JPS5893055A - Film checker - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain a checker which permits easy and quick checking of register in a film checker having television cameras and a monitor television by making it possible to synthesize and display inverted electric signals and uninverted electric signals. CONSTITUTION:In a film checker consisting of plural sheets of holding plates for films for printing plates, plural pieces of television cameras, an electric signal processing device (11) and a monitor television (14), the unit (11) includes a signal inverting circuit (35) for inverting the electric signals from at least one television camera, an electric signal synthesizing circuit (34) for synthesizing the signals from other optional cameras, switch circuits (31, 33) for feeding the electric signals from at least the two television cameras to the electric signal synthesizing circuit, and a monochromatic monitor television (32) for displaying synthesized pictures. Then the film checker which permits easy, quick and accurate checking of register at a low cost is obtained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Conventionally, when creating a protective plate for Seal 11, the originals were separated into colors, and each color was pasted onto a single transparent film. It is well known that a color separation film for each color is pasted onto a transparent film according to a predetermined layout and used as an original plate. In this case, it is necessary to check whether the images on the pasted color separation film match each color. For example, in the case of four colors: yellow, red, eye, and dark, the method for checking this is as follows:
Using one of these plates as a reference, check the registration by overlaying the original film of the other one on top of it, and confirm the registration by overlaying the other plates in the same manner on top of the standard plate. There are known ways to do this.

In such a case, there is a drawback that it is difficult to confirm whether or not the registration is correct because both the reference original film and the other original film are positive or negative.

For example, in the case of the four colors of yellow, red, eye, and dark, a method to remove such defects is to create a film with the opposite image from one of the original films, and then print that film. Become a standard. In this case, it is easy to check the registration because the reference master plate and the other original film are in a positive negative state, but since an extra film is required to make the master plate, it is difficult to confirm the registration. New inconveniences arise in terms of cost and time.

゛The present invention eliminates the drawbacks and inconveniences found in the conventional methods, and provides a new device that can instantly check whether the registration of the original film is correct between each color. In other words, according to the apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to confirm whether or not the registration between each color is correct by using a television camera and superimposing images on a color monitor television.

According to the present invention, it is extremely easy to check the register, and it is also possible to achieve great results in checking the alignment of the mesh with the flat net and checking for duplication of letters, etc.

Further, according to the present invention, the relative positional relationship of a plurality of television cameras can be checked with high accuracy, and the plate inspection accuracy of the film plate inspection apparatus is further improved.

The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the film inspection device of the present invention, and shows typical color printing using four colors: Y (split), M (red), C (eye), and BL (tint). An example is shown.

In Figure 1, the original film holding plate (Y
, M, C! ,, Original film compatible with BL (2)
, (3), (4), and (5) are placed. In this case, it is necessary to place these original films at predetermined positions on the holding plate (1). It is only necessary to select and use an appropriate means such as a method matching this, and there is no particular limitation on what kind of method is adopted. The original film placed on the original film holding plate (1) may curl and is not necessarily flat, and the original film may shift position during operation. , it is natural to take measures to prevent this.

To prevent curling or misalignment, use a holding plate (
A vacuum hole (6) may be opened in 1), and after the original film is placed, exhaust may be performed from this vacuum hole (6) using a vacuum pump (not shown). In this case, the shape, position, etc. of the vacuum hole (6) are not particularly limited, as long as they can hold the original film well.

Alternatively, for example, a method may be used in which the original film is placed on an original film holding plate and then further covered with a transparent sheet-like material such as a transparent film or transparent glass. However, since there are cases where it is necessary to use a very high magnification (for example, about 60 to 80 times) when photographing with a television camera, which will be described later, it is preferable to use a vacuum method as the original film holding method.

The first step is to place the original film on the original film holding plate.
You are not limited to arranging them in a row horizontally as shown in the figure, but you may arrange them in any way you like, such as arranging them in a grid pattern.There are no restrictions on how you can arrange them, so choose the method that is most convenient for you. It is best to make adjustments in advance to avoid image shifts due to differences in the position of the TV camera, which will be described later.

The apparatus of the present invention is equipped with television cameras (7), (8), (9), 00) for photographing the original film placed on the original film holding plate FII.

The positions of these TV cameras are set at predetermined positions and the electrical signals from each two TV cameras are combined to display the image on the monitor TV, so the relative relationship between each TV camera is If the position is changed, it is also necessary to change the position where the original film is placed accordingly. Or conversely, if you change the position where the original film is placed, it goes without saying that the position of the TV camera will change accordingly.
Reed 0 According to the device of the present invention, it can be easily confirmed whether the adjustment of the relative positional relationship of images by each television camera is correct.

Images of the original films (2), (3), (4), (5) are taken by these television cameras (7), (8), (9), and 0. 8), (9)
, (1 (HC-mounted zoom lens (7), (8
), (9), and αd can be enlarged to a desired size.

Alternatively, it is also possible to prepare lenses with different magnifications and switch to a lens with a desired magnification to enlarge the image to a desired size.

A television camera (power, (8), ( 9), θ
It is converted into an electrical signal by a photoelectric conversion element provided in α.

The photoelectric conversion element may be a well-known device such as a videocon, and the television camera itself may be a conventional one.The image signals Y, M, C, and BL converted into electrical signals are input to the electrical signal processing device 01 be done. After the white and black levels are adjusted through the electric signal processing device (Ill) and an adjuster (121) for adjusting the white and black levels, they enter the matrix Q31, where each of Y, M, C, ' BL signal Q)
Processing such as conversion from Y, M, C, and BL signals to R (red), G (green), and B (blue), which are the primary colors of television, is performed.

The signals converted into R, G, and B are manually inputted onto the monitor TV α41, and the original film images of each color are compositely displayed in color on the screen of the monitor TV.
town.

In this way, it is possible to instantly check whether or not there is a misregistration by looking at the image on the monitor television screen in which the images of the original film of four colors are displayed in a composite manner. That is, if the color of a certain plate is misaligned, the color of that plate will be displayed on the monitor television, making it extremely easy to check whether the registration is correct or not.

As can be understood from the above explanation, in the device of the present invention, if the original film of each color is pasted in the correct register and set at the correct position on the original film holding plate, each color will be shifted in the composite image. It needs to be displayed without That is, the relative positional relationship of the images taken by the television camera needs to be adjusted accordingly.

Checking whether the relative positional relationship of images taken by each television camera is correct can be done, for example, as follows: 3'), (4), and (5') are set in correct positions on the original film holding plate (1) using register pins (to) as shown in FIG.

Photograph this with each TV camera, display the composite image on a monitor TV, and check whether the relative positional relationship of each TV camera is adjusted correctly by checking whether the test pattern image is shifted. I can do it. In FIG. 4, it is possible to perform the test pattern with high accuracy.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating in more detail an example of the electrical signal processing device αD in the apparatus of the present invention.

In the case of Fig. 3, the image signals Y, M, C, and BL converted into electrical signals from each television camera are sent to the regulator (after passing through 121, the old monitor TV) and several other signals. That signal is a black and white monitor tele Fm (l)
Image signals can also be sent to the switch circuit C3). It is necessary to check and adjust whether the relative positional relationship of images taken by each television camera is correct before starting plate inspection work.Such a check can be done as follows. First, either one of an electric signal containing an image signal from a reference television camera and another electric signal containing an image signal from one television camera is input to the signal inversion circuit 05)K, and the other electric signal is input to the signal inversion circuit 05)K. The electrical signal is directly input to the electrical signal synthesis circuit 04).

These can be controlled by a switch circuit (c).

The signal inversion circuit (c) is a circuit for inverting an electric signal, and in the case of a positive signal, it is inverted to a negative signal, and in the case of a negative signal, it is inverted to a positive signal. - Signal inversion circuit C35) The input electrical signal is inverted and then input to the electrical signal synthesis circuit (b).

In this way, the image signal that entered the electrical signal synthesis circuit (b) after passing through the signal inversion circuit C35+ and the image signal that directly entered the electrical signal synthesis circuit (b) are synthesized here and subjected to the necessary amplification. monitor TV C3aK and the image is displayed on that screen. By looking at this screen, it can be confirmed whether the relative positions of the images from each television camera are correct. For example, if the image signal from a television camera for the Y version is directly input to an electrical signal synthesis circuit and displayed on a monitor TV, the inverted white test pattern of M clothes as shown in Figure 5 can be obtained. The image (36) and the image G7) of the Y-plate test pattern are combined and displayed.

When a white part is displayed on the screen like this, it occurs when the relative positions of the images from the two TV cameras are not adjusted correctly, so it depends on whether the white part is displayed on the screen or not. “You can check whether the relative positional relationship of the TV cameras is correct.

In this way, while looking at the screen of the monitor television C32, it is possible to easily check whether or not the relative positional relationship of the images taken by other cameras is correct using the image taken by one of the television cameras as a reference. If the color images of the two television cameras are shifted, the method is to move the position of the television camera that has shifted without moving the position of the television camera so that the color images do not shift.

Generally speaking, it is better to keep the TV camera fixed and unable to move, as this will improve accuracy.
It is preferable to adopt a method of electrically correcting image deviations without moving the television camera. This is done by changing the scanning position when scanning the image projected on the image pickup tube of the television camera with a lens.

When the relative positional relationship of the images from each television camera is properly adjusted, the white pattern will no longer appear on the monitor television.

Once you have finished adjusting this TV camera, do the same for the other TV cameras, and complete the adjustment for all TV cameras.

The accuracy can be improved by confirming whether the relative positional relationship of the images obtained by each television camera is correct by increasing the magnification.

Figure 3 shows an example of using a black and white monitor TV (32), but this is because when a color TV is used as the monitor, the resolution is low due to the large pitch of the dots on the TV screen. This is due to the fact that high-precision position confirmation is not possible.

After the relative positional relationship of the images from each television camera is adjusted correctly in this way, it is used to confirm the registration of the original film as described above.In this case, the color monitor TV α blur is used. become.

Also, when inspecting halftone dots, it is desirable to magnify 20 times or more, but in such cases, the area projected on the monitor TV A4I is the very edge of the original film due to the high magnification. Limited to some. In order to solve this problem, the original film holding plate (1) should be made movable in the X and Y directions. That is, as shown in Fig. 2, the original film holding plate is attached to the frame (I51 so as to be slidable in the direction (for example, the X direction)), and this frame (
151 may be attached to another frame (16) so as to be slidable in a direction perpendicular to the X direction (Y direction), or any other appropriate means may be employed.

Also, without moving the original film holding plate (1) in the X and Y directions, the TV cameras (forces, (8), (9), and QOI) can be adjusted to The television camera may also be made to be movable in the X and Y directions together.In order to make the television camera '+2 movable in the x and y directions, it is possible to use the same principle as the above-mentioned moving means for the original film holding plate. Note that the movement of the original film holding plate and the television camera in the X and Y directions is not limited to the above-mentioned means, but may be any other means such as the method employed in a universal drafting device such as Drafter (trade name). can be selected and adopted as appropriate.Also, both the original film holding plate and the television camera can be moved.

By making the original film holding plate and/or the camera movable in this manner, it is possible to instantly confirm the register of the four colors at any position even at 1 magnification.

In FIG. 1, the light source part αη is located on the opposite side of the original film from the TV camera, and the light from the light source part aη is transmitted to the original film (2), (3), (4), (5). Pass through -C Ezowa 2- months, 1 months) 9 (71, (81,
(9), αω. In this case, if the magnification is large and you want to take a picture of a part, it is sufficient that the light is effective in that part, and the extra part is illuminated and scattered, making it difficult to see the monitor. In order to prevent this, it is desirable to provide a light shielding plate (181) that blocks light from only the necessary parts and blocks the rest.

In addition, when moving the TV camera, the light source section + 17)
K accommodated light source 0! J, ■, (2+1, (It is desirable that both cameras move together with the television camera, and in this case, the light shielding plate (181) may also move together.

1.Although FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of the case where transmitted light is used, it is not necessarily necessary to use transmitted light, and reflected light may also be used. To use reflected light,
For example, the surface of the original film holding plate on which the original film is placed may be made white or other color, and the light source section should naturally be located at a position for a reflective light source.

In the present invention, the monitor, - register 1' on the television screen:
: Y is a color that is difficult to see, and RL erases other colors, so it cannot be said to be a desirable color for checking registration. To solve this problem, it is preferable to provide adjustment volumes so that each hue and density can be changed independently.

In the present invention, it is preferable to provide a changeover switch so that either a positive type film or a negative type original film can be used, so that either type of original film can be used for inspection. The details of this switching are already known and will not be discussed further here.

It is also possible to switch between continuous-tone separation film and halftone separation film to be used as the original film.
Such techniques are already well known and will not be explained further.

As described above, the present invention simplifies and speeds up register confirmation, improves the efficiency and accuracy of film inspection, improves the efficiency of proof printing, and improves the efficiency of proof printing due to the register accuracy. Since the number of reprints due to misregistration is reduced, material costs can also be reduced.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to extremely easily check whether the pairwise positional relationship between the television cameras is correct, and therefore the position adjustment of each television camera can be speeded up.

Furthermore, the efficiency of proof printing is improved and misregistration in printing is reduced, so it is possible to improve the efficiency of printing.

Conventionally, the registration of the original film was left to the retoucher, so there were constant problems with registration errors during proof printing and final printing.However, according to the present invention, it is possible to quickly inspect the plate using an inexpensive device, and it is possible to eliminate registration errors. In addition to drastically reducing calculation troubles, it also has a great effect on checking the combination of flat mesh y + and double letters, etc.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the film inspection device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an original film holding plate in the device of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a schematic explanatory diagram of the film inspection device of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a more detailed explanatory diagram of the electric signal processing device in which a test pattern film is set, and FIG. 5 is an example of a television screen for checking the relative positional relationship of each television camera. shows. (1)...Original film holding plate (2), (3), (4), (5)...Original film (
6)...Vacuum child L (power, (81, (9), (
Iα...TV camera), (8), (91, αi・
...Zoom lens αυ...Electrical signal processing device (121...Adjuster 03...Matrix α
Blur...Monitor TV α51, (161...Frame α
D... Light source part (181... Light shielding plate a9, ■,
(211, (Shu...Light source (2'), (3'), (A), (5')...Test pattern film (to)...Register bin Gυ, (
C)...Switch circuit (foundation)...Electrical signal synthesis circuit (C)...Signal inversion circuit Patent applicant Toppan Printing Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (+>, an original film holding plate for holding the original film for multi-sheet printing, a plurality of television cameras for taking images of each original film held on the holding plate, an electrical signal processing device for displaying electrical signals from a plurality of television cameras in a composite manner on a monitor television in correspondence with each color of the original film; a monitor television for displaying images of the plurality of television cameras, and the electrical signal processing device further includes a signal inverting circuit for inverting the electrical signals from the plurality of television cameras (each of which is output from the plurality of television cameras). , an electric signal synthesis circuit for synthesizing an inverted electric signal that has passed through the circuit and an electric signal from any other television camera that does not pass through the inversion circuit; a switch circuit for sending electrical signals from two television cameras to the electrical signal synthesis circuit, and a black and white monitor television that displays a composite image based on the electrical signals synthesized by the electrical signal synthesis circuit. A film inspection device featuring: