JP4156341B2 - Plate inspection in printing plate making - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for inspecting a printed image sequentially processed by a plurality of processing steps.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the advancement of computer technology, digitization using a computer has become widespread also in a plate making system for commercial printing. The digitized printing prepress system receives print data (for example, PDF data and PostScript data; PostScript is a trademark of Adobe Systems) and performs various data processing on the print data to create binary print data. A printing plate or a mesh film is output using the printing plate data. Furthermore, recently, on-demand printing is also performed in which binary print data is created by a printing plate making system, and the binary print data is transferred to an on-demand printing machine and directly printed. In the present specification, the entire process of creating such binary printing plate data and binary printing data is called “printing plate making”.
[0003]
In the printing plate making, it is important to correct the printed material image as instructed by the client. For this reason, proofreading of printed matter and plate inspection for checking whether the proofreading result is correctly reflected are performed carefully. In a digitized printing plate making system, plate inspection is performed by comparing plate data before and after calibration (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-154234
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional plate inspection process, the plate data before and after the proofreading were compared, so it was impossible to perform the plate inspection at the stage of processing for outputting the first school. Therefore, conventionally, there has been a demand for a technique capable of performing plate inspection even at the stage of processing for the first school output.
[0006]
The present invention is for solving the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of performing plate inspection even in a processing stage for outputting a first school in a printing plate making system. .
[0007]
[Means for solving the problems and their functions and effects]
In order to solve at least a part of the above problems, a printing plate making system according to the present invention is a printing plate making system having a plurality of processing units that sequentially process printed image data by a plurality of processing steps of plate making processing. The first printed material image data included in the first printed material image data is processed into a first printed material page layout by processing the first printed material image data before a predetermined processing step is executed. A first processing unit that creates first mount image data arranged according to conditions, and a second printed image data obtained by performing the predetermined processing step on the first printed image data By doing so, one or more printed pages included in the second printed material image data are different from the first printed material page layout condition. A second processing unit that generates second mount image data arranged according to the layout conditions, and the same among the first and second mount image data according to the first and second printed page layout conditions. A plate inspection execution unit that detects a difference between the first and second mount image data by comparing areas corresponding to printed pages. The mount image data is image data representing a state in which one or more pages of an actual printed matter are arranged on the mount.
[0008]
According to this printing plate making system, since it is possible to perform a comparison inspection of images across processes based on the printed page layout conditions, even if the printed page layout of the mount image data created by each processing step is different, it is appropriate. In addition, plate inspection can be performed across the processes.
[0009]
In the printing plate making system, the plate inspection execution unit may perform the first and second when the arrangement angle of the same printed page to be compared is different between the first and second mount image data. It is preferable that the comparison is performed by rotating an area used for the comparison of at least one of the mount image data so that the angles are the same.
[0010]
In this way, even when the layout angle of the printed page is different, the comparison can be performed by rotating the printed page so that the angle is the same, so that the layout of the printed page of the mount image data created by each processing step can be performed. Even when the angles are different, it is possible to appropriately perform plate inspection across processes.
[0011]
The present invention can be realized in various forms. For example, a plate inspection method and plate inspection device, a printing plate making method and a printing plate making device, and a computer program for realizing the functions of these methods or devices. It can be realized in the form of a recording medium recording the computer program, a data signal including the computer program and embodied in a carrier wave, and the like.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. Overall configuration of the device:
B. Example:
C. Variation:
[0013]
A. Overall configuration of the device:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This printing system includes a design apparatus 100 for designing a printed material and creating printed material image data, and a printing plate making system 200 for creating a printing plate or a printed material based on the printed material image data. The printing plate making system 200 is configured by connecting a workflow control system 300 and three output machines 410, 420, and 430 via a network. That is, the simple proof output machine 410 prints a proof according to the digital data obtained from the printed image data, and the halftone proof output machine 420 performs processing of halftone processing (shading processing) on the digital data. The proof print is output, and the plate output machine 430 creates a printing plate directly from the digital data. The plate output machine 430 is also called a CTP (Computer To Plate) apparatus. In addition, a display unit 400 such as a CRT display or an LCD display is connected to the workflow control system 300, and displays a printed image corresponding to the printed image data.
[0014]
The workflow control system 300 includes a preflight processing unit 310, a table layout imposition processing unit 320, an automatic plate making processing unit 330, a halftone proof processing unit 340, and a final output processing unit for processing printed image data. 350 and a plate inspection execution unit 360. Details of the processing of each processing unit will be described later.
[0015]
The workflow control system 300 further includes a control unit 390 for controlling operations of the processing units 310 to 360. The control unit 390 includes a parameter determination unit 392, and the user can set the control parameters of the processing units 310 to 360 via the parameter determination unit 392. Various control parameters for one printing plate making operation (called “job”) are collected in a data file called a job ticket JT. That is, when each processing unit 310 to 360 executes one job, the processing content of each processing unit is controlled according to the control parameter in the job ticket JT.
[0016]
Note that the functions of the processing units 310 to 360 and the control unit 390 of the workflow control system 300 are realized by a computer (workflow control system 300) executing a computer program stored in a hard disk (not shown) of the workflow control system 300. The Data used for processing such as image data is appropriately stored in a memory or hard disk (not shown) of the workflow control system 300.
[0017]
B. Example:
B1. Printing plate making process:
FIG. 2 is a block diagram for explaining the flow of the printing plate making process executed by the workflow control system 300. In this example, the processing units 310 to 360 shown in FIG. 1 process the following processing in order to process the print image data PD0 (for example, PDF data or PostScript data) in a specific format received from the design apparatus 100. Execute the process.
[0018]
(1) Preflight processing step S11:
The preflight process is a so-called pre-process, and is a process for analyzing whether or not the print image data can be executed without any problem by analyzing the contents of the printed image data. For example, the description of a PDF file or a PostScript file confirms (i) whether there is an object file linked in the document, (ii) whether non-standard font data is embedded in the document, etc. The If there are missing data or files, the user is requested to add data or change specifications. Further, the printed image data PD1 is subjected to RIP rasterization processing (Raster Image Processing; processing for rasterizing data expressed in scan line order) to a display resolution (for example, 72 dpi) in the preview display step S21 and developed. A printed image corresponding to the preview RIP expanded image data RIPD1 is displayed on the display unit 400 (FIG. 1). The user can check whether the print image data is appropriate using the print image displayed on the display unit 400. These two processing steps S11 and S21 are executed by the preflight processing unit 310.
[0019]
(2) Table layout imposition processing step S12:
A so-called table layout process or imposition process (a process for arranging a plurality of printed pages (final printed pages) on one output page) for outputting a printed image is performed. As an output of the printed material image, for example, display on the display unit 400 (FIG. 1), proof printing, output to a mesh film, a plate, or the like is performed. Since the output devices used for outputting these printed images often have different performances such as the size that can be output, the arrangement of printed pages with respect to the output page (pages output by the output device) (hereinafter, printed pages). (Referred to as layout) can preferably be set corresponding to each output device to be used. In this embodiment, a display unit 400 (FIG. 1), a simple proof output device 410, a halftone proof output device 420, and a plate output device 430 can be used as a printed image output device. As the printed page layout related to the preview on the display unit 400, for example, a setting for displaying (outputting) one printed page on one screen is used. For the other three outputs, the printed page layout conditions are independently set in the table layout imposition processing step S12 (details will be described later). The set print page layout condition is stored in the job ticket JT (FIG. 1) as a control parameter of each processing unit, and is used when arranging the print page for each output.
[0020]
The printed image data PD2 obtained in the table layout imposition processing step S12 is subjected to table layout imposition in accordance with the simple proof print page layout conditions in the simple proof output step S22, and the resolution for simple proof output (for example, 600 dpi). The proof print corresponding to the developed simple proof RIP developed image data RIPD2 is output from the simplified proof output device 410 (FIG. 1). The user can perform proofing by checking the output proof. Further, since the simplified proof RIP developed image data RIPD2 is image data in which printed pages are arranged in accordance with the printed page layout for simple proofing, the user arranges printed pages according to the performance of the simplified proof output device 410. Appropriate proofs can be obtained. As described above, when outputting a printed material image, image data to which a printed material page is assigned in accordance with a set printed material page layout (hereinafter referred to as mount image data. In this example, RIP developed image data for simple proofing. ) And a printed image is output according to the created mount image data. That is, the mount image data is image data representing a state in which one or more pages of actual printed matter are arranged on the mount. These two processing steps S12 and S22 are executed by the table layout imposition processing unit 320, and the table layout imposition processing unit 320 functions as a printed page layout setting unit.
[0021]
(3) Automatic plate making process S13:
Processes such as so-called minose, white border and trapping are performed. This processing step S13 is executed by the automatic plate making processing unit 330.
[0022]
(4) Halftone proof output step S14:
RIP development processing and halftone processing (shading processing) in accordance with a preset predetermined resolution are performed on the printed image data PD3 processed in the automatic plate making processing step S13, and each ink color (for example, YMCK color) Raster data (printed image data PD4) representing a printed image of 4 colors) is created. As the predetermined resolution, for example, a resolution for final output (4000 dpi) is used. Further, the printed matter pages are arranged in accordance with the printed matter page layout for halftone proof, and halftone proof RIP developed image data RIPD3 as the mount image data suitable for the halftone proof output device 420 is created. The created halftone proof RIP developed image data RIPD3 is transferred to a halftone proof output machine 420 (FIG. 1), and a halftone proof proof is output from the halftone proof output machine 420. The user can perform proofing by checking the output proof. The processing step S14 is executed by the halftone proof processing unit 340.
[0023]
(5) Final output processing step S15:
Using the printed image data PD4 after the halftone proof output step S14, final output RIP developed image data RIPD4 suitable for the plate output machine 430 (FIG. 1) is created. The final output RIP developed image data RIPD4 is mount image data in which printed material pages are arranged in accordance with a printed material page layout for final output (plate output), and is created in accordance with the resolution for plate output. The created final output RIP developed image data RIPD4 is transferred to the plate output machine 430, and a plate corresponding to the transferred data is created by the plate output machine 430. This processing step S15 is executed by the final output processing unit 350.
[0024]
(6) Inter-process inspection plates S31 to S33:
Plate inspection is performed to compare and inspect the mount image data created by different processes. In this embodiment, three inter-process plate inspections S31 to S33 are executed. In the first plate inspection step S31, plate inspection is performed for inspecting the mount image data RIPD2 for simple proofing using the mount image data RIPD1 confirmed in the preview. This plate inspection step S31 is executed before the simple proof proof is output in the simple proof output step S22. If the result of the plate inspection confirms that the mount image data RIPD2 for output is appropriate, the output of the simple proof proof is performed and the process proceeds. The second plate inspection step S32 is a step of inspecting the halftone proof mount image data RIPD3 using the mount image data RIPD2 approved in the simple proof calibration, and the halftone proof output step S14. Executed before outputting a proof proof. The third plate inspection step S33 is a step of inspecting the final output mount image data RIPD4 using the mount image data RIPD3 approved in the halftone proof calibration, and the final output processing step S15 is the final step. Executed before output. As described above, by executing the comparative plate inspection with the mount image data that has been approved by the confirmation and the proofreading before outputting the printed image, it is possible to suppress the processing from being continued using the inappropriate image data. be able to. In these plate inspection processes, the comparison inspection of the area corresponding to the same printed page is executed for all printed pages according to the printed page layout used when each mount image data is created ( Details will be described later). Also, these plate inspection processes S31 to S33 are executed by the plate inspection execution unit 360 (FIG. 1).
[0025]
B2. Printed page layout settings:
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how control parameters are set from the display unit 400 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the screen shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display unit 400 (FIG. 1). By operating this screen, the user can set the flow pattern of one job (print plate making work) and the control parameters of each processing step. As shown in the figure, on the screen, a ticket name setting unit TN for setting the name of a job ticket, a flow pattern setting unit FA for setting the flow of processing steps, and control parameters for each process in the flow pattern are displayed. It has a control parameter setting section PA to be set, a confirmation button BO for confirming the set contents, and a cancel button BC for discarding the set contents.
[0026]
The ticket name setting unit TN includes a field for setting a name for identifying the job ticket JT (FIG. 1). The job ticket JT is a data file including control parameters for each processing step. A new job can be set by setting a new name. When processing the proofread print data, it is possible to perform processing with the same setting by setting the name used last time.
[0027]
The flow pattern setting unit FA is a setting unit for setting and confirming the flow pattern of the process to be executed. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a flow pattern corresponding to the processing flow shown in FIG. 2 is shown. “Proof 1” in the flow pattern corresponds to the simple proof output step S22 (FIG. 2), and “proof 2” corresponds to the output of the halftone proof proof. “RIP” and “halftone dot” represent RIP expansion processing and halftone processing, respectively.
[0028]
The control parameter setting unit PA is a setting unit for setting and confirming control parameters for each processing step shown in the flow pattern setting unit FA. In this embodiment, the user can set the control parameter regarding the processing step (processing step indicated by a thick frame) selected in the flow pattern setting unit FA via the control parameter setting unit PA. In the example of FIG. 3, “imposition” is selected in the flow pattern setting unit FA, and four buttons (page allocation setting button BPL, proof 1 layout setting button BP1) for setting the “imposition” control parameter are selected. , Proof 2 layout setting button BP2, CTP layout setting button BCTP) are displayed in the control parameter setting section PA. The page assignment setting button BPL is a button for setting the correspondence between the printed image data and the page of the printed material that is actually printed. The proof 1 layout setting button BP1, the proof 2 layout setting button BP2, and the CTP layout setting button BCTP are proof 1 (simple proof), proof 2 (halftone proof), and printed materials used when outputting the plate, respectively. This is a button for setting page layout conditions (details will be described later).
[0029]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed by operating the page assignment setting button BPL on the screen shown in FIG. By operating this screen, the user can set the correspondence between the printed image data and the page of the printed material that is actually printed. As shown in the figure, the screen includes a page size setting unit MPS for setting the page size of a printed material, a printed material page table TPP for setting an actual printed material page, and a printed material used for each printed material page. A file name table TFN for setting a file name storing image data, a used page table TUP for setting a page to be used in the printed image data, and a confirmation button BO for confirming the set contents A cancel button BC for discarding the set contents is displayed.
[0030]
The page size setting unit MPS includes a menu for setting the page size of the final printed matter. In the example of FIG. 4, the “A4” size is selected.
[0031]
In the printed material page table TPP, the file name table TFN, and the used page table TUP, the file name of the printed material image data corresponding to the printed material page and the used page in the data are written on the same line. For example, the row R1 shown in FIG. 4 indicates that 9 pages of page numbers 5 to 13 of the printed material image data file named “Chapter 2 .PDF” are allocated to 9 pages of page numbers 16 to 24 of the printed material. Yes. As described above, even when a plurality of files in which printed image data is stored is used, appropriate printing plate making can be performed by performing page allocation.
[0032]
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed by operating the proof 1 layout setting button BP1 on the screen shown in FIG. By operating this screen, the user can set a print page layout condition used for proof printing of the simple proof (proof 1). As shown in the figure, a screen number setting unit MN for setting the number of pages (the number of printed pages to be arranged on one output page), the position of the printed page with respect to the output page, and the orientation And a page layout setting unit LA for setting a combination of page numbers, a confirmation button BO for confirming the set contents, and a cancel button BC for discarding the set contents.
[0033]
The number-of-surfaces setting unit MN includes a field for setting the number of printed pages arranged for one output page, and the user can set the number of pages in each of the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. it can. In the example of FIG. 5, one printed page is assigned to each page vertically and horizontally, that is, one output page.
[0034]
In the page layout setting unit LA, the printed page area PPA corresponding to the size of the printed page set on the screen of FIG. 4 and the output page of the output device (in this example, the simple proof output device 410 (FIG. 1)). The mount area PMA corresponding to the size of the print area and the position of the printed page area PPA in the mount area PMA are shown. The user can set the position of the printed page area PPA in the mount area PMA by manipulating these positions (in the case where a plurality of output pages are output, the set position setting is common). Used). Further, the arrow and the number written in the printed page area PPA represent a combination of the orientation and page number of the printed page, and the user can select the orientation (angle) of the printed page in the mount area PMA, Any combination of page numbers can be set. In the example of FIG. 5, page number 1 is assigned. The printed pages are also assigned to the second and subsequent output pages in order. The combination of the page numbers of the printed pages is set in consideration of a bookbinding method such as cutting or folding of the output result, particularly when a plurality of printed page areas PPA are allocated to one mount area PMA (multiple pages Will be described later). By setting the print page layout condition in this way, it is possible to appropriately set which page of the print product is arranged in which position on which output page. The set print page layout conditions are stored in the job ticket JT (FIG. 1), and are used when creating the simple proof RIP developed image data RIPD2 in the simple proof output step S22 (FIG. 2).
[0035]
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed by operating the proof 2 layout setting button BP2 on the screen shown in FIG. By operating this screen, the user can set a print page layout condition used for proof printing of halftone proof (proof 2). The screen configuration and the contents that can be set by the user are the same as the example shown in FIG. In this example, two printed page areas PPA1 and PPA2 are allocated to one mount area PMA. As a combination of page numbers, page number 1 is assigned to the printed page area PPA1 located on the left, and page number 2 is assigned to the printed page area PPA2 located on the right. Two printed pages are assigned to the second and subsequent output pages in the same order. As a result, odd pages are allocated on the left side, and even pages are allocated on the right side.
[0036]
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen displayed by operating the CTP layout setting button BCPT on the screen shown in FIG. By operating this screen, the user can set the print page layout condition used when the final plate is output. The screen configuration and the contents that can be set by the user are the same as the example shown in FIG. In this example, four printed page areas PPA1 to PPA4 are allocated to one mount area PMA. Regarding the combination of page numbers and orientation, considering the final printed bookbinding method, four printed pages of 1, 4, 5, and 8 pages are assigned so that they are aligned in the correct order and orientation when binding. Yes. Similarly, printed pages are appropriately assigned to the second and subsequent output pages in consideration of the bookbinding method. Even if the number of printed pages arranged in one mount area is the same (four in this example), the combination and orientation of the numbers of printed pages to be allocated may differ if the printed materials are bound differently. .
[0037]
B3. Interprocess inspection:
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining plate inspection using printed page layout conditions. In this example, the image data for final output (RIP developed image data for final output) RIPD4 is compared with the image data (PDIP developed image for halftone proof) RIPD3 approved in the halftone proof calibration. In the plate process S33, the case where the fourth page (page number 4) is compared and inspected is described.
[0038]
First, the plate inspection execution unit 360 uses the printed page layout conditions stored in the job ticket JT, and compares the image data from the mount image data representing the state in which one or more pages of the actual printed product are arranged on the mount. A process for cutting out image data used in the process is performed. For example, when comparing the printed page of the fourth page, the image data RIPD3P4 of the area corresponding to the fourth page (page number 4) is cut out from the mount image data RIPD3 used for the halftone proof. Similarly, the image data RIPD4P4 of the area corresponding to the fourth page (page number 4) is cut out from the mount image data RIPD4 for final output. In this embodiment, since the fourth page is rotated and arranged in the mount image data RIPD4, the image data RIPD4P4 corresponding to the fourth page is rotated according to the print page layout condition, and is the same as the image data RIPD3P4. Orientation image data RIPD4P4a is created. Next, the two image data RIPD3P4 and RIPD4P4a are compared. In this embodiment, the plate inspection execution unit 360 calculates the difference (difference) of the density (gradation value) at the same position in the page of the two image data RIPD3P4 and RIPD4P4a for a plurality of positions. Create configured plate inspection result data. As in this embodiment, when the image data to be compared is image data developed in advance to a predetermined resolution, the plate inspection result data is created by calculating the difference between the pixel values at each pixel position. Can do. When the resolutions of the image data to be compared are different from each other, it is preferable to generate the plate inspection result data after performing resolution conversion for matching the image data with a high resolution to the low resolution.
[0039]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a plate inspection process result screen displayed on the display unit 400 (FIG. 1). The screen shown in FIG. 9 represents the plate inspection result image IMG represented by the plate inspection result data, the button BG for proceeding with the process, the button BS for interrupting the process, and the plate inspection result image IMG. A page number display section BNS indicating the page number of the image is displayed. In this embodiment, when the plate inspection result image IMG is displayed, pixels whose density (gradation value) difference is equal to or greater than a preset threshold value are dark (for example, M plate (magenta color) 100%). Displayed and pixels that are less than the threshold value are displayed lightly. In the example of FIG. 9, the numeral “2” in the area DI is changed to “3”. For this reason, on the screen IMG shown in FIG. 9, in the area DI in which this change has been made, pixels with a large density difference are displayed darkly (for example, 100% M version), and other pixels with a small density difference are lightly displayed. It is displayed. As described above, if the pixel having the density difference equal to or greater than the threshold value, that is, the changed portion is displayed conspicuously, the user can easily confirm the changed portion. The threshold value may be set to 30 when, for example, the range that the (density) gradation value can take is 0 to 255. As the threshold value is larger, only pixels having a larger density difference can be made more conspicuous. That is, the larger the threshold value, the more the plate inspection can be performed to confirm only the larger difference.
[0040]
Thus, the user can easily determine whether or not the image data is appropriate by confirming the screen displayed so that the changed portion is conspicuous. When the user determines that the image data is appropriate, the user can proceed with the process by operating the button BG. In addition, when an inappropriate change has occurred, the process can be interrupted by operating the button BS. In addition, as a method of displaying the changed part conspicuously, a method of blinking the changed part or surrounding it with a frame may be used. Further, the changed portion may be displayed in an enlarged manner or displayed in a specific color.
[0041]
As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to perform plate inspection across processes, and therefore plate inspection can be performed even at the stage of processing for the first school output. Furthermore, since plate inspection between processes using the printed page layout conditions can be performed, appropriate plate inspection can be performed even between processes having different printed page layout conditions. Further, by performing plate inspection using the confirmed (approved) mount image data, it is possible to suppress the processing from being continued using image data inappropriate for printing plate making.
[0042]
Further, when the mount image data is not monochrome data but data including a plurality of color components (RGB, YMCK, etc.), it is preferable that the plate inspection execution unit 360 performs comparison for each color component. By so doing, plate inspection for each color component can be performed appropriately. In this case, in the plate inspection result image, the plate inspection processing results of the respective color components may be combined into one image, and pixels in which any density difference of each color component is greater than or equal to the threshold value may be displayed prominently. In addition, the plate inspection processing result of each color component may be displayed individually. In addition, the predetermined threshold value may be set differently depending on the color component.
[0043]
In this embodiment, the third plate inspection process S33 has been described as the interprocess inspection using the printed page layout conditions. However, the first plate inspection process S31 (FIG. 2) and the second plate inspection process S32 are described. The same processing is executed.
[0044]
As described above, in each of the above-described embodiments, it is possible to perform plate inspection across processes, and therefore plate inspection can be performed even at the stage of processing for the output of the first school. Furthermore, since plate inspection between processes using the printed page layout conditions can be performed, appropriate plate inspection can be performed even between processes having different printed page layout conditions.
[0045]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.
[0046]
C. Variation:
C1. Modification 1:
The configuration of the printing plate making system is not limited to the configuration shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and can be configured by appropriately combining processing units having processing functions necessary for printing plate making. Further, as the processing unit, instead of realizing the function by software, an independent device that realizes the function may be prepared and used. For example, the RIP deployment processing device may be connected to the workflow control system 300 (FIG. 1), and the RIP deployment processing device may be configured to execute the RIP deployment processing device. Alternatively, the display unit 400 and the workflow control system 300 may be connected via a network so that the user can proceed with the work via the network. In addition, a configuration may be adopted in which a printing press that prints printed matter is connected to the workflow control system 300, and the workflow control system 300 creates print data by creating print data corresponding to the print matter data and transferring it to the printing press. In this case, it is preferable that the final output processing unit 350 creates print data suitable for the printing press. In this way, the user can easily obtain a printed matter.
[0047]
C2. Modification 2:
In each of the embodiments described above, image data after RIP development is used as mount image data, but image data that has not been RIP expanded (for example, vector image data) may be used as mount image data. In this case, the plate inspection result data can be easily obtained by performing the comparative plate inspection after the image is developed to a predetermined resolution. As such a case, for example, an output machine capable of outputting a printed image corresponding to the vector image data may be used. In any case, it is possible to perform plate inspection even at the stage of processing for the output of the first school by performing plate inspection across the processes. Furthermore, by performing the inter-process plate inspection using the printed material page layout condition, it is possible to perform an appropriate plate inspection even between processes having different printed material page layout conditions. Furthermore, by performing plate inspection using image data that has been confirmed and approved, it is possible to suppress the processing from being continued using image data that is inappropriate for printing plate making.
[0048]
C3. Modification 3:
In each of the above-described embodiments, a print product of one job is assigned to one mount image data. However, a configuration may be adopted in which a print product of a different job is assigned to the same mount image data for processing. As such a case, for example, in the final output processing step, there is a case where printed materials of different jobs are arranged on the same mount to create a printing plate. In such a case, a condition for assigning each printed matter page of a printed matter of a different job to the same mount image data is set as a printed matter page layout condition for the final output processing step. Therefore, by using such a printed matter page layout condition, data corresponding to each printed matter page of each printed matter can be appropriately selected from the mount image data. Therefore, the inter-process plate inspection of each printed matter can be appropriately executed by using the printed matter page layout condition.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the overall configuration of a printing system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating the flow of printing plate making processing.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing how control parameters are set.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen for page allocation setting.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen for setting a proof 1 layout.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen for setting a proof 2 layout.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a screen for CTP layout setting.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining plate inspection using printed page layout conditions.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a plate inspection process result screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 ... Design equipment
200: Printing plate making system
300 ... Workflow control system
310 ... Preflight processing section
320 ... stand-up imposition processing section
330 ... Automatic plate making section
340: Halftone proof processing unit
350: Final output processing unit
360 ... Verification execution unit
390 ... Control unit
392 ... Parameter determination unit
400 ... display section
410 ... Simple proof output machine
420 ... halftone proof output machine
430 ... Plate output machine
JT ... Job Ticket
TN ... Ticket name setting section
FA ... Flow pattern setting section
PA: Control parameter setting section
BO ... Confirm button
BC ... Cancel button
MN ... Number of faces setting section
LA: Page layout setting section
PPA ... Printed page area
PMA: Mount area
IMG ... Plate inspection result image

Claims (4)

A printing plate making system having a plurality of processing units for sequentially processing printed image data by a plurality of processing steps of plate making processing ,
By processing the first printed image data before a predetermined processing step among the plurality of processing steps is performed, one or more printed pages included in the first printed image data become the first printed material. A first processing unit for creating first mount image data arranged in accordance with page layout conditions;
By processing the second printed image data obtained by performing the predetermined processing step on the first printed image data, one or more printed pages included in the second printed image data are A second processing unit that creates second mount image data arranged according to a second printed page layout condition different from the first printed page layout condition;
By comparing the areas corresponding to the same printed page in the first and second mount image data according to the first and second printed page layout conditions, the first and second mount image data A plate inspection execution unit for detecting a difference;
A printing plate making system. The printing plate making system according to claim 1,
The plate inspection execution unit may include at least one of the first and second mount image data when the angle of the arrangement of the same printed page to be compared is different between the first and second mount image data. A printing plate making system that performs the comparison by rotating one of the regions used for the comparison so that the angle is the same. A plate inspection method for inspecting printed images sequentially processed by a plurality of processing steps of plate making processing ,
(A) By processing the first printed image data before a predetermined processing step of the plurality of processing steps is performed, one or more printed pages included in the first printed image data are Engineering and more to create an arrangement is first mount image data in accordance with one of the print page layout conditions,
(B) One or more printed materials included in the second printed material image data by processing the second printed material image data obtained by performing the predetermined processing step on the first printed material image data. page and is about the first factory to create a second mount image data arranged according to a different second prints page layout conditions the printed matter page layout conditions,
(C) The first and second mounts are compared by comparing areas corresponding to the same print page in the first and second mount image data according to the first and second print page layout conditions. Detecting a difference in image data;
A plate inspection method comprising: A computer program for realizing plate inspection for inspecting printed images sequentially processed by a plurality of processing steps of plate making processing ,
(A) By processing the first printed image data before a predetermined processing step of the plurality of processing steps is performed, one or more printed pages included in the first printed image data are A function for creating first mount image data arranged in accordance with one print page layout condition;
(B) One or more printed materials included in the second printed material image data by processing the second printed material image data obtained by performing the predetermined processing step on the first printed material image data. A function of creating second mount image data in which pages are arranged according to a second printed page layout condition different from the first printed page layout condition;
(C) The first and second mounts are compared by comparing areas corresponding to the same print page in the first and second mount image data according to the first and second print page layout conditions. The ability to detect differences in image data,
A computer program including a program for causing a computer to realize the above.

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