JPH0293479A - Register mark recorder in picture scanning and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To record a color separation picture provided with a register mark near a target area by permitting a picture signal processing means to compose a picture of a specified color and the register mark and outputting the composed one to a scanning device on the recording side. CONSTITUTION:According to instructions from a work station 19, a target picture signal in a DU 15 is read to an OP 20, and is displayed on a color monitor 18. The size of the register marks to be composed and displayed and the type of positive or negative film are specified, and the mark display position of a picture being displayed is specified and inputted through a cursor and a digitizer 17. After the composition of the number of register marks required is confirmed in a desired position on a target screen, execution is instructed from the station 19. After synthesized picture signals are transferred and stored in the DU 15, the recording and scanning device of the scanner 11 is controlled, and a duplicated picture is exposed and recorded, thereby recording a picture of desired color separation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention is directed to color separation image scanning and recording' for plate-making color scanners, etc. The color original was photoelectrically scanned using the A position.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for displaying and recording register marks on each color separation image to be recorded when recording color separation images for multicolor printing.

[Conventional technology]

Generally speaking, multicolor printing uses color originals as yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).
) etc., each printing plate is made from a plurality of color separation films, and a duplicate color image is expressed by overprinting each printing plate on the same paper using the corresponding color ink. In addition, when overprinting, it is necessary to overlay the images of each separated color at the same position, so-called register, and if this registration is uncertain, there will be "color misalignment" in the printed result. ”, which significantly deteriorates the quality of printed matter, so for each color separation, multiple register marks are displayed in a fixed positional relationship with respect to the image.
It is also well known that during printing, it is determined whether the registration is correct or not based on the overlapping state of these register marks.

Conventionally, there are the following methods for displaying register marks at required positions on color separation plates.

First, a transparent film displaying the required n1 number of register marks is connected in advance around the color original image, and when color separation is performed, each register mark is recorded together with the image at a fixed position around each color separated image. There is a method to reproduce register marks.

Furthermore, means for recording register marks using the function of the image scanning recording device itself is also known. For example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. 60-41342 by the present applicant, a copy image is scanned onto a photosensitive material by an image scanning recording device. When recording, a scanning exposure light source emits light at required intervals for a required time in each of the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction in the recording scan, thereby creating a lattice pattern on the photosensitive material along the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction. By recording a line image and setting the light emission timing of the light source to the same phase for each color separation image, the grid line image can be recorded in a constant positional relationship with respect to each color separation image. A means for using this grid line image as a register mark is described.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 56-21472 discloses that a device that outputs symbol pattern signals such as characters or register marks in parallel with a signal for recording a duplicate image is used to output symbols of register marks at required times during scanning recording. A means for displaying and recording a register mark at a desired position by outputting a pattern signal is shown.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

In each of the conventional means described above, basically, as shown in the third diagram,
A required number of register marks (3) are recorded in a margin (2) around the image area (1). However, depending on the schedule or content of the work, it may be preferable to display the register mark inside the image area.

For example, the image of the person in the illustrated example is extracted along its outline (i.e., as a "cutout pattern").
, when compositing with other background images, or when making partial corrections to images, necessary images for checking color reproduction results, etc. prior to making color separation plates for final multicolor printing. When color-separating only the area and printing a multicolor image for color proofing, a register mark (4) is displayed at a position close to the target area to be duplicated as shown in the second diagram. This is desirable.

The reason for this is that when recording the original image using a color scanner, in the case of Figure 3, a register mark (3) is displayed in addition to the image area (1) for registration during proof printing. Regarding the margin area (2), since the entire surface is photoelectrically scanned and the image signal is output, the amount of unnecessary signals other than the actually required image area (human image) increases, which makes it difficult to use for 5-image discs etc. A large-capacity device is required as a number storage means, and the size of the recording film becomes large, resulting in an inconvenience that increases working time and material consumption. Therefore, it is preferable to attach a register mark to a position close to a necessary small-area image and perform proof printing for the small-area image.

However, in each of the above-mentioned conventional means, in order to use the register mark for registration in the multicolor printing process, which is the original application mode, the register mark is recorded in the peripheral margin of the image area. Since these register marks are also used for partial proof printing for small areas, there is a problem in which the above-mentioned waste is unavoidable.

The present invention relates to means for solving this problem, and is intended to realize an apparatus capable of recording a required register mark at an arbitrary position within a target image area.

[Means to solve the problem]

By configuring the device of the present invention as follows,
- The invention described in claim (1), characterized by the following object, comprises an image storage means for storing color-separated image signals, and a target color image based on the color-separated image signals read from the image storage means. A color monitor to display, a specification means for specifying a position where the register mark should be displayed on the screen of the color monitor, and a register mark synthesized within the target color image area based on the position specified by the specification means. and an image signal processing means for outputting the combined signal to a recording-side scanning device.

The invention described in claim (2) is the invention according to claim (1), in which a plurality of types of register mark patterns, which are positive or negative or have different dimensions, are stored in a register mark storage means and are selectively outputted and recorded. This is what I did.

The invention described in claim (3) is the register mark displayed on the color monitor screen in claim (1),
It is displayed as a frame pattern formed only by outline lines.

[For production]

The specified color image and the register mark are synthesized by the image signal/processing means in a desired positional relationship, that is, so that the register mark is displayed near the image of the target small area, and the synthesized signal is By outputting to the recording-side scanning device, a color-separated image with register marks attached at positions close to the target area is recorded.

Further, the negative/positive type or size of the register mark is selected in accordance with the negative/positive type or image size of the color separation image to be recorded.

Furthermore, when displaying on a color monitor screen, it is only necessary to check the positional relationship between each register mark and the target image, so the amount of signal processing is saved by displaying the register marks in a frame pattern.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The scanner (1) is a color-separated image scanning recording device such as a color scanner for plate making, and the red (R), green (G), and blue (B ) etc. Based on the color separation image (Li No. After performing the above processing, the photosensitive material is outputted to a recording side scanning device to expose and scan the photosensitive material to record each color separated image.

Scanner input output station (
(hereinafter referred to as SI○S) (12) is a scanner (11)
It controls the human output of image signals between the disk unit and the next disk unit, and is equipped with a keyboard (not shown) for manual operation and a CRT display (not shown) for input instructions.

A disk unit (hereinafter referred to as DU) (15) stores image No. 43 input from the scanner (11) via the SI○S (12), and outputs it to each device when desired.

2. An appropriate number of D U (15) are installed depending on the image signal layer to be handled and the individual storage capacity.

A processor unit (hereinafter referred to as PU) (16) is a host computer that controls the operation of the entire apparatus according to instructions from a workstation, which will be described later.

The digitizer (hereinafter referred to as DZ) (17) is installed in the workstation (19) along with the color monitor (18).
It is used to input specified coordinate values on the screen of the color monitor (18), or to select and execute an operation menu to be described later.

Operation unit (hereinafter referred to as OP) (20
) is the performance n unit of image signal processing, and Y, M, C
, and a display system for displaying a monitor color image based on the color image signals on a color monitor (18).

Next, a method of synthesizing a desired register mark with an image to be processed using the first illustrated apparatus will be explained.

Figure 4 shows an example of a register mark (Δ
) is a positive pattern, and (B) is a negative pattern. In this example, the pattern is composed of crosshairs that intersect at the center and a square centered at the intersection, and inside the square area, the crosshairs are displayed with black and white reversed.

Further, as described above, in order to select the size of the register mark according to the image area (1) to be combined, data regarding the register mark pattern of each size is stored in the PU (16). I'll keep it.

As the dimensions of the register mark actually used, for example, two types of numerical values, large and small, as shown in the following table, are applied.

The pattern shown in Figure 4 is a register mark used for registration when actually printing a target image in multiple colors. When displaying a register mark in the pattern shown in Figure 4, (A)
In (B), the inside of the square area is filled in solidly, and in (B), the outside is filled in solidly. Since the amount of signal in this area is large, if the pattern shown in Figure 4 is used as is, there will be a large amount of No. 43 to be processed. However, this method has the disadvantage of increasing processing time and inefficiency. In addition, the register mark displayed on the screen of the color monitor (18) is not used for registration when actually composing multiple images, but it is sufficient to confirm the positional relationship between the target image and the register mark.
The purpose can be achieved even by displaying a pattern with a more simplified shape.

Figure 5 (Δ) shows an example of a simplified register mark pattern to be displayed on the color monitor (18) screen, and only the outline of the register mark is displayed based on the shape of the register mark shown in Figure 4. FIG. 2B shows a state in which the register mark, which is a frame pattern, is displayed on the screen of a color monitor (18) together with the image to be processed.

This Fray 11 pattern has far fewer No. 411 μ to be processed than the case shown in Figure 4, so (No. 7 Process J
+I! n, 'lIU can be reduced by 5 to improve work efficiency.

Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for synthesizing the required register mark on the object side (elephant) using the first illustration device.

After operating the device 8 times, first, the workstation (19)
According to an instruction from D (3 (15)), the target image signal in D (3 (15)) is read out to OP (20), and the image signal is thinned out and displayed on the color monitor (18).

Thinning processing is not necessarily necessary. (Steps 1 and 2) Next, on the workstation (19), specify the size and negative/positive type of the register mark that you want to display in one composite display, and then change the image displayed on the color monitor (18). , specify and input the position where the register mark should be displayed. This input operation can be performed, for example, by using a stylus pen to move the cursor directly on the screen of the color monitor (18), by moving a cursor displayed on the screen to a desired position, or by using a digitizer (18).
7) Alternatively, use a method of inputting the value of l using a keyboard. (Step 3) The type and position data of this register mark are ○P (
20), and the register marks input together with the target image are displayed on the color monitor (18) as a frame pattern shown in Figure 5. Check whether each is displayed at the desired position, and if there is a problem, correct it.

(Step 4) After confirming that the required number of register marks have been synthesized at the desired position of the target image, move the workstation (1
9) instructs execution. (Step 5) ○P In (20), the register mark pattern whose negative/positive type and dimensions have been selected previously is synthesized with the target image at the actual resolution according to the position specified on the screen of the color monitor (18). This composite signal is OI) (2
0) to DU (15), and the process ends. (
Step 6) In the above processing process, in step 1, a small target area for partial proof printing is selected and displayed on the color monitor (18), and the required number of images are printed in the desired positional relationship with respect to the displayed image. After displaying the register mark and transferring and storing the composite image signal to the D U (15), the recording side scanning device of the scanner (11) is controlled by the composite image signal to expose and record the duplicate image. Accordingly, it is possible to record a color separation image in which a desired register mark is attached to an image of a desired small target area.

In the above embodiment, the data regarding the register mark pattern was stored in the P U (16), and the register mark was generated according to instructions from the D Z (17). The register mark shown in FIG. 5 may be stored in D U (15). In addition, as a register mark,
It is not limited to the illustrated shape.

〔Effect of the invention〕

(1) A register mark can be displayed and recorded at any position within the target image area.

(2) Since register marks can be recorded in the same positional relationship for each of a plurality of color separated images, highly accurate registration is possible.

(3) When applied to proof printing for a small image area, materials and work time can be significantly saved compared to the conventional method of displaying register marks in image margins.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the recording state of register marks by the device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the recording state of conventional register marks. , FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing examples of register marks applied to the present invention, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing register marks displayed on a color monitor in the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for recording register marks with the illustrated apparatus. (1)... Image area, (2)... Margin, (3) (4)... Register mark, (11)...
・・Image scanning recording device (color scanner), (12)・
...Scanner input area 1 to put station (SI○S), (15) ...Disk unit (image storage means)
(DU), (16)... Processor unit 1 (PU), (1
7) Digitizer (DZ). (18)...Color monitor, (19)...Workstation, (20)...
・Operation unit (image signal processing means) (○
P). Senior 1 Ro ¥ 21 Figure Y ■ (8) Senior A (＾)

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An image storage means for storing color separation image signals, a color monitor for displaying a target color image based on the color separation image signals read from the image storage means, and a register mark on the color monitor screen. a specifying means for specifying a position where the register mark should be displayed; and an image signal for synthesizing the register mark within the target color image area based on the position specified by the specifying means and outputting the synthesized signal to the recording side scanning device. A register mark recording device in an image scanning recording device, comprising: processing means; (2) Register mark recording in the image scanning recording apparatus according to claim (1), wherein a plurality of types of register mark patterns, which are positive or negative or have different dimensions, are stored in the register mark storage means and selectively output. Device. (3) The register mark recording device in the image scanning recording device according to claim 1, wherein the register mark displayed on the color monitor screen is displayed as a frame pattern formed only of outline lines.