JP5395653B2 - Plate inspection system, plate inspection method and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a plate inspection system, a plate inspection method, and a program for performing electronic plate inspection before outputting to an output device based on plate-making image data.

  Recently, in the field of printing plate making, for example, it is not a conventional plate inspection method that directly compares and observes the printed matter at the time of first school and the printed matter at the time of retraining, but as an intermediate generated in the output process. Digital plate inspection that performs plate inspection electronically by comparing digital data with each other in various processes is becoming widespread. By comparing the image data at the time of the first school and the image data at the time of the second school, it is possible to automatically inspect whether there are correction errors, forgetting corrections, unnecessary corrections, and the like due to the operator's work mistakes.

  Furthermore, in order to make use of the convenience of digital data, various methods related to digital plate inspection that further extend the concept of conventional plate inspection have been proposed.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a method and apparatus for performing digital plate inspection between calibration image data and plate making image data created in different processes. Specifically, the image data obtained by converting the plate-making image data so as to match the resolution and data format at the time of calibration and the calibration image data are compared and inspected, so that the labor of the operator is reduced. Comparison inspection between image data under the same processing condition can be performed.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a system and method for performing digital plate inspection by selecting comparison reference or target image data based on attribute information such as item, order recipient, and content version information instead of digital data file name. Is disclosed. Thereby, it is possible to eliminate the selection error of the image data and appropriately manage the history information of the plate inspection work.

JP 2004-117888 A JP 2006-106153 A

  By the way, with the decentralization of each work process of the printing system, the plate making process and the printing process are separated, and the environment in which the work is performed in separate work places is increasing. Then, due to various circumstances such as the update timing of individual devices, capital investment, etc., there will be an environment in which new and old versions co-exist in the same printing system for basic and applied software installed in work terminals (computers). There is a case.

  In particular, regarding RIP processing for expanding image data in a page description language (PDL) format into a bitmap format, the output result may differ even though the same image creation conditions are set. In this case, an unacceptable inspection result is always obtained by the digital plate inspection, and this digital plate inspection may not function properly.

  However, in the methods described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, no consideration is given to inconsistencies in output results due to differences in software versions of RIP processing. In particular, when the plate making process and the printing process are separated, it is sufficiently assumed that a work terminal equipped with the same version is not installed, and this problem becomes particularly apparent.

  On the other hand, in order to avoid the inconveniences described above, a method of relaxing the acceptance standard of plate inspection according to the software version of the RIP processing can be adopted, but it is not always possible to guarantee printing with stable image quality.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. In an environment where the plate making process and the printing process are separated, even if the software versions of the RIP process are different, the created image data are stored together. A plate inspection system, a plate inspection method, and a program capable of appropriately performing plate inspection are provided.

  The plate inspection system according to the present invention includes a RIP processing unit that creates proof image data by performing RIP processing of plate making image data using proof image creation conditions, the plate making image data, the proof image creation conditions, and the proof image data. A calibration information adding device for generating plate information with calibration information, and a plate inspection device for performing electronic plate inspection before outputting to the output device based on the plate-making image data, the plate inspection device Is extracted by the calibration information extraction unit for extracting the plate-making image data, the calibration image creation condition, and the calibration image data from the plate-making data with calibration information generated by the calibration information adding device, and the calibration information extraction unit. Calibration reproduction image data created by RIP processing based on the prepared plate-making image data and the calibration image creation conditions, and the calibration information extraction unit. It characterized in that it comprises an image comparison inspection unit for comparing test and extracted the calibration image data.

  Since it is configured in this way, the plate inspection apparatus can acquire the calibration image creation conditions via the plate making data with calibration information, and on the plate inspection apparatus which is the same environment as the RIP processing environment to be printed, The processing reproducibility of calibration image data can be inspected. Furthermore, since the plate inspection apparatus can acquire the calibration image data to be compared through the plate making data with the calibration information, the software version of the RIP process is different in an environment where the plate making step and the printing step are separated. Even so, the created image data can be appropriately inspected. That is, not only the consistency of the calibration history is inspected as in the conventional plate inspection system, but also the image reproduction evaluation of the RIP processing system in the plate inspection apparatus is performed together, so that the reliability with respect to the plate inspection can be further enhanced. .

  The plate inspection apparatus further includes an image comparison necessity determination unit that determines whether or not to perform the comparison inspection by the image comparison inspection unit, and the image comparison inspection unit is provided by the image comparison necessity determination unit. The comparison inspection is preferably performed when it is determined that the comparison inspection is performed. As a result, plate inspection can be performed as necessary, and the time required to complete printing can be shortened.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the plate inspection device further includes a creation condition collation unit that collates an output image creation condition provided for RIP processing when the output device outputs the image to the calibration image creation condition. Thereby, the difference of two image creation conditions can be grasped | ascertained clearly.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the image comparison necessity determination unit determines whether or not to perform the comparison inspection based on designation by a user. As a result, plate inspection in response to the user's request can be performed.

  Further, the creation condition collation unit collates with the output image creation condition for a predetermined condition that affects an image processing result among the calibration image creation conditions, and the image comparison necessity determination unit includes the creation condition collation unit. It is preferable to determine that the comparison inspection is not performed when the collation result of the predetermined condition is consistent. As a result, image creation conditions that do not affect image processing results can be excluded, and substantially unnecessary plate inspection can be omitted.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the calibration image creation condition is software version information of RIP processing in the RIP processing unit or image processing conditions.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the software version information is version information of the whole or a part of a library constituting the software.

  Further, the image processing conditions preferably include at least one image processing condition of output resolution, input profile, output profile, tone curve, trapping, screening, or overprint.

  The plate inspection method according to the present invention includes a step of creating proof image data by performing RIP processing of plate making image data using proof image creation conditions, the plate making image data, the proof image creation conditions, and the created proof image. A step of generating plate making data with calibration information including data, a step of extracting the plate making image data, the calibration image data, and the calibration image creation conditions from the generated plate making data with calibration information, respectively, Creating calibration reproduction image data by RIP processing based on the plate-making image data and the calibration image creation conditions; and comparing and inspecting the created calibration reproduction image data and the extracted calibration image data. .

  The program according to the present invention includes a computer, means for creating proof image data by RIP processing plate making image data using the proof image creation conditions, the plate making image data, the proof image creation conditions, and the created proof image. Means for generating plate making data with calibration information including data, means for extracting the plate making image data, the calibration image creation condition and the calibration image data from the generated plate making data with calibration information, and the extracted plate making Based on the image data and the calibration image creation conditions, it functions as means for creating calibration reproduction image data by RIP processing, and means for comparing and inspecting the created calibration reproduction image data and the extracted calibration image data.

  According to the plate inspection system, plate inspection method and program according to the present invention, the proofing image data is RIP processed using the proof image creation conditions to create proof image data, and the plate making image data, the proof image creation conditions, Plate making data with calibration information including the proof image data is generated, and electronic plate inspection is performed before outputting to the output device based on the plate making image data. Then, the plate inspection device extracts plate-making image data, calibration image creation conditions and calibration image data from the plate-making data with calibration information generated by the calibration information adding device, respectively, and extracts the plate-making image data and the calibration image created. Since the calibration reproduction image data created by the RIP process based on the conditions and the extracted calibration image data are comparatively inspected, the plate inspection apparatus can set the calibration image creation conditions via the plate making data with calibration information. The processing reproducibility of the calibration image data can be inspected on a plate inspection apparatus that can be acquired and is the same environment as the RIP processing environment to be printed. Furthermore, since the plate inspection apparatus can acquire the calibration image data to be compared through the plate making data with the calibration information, the software version of the RIP process is different in an environment where the plate making step and the printing step are separated. Even so, the created image data can be appropriately inspected. That is, not only the consistency of the calibration history is inspected as in the conventional plate inspection system, but also the image reproduction evaluation of the RIP processing system in the plate inspection apparatus is performed together, so that the reliability with respect to the plate inspection can be further enhanced. .

1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a plate inspection system in which a plate inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment is incorporated. It is a block diagram of the plate making apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a structural diagram of a page description format included in a plate making data file with proofreading information according to the present embodiment. It is a block diagram of the configuration of the plate inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart for obtaining an appropriate printed matter using the plate inspection system according to the present embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the digital plate inspection method which concerns on this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the plate inspection method according to the present invention in relation to a plate inspection apparatus and a plate inspection system that carry out the plate inspection method will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory diagram of a plate inspection system 10 incorporating a workstation 32 as a plate inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The plate inspection system 10 basically includes a plate making site 12, a print site 14, a database server 16, and a LAN 18.

  The plate making site 12 includes a LAN hub 20, an editing device 22, a plate making device 24, and a proofing machine 26.

  The LAN hub 20 connects the editing device 22 and the plate making device 24 to each other by wire or wirelessly.

  The editing device 22 can freely edit the arrangement of color images composed of characters, figures, patterns, photographs, etc. for each page, and an electronic manuscript in a page description language (hereinafter referred to as PDL), for example, four colors ( CMYK) and 3-bit (RGB) color channels are generated.

  Here, PDL is a language that describes image information such as text, graphics, and other format information, position information, and color information (including density information) within a “page” that is an output unit for printing and display. . For example, PDF (abbreviation of Portable Document Format, specified in ISO 32000-1: 2008), Adobe Systems PostScript (registered trademark), XPS (XML Paper Specification), and the like are known.

  A plate making device 24 as a proofreading information adding device develops an electronic document by PDL into a bitmap format (a type of raster image), performs desired image processing, for example, color conversion processing, image scaling processing, arrangement processing, and the like. Each function has a function of converting to a print signal suitable for the printing method of the proofing machine 26 and transmitting the print signal to the proofing machine 26.

  The proofing machine 26 is an output device that obtains a proof 28 for proofreading the submitted image data. As the proofing machine 26, a DDCP (Direct Digital Color Profer), a color laser printer (electrophotographic system), an ink jet printer, or the like having a lower resolution than those of an offset printing machine or a digital printing machine described later is used.

  The printing site 14 includes a LAN hub 30, a workstation 32, an image processing device 34, a plate setter 36, an offset printing machine 38, and a digital printing machine 40.

  The LAN hub 30 connects the workstation 32 and the image processing apparatus 34 to each other by wire or wireless.

  The workstation 32 can perform so-called digital plate inspection, which compares and inspects later-described calibration image data and plate-making image data. Also, large paste, side-by-side editing, register correction baking, tone adjustment baking, and the like can be performed. Further, an output instruction can be given to the image processing device 34.

  The image processing device 34 converts the received raster image data into a print signal suitable for an output device such as the platesetter 36 or the digital printing machine 40. In addition, a RIP processing function may be separately installed in the image processing apparatus 34 itself.

  The plate setter 36 can form an image directly on a plate (not shown) based on the CMYK print signal supplied from the image processing device 34. The offset printer 38 is a device that prints a color image on various media (not shown) based on a print signal supplied from the image processing device 34 and obtains a desired printed matter 42a. A plate (not shown) on which an image is formed can be attached.

  The digital printer 40 is a device that prints a color image on various media (not shown) based on a print signal supplied from the image processing device 34 to obtain a desired printed matter 42b. As the digital printing machine 40, a color laser printer, an ink jet printer, or the like is used.

  The database server 16 is a server for storing and managing plate-making image data (for example, PDF file) and job ticket {for example, JDF (Job Definition Format) file}.

  The LAN 18 is a network constructed based on a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark). The plate making site 12, the printing site 14, and the database server 16 are connected to each other. Since the plate making site 12 and the printing site 14 are provided in different workplaces, the plate making process in the plate making site 12 and the printing process in the printing site 14 are performed via the LAN 18.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration block diagram of the plate making apparatus 24 according to the present embodiment.

  The plate making apparatus 24 includes an I / F 50 for inputting the submitted data file F0, a storage unit 52 for storing various data such as the submitted data file F0 input via the I / F 50, and the storage unit 52. The plate making processing unit 54 that performs a desired plate making process on the supplied submission data file F0 to generate a new plate making data file F1, and the PDL format image data of the plate making data file F1 supplied from the storage unit 52 are bit bits. RIP 56 (raster imaging processor) developed in a map format, a driver 58 for converting image data developed by the RIP 56 into a print signal (ink ejection control data in the case of an inkjet printer) suitable for the proofing machine 26, and the driver And an I / F 60 that outputs the print signal converted by 58 to the proofing machine 26 side.

  The plate making apparatus 24 adds a proofreading information file F1 to the plate making data file F1 to generate a plate making data file F2 with proofreading information, and a proofreading information attached from the proofreading information adding unit 62. And an I / F 64 for outputting the plate-making data file F2 to the database server 16 side.

  FIG. 3 is a structural diagram of a page description data format included in the plate information data file F2 with proofreading information according to the present embodiment.

  The data structure of the plate-making data file F2 with calibration information is basically composed of header information D0, plate-making image creation conditions D1, plate-making image data D2, calibration image creation conditions D3, and calibration image data D4. .

  In the header information D0, information such as a number for specifying version information of the file specification to which the file conforms is stored. For convenience of explanation, the header information D0 is omitted in FIGS.

  The plate-making image creation information D1 stores image processing conditions used for RIP processing when outputting to the output device. Here, the output device corresponds to the plate setter 36 or the digital printing machine 40 shown in FIG.

  The image processing conditions are various conditions that affect the processing result of the image data. For example, at least one image processing condition of output resolution, input profile, output profile, tone curve, trapping, screening, or overprint is included.

  The plate making image data D2 stores objects constituting page description data. A large amount of data such as page description data is mainly expressed as a stream object.

  The proof image creation condition D3 further stores software version information of the RIP 56 as well as image processing conditions used for RIP processing when the proof machine 26 prints the proof print 28. Here, the software version information refers to the overall version of software implementing the RIP processing function, the individual version of each module, and the individual version of the library. Also included are individual versions such as setting data files and basic software versions.

  For example, the software version V1.00.00 of the in-house developed product installed in the plate making apparatus 24 is composed of first to third configuration libraries. The first configuration library is a RIP core library, the second configuration library is a PDF processing library, and the third configuration library is a color image processing library. The RIP core library is an individual version V2.5.00 of a third-party development product, the PDF processing library is an individual version V9.1.00 of a third-party development product, and the color image processing library is an individual version of an in-house development product. Version V2.1.02.

  The calibration image data D4 stores bitmap format image data. For example, it is stored as it is in the TIFF format. Note that header information or footer information may be deleted from image data of a predetermined format and stored as RAW format data.

  Hereinafter, “calibration information” in this specification refers to calibration image creation conditions D3 and calibration image data D4.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration block diagram of a workstation 32 as a plate inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The workstation 32 inputs the calibration information-added plate making data file F2 supplied from the database server 16, and acquires the calibration information from the calibration information-added plate making data file F2 inputted via the I / F 70. The calibration information extraction unit 72, the RIP 74 that expands the PDL format image data supplied from the calibration information extraction unit 72 into a bitmap format, and the bitmap format image data expanded by the RIP 74 is output to the image processing device 34 side. I / F 76.

  Further, the workstation 32 includes a creation condition collating unit 78 that collates the calibration image creation condition D3 extracted by the calibration information extraction unit 72 and the generated output image creation condition D1 (details will be described later), and the creation condition. An image comparison necessity determination unit 80 that determines whether or not image comparison is necessary with reference to the collation result by the collation unit 78, and the calibration information extraction unit 72 based on the determination result by the image comparison necessity determination unit 80. The image comparison inspection unit 82 for comparing and inspecting the calibration image data D4 and the calibration reproduction image data D4 ′ developed again by the RIP 74, and if the inspection result by the image comparison inspection unit 82 fails, this is indicated. And a warning unit 84 for warning.

  Further, a control unit (not shown) constituted by a CPU or the like performs all the control related to the image processing. That is, not only control of each component inside the workstation 32 (for example, image processing by the RIP 74) but also control of transmitting bitmap format image data to the image processing apparatus 34 via the I / F 76, and the like are included.

  The workstation 32 according to the present embodiment is configured as described above, and each of the above-described image processing functions can be realized using an application program that operates on a basic program (operating system).

  The plate inspection system 10 according to this embodiment is basically configured as described above. Next, the operation thereof will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for obtaining an appropriate printed matter 42a (or 42b) using the plate inspection system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  The work process in the plate making site 12 includes steps S1 to S3. Each step will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

  First, an electronic manuscript is submitted to the web (step S1). A submitted data file F0 submitted by a client from a terminal device (not shown) is supplied to the editing device 22 via the LAN 18 and the LAN hub 20 shown in FIG.

  Next, the submitted data file F0 is edited or proofread (step S2). The operator uses the editing device 22 to edit the submitted data file F0 and perform job registration, and then transfers the submitted data file F0 to the plate making device 24. Then, the submitted data file F0 is supplied in the order of the LAN hub 20 (see FIG. 1) and the I / F 50, and is temporarily stored in the storage unit 52.

  When the data content of the submitted data file F0 is corrected based on the result of the proofreading operation, it is appropriately processed by the plate making processing unit 54 and stored again as the plate making data file F1 by the storage unit 52.

  The plate making image data D2 (page description data) and the proof image creation condition D3, which are part of the plate making data file F1, are each developed into an 8-bit CMYK map format (device-dependent image data) by the RIP 56 and printed by the driver 58. It is converted into a signal (ink ejection control data) and supplied to the proofing machine 26 via the I / F 60. Thereafter, a proof print 28 is printed by the proofing machine 26.

  The operator looks at the proof 28 and confirms whether there is any correction error or the like. When the calibration work is completed, the data contents of the plate making data file F1 are determined.

  Next, the plate making data file F2 with calibration information is uploaded (step S3).

  When the operator gives an instruction to complete the calibration, the calibration information adding unit 62 adds the calibration image creation condition D3 and the calibration image data D4 to the plate making data file F1, and generates a plate making data file F2 with calibration information. .

  Thereafter, the plate information data file F2 with calibration information is supplied to the LAN hub 20 shown in FIG. 1 via the I / F 64, and is uploaded to the database server 16 outside the plate making site 12 via the LAN 18.

  The steps up to here are the work steps in the plate making site 12, and the work steps including the following steps S4 to S8 shown in FIG. Each step will be described mainly with reference to FIG.

  First, the plate making data file F2 with calibration information is downloaded (step S4). In accordance with an instruction to shift to the printing process by the operator, the plate-making data file F2 with calibration information is supplied from the database server 16 (see FIG. 1) outside the printing site 14, and the I / F 70 of the LAN 18, LAN hub 30, and workstation 32 is provided. Is supplied to the calibration information extraction unit 72. Thereafter, the proofreading information extraction unit 72 extracts various data of the platemaking image creation condition D1, the platemaking image data D2, the calibration image creation condition D3, and the calibration image data D4.

  Next, digital plate inspection is performed (step S5). Here, the digital plate inspection means electronic plate inspection. In this embodiment, the calibration image data D4 created by the RIP 56 of the plate making apparatus 24 and the calibration reproduction created by the RIP 74 of the workstation 32 are used. A comparison inspection with the image data D4 ′ is performed. Details will be described later.

  Next, it is determined whether or not the versions match (step S6). Here, “matching of plates” means that the printing materials 42a (or 42b) to be printed finally match to the extent that no printing failure occurs. The operator can set various determination criteria regarding plate matching by comparing work efficiency and print quality.

  If it is determined that the plates do not match, the operator analyzes the cause within the printing site 14 in cooperation with the plate making site 12 as necessary. If the cause is identified as a result of the analysis, the problem is solved, and the work is repeated retroactively. Thereafter, the cause analysis (step S8) and the digital plate inspection (step S5) are repeated until it is determined in step S6 that the plates match.

  If it is determined that the plates match, it is recognized that the plate inspection has passed, and output work is performed by the plate setter 36, the offset printing machine 38, or the digital printing machine 40 shown in FIG. 1 (step S7). .

  Returning to FIG. 4, as indicated by a broken line arrow, the plate-making data file F1 extracted by the calibration information extraction unit 72 is subjected to RIP processing by the RIP 74, and the image is transmitted via the I / F 76 and the LAN hub 30 (see FIG. 1). It is supplied to the processing device 34 side. The RIP process may be performed by the image processing apparatus 34 instead of the workstation 32.

  Thereafter, the supplied bitmap format image data is converted into a desired print signal (halftone dot control data) by the image processing device 34 and directly printed on a plate (not shown) by the plate setter 36. A color image is printed on various media by the offset printing machine 38 to which the plate is attached, and a desired printed matter 42a is obtained.

  Alternatively, the supplied bitmap format image data is converted into a desired print signal (for example, ink ejection control data) by the image processing device 34, and a color image is printed by the digital printer 40, thereby obtaining a desired printed matter 42b. It is done.

  The flow chart for obtaining an appropriate printed matter 42a (or 42b) using the plate inspection method according to the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the internal processing for realizing the digital plate inspection method shown in step S5 (see FIG. 5) will be described in more detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the setting of the plate inspection mode is discriminated (step S51). A plate inspection mode is set in advance from a setting screen (not shown) of the workstation 32 by the operator's operation. In the present embodiment, one of the plate inspection modes of “forced skip”, “automatic determination”, or “forced plate inspection” can be selected. As a result, it is possible to perform plate inspection in response to a request from an operator who is a user.

  Here, “forced skip” is a plate inspection mode in which digital plate inspection is not necessarily performed regardless of image creation conditions such as the calibration image creation condition D3. The “forced plate inspection” is a plate inspection mode in which digital plate inspection is always performed regardless of image creation conditions. Furthermore, “automatic determination” is a plate inspection mode in which digital plate inspection is performed if necessary according to image creation conditions.

  The following description will focus on internal processing when the “automatic determination” plate inspection mode is selected.

  Next, the image creation conditions of the plate-making image data D1 are collated (step S52). First, the plate making image creation condition D1 supplied from the calibration information extraction unit 72 and the unique image creation condition D1 'supplied from the storage unit (not shown) are combined as the output image creation condition D11. Thereafter, the combined output image creation condition D11 and the calibration image creation condition D3 supplied from the calibration information extraction unit 72 are supplied to the creation condition collation unit 78, and the creation condition collation unit 78 collates the image creation conditions. The

  By providing the creation condition collating unit 78, the difference between the output image creation condition D11 and the calibration image creation condition D3 can be clearly grasped. Information useful for determining the necessity of digital plate inspection can be obtained.

  The plate making image creation condition D1 and the calibration image creation condition D3 include at least one image processing condition among output resolution, input profile, output profile, tone curve, trapping, screening, or overprint.

  The output image creation condition D11 is an image creation condition used for RIP processing when outputting to an output device (the platesetter 36 or the digital printing machine 40 shown in FIG. 1).

  Furthermore, the unique image creation condition D1 'is an image creation condition unique to the workstation 32 that the prepress image creation condition D1 does not have. Specifically, software version information, for example, overall version, individual version of each module, and library version. Also, the attribute of the setting data file associated with the software version.

  The collation of the image creation conditions is performed between the output image creation condition D11 (the plate making image creation condition D1 and the unique image creation condition D1 ') and the calibration image creation condition D3. Here, all conditions may be collated, but there are also image creation conditions that do not affect the image processing result even when the parameters do not match, as in the image creation time as an example. Therefore, it is preferable that only the image creation conditions that affect the image processing results are to be collated, and not to be collated with the image creation conditions that do not affect the image processing results. Alternatively, all image creation conditions are collated, but the image creation conditions may be selectively applied or excluded when determining whether or not image data comparison inspection is necessary. Thereby, it is possible to omit a substantially useless plate inspection due to a mismatch of image creation conditions that do not affect the image processing result.

  Next, it is determined whether or not image data comparison inspection is necessary (step S53). The collation result obtained by the creation condition collation unit 78 is supplied to the image comparison necessity determination unit 80. If the collation result does not match under a predetermined condition among the image creation conditions, it is determined that a comparative inspection is necessary.

  Next, RIP processing is performed under the calibration image creation condition D3 (step S54). As indicated by the solid line arrow, the plate-making image data D2 extracted by the calibration information extraction unit 72 is supplied to the RIP 74, subjected to RIP processing based on the calibration image creation condition D3 by the RIP 74, and imaged as calibration reproduction image data D4 ′. It is supplied to the comparison inspection unit 82.

  Next, comparison inspection of image data is performed (step S55).

  The calibration image data D4 extracted by the calibration information extraction unit 72 is supplied to the image comparison inspection unit 82 and compared with the calibration reproduction image data D4 'already supplied. Since both image data formats to be compared are raster images, a comparison operation of the values of the respective pixels is executed.

  When inspecting whether or not they are completely coincident, a comparison operation is performed to determine whether or not both pixel values are the same for each corresponding address of each image data, and the total number of identical (or not identical) pixels is measured.

  In addition, as an inspection standard different from perfect matching, an allowable range may be provided for the error between both pixel values, and the determination may be made based on whether or not the error falls within the range. Furthermore, using known image processing such as template matching, it is possible to detect the amount of misalignment that maximizes the correlation between the image data, and to perform a comparison operation on the pixel value for each pixel with the misalignment corrected. it can. At this time, in order to clarify the inspection standard of the digital plate inspection, it is preferable to predetermine an allowable error of the pixel value and the positional deviation.

  Next, the inspection result is determined (step S56). It is determined whether the total number of pixels whose pixel values do not match is within the allowable range, and whether the amount of positional deviation is within the allowable range. If at least one is within an acceptable range, the test result is certified as acceptable.

  If the inspection result is acceptable, the output operation as the next process is permitted (step S57), and the digital plate inspection process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the inspection result is unacceptable, a warning or error (step S58) is performed. The image comparison inspection unit 82 notifies the warning unit 84 of the failure, and the warning unit 84 gives a warning or the like. For example, an error message is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the workstation 32 or a warning sound is emitted.

  Further, when displaying the calibration image data D4 or the like, the operator can be alerted by attaching a visually recognizable mark to a place where the pixel value comparison calculation result is determined to be inconsistent.

  When the “forced skip” plate inspection mode is selected in step S51, steps S52 to S56 are skipped and the output operation is permitted (step S57). When the “forced plate inspection” plate inspection mode is selected, the process proceeds to the plate inspection operation without determining whether the plate inspection operation is necessary. That is, steps S52 and S53 are skipped, and the same internal processing as in the case of “automatic determination” is performed after step S54.

  As a result, plate inspection can be performed as necessary, and the time required to complete printing can be shortened.

  As described above, the plate-making apparatus 24 RIP-processes the plate-making image data D2 using the proof image creation condition D3 to create the proof image data D4, and the plate-making image data D2, the proof image creation condition D3, and the proof image data D4. A plate-making data file F2 with proofreading information including is generated. The workstation 32 also includes a calibration information extracting unit 72 that extracts the plate-making image data D2, the calibration image creation condition D3, and the calibration image data D4 from the generated plate-making data file with calibration information F2, and the extracted plate-making image data. An image comparison / inspection unit 82 for comparing and inspecting the calibration reproduction image data D4 ′ created by the RIP process based on D2 and the calibration image creation condition D3 and the extracted calibration image data D4 is provided.

  With this configuration, the workstation 32 can acquire the proof image creation condition D3 through the plate making data F2 with proof information, and is on the workstation 32 which is the same environment as the RIP processing environment to be printed. Thus, the process reproducibility of the calibration image data D4 can be inspected. Furthermore, since the workstation 32 can acquire the calibration image data D4 to be compared via the plate making data file F2 with calibration information, the RIP processing can be performed in an environment where the plate making site 12 and the printing site 14 are separated. Even if the software versions are different, the created image data can be appropriately inspected.

  That is, not only the consistency of the calibration history is inspected as in the conventional plate inspection system, but also the image reproduction evaluation of the RIP processing system in the workstation 32 as the plate inspection apparatus is performed together, so the reliability of the plate inspection is improved. It can be further enhanced.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to embodiment mentioned above, Of course, it can change freely in the range which does not deviate from the main point of this invention.

  For example, the configuration of the plate inspection system 10 according to the present embodiment and the data structure of the plate information data file F2 with calibration information are not limited to FIGS. 1 and 3, and various configurations can be adopted.

  In the present embodiment, the calibrator 26 is used as means for outputting a calibration image, but the output mode is not limited to this. For example, a calibration image may be displayed on a calibration monitor (display device), thereby eliminating the need for a printing material.

  Further, the reversible compression processing is performed on the calibration image data D4 before generating the calibration information-added plate-making data file F2, and the calibration information-added plate-making data file F2 storing the new calibration image data D4 is converted into the calibration information. The original calibration image data D4 can be restored by the reversible development processing means provided in the workstation 32 after being extracted by the extraction unit 72. In this way, since the amount of data handled can be reduced, the communication time of file data can be shortened and the data memory requirement of the database server 16 can be reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Plate inspection system 12 ... Plate making site 14 ... Printing site 24 ... Plate making apparatus 26 ... Calibration machine 32 ... Workstation 38 ... Offset printing machine 40 ... Digital printer 56, 74 ... RIP 62 ... Calibration information addition part 72 ... Calibration information Extraction unit 78 ... creation condition collation unit 80 ... image comparison necessity determination unit 82 ... image comparison inspection unit D1 ... platemaking image creation condition D2 ... platemaking image data D3 ... calibration image creation condition D4 ... calibration image data D1 '... unique image creation Condition D11 ... Output image creation condition F0 ... Submission data file F1 ... Prepress data file F2 ... Prepress data file with calibration information

Claims (10)

A RIP processing unit for RIP processing plate-making image data using calibration image creation conditions to create calibration image data;
Calibration information adding device for generating plate making data with calibration information including the plate making image data, the calibration image creation conditions and the calibration image data;
A plate inspection device that performs electronic plate inspection before outputting to the output device based on the plate-making image data;
The plate inspection device comprises:
A calibration information extraction unit for extracting the plate-making image data, the calibration image creation conditions, and the calibration image data from the plate-making data with calibration information generated by the calibration information adding device;
The plate making image data extracted by the calibration information extraction unit and the calibration reproduction image data created by RIP processing based on the calibration image creation conditions are compared with the calibration image data extracted by the calibration information extraction unit. A plate inspection system comprising: an image comparison inspection unit for inspection. In the plate inspection system according to claim 1,
The plate inspection apparatus further includes an image comparison necessity determination unit that determines whether to perform the comparison inspection by the image comparison inspection unit,
The image comparison inspection unit performs the comparison inspection when it is determined by the image comparison necessity determination unit that the comparison inspection is performed. In the plate inspection system according to claim 1 or 2,
The plate inspection device further includes a creation condition collating unit that collates an output image creation condition provided for RIP processing when the output device outputs the image to the calibration image creation condition. system. In the plate inspection system according to claim 2 or 3,
The image comparison necessity determination unit determines whether or not to perform the comparison inspection based on designation by a user. In the plate inspection system according to claim 3 or 4,
The creation condition collation unit collates with the output image creation condition for a predetermined condition that affects an image processing result among the calibration image creation conditions,
The image comparison necessity determination unit determines that the comparison inspection is not performed when a collation result of the predetermined condition by the creation condition collation unit matches. In the plate inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The proofreading image creation condition is software version information of RIP processing or image processing condition in the RIP processing unit. In the plate inspection system according to claim 6,
The software version information is version information of the whole or a part of a library constituting the software. In the plate inspection system according to claim 6 or 7,
The plate inspection system, wherein the image processing conditions include at least one image processing condition of output resolution, input profile, output profile, tone curve, trapping, screening, or overprint. RIP processing plate making image data using calibration image creation conditions to create calibration image data;
Generating plate making data with calibration information including the plate making image data, the calibration image creation conditions and the created calibration image data;
Extracting the plate-making image data, the calibration image creation conditions, and the calibration image data from the generated plate-making data with calibration information, and
Creating calibration reproduction image data by RIP processing based on the extracted plate-making image data and the calibration image creation conditions;
And a step of comparing and inspecting the created calibration reproduction image data and the extracted calibration image data. Computer
Means for RIP processing plate-making image data using calibration image creation conditions to create calibration image data;
Means for generating plate making data with calibration information including the plate making image data, the calibration image creation conditions and the created calibration image data;
Means for extracting the plate-making image data, the calibration image creation conditions, and the calibration image data, respectively, from the generated plate-making data with calibration information;
Means for creating calibration reproduction image data by RIP processing based on the extracted plate-making image data and the calibration image creation conditions;
A program which functions as means for comparing and inspecting the created calibration reproduction image data and the extracted calibration image data.

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