JP2749037B2 - Method and apparatus for determining color boundary of sheet-like test material - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus which has the same color in the width direction and periodically in the length direction.
For sheet-like test materials with multiple colors that appear repeatedly
Each color in the one-period pattern of the plurality of colors
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for judging the boundary of an image. [Prior art] The same color is repeated in the width direction and periodically repeated in the length direction.
As a sheet-shaped test material having a plurality of colors, for example,
Thermal color copying paper has recently been developed. This copy paper
As shown in FIG. 5, a light-transmitting PET film having a thickness of several microns is used.
Film 1, Yellow Y, Magenta M, Cyan C, Bra
Print several kinds of color inks such as
In stripes so that they appear periodically and repeatedly
It was a The coating width of each color is 100 ~ 1
Prints over approximately the entire width of film 1 with a thickness of about 500mm
Each color along the length of the film 1
Is about 60-600 mm in length. In addition, such heat
Each color ink of the formula color copying paper A is used according to the density of the image.
The amount of heat generated is controlled via the thermal head,
Color mixture due to sequential transposition for the same pixel part
Color printing images on the receiving paper.
ing. By the way, in the production of such thermal color copying paper,
Pinholes, black spots, dirt, foreign matter,
May cause defects such as streaks.
It is necessary to take appropriate measures such as detection and removal. For this reason, conventionally, the operation of the ink coating machine was started.
Sometimes when determining operating conditions, during operation, and after printing
When rewinding, heat-sensitive color
-The above drawbacks can be visually identified by seeing through the copy paper.
Inspection is generally performed, but automatic inspection for defects is performed.
The delivery has not been done conventionally. Also, sheets other than the thermal color copying paper as described above
An alternative to visual inspection for defect detection of test specimens
As a method, photoelectric conversion using a CCD image sensor etc.
The test material is scanned by a replaceable camera, and the
Video signals are processed by electronic circuits to detect defects.
Are known. A system that is subject to such known defect automatic detection.
The color of the test material is monochromatic. I mean
Is the condition that the amount of light incident on the camera is constant
Below, the above-mentioned known defect automatic detection is possible.
You. [Problems to be solved by the invention] However, as the present invention is intended for, a plurality of colors
Sheet-like test material that appears periodically and repeatedly
Is the amount of light transmitted or reflected for each color
Each is different. Therefore, the above-mentioned known automatic defect detection can be implemented.
If applied as is, even if the same drawback,
The incident light amount to the camera fluctuates, which is the cause
As a result, over-detection and oversight of defects occur,
Since color boundaries are erroneously recognized as defects, defect detection
The accuracy of the device is greatly impaired and cannot be used. Therefore, the present inventor has discussed the variation in the amount of incident light as described above.
Regardless of the use of photoelectric conversion cameras such as CCD,
The technology that enabled the detection has already been proposed. This technology is
While running the test sample,
Scan, and differentiate the video signal from this camera.
Therefore, for each color of the test material, a preset value is set according to the color.
The threshold level and the video differential signal for each color are
Corresponding comparison and binarization, and this binarized comparison output
Is processed by the defect determination means to detect defects.
It is. By the way, in performing such a defect detection,
Since the sheet-shaped test material is running,
The color being scanned and the timing of processing by the defect determination means
To match, the color that the camera is currently scanning is
You need to know what color it is. Such a request
Those satisfying have not been provided so far. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to define the border between adjacent colors.
The camera can now be determined
Color boundary judgment of sheet-like test material that can recognize the color being scanned
Provide alternatives and not only can this method be implemented
Color boundary discrimination device for sheet-like test materials that is easy to use
Is to provide. [Means for Solving the Problems] The method for determining the color boundary of a sheet-like test material according to the present invention has a
Appears in the same color in the direction and periodically repeated in the length direction
1 of the plurality of colors of the sheet-shaped test material having a plurality of colors.
The periodic pattern is registered in the storage means in advance, and
After specifying the registered pattern,
The sheet for each one-period pattern of the plurality of colors of the material
At the same time as detecting the matching mark provided on the test material,
The running information of the above sheet-like test material is sent to the pulse generator.
First, based on the detection of the matching mark,
The beginning of the color located at the beginning of the one-period pattern
The origin is detected, and then the output of the pulse generator
Is counted and 1 of a plurality of colors in the sheet-shaped test material is counted.
The boundary of each color in the periodic pattern can be specified one after another.
The registration pattern specified above by these specifications
Is stored in synchronization with the output of the pulse generator.
By reading out from the means,
It is characterized in that a color boundary is determined. Further, a color boundary discriminating apparatus for a sheet-like test material according to the present invention.
Is the same color in the width direction and periodically repeated in the length direction
It has multiple colors that appear and
Driving with matching marks for each periodic pattern
Is provided to face the sheet-like test material of
Mark sensor for detecting the
A pulse generator that generates pulses as the vehicle travels, and each one-period pattern of multiple types of sheet-like test materials are individually registered.
Input storage means to be recorded and one or more types of one-period putters
And specify one of the registered patterns
Input means and the detection output of the matching mark sensor.
1-period pattern of the sheet-shaped test material supplied
Origin detection method that detects the beginning of the color located at the top of
And registering each one-period pattern in the storage means.
And specify one of the above registered patterns,
Origin reference data unique to this specified registered pattern
Let the origin detection means set and register as specified
Microprocessor that reads out the pattern and the above inspection
Output of the output means and the output of the pulse generator
Synchronization means supplied and set / reset by the synchronization means.
And one cycle in the sheet-like test material
Specify the boundaries of each color in the pattern and
The recorded pattern data is output from the pulse generator
And an address counter for reading in synchronization with
It is characterized by the following. [Operation] In the method of the present invention, the registration registered in advance in the storage means is performed.
First, a recording pattern is specified. After this specification, the defect detection
The loading of the sheet-shaped test material
The mark is detected and the running information of this sheet
Is detected by the pulse generator. And match mark
Each time a sheet is detected, a plurality of sheets
Origin of the color located at the beginning of the one-period pattern of the color
Detect points. By detecting this origin, the sheet-shaped test material
Of course, it is possible to eliminate the influence of the variation in running speed
Next, count the output of the above pulse generator
Get the criteria for At the same time as the origin detection,
Start counting the output of the generator. This cow
The borders of each color in the one-period pattern are
specify. By specifying the color boundary,
Of the registered pattern specified above corresponding to the
Data is read out one after another. Reading such data
Is used to determine the color currently being viewed by the camera. I
Reading the data of the registered pattern from the storage means
Operation in synchronization with the output of the pulse generator.
U. Thus, the address of the registered pattern data is actually
One-period pattern of sheet-like test material for which color boundaries are determined
Since it is updated with data, the pulse of the pulse generator
Even if the occurrence timing is out of order, the accumulation of the
Can be stopped. In the device of the present invention, the matching mark sensor
, Pulse generator, storage means, input means, source
Point detecting means, a microprocessor, a synchronizing means,
And a dress counter.
It goes without saying that the color boundary determination method can be implemented. It
Not only that, the storage means
Several types of one-cycle patterns can be registered in advance, and one of them can be registered.
You can specify a registered pattern and read it out.
Therefore, the above-mentioned registration is used to determine the color boundaries of various sheet-like test materials.
It can be easily handled only by specifying the recording pattern. this
The one-period pattern of the sheet-like material to be detected
One cycle pattern is stored in the storage means according to the
Is it possible to reduce the effort and the typos involved?
It is easy to use. Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.
explain. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a sheet-shaped test material A (that is,
In the case of heat-sensitive color copying paper), the light-transmitting PET
Film coil, for example, 1 meter
Each time several kinds of color inks are printed on the ink coating machine 2 (Fig. 2
(See Reference Printing). This
Stripe pattern as shown in Fig. 3
Is obtained and, as already described in FIG.
Y, Magenta M, Cyan C, Black BL color inks
It appears periodically in the length direction of the RET film 1. Also each
The colors Y, M, C, and BL are each approximately the full width of the PET film 1.
And the same color in the width direction. further,
At the edge of the RET film 1, matching marks B are set at predetermined intervals.
Have been killed. This mark B is for each of the above colors Y, B, C, BL
1 cycle pattern (L in FIG. 3 indicates the length of one cycle)
Show. ). Note that, in this embodiment,
In the case where the printing machine 2 prints black chips
To form the matching mark B
Are provided within the length range of yellow Y. The printed PET film 1, that is, the test material A
Is the dancer row for shock absorption as shown in Fig. 2.
Is supplied to the cutting section 5 through the
Then, after being cut here, it is supplied to the small winding processing section 6.
Swelling. The cutting part 5 is a stripe pattern of each color described above.
Material A is cut to a length that
And the small volume processing unit 6 is attached to a ribbon spool (not shown).
The winding process is performed automatically. And the PET film 1 as outlined above
If it is the part where the test material A runs in the manufacturing processing system,
Although this is acceptable, for example, in the case of this embodiment,
Projector 7 and photoelectric conversion camera in front of cutting section 5
9 are provided. When the projector 7 is disposed on the printing surface side of the PET film,
Both are composed of, for example, a high-frequency fluorescent lamp. Photoelectric conversion
For example, the 2592-bit line type CCD image
A sensor using a photoelectric sensor as a di-sensor is used.
The camera 8 is provided so as to face the printing surface of the test material A.
You. The camera 8 transmits the specimen A after being transmitted from the projector 7.
The transmitted light is received. Camera 8
CCD image sensor is equipped with the test material A along the width direction
The width of the specimen A is measured by one camera 8.
If you can't get the whole view,
A camera is provided. Further, in the vicinity of the position of the field of view of the camera 8, for example, 1 m before and after
A matching mark sensor 9 is provided inside. This Sen
The sensor 9 detects the matching mark B in a non-contact manner.
For example, a laser beam sensor is used. Then, within one period pattern of the sheet-like test material A
The device for determining the boundaries between the colors Y, M, C, and BL of
Mark sensor 9, pulse generator 10, storage means 1
1, input means 12, sensor position correction means 13, origin detection means 1
4, microprocessor 15, synchronization means 16, address cow
Counter 17, color selection decoder 18, and address-side selector
19, data side selector 20, flag 21, and numerical table
And an indicator 22. The pulse generator 10 is used to drive the test material A.
Use a rotary encoder that is connected to the drive shaft, etc.
In the case of the embodiment, it is formed, and
A pulse is generated accordingly. The sensor position correcting means 13 matches the visual field position of the camera 8
The position of the mark sensor 9 corresponds to the traveling direction of the test material A.
Because of the shift, this shift amount C (see FIG. 2)
Make sure that the matching mark set does not affect the boundary determination.
Each time the detection of the sensor 9 is supplied, this output is
The signal is passed with a delay according to C. Therefore,
Misalignment between the field of view of the camera 8 and the position of the matching mark sensor 9
If there is no sensor position correction means 13, the sensor position correction means 13 can be omitted.
Of course. The detection output of the matching mark sensor 9 is output to the origin detecting means 14.
It is supplied via the sensor position correcting means 13. This original inspection
The origin means 14 is output to the output means 14 by the microprocessor 15.
Data is set. The origin reference data is the matching mark shown above.
B to the top of the test material A in the one-period pattern
The distance to the beginning of the color (D in Figure 3)
In each of the above-mentioned test materials A, it is unique.
You. The origin detecting means 14 detects the matching mark B.
From the point in time when the output is supplied, the reference
Counts the lock pulse, and the count value reaches the set value.
At that point, the origin signal e is output. The storage means 11 is, for example, a RAM (random access memo).
Li). This means 11 includes at least one of the above
Data representing one cycle pattern of test material A is registered (noted).
Remembered). In addition, the one-cycle pattern data referred to here
Is the distance between adjacent phase marks B, the distance C, and each color
The number of Y, M, C, BL and their arrangement order, the length of each color Y, M, C, BL, etc.
Contents of the parameter and the above distance D
It includes origin reference data. These pattern data are input by key operation of the input means 12.
Address controlled by microprocessor 15
Registered in the storage means 11 via the side selector 19 and plug 21
It is supposed to be. At the same time, the storage means 11
The pre-registered pattern data is stored in the key
Address side controlled by microprocessor 15
As specified via selector 19 and plug 21
ing. Then, the input means 12 outputs the pattern data
Is formed as a numeric key for inputting as a numerical value. Ma
Input by the input means 12 and designation of a registration pattern
Is displayed on the numerical display 2 controlled by the microprocessor 15.
It is displayed. The microprocessor 15 is a color boundary discriminating device and a drawback.
Responsible for overall control of inspection equipment with detection equipment
However, in this color boundary determination device,
Control of lug 21 and both selectors 19 and 20, one-cycle putter
Registration and specification of registration data and the same
Sometimes the origin reference data unique to this pattern is
This is set in step 14. Further microprocessor
15 is supplied from the address counter 17 via the selector 19
The registered information specified by the address information
Data is read out sequentially, and the data
20 to the color selection decoder 18.
You. The output from the pulse generator 10 is provided to the synchronization means 16.
Is supplied and the origin signal from the origin detecting means 14 is supplied.
e is supplied. This synchronization means 16
When the origin signal e is input, the address counter 17
Supply reset signal f and count-up signal
No. g is supplied. Furthermore, synchronization means 16
The stop signal h from the error selection decoder 18 is supplied.
The supply of this signal h causes the synchronization
Stage 16 stops outputting the count-up signal g.
ing. The address counter 17 has the reset signal g and the reset signal g.
And the count-up signal h is supplied.
You. This counter 17 is supplied with a count-up signal h.
Pulse output of the pulse generator 9 only during
And outputs the address output via selector 19
Supplied to the storage means 11 and supplied by the reset signal g.
This resets the count contents. The plug 21 is controlled by the microprocessor 15,
Each of the selectors 19 and 20 is switched. The color selection decoder 18 reads out the
Color boundary data of registered patterns to be supplied sequentially.
It has become. This decoder 18 converts the supplied data
Output as it is as a color selection signal i,
When the selection signal i for the periodic pattern is output,
This outputs a h signal h. The signal line o in FIG.
Synchronize the signal rise time with the pulse generator 10 and
The difference between the specified matching mark size and the matching mark noise
Identification by the size of the matching mark, matching mark and matching mark
Identified by the pitch with the mark
Pulse generator to identify up to the point position
10 output to the sensor position correcting means 13.
You. In the above configuration, each printed on the sheet-shaped test material A
A typical one-period pattern is a key operation of the input means 12.
Is registered in the storage means 11 in advance. Such an article
Turn on the power and detect defects
Registration pattern that matches the type of sheet-like test material A to be used
Is selected and storage means is operated by key operation of the input means 12.
Specify 11 The registration selected by this selection specification
The origin reference data of the pattern is read from the storage means 11
Is set in the origin detecting means 14. Hey when the above set
In other words, the flag 21 stores the storage means 11 in the designated mode and the origin base.
Dedicated to the quasi-data setting mode. In addition, the sheet
What are various typical one-cycle patterns in which inspection material A is registered?
If it is different and special, the special one-period
Turns are registered in the storage means 11 by operating the input means 12
In this case, the special one-period pattern
, The origin reference data unique to that is detected by the origin.
Of course, it is set in the means 14. When the inspection switch is turned on after the above preparation work,
After the microprocessor 15 controls the plug 21 to stand,
The storage means 11 is used to read out the specified registered pattern.
And exclusive mode for address and address update mode. At the same time
The sheet-like test material A on which the photoelectric conversion camera 8 travels
Monitoring the printing surface of the camera 8
Needless to say, the test material A is scanned in the width direction.
You. As a result, the pulse generation is performed as the specimen A travels.
The generator 10 operates, and the traveling information of the specimen A is transmitted to the pallet.
It is supplied to the synchronizing means 16 as an output. Along with this
The matching mark B of the test material A is detected by the matching mark sensor 9.
And the detection output is delayed by the sensor position correction means 13.
It is extended and supplied to the origin detecting means 14. This detection output
Origin detection means 14 counts the reference clock from the input
When the count value reaches the set value,
Then, the origin detecting means 14 supplies the origin signal e to the synchronizing means 16.
You. By the operation of both of these means 14 and 16, the test material A
One cycle pattern of the test material A from the matching mark B provided
Of the color (magenta M in the illustration) located at the top of
The beginning is detected. In other words, one cycle putter
The cue of the person is made. Then, the synchronization means 16 to which the origin signal e has been supplied
Reset f is applied to the address counter 17 at the same time as the supply of the signal e.
To reset the counter 17. simultaneous
In the meantime, the synchronization means 16
Pulse output of the generator 10
The value is supplied to the address counter 17 as g. Therefore, this address counter 17
The pulse output from the oscillator 10 is counted. This
Registration pattern registered and specified in the storage means 11
Data reading is started, and every time
While updating the address of the storage means 11, the registration designated
The data of the pattern is read one after another. This pattern day
The color order of each color of the one-cycle pattern
Specification and determination of color boundaries, that is, the visual field position of the camera 8
The color that passes through is recognized.
The output of the turn data is shown in FIG. K in FIG.
A waveform indicating the detection output of the matching mark sensor 9;
A waveform indicating the pulse output of the generator 10, where m is the color selection
3 shows an output waveform of the selection decoder 18. And read
The resulting data is passed through the color selection decoder 18 to
Provided to the selection operation control means 24 provided in the defect detection device 23 shown in FIG.
Be paid. In this way, the automatic determination of the color boundary for one cycle pattern
The stop signal from the color selection decoder 18
Since h is supplied to the synchronization means 16, the power from this means 16
The output of the count-up signal g is stopped. And
Thereafter, each time the matching mark B of the test material A is detected,
Reset the address counter 17 as described
The data of the registered pattern stored by updating the address in step 11
The data is read out and the automatic determination of the color boundary is repeated. Then, in the determination of the color boundary as described above,
The start of the color located at the end of the one-period pattern
Of the sheet-like test material A
The influence of the variation of the traveling speed can be eliminated. In addition, register
When reading the pattern data, the color boundaries are actually determined.
With 1-period pattern data of sheet material A
Since the update is performed while updating the
The pulse generation timing of the
In case of going out of order (rotary encoder
The pulse generator is a rubber holder for the sheet-like test material A.
For metal drive rolls that run between the rolls
That rotate through a rolling contact wheel that makes frictional contact
But commonly used for easy installation on existing machines
As a result, slippage may occur at the
You. ) Can also prevent the multiplication. Therefore, high
Between adjacent colors in one periodic pattern with high reliability
Can be automatically determined. In addition, as shown in FIG.
The camera 8 and the video signal n from the camera 8 are supplied.
The differential processing means 25 and the one-period pattern of the test material A are formed.
The same number of colors are provided as the
When the video differential signals obtained by the means 25 are supplied separately,
In addition, the threshold level (threshold) setting means 29
The threshold level according to each color
Are individually set in advance, and the supplied video differentiation
A plurality of comparing means 26 for binarizing the signal,
And the comparison output of the comparison means 26 is supplied separately.
A plurality of selection means 27, and
The defect judgment that the comparison output through the visual field position of the camera 8 is supplied
Defining means 28. The defect detecting device 23 is operated by the camera 8.
Is obtained by differentiating the video signal n obtained by
The differential video signal is set in advance by the comparing means 26.
Separately compared to the threshold level
The signal is binarized. By this processing, each of the test materials A
The amount of light transmitted (or reflected) for each color is
The amount of light incident on the camera 8 varies.
Despite being on, the threshold level for each color
And the variation in the amount of light incident on the camera 8
The effects can be eliminated. And the binarized comparison output is
These are separately input to the selection means 27. By the way, in this input state, the color boundary
The color selection signal j obtained by the discrimination device is
The color signals y, bl, c, m correspond to
Only one selection means 27 is supplied. Color signal supplied
One of the selection means 27 that is monitored by the camera 8
Corresponding to the color of the sheet-shaped test material A
For example, the camera 8 monitors the yellow print area indicated by Y in FIG.
When the comparison output at the time of viewing is supplied to the selection means 27,
The threshold level is set in advance according to yellow.
Only the selecting means 27 for yellow connected to the comparing means 26
The color signal y is supplied in synchronization with the other selection means 27.
Is not supplied with a color signal. In this way, different light transmittances for each color can be obtained.
At the appropriate threshold level set individually according to
Only the binarized defect information is supplied to the next defect determination means 28
Is done. The determination means 28 determines the width of the defect information.
And the length is determined to determine the defect. That is, as described above, the camera 8
While automatically recognizing the colors
The sensitivity of the photoelectric conversion element of the camera 8 is constant, and the color
Despite the fact that the amount of light incident on the camera 8 changes according to the change,
Instead, defect detection can be performed automatically. And whether the storage means 11 is formed of RAM as described above
In this, a plurality of types of one-period patterns are registered in advance.
be able to. Therefore, when preparing for defect detection,
Select and specify the registration pattern corresponding to the test material A
Only one time, and register the one-period pattern
The troublesome trouble of recording can be omitted. Therefore,
The effect on preparatory work is great, and
Input errors of various parameters of the
It is a device that is easy to use. Moreover, another configuration for registering a plurality of types of one-period patterns
The preset counts correspond to each color
Although it is conceivable to use a configuration in which
The structure of the storage means 11 is markedly formed by RAM
Easy and not only that but a large number of each preset
The troublesome work of setting all the preset values of the counter
It does not require any work. Although the above-described embodiment is configured as described above,
Since the interval between matching marks on the test specimen is unique,
The present invention focuses on the point of
Implemented with an automatic detection function for one period pattern of the test material
You can also. That is, first, the origin detection means 14
Output the first origin signal by supplying the matching mark
Supplies the next matching mark and outputs the origin signal again.
By doing so, the synchronizing means
Resets the address counter and resets the pulse generator.
Start counting the pulse output of the
The means is reset by the input of the next origin signal.
Reset. Counting of such matching mark intervals
The registration mark with the matching mark interval
Assign the turn to the storage means. And after this designation
Is the designated registration pattern, as described in the one embodiment.
Set the origin reference data unique to the
Then, the mode shifts to the color boundary determination mode. Each of the above operations
Is controlled by the microprocessor command.
It is a theory. Automatic detection of such a one-period pattern is performed.
In this case, manual pattern specification work can be omitted.
Therefore, it can be used more conveniently. Further, in the present invention, the color of the sheet-shaped test material is printed.
It also includes the color of the ground that is not present. In addition, the sheet
The inspection material A may be a light-impermeable material,
The size of the thickness does not matter. In addition, in practicing the present invention,
Unless you have a matching mark sensor, pulse generator,
Storage means, input means, origin detection means, microprocessor
The specific structure of the
The arrangement and arrangement are not limited to
Of course, it can be configured and implemented in various modes. [Effects of the Invention] The present invention having the constitution described in the above claims
According to the method and apparatus of the above, the same color in the width direction and the length
In the direction, a sheet with multiple colors that appears periodically and repeatedly
While running the test material, the light is used to detect defects.
When scanning along the width direction with an
The camera can determine the boundaries between colors with high reliability.
Has the effect of being able to recognize the color currently being scanned.
In addition to this effect, the device of the present invention
There is also an effect that it is good.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 to FIG. 4 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a color boundary discriminating apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of a manufacturing facility, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a part of a thermosensitive color copy paper and various waveforms, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a defect detection device, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a part of a thermal color copying paper. A: Sheet-like test material, 8: Photo-electric conversion camera, 9
… Match mark sensor, 10… Pulse generator, 11
…… Storage means, 12… Input means, 14 …… Origin detection means,
15: microprocessor, 16: synchronization means, 17: address counter.

   ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (56) References JP-A-63-9852 (JP, A)                 JP-A-60-190381 (JP, A)                 JP-A-60-183188 (JP, A)                 JP-A-59-146856 (JP, A)                 JP-A-62-112041 (JP, A)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] A sheet-like test material having a plurality of colors that appear repeatedly in the width direction and the same color in the length direction is repeatedly moved in the width direction with a photo-electric conversion type camera for defect detection while running. A color boundary discriminating method based on scanning along a plurality of colors, wherein a one-period pattern of the plurality of colors is registered in a storage unit in advance, and the registered pattern is designated, and then the sheet-like inspection is performed. At the same time as detecting a matching mark provided on the sheet-like test material for each one-period pattern of the plurality of colors, the traveling information of the sheet-like test material is detected by a pulse generator. Based on the detection of the mark, the starting point of the color located at the beginning of the one-period pattern is detected, and then the output of the pulse generator is counted, and one of the multiple colors in the sheet-like test material is counted. period By sequentially specifying the boundaries of each color in the pattern and reading out the specified registered pattern by these designations from the storage means in synchronization with the output of the pulse generator, the color of the sheet-like test material is A method for determining a color boundary of a sheet-like test material, comprising determining a boundary. 2. A running sheet-shaped test material having a plurality of colors that appear repeatedly in the width direction in the same color and periodically in the length direction, and has matching marks corresponding to each one-period pattern of the plurality of colors. A mark sensor for detecting the match mark, a pulse generator for generating a pulse as the sheet-like material travels, and a one-period pattern for each of a plurality of types of sheet-like materials. Are respectively registered, input means for inputting the plurality of types of one-period patterns and designating one of the registered patterns, and detection sheets of the matching mark sensor are supplied and the sheet is supplied. Origin detecting means for detecting the beginning of a color located at the beginning of the one-period pattern of the test material, and registering each one-period pattern in the storage means; A microprocessor that specifies one of the patterns, sets the origin reference data unique to the designated registration pattern in the origin detection means, and reads the designated registration pattern; and Synchronizing means to which the output of the pulse generator and the output of the pulse generator are supplied, and the designated registration which is set / reset by the synchronizing means and designates a boundary of each color in one period pattern in the sheet-like test material. An apparatus for determining a color boundary of a sheet-shaped test material, comprising: an address counter for reading pattern data in synchronization with an output of the pulse generator.