JPWO2020031451A1 - Printing inspection device and printing equipment with print inspection function - Google Patents

Abstract

A print inspection device that inspects printing on an object by a printing device includes an input means for inputting the print state of the object as an image, an external connection means for passing print information parameters related to printing by communicating with the printing device, and an image. It has a storage means for storing the input image, an image processing means for recognizing the input image, and a control means for controlling the print inspection device and performing a calculation, and the control means sets the state of printing printed on the object. If it deviates from the permissible state, the print information parameter is recalculated and the recalculated print information parameter is transmitted to the printing device. As a result, in the print inspection device, when the printing device prints on the product, the print setting can be easily performed for the ideal print information on the product, and the writing position and the character width, which are the parameters in the horizontal direction, can be set. become able to.

Description

The present invention relates to a print inspection device and a print device with a print inspection function, and is particularly suitable for a print inspection device and a print device for adjusting print information and feeding back desired print information to the print device. Regarding printing equipment with inspection function.

In various manufacturing fields such as food and industrial products, printing equipment such as inkjet recording devices and laser printers are used to print the deadline and factory number on the product, and the printing result is inspected by the printing inspection device. The technology is widely known. When considering the print result as an element of the customer's product, it is important to inspect the print on the product because it deteriorates the product image if the print quality deviates from the customer's required print quality. Therefore, usually, the print inspection device inspects the print result that deviates from the print quality required by the customer, such as the characters to be printed on the product protrude from the print space to be printed.

However, in each inspection by the conventional printing inspection device, it is necessary to reset the printing device and reset the parameters so that the optimum printing result is obtained. Therefore, the operability of the device is deteriorated and the parameters are changed. There was a situation in which the manufacturing situation of the customer was affected due to the resetting work. As an example of solving this, there is a feedback control technology for printing equipment. For example, in Patent Document 1, a set value of a print character height is input to an inkjet recording device, a print inspection device reads a print character photographed by a camera, performs image processing, and determines the height of the photographed print character. An inkjet recording system that can set the print character height and confirm the change in the print character height during production by measuring is disclosed.

JP-A-2017-71077

The inkjet recording system described in Patent Document 1 is said to provide a technique capable of facilitating adjustment of the print character height to be printed on an object and notifying a change in the print character height. However, in Patent Document 1, the number of times the character height is measured on a scale is 2 when associating the setting of the minimum and maximum print character heights with the value of the height of the actually printed printed characters. There are times, and the point of simplifying the setting is not taken into consideration. In addition, only the setting of the character height, which is a parameter in the vertical direction, is mentioned, and the printing parameters in the horizontal direction such as the writing position and the character width are not considered.

An object of the present invention is that when a printing device prints on an object, it is possible to easily make print settings for ideal print information on the object and to perform feedback control so that horizontal print parameters can be set. The purpose is to provide a print inspection device.

The configuration of the print inspection device of the present invention is preferably a print inspection device that inspects printing on an object by the printing device, and by communicating with an input means for inputting the print state of the object as an image and the printing device. It has an external connection means for passing print information parameters related to printing, a storage means for storing an image, an image processing means for recognizing an input image, and a control means for controlling a print inspection device and performing a calculation. When the print state printed on the object deviates from the set allowable state, the control means recalculates the print information parameter and transmits the recalculated print information parameter to the printing device. It was made like this.

According to the present invention, when a printing device prints on an object, it is possible to easily make print settings for ideal print information on the object and to perform feedback control so that horizontal print parameters can be set. A print inspection device can be provided.

It is a layout drawing in the case where the print content is printed by an inkjet recording apparatus, and the product flowing on a transport line is inspected by a print inspection apparatus. It is a block diagram of the print inspection apparatus. It is a block diagram of an inkjet recording apparatus. It is a figure which showed various cases of the printing result when the product flowing on a transport line was printed by an inkjet recording apparatus (No. 1). It is a figure which showed various cases of the printing result when the product flowing on a transport line was printed by an inkjet recording apparatus (No. 2). It is a flowchart which shows the process of setting a reference parameter. It is a figure which shows the example of the image capture screen which performs image capture among the feedback control setting screens. It is a figure which shows the example of the test inspection screen which performs the image inspection among the feedback control setting screens. It is a figure which shows the example of the identification area setting screen which registers an identification area among the feedback control setting screens. It is a figure which shows the example of the permissible range setting screen which registers a permissible range among the feedback control setting screens. It is a figure which shows the example of the communication setting / acquisition screen which sets the target device of feedback control and the processing content among the feedback control setting screens. It is a flowchart which shows the process which realizes the feedback control by a print inspection apparatus.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11.
In the present embodiment, the case where the printing device is an inkjet recording device will be described, but other printing devices, for example, printing devices of other formats such as a laser printer, a thermal printer, and a dot impact printer may be used. ..

First, regarding the products flowing on the transport line using FIGS. 1 to 3, the arrangement when the print contents are printed by the inkjet recording device and the inspection is performed by the print inspection device, and the configurations of the print inspection device and the inkjet recording device. explain.
The layout diagram shown in FIG. 1 is a manufacturing in which the print contents of the product 1 (product 1A to product 1D in FIG. 1) flowing on the transport line 2 are printed by the inkjet recording device 3 and inspected by the print inspection device 4. It shows the line.

As an apparatus on the production line, as shown in FIG. 1, the inkjet recording apparatus 3 has an inkjet recording apparatus 3 and a print inspection apparatus 4, and the inkjet recording apparatus 3 determines the products 1A to 1D flowing on the transport line 2. The printed contents are printed and inspected by the print inspection device 4. Further, the print inspection device 4 is connected to a higher-level device 100 such as a personal computer and an inkjet recording device 3. Further, an encoder 16, a printed matter sensor 21, and a print head 22 are connected to the inkjet recording device 3. Further, the encoder 16, the camera 12, and the inspection object sensor 14 are connected to the print inspection device 4.

First, the configuration of the print inspection device 4 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the print inspection device 4 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit) 5, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 6, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 7, a display IF (InterFace) 8, a display 9, and a panel. It has an IF 10, a touch panel 11, an image processing unit 13, an inspection object detection unit 15, a line speed tracking unit 17, and an external communication control unit 19, and these are connected by a bus line 20 that communicates data and signals.

The MPU 5 is a semiconductor device that controls the entire print inspection device 4 and gives instructions to each part. The RAM 6 is a volatile semiconductor device that temporarily stores data in the print inspection device. The ROM 7 is a non-volatile semiconductor device such as a flash memory that stores a print inspection program 72, a feedback control program 73, a product image 71, and the like in advance. The display 9 is a device that displays an inspection result, a product image 71, or the like via the display IF 8. The touch panel 11 is an input / output device for setting inspection settings and the like via the panel IF 10. The image processing unit 13 processes the image taken by the camera 12. The inspection object detection unit 15 acquires a detection signal coming from the inspection object sensor 14 that detects the passage of the products 1A to 1D flowing on the transport line 2. The line speed tracking unit 17 acquires a speed pulse from the encoder 16 that measures the operating speed of the transfer line 2. The external communication control unit 19 connects to the inkjet recording device 3, the host device 100, and the like via the communication external path 18.

The print inspection program 72 held in the ROM 7 is a program related to print inspection, and the feedback control program 73 is a program that performs feedback control according to the present embodiment.

Next, the configuration of the inkjet recording device 3 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the inkjet recording device 3 includes MPU 301, RAM 308, display IF 304, display 305, panel IF 306, touch panel 307, printing unit 303, external communication control unit 302, ROM 309, sensor IF unit 310, and line speed tracking. It has a unit 311 and is connected by a bus line 300 for communicating data and signals.

The MPU 301 is a semiconductor device that controls the entire inkjet recording device 3 and gives instructions to each unit. The RAM 308 is a volatile semiconductor device that temporarily stores data in the print inspection device. The ROM 309 is a non-volatile semiconductor device such as a flash memory that stores the inspection device IF program 3091 and the like in advance. The display 305 is a device that displays setting information, errors, and the like via the display IF 304. The touch panel 307 is an input / output device for setting print settings and the like via the panel IF 306. The external communication control unit 302 connects to the print inspection device 4 and the like by the communication external path 18. The printing unit 330 executes a function of printing on an object to be printed by using ink. The printing unit 303 includes an ink circulation unit 3031 and a nozzle head unit 3032. The ink circulation unit 3031 circulates ink from several types of ink tanks and supplies the ink to the nozzle head unit 3032. The nozzle head portion 3032 charges the ink with the charging electrode and changes it with the deflection electrode, so that the ink is ejected from the print head 22 onto the object to be printed. The sensor IF unit 310 performs interface processing with the printed matter sensor 21. The line speed tracking unit 311 acquires a speed pulse from the encoder 16 that measures the operating speed of the transfer line 2.

The print information parameter pmpr is stored in the RAM 308. The print information parameter pmpr is a parameter of information related to printing of the inkjet recording apparatus 3, and includes a writing position, a character width, a character height, a space between characters, a space between columns, and the like. The print information parameter pmpr may be read from the print inspection device 4 and updated by the information transmitted from the print inspection device 4 (details will be described later).

The inspection device IF program 3091 held in the ROM 309 is a program that inputs / outputs the print inspection device 4 and the print information parameter pmpl, receives error information, and displays the error information. The print information setting program 3092 is a program that sets print information according to the print information parameter pmpr.

In the above description, the print inspection device 4 and the inkjet recording device 3 are described as separate devices, but the ink jet recording device 3 having a print inspection function may be integrated. In that case, the device becomes compact, and the transfer of print information parameters using an external communication line becomes unnecessary.

Next, in this production line, a flow in the case where the print contents are printed by the inkjet recording device 3 and the print inspection device 4 performs the inspection will be described.
First, when the product 1B passes in front of the printed matter sensor 21, the inkjet recording device 3 detects the signal flow 21S of the printed matter sensor 21. As a result, the inkjet recording device 3 sends ink to the print head 22 via the print head cable 22S, and the print head 22 skips the ink particles that have been internally particleized and charged to print on the product 1B. Do it.

When the product continues to flow on the transport line 2 and then passes in front of the inspection object sensor 14, the print inspection device 4 detects the signal flow 14S of the inspection object sensor 14 by the inspection object detection unit 15. As a result, the print inspection device 4 causes the camera 12 to take a picture of the product 1C. The captured image of the product 1C becomes an image communication flow 12S and reaches the image processing unit 13, and the print inspection device 4 causes the display 9 to display the image via the display IF 8. The MPU 5 performs a print inspection on this image using the inspection parameter pmchk stored in the RAM 6 and the print inspection program 72 stored in the ROM 7. This inspection parameter pmchk is set in advance from the touch panel 11 via the panel IF10. The inspection result is displayed on the display 9, and the captured image of the product 1C is stored in the ROM 7. The details of the inspection parameter pmchk will be described later.

Here, since the operating speed of the transport line 2 is notified from the encoder 16 to the inkjet recording device 3 and the print inspection device 4 by the encoder signal flows 16S1 and 16S2, the operating speed of the transport line 2 suddenly changes. Even if it does, printing and inspection will work smoothly. Further, in the above series of flows, when the inkjet recording device 3 and the print inspection device 4 are connected by the communication external path 18, the date, print content, character width, character height, etc. are set according to the settings. Information can be sent and received.
Further, the data fed back by the print inspection device 4 is transmitted to the host device 100 or the inkjet recording device 3. This process will be described in detail later.

Next, in order to explain the print feedback control of the print inspection device of the present embodiment, first, various print result examples when printing is performed by the inkjet recording device 3 using FIGS. 4A and 4B will be described.
FIG. 4A is a diagram showing various cases of printing results when a product flowing on a transport line is printed by an inkjet recording device (No. 1).
FIG. 4B is a diagram showing various cases of printing results when a product flowing on a transport line is printed by an inkjet recording device (No. 2).

The print result example 23A is a case in which the print is normally performed. On the other hand, the printing result examples 23B to 23D are cases in which abnormal printing is performed because the state of the inkjet recording device 3 or the conveying line 2 is changed for some reason or an abnormality occurs.

In the print result example 23B, the writing position is deviated due to the fact that the inkjet recording device 3 cannot cope with the change in the speed of the transport line 2 and the detection position of the product 1 is deviated, and it is desired to print. This is an example of the frame sticking out.

In the print result example 23C, characters are printed when printed because the inkjet recording device 3 cannot cope with the sudden change in the speed of the transport line 2 and the ink particle state changes during printing. This is an example in which the width becomes large and the frame to be printed is out of the range.

The print result example 23D is an example in which the character height becomes large due to a change in the ink particle state during printing, and the frame to be printed is pushed out.

The print result example 23E is an example in which the space between characters becomes large when printing, and the frame to be printed is out of the range.

The print result example 23F is an example in which the space between steps becomes large when printing, and the frame to be printed is pushed out.

In order to prevent the above-mentioned examples such as the print result examples 23B to 23F from occurring and to maintain the normal state as in the print result example 23A, the writing position, character width, and the writing position, character width, which are set in the inkjet recording device 3. It is necessary to change the character height according to the printing state.

Next, the process of setting the reference parameter by the print inspection device of the present embodiment and the user interface thereof will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10.
The print inspection device 4 sets the reference parameter pmbs when performing feedback control regarding printing. The reference parameter pmbs is a parameter representing various information related to printing such as a writing position and a character width for monitoring whether or not the printing state of the inkjet recording device 3 is optimal and performing feedback control regarding printing.

First, the print inspection device 4 takes in the image of the print result printed on the product 1 by the inkjet recording device 3 as an inspection image, and performs character recognition of the image (S101).

Next, the image of the print result captured in S101 is inspected by the inspection parameter pmchk (S102). The inspection by the inspection parameter pmchk is a formal check such as whether the printing keyword is correct, the prefix of the serial number is correct, the arrangement information is correct, and the date of manufacture is printed correctly. Then, using various inspection parameters pmchk set in advance, it is determined whether or not the inspection result of the entire image is "inspection OK" (S103), and if the inspection is not OK (S103: no), the image. Various inspection parameters pmchk in the print inspection apparatus are changed and set until the overall inspection result is "inspection OK" (S104). In the print inspection device, the inspection result of the entire image is not "inspection OK" unless the inspection results of all the inspection characters are "inspection OK". It is assumed that this operation is the same as the basic operation procedure of the print inspection device.

Then, when the inspection result of the entire image is "inspection OK" (S103: Yes), the print inspection device 4 is a block consisting of all the inspection characters from the cutout frame coordinates of the inspection characters (hereinafter, "inspection"). Calculate the total length and total height of (referred to as "character group"). In addition, the print inspection device 4 includes all the cutout frames of the inspection characters, the length is the total length of the inspection character group, the height is the total height of the inspection character group, and the outer frame and one side of the image are The parallel rectangles are recorded as the "inspection character group area" (S105). That is, it is intended that all the inspection characters are included in the inspection character group area.

Next, an area where the location of the inspection character group can be easily specified by coordinates, such as the print layout of the product exterior reflected in the image of the print result, is registered as the "identification area" (S106). After registering the identification area, the print inspection device 4 calculates the interval between the identification area and the inspection character group area (S107). After that, the permissible range when the inspection character group inspected at the time of feedback control exceeds (deviations) the inspection character group area set in S105 is registered (S108). In addition, the target device and the processing content of the feedback control to be performed when the permissible range is deviated are set (S109). Finally, the print inspection device 4 acquires the print information parameter pmpl such as the writing position, the character width, and the character height of the inkjet recording device 3 by communication (S110). The print information parameter pmpr acquired at this time is information when the print result inspected in S102 is printed. The acquired print information parameter pmpr, the input identification area, the deviation allowable range, the behavior during feedback control, and the inspection character group area obtained by calculation, and the interval between the identification area and the inspection character group area are set as the reference parameter pmbs. Define and save (S111). Then, the print inspection device 4 uses these acquired reference parameters pmbs to monitor the print state of the inkjet recording device from the inspection results of the print inspection device.

Next, the user interface when the print inspection device sets the reference parameter will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10.

FIG. 6 shows an image capture screen 24A for feedback control displayed in the process of S101 for capturing an image of the print result. The image capture screen 24A is composed of an image capture frame 25, an inspection image 26, an image capture option 27, selection buttons 27A to 27C, a setting execution button 28, and a back button 29.

When performing image capture, the user can freely select the state of the transport line 2 and the past image, such as the continuous capture button 27A, the sensor capture button 27B, and the image call button 27C, to capture the image. can do.

FIG. 7 shows a test / inspection screen 24B for feedback control displayed in the processes of S102 to S105 for capturing an image of the print result. The test inspection screen 24B is displayed when performing a procedure for calculating the total length and height of the inspection character group and the "inspection character group area" consisting of these from the inspection character cutout frame coordinates of the printed image. It is a screen to be printed.

When the image of the print result is captured and inspected by the print inspection device 4 in the process of S102, the image of the inspection result is displayed on the test inspection screen 24B. The test inspection screen 24B is composed of an image capture frame 25, an inspection image 26, an inspection character 30, an inspection result 31 of the entire image, a parameter change button 32 for transitioning to the setting screen, a setting execution button 28, and a back button 29. Unless the inspection results of all the inspection characters 30 are "inspection OK", the inspection result 31 of the entire image is not "inspection OK".

Therefore, first, the user changes and sets various inspection parameters pmchk in the print inspection apparatus 4 as shown in the process of S104 until the inspection result 31 of the entire image becomes "inspection OK". The operation after setting is assumed to be the same as the operation procedure of the normal print inspection device, and the contents of various inspection parameters pmchk and the setting procedure are the same as those of the prior art.

When all the characters are "inspection OK", the print inspection device 4 performs the entire inspection character group from the cutout frame coordinates of the inspection character 30 displayed on the image capture frame 25 as shown in the process of S105. Calculate length and overall height.

The specific calculation formula is based on the upper left coordinate of the inspection image 26 as the origin (0,0).
Length of inspection character group = (maximum horizontal coordinate of cutout frame for rightmost character)-(minimum horizontal coordinate of cutout frame for leftmost character) +1
Height of inspection character group = (maximum vertical coordinate of cutout frame of lower end character)-(minimum vertical coordinate of cutout frame of upper end character) +1
Will be.

This image unit can be freely set such as pixels and mm, and no specific image unit is specified.
Further, using the total length and the total height of these inspection character groups, the total length is the total length, the horizontal is the total height, all the cutout frames of the inspection character 30 are included, and the length is the total length of the inspection character group. A rectangle whose length and height are the total height of the inspection character group and whose side is parallel to the image capture frame 25 is recorded as the inspection character group area. That is, it is intended that all the inspection characters are included in the inspection character group area.

When the inspection character group is the inspection image 26A parallel to the image capture frame 25A, the inspection character group length 33A, the inspection character group height 34A, and the inspection calculated using the above formula are used. The character group areas 35A are as shown in FIG. 7B, respectively. The inspection character group area 35A is configured to include all inspection characters, and one side thereof is parallel to the image capture frame 25A and the inspection character cutout frame.

Further, when the inspection character group is the inspection image 26B oblique with respect to the image capture frame 25B, the length 33B of the inspection character group and the height 34B of the inspection character group calculated using the above formula are used. And the inspection character group area 35B are as shown in FIG. 7 (c), respectively. The inspection character group area 35B is configured to include all inspection characters, and one side thereof is parallel to the image capture frame 25B, but is oblique to the cutout frame of the inspection characters. In addition, the size is larger than that of the inspection character group area 35A. In this way, the inspection character group area is set even if it is not parallel to the cutout frame of the inspection character.

As described above, the size of the inspection character group area changes depending on the rotation direction of the image inspected at the time of the image capture inspection of S102. However, since the purpose of FIG. 7 is to determine the inspection character group area, the inspection characters It is set regardless of whether the cutout frame is diagonal or not.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the identification area setting screen 24C displayed in the processes of S106 to S107. On the identification area setting screen 24C, an area where the location of the inspection character group can be easily specified by coordinates, such as the print layout of the product exterior reflected in the image of the print result, is registered as the "identification area", and the print inspection device 4 , Calculate the distance between the identification area and the inspection character group area.

The identification area setting screen 24C has an image capture frame 25, an inspection image 26, an identification area coordinate 36, an upper left coordinate display 37 of the identification area, a lower right coordinate display 38 of the identification area, an identification area display frame 39, a setting execution button 28, and a return. It is composed of buttons 29. Further, the identification area coordinates 36 can be set by the numeric keypad 40A composed of the number keys and the + -keys or the numeric keypad 40B composed of the arrows, and the numeric keypad 40A and the numeric keypad 40B can be switched by a specific button such as the Lock button. It shall be.

When registering the identification area, the upper left coordinate of the inspection image 26 is set as the origin (0,0), and four items of the identification area coordinate 36 (four items of vertical and horizontal coordinates of the lower left and lower right of the identification area) are set. As a method of setting the coordinates, either the upper left coordinate display 37 or the lower right coordinate display 38 is directly touched and dragged, or any item of the identification area coordinates 36 is selected and displayed on either the numeric keypad 40A or the numeric keypad 40B. Imagine a method of inputting / moving and setting coordinates with the numeric keypad. The identification area coordinates 36 set in this way are shown in the identification area display frame 39.

When the identification area coordinates 36 are set, the print inspection device 4 calculates the distance (horizontal direction 41, vertical direction 42) between the identification area display frame 39 and the inspection character group area 35 as shown in the process of S107. The specific calculation formula is based on the upper left coordinate of the inspection image 26 as the origin (0,0).
Interval horizontal direction 41 = (abscissa on the upper left of the inspection character group area 35)-(abscissa on the upper left of the identification area display frame 39) +1
Interval vertical direction 42 = (upper left vertical coordinate of inspection character group area 35)-(upper left vertical coordinate of identification area display frame 39) +1
Will be.

This image unit can be freely set such as pixels and mm, and no specific image unit is specified.
Further, from the calculation formula, it is allowed that a negative value is set for this interval (horizontal direction 41, vertical direction 42).

As an example, in the image capture frame 25C, when the identification area display frame 39C exists at the upper left of the inspection character group area 35C, the intervals (horizontal direction 41C, vertical direction 42C) are as shown in FIG. 8B. .. Further, in the image capture frame 25D, when the identification area display frame 39D exists in the upper part of the inspection character group area 35C, the intervals (horizontal direction 41D, vertical direction 42D) are as shown in FIG. 8C. .. As shown in these figures, the identification area can be arranged in any arrangement as long as the location of the inspection character group can be easily specified by the coordinates.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a permissible range setting screen 24D displayed in the process of S108. On the permissible range setting screen 24D, the permissible range when the inspection character group inspected at the time of feedback control exceeds (devises) the inspection character group area 35 set in S105 is registered. When registering the permissible range shown in the process of S108, it is set on the permissible range setting screen 24D on which the image of the print result is displayed. The difference between FIGS. 9 (a) and 9 (b) is whether the permissible range is set by the ratio or the coordinates.

The permissible range setting screen 24D has an image capture frame 25, an inspection image 26, a coordinate display 43 of the inspection character group area 35, an upper left coordinate display 44 of the inspection character group area 35, and a lower right coordinate display 45 of the inspection character group area 35. It is composed of a range setting value area 68A or an allowable range setting value area 68B, an allowable range setting method option 47, an allowable range area 48, an allowable range setting value illustrated image 49, a setting execution button 28, and a back button 29. Further, the allowable range setting value area 68A or the allowable range setting value area 68B can be set by the numeric keypad 40A composed of numbers and + -keys or the numeric keypad 40B composed of arrows, and the numeric keypad 40A and the numeric keypad 40B are locked buttons. It shall be possible to switch with a specific button such as.

As a method of setting the allowable range, a method of directly touching and dragging the allowable range area 48, or selecting an arbitrary item of the allowable range setting value area 68A or the allowable range setting value area 68B and displaying the numeric keypad 40A, It is assumed that a method of inputting / moving and setting coordinates with any of the numeric keypad 40B is assumed. The permissible range area 48 and the permissible range set value illustrated image 49 change the display position at any time after setting the permissible range set value area 68A or the permissible range set value area 68B in a manner that further follows. Further, when setting the permissible range, first, the permissible range setting means is selected in the permissible range setting method option 47. The allowable range setting method option 47 includes <ratio> and <coordinates>.

Allowable range setting method When <Ratio> is selected in option 47, the allowable range setting value area 68A is displayed as shown in the allowable range setting screen 24D shown in FIG. 9A, and each set value is a group of inspection characters. When the position of the area 35 is set to 100%, the ratio can be set by 4 items (upward, downward, leftward, rightward). For example, when it is desired to expand the allowable range upward from the inspection character group area 35, if 120% is set upward, the upper side of the allowable range is set 20% above the inspection character group area 35 with the upper side as 100%. NS.

Allowable range setting method When <coordinates> is selected in option 47, the allowable range setting value area 68B is displayed as shown in the allowable range setting screen 24D shown in FIG. 9B, and each set value is the inspection image 26. With the upper left coordinate of the as the origin (0,0), it becomes possible to set four items of the allowable range area 48 (four items of vertical and horizontal coordinates of the lower left and lower right of the allowable range). For example, when it is desired to expand the allowable range upward from the inspection character group area 35, if the upper left Y coordinate is set to the upper coordinate, the upper side of the allowable range is set based on the set coordinates.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a communication setting / acquisition screen 24F for setting processing from S109 to F111. The communication setting / acquisition screen 24F is an example of a screen for setting the target device and processing contents of feedback control and acquiring the print information parameter pmpl such as the writing position, character width, and character height of the inkjet recording device 3 by communication. ..

The communication setting / acquisition screen 24F shown in FIG. 10A is a screen when <IJP> option 51A is selected in the feedback target setting item 50, and the feedback target setting item 50 and the processing setting item 52 at the time of NG. , The setting value display area 54 of the inkjet recording device, the setting execution button 28, and the back button 29.

As the processing setting item 52 at the time of NG, the options of option 53A or option 53B are prepared.
In the set value display area 54 of the inkjet recording device, the columns of the writing position 56, the character width 57, the character height 58, the character spacing space 59, and the column spacing space 60 of the inkjet recording device 3 are communicated from the inkjet recording device 3 by communication. The acquired print information parameter pmpr is displayed. The data acquisition button 55 is a button selected for acquisition from the inkjet recording device 3 by communication.

Further, the communication setting screen 24F of FIG. 10B is a screen when <upper device> option 51B is selected in the feedback target setting item 50, and the feedback target setting item 50, the processing setting item 52 at the time of NG, and the setting. It is composed of an execute button 28 and a back button 29.

As the processing setting item 52 at the time of NG, only option 53B is prepared.
On this screen, first, as shown in the process of S109, the target device for feedback control and the processing content are set. First, the target device for feedback control is selected from the feedback target setting item 50. <IJP> When option 51A is selected, feedback control is performed on the inkjet recording device 3, so that the setting value display area 54 of the inkjet recording device that acquires and displays the print information parameter pmpl of the inkjet recording device 3 is obtained. Appears.

Here, as shown in the process of S110, when the data acquisition button 55 is pressed, communication is performed between the print inspection device 4 and the inkjet recording device 3, and the writing position which is the print information parameter pmpr of the inkjet recording device 3 is executed. , Character width, character height, space between characters, and space between columns can be acquired, and are displayed at the writing position 56, character width 57, character height 58, space between characters 59, and space between columns 60, respectively. .. The value of the acquired print information parameter pmpr is displayed in the set value display area 54 and updated each time it is acquired. When carrying out this communication, the print information parameter pmpr of the inkjet recording device 3 is left as the printing condition for the image of the print result captured in FIG. On the other hand, when the <upper device> option 51B is selected, the feedback control is performed for the upper device 100, so that the setting value display of the inkjet recording device that acquires and displays the print information parameter pmpr of the inkjet recording device 3 is displayed. Area 54 does not appear. The feedback control for the higher-level device 100 is a process of only displaying an error on the higher-level device 100, as will be described later.

Further, the print position is not preferable, and the processing content of the feedback control when the print inspection device 4 performs feedback control on the feedback target is set by the processing setting item 52 at the time of NG. <Communication> When option 53A is selected, if the inspection result deviates from the reference parameter pmbs, the feedback control is recalculated from the reference parameter pmbs and corrected so that the print result will be in the optimum state next time. Feedback control is executed to output new values of writing position, character width, character height, inter-character space, and inter-column space for communication. This is assumed to be selected especially when feedback control is performed on the inkjet recording device 3. In the inkjet recording device 3, the value of the print information parameter pmpr is corrected in response to this. On the other hand, when <Error display> option 53B is selected, if the inspection result deviates from the reference parameter pmbs set in the image of the print result, the inkjet recording device 3 or the higher-level device 100 is used instead of performing feedback control. On the other hand, control is performed to display an error. This is assumed to be selected when feedback control is performed on either the inkjet recording device 3 or the host device 100.

When all the above settings are completed and the setting execution button 28 is pressed, as shown in the processing of S111, each parameter set and calculated in the processing of S105 to S108 is defined as the reference parameter pmbs, and the print inspection device 4 Save to. As a result, the reference parameter pmbs is set, and the preparation for performing feedback control according to the set parameter is completed.

Next, a process in which the print inspection device realizes feedback control will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process in which the print inspection device realizes feedback control.
First, the print inspection device 4 executes a print inspection process on the product 1 (S201).
Next, it is determined whether or not the result of the print inspection process is OK (S202), and if even one of all the inspection characters 30 (FIG. 7) is print inspection NG (S202: No), the entire image is displayed. The inspection result 31 is displayed as "inspection NG" (S203), and the process is terminated. If the inspection results of all the inspection characters 30 are print inspection OK (S202: Yes), the print inspection apparatus 4 calculates the inspection character group area α for the current inspection results (S204). After that, the identification area shown in FIG. 8 is searched (S205), and the position and the distance between the identification area display frame 39 and the inspection character group area 35 (horizontal direction 41, vertical direction 42) are used to set the reference parameter pmbs. Based on this, the inspection character group area β that should be originally placed in the inspection image of the product 1 is calculated, and the inspection character group area β calculated earlier and the allowable range setting value area 68A or the allowable range setting value area 68B are used. The permissible range γ of the inspection character group area β is calculated (S205).

Next, the print inspection device 4 performs an area comparison between the inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ (S206), and if it does not extend (is within the range) from the inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ (S206). S206: No) Since the inspection result of the product 1 does not require feedback control, the inspection result 31 of the entire image is displayed as "inspection OK" (S207), and the process is terminated. If the inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ are out of the range (outside the range) (S206: Yes), the inspection result of the product 1 requires feedback control. When you come to this route, although all the inspection characters 30 of the product 1 are "inspection OK", in order to emphasize that they are printed in an unintended place, the inspection result 31 of the entire image is displayed as "inspection OK". "Inspection NG" is displayed (S208).

Next, the print inspection device 4 checks the feedback target setting item 50 (S209), and when the option 51A is selected (S209: IJP), the print inspection device 4 checks the inkjet recording device 3 with respect to the inkjet recording device 3. In order to perform feedback control, go to S211 and if option 51B is selected (S209: higher-level device), the higher-level device only displays an error, so the process goes to S210.

Next, the print inspection device 4 checks the processing setting item 52 at the time of NG of the feedback control (S211), and when the option 53A is selected (S211: communication), communicates with the inkjet recording device 3. In order to perform the processing and perform feedback control of the value of the print parameter, the processing of S212 or less is performed, and when option 53B is selected (S211: error display), the print inspection device 4 is the inkjet recording device 3. Alternatively, an error is displayed on the host device 100 (S210), and the process ends.

When the print inspection device 4 performs feedback control regarding the print parameter 3d on the inkjet recording device 3, which print information parameter pmpl (writing position, character width, character height) of the inkjet recording device 3 is performed by the processing of S212 to S223. , Character-to-character space, inter-stage space) is determined by feedback control.

The processing of S212 to S217 is a determination in the lateral direction.
First, it is determined whether or not the inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ are extended in the lateral direction (S212). If it extends in the horizontal direction (S212: Yes), it is determined whether or not the inspection character width for each character of the inspection character 30 is different from the inspection character width for each character of the reference parameter pmbs (S213). If there is no difference from the reference parameter pmbs (S213: same as "reference"), whether or not the inspection character horizontal spacing for each character of the inspection character 30 is different from the inspection character horizontal spacing for each character of the reference parameter pmbs. (S214).

The inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ extend laterally (S212: yes), and the inspection result character width of the inspection character 30 in the product 1 is the inspection result character of the inspection character 30 in the reference parameter pmbs. If the width is different from the width (S213: different from the "reference"), the character width 57 needs to be feedback-controlled, so the print inspection device 4 records "feedback target: character width" ( S215). The inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ extend laterally (S212: yes), and the inspection result character width of the inspection character 30 in the product 1 is the inspection result character of the inspection character 30 in the reference parameter pmbs. The width is the same as the width (S213: same as "reference"), and the width of the inspection character horizontal spacing of the inspection character 30 in the product 1 is different from the inspection character horizontal spacing of the inspection character 30 in the reference parameter pmbs. If (S214: different from "reference"), it is necessary to control the inter-character space 59 by feedback, so the print inspection device 4 records "Feedback target: inter-character space" in S216 (S24: difference from "reference"). S216). The inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ extend laterally (S212: yes), and the inspection result character width of the inspection character 30 in the product 1 is the inspection result character of the inspection character 30 in the reference parameter pmbs. It has the same width as the width (S213: same as "reference"), and the inspection character horizontal spacing of the inspection character 30 in the product 1 is the same width as the inspection character horizontal spacing of the inspection character 30 in the reference parameter pmbs. If (S214: same as "reference"), the writing position 56 needs to be feedback-controlled, so the print inspection device 4 records "feedback target: writing position" (S217).

It is determined whether or not the inspection character group area α and the allowable range γ are protruding in the horizontal direction (S212), and if it is not protruding in the horizontal direction (S212: No), the process proceeds to S218.

S218 to F223 are determinations in the vertical direction.
First, it is determined whether or not the inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ are extended in the vertical direction (S218). If it extends in the vertical direction (S218: Yes), it is determined whether or not the inspection character height for each character of the inspection character 30 is different from the inspection character height for each character of the reference parameter pmbs (S219). .. If there is no difference from the reference parameter pmbs (S219: same as "reference"), check whether the vertical spacing of the inspection characters for each character of the inspection character 30 is different from the vertical spacing of the inspection characters for each character of the reference parameter pmbs. Judgment (S220).

The inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ extend vertically (S218: yes), and the inspection result of the inspection character 30 in the product 1 The character height is the inspection result of the inspection character 30 in the reference parameter pmbs. If the height is different from the character height (S219: different from the "reference"), the character height 58 needs to be feedback-controlled. Therefore, the print inspection device 4 sets the "feedback target: character height" in S221. Is recorded (S221). The inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ extend vertically (S218: Yes), and the inspection result of the inspection character 30 in the product 1 The character height is the inspection result of the inspection character 30 in the reference parameter pmbs. The height is the same as the character height (S219: same as "reference"), and the vertical spacing of the inspection characters 30 in the product 1 is different from the vertical spacing of the inspection characters 30 in the reference parameter pmbs. If the height is set (S220: different from the "reference"), the interstage space 60 needs to be feedback-controlled, so the print inspection device 4 records "feedback target: interstage space" in S222. (S222). Further, the inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ are vertically extended (S218: Yes), and the inspection result character height of the inspection character 30 in the product 1 is the inspection character 30 in the reference parameter pmbs. The height is the same as the inspection result character height (S219: same as "reference"), and the inspection character vertical spacing of the inspection character 30 in the product 1 is the inspection character vertical spacing of the inspection character 30 in the reference parameter pmbs. If the height is the same as (S220: same as "reference"), it means that the product 1 has flowed out of alignment when flowing on the transfer line 2, and this is determined to be the transfer deviation of the product. (S223). This is outside the scope of feedback control.

It is determined whether or not the inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ are out of the vertical direction (S218), and if the inspection character group area α and the permissible range γ are not out of the vertical direction (S218: No), the process proceeds to S224.

In the above description, the print information parameter pmpr to be fed back has been described in the case of two patterns in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, but there may be a plurality of character direction patterns.

From the results determined in S212 to S223, the print inspection device 4 calculates a new value of the print information parameter pmpr so that the print result does not exceed (is within the range) the inspection character group area α and the allowable range γ. (S224).

Then, the information is transmitted to the inkjet recording device 3, and the inkjet recording device 3 performs feedback control of updating the print information parameter pmpl stored internally according to the value (S225).

As described above, even if the print quality is different from the print quality required by the customer, the print quality is corrected by the print information parameter pmpr held by the print inspection device 4 and the inkjet recording device 3. Can be kept constant. In addition, since the setting is simple, the operability is improved, and since the parameters in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction can be set, the effect of widening the range of the feedback target can be expected.

In the above embodiment, as an example, the operation of the feedback control procedure when the printing device is an inkjet recording device has been described, but other printing devices such as a laser printer, a thermal printer, a dot impact printer, etc. The effect of the same feedback control can be expected in the printing equipment according to the format of.

1,1A, 1B, 1C, 1D ... Product, 2 ... Transfer line, 3 ... Inkjet recording device,
4 ... Print inspection device, 5 ... MPU (Micro Processing Unit),
6 ... RAM (Random Access Memory), 7 ... ROM (Read Only Memory),
8 ... Display IF, 9 ... Display, 10 ... Panel IF, 11 ... Touch panel,
12 ... Camera, 13 ... Image processing unit, 14 ... Inspection object sensor,
15 ... Inspection object detection unit, 16 ... Encoder, 17 ... Line speed tracking unit,
18 ... Communication external path, 19 ... External communication control unit, 20 ... Bus line, 21 ... Printed matter sensor, 22 ... Print head,
23A, 23B, 23C, 23D, 23E, 23F ... Examples of printing results with an inkjet recording device,
24A, 24B, 24C, 24D, 24F, ... Feedback control setting screen,
25, 25A, 25B, 25C, 25D ... Image capture frame,
26, 26A, 26B ... Inspection image, 27 ... Image capture options,
30 ... Inspection character, 31 ... Inspection result of the entire image, 32 ... Parameter change button,
33A, 33B ... Length of inspection character group, 34A, 34B ... Height of inspection character group,
35, 35A, 35B, 35C, 35D ... Inspection character group area, 36 ... Identification area coordinates,
39, 39C, 39D ... Identification area display frame, 40A, 40B ... Numeric keypad,
41C, 41D ... Spacing between the identification area display frame and the inspection character group area Horizontal direction,
42C, 42D ... Spacing between the identification area display frame and the inspection character group area Vertical direction,
43 ... Coordinate display of inspection character group area,
68A, 68B ... Allowable range setting value area, 47 ... Allowable range setting method option,
48 ... Allowable range area, 49 ... Selected allowable range setting value illustrated image,
50 ... Feedback target setting item, 52 ... Processing setting item at the time of NG,
54 ... Setting value display area, 55 ... Data import button,

Claims (6)

A printing inspection device that inspects printing on an object by a printing device.
An input means for inputting the print state of the object as an image, and
An external connection means that passes print information parameters related to printing by communicating with the printing device.
A storage means for storing the image and
An image processing means for recognizing the input image and
It has a control means for controlling the print inspection device and performing calculations.
When the printing state printed on the object deviates from the set permissible state, the control means recalculates the print information parameter and uses the recalculated print information parameter as described above. A printing inspection device characterized by transmitting to a printing device. The storage means holds reference parameters for print information and
The print inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the control means determines whether or not a print area for printing based on the reference parameter is in the identification area. The print information parameter currently held by the printing device is received from the printing device, and the printing information parameter is received.
The control means adjusts the character width or character height, the space between characters or the space between columns, and the writing position in the printing based on the information of the print area of the print according to the reference parameter and the print information parameter received from the printing device. The print inspection apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the print information parameter is recalculated. A printing device with a printing inspection function that prints on an object and has a function of inspecting the printing state.
An input means for inputting the print state of the object as an image, and
An external connection means that passes print information parameters related to printing by communicating with the printing device.
A storage means for storing the image and
An image processing means for recognizing the input image and
It has a control means for controlling the print inspection device and performing calculations.
The control means is a printing device with a print inspection function, which recalculates the print information parameter when the print state printed on the object deviates from the set allowable state. The storage means holds reference parameters for print information and
The printing device with a print inspection function according to claim 4, wherein the control means determines whether or not the print area for printing according to the reference parameter is in the identification area. The control means adjusts the character width or character height, the space between characters or the space between columns, and the writing position in the printing based on the information of the print area of the print according to the reference parameter and the print information parameter received from the printing device. The printing device with a print inspection function according to claim 5, wherein the print information parameter is recalculated.

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