JP3201558B2 - Image data editing device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image data editing apparatus for producing printing plate output data used in a plate making process, and more particularly to an image data editing apparatus capable of calculating ink amount data used in a printing process. About.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a printed matter is prepared by setting a printing plate (plate) prepared in a plate making process on a printing machine, supplying ink to a printing surface thereof, and transferring the ink to paper or the like. The printing press has a plurality of ink fountains arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction of the printing plate, and ink supplied from the ink fountain is supplied to the surface of the printing plate via various rollers. You. The ink supplied from one ink fountain is supplied to an ink zone virtually divided on the printing plate surface corresponding to each of the ink fountains. The ink amount is adjusted by adjusting the opening of the ink fountain.

Usually, the printing surface corresponding to the ink zone is
Since the printing area and non-printing area, or the area with high image density and the area with low image density are mixed, adjust the opening of the ink fountain in the initial operation stage of the printing press to adjust the amount of ink to be supplied to each ink zone. Need to adjust. For this purpose, conventionally, there has been proposed a method of calculating ink amount data for each printing plate by using printing plate image data for creating a printing plate, and setting an ink fountain opening based on the data. ing.
Such a method is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 4-12227 or Japanese Patent Publication No. Hei 3-500031.

[0004]

However, in the conventional apparatus for calculating ink amount data, the halftone dot area ratio of the printing plate is obtained using high-definition image data which has been subjected to halftone dot processing. There is a problem that the amount is enormous and the calculation time is long. For this reason, if it is attempted to calculate the ink amount data before performing the plate creation process, the plate creation process will be delayed. Since the ink amount data is calculated, the opening of the ink fountain of the printing press cannot be adjusted in advance, which causes a problem that the preparation of the printing press is delayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image data editing apparatus capable of calculating the ink amount data of a printing plate in a short time. I do.

[0006]

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data editing apparatus comprising: a plate output data for directly exposing a surface of a plate material to form a plate; Is a device for calculating the ink amount data required in the printing process and for inputting the character / graphic data constituting the character / graphic region of the printed matter and the high-definition pattern data constituting the design region. Means, coarse image data generating means for sampling the input high-definition picture data at a fixed pixel interval and thinning out to generate coarse image data having a lower resolution than the high-definition picture data, and character / graphic data and coarse image Page data generating means for editing data in page units to generate page data; data developing means for raster developing page data to generate coarse image bitmap data in page units; Imposition data generating means for arranging the page-based coarse image bitmap data created by the opening means for each printing plate to generate imposition data, and based on the imposition data generated by the imposition data generating means. An area ratio calculating means for calculating a dot area ratio of a printing plate region as ink amount data, the character / graphic data and the high definition picture
The pattern data is edited in page units to generate page data, and the
Generate high-definition imposition data by arranging page data for each printing plate
Means for performing printing on a plate basis from the high definition imposition data.
Means for generating cut map data .

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image data editing apparatus, comprising: input means for inputting character / graphic data constituting a character / graphic area of a printed matter and high-definition picture data constituting a graphic area; Coarse image data generating means for sampling high-definition pattern data at a fixed pixel interval and thinning out to generate low-resolution coarse image data from high-definition pattern data; and character / graphic data and coarse image data in page units Page data generating means for editing to generate page data, imposition data generating means for arranging the page data generated by the page data generating means for each printing plate to generate imposition data, and rasterizing the imposition data. Data expanding means for expanding the image data to generate coarse image bitmap data in printing plate units, based on the rough image bitmap data in printing plate units generated by the data expanding means. And the area ratio calculating means for calculating as an ink amount data to dot percent of the plate area Te, the character-drawing
Edit the shape data and the high-definition picture data in page units
Generate page data, arrange the page data for each plate, and
Means for generating fine imposition data, and the high-definition imposition
For generating bitmap data in plate units from data
Step .

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when character / graphic data constituting a character / graphic area of a printed matter and high-definition pattern data constituting a picture area are input from the input means, the coarse image data generating means receives the input. The high-definition pattern data is sampled at a fixed pixel interval and thinned to generate coarse image data having a lower resolution than the high-definition pattern data. The page data generating means generates page data by editing the character / graphic data and the coarse image data in page units. The page data is output to the data expanding means, expanded to coarse image bitmap data in page units, and output to the imposition data generating means. The imposition data generating means generates imposition data by arranging the coarse image bitmap data in page units for each printing plate. Then, the area ratio calculating means calculates the halftone dot area ratio of the printing plate region as ink amount data based on the imposition data. On the other hand, the character / graphic data and the high-definition pattern data
Page data to generate page data, and edit the page data.
The high-resolution imposition data is generated by arranging the data for each printing plate.
Then, from the high-definition imposition data,
Generate bitmap data.

In the invention according to claim 2, when the character / graphic data constituting the character / graphic area of the printed matter and the high-definition picture data constituting the picture area are inputted from the input means,
The coarse image data generating means samples the input high-definition pattern data at a fixed pixel interval and thins out the data, thereby generating coarse image data having a lower resolution than the high-definition pattern data. The page data generating means generates page data by editing the character / graphic data and the coarse image data in page units. Further, the imposition data generating means arranges the generated page data for each printing plate to generate imposition data. The imposition data is output to data developing means and rasterized into coarse image bitmap data for each printing plate. Area ratio calculation means,
The halftone dot area ratio of the printing plate area is calculated as ink amount data based on the rough image bitmap data for each printing plate generated by the data developing means. On the other hand, the character / graphic data
Page data and the high-definition pattern data are edited in page units.
Data and place the page data for each printing plate to
Generate attached data. And from high definition imposition data
Generate bitmap data in plate units for plate creation
You.

[0010]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the entire configuration of a plate making system. This plate making system is composed of an image data editing device 100 and a printing plate making device 200 connected to the image data editing device 100 online. The image data editing device 100 includes an image input scanner 110, a line drawing processing device 120, an operation input device 130 such as a keyboard and a graphic display, a hard disk 140 as storage means for storing image data and the like, an editing device 150, RIP (Raster Image Processor) 16
0. The printing plate creation device 200 is a device that creates a printing plate by directly exposing the plate material surface based on printing plate output data (high-definition imposition data 5 described later) output from the image data editing device 100. Yes, for example, CTP (C
(Operator ToPlate) device is used.

FIG. 2 shows a processing flow of each device in the plate making system based on a change in data. Hereinafter, the configuration and processing operation of the image data editing apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. The image input scanner 110 reads the photo document 2 and performs color separation processing to create high-definition pattern data 3 for each color (Y, M, C, K) in document units. Also, the line drawing processing device 120
Is composed of a computer typesetting machine, a word processor, a digitizer, etc., and inputs characters, figures, and the like to create line drawing data 4.

The editing device 150 performs two processes for each function. The first process is a process for generating high-definition imposition data 5 (print plate output data) for plate creation, and the second process is for adjusting the ink fountain opening of the printing press. Required ink amount data (average dot area ratio data)
This is the process of generating. Prior to each processing, the editing device 1
50 receives the high definition pattern data 3 from the image input scanner 110 and receives the line drawing data 4 from the line drawing processing device 120. These data 3 and 4 are stored in the hard disk 1
It is stored in 40 predetermined areas. In the first process, instructions from the operator regarding layout information and the like are received from the operation input device 130, and the high-definition pattern data 3 and the line drawing data 4 are edited in accordance with the instructions to create page data in page units. When the editing for each page is completed, a plurality of pages are arranged on one printing plate area in accordance with bookbinding specifications and the like, and high definition imposition data 5 is created. In the imposition data 5, the line drawing area is created by character / graphic vector data, and the picture area is created by picture density data.

Next, the second processing will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. First, in the image data reading process, when the operator inputs a scan start instruction of the image input scanner 110 (step S10), the high-definition pattern data 3 of each color separated from the image input scanner 110 is input for each document. And stored in the hard disk 140 (step S1).
2).

Next, the high-definition picture data 3 stored in the hard disk 140 is sampled at regular pixel intervals to generate thinned-out coarse image data 3a. For example, high-definition pixel data is sampled every ten pixels, and the sampled data is allocated to a data area divided at the sampling interval. Thus, for example, when data is sampled every tenth, coarse image data 3a having a data amount of 1/100 is generated in the two-dimensional area (step S14). The sampling interval can be arbitrarily set in consideration of the resolution of the scanner, the arrangement interval of the ink fountains of the printing press, and the like. The coarse image data 3a is stored in an area of the hard disk 140 different from the storage area of the high definition picture data (step S16). Further, the editing device 150 reads the line drawing data 4 of characters and graphics from the line drawing processing device 120 and stores it in the hard disk 140.

With the above processing, the data reading processing required for calculating the average halftone dot area ratio ends. The process of reading data from the image input scanner 110 and the line drawing processing device 120 is actually a process common to the first process. Next, the editing device 150 sets the layout of the predetermined picture area and character / graphic area in each page of the printed matter. Then, the arrangement information of each area is stored in the hard disk 140.
(Steps S20 and S22 in FIG. 4). Further, it is determined whether or not the arrangement in the necessary page is completed. If the arrangement is not completed, the above processing is repeated, and if completed, the process proceeds to the next processing (step S24).

The editing device 150 includes the hard disk 14
The coarse image data 3a and the line drawing data 4 are read out from 0 in page units and output to the RIP 160 (step S26).
The RIP 160 performs raster expansion of the line drawing data 4 at the coarse resolution specified by the
The shading process of a is performed. Thereby, coarse image bitmap data in page units is generated (step S28).

When the data development process is completed, RIP1
Numeral 60 designates the editing device 1 for converting coarse image bitmap data in page units.
It is returned to 50 (step S30). Editing device 150
Stores the page-based coarse image bitmap data in the hard disk 140 (step S32). The above processing is repeated for all page data (step S
34). At this point, coarse image bitmap data for calculating the average halftone dot area ratio is created for each page.

Further, the editing device 150 creates the printing plate data by imposing each page on the printing plate region and adding, if necessary, extra-page data such as registration marks and control charts. The printing plate data is generated not as a form in which the actual data of the page data and the out-of-page data are combined, but as data indicating a combining procedure and arrangement information of each data (step S36). The generated plate data is stored in the hard disk 140 (step S38).

If the above-described imposition processing is shared with the first processing, the entire processing in the editing device 150 can be performed efficiently. In this case, the high-definition imposition data 5 in the first processing is obtained based on the printing plate data indicating the synthesizing procedure and the arrangement information and the high-definition picture data 3 and the line drawing data 4 obtained in the above-described reading processing. Created. When the plate data is generated, the editing device 150 calculates an average halftone dot area ratio based on the synthesis procedure and arrangement information for each plate and the bitmap data of the coarse image previously obtained, and The rate data is stored in the hard disk 140 (step 4
0, 42).

FIG. 5 shows a configuration relating to the calculation of the average halftone dot area ratio in the editing device 150. In FIG. 5, an editing device 150 includes an imposition data generation unit 40 that generates imposition data based on bitmap data of a coarse image in page units stored on a hard disk 140 and a synthesis procedure and arrangement information. An image area calculation unit 50 that calculates the area of the image area based on each signal from the unit 40, and an area of the image area for each divided area from the image area data calculated by the image area calculation unit 50 Area ratio calculation unit 60 for calculating the ratio (ink amount data), and CPU 70 for controlling the operation of each processing unit
And a memory 80. The image area calculation unit 50 further includes a first counter 51, a second counter 52, a third counter 53, a register 54, a comparator 55, and a latch 5
6 and an OR gate 57.

First, the setting of a divided area for obtaining ink amount data will be described. FIG. 6 schematically shows the relationship between the scanning direction of the exposure beam of the printing plate making apparatus 200 with respect to the printing plate 13 (main scanning direction size XL: sub-scanning direction YL) and the printing direction in the printing press. The main scanning direction X of the exposure to the printing plate 13 and the printing direction P of the printing press do not always match depending on the type of printing press. For example, FIG. 6A shows the printing plate creation device 20.
When the main scanning direction X at 0 is different from the printing direction P at the printing press, FIG. 6B illustrates a case where the main scanning direction X and the printing direction P match. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a printing plate after the plate 13 has been exposed, and reference numeral 9 denotes a page area.

When the two are different, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 6A, the size x of the divided area 8 in the main scanning direction is set.
1 is set by dividing the size XL of the plate 13 in the main scanning direction by the number of divisions input by the operator. The number of divisions is the number of ink zones 7 defined by the arrangement of the ink fountains 300. Further, the divided area 8 has a sub-scanning direction Y
A long strip-shaped rectangle. Hereinafter, this setting method is referred to as a main scanning direction division method.

When the two coincide with each other, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 6B, the size y2 of the divided area 8 in the sub-scanning direction is input from the operator as the size YL of the plate 13 in the sub-scanning direction. Is set by dividing by the divided number. This division number is also the number of the ink zones 7 as described above. The divided area 8 in this case is a strip-shaped rectangle long in the main scanning direction X. Hereinafter, this setting method is referred to as a sub-scanning direction division method. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the ink amount data calculation processing. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In FIG. 7, first, the operator sets the division direction (the main scanning direction X or the sub-scanning direction Y) and the number of divisions (n, FIG. In the case of 6, n = 4) is input (step S100).

If the input division direction is the main scanning direction X, it is determined that the main scanning direction is a division method, and the process proceeds to step S120. If the sub scanning direction Y is input, it is determined that the sub scanning direction is a division method. Then, the process proceeds to step S130 (FIG. 8) (step S110). (Main scanning direction division method) When the main scanning direction X is input as the division direction, in step S120, the total number of dots TD (determined by the resolution of the coarse image) of the printing plate 13 in the main scanning direction X is input. The number of divided dots divided by the number n (TD
/ N) is stored in the register 54 as the size x1 of the divided area 8 in the main scanning direction. In step S121, the total number of lines TL determined from the sub-scanning direction size YL of the plate 13 and the coarse image resolution is recognized and registered in the CPU 70. Further, in step S122, the memory 80
Is cleared.

Next, when the operator gives a data calculation command, the imposition data generation section 40 generates low resolution imposition data based on the coarse image bitmap data in page units and the synthesis procedure and arrangement information. (Step S1
23). The bitmap data is set to “1” in the image area and “0” in the non-image area. Further, the imposition data generation unit 40 outputs the reference timing signal L for each main scanning line.
S, an exposure data detection signal DD whose bitmap data is "1", and a clock signal DC for each bitmap data are output. Although the term “exposure data” is used, it is not used for actual exposure.

The first counter 51 counts the number of clocks DCN of the input clock signal DC, that is, the number of bitmap data. The second counter 52 counts the number of occurrences of the exposure data detection signal DD, that is, the number (bits of exposure data Di, j) when the bitmap data is "1" (step S124). In the exposure data Di, j, i represents the number of the divided area, and j represents the number of the line.

The comparator 55 compares the count value DCN of the clock signal DC read from the first counter 51 with the number of divided dots (TD / n) stored in the register 54 in advance (step S125). And the first counter 5
If the count value DCN of 1 is smaller than the number of divided dots (TD / n), the process of step S124 is continued.
When the numbers are the same, the comparator 55 outputs a count end notification signal ES, thereby storing the number of exposure data Di, j counted by the second counter 52 in the latch 56 and The first counter 51 and the second counter 52 are cleared by the output of the OR gate 57 (step S126). At this time, the count end notification signal E
S is also given to the CPU 70. Note that the first and second
The counters 51 and 52 are also cleared by the reference timing signal LS for each line.

Upon receiving the count end notification ES, the CP
U70 reads the value stored in latch 56. Then, the CPU 70 reads the already-calculated data already stored from the storage area of the memory 80 corresponding to the divided area 8 in which the number Di, j of exposure data newly calculated and stored in the latch 56 is stored. Exposure data Di, j
And the already calculated data read from the memory 80, and
The data is stored again in the corresponding storage area of the memory 80 (step S127).

The third counter 53 counts the reference timing signal LS for each main scanning line from the imposition data generator 40, that is, the number of lines LN. If the counter 53 has not counted, the CPU 70
It is determined that the processing of the one line is not completed (step S128), and the above-described steps S124 to S124 are performed.
127 are repeatedly executed, and the obtained data is stored in the memory 80.

An example of the storage area of the memory 80 is shown in FIG.
Is shown in For example, the bitmap data read / count processing is performed in the first divided area 81 (FIG. 6A).
If the operation is performed on the second line of
6 stores the number D1,2 of exposure data of the second line. At this time, the corresponding storage area m1 of the memory 80
Shows the exposure data D of the first line of the same divided area 81
1,1 is already stored. Then, the CPU 70 adds the data D1,2 read from the latch 56 and the data D1,1 read from the storage area m1 of the memory 80, and stores the added data in the same storage area m1 of the memory 80 (step S1). S127).

In step S128, when the above-described processing for the one line is completed, in step S129,
It is determined whether the processing for all the lines has been completed. This determination is executed by the CPU 70 comparing the total line number TL registered in step S121 with the count value LN of the third counter 53. That is, when LN <TL, it is determined that the processing of all the lines has not been completed, and
The processing from step S124 to step S128 is repeated, and when LN = TL, the flow proceeds to calculation of an image area ratio (ink amount data) (described later).

(Sub-scanning direction division method)
If it is determined that the division direction input in step 100 is the sub-scanning direction Y (step S110), the total number of dots TD in the main scanning direction X is stored in the register 54 in step S130 (see FIG. 8). Also, in step S131,
The CPU 70 recognizes and registers the number of divided lines (TL / n) obtained by dividing the total number of lines TL by the inputted number of divisions n as the size y2 of the divided area 8 in the sub-scanning direction. Further, in step S132, the memory 80 is cleared.

Next, when the operator gives a data calculation command, low-resolution imposition data is generated (step 133). The first counter 51 counts the number DCN of the clock signals DC, and the second counter 52 counts the number of occurrences of the exposure data detection signal DD (exposure data Di, j) (step S134). The comparator 55 stores the count value DCN read from the first counter 51 and the register 5
4 is compared with the total number of dots TD stored in advance (step S135). When the count value DCN of the first counter 51 is smaller than the total number of dots TD, the process is continued. Further, when the numbers of the two become the same, the comparator 55 outputs a count end notification signal ES, whereby the exposure data Di,
j is stored in the latch 56 and the first counter 51
And the second counter 52 is cleared (step S13).
6). At this time, the count end notification signal ES is
Also given to 0. In this case, the counter end notification signal E
S also means the end of one line.

When receiving the count end notification ES, the CP
U70 is the exposure data D newly stored in the latch 56.
Read i, j. Then, the CPU 70 reads the already calculated data already stored from the storage area of the memory 80 corresponding to the divided area 8 in which the exposure data Di, j stored in the latch 56 is calculated, and reads the new data stored in the latch 56. The calculated exposure data Di, j and the already calculated data read from the memory 80 are added and stored again in the storage area of the corresponding memory 80 (step S137).

FIG. 9B shows an example of the storage area of the memory 80.
Is shown in For example, the reading and counting of the bitmap data in the main scanning direction X is performed in the first divided area 8.
1 (see FIG. 6B), the latch 56 stores the number D1,2 of exposure data of the second line. At this time, the number of exposure data D1,1 of the first line of the same divided area 81 has already been stored in the corresponding storage area m1 of the memory 80. And
The CPU 70 reads the data D1,2 read from the latch 56.
And data D1, read from the storage area m1 of the memory 80.
1 and the data after the addition is stored in the same storage area m1 of the memory 80 (step S137).

The CPU 70 compares the count value LN of the third counter 53 with the number of divided lines (TL / n) and determines whether or not the processing for each divided area 8, that is, the number of divided lines (TL / n) has been completed. Is determined (step S138). Next, the CPU 70 calculates the count value LN of the third counter 53.
Is compared with the total number of lines TL to determine whether or not the processing of all the lines has been completed (step S139).

When the data calculation for the entire plate 13 has been completed (steps S129 and S139), the area ratio calculation unit 60
Reads the count value (exposure data) of the image portion obtained for each of the divided areas 81 to 84 from the respective storage areas m1 to m4 of the memory 80. Then, the area ratio of the image portion or the area ratio of the non-image portion is calculated by the following equation (step S140).

Image area ratio = unit pixel area ×
Image part count value divided area area non-image part area ratio = 1-image part area ratio Note that the unit pixel area indicates the area of one dot in a coarse image specified by low resolution. The calculated area ratio data of the image portion is stored in the hard disk 140 as ink amount data (step S42 in FIG. 4) and delivered to the printing machine offline or online. The printing press is provided for each divided area virtually set on the printing surface of the printing plate.
Set the opening of the ink supply port of the ink fountain corresponding to the area ratio data. As a result, the supply amount of ink is reduced in a print region having a small image region, and the supply amount of ink is increased in a print region having a large image region, so that the ink supply amount can be optimized.

The printing plate creation device 200 is a RIP 160
Receives bitmap data for printing plate output from the printer, and in accordance with the data, directly exposes the surface of the printing plate to create a printing plate. Second Embodiment The image data editing apparatus 100 of the second embodiment is different from the apparatus of the first embodiment in that the average halftone dot area data is calculated by the RIP 160 as shown in FIG. Different. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a plate making system using the image data editing device of the second embodiment,
It is the schematic diagram which showed the image data generation process according to the transition of the data. In FIG. 11, the editing device 150 performs processing for taking in the high-definition pattern data 3 and the line drawing data 4, generating the coarse image data 3a, creating the page data, and creating the plate data, and calculating the average halftone dot area ratio. Create the imposition data of the coarse image. After that, the RIP 160 develops the imposition data of the rough image into bitmap data, and calculates an average halftone dot area ratio based on the data.

In order to perform such an operation, the RIP 160 according to the present embodiment has a configuration and a procedure for calculating the average halftone dot area ratio described in the first embodiment. Also,
The editing device 150 generates high-definition imposition data 5 for creating a printing plate, and also generates imposition data of a coarse image for calculating average halftone dot area ratio data. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the image data editing device 100. First, in the reading process of the high-definition pattern data, when the operator inputs a scan start instruction, the editing device 150 receives the high-definition pattern data 3 for each color separated from the image input scanner 110 and the hard disk 140. It is stored (step S50).

Next, the high-definition pattern data 3 stored in the hard disk 140 is sampled at a fixed pixel interval to generate thinned-out coarse image data 3a. The generation method uses the same method as in the first embodiment (step S52). This coarse image data is stored in an area different from the storage area of the high definition picture data on the hard disk 140 (step S54). Further, the editing device 150 reads the line drawing data 4 of characters and graphics from the line drawing processing device 120 and stores it in the hard disk 140.

With the above processing, the data reading processing required for calculating the average halftone dot area ratio ends. Next, the editing device 150 sets the arrangement of predetermined picture areas, characters, and graphic areas in each page of the printed matter. Then, the arrangement information of each area is stored in the hard disk 140 (step S5).
6). Further, it is determined whether or not the necessary page layout has been completed. If the page layout has not been completed, the above process is repeated. If completed, the process proceeds to the next process.

The editing device 150 creates the printing plate data by imposing each page on the printing plate area and, if necessary, adding extra-page data such as registration marks and control charts. The printing plate data is generated not as a form in which the actual data of the page data and the out-of-page data are combined, but as data indicating a combining procedure and arrangement information of each data (step S5).
8, S60).

The editing device 150 converts the rough image imposition data based on the generated plate data and page data into RIP 160 data.
(Step S62). The RIP 160 develops line drawing data in the printing plate area with a coarse resolution and shades the rough image data, and generates bitmap data of a rough image for each printing plate. Then, based on the bitmap data, an average halftone dot area ratio is calculated according to the same procedure as in the first embodiment (step S64). RIP
160 sends the calculated average halftone dot area ratio data (ink amount data) for each divided region to the editing device 150 (step S66).

The editing device 150 receives the average halftone dot area ratio data and stores it in the hard disk 140. Then, for example, when there is a request from the control computer of the printing press connected online, this data is transmitted (step S68).

[0046]

As described above, in the image data editing apparatus according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the high-definition pattern data is sampled at a fixed pixel interval and thinned out, and the resolution is lower than that of the high-definition pattern data. Since the imposition data based on the coarse image data is created and the dot area ratio data is calculated as the ink amount data using the imposition data, the data amount for calculating the dot area ratio is reduced. By doing so, the area ratio can be calculated in a short time.

Further, since it is configured to handle page units (page data), even if some of the pages required for one printing plate are changed, it can be handled at any time. It is possible to calculate the dot area ratio, and it is possible to prevent a reduction in processing efficiency due to occurrence of a waiting time. In particular, claim 1
According to the invention, since the coarse image bitmap data in page units obtained by rasterizing the page data is handled, the effect of preventing the calculation processing efficiency from being lowered even when the necessary page is changed is further remarkable.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a plate making system including an image data editing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a change in data along a processing flow of the plate making system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating image data reading processing of the image data editing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating imposition data generation processing and average halftone dot area ratio calculation processing of the image data editing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a main configuration relating to an average halftone dot area ratio calculation process of the editing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of setting a divided region on a printing plate in an average halftone dot area ratio calculation process.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an average halftone dot area ratio calculation process of the editing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an average halftone dot area ratio calculation process of the editing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram showing a storage area of a memory in an average dot area ratio calculation process.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a plate making system including an image data editing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a change in data along a processing flow of a plate making system including an image data editing device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the image data editing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 image data editing device 110 image input scanner 120 line drawing processing device 130 operation input device 140 hard disk 150 editing device 160 RIP (raster image processor)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image data editing apparatus for producing printing plate output data for producing a printing plate by directly exposing the surface of a plate material and calculating ink amount data required in a printing process. Input means for inputting character / graphic data constituting a character / graphic area of a printed matter and high-definition pattern data constituting a picture area; sampling the inputted high-definition picture data at a fixed pixel interval to thin out the data; A coarse image data generating means for generating coarse image data having a lower resolution than the high definition picture data; and a page data generating means for editing the character / graphic data and the coarse image data in page units to generate page data. Means for rasterizing the page data to generate coarse image bitmap data in page units; and the coarse image in page units created by the data developing means. Imposition data generating means for arranging bitmap data for each plate to generate imposition data; and a dot area ratio of the plate area based on the imposition data generated by the imposition data generating means. Area ratio calculating means for calculating the character / graphic data and the high-definition pattern data in a single page.
Edit page data to generate page data, and copy the page data for each plate
Means for generating high-definition imposition data by arranging the bitmap data on a plate basis from the high-definition imposition data.
And a means for generating data. 2. An image data editing apparatus for producing plate output data for producing a plate by directly exposing the surface of a plate material and calculating ink amount data required in a printing process. Input means for inputting character / graphic data constituting a character / graphic area of a printed matter and high-definition pattern data constituting a picture area; sampling the inputted high-definition picture data at a fixed pixel interval to thin out the data; A coarse image data generating means for generating coarse image data having a lower resolution than the high definition picture data; and a page data generating means for editing the character / graphic data and the coarse image data in page units to generate page data. Means for arranging the page data generated by the page data generating means for each printing plate to generate imposition data; Data development means for generating coarse image bitmap data for each printing plate unit, and determining a dot area ratio of the printing plate region based on the coarse image bitmap data for each printing plate generated by the data development means. Area ratio calculation means for calculating as ink amount data , and combining the character / graphic data and the high-definition pattern data
Edit page data to generate page data, and copy the page data for each plate
Means for generating high-definition imposition data by arranging the bitmap data on a plate basis from the high-definition imposition data.
An image data editing apparatus comprising : means for generating data.