this embodiment, instead of the correlation value of the first embodiment, the set-off is estimated using a parameter value corresponding to the ink supply amount supplied on the target paper surface according to the acquired image data. The estimation target paper surface (target paper surface) is a paper surface to which ink is transferred by set-off.

  Here, the parameter value is an added value of the line ratio of each ink color obtained in units of areas of the print image. Note that the image line ratio can be obtained from image data (that is, halftone dot area ratios) c, m, y, and k in units of print image areas, and the added value of the image line ratio of each ink color is set off. Parameter value. This is based on the idea that “the higher the image line ratio addition value, the greater the amount of ink supplied to the paper surface and the greater the risk of set-off”.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, the set-off estimation device includes, for example, an image data input unit (image data acquisition means) 21a provided as a functional element in the arithmetic unit 20b of the server 20 at the head office of a newspaper company, and parameters. It has a value calculation unit 26a and a determination unit 26b, and includes a set-off estimation unit (estimation means) 26 that estimates the occurrence of set-off.
The parameter value calculation unit 26a obtains a print image area unit from the image data c, m, y, and k, obtains an addition value obtained by adding the image line ratio of each ink color, and sets the parameter value for set-off determination for each area unit. And

The determination unit 26b compares the parameter value with the threshold value and determines that the set-off occurs when the parameter value is larger than the threshold value, that is, when the sum value of the ink color image streaks is higher than the threshold value. It is determined that no set-off occurs when the added value of the color drawing ratio is equal to or less than the threshold value.
Also in this case, as in the first embodiment, depending on the threshold setting, it may be erroneously determined that a set-off has not occurred or a set-off has occurred. Although there are cases where it is determined, it is desirable to avoid as much as possible a misjudgment that a set-off has not occurred. The occurrence of set-off is also likely to occur depending on printing material conditions such as the type of printing paper and ink used, and printing conditions such as printing speed and the number of folded pages. Therefore, for example, the correction unit 24 corrects the threshold value to be smaller as printing paper or ink that is likely to be set off is used, and the printing speed increases (drying time decreases) and the number of origami pages increases. By correcting the threshold value to be small so that set-off is likely to occur, such erroneous determination is being reduced.

  In addition, regarding the hue relationship with continuous pages (contacting adjacent paper surfaces), the closer the hue, the less the effect on the paper surface even if set-off occurs. The threshold value is corrected to be larger as the color is closer, and the threshold value is corrected to be smaller as the hue is farther away, so that the set-off determination with less influence is not performed excessively. Note that the comparison of the hue relationship between the corresponding portions of the continuous pages is based on, for example, the color coordinate values (L, a, b), and the difference between the color coordinate values (L, a, b) of the corresponding portions of the continuous pages is calculated. Then, the smaller the difference, the larger the threshold value can be corrected, and the larger the difference, the smaller the threshold value can be corrected.

  When the determination unit 26b of the set-off estimation unit 26 determines that there is a risk of set-off, the set-off estimation unit 26 outputs set-off determination information, and an alarm means (not shown) receives this and a set-off occurs. In addition, the print operator is notified that there is a risk of occurrence of a set-off or set-off, and the target value is corrected in the print preparation device and the print control device.

[Action, Effect]
Since the set-off estimation apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is configured as described above, set-off estimation is performed as follows.
First, for set-off estimation, as shown in FIG. 7, the head office server 20 is used to read image data for the continuous page (step d10), and the parameter value calculation unit 26a uses the image data c, m. , Y, k to obtain a parameter value that is an addition value obtained by adding the image line rates of each ink color (step d20), and the determination unit 26b compares the parameter value with a threshold value (step d30).

If the parameter value is larger than the threshold value, that is, if the added value of the ink color drawing rate is higher than the threshold value, it is determined that set-off occurs (step d40). If it is below, it is determined that no set-off occurs (step d50).
If it is determined that a set-off has occurred, an alarm (alarm sound, alarm lamp, etc.) is issued to inform the printing operator that the set-off has occurred (step d60), and target value correction information is output. (Step d70).

Thereafter, similarly to the first embodiment, target value correction is performed, and print preparation and print control are performed.
As a result, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained, and in the case of this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, trial printing is not required, so it is possible to estimate the occurrence of set-off very easily. it can.

<Others>
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, embodiment of this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned thing.
For example, the color tone measurement sensor mounted on the line of the printing press as the color development state detection unit is not limited to a sensor that measures the IRGB density, but may be a sensor that measures the RGB density, and as described above, A color coordinate sensor for measuring color coordinate values such as Lab, a spectral spectrum measuring instrument for measuring the spectral spectrum value R (λ), and the like can also be used. Further, the color value is analyzed from image information using a camera. Various things, such as a thing, can be applied.

For example, if the color coordinate value Lab is used as the color development degree, the correlation value according to the first embodiment is the actual color development value (L _D , a _D , b _D ) and the estimated color development value (L _P , a _P , b). _P ) The ratio [(L _D −L _P ) / L _P , (a _D −a _P ) / a _P , (b _D −b _{P] to} the estimated color value (L _P , a _P , b _P ) ) / B _P ].
In addition, regarding the correlation value in the first embodiment, the ratio of the addition values of the color values, that is, the correlation value may be used.

In this case, for example, if density values R, G, B, and I are used as the color values, the ratio of the added values of R, G, B, and I, that is, (R _D + G _D + B _D + I _D ) / (R _P + G _P + B _P + I _P ) can be used as the correlation value.
If the color coordinate value Lab is used as the coloring value, (L _D + a _D + b _D ) / (L _P + a _P + b _P ) can be used as the correlation value.

  In addition, in a non-image area where ink is not applied or a low image area where the amount of ink is small, there is no need to obtain a correlation value, and the set-off can be detected by detecting the color value in that area. . Also, if there is an effect of ink back-through, which is a phenomenon in which the color of the ink transferred to the back side of one side of a sheet-like printed material that has been printed on both sides by a printing press is affected, this ink back-through Alternatively, the set-off may be detected by subtracting the color value.

  Further, the gist of the present invention is to compare the estimated color value estimated according to the image data of the target paper surface and the actual color value detected from the actual printing result, and the target paper surface and the adjacent paper surface in contact with the target paper surface. The correlation value as in the above embodiment is not necessarily used.

It is a block diagram which shows the set-off determination apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a printing press according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a print preparation device, a print control device, and an image display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the set-off determination concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating control according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a flowchart for setting a target color value, and (b) is a flowchart for print preparation and print control. It is a block diagram which shows the set-off determination apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart explaining the set-off determination concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram explaining set-off.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CTP server 2 Image server 3 Operation terminal personal computer 4 CCS personal computer 5 Quality control device 6 Newspaper press 8A Print control device (print color tone control device)
8B Printing Preparation Device 10 Web 11 Paper Feeding Unit 12 Printing Unit 13 Web Passing Unit 14 Folding Machine 15 Paper Discharge Unit 16 Color Tone Measurement Sensor (Coloring State Detection Unit, Coloring Value Detection Unit)
17 Rotary Press Control Device 20 Server 20b Arithmetic Device 21a Image Data Input Unit (Image Data Acquisition Unit)
21b Sensor data input unit (sensor data acquisition means)
22 Set-off estimation unit (estimation means)
23 color tone measurement sensor (color value detection means)
24 correction unit 25 target color value setting unit 121 target color value input unit (target color value acquisition means)
122 Detection Information Input Unit 123 Display Image Information Generation Unit 124 Preset Unit (Preset Unit)
125 Ink supply controller

Claims (22)

Image data acquisition means for acquiring image data of a printed pattern;
A color value detection means for detecting an actual color value that is an actual color value of a target paper surface printed by a printing plate corresponding to the image data;
Comparing the estimated color value estimated according to the image data of the target paper acquired by the image data acquisition means and the actual color value detected by the color value detection means, the target paper surface and the contact A set-off estimation device comprising: estimation means for estimating the occurrence of set-off between adjacent adjacent sheets. The estimation means obtains a correlation value that becomes larger as the correlation between the estimated color value and the actual color value is lower, compares the correlation value with a preset set-off occurrence threshold, 2. The set-off estimation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the occurrence of set-off between adjacent paper surfaces in contact therewith is estimated. 3. The set-off estimation apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the correlation value is a ratio of a difference between the estimated color value and the actual color value at a corresponding print location of a printed pattern to the estimated color value. Image data acquisition means for acquiring image data of a printed pattern;
A parameter value corresponding to the ink supply amount supplied on the target paper surface according to the image data acquired by the image data acquisition unit is obtained, and the obtained value is compared with a preset set-off occurrence threshold value. A set-off estimation device comprising: estimation means for estimating the occurrence of set-off between the target paper surface and an adjacent paper surface in contact with the target paper surface. 5. The parameter value is a value of a halftone dot area ratio at each print location of a printed pattern or an added value of the halftone dot area ratio of each ink color obtained from the image data. Set-off estimation device. The set-off occurrence threshold is set according to a condition of a printing material including paper and ink used for printing, and a printing condition including a printing speed and the number of origami pages. The set-off estimation apparatus according to any one of 2 to 5. The set-off estimation device according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the set-off occurrence threshold is corrected according to image data on the adjacent sheet. The set-off estimation apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the estimation unit estimates occurrence of set-off on a target sheet in a preset print area unit. 9. The set-off estimation apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising alarm generation means for issuing an alarm when the estimation means estimates the occurrence of set-off. A target color value acquisition means for acquiring a target color value that is a target value of the color value of the target paper to be printed by a printing plate corresponding to the image data of the print pattern;
An actual color value detection means for detecting an actual color value which is an actual color value of the target paper surface printed by the printing plate;
A print control device comprising: a print control unit that controls an ink supply amount so that an actual color value detected by the actual color value detection unit approaches a target color value detected by the target color value acquisition unit; There,
A target color development that reduces the target color development value when set-off is estimated for the target paper surface based on set-off estimation information from the set-off estimation device according to claim 2. A printing control apparatus comprising a value correcting means. A target color value acquisition means for acquiring a target color value that is a target value of the color value of the target paper to be printed by a printing plate corresponding to the image data of the print pattern;
A printing preparation device comprising: preset means for presetting an ink supply device by setting a preset value of an ink supply amount in accordance with the target color value acquired by the target color value acquisition means,
In the preset means, when the set-off is estimated for the target paper surface based on the set-off estimation information from the set-off estimation device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the ink supply amount A printing preparation apparatus comprising preset value correction means for correcting the preset value of the printer to the supply reduction side. An image data acquisition step for acquiring image data of a printed pattern;
A color value detection step of detecting an actual color value that is an actual color value of a target paper surface printed by a printing plate corresponding to the image data;
The estimated color value estimated according to the image data of the target paper acquired in the image data acquisition step is compared with the actual color value detected in the color value detection step to contact the target paper surface. A set-off estimation method comprising: an estimation step for estimating occurrence of a set-off between adjacent sheets. In the estimating step, a correlation value that is larger as the correlation between the estimated color value and the actual color value is lower is obtained, and the correlation value is compared with a preset set-off occurrence threshold, 13. The set-off estimation method according to claim 12, further comprising an estimation step for estimating the occurrence of set-off between adjacent paper surfaces in contact therewith. The set-off estimation method according to claim 13, wherein the correlation value is a ratio of a difference between the estimated color value and the actual color value at a corresponding print location of a printed pattern to the estimated color value. An image data acquisition step for acquiring image data of a printed pattern;
A parameter value corresponding to the ink supply amount supplied on the target paper surface according to the image data acquired in the image data acquisition step is determined, and the calculated value is compared with a preset set-off occurrence threshold. A set-off estimation method comprising: an estimation step for estimating occurrence of a set-off between the target paper surface and an adjacent paper surface in contact with the target paper surface. 16. The parameter value is a value of a halftone dot area ratio at each print location of a printed pattern or an added value of the halftone dot area ratio of each ink color obtained from the image data. Set-off estimation method. The set-off occurrence threshold is set according to a condition of a printing material including paper and ink used for printing, and a printing condition including a printing speed and the number of origami pages. The set-off estimation method according to any one of 13 to 16. The set-off estimation method according to any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the set-off occurrence threshold is corrected according to image data of the adjacent paper surface. The set-off estimation method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein in the estimation step, occurrence of set-off on the target paper is estimated in units of preset print areas. The set-off estimation method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, further comprising an alarm generation step that issues an alarm when occurrence of set-off is estimated in the estimation step. A target color value acquisition step of acquiring a target color value, which is a target value of the color value of the target paper to be printed by the printing plate corresponding to the image data of the print pattern;
An actual color value detection step of detecting an actual color value that is an actual color value of the target paper surface printed by the printing plate;
A print control step for controlling an ink supply amount so that the actual color value detected in the actual color value detection step approaches the target color value detected in the target color value acquisition step. And
In the target color value acquisition step, when set-off is estimated for the target paper surface based on set-off estimation information estimated by the set-off estimation method according to any one of claims 13 to 20. Reduces the target color value. A printing control method, wherein: A target color value acquisition step of acquiring a target color value, which is a target value of the color value of the target paper to be printed by the printing plate corresponding to the image data of the print pattern;
A preset step of presetting an ink supply device by setting a preset value of an ink supply amount in accordance with the target color value acquired in the target color value acquisition step, and a printing preparation method comprising:
In the preset step, based on the set-off estimation information estimated by the set-off estimation method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, the preset value of the ink supply amount is set for the paper surface on which the set-off is estimated. A printing preparation method, wherein correction is performed to the supply reduction side.

Images