KR100749224B1 - Print correcting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing correction device is provided to finely adjust a printing position of a universal printer and correct a printing position error to be printed on an accurate marking position of an OMR(Optical Mark Reader) card. A printing device(7) actually prints a correction sign printing image on printing papers according to the control of a printing control module(6). A storing device(2) stores correction signs including a central part and a plurality of peripheral parts and correction sign information including printing positions of the correction signs. The central part is located in the center of the peripheral parts, and a plurality of the peripheral parts is separated at a uniform interval at both sides of the central part. The printing control module(6) reads the correction sign information stored in the storing device(2), generates the correction sign printing image for printing the correction signs, and allows the printing device(7) to actually print the generated correction sign printing image on a region corresponding to the printing position on the printing papers.

Description

Print proofing device {PRINT CORRECTING APPARATUS}

1 is a block diagram of a printing proofing apparatus according to the present invention.

2A to 2E are examples of calibration symbols according to the present invention.

3 is a first embodiment of printing paper.

4 is a second embodiment of printing paper.

5 is an overall flowchart of a printing method to which the present invention is applied.

6 is a flowchart of a printing calibration method according to the present invention.

7 is an embodiment of a printing paper on which a proof symbol is printed according to the present invention.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

1: data input module 2: storage means

3: calibration control module 4: input means

5: display means 6: print control module

7: printing device

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printing calibration apparatus. In particular, a printing symbol is printed on a printing paper to help a user quantify the degree of the printing position error, thereby correcting the printing position error of the printing apparatus. The present invention relates to a printing calibration apparatus which enables to correct a printing position error quickly and accurately before printing data.

In general, OMR cards have been developed based on the human marking of markings by hand, but in some cases, there is a need to print a large amount of data using a computer and a general-purpose printing apparatus, that is, a printer. For example, if you provide services such as lottery winning predictions or combination recommendation services, there is a need to display a large amount of data on the OMR card, but the data displayed on the screen is directly marked by the human hand on the OMR card. If there is a mistake, there is a possibility of marking wrong data. In this case, the problem can be solved by printing a large amount of data to be marked as a marking image directly on the OMR card using a printing apparatus from a computer.

However, since a general-purpose printing apparatus, that is, a printer inevitably has a mechanical error, the position of the printed result may be displaced (hereinafter, referred to as 'print position error'), thereby marking the OMR card printed by the general-purpose printer. There is a possibility of causing an error in the OMR card recognition device.

In order to solve this problem, a dedicated OMR card data marking printing apparatus must be used, but the selection of the printing apparatus is very limited.

In order to solve this problem, it is an object of the present invention to provide a printing calibration apparatus for correcting the printing position error to enable fine adjustment of the printing position of the general-purpose printer, so that printing at the correct marking position of the OMR card is possible. .

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a printing proofing device that enables a user to easily mark and print an OMR card at home even by a general user who does not have computer software, a printing device hardware, and an OMR card.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a printing proofing apparatus for correcting a printing position error for OMR cards or printing types of various sizes or shapes or printing forms.

The printing proofing apparatus of the present invention generates a predetermined data print image for predetermined data so that the printing apparatus prints on predetermined printing paper, the printing proofing apparatus comprising: at least one central portion and at regular intervals on both sides of the central portion; A storage means for storing calibration symbol information including a plurality of spaced apart spaces, calibration symbol information including a printing position of the calibration symbol, and generating a calibration symbol print image corresponding to the calibration symbol information so that the printing apparatus prints the calibration symbol. And a print control module for printing in an area corresponding to the print position on the sheet.

In addition, the printing calibration apparatus further includes an input means for receiving calibration information according to the state of the calibration symbol printed on the printing paper, and a calibration control module for storing the calibration information input from the input means in the storage means. It is preferable.

The calibration control module may update and store the calibration symbol information according to the calibration information.

The storage means further stores print setting information for the print paper and the print data, and the print control module generates a print image according to the print setting information and the calibration information and prints the print data on the print paper. It is desirable to allow printing.

Further, the interval between the central portion and the peripheral portion and the interval between the peripheral portions are preferably smaller than the tracking of data to be printed on the printing paper.

In addition, the central portion and the peripheral portion preferably have a different form.

In addition, the calibration symbol is preferably made of a horizontal calibration symbol and a vertical calibration symbol.

Further, it is preferable that the correction symbol or the printing position depends on the form of letters or figures printed on the printing paper or the size and shape of the printing paper.

In addition, the printing paper is preferably an OMR card.

Hereinafter, the present invention has been described in detail based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the following embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

1 is a block diagram of a printing proofing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the printing proofing apparatus includes a data input module 1 for acquiring data to be printed on printing paper, print setting information applied when printing predetermined data on printing paper, and calibration symbol information. A storage means (2) for storing the data, a calibration control module (3) for storing the calibration information input by the user in the storage means (2), and updating the calibration symbol information according to the calibration information; Input means (4) for acquiring correction information for the print setting information, or correction information for the calibration symbol information, display means (5) for displaying a predetermined user interface and data to be printed, and calibration has already been performed In this case, the print image for the predetermined data is generated according to the print setting information and the calibration information, and in the case of the printing requiring calibration, a print image for the calibration symbol information is generated for printing of the calibration process. It is configured to receive the printed image from the print control module 6 and a print control module (6) to be transmitted to the device (7) to the printing device 7 to print a given paper. Here, the printing device 7 may be a device separate from the printing proofing device, or may be a device mounted integrally. In the following, the printing apparatus 7 is disclosed as a general printer and as a separate component from the printing proofing apparatus.

In detail, the data input module 1 serves to receive data to be printed on the OMR card from a predetermined program or device. Here, the device for transmitting data may be a computer database or data storage device, a network communication device, a software program for calculating data, a mechanical data generator, a manual input device, and the like. Any recognizable data is possible. In addition, the data input module 1 may be connected to a network communication apparatus or directly perform such a network communication function to receive data through a network such as the Internet.

The storage means 2 also stores print setting information that is applied when printing predetermined data on printing paper. The print setting information may be set by the producer of the data provider or the print proofing apparatus, the OS manufacturer, the OS program, or the like depending on the printing paper such as the OMR card, and the user may reset these preset values. Here, the print setting information includes the type of printing apparatus (inkjet printer / laser printer / dot matrix printer, etc.), the detailed model, the paper feed direction (horizontal / vertical), the printing surface (front / rear), and the printing paper. The alignment criterion (left / center / right) value of the position is included. At this time, the storage means (2) is a user interface for setting the print setting information indicating the information on how to check the setting information according to the type of printing device selected by the user to help the user set the print setting information (screen display Additional data). In addition, the print setting information further includes an OMR, including a type of printing paper such as an OMR card or a printing type determined by the data to be printed (e.g., answer sheet for answer sheet, number print for lotto slip, etc.). Printing may be performed according to the card or printing type.

Further, the storage means 2 is a calibration symbol for printing correction on the printing paper or printing type when performing the first printing on a predetermined printing paper or printing type, or when a printing position error occurs on the printing paper. Save the information. Here, the calibration symbol information includes a calibration symbol and a printing position at which the calibration symbol is to be printed.

First, a calibration symbol is printed on printing paper during the calibration process, so that a general user without expertise can easily read the print position error numerically or on a scale. This calibration symbol shall be set by the administrator or the manufacturer or the user of the printing calibration apparatus according to the type of printing paper or the printing type. Basically, the calibration symbol is composed of at least one central part and a plurality of peripheral parts spaced at regular intervals on both sides of the central part, and have a form that is easy for the user to read.

In general, the printing position error can be divided into an error in the horizontal direction and an error in the vertical direction, and thus this calibration symbol includes a horizontal position calibration symbol and a vertical position calibration symbol. In this case, the horizontal position correction symbol and the vertical position correction symbol may be completely separated and printed, respectively, or may be printed integrally, but each function thereof is maintained to be easily read by the user. Here, the interval between the center portion and the peripheral portion or the periphery in the horizontal position correction symbol, and the interval between the center portion and the peripheral portion or the periphery portion in the vertical position correction symbol may be the same or different from each other. The interval here can be set using the printing resolution reference unit of the printing apparatus 7.

In addition, since the printing position is the position at which the calibration symbol is printed so that the above-described printing error is clearly recognized by the user, the printing position may be regarded as the horizontal position reference line for the horizontal position correction symbol and the vertical position reference line for the vertical position correction symbol. It shall be a position relative to a character or figure printed on printable paper. That is, the position where the horizontal position correction symbol should be printed should be determined based on the horizontal position reference line, and the position where the vertical position correction symbol should be printed should be determined based on the vertical position reference line. , The print position error can be recognized as a number or scale. Here, the horizontal position reference line and the vertical position reference line may be in the form of a general line, or may be in the form of another figure (for example, a circle, a triangle, etc.) or a character. In addition, even if the same characters or figures are printed, this printing position will naturally vary depending on the size and shape of the printing paper.

The process of setting such calibration symbol information in relation to the above-described calibration symbol and printing position is as follows. First, (1) the horizontal position reference line and the vertical position reference line are determined on the printing paper, and the position (for example, using a coordinate format) is set as the printing position. (2) Determine the shape or shape of the calibration symbol according to the shape of the horizontal position reference line and the vertical position reference line of printing paper. To this end, the storage means 2 may additionally store a user interface for setting calibration symbol information.

In addition, the storage means 2 further stores a user interface for allowing a user to input calibration information during the calibration process.

Next, after performing the calibration process according to the calibration symbol information, the calibration control module 3 obtains the calibration information input from the user, and stores it in the storage means (2). Thereafter, the calibration control module 3 updates and stores the calibration symbol information stored in the storage means 2 according to the calibration information. The calibration information here consists of a calibration value for the transverse direction or a calibration value for the longitudinal direction, and this calibration value is determined as a multiple of this interval on the basis of the distance between the center and the periphery described above.

In addition, the input means 4 is a means for acquiring correction information for the print setting information input by the user or correction information including the correction values described above, and means such as a general keyboard and a mouse. With regard to the user interface for the print setting information displayed in 5) and the user interface for the calibration information, the specific means can be determined.

In addition, the display means 5 can display the above-described user interfaces and data or calibration symbol information to be actually printed on the printing paper. The display means 5 may also display an exemplary printing paper or printing type so as to be visually easy to recognize when the user or the like sets the printing setting information or the calibration symbol information.

In addition, the print control module 6 immediately generates a print image for the data input from the data input module 1 for the type or print type of the print paper on which the print position error has already been corrected, thereby causing the printing device 7 to generate a print image. To print on the printing paper, for the type or printing type of printing paper that is not performed or the user wants to perform additional calibration process, generate the calibration symbol print image according to the calibration symbol information stored in the storage means (2). It causes the printing device 7 to output on printing paper. Subsequently, the print control module 6 judges this calibration print to cause the calibration control module 3 to use the calibration information input from the input means 4 to update the calibration symbol information, and again to perform this calibration. A calibration symbol print image according to the preference information is generated to cause the printing apparatus 7 to output on the printing paper, and this calibration process is performed until the printing position error is eliminated at the user's discretion.

The print control module 6 displays the above-described print setting information on the display means 5, or displays a user interface corresponding thereto on the display means 5 so that the user can recognize and reset the print setting information. The process of making this possible can also be performed. In addition, the print control module 6 may allow the setting of the calibration symbol information by the user or the like described above and input of the calibration information described above. Here, matters related to the calibration process are disclosed in detail below.

In addition, the printing apparatus 7 refers to a printer capable of printing using plain paper, not a printer dedicated to an OMR card, and includes a laser printer, an inkjet printer, a dot matrix printer, and the like.

The above-described data input module 1, calibration control module 3 and print control module 6 may be implemented in hardware or software. In particular, the software part may be written in the form of a library called by Java and JavaScript, an ActiveX module, or other external application software linked with a standalone application software or a web browser, depending on the type of computer system. These modules can also be configured as embedded software for PC-type computers using CPUs, such as Intel's Pentium processors, as well as for small terminals using microprocessors such as ARM. It is possible to control the printing apparatus 7 at the same time of sending and receiving data.

 2A to 2E are examples of calibration symbols according to the present invention.

2A and 2B show a horizontal position correction symbol and a vertical position correction symbol in the form of a ruler. The horizontal position correction symbol shown in FIG. 2A is composed of one central portion 10a and a plurality of peripheral portions 11a spaced apart at predetermined intervals d1 by both plates of the central portion 10a. The vertical position correcting symbol shown in FIG. 2B also includes one central portion 10b and a plurality of peripheral portions 11b spaced at a predetermined interval d2. Here, as described above, the interval d1 and the interval d2 may be the same size or may be different sizes.

2C and 2D show a horizontal position correction symbol and a vertical position correction symbol formed in a sawtooth shape. These horizontal position correcting symbols and vertical position correcting symbols are composed of central portions 11c, 11d, peripheral portions 11c, and 11d, and they are spaced apart at predetermined intervals d1 and d2.

2E illustrates an embodiment in which a horizontal position correction symbol and a vertical position correction symbol are integrally formed in a cross shape.

Here, the interval d1 or d2 between the central portions 10a to 10e and the peripheral portions 11a to 11e, and the interval d1 or d2 between the peripheral portions 11a to 11e are determined by the data (characters) printed on the printing apparatus 7. , Numbers, figures, etc.), so that the printed data can be corrected to be printed at the correct position on the printing paper. In addition, the line thicknesses of the calibration symbols shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2E are enlarged for the purpose of explanation and should be, for example, at least 1 mm or less so that the actual user does not have difficulty in determining the calibration values. In addition, the center and the periphery of the calibration symbols shown in Figures 2a to 2e have a different shape, so that the user can easily identify the print position error by comparing these calibration symbols with the horizontal position reference line and the vertical position reference line, It is possible to easily determine the corresponding calibration value.

3 is a first embodiment of printing paper. The printing paper 20 shown in FIG. 3 is an OMR card in the form of an answer sheet, in which a horizontal position reference line 20a which is a vertical line and a vertical position reference line 20b which is a horizontal line are printed.

4 is a second embodiment of printing paper. The printing paper 30 shown in Fig. 4 is a lotto slip type OMR card, in which a horizontal position reference line 30a which is a vertical line and a vertical position reference line 30b which is a horizontal line are printed.

의 자간(가로방향 자간 및 세로방향 자간 포함)보다, 상술된 간격(d1 또는 d2)이 더 작도록 설정되어야 한다. 본 실시예에서, 이러한 간격은 일반적으로 OMR 카드의 인식 해상도와도 관련이 되며, 상술된 바와 자간과 관련도 되며, 사용자가 육안으로 관찰하는 것이 용이해야 하므로, 예를 들면5mm 이하 정도인 것이 바람직하다. Tracking (including horizontal and vertical tracking) of the data (for example, ●) displayed on the answer sheet in FIG. 3 and data (for example, on the lottery slip in FIG. 4)

The above-described spacing d1 or d2 should be set smaller than the kerning of (including landscape kerning and longitudinal kerning). In this embodiment, such spacing is generally related to the recognition resolution of the OMR card, and also related to tracking as described above, and should be easy for the user to observe with the naked eye, for example, preferably about 5 mm or less. Do.

5 is an overall flowchart of a printing method to which the present invention is applied.

Specifically, in step S51, the print control module 6 reads from the storage means 2 a user interface through which the user can select an OMR card or a printing type via the display means 5. Thus, the print control module 6 obtains a user input from the input means 4.

In step S52, the print control module 6 searches the storage means 2 to determine whether there is optimal print setting information corresponding to the input user input. This optimal print setting information means that the calibration process has already been performed or that no calibration process is required. If there is an optimum print setting information, the flow goes to step S53, otherwise, the flow goes to step S54. In this step S52, even if the user wants to perform the calibration process arbitrarily, the print control module 6 may proceed to step S54.

In step S53, the print control module 6 generates a print image according to the optimized print setting information or according to the print setting information and the calibration information, and sends it to the printing apparatus 7 for printing. Make sure to print on the paper. For example, in the case of generating a print image according to the print setting information and the calibration information, the print control module 6 first generates a print image according to the print setting information for the data, and then corrects the correction information (horizontal position correction value, vertical). The corrected print image is generated by moving the area where the actual data is printed according to the position correction value).

Step S54 is described in detail in FIG. 6 below.

The printing method of FIG. 5 may further include a step of allowing the user to reset the print setting information.

6 is a flowchart of a printing calibration method according to the present invention.

In detail, in step S61, the print control module 6 reads the print setting information and the calibration symbol information corresponding to the OMR card or the printing type from the storage means 2.

In step S62, the print control module 6 generates a calibration symbol print image for the calibration symbol according to the print setting information and the calibration symbol information so as to be printed in the area corresponding to the printing position.

In step S63, the user checks the printing state on the printing paper to determine whether a correction for the horizontal position or the vertical position is required, and if the corresponding correction information is input through the input means 4, print control. The module 6 proceeds to step S64. If the printing state is correct, if the user does not input additional calibration information or inputs through the input means 4 that the printing state is correct, the flow advances to step S65.

In step S64, the print control module 6 transmits the input calibration information to the calibration control module 3, and the calibration control module 3 updates the print position included in the calibration symbol information according to the calibration information. It stores in the storage means (2).

In step S62, the print control module 6 prints the calibration symbol again on the print paper according to the print setting information and the updated calibration symbol information. By repeating these steps S62, S63, and S64, if the printing position error for the calibration symbol does not occur, the flow advances to step S65.

In step S65, the calibration control module 3 updates the calibration symbol information according to the calibration information, performs a calibration process, and then stores the final calibration information (change value from the initial printing position to the final printing position). Can be stored separately in (2).

7 is an embodiment of a printing paper on which a proof symbol is printed according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the predetermined printing paper 40 is composed of a horizontal position reference line 40a and a vertical position reference line 40b, and step S62 is performed by the print control module 6, The horizontal calibration symbol 50a and the vertical calibration symbol 50b are printed. By printing such a calibration symbol, a user can easily recognize the printing error by the printing apparatus 7 by a scale or a number.

Here, in the embodiment of Figure 7, the movement of the horizontal calibration symbol should be made by the user by +1 times the interval (movement to the right is '+' movement to the left is determined '-'), vertical calibration symbol Since the movement of must be done by the user by an interval of +1 times (movement to the upper side is defined as '+' movement to the lower side, '-'), the horizontal correction value and the vertical correction value are +1, respectively. The calibration information including this calibration value becomes a change value with respect to the printing position of the calibration symbol information. Here, only the integer value is disclosed as the correction value, but a real value and the like are also naturally possible.

According to the present invention, the printing position of the general-purpose printer can be finely adjusted even without a dedicated printing device, thereby enabling printing at the correct marking position of the OMR card.

In addition, the present invention can be quickly and easily by using the scale or the number of the printing position error by the printing device when printing the marking of the OMR card easily at home even for general users without computer software, printing device hardware and OMR card expertise. There is an effect that can be corrected.

In addition, the present invention has the effect that the correction of the printing position error for the OMR card or printing type of various sizes or shapes or printing forms.

Claims (9)

A print calibration apparatus for generating a print image for predetermined data to cause a printing apparatus to actually print on printing paper. A printing apparatus which actually prints a proof symbol printing image on printing paper under control of a printing control module; Storage means for storing calibration symbol information including a calibration symbol comprising a plurality of peripheral parts spaced apart at regular intervals from both the center and the center located at the center of the periphery, and the printing position of the calibration symbol; And A print control module for retrieving the calibration symbol information stored in the storage means to generate a calibration symbol print image for printing the calibration symbol and to cause the printing apparatus to actually print in the area corresponding to the printing position on the printing paper; Print calibration device characterized in that it comprises. The method of claim 1, The printing calibration device may include: input means for receiving calibration information according to a state of a calibration symbol printed on the printing paper; And a calibration control module for storing calibration information inputted from the input means in the storage means. The method of claim 2, And the calibration control module updates and stores the calibration symbol information according to the calibration information. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The storage means additionally stores the print setting information for the print paper and the print data, and the print control module generates the print image according to the print setting information and the calibration information to be printed on the print paper. Print calibration device characterized in that. The method of claim 1, And the interval between the central portion and the peripheral portion and the interval between the peripheral portions are smaller than the tracking of data to be printed on the printing paper. The method according to claim 1 or 5, And the central portion and the peripheral portion have different shapes from each other. The method according to claim 1 or 5, The calibration symbol is a print calibration device, characterized in that consisting of a horizontal calibration symbol and a vertical calibration symbol. The method according to claim 1 or 5, And the proofing symbol or the printing position is dependent on the form of characters or figures printed on the printing paper or the size and shape of the printing paper. The method of claim 8, And the printing paper is an OMR card.

Images