KR100582211B1 - Testing device in printer and testing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for inspecting printer quality, and to determine whether the printer is defective or the quality level by reading the resolution and color alignment status, paper margins, etc. based on the print content output by the printer One object is to provide a printer inspection apparatus and an inspection method using the same.

To this end, the present invention, the first step of photographing the test printed using the printer to perform the paper margin inspection, resolution inspection, color alignment inspection of the assembled printer; A second step of performing inspection for each inspection item based on the photographed image information; In addition, a third step of notifying the read result of the inspection item: there is provided a printer inspection method using a printer inspection apparatus, characterized in that it is operated.

Check printer quality, check margins, check resolution, check color alignment

Description

Testing device in printer and testing method

1 is a configuration diagram schematically showing the configuration of a printer inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a specific internal configuration of the photographing means of the printer inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention

3 is a plan view showing a specific internal configuration of the photographing means of the printer inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention

4A is an example of a control screen generated by the image processing software of the inspection control computer system of the printer inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

4B is an example of the control screen generated by the software for quality control of the inspection control computer system of the printer inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart schematically showing an embodiment of a printer inspection process using the printer inspection apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 6a is a flow chart showing a series of processes for performing a paper margin inspection of an embodiment of the printer inspection process of the present invention

6B is a state diagram showing an example of an image photographed for performing a paper margin inspection in an embodiment of a printer inspection process of the present invention;

Figure 7a is a flow chart showing a series of processes for performing a resolution test of the embodiment of the printer inspection process of the present invention

7B is a state diagram illustrating an example of an image photographed for performing a resolution inspection in an embodiment of a printer inspection process of the present invention;

8A is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes for performing color alignment checks among embodiments of a printer test process of the present invention.

8B is a state diagram showing an example of an image photographed for performing color alignment inspection in an embodiment of a printer inspection process of the present invention;

Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

100. Base 110. Prints

200. Seating Plate 300. CCD Camera

411. First Ball Screw 412. First Elm Guide

413. First drive motor 420. Body

421. Second Ball Screw 422. Second Elm Guide

423. Second drive motors 414,415,424,425. Pulley

416,426. Belt 427. Case

500. Computer system for inspection control 510. Operation control unit

520. Image Processing Board 530. Software for Image Processing

540. Software for Quality Control. 550. Display Devices.

560. Notification device

The present invention relates to an inspection apparatus and method, and more particularly, to determine whether the printer is defective or quality level by reading the resolution and color alignment status, paper margins, etc. based on the printing contents output by the printer. A printer inspection apparatus and an inspection method using the same.

In general, a printer is a device that receives data such as various texts and images, and prints on a printing paper to output.

The above printers are gradually achieving high quality in recent years, and there is an increasing demand for better image quality, a more accurate print position, and a demand for improved resolution.

However, in the related art, since there is no device for the defect or the quality inspection of the printer, the inspection of the assembled printer is performed by the operator, thereby inevitably lowering the reliability of the inspection result.

That is, it was impossible to discriminate minute defects because it only relied on the visual judgment of the operator, and there is a need for an inspection apparatus and a method having reliability for discriminating the minute defects.

In particular, as high-resolution and high-precision printers are recently developed, accurate defect inspection for the above-mentioned resolution and precision is required.

Of course, conventionally there is a device for the inspection of a specific configuration, such as the state of the toner, the state of the ink nozzles, etc. constituting the printer, but such equipment has only confirmed whether the corresponding component is defective or not Determination of failure in the state where the component is completely assembled could not be made.

That is, the overall inspection of the left and right and top and bottom margins or line spacing, the resolution for each color, the alignment for each color, etc. of the printed material was not performed at all.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a printer inspection apparatus and inspection method to enable a precise inspection of the quality of the assembled printer to determine whether the defect is correct. There is this.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, the photographing means for photographing the output state of the printed matter while moving to each part of the printed matter seated on the seating plate while having a seating plate on which the printed matter is seated; ; An operation control section for controlling the operation of the photographing means, an image processing board for receiving and processing image information photographed by the photographing means, and for a preset item from an image photographed by the photographing means An inspection control computer system having image processing software for judging quality is provided.

In addition, according to the printer quality inspection method of the present invention using the printer inspection apparatus, in order to perform a paper margin inspection, resolution inspection, color alignment inspection of the assembled printer, photographed test prints using the printer The first step to do; A second step of performing inspection for each inspection item based on the photographed image information; Then, the third step: to notify the read result of the inspection item is presented that the operation is included.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the printer inspection apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8B.

First, the printer inspection apparatus of the present invention includes a photographing means and an inspection control computer system largely as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the above, the photographing means has a seating plate 200 on which the printout 110 is seated, and photographs the output state of the printout 110 while being moved to each part of the printout 110 seated on the seating plate 200. Is configured to.

The surface on which the printed matter 110 of the seating plate 200 is seated is preferably formed to have a black color as a whole. Of course, even if it is not completely black, it may be formed in a color that is white enough, that is, the difference between the contrast and the printed paper.

In addition, the photographing means is configured to photograph the output state of the printed matter 110 seated on the seating plate 200, the CCD camera (Charge-Coupled Device Camera) 300 and the CCD camera 300 for image capture ), Including the eastern part for moving back and forth and left and right.

At this time, the moving unit is configured to move the CCD camera 300 is driven so that the CCD camera 300 can smoothly photograph each portion of the printed material 110 is seated on the upper surface of the seating plate 200.

In particular, the moving unit is a first transfer unit for transferring the CCD camera 300 in a direction parallel to the long side of the seating plate 200, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 attached, and the CCD camera 300 It is configured to include a second transfer portion for transferring in a direction parallel to the short side of the seating plate 200.

The first transfer part is mounted on one side of the upper surface of the base part 100 in a direction parallel to the long side of the base part 100 and the first ball screw 411 and the upper surface of the base part 100 The first ball screw 411 to drive the first linear motion guide 412 and the first ball screw 411 installed on the other side in a direction parallel to the long side of the base portion 100. ) Includes a first drive motor 413 connected to the power transmission.

In this case, pulleys 414 and 415 corresponding to each other are mounted at one end of the shaft of the first driving motor 413 and the first ball screw 411, and belts are formed between the pulleys 414 and 415, respectively. By connecting to the belt 416, a driving force of the first driving motor 413 may be provided to the first ball screw 411.

Of course, although not shown, the CCD camera 300 may be configured to move in the direction of the long side of the base unit 100 using an actuator or a linear motor.

In addition, the second transfer part includes a body 420, a second ball screw 421, a second L guide 422, and a second driving motor 423.

Here, one end of the body 420 is connected to the first ball screw 411 of the first transfer part and is moved, the other end is formed to be supported by the first LM guide 412 of the first transfer part. .

At this time, it is understood that one end of the body 420 connected to the first ball screw 411 is also formed with a screw thread corresponding to the first ball screw 411.

In addition, the second ball screw 421 is located along one side of the upper surface of the body 420 and is mounted along a direction parallel to the short side of the base part 100 so that one end of the CCD camera 300 is connected. The second LM guide 422 is positioned along the other side of the upper surface of the body 420 and is mounted along a direction parallel to the short side of the base part 100 to connect the other end of the CCD camera 300. The second driving motor 423 is provided in the body 420 so as to transmit power with the second ball screw 421 to drive the second ball screw 421.

At this time, it is understood that one end of the CCD camera 300 connected to the second ball screw is also formed with a screw thread corresponding to the second ball screw 421.

In addition, although not shown, pulleys corresponding to each other are mounted at one end of the shaft of the second driving motor 423 and the second ball screw 421, and the pulleys are each belted. By connecting to 426, the driving force of the second driving motor 423 may be provided to the second ball screw 421.

Of course, although not shown, the CCD camera 300 may be configured to move in the direction of the short side of the base unit 100 using an actuator or a linear motor.

The inspection control computer system 500 constituting the printer inspection apparatus includes an operation control unit 510, an image processing board 520, and image processing software 530.

Here, the operation control unit 510 is programmed to control the moving unit operating the CCD camera 300 to perform imaging of a required portion.

In addition, the image processing board (B / D; Board) 520 serves to receive and process image information photographed by the CCD camera 300.

In addition, the image processing software 530 serves to determine and process the quality of a preset item from the image received by the image processing board 520.

In this case, the preset item includes items such as a paper margin check, a resolution check, and an alignment check by color, and the attached FIG. 4A is an example of various control screens generated by the image processing software 530. .

In addition, the inspection control computer system 500 further includes a quality management software 540, the quality management software 540 is a value measured by the image processing software 530 process capability and process It is programmed to determine the status, display the quality level, and notify the user of the defect.

4B is an example of a control screen generated by the quality management software 540.

In addition, the inspection control computer system 500 preferably further includes a display device 550 such as a monitor such that display of various information is possible, and a notification device (for example, LED or , Speakers, etc.) are preferably further included.

Hereinafter, a series of processes for performing defect determination and quality inspection of a printer using the configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8B.

First, when the assembly of the printer is completed by the general manufacturing process is carried out a test print for the inspection of the printer (S100).

At this time, the test printing is performed by printing the contents for performing the paper margin inspection, the resolution inspection, and the color alignment inspection.

That is, by printing the outer line 111 along the periphery of the printing paper, the paper margin inspection is possible, and the printing is performed such that a plurality of images 112 having a predetermined thickness are spaced apart by 1 dot of a resolution (dpi; dot per inch). In this case, the resolution inspection can be performed, and the color-aligned state inspection can be performed by printing a plurality of pairs of color lines 113 to have a predetermined interval.

At this time, each pair of color lines 113 for checking the color alignment state is a pair of black lines 113a, black and yellow lines 113a and 113b, and black and magenta lines ( 113a, 113c, and black and cyan lines 113a, 113d, and the black line 113a printed on the upper side of the drawing is a reference for the difference between the gaps with other colors 113b, 113c, and 113d. Becomes

As described above, when the test printing is completed, the test printed printed matter 110 is placed on the seating plate 200.

In this state, the operation control unit 510 of the inspection control computer system controls the CCD camera 300 to sequentially photograph the contents of each item printed on the printed matter 110 (S200).

At this time, the CCD camera 300 is photographed to check the margins of the four corners while moving from the beginning to the end of the substrate 110 first, and then moved again from the beginning to the end of the substrate 110, resolution and color Shoot to perform the inspection of the star alignment.

The image information on which the photographing is performed is input to the image processing board 520 of the inspection control computer system in real time, and the inspection item-specific inspection (S300) is performed by the image processing software 530.

Hereinafter, a series of processes in which inspection for each inspection item is performed will be described in more detail for each of three inspection items as shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6A, 7A, and 8A.

1. Check the paper margins

In the inspection method according to the present invention, the inspection of the paper margin of the printer is performed based on the printed line 110, that is, the outer line 111 printed along the circumference of the printing paper.

That is, after the image processing software 530 receives the image information acquired by the image processing board 520 from the CCD camera 300 as shown in FIG. 6B, the image processing software 530 detects an image having an arbitrary size. The number of pixels is calculated based on the image photographed in the area (S311), and the number of pixels is determined from the end of the printed matter to the outer line 111 in consideration of the resolution of the CCD camera 300 which photographed the image. After the conversion to the distance (S312) is confirmed the margin (S313) for the corresponding area as the converted distance.

At this time, the seating plate 200 on which the printed material is seated is formed in a dark color, especially black, so that the boundary with the printed material 110 can be clearly confirmed, so that the end position of the printed material 110 Also, it can be clearly identified, and thus, the distance from the end of the printed matter 110 to the outer line 111 can be clearly understood.

6B is an area photographed by the CCD camera 300, that is, an image detection area.

The inspection of the paper margins (distance from the end of the print to the outer line) is performed for all four corners of the print 110, thereby checking the left and right and top and bottom margins of the print 110, Horizontal and vertical length measurements of the outer line 111 are performed.

Then, when the distance check of the left and right margins and the top and bottom margins is completed, the inspection control computer system 500 operates the quality control software 540 to set each of the identified values as reference values, i.e., the left and right / up and down directions set during the test printing. The deviation between each other is measured by comparing the numerical value for the margin and the numerical value for the horizontal and vertical lengths of the outer line 111 (S314).

In addition, if the measured value satisfies the preset reference value or the error range, it is determined that the paper margin level is good (S315). If the measured value does not satisfy the predetermined reference value or the error range, The paper margin level is determined to be poor (S316).

2. Resolution check

In the inspection method according to the present invention, the inspection of the resolution of the printer is performed by photographing a plurality of resolution inspection images 112 printed on the printed matter 110.

That is, the resolution inspection is performed by checking the presence or absence of the white line 112a between the plurality of resolution inspection images 112 photographed by the CCD camera 300 as shown in FIG. 5.

This will be described in more detail as follows.

First, the image processing software 530 of the inspection control computer system is based on the threshold, that is, the area where the color change is made in each resolution inspection image 112 taken by the CCD camera 300 as shown in FIG. 7B. In operation S321, the values of all the pixels are binarized to be read as black or white only.

In this state, the existence of the white line 112a is confirmed by projecting the binarized image in the vertical axis direction (S322).

At this time, the white line 112a is an interval generated according to the separation between each image when printing a plurality of images, and is usually set to achieve about 1 dot.

If the number of white lines 112a is present as a result of the check, it is determined that the resolution of the printer is good (S323). If the number of white lines 112a is not present, the resolution of the printer is determined to be poor. (S324).

For example, if four resolution inspection images 112 are printed, the number of the white lines 112a is normal only when three are present. Otherwise, that is, when two or one white lines 112a are present or If the white line 112a does not exist at all, it is determined that the resolution of the printer is poor.

In addition, when the white line 112a is present in the process of performing the above-described resolution check, even if the thickness of the white line 112a is too thick, that is, the distance between the images 112 is too large, The resolution is determined to be poor. At this time, the interval between each image 112 is determined by checking the number of pixels in the image detection area, and then considering the resolution of the CCD camera 300 to determine the number of pixels in distance (mm). Can be converted to

3. Check color sorting

In the inspection method according to the present invention, the inspection of the color alignment state of the printer is performed by photographing a plurality of pairs of color lines 113 printed on the print 110.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8B, an alignment check for each color is performed by checking an interval between a plurality of pairs of color lines 113 photographed by the CCD camera 300.

This will be described in more detail as follows.

First, the image processing software 530 of the inspection control computer system 500 checks each color line 113 for color alignment inspection of each image photographed by the CCD camera 300 (S331). At the same time, the interval H1 between the black line 113a and the black 113a line among the pairs of colors 113 of each color is preferentially checked (S332).

At this time, the interval H1 between the black 113a and the black 113a identified by the above process is set to the reference value S333.

The checking of the distance between the black line 113a and the black line 113a is possible by converting the number of pixels of the image into a distance, and the description thereof is the same as checking the gap between the images when checking the resolution or checking the paper margin.

When the above process is completed, other color intervals are checked in the same manner as described above.

That is, the spacing H2 between the black line 113a and the yellow line 113b, the spacing H3 between the black line 113a and the magenta line 113c, and the spacing between the black line 113a and the cyan line 113d ( H4) is checked (S334).

In this case, the black line 113a is a reference line so that the black line 113a can have reliability in checking the gaps for the other colors 113b, 113c, and 113d.

When the interval (H2, H3, H4) between the lines 113 for each color with respect to the black line 113a is made through the above-described series of processes, the intervals H2, H3 and H4 are compared with a preset reference value H1 to confirm the deviation value (S335).

For example, if the distance H1 between the pair of black lines 113a set as the reference value is 50 pixels, the distance H2 between the black line 113a and the yellow line 113b is 48 pixels. The yellow toner is distorted by +2 pixels and checks the deviation value.

Of course, the distance H3 between the black line 113a and the magenta line 113c or the distance H4 between the black line 113a and the cyan line 113d also checks the deviation value in the same manner as described above.

In addition, if the determined deviation value for each color satisfies a preset error range, for example, ± 2 pixels, it is determined that the alignment state of the corresponding color is good (S336). If the range is not satisfied, it is determined that the alignment of the color is poor (S337).

In addition, the inspection process for the alignment state for each color according to the present invention may further include determining that the alignment state between the corresponding colors is good only when the difference between the deviation values of each color except the black satisfies the set error range.

This is because even if the deviation value of one color satisfies the error range, the difference between the deviation value of one color and the deviation value of the other color may not satisfy the error range.

For example, if the deviation value of one color is +2 pixels and the deviation value of another color is -2 pixels, each color has the deviation value satisfying the error range (± 2 pixels), but each color is 4 Because of the pixel deviation, the above error range (± 2 pixels) is not satisfied.

Therefore, if the difference value between one color deviation value and the other color difference value is checked, the difference value is judged to be good if the difference value satisfies the error range, and the difference value between each color does not satisfy the error range. It is more preferable to judge the defective product.

As a result, when the inspection for each inspection item is completed through a series of processes as in the above three examples, the inspection control computer system 500 displays the inspection result for each of the items through the display device 550 such as a monitor. Or the notification device 560 such as a speaker or an LED.

In addition, the inspection control computer system 500 prepares control charts and histograms using inspection results and inspection values for each item inspected through the quality control software 540, and determines process capability and process status. Management of the inspection results, such as marking the quality level.

As described above, the printer inspection apparatus of the present invention is to check whether the good or bad of the assembled printer is made using the printed matter printed by the printer, but the process can be done automatically. Has an effect.                     

In particular, the present invention can improve the reliability of the test results because the precise inspection can be performed even for a portion of the inspection to determine whether the printer quality level or defect is quite fine, that is, the part that can not be identified by the naked eye of the operator. Can have the effect.

Claims (8)

delete delete delete delete A first step of photographing the printed matter test-printed by the printer with a photographing means to perform a paper margin inspection of the assembled printer; A second step of the image processing board receiving the photographed image from the photographing means and providing it to image processing software, and operating the image processing software to perform the paper margin inspection; And, And a third step of notifying the reading result of the paper margin check, In the second step, the image processing software is Calculating the number of pixels based on the image photographed in the first step, and converting the number of pixels into a distance from an end of the printed material to an outer line in consideration of the resolution of the image detection area and the photographing unit; Measuring left and right margin deviations, top and bottom margin deviations, and horizontal / vertical lengths of the outer lines based on the converted distances; And determining that the paper margin level is good when the measured value satisfies a preset reference value or an error range. A first step of photographing the printed matter test-printed by the printer with a photographing means to perform resolution inspection of the assembled printer; A second step of the image processing board receiving the photographed image from the photographing means and providing it to the image processing software, and operating the image processing software to perform the resolution inspection; And, And a third step of notifying a reading result of the resolution check, In the second step, the image processing software is Binarizing the values of all pixels based on a threshold value, that is, a color change region, in the image for inspection of the resolution photographed in the first step so as to read only black or white; Inspecting the presence or absence of white lines when the binarized image is projected in the vertical axis direction; And determining that the resolution is good if all of the white lines are present in the set amount as a result of the inspection. A first step of photographing the printed matter test-printed by the printer with a photographing means to perform color-aligned state inspection of the assembled printer; A second step of the image processing board receiving the photographed image from the photographing means and providing it to the image processing software, and operating the image processing software to inspect the color-aligned state; And, And a third step of notifying the read result of the color-aligned state check is operated. In the second step, the image processing software is Checking a gap between black and black among the lines for each color photographed in the first step and setting the checked gap as a reference value; Checking an interval between black and other colors among the lines for each color photographed in the first step, and extracting a deviation value between the identified interval for each color and the interval set as the reference value; And determining that the alignment state for the corresponding color is good when the extracted deviation value for each color satisfies the error range. The method of claim 7, wherein Identifying a difference value between a deviation value of one color and a deviation value of another color; If the difference between the result of the check satisfies the error range is determined to be good, and if the difference between the result of the check does not satisfy the error range determining as a defective product: Printer inspection, characterized in that further comprises How to check the printer using the device.

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