JP3055641B2 - Printing stock inspection equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an original printing press inspection apparatus for accurately and efficiently inspecting the printing state of a pattern such as a bar code printed on a multi-set original set.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various devices for inspecting bar codes have been proposed. Many of these cards are not inspected in the form of an original set having a plurality of card parts, but instead of being cut into a predetermined size on a card or certificate (hereinafter referred to as a card). Each piece is inspected in pieces. In addition, a manual bar code inspection machine of a type irrespective of the form of an object to be measured is known.

[0003]

The above-described apparatus for inspecting a bar code in a state where each card is shredded is printed on a multi-faced printed matter only after cutting it into shreds and forming a card. Unable to check bar code print status. That is, during the printing process, the quality of the barcode printed thereon cannot be inspected in the state of the original sheet set. Therefore, even if the printing state is not sufficient after the card is cut, the printing state can no longer be restored, and the card must be discarded as a defective product. In addition, since the inspection after cutting is performed for each card, it encounters a problem that the inspection efficiency is low. Therefore, it is inevitable that a sampling inspection must be performed, and it is not possible to detect a printing failure of each card due to uneven printing or the like. There's a problem.

A conventional manual bar code inspection machine merely displays the reflectance of a bar code by a numeral, and the evaluation is performed by an inspector. The evaluation requires time and skill, and the evaluation result is not sufficient. There is a problem of individual differences. In addition, since the conventional manual barcode inspection device has a structure for inspecting a barcode printed on each card or on the edge of a raw material set, the barcode is printed on each card portion by including a plurality of card portions. However, there is a problem that it is not possible to inspect the barcode of the card portion located inside the raw material set having a large size. If the barcode is printed so that it cannot be seen directly by the naked eye, it is extremely difficult for the manual barcode inspection machine described above to accurately position the barcode portion and measure the printing state of the barcode. Are long and inefficient.

Accordingly, the present invention solves the above-described problems in the conventional barcode inspection, and provides a printing material web inspection apparatus such as a practical barcode inspection apparatus capable of accurately and efficiently inspecting multi-faced barcodes. To provide.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a printing material web inspection apparatus according to the present invention comprises fixing means for mounting and fixing a printing material in which a plurality of unit printing areas on which barcodes are printed are repeatedly provided in a flat state. Bar printed on the printing material
And a bar code reading means for reading the keycode, the bars
A drive mechanism for relatively moving the code reading means and the printing material , and reading the bar code reading means.
Signal processing is performed on the taken signal, and the base
Maximum reflectance and minimum reflectance at the bar code mark
The printed barcode and the barcode are marked.
Calculate maximum and minimum reflectance of unprinted parts
Then, these results are analyzed and printed on the printing material.
Barcode identification and output for identifying and outputting barcodes
Means. Preferably, the bar code reader
When reading the bar code, the row is used to print the raw material table.
Light beam at an oblique angle to the plane
-Irradiate the code and read its reflectance. Specifically
Means that the unit printing area is one card or certificate
It corresponds to the magnitude.

[0007]

[Function] A unit printing area on which a barcode is printed by a fixing means.
Take a flat print of a printing substrate with multiple areas
The drive mechanism is reading the bar code.
Relative to the printing material fixed to the
To the printing source by the barcode reading means.
Read the bar code printed on the contrary. barcode
The identification / output means is read by bar code reading means.
Signal processing on the signal
Maximum reflectance, minimum reflectance, and bar in the barcode printing area
Code printed part and bar code not printed
Calculate the maximum reflectance and minimum reflectance of the
Bar code printed on the printing material by analyzing the result of
Is output. Thus, bar code identification and output
The force means is the maximum reflectance and the minimum reflection on the substrate of the printing material.
Rate and compare these values to identify barcodes
The bar code printed without being affected by the underlying color.
The code can be accurately identified. In addition, Barco
When reading the code, the angle inclined to the surface of the printing material
Irradiate the printed bar code with a light beam
The bar code is read by the code reading means and its reflectance is
, So that the influence of the reflection of the base
can do.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a bar code inspection apparatus as an example of an original printing sheet inspection apparatus according to the present invention. The bar code inspection apparatus includes a vacuum platen 27 on which a measurement material set (printing material) 25 shown in FIG. And a barcode scanner 15 movably arranged in a two-dimensional state in the X and Y directions to read the barcode portion of the measurement source set 25 fixed to the scanner. The measurement source set 25 is fixed to a work stage 28. The bar code inspection apparatus also includes a drive mechanism section including an X-axis direction actuator 7 and a Y-axis direction actuator 9 for moving the bar code scanner 15 two-dimensionally with respect to the vacuum platen 27, and a vacuum source set 25. It comprises a mechanical unit having a vacuum control device 11 and a control device 5 to be vacuum-sucked on the surface plate 27, and a personal computer system 10. An operation panel 5 on which an operator instructs an operation is provided on the vacuum base 27.
A is provided, and a foot switch 5B for driving and controlling the vacuum controller 11 is connected to the mechanical unit.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of a personal computer 10 in the bar code inspection apparatus shown in FIG.
Material set 25 placed on the vacuum platen 27
FIG. The bar code inspection device includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, an input / output device (I / O device) 3, and an A / D of a personal computer that performs control and signal processing.
It has a converter 19, a CRT display device 21, a keyboard 23, a printer 24, and a memory (not shown). These are the personal computer system 1 shown in FIG.
Corresponds to 0. Personal computer system 1
0 is a floppy disk memory for storing measurement data, a ROM for storing various programs operated by the CPU 1, and an RA for temporarily storing measurement data.
M, etc., but not shown. Further, the barcode inspection device has an amplifier circuit 17 for amplifying a signal read by the barcode scanner 15.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The measurement source set 25 is composed of a total of 32 card portions in 8 rows × 4 stages. One of the card portions (the card 1 surface portion) is indicated by reference numeral 25a. Eventually, each card portion is cut into 32 pieces. At the time of barcode inspection, one measurement original sheet set before the cutting is performed although the 32 card portions are partitioned. 25. A barcode printing portion 252 is provided on a card substrate 251 in the single card portion 25a. The measurement raw material set 25 is placed on the vacuum base 27 when the vacuum controller 11 is in the vacuum-off state, and is fixed on the vacuum base 27 by vacuum suction when the vacuum controller 11 is turned on. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 4, the vacuum platen 27 has vacuum suction holes 271 to 274 and vacuum suction holes 281.
To 284 are provided. The vacuum suction holes 271 to 274 and the vacuum suction holes 281 to 284 of one and eight rows are shown for illustration purposes, but these vacuum suction holes are not limited to those described above.
5 are provided in a predetermined number necessary for stable vacuum suction. A hook-shaped stopper plate 29 is provided on the vacuum platen 27 in order to accurately and promptly position the raw material set 25.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a bar code printed on the bar code printing portion 252 of the measurement source set 25, and the scanner tip 15a of the bar code scanner 15 for reading the bar code with respect to the surface of the measurement source set 25. The relationship between the angles θ is shown. When the bar code of the bar code printing portion 252 is scanned by the scanner tip 15a, the spot is detected as a spot. However, in order to read this bar code without error, the scanner tip 15a is preferably placed on the surface of the bar code. On the other hand, it is arranged so as to irradiate infrared rays at an angle θ of about 60 degrees and to receive the reflected light.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration of the barcode scanner 15 and a circuit configuration of the amplifier circuit 17. The barcode scanner 15 includes a light emitting diode (LED) that irradiates the barcode print portion 252 with infrared light and a phototransistor (P) that receives light reflected from the barcode print portion 252.
T), a voltage adjusting circuit 15 that adjusts the power supply voltage V and supplies a constant voltage to the LED.
b, capacitors C1 and C2, and resistors R1 and R2. The amplifying circuit 17 amplifies the low voltage detected by the phototransistor (PT) in the scanner tip 15a to a voltage level that can be converted into a digital voltage by the A / D converter 19. Table R3
To R6. The resistance ratio between the resistor R3 and the resistors R5 and R6 defines the amplification factor.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the overall operation mode of the bar code inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. To perform such an operation, the CPU 1 executes the following processing program stored in a ROM (not shown). Table 1 Outline of Program Name Contents Origin Return Program A program for returning the barcode scanner 15 to the origin Program type setting program A program for setting the type of the measurement material set 25 and the printing process to the CPU 1 via the keyboard 23. Program Inspection program A program that measures the reflectance of the following 32 card parts and displays the measurement results. Standard deviation calculation program A program that calculates and displays the change over time of the standard deviation. Calibration program Calibration source bar set and bar space A program that measures and displays reflectivity and calibrates machine accuracy and the output of the barcode scanner 15. Data storage program A program that stores measurement data obtained by inspection in a floppy memory. Data read program Program to read and display data from floppy memory Data print program Program to print inspection data to printer Message output program Program to display various operation status messages Vacuum control program Program to perform vacuum on / off operation

Step S01 As an initial state of the barcode inspection apparatus, the power of the barcode inspection apparatus is turned on by an operator (inspector). Thereby, the barcode inspection device operates. The message output program transferred from the ROM to the CPU 1 is CR
A message indicating the activation is displayed on the T display device 21. Step S02 When the bar code inspection apparatus is started, the CPU reads data from the ROM.
The home return program transferred to 1 is initialized as
The X-axis direction actuator 7 and the Y-axis direction actuator 9 are driven via the I / O device 3 and the mechanism control device 5 to control the bar code scanner 15 to be positioned at the origin coordinate position O of the vacuum base 27. I do. When the positioning of the vacuum base 27 of the barcode scanner 15 to the origin O is completed, the message output program is
A message indicating the end is displayed on the T display device 21.

Step S03 The vacuum control program drives the vacuum control device 11 via the I / O device 3 and the control device 5 to turn off the vacuum. Accordingly, the vacuum suction holes 271 to 274 to 281 to 28 in the vacuum base 27 are formed.
The vacuum is released from (4) (vacuum off). When the vacuum-off is completed, a message output program is started and a vacuum-off message is displayed on the CRT display 2.
1 is displayed. Step S04: The operator sets the measurement raw material set 25 to be measured to the stop plate 2
9 is used to place the vacuum platen 27 at an accurate position. At this time, since the vacuum base 27 is in the vacuum-off state, the operator can easily place the measurement raw material set 25 at a predetermined position on the vacuum base 27. Step S05 When the operator finishes placing the raw material set 25 on the vacuum platen 27, the operator performs a vacuum suction (vacuum on) operation through the operation panel (not shown) of the barcode inspection device. Command. In response to this command, RO
The vacuum control program transferred from M to CPU 1 outputs a vacuum-on command to vacuum control device 11 via I / O device 3 and control device 5. As a result, the measurement substrate set 25 is fixed at a predetermined position on the vacuum platen 27. When the vacuum-on operation is completed, R
The message output program transferred from the OM to the CPU 1 displays the completion message on the CRT display device 21.

Step S06 The control program in the CPU 1 waits until an inspection start switch (not shown) on the operation panel of the bar code inspection apparatus is pressed, and the operator turns on the inspection start switch on the operation panel to vacuum the operation panel. When the barcode inspection of the measurement material set 25 fixed to the surface plate 27 is started (step S06), the control program transferred to the CPU 1 activates the inspection program and starts the scanning of the barcode scanner 15. .

Steps S07 to S08 The inspection program transferred to the CPU 1 moves the barcode scanner 15 positioned at the origin O in the direction B via the X-axis direction actuator 7, and moves the barcode scanner 15 on the barcode print portion 252. Then, the barcode scanner 15 is moved in the direction A1 on the barcode print portion 252 via the Y-axis direction actuator 9 (step S07). During scanning of the bar code scanner 15 in the direction A1, a data storage program is started in the CPU 1 and the reflected light continuously detected by the bar code scanner 15 via the A / D converter 19 and amplified by the amplifier circuit 17 is transmitted. Read and store in RAM. When the bar code scanner 15 reaches the end of the bar code printing portion 252 in the first row, the inspection program in the CPU 1 drives the X-axis direction actuator 7 to move the bar code scanner 15 to the fourth row in the second row. Bar code printing part 25
Move to position 2. Then, the CPU 1 moves the barcode scanner 15 via the Y-axis direction actuator 9 from the fourth row to the first row in the two rows in the direction A2. While the barcode scanner 15 scans according to the direction A2, the reading of the barcode scanner 15 is stored in the RAM. The above barcode reading operation is performed up to the fourth row in the eighth column (step S08).

By the steps S09 and above, the measurement data of the printing state of the bar code for the card portion of the measurement raw material set 25 is stored in the RAM. The data storage program stores data for each card in a floppy disk memory. The standard deviation calculation program analyzes and evaluates those results,
The measured data and its change over time such as the standard deviation are output to the CRT display device 21.

FIG. 7 shows a bar code scanner 15 of the CPU 1.
5 is a flowchart of a detailed operation of a process for detecting a peak from data read from a computer. Step S11 Initial data setting immediately after the power is turned on is performed, the current differential coefficient code M is set to positive (+), and the actual measurement maximum value detection flag MXFL is set.
Is set to "1" and the measured minimum detection flag MNFL is set to "0". Also, the number I of detected data is set to one. Step S12: The detection imposition number C is set to 1. In step S13, the measurement point differential coefficient code MG is set to the smoothing differential code M. In step S14, a smoothing differential is performed to calculate a smoothed differential coefficient code M. Steps S15 and S16 The signs of the current differential coefficient code MG and the smoothed differential coefficient code M are checked. If the current differential coefficient code MG is positive (+) and the smoothed differential coefficient code M is negative (-), the process proceeds to step S17, and the current differential coefficient code MG is negative (-) and the smoothed differential coefficient code M is positive (+). ), Go to step S21; otherwise, (ELS
E) The data detection index I is increased by 1 (step S16), and the process of step S13 is performed again.

Steps S17 to S20 If the current differential coefficient code MG is positive (+) and the smoothed differential coefficient code M is negative (-), the actually measured maximum value is detected and the actually measured maximum detection flag MXFL is set to 1 (step S17). S17). It is checked whether or not the maximum value MX is equal to or greater than the threshold value set in the printing order setting program data. If not, the process returns to step S13 (step S18). Measured maximum value M
If X is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the maximum value MX is stored in the RAM, and the maximum value detection point number MXPT is increased by 1 (step S19). Then, the measured maximum value detection flag MXF
L is set to “0” and the actual measurement minimum detection flag MNFL is set to “1”, and the process proceeds to step S25.

Steps S21 to S24 When the current differential coefficient code MG is negative (-) and the smoothed differential coefficient code M is positive (+), it is determined that an actually measured minimum value has been detected and the actually measured minimum detection flag MNFL is set to 1 (step S21). S21). It is checked whether or not the minimum value MN is equal to or less than the threshold value set in the printing order setting program data. If not, the process returns to step S13 (step S22). Actual minimum value M
If N is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the minimum value MN is stored in the RAM, and the minimum value detection point number MNPT is increased by 1 (step S23). Then, the measured maximum value detection flag MXF
L is set to “1” and the actually measured minimum detection flag MNFL is set to “0”, and the process proceeds to step S25.

In step S25 , it is checked whether the maximum value detection point MXPT has reached the maximum value, for example, 20, or whether the minimum value detection point MNPT has reached the maximum value, for example, 20. These values are set by the printing order setting program.
If these judgments are affirmative (YES), step S
The process moves to step 27. If negative, step S26
Move to the processing of. Steps S26 and S29 It is checked whether or not the detected data index I is less than the maximum value IMAX. The maximum value IMAX is, for example, 850, and this value is also set by the printing order setting program. If the detected data index I is less than IMAX, the process proceeds to step S29, and only the detected data index I is created by Q. This Q is a smoothing differential point number. Steps S27 and S30 It is checked whether the detected number C of the peak surface is less than 4 (step S27). When the number C of detected peak planes is less than 4, the number C of detected peak planes is increased by 1 (step S3).
0). In step S28 , when the detected number C of the peak surface has reached 4, the peak detection has been completed because the card has reached the fourth stage card portion.

The maximum value and the minimum value of the reflectance are as follows.
This is performed on the barcode printed portion 252 of the barcode printed portion and on the background that is not. FIG. 8 shows a result of displaying the above-described peak detection result on the CRT display device 21 via the waveform display program. The display example shown in FIG. 8 simultaneously shows the printing status of barcodes in a total of 32 card portions in eight columns of four columns. The four rows in each column are located horizontally in this display. In FIG. 8, the upper row of cross marks indicates the measured value (%) of the reflectance of the base.
The row of cross marks in the lower row shows the measured values of the reflectance in the bar code. The vertical length of the cross mark indicates measurement dispersion. The numbers [1] to [8] at the top indicate the position of the row of cards, and the numbers below them, for example, the number 31
And 3 are the average values 3
1 and the average value 3 of the barcode reflectivity are shown. The cross mark indicates the previous measurement value and the current measurement value for the same column. As described above, the average value of the base reflectance and the average value of the barcode reflectance of the 32 card portions are different from those of the CRT display device 2.
1 is displayed at the same time, so that the inspector can inspect all the printing states of the barcode from this display. The results of the reflectance of the base and the reflectance of the barcode are displayed in different colors. For example, the reflectance of the base is displayed in orange, and the reflectance of the barcode is displayed in yellow. As a result, it is easy to distinguish the reflectance. FIG.
As shown by the dashed line, the allowable band of the background and the barcode are simultaneously displayed, so that the quality of the barcode printing state in the measurement source set 25 can be quickly and clearly reversed.

The operator can look at the reflectance displayed on the CRT display device 21 and evaluate the result of the barcode printed on the measurement source set 25 at a glance. Moreover, since the data can be always compared with the data measured last time, it is easy to determine the operation amount for the printing press. The measurement substrate set 25 is fixed to the vacuum platen 27 by vacuum suction, and the measurement substrate set 25 can be easily removed from the vacuum platen 27 by releasing the vacuum suction. Easy installation and removal. Further, when the measurement substrate set 25 is vacuum-sucked to the vacuum platen 27, it is very firmly fixed, and no displacement occurs during the scanning of the barcode scanner 15.

It is not only the reflectance of the barcode but also the background which is the background that evaluates the printing state of the barcode of the measurement source set 25 by measuring the reflectance in the measurement source set 25. . Therefore, the quality of the barcode is determined by comprehensively considering the reflectance of the base and the reflectance of the barcode.

In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the bar code scanner 15 moves on the measurement substrate set 25 fixed to the vacuum base 27 while the vacuum base 27 is fixed. That is, the barcode scanner 15 may be fixed, and the vacuum platen 27 may move with respect to the barcode scanner 15. When measuring the reflectivity of a barcode, the flatness of the measurement substrate set 25 and the flatness of the vacuum platen 27 are a problem. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the flatness of the vacuum platen 27 is extremely high.

This bar code inspection apparatus does not inspect the bar code pattern itself, but analyzes and evaluates the suitability of the printed state of the printed bar code. The codes can be the same pattern or different patterns. That is, since the reflectance between the base and the barcode is measured and evaluated, it does not depend on the pattern of the barcode itself. In the above embodiment, the case where the reflectance is measured using infrared rays has been described. However, the barcode scanner 15 irradiates ultraviolet rays according to the printing ink of the barcode, receives the reflected light, and calculates the reflectance. You can also. In the above embodiments, the bar code inspection apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to bar codes, and can be applied to various printed material inspections. That is, the present invention provides a printing raw material inspection apparatus applicable to various printed materials.

[0028]

As described above, according to the printing raw material inspection apparatus such as the bar code inspection apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of barcodes in a measurement raw material set having a large number of card portions can be substantially simultaneously read. Inspection can be performed efficiently. Since all the barcodes are actually scanned, the printing material inspection apparatus of the present invention can partially detect a barcode printing defect. According to the present invention, the difference between the permissible value and the measured value can be determined at a glance from the display state, so that the printer can be quickly operated. Since the printing press inspection apparatus of the present invention is based on quantitative evaluation, there is no variation in judgment due to individual differences.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a bar code inspection device as an embodiment of a printing material web inspection device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a detailed configuration diagram of a personal computer of the barcode inspection device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a measurement source set having a plurality of barcodes to be inspected by the barcode inspection apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, and a scan thereof;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating reading of a barcode by the barcode scanner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram of the barcode scanner shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the barcode inspection device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation process of a CPU illustrated in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a display example showing a result obtained by the barcode inspection apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. CPU, 3. I / O device, 5. Control device, 7. X-axis direction actuator, 9. Y-axis direction actuator, 11. Vacuum control device, 15. Barcode scanner, 15a ..Scanner tip, 17..amplifier circuit, 19..A / D converter, 21..CRT display device, 23..keyboard, 25..measurement set, 25a .. card 1 surface part, 27 Vacuum base plate, 251 Card board, 252 Bar code printed part, 271 to 274, 281-284. Vacuum suction hole.

Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B41F 33/14 B41M 3/00 G06K 7/10

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reading and fixing means for attaching and fixing in the bar code printing unit print area is printed with a plurality repeated provided raw flat state, the bar code printed on the printing raw barcode
And over de reading means, and a drive mechanism for relatively moving said print raw with the bar code reading means, the signal read by the bar code reading means
Signal processing, the maximum reflectance on the base of the printing material
And minimum reflectance, and the barcode of the barcode printing portion
The part where is printed and the part where the barcode is not printed
Calculate the maximum and minimum reflectivity of
To identify the barcode printed on the printing stock
An original printing press inspection apparatus comprising a barcode identification and output means for outputting the output. 2. The bar code reading means according to claim 1 , wherein:
The printing material inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when reading the code , a light beam is irradiated on the printed bar code at an angle inclined with respect to the surface of the printing material to read the reflectance. 3. The printing press inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unit printing area corresponds to the size of one card or certificate.