JPH0813577B2 - Collation monitoring auxiliary device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is a collation monitoring auxiliary device configured to facilitate visually locating a collating defect such as a missing page or a misprint in a collating operation which is one of bookbinding processes.
Regarding

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Other than a book composed of a single signature such as a booklet, it is usually composed of a plurality of signatures bound together. The work of gathering multiple signatures in order from the first signature to the last signature into one book, that is, collating work may be performed manually, but usually by an automatic machine called a collating machine. Has been done.

The collating machine is a belt stacker for moving the signatures discharged from each stacking portion, a portion for stacking and arranging a certain amount of signatures for each fold, a portion for discharging the stacked signatures one by one. It is composed of moving means such as a bayer.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the structure of the collator.

The gathering machine has a stack of first signatures (hereinafter referred to as "blocks") along with a belt conveyor 1 which is a transfer device, from a block including a final page.
The blocks 2 are arranged corresponding to the number of signatures required to form one book. For example, if the number of signatures is large, such as a dictionary, the number of blocks is as large as 60 or more. One signature is ejected from each block 2 and is stacked on the signature ejected from the preceding block. In FIG. 3, three signatures have already been stacked in the blocks from the first to the third, and a set composed of a plurality of signatures stacked to form a book (hereinafter referred to as a “signature set”). The fourth signature 4 is ejected from the fourth block 2b and is further stacked on the signature set 3b when the (referred to) 3b is located immediately below the fourth block 2b. In this way, the belt conveyor 1 moves, and then the fifth block 2c
After that, the final n-th signature is discharged and stacked in the final Nth block to finally become a signature set 3n that constitutes a book, and the collating process is completed.

[0006] A back signature and a back mark are printed on the spine portion of each signature as means for confirming that the collation is accurately performed in the above collating process.

To explain with reference to FIG. 4, for each signature 4 gathered in FIG. 1A, a back signature 5 showing the order of the signatures, the title of the signature, etc., and the prevention of missing or incorrect pages, etc. The back mark 16 which is a mark for doing is printed. Of these, the backmark is (A) when the signatures 4 are aligned correctly.
As shown in, the array is diagonally and neatly positioned. On the other hand, in (B), there is one gap between the backmarks 16a and 16b, indicating that a missing page has occurred, and in (C) the backmarks 16c and 16d are at the same position, It is in a so-called loading state, where two identical signatures are loaded.
Further, in (D), the positions of the backmarks indicated by 16e, 16f, and 16g are different, and it is shown that a plurality of signatures are not arranged in order, that is, the signatures are in a narrow sense. Unless otherwise specified, the term "misaligned" will be used below as a word including defective collations other than the correct collation shown in FIG.

[0008]

An apparatus for detecting irregularities as described above is currently proposed and used. In this device, a sensor is arranged at the bottom of each block 2, this sensor optically detects the back signature array of the signature set 3 located at the bottom of the block 2, and the processing device is made by the signal output from each sensor. Checks whether or not the back sign array pattern of each signature set is correct, and if an abnormality in the array pattern is found, the collating machine is automatically stopped.

Since the back marking is finely printed, and the eyes are considerably tired when checked with the naked eye, this device can automatically determine the suitability of collation. However, there are the following problems, and their improvement is desired.

First, since each sensor is arranged in each block, if the number of blocks increases, for example, to 60 or more, the number of arranged sensors will be set in accordance with this, and the whole apparatus becomes considerably complicated and expensive.

Further, the array of the back markings is originally formed on the assumption that it is visually recognized by the naked eye. That is, FIG.
As shown in (A), in the case of a correct collation, the signatures of the signatures are arranged in a straight line diagonally. For example, an arrangement pattern that allows the naked eye to determine whether the arrangement is abnormal or normal at a glance. Has become. That is, the signature is printed on each signature so as to be arranged so as to match the pattern recognition in the human brain. Such a pattern of backmarks is not always an appropriate method for machine pattern recognition. That is, if the arrangement of the backmarks is arranged continuously so that it can be easily recognized by the naked eye as described above, when the detection accuracy of each sensor is low, one backmark is recognized integrally with the adjacent backmarks and malfunctions occur. May occur. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the measurement accuracy of each sensor, which also causes the cost of the device to increase.

Although it may be possible to make the machine pattern easy to recognize the arrangement pattern of the backmarks in advance, the same book is not always bound at one business place, and now it is visually confirmed. Misalignment detection is the mainstream, and it is not allowed to change the layout pattern of the backmarks to accommodate a particular business establishment with an automatic detector. In addition, the backmark is continuous
It is possible for a worker to find a misalignment even after the collation is completed if the current arrangement pattern continues, but if the pattern is easy for machine recognition, it will be almost impossible for humans to find the misalignment. Also, changing the pattern of the backmark is not appropriate.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is constructed in view of the above-mentioned problems, in which one or more photographing devices are arranged with respect to a signature set transfer portion of a collating machine, and the photographing devices are arranged. Is connected to a monitor device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) via a still image circuit, and the monitor device replaces and displays the still image of the backmark portion every unit time, thereby arranging the backmark array pattern.
The turn confirmation is configured to be performed via this monitor device.
It is easy and error-free to check the alignment of the backmarks with the naked eye.
It is a collaborative monitoring auxiliary device.

[0014]

[Function] The photographing device photographs the back of a signature set placed on a transfer device such as a belt conveyor, and a sensor arranged in the vicinity of this signature set outputs the number of signatures transferred to the counter. To do. When the counter reaches a preset number, it outputs a signal to the still image circuit and outputs the image signal of the signature set sent thereto as a still image to the image display device.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 5 denotes a television camera device for photographing the back of the signature set 3, which is arranged in proximity to the belt cover 1 of the gathering machine, and a large number of the signature blocks 2a to 2 are arranged.
It is arranged close to one or more blocks out of n. For example, if the number of blocks is about 30, it is desirable that the blocks be arranged at two or three places. Also, one of them is arranged in the final block 2n.

In the configuration shown in the figure, the television cameras 5 are arranged in the fourth block 2b and the final Nth block 2n, respectively, but in the following, an apparatus arranged in the Nth block will be taken as an example. The configuration will be described.

First, the television camera 5 has, for example, a horizontal resolution of 4
The color photographing apparatus is a perspective photographing switching type having a normal resolution of about 00 lines. Further, the camera can be mounted so that the position and height of the signature set 3 can be finely adjusted so that the signature set 3 can be accurately photographed. Reference numeral 6 denotes a still image circuit connected to the television camera 5, and a cathode ray tube (CRT) display type display device (hereinafter referred to as "monitor device") 7 which is a display device for a monitor is connected via the still image circuit 6. Connected. The monitor device 7 is, for example, a television device using a 20-inch color CRT.

Next, reference numeral 8 is a photosensor, which is arranged in the vicinity of the final signature set 3n and is arranged in the signature set 3n.
A signal is transmitted to the counter 9 in response to the movement of n. Reference numeral 10 is a screen enlargement mechanism, which is a mechanism for electronically processing the image signal so as to enlarge and display the image output to the monitor device 7. Further, in the configuration shown in the figure, another monitor device 11 is also connected to the television camera 5, and an image (moving image) taken by the television camera 5 is displayed as it is. A set of collation monitoring devices is configured with the above-described configuration, and a plurality of sets of the collation monitoring devices are arranged at predetermined positions of the collating machine.

Next, the operating state of the above-mentioned device and the collation monitoring method will be described.

The first signature 4 is discharged from the first block 2a, and the signatures from each block are sequentially stacked on this signature by being transported by the belt conveyor 1, and the signature set 3 is set. To form. At this time, the television camera 5 arranged at the position of the signature set 3 below the predetermined block is photographing the spine mark 16 on the back of the signature set 3. With respect to this point, the monitoring device arranged in the final signature set 3n will be described as an example. First, the photosensor 8 detects the presence of the signature set 3n and outputs the detection signal to the counter 9. For the counter 9, the count number of the signature set 3 and the number of movements of the signature are preset, and when the predetermined count number, for example 5, is reached, an operation signal is issued to the still image circuit 6 The monitor device 7 uses the image of the second signature set 3n as a still image.
Output to. As a result, the back of the fifth signature set 3n is displayed as a still image on the monitor device 7.
In this way, the still images of the signature set 3n are sequentially replaced at predetermined intervals and the images are displayed on the monitor device 7.

Heretofore, several workers have been attached to the collating machine to supply a predetermined signature to each block. Therefore, the images displayed on the monitor device 7 are visually recognized by these workers during the work, and the presence or absence of misalignment is monitored. As described above, the back markings are arranged so that they can be easily viewed with the naked eye, and the back markings are usually displayed on a large screen of the monitor device 7 in a larger size than the actual one, so that the visibility is extremely easy. It is easier to find a misaligned page than to see it. If a misprint is found, the collating machine is stopped and the misprinted signature set 3 is eliminated. In addition, since many misaligned pages are caused by setting the wrong signature for a specific block,
The erroneous signatures are sequentially ejected. Therefore, in most cases, irregularities occur continuously. For this reason, even if only a specific signature set is extracted and monitored with a still image as described above, in most cases, the signature sets of the signatures are continuous before and after the signature set of the signatures may be missed. Is extremely few. Further, if another worker monitors other signatures even before the final signature set 3n by another monitor, misprints can be detected at an earlier stage. It is also possible to operate the magnifying mechanism 10 by manipulating a switch by a worker to magnify a still image displayed by a predetermined multiple to facilitate visual recognition.

The inventors of the present invention arranged the above-mentioned device in the final block and conducted an experiment for monitoring incorrect pages. However, the worker had a very short glance at the screen of the monitor device during work. It was confirmed that almost all irregularities could be found just by visually observing them for a while. It was also confirmed that the large screen can significantly reduce operator fatigue, especially nervous fatigue, compared to the actual monitoring. It was also confirmed that it was not necessary to assign a specific monitor personnel.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment, in which an automatic monitoring device is installed as a backup mechanism in addition to the above-mentioned device.

Reference numeral 12 is a computer which is an automatic determination device for the placement of the back markings, but it does not require a very high computing capacity because it only performs relatively simple pattern recognition. For example, it is a popular personal computer of about 16 bits. It is enough. The automatic judging device 12 has a central processing unit 14 for judging a back sign arrangement pattern, and a memoryy mechanism 1 in which a correct back sign arrangement pattern of the signature set 3 to be monitored is set.
5 and 5. Reference numeral 17 denotes an alarm device connected to the automatic determination device 12, and its type is not limited, such as a device that issues an alarm by voice like a buzzer or a device that lights like an alarm lamp. The automatic determination device 12 having this configuration is connected to the still image circuit 6 via the A / D conversion circuit 13. The signal of the still image circuit 6 is also output to the monitor device 7 as in the above-described embodiment, and is also monitored by the naked eye.

In this apparatus, the image signal of the television camera 5 is output to the A / D conversion circuit through the still image circuit 6.
Here, the analog signal is converted into a digital signal, and this digital signal is further output to the central processing unit 14 of the automatic determination device 12. The central processing unit 14 compares the digital signal with the backmark pattern data stored in advance in the memory mechanism 15 to determine whether or not the photographed signature set of the signatures is correct, and the arrangement pattern is determined. If is not normal, the alarm device 17 issues an alarm. Note that the arrangement pattern of the back markings 16 is not necessarily suitable for mechanical monitoring as described above, and therefore a false alarm may be issued. Therefore, this device only functions as an auxiliary mechanism for visual recognition by the monitor device 7.
Also, to prevent similar results from conventional devices,
The collating machine is not automatically stopped by the signal of the judging device.

[0027]

As described in detail above, the present invention has the following advantages.
One or more photographing devices are arranged for each of the signature sets of the collating machine, and the photographing devices are connected to the monitor device via the still image circuit, so that the signature mark of the signature set is provided. The device is configured to display as a still image, and the method is characterized by confirming the alignment of the spine with the naked eye by the still image that is replaced in a unit time by the device, so that it is assumed that the naked eye is supposed to visually recognize it. It is possible to easily visually recognize the arrangement pattern of the backmarks on the large screen of the monitor device, the operator's fatigue is small, and the misalignment detection rate can be improved.

Further, since only one device is arranged at a specific place of the collator, the construction cost of the entire device can be greatly reduced as compared with the conventional device.

Furthermore, since the collator is finally stopped by the operator's judgment, there is no inconvenience that the collator is stopped due to an error in the judgment of the monitoring device or a malfunction of the device, and the flow of bookbinding work Can be smoothed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a collation monitoring device showing a collation monitoring device and a monitoring method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a collation monitoring device showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a method of forming a signature set in a collator.

FIG. 4 shows a layout pattern of signatures of a signature set,
(A) is an example of an arrangement pattern in an appropriate state, (B) is an example of an arrangement pattern in a missing page state, (C) is an example of an arrangement pattern in a loading state, and (D) is an arrangement pattern in a narrowly defined disordered state. An example is shown below.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Belt conveyor 2 of collator 2 2a to 2n Block of signatures 3 3a to 3n Signature set 4 Signature 5 TV camera 6 Still image circuit 7 (still image) monitor device 8 Photo sensor 9 Counter 10 Enlargement mechanism 11 (Movie) Monitor device 12 Automatic determination device 13 A / D conversion circuit 14 Central processing unit 15 Memory mechanism 16 Back mark 17 Alarm device

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Claims (3)

[Claims] [Claim 1] In the collation process, the signatures of signatures are arranged.
A device for assisting monitoring with the naked eye , each of which is provided for one or more signature sets of a plurality of signature sets that move in the collating process, and an image taken by this imaging device consists of a still image circuit for outputting an image signal of the signature set as a still picture signal, a monitor device for displaying a still image picture based on the still picture signal of the signature set output from the still image, monitors as a still image A collation monitoring auxiliary device, characterized in that the arrangement pattern of the signatures of the signature set displayed on the device is configured to be monitored by the naked eye. 2. A sensor is disposed adjacent to the signature set, the sensor is connected to a counter, and the counter is a sensor.
By counting the number of moving signatures set by the difference signal, Ding still image of a preset order of signature set of fit machine signature set folded is transported along the sequentially for the monitor device presumed dead, switch The collation monitoring auxiliary device according to claim 1, wherein the collation monitoring auxiliary device is configured to be displayed. 3. The still image circuit is provided with a screen enlargement mechanism.
Therefore, the still image on the monitor device can be appropriately enlarged and displayed.
3. The structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
Collation monitoring auxiliary device.