JPH03281276A - Apparatus for inspecting printed matter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To take corresponding even when printing content changes at every one page by subjecting the data resulting from the OR of printing data to be printed and the image data of a memory medium itself preliminarily read by an image sensor and the image data actually printed and read by the image sensor to comparative operation to detect whether or not there is difference between both data. CONSTITUTION:At the time of initial feed, the image data corresponding to one page of printing paper 1 itself whose image is taken by an image sensor 3 is stored in a paper image data memory 8. When printing operation is started, the image data of actual printing taken by the image sensor 3 is successively transferred to a control part 12. The printing data corresponding to one page read from a printing data memory 9 and the paper image data of the printing paper 1 itself taken in from the paper image data memory 8 at the time of initial feed are successively transmitted to the control part 12. The printing data and the image data are superposed one upon another to take the OR of both data in the operation part 10 of the control part 12 and this OR data is collated with the image data of actual printing transmitted from the image sensor 3 in a bit unit and the exclusive OR of both data is taken to inspect the image data of actual printing and the printing data to be printed originally.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field]

The present invention relates to a printed matter inspection device that inspects the printed content of printed matter in a printing machine such as a printer.

[Conventional technology]

The seventh issue is a configuration diagram showing a conventional printed matter inspection apparatus disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 147821. In the figure, 1 is printing paper as a recording medium, 2 is a dimple feed roller that feeds the printing paper 1, 3 is an image sensor that reads the printed content of the printing paper 1 as image data; 4 is an image sensor 3;
A/I) converter to which the output of is applied, 5 is A/I)
A changeover switch for changing the output of converter 4, 6 is A/
I) Base for storing the output of the converter 4 7 is a detected value memory for storing the output of the Δ/D converter 4 . Next, the operation will be explained. A predetermined image is repeatedly printed on the printing paper J by a rotary printing machine (not shown), and the paper J is sent out by a conveying roller 2. The image sensor 3 images the printed content on the printing paper 1, and captures an image in the width direction X perpendicular to the running direction Y of the printing paper 1.
A predetermined portion along the path is scanned one-dimensionally to extract an image signal as image data. This image data is digitized pixel by pixel by an A/D converter 4 and supplied to a changeover switch 5. After a human confirms that the printed content is normal by a test print, first add the printed content 49 and the digitized image data to the reference value memory 6, and then switch the changeover switch 5 to the detected value memory 7. Switched to the side. Therefore, by reading and comparing the density information at the corresponding address between the actual image data added to the detected value memory 7 and the reference data added to the reference value memory 6, the quality of the printed material can be judged during printing. can be done continuously

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Conventional printed matter inspection devices are configured as shown below, so they have problems such as not being able to continuously inspect printed matter when the printed content changes page by page, such as in printers. was there. In other words, after a human confirms that the printed content is correct for each page by test printing,
The image data must be stored in the reference value memory, and there is no gain in using the inspection device. This invention has been made to solve the problem described in item h, and aims to provide a printed matter inspection device that can cope with changes in print content page by page like in a printer.

[Failure to solve the problem]

In the printed matter inspection device according to the invention described in claim (1), in the calculation unit, the print data is stored in the print data memory and is to be printed on the recording medium, and the print data is stored in the paper image memory and is to be printed on the paper image memory before printing. It performs a logical sum with the image data of the storage medium itself, and performs a comparison operation between the logical sum data and the image data read by the image sensor. In addition, in the printed matter inspection device according to the invention described in claim (2), in the calculation unit, the coded printed button stored in the print data memory and to be printed on the recording medium and the coded printed button that is read by the image sensor. A comparison operation is performed with the image data stored in the output data memory via an encoder that encodes the image data.

[Effect]

In the printed matter inspection apparatus according to the invention described in claim (1), the arithmetic unit logically ORs the print data to be printed and the image data of the storage medium itself read in advance by the image sensor, and further comprises: The ORed data is compared with the image data actually printed and read by the image sensor to detect whether there is a difference. Further, in the printed matter inspection apparatus according to the invention described in claim (2), the arithmetic unit outputs coded print data to be printed, image data read by the image sensor, and further converted to row 1 by the encoder. A comparison operation is performed to detect whether there is a difference.

【Example】

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the invention as claimed in claim (1) will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 does not show a printed matter inspection device according to an embodiment of the invention as claimed in claim (1), but Fig.
5 is a block diagram showing a printed matter inspection apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention described in () and (2).
FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a printed matter inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention as described in the above, and FIG.
ζ, the same reference numerals as in the conventional t) indicate the same or corresponding parts, so the explanation will be omitted. 8 a paper image data memory for storing image data of the printing paper 1 itself before printing read by the image sensor 3; 9 a print data memory for storing print data to be printed on the printing paper I for each page;
Reference numeral 10 calculates the logical sum of the print ticks stored in the print data memory 9 and the image data stored in the paper image data memory 8, and the logical sum data and the image data read by the image sensor 3. A calculation unit 11 performs a comparison calculation between the logical sum and the image data, and issues an alarm when there is a difference in the data as a result of the comparison.1. A console for displaying a control section 11 including a 4-ro alarm generation section, a 12B/III calculation section 1.0, and an arm generation section 11, 134J, etc., a printer control unit 14 for controlling each section; 15 is a channel control unit that controls the print data memory 9; 16 is an operation panel that performs fine adjustment of the printing position of the printer; 17 is a sheet 1 general feed unit; and 18 is a print process unit. Next, the operation will be explained. As shown in FIG. 5, the printing paper 1 is conveyed in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure by the paper 1 general feeding unit 17 and the conveyance roller 2, and during this time, the printing paper 1 is conveyed by the printing process units 1 to 18.
An image is printed on printing paper 1. The image sensor 3 is installed after the printing process unit 7 i 18 and is capable of reading the image of the printing paper 1. Specifically, the image sensor 3 is installed close to the printing paper 1. It consists of a linear image sensor (-dimensional array). Next, the inspection procedure for printed matter will be explained. The printer is
When the printing paper 1 is set, before printing starts, the printing paper 1 is initially fed to a predetermined position, that is, to a position where the leading edge of the paper is caught by the conveying roller 2. At this time, the printer control unit 14 gives the initial feed information to the changeover switch 5 and
and the A side, that is, the paper image data memory 8 side, and also sends a synchronization signal for the feed timing of the printing paper 1 to the paper image data memory 8, and outputs the blank Bripurin I-paper imaged by the image sensor 3, that is, the printing paper 1. own image data 1
One page is stored in the paper image data memory 8. After the initial feet are completed, when the print 1 operation is started, the selector switch 5 is switched to the B side by a signal from the printer control unit 14. As a result, image data of actual printing captured by the image sensor 3 is sequentially transferred to the control unit 12. - The printer control unit 14 sends timing signals to the print data memory 9 and the paper image data memory 8, and controls one page of print data read from the print data memory 9 by the channel control unit 5. Part 12
Transfer sequentially to Along with this, the paper image data memory 8
The paper image data of the printing paper 1 itself taken in at the time of initial feeding is sequentially transferred to the control unit 12. The calculation unit 10 of the Ril control unit 12 uses the print data transferred from the print data memory 9 and the paper image data memory 8.
The paper image data transferred from the printer is superimposed with the paper image data and the logical sum of the two is calculated. Next, this logical sum data and the image data of the actual print transferred from the image sensor 3 are
・Compare by unit and take the exclusive OR of both five. The alarm generation unit 11 obtains the above matching results from the calculation unit 10, counts the number of mismatched bits by matching each page, sets the page number and the number of mismatched bits as alarm 1, and sends the console to the console. 13. Thereafter, the image data of the actual print and the print data to be originally printed are compared in units of pixels (pixels) to inspect the printing condition, and when the inspection for one page is completed, the image data is sequentially transferred from the print data memory 9. The print data for the next page is transferred to the control unit 12,
Print status is checked. Note that in the embodiment L, a linear image sensor is used as the image sensor 3, but it may be a COD camera or another type of image sensor. Furthermore, the alarm processing is not limited to simply displaying the number of discrepancies for each Hint 1. Further, in the case of the above embodiment, the printing state of the printing paper 1 must not change until the paper is reset. However, cases in which printing paper has defects such as stains and scratches that are comparable to the size of a pixel are often seen. Next, another embodiment that can deal with such a case will be described. In FIGS. 2 and 6, the printing process unit I
・The paper image sensor 19 reads the image data of the unprinted printing paper 1 before entering 18, stores it in the paper image data memory 81, and stores the image data of the actual print printed on the 0th page. In synchronization with the timing at which the data is transferred from the image sensor 3, paper image data is transferred to the control unit 12-2, and inspection is performed as in the above embodiment. The feature of this embodiment is that the inspection accuracy is high because the image is checked before and after printing for each paper actually printed. An embodiment of the invention as claimed in claim (2) will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a printed matter inspection device according to an embodiment of the invention as claimed in claim (2), and FIG.
2) It is a block diagram showing a printed matter inspection apparatus according to another embodiment of the described invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in the conventional apparatus indicate the same or corresponding parts, so the explanation will be omitted. 21 is an encoder that converts the image data read by the image sensor 3 into a code; 22 is the encoder 2;
1, an output data memory stores code-converted image data; 23, a print data memory stores coded print data to be printed; and 24, a comparison operation is made between the read image data and the print data to be printed. 25 is an alarm unit that issues a warning when there is a difference in data; 26 is a printer controller; 27 is an operator
/- Shigonbanel, 28 Hachiyafuru Controller, 29
(-jibanfa, 30 is the decoding section, 31 is the phono 1
- Memory, 32 is a line focus buffer 7, 33 is a half-1 print position designation buffer, and 34 is a print image reading control section. Next, the operation will be explained. As shown in FIG. 5, the printing paper 1 is transported by the paper transport unit 17 and the discharge port 2 in the direction shown by the arrow in the figure, and during this time, the printing paper 1 is transported by the printing unit 118.
Data is printed on printing paper IL. image sensor
3 is installed after the printing process controller 2) 118, and print paper 1-1. Specifically, it is made up of a linear image sensor provided close to the printing paper 1. The channel controller 28 sequentially transfers the code data of both images to be printed to the page buffer 29. The data is expanded into bits by the decoder 30 using the data in the image memory 31, and then sent to the line pick I/Hasso. 32, and is transferred to the printer ML transfer 260 and printed. The encoded data transferred to the page buffer 29 is further transferred to the print data memory 23. The image printed on the printing paper 1 is processed by the image sensor -
3" is read, and the encoder 2I reads 2+-)
The converted data is stored in the output data memory 22 as coated data. The data in the output data memory 22 and the data in the print data memory 23 are
The signals are synchronized by a timing signal given from 6 and transferred to the calculation section 24, where they are compared and calculated. If there is a difference between the two data, the calculation unit 24 instructs the alarm unit 25 to issue a warning. By the function 1-, the output data actually printed on the printing paper 1 and the print data 3 to be originally printed are collated and inspected in code units. Next, as another embodiment, an example of application to a barcode printer will be described. In the case of barcode printing, it is not necessary to inspect all print data; it is sufficient to check only the barcode. In addition to barcode printing, Shiba L7
There are cases where data is printed on printed paper, but in this case a mechanism is required to prevent the printed data from being mistaken for printed content. Other embodiments satisfy these requirements. That is, by providing the position of only necessary data in the print data and collating and inspecting it, misidentification due to unnecessary data can be eliminated. In FIG. 4, the channel controller I roller 28 sends data on the print start position, print length, print width, and print direction of each barcode to the barcode print position designation data processor 33. The print image reading control unit 34 gives the encoder 21 the timing to read only the bar codes 2' and 1 based on the information provided, and checks the print data memory 23 to read only the bar codes from the page buffer 29. Have it transferred. As a result, the arithmetic unit 24 can collate and inspect only the barcode data that is originally to be printed and the barcode data that is actually printed out. Although three linear image sensors are used in the two embodiments described above, it is clear that the present invention is not limited to this. Furthermore, although the other embodiments use a barcode printer as an example, it is of course not limited to the Barcode I printer.

【Effect of the invention】

As described in 1- below, according to the invention described in claim (1), the print data to be printed and the image data of the storage medium itself read in advance by the image sensor are logically summed, and the logical sum of the two is logically summed. It is equipped with a calculation unit that compares and calculates the data and the image that is actually printed and read by the image sensor and detects whether there is a difference, so unlike a printer, the printed content changes for each page. In addition, it is possible to judge the quality of printed matter in real time, and has the effect of always being able to determine the quality of printed matter with sufficient reliability. Further, according to the invention described in claim (2), when the calculation unit compares the print data to be printed and the image data actually printed and read by the image sensor, the comparison calculation is performed in units of coats. In addition to the above-mentioned effects, this configuration has the effect of increasing the processing speed of comparison calculations and making it possible to quickly determine the quality of printed matter.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a printed matter inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention as claimed in claim (1), and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a printed matter inspection device according to another embodiment of the invention as described in claim (2), FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a printed matter inspection device according to an embodiment of the invention as claimed in claim (2) (2) A block diagram illustrating a printed matter inspection apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention described in claim (1) and FIG. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a printed matter inspection apparatus according to another embodiment of the invention as set forth in claim (1);
The figure is a configuration diagram showing a conventional printed matter inspection device. 1 is a printing paper (recording medium), 3 is an image sensor, 8 is a paper image data memory, 9 is a print data memory, 10 is a calculation unit, 21 is an encoder, 22 is an output data memory, 2
3 is a print data memory, and 24 is a calculation unit. In addition, in the figures, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A print data memory that stores print data to be printed on a recording medium, an image sensor that reads the print content of the recording medium as image data, and an image of the recording medium itself before printing that is read by the image sensor. A paper image data memory for storing data, and a logical OR of the print data stored in the print data memory and the image data stored in the paper image data memory, and
A printed matter inspection device comprising a calculation unit that performs a comparison calculation between the logical sum data and the image data read by the image sensor. (2) A print data memory that stores coded print data to be printed on a recording medium, an image sensor that reads the print content of the recording medium as image data, and converts the image data read by the image sensor into a code. an encoder for conversion, an output data memory that stores image data encoded by the encoder, and a calculation unit that performs a comparison operation between the print data stored in the print data memory and the image data stored in the output data memory. A printed matter inspection device equipped with