Planning support device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a planning assistance device, an information processing method based on the device, and a program, whereby appropriate platemaking conditions and printing conditions can be grasped without passing through a printing step. The planning assistance device includes: a prediction unit that predicts the planning of a printed matter on the basis of plate-making condition information indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate and printing condition information indicating a printing condition for obtaining the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition; printing quality information representing the printing quality of the printed matter under the preset tone is predicted; and a recommendation unit that outputs recommendation condition information indicating a recommendation condition of the platemaking condition or the printing condition on the basis of the printing quality information and target quality information indicating a target index relating to the printing quality.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to a planning assistance device, an information processing method, and a program. BACKGROUND

[0002] For example, in Patent Literature 1, a printing system capable of easily grasping a plate-making condition and a printing condition for obtaining a high-quality printed matter in flexographic printing is proposed.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-049768 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] However, in the printing system described in Patent Literature 1, it is necessary to actually print a manuscript image by a printing section, and to measure a characteristic of the manuscript image from an evaluation region of the manuscript image. Thus, in that the printing is actually performed a plurality of times until the desired plate-making condition and the printing condition are determined, there is no change from the conventional condition adjustment.

[0008] The present application has been achieved in view of the above-described problems, and aims to provide a planning assistance device capable of grasping appropriate plate-making conditions and printing conditions even without a printing process, an information processing method based on the device, and a program.

[0009] SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

[0010] (1)

[0011] A planning assistance device has:

[0012] a prediction section that predicts printing quality information indicating a printing quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation based on plate-making condition information indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate, and printing condition information indicating a printing condition for obtaining the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition; and

[0013] a recommendation section that outputs recommendation condition information indicating a recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the printing condition based on the printing quality information and target quality information indicating a target index related to the printing quality.

[0014] (2)

[0015] The planning assistance device according to (1),

[0016] The plate-making condition information includes a condition for making a flexographic printing plate from a flexographic printing original plate.

[0017] 〔3〕

[0018] The planning assistance device according to any one of (1) to (2),

[0019] The printing condition information includes at least one of a printer condition, a screen condition, an ink condition, a printing substrate condition, and a buffer band condition.

[0020] 〔4〕

[0021] The planning assistance device according to any one of (1) to (3),

[0022] The printing quality information includes at least one of information related to an ink density, a coverage prediction value, an ink usage amount prediction value, and a readable character dot number prediction value.

[0023] 〔5〕

[0024] The planning assistance device according to any one of (1) to (4),

[0025] The printing quality information includes at least one of a number, a size, and a shape of an ink dot of a printed matter in a specified gradation section, or a print curve.

[0026] 〔6〕

[0027] The planning assistance device according to any one of (1) to (5),

[0028] Further provided is a target value output section that outputs the target quality information based on the design image information.

[0029] 〔7〕

[0030] The planning assistance device according to (1),

[0031] Further provided is a learning section that creates a model based on learning data obtained by associating a plate-making condition of a printing plate, a printing condition of a printed matter using the printing plate made under the plate-making condition, and an index indicating a printing quality in a gradation of the printed matter.

[0032] 〔8〕

[0033] An information processing method,

[0034] A planning assistance device performs the following steps:

[0035] a prediction step of outputting print quality information indicating a print quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation, based on plate-making condition information indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate and print condition information indicating a print condition of the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition; and

[0036] a recommendation step of outputting recommendation condition information indicating a recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the print condition, based on the print quality information and target quality information indicating a target index related to the print quality.

[0037] 〔9〕

[0038] A program,

[0039] The planning assistance device is caused to execute the following steps:

[0040] a prediction step of outputting print quality information indicating a print quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation, based on plate-making condition information indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate and print condition information indicating a print condition of the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition; and

[0041] a recommendation step of outputting recommendation condition information indicating a recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the print condition, based on the print quality information and target quality information indicating a target index related to the print quality.

[0042] Effects of the Invention

[0043] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a planning assistance device capable of grasping appropriate plate-making condition and print condition even without a print process, an information processing method based on the device, and a program. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 is a diagram showing a system structure of the present embodiment.

[0045] Figure 2A is a schematic configuration diagram of the planning assistance device of the present embodiment.

[0046] Figure 2B is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data structure of print data.

[0047] Figure 2C is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data structure of learning data.

[0048] Figure 2D is a diagram showing a specific example of print data.

[0049] Figure 2Eis a summary diagram showing an example of a model used by the prediction section.

[0050] Figure 2F is a graph showing a result of prediction accuracy of a model used by the prediction section.

[0051] Figure 2G is a graph showing an explanatory variable with high importance.

[0052] Figure 2H is a graph showing an explanatory variable with high importance.

[0053] Figure 3A is a structural diagram showing a relationship of a correction curve and a printing curve.

[0054] Figure 3B is a summary diagram showing a manner of tone representation in a case where a flat land falls.

[0055] Figure 3C is a summary diagram showing a manner of tone representation in which a hard edge can be observed.

[0056] Figure 3D is a summary diagram showing a manner of tone representation in which a tone is reversed.

[0057] Figure 4A is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the planning preparation device of the present embodiment.

[0058] Figure 4B is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the planning preparation device of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present application (hereinafter, referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described in detail, but the present application is not limited to this, and various modifications can be made within a scope not departing from the gist thereof.

[0060] 1. Planning preparation assistance device

[0061] The planning preparation assistance device of the present embodiment has a prediction section that predicts printing quality information representing a printing quality of a printed matter in a predetermined tone based on plate making condition information representing a plate making condition of a printing plate and printing condition information representing a printing condition of a printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate making condition, and a recommendation section that outputs recommendation condition information representing a recommended condition of the plate making condition or the printing condition based on the printing quality information and target quality information representing a target index related to the printing quality.

[0062] The present application can be applied to offset printing, gravure printing, and flexographic printing. In the following, the present embodiment will be described with the case of flexographic printing as an example, but the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and can also be applied to offset printing and gravure printing.

[0063] In the conventional process of flexographic printing, before mass production printing is performed, based on the design of a digital image called a vector image, the manufacturing and printing of a flexographic printing plate are repeatedly performed to search for a color density condition in which the ink density, hiding power, and the like become good, to obtain a plate-making and printing condition that achieves a target value of the color density. Then, the manufacturing and printing of a flexographic printing plate are repeatedly performed to search for a gradation condition in which dots and the like can be stably printed, to obtain a plate-making and printing condition that achieves the gradation.

[0064] Further, a "dot" refers to a mesh-like point used to express the gradation of a printed matter. Further, a dot is also referred to as a screen dot. For example, when a printed matter printed in C (cyan) in flexographic printing is observed with a microscope, several printed small dots can be observed. Such a dot is referred to as a dot, and a printed matter is expressed by the aggregation of dots. In general, the smaller the dot, the lower the number of dots per unit area, the lighter the color is expressed, and the larger the dot, the higher the number of dots per unit area, the darker the color is expressed, and a printed matter having a gradation is reproduced by combining the size of the dot and the number of dots per unit area. In addition, in the case of reproducing the gradation of a photograph, a pattern (monochrome, color), or the like by printing, the gradation can also be expressed by the ratio of the size of the dot, the number of dots per unit area, and the white background portion of the printed paper.

[0065] In addition, as information related to a dot, there are three elements of "line number" indicating that several dots exist in a 1-inch width, "angle" set so as not to generate a Moire fringe, and "density" for changing the gradation.

[0066] In the search process of the color density condition and the gradation condition, a test pattern suitable for evaluating each condition can be used, and a digital image that becomes a printing target is not used. In this case, a flexographic printing plate formed with a test pattern is produced under various manufacturing conditions, and the obtained flexographic printing plate is printed under various printing conditions, whereby a search for appropriate manufacturing and printing conditions is performed. Thus, a manufacturing and printing condition suitable for the ink used, the plate-making device, and the printing device can be searched for.

[0067] Next, a design is made for each color of ink, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, by separating the vector image. The separated design is subjected to raster image processing (RIP), and the color density and the size of the ink dots are determined for each separated design, thereby creating a raster image. The raster image is digital data used to create a flexographic printing plate.

[0068] Then, a multi-color printing test is performed to determine conditions under which printing can be performed with good reproducibility. Through the above procedures, a flexographic printing plate and its printing conditions under which mass production printing can be performed are determined. The determination of the plate-making conditions and the printing conditions is also dependent on the skill of the person, and it takes many tests until the conditions are determined, so the entire process described above sometimes takes more than one and a half years.

[0069] One of the reasons why such a test is required is that in many cases, the printing plate is made of rubber, so the printing plate is deformed when it is pressed against the printing substrate during printing. Specifically, when printing is performed using a printing plate having a relief corresponding to the ink dots, the relief is deformed depending on the printing conditions, and the size, shape, and the like of the printed ink dots differ more or less from the relief of the printing plate.

[0070] In this case, it is also possible to predict the printing quality by directly predicting the deformation of the relief on the printing substrate, but learning data including the deformation phenomenon is not easily obtained, and for the prediction of the printing quality, the purpose is to predict the size and shape of the ink dots, and the deformation of the relief of the printing plate itself is not the purpose.

[0071] Therefore, in the planning assistance device of the present embodiment, by taking into account the plate-making condition information that has an influence on the shape, hardness, and the like of the printing plate and the printing condition information that has an influence on the ink amount, pressing strength, and the like, a determination that takes into account the deformation phenomenon of the relief on the printing substrate is performed, and thus the prediction of the printing quality, such as the size, shape, and hiding power of the ink dots after printing, is performed. By performing such a prediction, the exploration of the conditions under which the ink dots can be stably printed in the conventional printing process described above can be performed by information processing technology, and the plate-making conditions and the printing conditions can be determined without going through a printing test.

[0072] In particular, in the planning assistance device of the present embodiment, recommended condition information indicating recommended conditions of the plate-making conditions or the printing conditions is output based on the printing quality under the halftone. In addition to this, the planning assistance device of the present embodiment can also perform the exploration of the conditions under which the ink density and the hiding power become good by information processing technology.

[0073] According to the planning assistance device of the present embodiment, appropriate plate-making conditions and printing conditions can be grasped without a printing process, and in addition, as an information processing method, the processing load in the information processing device can be significantly reduced compared to a method of directly physically calculating the deformation phenomenon of the concave-convex on the printing substrate from the shape or hardness of the printing plate and the ink amount or pressing force, and calculating the size of the ink dots from the deformation amount.

[0074] 1.1. Hardware configuration

[0075] Figure 1 An example of the present system is shown. The present system is a planning assistance system that shows recommended conditions of plate-making conditions in a plate-making device 200 and printing conditions in a printing device 300. The planning assistance device 100 of the present embodiment can also be connected to the plate-making device 200 and the printing device 300 via a network. In the present embodiment, the plate-making device 200 can be a manufacturing device of a flexographic printing plate, and the printing device 300 can also be a printing machine that performs a flexographic printing method. As these plate-making device 200 and printing device 300, conventionally known plate-making devices and printing devices can be used.

[0076] Figure 2A An outline configuration diagram of the planning assistance device 100 of the present embodiment is shown. The planning assistance device of the present embodiment can also be a general-purpose computer such as a personal computer, a server, and the like. As shown in Figure 2A The planning assistance device 100 includes, for example, a processor 110, a communication interface 120, an input / output interface 130, a memory 140, a storage device 150, and one or more buses 160 for connecting these constituent elements to each other.

[0077] The processor 110 is not limited, and as an example, each processing, function, or method disclosed in each embodiment can be implemented by one or more central processing devices (CPUs), microprocessors (including MPUs, graphic processing devices (GPUs), processor cores, multi-processors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like, integrated circuit (IC) chips, LSs), and special-purpose circuits.

[0078] The communication interface 120 performs transmission and reception of various data with other devices via a network. The communication can be performed by either of wired and wireless, and as long as communication with each other can be performed, any communication protocol can be used. For example, the communication interface 120 is installed as hardware such as a network adapter, various communication software, or a combination thereof.

[0079] The input / output interface 130 includes an input device that inputs various operations and an output device that outputs processing results and the like. For example, the input / output interface 130 can include an information input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, and an information output device such as a display device 131. Further, the planning assistance device 100 can receive a prescribed input and perform a prescribed output by connecting an external input / output interface 130.

[0080] For example, the planning assistance device 100 can output recommended conditions of a plate-making condition and a printing condition to the plate-making device 200 and the printing device 300.

[0081] The memory 140 temporarily stores a program loaded from the storage device 150 and provides a work area to the processor 110. Various data generated during execution of the program by the processor 110 is also temporarily held in the memory 140. The memory 140 can be, for example, a high-speed random access memory such as a DRAM, an SRAM, a DDR RAM, or other random access solid-state storage device, or a combination thereof.

[0082] The storage device 150 stores programs, functional units, and various data. The storage device 150 can also hold, for example, printing data 151 and learning data 152.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 1, for example, the printing data 151 can include a printing ID that uniquely identifies a printing performed, information about a digital image printed, information about a plate-making condition of a flexographic printing plate used to print the digital image, and information about a printing condition of the flexographic printing plate. Figure 2B

[0084] As shown in Fig. 1, for example, the printing data 151 can include a printing ID that uniquely identifies a printing performed, information about a digital image printed, information about a plate-making condition of a flexographic printing plate used to print the digital image, and information about a printing condition of the flexographic printing plate. Figure 2C

[0085] Further, the storage device 150 can be, for example, a non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices, or a combination thereof. As other examples of the storage device 150, one or more storage devices disposed apart from the processor 110 can be given.

[0086] 1.2. Software Configuration

[0087] The processor 110 executes processing, functions, or methods realized by codes or instructions included in a program stored in the storage device 150. As shown in Fig. 1, for example, the processor 110 can include a CPU 111, a GPU 112, a DSP 113, and the like.​​Figure 2A As illustrated, the processor 110 of the present embodiment can also function as a prediction unit 111, a recommendation unit 112, a target value output unit 113, a condition generation unit 114, a learning unit 115, and a dot formation determination unit 116. Hereinafter, each functional unit will be described.

[0088] The prediction unit 111 outputs printing quality information indicating the printing quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation, based on plate-making condition information indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate, and printing condition information indicating a printing condition of a printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition. Although not particularly limited, for example, the prediction unit 111 can also use a learning completed model as illustrated. Figure 2E The learning completed model outputs the printing quality information based on the plate-making condition information and the printing condition information.

[0089] As the learning completed model, there is no particular limitation, and in the case where the printing quality information is a quantitative variable, for example, various other models such as a support vector machine using an arbitrary kernel function such as a multivariate regression analysis, ridge regression, partial least squares regression, a multilayer perceptron, a CNN (Convolutional Neural Network), and an RNN (Recurrent Neural Network), a Gaussian kernel, a random forest modeled as a regression tree, a model using a hidden Markov model, a statistical model, a probabilistic model, and the like can be adopted. In addition, a model that combines various models to make a comprehensive determination can also be adopted. Also, in the case of a qualitative variable, various discriminant analysis methods such as logistic regression, random forest, and neural network can be used.

[0090] Hereinafter, the plate-making condition information, the printing condition information, and the printing quality information will be described. Furthermore, one mode of the plate-making condition information, the printing condition information, and the printing quality information is illustrated, but the plate-making condition information, the printing condition information, and the printing quality information are not limited to these.

[0091] First, the plate-making method of the flexographic printing plate in the plate-making apparatus 200 is not particularly limited, and for example, a method of engraving a pattern by irradiating a printing original plate with a radiation ray can be cited. In addition, back exposure and surface exposure can be performed before and after engraving, and development can be performed after engraving. The plate-making method of the flexographic printing plate can differ depending on the type of the printing original plate.

[0092] Further, as the radiation used in the pattern formation of the printing plate, it is possible to appropriately select according to the structure of the printing original plate. As such a radiation, there are not particularly limited, and for example, laser beams, ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, visible rays, X-rays, electron rays, and the like can be cited. For example, it is also possible to irradiate a printing original plate with a laser beam to engrave a pattern. In addition, in the case where the printing original plate has an infrared ablation layer, it is possible to irradiate an infrared ray to engrave a pattern. In this case, the infrared ablation layer functions as a mask image at the time of exposure curing. At the time of washing the unexposed portion of the photosensitive resin composition layer after the exposure is finished, it is also possible to simultaneously remove the infrared ablation layer.

[0093] As the plate making condition information of such a flexographic printing plate, there are not particularly limited as long as it includes the conditions for manufacturing the flexographic printing plate from the flexographic printing original plate, and for example, the kind of the original plate, the kind of the microcell, the information on the radiation, the correction curve, the number of image lines, the kind of the screen, the angle of the screen, and the like can be cited.

[0094] Although not particularly limited, it is also possible that the kind of the original plate, the kind of the microcell, and the information on the radiation and the like are plate making conditions mainly related to the density and the hiding power of the color, and the correction curve, the number of image lines, the kind of the screen, and the angle of the screen and the like are plate making conditions mainly related to the gradation expression.

[0095] As the information on the radiation, the intensity of the radiation and the like can be cited. Depending on the intensity of the radiation and the like, the concave-convex shape of the engraving changes, and the density and the hiding power of the color of the printed matter obtained by the flexographic printing plate can change. It is preferable that, in addition to the plate making conditions such as the kind of the original plate, the kind of the microcell, and the like, the contact pressure of the anilox roll with the plate cylinder, the contact pressure of the printing substrate with the plate cylinder, and the like are also considered to set appropriate information on the radiation.

[0096] The correction curve is a curve showing the relationship between the pixel area rate per unit area (hereinafter, "data dot %") in the raster image data of the flexographic printing plate and the ink density based on the print curve. Figure 3A The relationship between the correction curve and the print curve is shown. The flexographic printing plate has elasticity, and thus the contact area of the printing substrate with the plate cylinder increases depending on the printing pressure. Therefore, there is a tendency that the actual ink density becomes larger than the ink density estimated from the area of the surface of the flexographic printing plate. Thus, from the viewpoint of producing a flexographic printing plate in such a manner that a desired image is obtained when the contact area of the printing substrate with the plate cylinder increases due to the printing pressure, it is preferable to produce a correction curve that takes into account the increase in the contact area based on the print curve that is the relationship between the actual ink density and the data dot %.

[0097] As an example, a printing curve standardized in ISO 12647-2 or the like is prescribed, and in order to make the printing curve obtained under the prescribed printing conditions coincide with such a standardized curve, correction of the dot size of the plate or the like can also be performed. This correction uses a correction curve. For example, flexographic printing is a printing process for printing on all kinds of soft and hard substrates such as plastic, paper, paperboard, film, metal, and the like, which have different thicknesses, surface properties. In addition, not only the printing substrate, but also the ink, the plate have a large influence. Therefore, the printing curve greatly differs depending on the printing conditions.

[0098] Further, a correction curve can be made by plotting the data dot % and the ink density corresponding to the data dot %. In addition, as an example of a method of making such a correction curve, the method described in US 11,575,806 B2 can also be used.

[0099] Here, the printing curve refers to a curve in which the relationship between the solid area rate calculated by the Murray-Davies formula in the Tone Value Increment (TVI) and the data dot % is plotted as shown in Figure 4A The Tone Value Increment (TVI) is a value indicating the difference between the Tone Value and the Tone, and is also called the dot gain. In the Murray-Davies formula, in a certain single-tone, the solid area rate with respect to the data dot % of the object is represented by the following formula when the colorimetric value of the data dot % of the solid area rate calculation object is set to X. The data dot % is also called the data upper area rate. In addition, the colorimetric value can also be the ink density.

[0100] Solid area rate = {(Xw - X) / (Xw - Xs)} x 100

[0101] Xw: Colorimetric value of the area rate 0% (white paper)

[0102] Xs: Colorimetric value of the area rate 100% (pure fill or solid color)

[0103] The screen is a control algorithm that determines the size and number of dots formed on the surface of the printing original plate. In printing using dots, the ink is printed as small dots, and the number and size of the dots and the shape are controlled, whereby gradation expression and the like can be performed. By setting the screen in conjunction with the setting of the correction curve described above in a manner that enables proper gradation expression, a printing plate that enables proper gradation expression can be obtained. On the other hand, even if the manufacturing method of the printing plate other than the screen is the same, in the case where the setting of the screen is not proper, particularly, the gradation expression of the thin portion becomes insufficient, and it can be possible to produce Figure 3Ca hard edge as shown, Figure 3D a smooth gradation expression as shown. On the other hand, in a case where the screen is properly set, a delicate gradation expression that smoothly falls can be performed. Figure 3B

[0104] In addition, the screen image parameter is information on a raster image corresponding to the screen, and is, for example, a parameter that expresses a pattern of a printed matter obtained when a certain screen is used as information on a raster image. The screen image parameter can include a parameter of the number, size, and shape of dots in each gradation region obtained by applying the screen. The screen image parameter, such as the kind of screen, the number, size, and shape of dots in each gradation region obtained by applying the screen, can be recorded in the storage device 150 of the planning assistance device 100 of the present embodiment in correspondence.

[0105] In addition, the flexographic printing method is not particularly limited, and, for example, ink is supplied from a screen roller to a flexographic printing plate (plate cylinder), and the ink supplied to the flexographic printing plate (plate cylinder) is transferred to a printing substrate.

[0106] As the printing condition information of such a flexographic printing method, for example, the following can be cited: ink conditions such as viscosity, solid content concentration, and pigment concentration; information on the screen roller such as cell shape, line number, and capacity; information on the printing machine such as printing machine model, printing speed, contact pressure of the screen roller and the plate cylinder, contact pressure of the printing substrate and the plate cylinder, drying speed, sleeve circumference, and the like; buffer belt conditions such as the kind, hardness, and thickness of the buffer belt that fixes the flexographic printing plate to the plate cylinder; printing substrate conditions such as the kind of the printing substrate; and surface free energy and the like. Among these, as the printing condition information, at least one of the printing machine conditions, the screen conditions, the ink conditions, the printing substrate conditions, and the buffer belt conditions is preferably included. In addition, the screen conditions can be conditions related to the screen roller such as the kind of the screen roller and the contact pressure of the screen roller and the plate cylinder.

[0107] The print quality information is information indicating the quality of the printed matter, and includes the print quality at a predetermined gradation. As the "predetermined gradation", for example, the following can be cited: a shadow portion, a half-tone portion, and a highlight portion. Here, based on the substantial area ratio calculated by the Murray-Davis formula in the printed matter, for example, a region in which the substantial area ratio is 100% can be set as a solid fill or a solid color portion, a region in which the substantial area ratio is 80% or more and less than 100% can be set as a shadow portion, a region in which the substantial area ratio is 20% or more and less than 80% can be set as a half-tone portion, and a region in which the substantial area ratio is 0% or more and less than 20% can be set as a highlight portion. Here, as the target value of the print quality, the target value can be set based on the criteria and standards described in existing documents.

[0108] ​In addition, the index of the print quality in the shadow portion, the half-tone portion, and the highlight portion can also be different at the gradation. For example, the index of the print quality in the highlight portion is not particularly limited, and can include, for example, the ink density, the print profile, or the number, size, or shape of the ink dots in the highlight portion. In the past, as the index of the print quality, the ink density of the printed matter was measured. Here, the ink density was found by measuring the intensity of the reflected light from the printed matter. Thus, in particular in the highlight portion where the gradation is low, the intensity of the reflected light from the printed portion is difficult to measure, and thus the quality cannot be properly evaluated only by the ink density. In this regard, by considering the index related to the ink dots such as the number, size, or shape of the ink dots, it is possible to evaluate whether the ink dots are properly formed by printing, and as a result, it is possible to more properly evaluate the quality in the highlight portion. Furthermore, the shape of the ink dots can be the circularity of the ink dots, the aspect ratio, or the like.

[0109] In particular, it is difficult to discriminate Figures 3B-3D by only the index of the ink density. In addition, it is not easy to take into account the ink density of the solid fill or solid color portion and the print quality of the highlight portion. For example, there is a tendency that when the ink density is increased, the falloff becomes chaotic, and when the ink density is low, the printed matter with a flat falloff is obtained, and sometimes a trade-off occurs between the ink density and the print quality of the highlight portion. In the past printing site, the current situation is that a person observes the printed matter to discriminate Figure 3B , C, D, and thus find the optimal conditions, but in the planning assistance device of the present embodiment, by considering the number, size, shape, or the like of the ink dots, it is possible to find the conditions that become a flat falloff as shown in Figure 3B .

[0110] Furthermore, in the shadow portion and the half-tone portion, the print quality information can also include at least one of the number, size, or shape of the ink dots of the printed matter in the prescribed gradation portion, or the print profile.

[0111] Furthermore, the target value of the number, size, or shape of the ink dots can also be set based on the smallest ink dot of a certain color in the raster image for the print test. Since an excessively small ink dot cannot be stably formed, there can be a technical limit to the minimum value of the ink dot that can be printed. Thus, the ink dot formation determination portion 116 can also determine whether the ink dot can be formed based on the plate making condition information and the print condition information, and in the case where the ink dot can be formed, repeatedly estimate the size of the ink dot that can be formed, and execute the optimization process for exploring the conditions under which the smallest ink dot can be formed. For the determination of whether the ink dot can be formed and the estimation of the size of the ink dot that can be formed, models can also be used, respectively.

[0112] The number, size, or shape of the ink dots of the printed matter can be confirmed by observing the printed matter after enlarging it using a microscope or the like. Thus, data corresponding the information about the ink dots of the printed matter to the printing condition information and the plate-making condition information of the printed matter can be constituted. In the data, the printing plate has a concavo-convex corresponding to the ink dots, and by setting the data of the ink dots observed in the microscope observation of the printed matter and the data not observed as learning data, a model for determining whether the ink dots can be formed based on the plate-making condition information and the printing condition information can be created. For example, it can be determined that the ink dots can be formed when the size of the formed ink dots is not 0 based on the determination based on the plate-making condition information and the printing condition information. Also, it can be determined that the ink dots can be formed when the size of the ink dots output by the prediction model according to the input value satisfies a predetermined condition as described later. For example, it can be determined that the ink dots can be formed when the size of the ink dots output by the prediction model according to the input value exceeds a threshold value (for example, 0) by the prediction unit.

[0113] In addition, in the data, the printing plate has a concavo-convex corresponding to the ink dots, and by setting the data of the ink dots observed in the microscope observation of the printed matter as learning data, a model for estimating the size of the ink dots that can be formed can be created.

[0114] In addition, the print quality information, particularly, the index of the print quality in the solid or solid color portion, the shadow portion, and the halftone portion can include the color density, the hiding power prediction value, the ink usage amount prediction value, and the readable character dot number prediction value, and the like, which are related to the color density.

[0115] Here, the "hiding power" refers to the uniformity of the ink transferred to the printing substrate. Specifically, the uniformity can be evaluated by taking the coefficient of variation of the brightness in a prescribed direction in the halftone portion, the shadow portion described later, or the solid or solid color portion formed in the test print as an index. In the halftone portion composed of the ink dots, more or less variation of the brightness is assumed depending on the presence or absence of the ink dots. In other words, it can be said that the smaller the coefficient of variation, the higher the uniformity of the halftone portion, the shadow portion, or the solid or solid color portion formed. In addition, the hiding power can be evaluated in the highlight portion.

[0116] In addition, the coverage prediction value refers to a prediction value of the coverage of ink transferred to a print substrate, and refers to a prediction value of the coverage estimated from the printing condition information and the plate-making condition information. The brightness of a printed matter and its variation coefficient can be confirmed by measuring the halftone portion, the shadow portion, or the solid fill or solid color portion of the printed matter with a brightness meter, or by gradating the scan data of the halftone portion or the shadow portion of the printed matter and outputting the brightness value by image processing. Thus, data in which information related to the brightness of the printed matter, the printing condition information of the printed matter, and the plate-making condition information are associated can be constituted. By using the data as learning data, a model for estimating the brightness value based on the plate-making condition information and the printing condition information can be created.

[0117] Here, the ink usage prediction value can be the ink usage required to obtain a prescribed ink density, a prescribed coverage. By taking the ink usage into consideration, plate-making conditions and printing conditions that can balance print quality and economy can be obtained.

[0118] Here, the readable character dot number prediction value refers to a prediction value of the minimum number of character dots that can be read by a person when recording is performed under prescribed plate-making conditions and printing conditions. Here, a character dot is a unit that indicates the size of a character or a figure. The unit basis for a character dot is not particularly limited, and for example, a DTP dot can be given. As the readable character dot number prediction value decreases, characters other than the minimum character dot can also be printed smoothly and cleanly, and the print quality is further improved.

[0119] Also, the print quality information can include the print quality in the solid fill or solid color portion. The index of the print quality in the solid fill or solid color portion is not particularly limited, and for example, can include the ink density, the coverage, and the ink usage. The print quality in the solid fill or solid color portion can also be considered as a quality index of the density of the color and the coverage. By taking the ink usage into consideration, plate-making conditions and printing conditions that can balance print quality and economy can be obtained.

[0120] The print quality information can also include the print quality at the character thin line portion. The index of the print quality at the character thin line portion is not particularly limited, and for example, can include the readability and the coverage.

[0121] Here, the "readability" refers to the size of the smallest character that satisfies the uniformity of the ink transferred to the print substrate. Specifically, in a sample in which characters of different sizes are printed, the variation coefficient of the brightness is calculated for the lines that constitute each character. The uniformity can be evaluated as being satisfied when the variation coefficient of the brightness satisfies a predetermined condition. For example, the uniformity can be evaluated as being satisfied when the variation coefficient of the brightness is lower than a threshold value. Also, the readability can be evaluated as being satisfied with the size of the smallest character that satisfies the uniformity as an index.

[0122] As described above, the brightness of the printed matter and its variation coefficient can be confirmed by measuring the character portions of different sizes in the printed matter by a brightness meter, or by gradationizing the scan data of the halftone portion, the shadow portion, or the solid fill or solid color portion of the printed matter and outputting the brightness value by image processing. Thus, data corresponding to the information on the brightness of the character portions of different sizes in the printed matter, and the printing condition information and the plate making condition information of the printed matter can be constituted. By setting this data as learning data, a model for estimating the character size, i.e., the legibility, of the minimum point satisfying the prescribed uniformity based on the plate making condition information and the printing condition information can be created.

[0123] In addition, at the time of learning, a part of the data can be converted into a simulation variable or the like and then provided to the machine learning. For example, in the case where there are options of PET, OPP, and the like as the material of the printing substrate, in order to express the use of OPP as the printing substrate, the former can be set to 0 and the latter can be set to 1 on the basis of setting the variables of "printing substrate: PET" and "printing substrate: OPP" as simulation variables. Thus, the data classified according to the categories, which are not numerical values, can be numerized, so that the model can handle the category-type data.

[0124] In particular, it is preferable that the prediction section 111 predict at least one of the number, size, and shape of the ink dots of the printed matter in the prescribed gradation portion, particularly, in the highlight portion, as the printing quality information of the printing quality based on the plate making condition information and the printing condition information including information on the correction curve as the condition for manufacturing the flexographic printing plate from the flexographic printing original. As described above, in the past, it has been difficult to perform the discrimination by only the index of the ink density, and in addition, it has not been easy to take into account the ink density of the solid fill or solid color portion and the printing quality of the highlight portion. For example, there are cases where a trade-off occurs between the ink density and the printing quality of the highlight portion, such as a tendency to obtain a printed matter in which the fading becomes irregular when the ink density is increased, and the fading becomes flat when the ink density is low. In contrast, by the processing of the prediction section 111 described above, in the planning assistance device of the present embodiment, it is possible to find the condition that becomes the flat fading as shown in FIG. 6 by taking into account the number, size, shape, and the like of the ink dots. Figures 3B-3D Figure 3B

[0125] ​​Further, it is preferable that the prediction unit 111 predicts the print quality information including the hiding power prediction value as the print quality based on the plate making condition information and the print condition information including information on the kind of the microcell as the condition for manufacturing the flexographic printing plate from the flexographic printing master. Thus, for example, if the substrate (white ink) is penetrated when film printing (back printing) is performed, the color tone and the brilliance of the printed matter are insufficient, and the colored portion is also the same. Even if the ink density is the same, there are an ink with high hiding power and an ink with low hiding power, and thus it is difficult to determine the hiding power only by the ink density. In contrast, by the processing of the prediction unit 111 described above, in the planning assistance device of the present embodiment, it is possible to predict the print quality information including the hiding power prediction value as the print quality.

[0126] As shown in Fig. 1 1, the prediction unit 111 can also record the output print quality information in the print data 151 in correspondence with the plate making condition information and the print condition information. Figure 2B Figure 2B In Fig. 1 1, a manner of recording information on the predicted print quality with respect to assumed plate making condition information and print condition information is shown.

[0127] The recommendation unit 1 12 outputs the recommendation condition information indicating the recommended condition of the plate making condition or the print condition based on the print quality information and the target quality information indicating the target index on the print quality. Here, the target quality information is not particularly limited, and for example, information on design image information, color profile information, or screen information to be printed on a print substrate can be given. As such information, for example, the maximum ink density, the minimum ink density, the gradation, and the hiding power can be given.

[0128] As an example, when the prediction unit 1 1 1 predicts a plurality of print quality information with respect to a plurality of combinations of the plate making condition information and the print condition information, the recommendation unit 1 12 can also output the print quality information satisfying the target quality information among the plurality of print quality information as the recommendation condition information. Further, at this time, the recommendation unit 1 12 can also output the print quality information excellent from the viewpoint of the target quality information among the plurality of print quality information as the recommendation condition information.

[0129] As shown in Fig. 1 1, the recommendation unit 1 12 can also record the output recommendation condition information in the print data 151. Figure 2B

[0130] The target value output unit 1 13 can also output the target quality information based on the design image information. Here, the design image information can be digital data of an image to be printed on a print substrate. The target value output unit 1 13 can also determine the ink density, the minimum ink density, the hiding power, and the like suitable for printing the same based on the design image information, and output them as the target quality information.​​

[0131] Furthermore, the target value output unit 113 can also extract elements for evaluating print quality from the highlight areas. Specifically, the target value output unit 113 can also extract portions of the screen printing image parameters that serve as elements for evaluating print quality in the highlight areas. Specifically, the target value output unit 113 can also extract, for example, the number of ink dots in a 10% ink dot area, the size of the ink dots, and the length ratio of the ink dots from the screen printing image parameters as elements for evaluating the print quality of the highlight areas, and output the elements for evaluating print quality in the extracted highlight areas as the aforementioned target quality information. The target quality information output in this way can be used by the recommendation unit 112 as a target value for tonal gradation.

[0132] Alternatively, the target value output unit 113 can extract elements for evaluating print quality from the highlights based on color profile information and screen printing information instead of screen printing image parameters. The target quality information output in this way can be used by the recommendation unit 112 as a target value for tonal gradation.

[0133] like Figure 2B As shown, the target value output unit 113 can also record the output target quality information in the printing data 151.

[0134] The condition generation unit 114 can also generate plate-making condition information and printing condition information that are used as input to the prediction unit 111. For example, if the printing quality information output by the prediction unit 111 does not meet the target quality information and the recommendation unit 112 cannot output recommended condition information, the condition generation unit 114 can also generate new plate-making condition information and printing condition information.

[0135] The prediction unit 111 can also output print quality information again based on the plate-making condition information and printing condition information newly generated by the condition generation unit 114. In this case, the prediction unit 111 can also record the newly generated plate-making condition information and printing condition information, along with the print quality information predicted based on them, in the print data 151.

[0136] Learning Department 115 can also establish corresponding learning data based on the plate-making conditions of the printing plate, the printing conditions of the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making conditions, and the printing quality indicators representing the tonal quality of the printed matter (see reference). Figure 2C The prediction unit 111 can also use the model created by the learning unit 115 to output print quality information based on plate-making condition information and printing condition information.

[0137] in addition, Figure 2DThe example shown establishes corresponding printing data by defining the plate-making conditions of the printing plate, the printing conditions of the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making conditions, and the printing quality indicators representing the tonal quality of the printed matter. Figure 2D The printed data shown can also be used as learning data. Figure 2D The left column is the printing ID, which records the plate-making conditions of the printing plate, the printing conditions of the printed matter using the printing plate made under the plate-making conditions, and the printing quality of the printed matter in terms of tonal values, according to each printing ID.

[0138] Figure 2D Ten examples of printing results are shown in relation to the paper surface, but this embodiment uses data from 300 examples. Furthermore, the printing data or learning data used are not limited to this and can be much larger.

[0139] In addition, Figure 2D In this document, the abbreviations have the following meanings. Furthermore, the terms Midpoint, Slope at Midpoint, Minimum Dot, Highlight Shape, Shadow Shape, and Keep 0%to are incorporated herein by reference to US11,575,806B2.

[0140] • MC: refers to the type of micro-unit. Furthermore, a micro-unit refers to the portion that improves ink transferability by adding fine patterns to the surface that do not affect the overall pattern.

[0141] • Ratio @ 50%: refers to the midpoint.

[0142] • DGC type: refers to the slope at the midpoint.

[0143] min.dot: refers to the smallest ink dot.

[0144] •h: refers to the highlight shape.

[0145] •s: refers to the shadow shape.

[0146] ·k: refers to Keep 0% to.

[0147] Will as Figure 2D That kind of data is used for learning purposes to create... Figure 2E The prediction model shown, Figure 2FThe results evaluating its prediction accuracy are shown. Furthermore, in the creation of the prediction model, 300 such... Figure 2D The training data is as shown. Furthermore, this training data primarily includes the size and number of ink dots actually printed in the highlighted areas as print quality information. Using this training data, prediction models were constructed using three methods: PLS (Partial Least Squares), SVR (Support Vector Regression), and RF (Random Forest). In the construction of each prediction model, hyperparameters that maximize generalization performance were selected and used. Specifically, as an indicator of the model's generalization performance, the decision count R², calculated based on the predicted values ​​obtained from the five-fold cross-validation described later, was used. For models obtained using all possible combinations of values ​​for each hyperparameter, the aforementioned R² was calculated, and this value was selected as the largest hyperparameter.

[0148] The prediction accuracy of each prediction model is evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R²). Specifically, in five-fold cross-validation, the training data is split into five parts. Four of these parts are used as model-building data, and regression models are constructed using the aforementioned models. The remaining part of the training data is used as validation data to evaluate the predictive performance of the constructed regression models. There are five methods for selecting model-building data. Each model is used to predict on each validation data point, thus treating all training data as "without external data for model building." This yields five R² values, and their average is used as the R²CV value. Furthermore, the final model is constructed using all training data and the determined hyperparameters.

[0149] Figure 2F The results are shown. This demonstrates that the size and number of ink dots in the highlighted areas can be accurately predicted.

[0150] Furthermore, in Figure 2G and Figure 2H The table provides a summary of the explanatory variables that are of high importance in the above model. For example... Figure 2G As shown, in determining the size of ink dots, factors such as buffer type, screen type, plate type and thickness, halftone pattern, printing speed, printing pressure, ink type, ink temperature and viscosity, k, h, min dot, Boost value, and image line count are listed as highly important explanatory variables. Additionally, as... Figure 2H As shown, in determining the number of ink dots, screen type, plate type and thickness, k, h, mindot, DGC type, and the line count of the image are cited as highly important explanatory variables.

[0151] likeFigures 2F-2H As shown, it is shown that a prediction section 111 can be constructed, which predicts printing quality information representing printing quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation, based on printing condition information representing a printing condition for obtaining the printed matter, using plate-making condition information representing a plate-making condition of a printing plate and the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition. In addition, it is confirmed that the prediction section 111 has a prescribed precision, and appropriate plate-making conditions and printing conditions can be grasped even without going through a printing process. In addition, it is also shown that, in the prediction, it is not necessary to directly predict a deformation phenomenon of a concave-convex on a printing substrate, and by considering plate-making condition information having an influence on a shape, hardness, and the like of the printing plate and printing condition information having an influence on an ink amount, a pressing strength, and the like, a judgment that takes into account the deformation phenomenon of the concave-convex on the printing substrate is performed, and thus prediction of printing quality such as a size, a shape, a hiding power, and the like of an ink dot after printing can be performed.

[0152] Further, Figures 2F-2H The specific example shown is an example for representing technical significance of the planning assistance device of the present embodiment, and the present embodiment is not limited to Figures 2F-2H the specific example.

[0153] 3.2. Action processing

[0154] Next, the action of the planning assistance device 100 will be described. Figure 4A is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the planning assistance device 100. Further, the processing performed by the planning assistance device 100 is not limited to Figure 4A .

[0155] In step S1, the target value output section 113 can receive design image information, screen image parameters, color profile information, or screen information, and output target quality information D based on the received design image information and the like.

[0156] In step S2, the condition generation section 114 can generate plate-making condition information An representing a plate-making condition of a printing plate, and printing condition information Bn representing a printing condition of a printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition.

[0157] In step S3, the prediction section 111 can output printing quality information Cn representing printing quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation, based on the plate-making condition information An and the printing condition information Bn generated by the condition generation section 114. At this time, the prediction section 111 can also use the above-mentioned completed learning model.

[0158] In step S4, the recommendation unit 112 determines whether the print quality information Cn satisfies the target quality information indicating the target index related to the print quality. In this determination, the recommendation unit 112 can use, for example, a square of a difference between the target quality information D and the print quality information Cn. Also, the recommendation unit 112 can end the exploration, for example, when the above-mentioned square of the difference between the target quality information D and the print quality information Cn is lower than a threshold value specified in advance, or when the number of times of making the plate-making condition information An+1 and the print condition information Bn+1 by the condition generation unit 114 exceeds a value specified in advance, as described later.

[0159] In a case where the recommendation unit 112 determines in step S4 that the print quality information Cn satisfies the target quality information indicating the target index related to the print quality, in step S5, the recommendation unit 112 can output the recommendation condition information Fn indicating the recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the print condition. Here, the recommendation condition information Fn includes the plate-making condition information An and the print condition information Bn corresponding to the print quality information Cn as the recommended condition.

[0160] Also, in a case where the recommendation unit 112 determines in step S4 that the print quality information Cn does not satisfy the target quality information indicating the target index related to the print quality, in step S6, the condition generation unit 114 generates the plate-making condition information An+1 and the print condition information Bn+1 different from the plate-making condition information An and the print condition information Bn. At this time, the condition generation unit 114 can also determine the plate-making condition information An+1 and the print condition information Bn+1 in such a manner that a square of a difference between the target quality information D and the print quality information Cn is reduced. Also, in a case where a plurality of print quality information Cn is simultaneously caused to approach a target value, the plate-making condition information An+1 and the print condition information Bn+1 can be determined, for example, in such a manner that a sum of squares of differences between each print quality information target value and each print quality information predicted value is reduced. Then, steps S4 to S5 are re-executed based on the generated plate-making condition information An+1 and print condition information Bn+1.

[0161] Further, in step S6, the condition generation unit 114 can also make the plate-making condition information An+1 and the print condition information Bn+1 using, for example, a conventional condition exploration algorithm based on a gradient of an error from a target, such as a gradient descent method, a stochastic gradient descent method, AdaGrad, RMSProp, Adam.

[0162] Also, Figure 4B Another example of a process performed by the planning preparation assistance device 100 is shown.

[0163] In step Sll, the condition generating section 114 can generate plate-making condition information An indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate, and printing condition information Bn indicating a printing condition of a printed matter using a printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition.

[0164] In step S12, the target value output section 113 can receive a screen image parameter, color profile information, or screen information estimated from the design image data, the plate-making condition information An, and the printing condition information Bn, and output target quality information Dn based on the received screen image parameter or the like. For example, the target value output section 113 can also output a dot size in a highlight portion as the target quality information Dn based on the screen image parameter. In addition, the target value output section 113 can also output a maximum ink density as the target quality information Dn based on the design image data.

[0165] In step S13, the prediction section 111 can output printing quality information Cn indicating a printing quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation based on the plate-making condition information An and the printing condition information Bn generated by the condition generating section 114. At this time, the prediction section 111 can also use the above-described learned model.

[0166] In step S14, the recommendation section 112 determines whether the printing quality information Cn satisfies target quality information indicating a target index related to the printing quality. In this determination, the recommendation section 112 can use, for example, a square of a difference between the target quality information Dn and the printing quality information Cn. Also, the recommendation section 112 can end the search, for example, in accordance with the above-described square of the difference between the target quality information Dn and the printing quality information Cn being lower than a threshold value specified in advance, or the number of times of making the plate-making condition information An+1 and the printing condition information Bn+1 by the condition generating section 114 described later exceeding a value specified in advance.

[0167] In a case where the recommendation section 112 determines in step S14 that the printing quality information Cn satisfies the target quality information indicating the target index related to the printing quality, in step S15, the recommendation section 112 can output recommendation condition information Fn indicating a recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the printing condition. Here, the recommendation condition information Fn includes the plate-making condition information An and the printing condition information Bn corresponding to the printing quality information Cn as the recommended condition.

[0168] In addition, in a case where the recommendation unit 112 determines in step S14 that the print quality information Cn does not satisfy the target quality information indicating the target index related to the print quality, in step S16, the condition generation unit 114 generates the plate-making condition information An+1 and the printing condition information Bn+1 different from the plate-making condition information An and the printing condition information Bn. At this time, the condition generation unit 114 can determine the plate-making condition information An+1 and the printing condition information Bn+1 in such a manner that the square of the difference between the target quality information Dn and the print quality information Cn is reduced. Also, in a case where a plurality of print quality information Cn is caused to approach the target value at the same time, for example, the plate-making condition information An+1 and the printing condition information Bn+1 can be determined in such a manner that the sum of the squares of the differences between each print quality information target value and each print quality information predicted value is reduced. Then, based on the generated plate-making condition information An+1 and the printing condition information Bn+1, steps S11 to S14 are executed again.

[0169] Further, in step S16, the condition generation unit 114 can use, for example, a conventional condition exploration algorithm based on the gradient of the error from the target, such as the gradient descent method, the stochastic gradient descent method, AdaGrad, RMSProp, Adam, to create the plate-making condition information An+1 and the printing condition information Bn+1.

[0170] Also, in the process performed by the planning assistance device 100 as shown in Figure 4A , Figure 4B In the optimization processing, an optimization method for solving a combinatorial optimization problem can be used, and the method is not particularly limited, and for example, a conventional optimization method such as simulated annealing, a multi-objective genetic algorithm, or the like can be used.

[0171] 4. Method

[0172] The information processing method of the present embodiment is a method in which a planning assistance device executes the following steps: a prediction step of outputting print quality information indicating a print quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation, based on plate-making condition information indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate, and printing condition information indicating a printing condition for obtaining the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured in the plate-making condition; and a recommendation step of outputting recommendation condition information indicating a recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the printing condition, based on the print quality information and target quality information indicating a target index related to the print quality.

[0173] Further, regarding the specific manner of the method of the present embodiment, the detailed description is omitted here because it is described in the above action processing.

[0174] 5. Program

[0175] The program of the present embodiment causes the planning assistance device to execute the following steps: a prediction step of outputting printing quality information indicating a printing quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation, based on plate-making condition information indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate, and printing condition information indicating a printing condition for obtaining the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition; and a recommendation step of outputting recommendation condition information indicating a recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the printing condition, based on the printing quality information and target quality information indicating a target index related to the printing quality.

[0176] The program can also be a program recorded on a readable recording medium. Furthermore, the specific manner of the processing performed by the program of the present embodiment is described in the above-described operation processing, and thus detailed explanation is omitted here.

[0177] Industrial Applicability

[0178] The present application has industrial applicability as a device that assists in planning and making a plate-making condition and a printing condition in flexible printing.

[0179] Explanation of Reference Signs

[0180] 100: planning assistance device; 110: processor; 111: prediction section; 112: recommendation section; 113: target value output section; 114: condition generation section; 115: learning section; 120: communication interface; 130: input / output interface; 131: display device; 140: memory; 150: storage device; 151: printing data; 152: learning data; 160: bus; 200: plate-making device; 300: printing device.

Claims

1. A planning aid, characterized in that having: a prediction section that predicts printing quality information indicating a printing quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation, based on plate-making condition information indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate, and printing condition information indicating a printing condition for obtaining the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition; and a recommendation section that outputs recommendation condition information indicating a recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the printing condition, based on the printing quality information and target quality information indicating a target index relating to the printing quality.

2. The planning assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the plate-making condition information includes a condition for manufacturing a flexographic printing plate from a flexographic printing original plate.

3. The planning assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the printing condition information includes at least one of a press condition, a screen condition, an ink condition, a printing substrate condition, and a buffer condition.

4. The planning assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the printing quality information includes at least one of information relating to an ink density, a coverage prediction value, an ink usage prediction value, and a legible character dot number prediction value.

5. The planning assistance device according to claim 1, wherein the printing quality information includes at least one of a number, a size, and a shape of an ink dot of the printed matter in a prescribed gradation section, or a print curve.

6. The planning assistance device according to claim 1, further having a target value output section that outputs the target quality information based on design image information.

7. The planning assistance device according to claim 1, having a learning section that creates a model based on learning data obtained by corresponding a plate-making condition of a printing plate, a printing condition of a printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition, and an index indicating a printing quality at a gradation of the printed matter.

8. An information processing method, characterized by comprising: a planning assistance device executing the following steps: a prediction step of outputting printing quality information indicating a printing quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation, based on plate-making condition information indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate, and printing condition information indicating a printing condition for obtaining the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition; and a recommendation step of outputting recommendation condition information indicating a recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the printing condition, based on the printing quality information and target quality information indicating a target index relating to the printing quality.

9. A program, characterized by causing a planning assistance device to execute the following steps: a prediction step of outputting printing quality information indicating a printing quality of a printed matter at a predetermined gradation, based on plate-making condition information indicating a plate-making condition of a printing plate, and printing condition information indicating a printing condition for obtaining the printed matter using the printing plate manufactured under the plate-making condition; and a recommendation step of outputting recommendation condition information indicating a recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the printing condition, based on the printing quality information and target quality information indicating a target index relating to the printing quality. ​ ​ ​ ​ The recommending step outputs recommendation condition information indicating a recommended condition of the plate-making condition or the printing condition, based on the printing quality information and target quality information indicating a target index related to the printing quality.

Images