JPH0858072A - Method and apparatus for colorimetrically aligning printed matter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a method and an apparatus for colorimetrically aligning a printed matter which can simply and easily align the matter, has a low-cost aligning facility, can smoothly and accurately conduct colorimetry by a colorimetric unit while visually confirming it, and effectively and smoothly manage the quality of the matter and a process. CONSTITUTION: A printed matter 7 is placed on an aligning plate 1 obtained by laminating in contact a display panel 6 and a position sensor 5, and an input implement 9 such as an electronic pen is brought into contact with a fixed point. A lighting part is formed on the panel. Then, the probe 9 of a colorimetric unit 2 controlled to be automatically fed via a feeding mechanism 8 by a CPU 4 is moved to the position of the fixed point, and its colorimetry is obtained by the probe 8. The fixed point of next printed matter 7a is brought into coincidence with the lighting part, the matter 7a is positioned, and the fixed point colorimetry of the matter 7a is obtained by the probe 8 of the unit 2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for colorimetric registration of printed matter in a colorimetric robot or the like incorporated in a print colorimetric management system for quality control and process control of printed matter.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A mobile robot in a print colorimetry management system is provided with a table portion on which a printed matter is placed. A mobile robot takes an image of a printed matter placed on the table portion with a CCD camera or the like to align the printed matter, and a fixed point color measurement of the printed matter is performed by using a color measurement unit. Was there. In order to perform quality control and process control of the printed matter in this system, it is most important to set the printed matter at the same place on the table portion each time. In the conventional technology, a mark is previously placed on a margin of a printed matter and this mark is CC-printed.
A method has been adopted in which a D camera or the like is used for image pickup, software-based position calculation is performed, and colorimetric points of printed matter are determined.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional alignment method, it is necessary to previously provide at least two marks on the printed matter, and at least two CCD cameras are required to simultaneously capture these marks. It will be necessary to prepare. Therefore, there is a problem that the equipment cost increases. In addition, since the fixed points to be color-measured are calculated on the software after the mark is picked up by the CCD camera,
There is a problem that the operator cannot visually confirm the fixed point to be color-measured and cannot recognize whether the color measurement at the same place is definitely performed. Further, in the prior art, since it is necessary to fix the table portion and the printed material relatively firmly, expensive equipment such as a vacuum device is required, and there is a problem that the equipment cost increases.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems. The position adjustment can be easily performed, the equipment cost can be reduced, and the colorimetric region can be visually confirmed, and the quality control of the printed matter in the print colorimetry management system can be performed. It is another object of the present invention to provide a colorimetric alignment method and apparatus for printed matter, in which the manufacturing process is smoothly managed.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention mounts a reference printed matter on an alignment plate formed by laminating a display panel and a position sensor, and a plurality of printed matter After inputting the fixed point by bringing the input operation tool into contact with the fixed point and turning on the display panel and displaying the position on the alignment plate, the printed matter and the printed matter to be colorimetric are exchanged, and the printed matter is changed. While aligning a fixed point with the lighting part of the alignment plate to align the printed matter,
The method is characterized by a colorimetric registration method for a printed matter that performs colorimetry at the fixed point. Further, as an apparatus for carrying out this method, a colorimetric alignment device for printed matter for aligning and measuring the color of a printed matter to be inspected, which is formed by laminating a display panel and a position sensor And an input operation for forming a lighting portion of the display panel at a position corresponding to the fixed point of the alignment plate by contacting a fixed point of the printed matter mounted on the alignment plate with the alignment plate on which the printed matter is mounted. Tool, a color measurement unit that moves to the lighting portion and performs color measurement of the printed matter at that position, a feeding mechanism that moves and supports the color measurement unit in the X, Y, and Z directions, and automatically controls the feeding mechanism. A control means for controlling the color measurement unit and the alignment plate, wherein the control means controls the color measurement unit via the feeding mechanism based on an input signal of a fixed point by the input operation tool. Automatically operating the color measurement unit to move the lamp site. Furthermore, specifically,
The printed matter mounted on the alignment plate is fixed at a predetermined position by a fixture placed on the alignment plate, and the colorimetric unit measures the reflected light of the printed matter irradiated by the light source. It is characterized by having a function of performing spectral measurement and measuring the three primary color components of yellow, magenta and cyan.

[0006]

The first printed matter is mounted on the position adjusting plate, and a predetermined fixed point is pressed by the input operation tool to be input to the position sensor, and at the same time, a lighting portion is formed at the display panel position of the position adjusting plate corresponding to the fixed point. Further, the color measurement unit is brought into contact with the fixed point by the feeding mechanism automatically controlled by the control means,
Perform fixed point color measurement. Next, the second or subsequent sampled printed matter is mounted on the alignment plate, a fixed point of the printed matter is aligned with the lighting portion, and the printed matter is fixed on the alignment plate by a fixture or the like. Next, the color measurement unit is moved to the position of the fixed point of the printed matter and color measurement is performed. For example, by comparing the colorimetric results of the reference printed matter and the printed matter to be inspected, the quality of the printed matter and the pass / fail judgment of the manufacturing process are performed.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic components of this embodiment,
2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the color measurement unit, FIG. 3 is an axial sectional view showing a detailed structure of a probe of the color measurement unit, FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of a feeding mechanism, and FIGS. 5 to 8 are this embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view for explaining a specific color measurement method for aligning the printed matter in FIG. 9, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart thereof.

As shown in FIG. 1, the colorimetric registration device of this embodiment is roughly divided into the following components. That is, it comprises a positioning plate 1, a color measurement unit 2, a feeding mechanism 3, a control means 4, an input operation tool 9 and the like.

The alignment plate 1 is composed of a display panel 6 for a display and a position sensor 5 which is laminated in close contact with the upper surface of the display panel 6 and has a surface area sufficient to mount the printed matter 7 on the surface thereof. Become. As the display panel 6, for example, there is a liquid crystal panel, which is divided into a normally black type and a normally white type, but the former is preferable here. On the other hand, the input operation tool 9 is composed of, for example, a magnetic electronic pen called a stylus pen, and has a coil and an iron core inside. When the input operation tool 9 contacts the position sensor 5, a resonance phenomenon occurs between the input operation tool 9 and the position sensor 5, and the input position is detected. Further, the corresponding portion of the display panel 6 is turned on to form a turned-on portion. In addition, the information on the lighting portion is input and stored in the control means 4 (hereinafter, referred to as CPU 4) shown in FIG.

The colorimetric unit 2 is, for example, a model 938 manufactured by X-Rite, Inc. in the United States, and the reflected light of the printed matter irradiated from the built-in light source is spectrally analyzed to examine the primary color components of yellow, magenta, and cyan, and the color tone is adjusted. Is to measure. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the colorimetric unit 2 includes a probe 8 that directly contacts the printed matter 7, a probe 8 and a fiber 11.
The light receiving unit 10 and the like correspond to the colorimetric main body unit connected by. The light receiving unit 10 is provided with a spectroscope, a control circuit, an operation circuit, a display unit, etc., which are not shown. Further, the light receiving unit 10 is connected to the CPU 4 to exchange necessary information. Further, the probe 8 is connected to the feed mechanism 3 and is incorporated so as to be movable in the X, Y, and Z directions.

As shown in FIG. 2, the built-in light source 1 of the probe 8 is provided.
The light beam from 2 is applied to the printed matter 7, and the reflected light is received by the light receiver 1.
Input to the light receiving element 13 of 0. As shown in FIG. 3, the probe 8 includes a case 15 in which a diffusion chamber 14 is formed, a reflection light input tube 16 disposed in the center of the probe 15, into which an optical fiber 11 is inserted, and a pulse xenon as a light source 12. The lamp includes a lamp, a light shielding plate 17 for the lamp, a diffusion plate 18 arranged below, and the like. Note that the printed matter 7 is provided below the case 15.
An opening 19 is formed so as to come into contact with. The light from the light source 12 is diffused in multiple directions in the diffusion chamber 14, is combined by the diffusion plate 18 as diffused light toward the opening 19, and is irradiated onto the printed matter 7. The reflected light from the printed matter 7 enters the reflected light input tube 16, passes through the optical fiber 11, and is input to the light receiving unit 10. The light receiving unit 10 disperses the reflected light and measures the three primary color components described above.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic structure of the feeding mechanism 3. The Z-axis slide block 20 that suspends and supports the probe 8 is slidably supported by the Z-axis slide base 21 along the Z-axis direction. A Z-axis motor 22 is engaged with the Z-axis slide block 20. On the other hand, the Z-axis slide base 21 is slidably supported by the X-axis slide base 23 along the X-axis direction. Further, the X-axis motor 24 engages with the Z-axis slide base 21. The X-axis slide base 23 is slidably supported on both sides of the Y-axis slide base 25 on the stationary side along the Y-axis direction. The Y-axis motor 2
6 is engaged with the X-axis slide base 23. On the other hand, the X-axis motor 24, the Y-axis motor 26 and the Z-axis motor 22 are CP
It is connected to U4 and each is automatically controlled.

With the above structure, the position signal detected by the position sensor 5 at the position corresponding to the fixed point of the printed matter 7 by the input operation tool 9 is input to the CPU 4, and the CPU 4 is moved to the position corresponding to the fixed point of the display panel 6. A lighting part is formed. Further, the CPU 4 drives each motor (22, 24, 26) of the feeding mechanism 3 by the position signal to control the movement of the probe 8 of the color measurement unit 2 to a position opposite to the fixed point. The probe 8 is in close contact with the fixed point of the printed matter 7 and irradiates the fixed point of the printed matter 7. The reflected light of the printed matter 7 is the optical fiber 11
(FIGS. 2 and 3) is transmitted to the light receiving unit 10 and color measurement is performed.

Next, a method of aligning and colorimetrically measuring the printed matter 7 having the picture shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8 and the flow chart 9. First, as shown in FIG.
The first printed matter 7 having the illustrated pattern is mounted on the alignment plate 1 (step 100). In this case, the rough alignment is performed by the alignment marks 27, 27 provided on the printed matter 7 in advance. In this embodiment, three fixed points 28,
29 and 30 are selected. In addition, fixed points 28, 29, 30
Is formed in the same color as that of the vicinity thereof, so there is no problem even if there is some deviation. The printed matter 7 is fixed on the alignment plate 1 by a fixture 31 such as a paperweight, but it does not need to be fixedly fixed as in the prior art, and the printed matter 7 must be moved until a lighting portion described later is formed. Good luck
It only needs to be lightly fixed by the fixture 31. Printed matter 7
When is fixed on the alignment plate 1, the fixed points 28, 29 and 30 are designated by the input operation tool 9 (step 101).
As a result, as shown in FIG.
Lighting portions 32, 33, and 34 of the display panel 6 are formed at positions corresponding to 8, 29, and 30 (step 102).

Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 9, the lighting parts 32, 33, 34 are turned off, and the probe 8 of the color measurement unit 2 is fixed to the fixed points 28, 29, 30 by the feeding mechanism 3 which is controlled by the CPU 4 to move. Are moved to the positions of and color measurement is performed (step 103). Next, the first printed matter 7
Is removed from the alignment plate 1, and the lighting units 32, 33, 3
4 is turned on and the next printed matter 7a is placed on the alignment plate 1 as shown in FIG. 7 (step 104). In this case, the alignment marks 27, 27 are used as a tentative guide for the alignment, but for the actual alignment, the fixed points 28, 29, 30 of the printed matter 7a and the lighting points 32, 33, 34 of the alignment plate 1 are used. (Step 105). Due to the presence of the lighting portions 32, 33, 34, the printed matter 7a can be accurately and easily aligned.
Next, the printed matter 7a is fixed on the alignment plate 1 by the fixing tool 31, and the lighting parts 32, 33, 34 are turned off (step 106). Since the lighting portions 32, 33, 34, that is, the positions of the fixed points 28, 29, 30 of the printed matter 7a are input to the CPU 4, the CPU 4 automatically controls the feeding mechanism 3 as shown in FIG. The probe 8 is transferred to a position such as the lighting unit 32 (fixed point 28) (step 10).
7). Here, each fixed point 2 of the printed matter 7a to be measured
Color measurement at 8, 29, 30 is performed (step 10
8).

As described above, in this embodiment, the printed matter can be aligned extremely accurately and easily, accurately and quickly. Further, since the printed matter 7, 7a is fixed to the alignment plate 1 by the fixing tool 31, it is possible to easily attach and remove the printed matter. Also, the cost of the fixing means is low.

In the above description, the printed materials 7 and 7a are shown in FIG. 5 and the like, and the three fixed points 28, 29 and 30 are adopted, but of course the invention is not limited to these. Further, the structures of the color measurement unit 2 and the feeding mechanism 3 are not limited to those of this embodiment, and various structures are applied.

[0018]

According to the present invention, the following remarkable effects are obtained. 1) Since the printed matter can be positioned by a simple operation of matching the fixed point of the corresponding printing section with the lighting section of the positioning plate, the positioning can be performed easily and in a short time. This can improve the alignment efficiency. 2) The equipment cost for alignment can be reduced as compared with the prior art. 3) Process control is performed smoothly because the colorimetric area can be visually confirmed. 4) The position of the lighting portion is input to the CPU, and the CPU can easily automatically feed the feeding mechanism to that position, so that accurate color measurement can be performed in a short time. 5) Since the printed matter is fixed by a fixing tool such as a paperweight, the equipment cost for the fixing means is significantly reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a color measurement unit of this embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an axial cross-sectional view of a probe of the color measurement unit according to this embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a schematic structure of a feeding mechanism of the present embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which a printed matter is mounted on an alignment plate and an input operation tool is brought into contact with a fixed point thereof.

FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a lighting unit formed on an alignment plate.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which a color measurement object printed matter is positioned and fixed on an alignment plate.

FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged plan view showing a color measurement unit 8 matching a fixed point of a printed matter.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the present embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Positioning plate 2 Color measurement unit 3 Feed mechanism 4 Control means (CPU) 5 Position sensor 6 Display panel 7 Printed matter (reference) 7a Printed matter (color measurement target) 8 Probe 9 Input operation tool 10 Light receiving part 11 Optical fiber 12 Built-in light source 13 Light receiving element 14 Diffusion chamber 15 Case 16 Reflected light input tube 17 Light-shielding plate 18 Diffusion plate 19 Opening 20 Z-axis slide block 21 Z-axis slide base 22 Z-axis motor 23 X-axis slide base 24 X-axis motor 25 Y-axis slide base 26 Y-axis motor 27 Positioning mark 28 Fixed point 29 Fixed point 30 Fixed point 31 Fixture 32 Lighting part 33 Lighting part 34 Lighting part

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A reference printed matter is mounted on an alignment plate formed by laminating a display panel and a position sensor, and input points are input by abutting input operation tools on a plurality of fixed points of the printed matter, and After the display panel is turned on and its position is displayed on the alignment plate, the printed matter and the printed matter to be measured by color are exchanged, and the fixed point of the printed matter is matched with the illuminated portion of the alignment plate to position the printed matter. A colorimetric alignment method for printed matter, which comprises performing color adjustment at a fixed point while performing matching. 2. A colorimetric alignment device for a printed matter for aligning and measuring the color of a printed matter to be inspected, which is formed by stacking a display panel and a position sensor, and has the printed matter mounted on the surface thereof. A positioning plate, an input operation tool that contacts a fixed point of the printed matter mounted on the positioning plate and forms a lighting part of the display panel at a position corresponding to the fixed point of the positioning plate, and moves to the lighting part. Then, a color measurement unit for measuring the color of the printed matter at that position, a feeding mechanism for moving and supporting the color measurement unit in the X, Y, and Z directions, and automatically controlling the feeding mechanism and the color measurement unit and the alignment plate. And a control means for controlling the color measurement unit, which moves the color measurement unit to the lighting portion via the feeding mechanism based on an input signal of a fixed point by the input operation tool. A colorimetric alignment device for printed matter, characterized by automatically operating the printer. 3. The colorimetric alignment device for printed matter according to claim 2, wherein the printed matter mounted on the alignment plate is fixed at a predetermined position by a fixture mounted on the alignment plate. 4. The colorimetric measurement of a printed matter according to claim 2, wherein the colorimetric unit has a function of spectrally reflecting the reflected light of the printed matter irradiated by a light source and measuring the three primary color components of yellow, magenta and cyan. Alignment device.