Quality Inspection Equipment

Abstract

To provide a quality inspection device that does not require or can simply complete preparations such as prior registration, and can significantly reduce an amount of memory (storage capacity) used even when a large number of different bar-codes are printed.SOLUTION: A quality inspection device includes: information reading means 3 for reading code display creation information from an acquired barcode image; reference image generation means 43 for generating a barcode image serving as a reference that should be originally displayed based on the read code display creation information; and defect detection means 44 for comparing a barcode image acquired by imaging means 2 with the barcode image serving as the reference generated by the reference image generation means 43, and when the difference between the comparison values exceeds a preset allowable range, detecting a place exceeding the allowable range as a defective portion of barcode display.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a quality inspection device for printed matter, and more particularly to a quality inspection device for printing barcode displays such as variable QR Codes (registered trademark) and micro QR Codes (registered trademark) and character displays. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are two types of quality inspections for barcode prints: inspection to see if the code can be read, and inspection to see if the code can be read and there are no missing or smudged parts in the code. In particular, in the latter case, a printout with a printed barcode is imaged with a camera and the quality inspection is performed. In such inspections for missing or smudged parts in barcode prints, a widely used method is to compare the density level of the barcode image captured with a camera with that of a master barcode image that serves as a reference, and determine parts where the level difference exceeds a preset tolerance as defective (smudged, missing, etc.) (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Here, the standard method for inspecting a master image is to register the information to be printed by a printer (printing machine) in advance in an inspection device. This involves generating a barcode image under the same conditions as the printer from the image of the barcode to be printed in advance or a CSV file of the information to be printed, and registering it in advance.

[0004] However, even if the data content of the barcode being read is the same, the size of the printed code and the dot arrangement often differ due to differences in parameters other than the content. For this reason, the master image had to be generated for each barcode individually using the print data of a printer or the same application.

[0005] For this reason, it was necessary to create a system for transferring data from the printer to the inspection device and to register all images printed in advance, which not only resulted in extra work and processes, but also consumed a lot of memory resources for pre-registration when the number of barcodes printed, such as variable-printed barcodes, increased, and it sometimes occurred that the memory capacity was exceeded and registration was not possible. The same applies to character information other than barcodes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 6-201611 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention seeks to solve the problem by providing a quality inspection device that does not require or can easily perform preparation such as prior registration, and that can significantly reduce the amount of memory (storage capacity) used, even when printing a large number of different barcodes and character information. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In light of this current situation, the inventor conducted extensive research and discovered that even if the printed barcode display has defects or stains, it is almost always possible to read various parameters from the display. He discovered that if the barcode display that should be displayed is generated from the parameters, it can be compared to a reference (master) and the print quality of the printed barcode display can be inspected, eliminating the need to prepare reference image information in advance and allowing for a significant reduction in the amount of memory required, thereby completing the present invention.

[0009] That is, the present invention includes the following inventions. (1) A quality inspection device comprising: an imaging means for imaging a printed surface of a printed matter including a barcode display and acquiring image data including at least a barcode image; an information reading means for reading code display creation information from the acquired barcode image; a reference image generating means for generating a reference barcode image that should be displayed based on the read code display creation information; and a defect detection means for comparing the barcode image acquired by the imaging means with the reference barcode image generated by the reference image generating means, and if the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detecting the portion exceeding the tolerance range as a defective portion of the barcode display.

[0010] (2) The quality inspection device according to (1), further comprising: a discrimination means for discriminating a font of the visible characters from the acquired image of the visible characters, the image data acquired by the imaging means including an image of the visible characters displayed along with the barcode image of the printed matter; a reference character image generation means for generating an image of the visible characters as a reference for the visible characters that should originally be displayed, in the determined font; and a character defect detection means for comparing the image of the visible characters acquired by the imaging means with the image of the reference visible characters generated by the reference character image generation means, and, when a difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detecting a portion exceeding the tolerance range as a defective portion of the visible character display.

[0011] (3) A quality inspection device comprising: an imaging means for imaging a printed surface of a printed matter including a barcode display and acquiring image data including at least a barcode image; a reference image extraction means for extracting a barcode image from the printing image data that is the basis of the printing; and a defect detection means for comparing the barcode image acquired by the imaging means with the reference barcode image extracted by the reference image extraction means, and when the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detecting the portion that exceeds the tolerance range as a defective portion of the barcode display.

[0012] (4) The quality inspection device according to (3), further comprising: reference character image extraction means for extracting images of visible characters from the print image data, the image data acquired by the imaging means including images of visible characters displayed along with the barcode image on the printed matter; and character defect detection means for comparing the images of visible characters acquired by the imaging means with reference images of visible characters extracted by the reference character image extraction means, and detecting, when a difference between comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, a portion exceeding the tolerance range as a defective portion of the visible character display. (5) The quality inspection device according to (2) or (4), further comprising a determination means for determining whether the content of the barcode corresponds to the visible characters.

[0013] (6) A quality inspection device comprising: an imaging means for imaging a printed surface of a printed matter including character indications and acquiring image data including at least an image of the character; a discrimination means for discriminating the font of the character from the acquired image of the character; a reference character image generation means for generating an image of the character that is a reference for how the character should originally be displayed in the determined font; and a character defect detection means for comparing the image of the character acquired by the imaging means with the reference character image generated by the reference character image generation means, and, if a difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detecting the portion that exceeds the tolerance range as a defective portion of the character indication. In the present invention, "characters" include kanji, hiragana, katakana, the alphabet, other language characters, numbers, symbols, and the like. Effect of the Invention

[0014] The quality inspection device according to the present invention described above includes an information reading means for reading code display creation information from an acquired barcode image, and a reference image generating means for generating a reference barcode image that should be displayed based on the read code display creation information, and detects defects by comparing the barcode image acquired by the imaging means with the reference barcode image generated by the reference image generating means, eliminating the need for preparation such as prior registration of the reference barcode image and eliminating the need for communication functions and devices. Theoretically, the memory capacity required is sufficient to store only one master image generated based on parameters read from the captured barcode itself.

[0015] Also, for example, in the case of offline inspection (where the inspection process is separate from the printing process), in the past, work or equipment was required to transfer all of the content or images printed in the printing process to the inspection process in advance and prepare them, but the present invention eliminates the need for any prior information transfer or other preparations.

[0016] Here, the image data acquired by the imaging means includes an image of visible characters displayed along with the barcode image on the printed matter, and the image data acquired by the imaging means further includes a discrimination means for discriminating the font of the visible characters from the acquired image of the visible characters, a reference character image generation means for generating an image of a reference visible character that should originally be displayed for the visible characters in the determined font, and a character defect detection means for comparing the image of the visible characters acquired by the imaging means with the reference image of the visible characters generated by the reference character image generation means, and when a difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detecting a portion that exceeds the tolerance range as a defective portion of the visible character display. In this case, like the barcode, the visible characters displayed along the barcode do not require preparation such as prior registration of a reference character image, no communication function or device is required, and the memory capacity to be used is significantly reduced.

[0017] In addition, in a quality inspection device that is characterized by comprising an imaging means that images the printing surface of a printed matter including a barcode display and acquires image data including at least a barcode image, a reference image extraction means that extracts a barcode image from the printing image data that forms the basis of the printing, and a defect detection means that compares the barcode image acquired by the imaging means with the reference barcode image extracted by the reference image extraction means, and if the difference in comparison values ​​exceeds a predetermined tolerance range, detects the portion that exceeds the tolerance range as a defective portion of the barcode display.Although it is necessary to prepare the printing image data that will be the basis of the printing in advance, advance preparation such as registration can be completed very easily compared to the conventional method, and the amount of memory (storage capacity) used can be significantly reduced.

[0018] In addition, if the device further includes a determination means for determining whether the contents of the barcode correspond to the visible characters, it is possible to confirm that not only the printed display but also the content (content information) is normal. In addition, in a quality inspection device comprising an imaging means for imaging the printed surface of a printed matter including character display and acquiring image data including at least an image of the character, a discrimination means for discriminating the font of the character from the acquired image of the character, a reference character image generation means for generating an image of the character that is to be a reference for how the character should originally be displayed in the determined font, and a character defect detection means for comparing the image of the character acquired by the imaging means with the reference character image generated by the reference character image generation means, and if a difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detecting the portion that exceeds the tolerance range as a defective portion of the character display, even for characters rather than barcodes, no preparation such as prior registration of a reference character image is required, as is the case with barcodes, no communication function or equipment is required, and the memory capacity used can be significantly reduced. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1]FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a quality inspection device according to a representative embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a comparison of an acquired barcode display with a master. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the quality inspection device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of the quality inspection device. [Figure 4] FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing a procedure for generating a one-dimensional barcode and a master of human-readable characters in the modified example, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing a comparison of a barcode display with its master and a comparison of human-readable characters with its master in the modified example. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a quality inspection device according to a modified example. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the quality inspection device according to the modified example. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams showing an outline of a quality inspection device according to another embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an acquired barcode display is compared with a master. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a quality inspection device according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a quality inspection device according to another embodiment. [Figure 10] 13A and 13B are explanatory diagrams showing an outline of a quality inspection device according to still another embodiment, and FIG. 13B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the acquired character display is compared with a master. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a quality inspection device according to still another embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a quality inspection device according to still another embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 1(a) is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of a conventional quality inspection device, and FIG. 1(b) is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which an acquired barcode display is compared with a master. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the quality inspection device 1 of the present invention comprises an imaging means 2 that images the printed surface of a printed matter including a barcode display and acquires image data including at least a barcode image, an information reading means 3 that reads code display creation information from the acquired barcode image (e.g., A002' in the figure), a reference image generating means 4 that generates a reference barcode image (e.g., A002 in the figure) that should be displayed based on the read code display creation information, and a defect detection means 5 that detects defective portions of the barcode display by comparing the barcode image (A002') acquired by the imaging means 2 with the reference barcode image (A002) generated by the reference image generating means 4.

[0022] In this invention, the term "barcode" includes one-dimensional barcodes and two-dimensional barcodes. One-dimensional barcodes include "CODE39", "CODE128", "ITF", "NW-7", and various other well-known one-dimensional barcodes. Two-dimensional barcodes include "QR Code" (registered trademark), "Data Matrix", "PDF417", "MicroQR", and various other well-known two-dimensional barcodes. The print quality of these various "barcode" displays can be inspected.

[0023] The imaging means 2 is composed of, for example, a line sensor camera in which multiple CCD or CMOS imaging elements are arranged in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. By using such a line sensor camera, it becomes easy to image the entire width of the printed surface including the barcode display. However, the number and arrangement of the cameras are not particularly limited as long as they can image the barcode display area, and it is also preferable to have one or more area sensor cameras in which multiple CCD or CMOS imaging elements are arranged in a vertical and horizontal direction in addition to the line sensor camera.

[0024] In addition to such a sensor camera, the imaging means 2 is preferably provided with a lighting means (not shown) for illuminating the printed matter with a substantially uniform illuminance across its entire lateral width for imaging. A lighting means having a plurality of lamps arranged in a row in the lateral direction or a straight tube lamp long in the lateral direction is also preferable.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 2, the information reading means 3, the reference image generating means 4 and the defect detection means 5 are constituted by a control device such as a computer having a processing unit 10 and a storage means 11. The storage means 11 is constituted by storage memories such as RAM and ROM, and hard disks inside and outside the device, and stores programs and processing data that define the procedures for various processing operations in the processing unit 10. The processing unit 10 is mainly constituted by a CPU such as a microprocessor, and receives an output signal from the imaging means 2 through an input / output unit and a bus line. The processing unit 10 functionally comprises at least the information reading means 3, the reference image generating means 4 and the defect detection means 5, and these functions are realized by the above-mentioned programs.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the memory means 11 at least includes an image data memory unit 30 that stores image data including a barcode image (e.g., A002' in FIG. 1) captured by the imaging means 2, a creation information memory unit 31 that stores code display creation information read by the information reading means 3, a master image memory unit 32 that stores a reference barcode image (e.g., A002 in FIG. 1) generated by the reference image generating means 4, and a judgment result memory unit 33 that stores defect images including defective parts detected by the defect detection means 5 and judgment results.

[0027] The processing unit 10 further includes a captured image processing unit 40 that receives image data including a barcode image from the imaging means 2 and stores the image data in the image data storage unit 30 of the storage means 11. When the captured image received from the imaging means 2 is image data from a line sensor camera, the captured image processing unit 40 synthesizes the image data with the inspection image data and stores the synthesized data in the image data storage unit 30.

[0028] The information reading means 3 includes a reading processing unit 41 that reads information indicated by the barcode display from the barcode image, and an extraction processing unit 42 that extracts code display creation information required for code creation from the information read by the reading processing unit 41 and stores the information in the creation information storage unit 31. The code display creation information extracted by the extraction processing unit 42 includes, for example, information related to "shape type," "cell size," and "content of data actually displayed." In particular, in the case of one-dimensional barcodes, information such as "start and end bits," "asterisk," "start code bar," "stop code bar," and "check digit" applies.

[0029] More specifically, for example, if the barcode is a "QR code," the parameters include "model," "version," "actually displayed data content," "error correction rate," and "mask pattern," if the barcode is a "data matrix," the parameters include "shape type," "cell size," and "actually displayed data content," and if the barcode is "CODE39," "NW-7," or "ITF," the parameters include "self-check mechanism," "check digit," etc. If the parameters required for creating these code displays cannot be extracted, it can be determined that there is a defect at that point.

[0030] The reference image generation means 4 is equipped with a reference image generation processing unit 43 that generates a barcode image (master) that is to be displayed as a reference based on the above parameters stored in the creation information storage unit 31, and stores it in the master image storage unit 32.

[0031] The defect detection means 5 includes a defect detection processing unit 44 which compares the barcode image acquired by the imaging means 2 and stored in the image data storage unit 30 with a reference barcode image generated by the reference image generation means 4 and stored in the master image storage unit 32, and if the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detects the portion exceeding the tolerance range as a defective portion of the barcode display, and stores such a judgment result in the judgment result storage unit 33.

[0032] The above comparison may be performed by, for example, comparing density levels and detecting the portion as a defective portion when the density level difference exceeds a tolerance, or by using other known methods. That is, the defect detection processing unit 44 includes a comparison processing unit that compares the density levels of each portion of the multi-tone area image of the captured barcode image with the density levels of each portion of the multi-tone area image of the master image to determine the density level difference.

[0033] Here, in order to correct paper misalignment of the printed matter S, it is preferable to move either the captured image or the master image, or both. This image movement can be performed by combining horizontal and vertical movement with rotational movement. For example, a known method can be used, such as a method of recognizing a feature point of the image and moving the image based on the feature point, or a method of moving the image based on a roughly extracted image contour.

[0034] Next, the inspection procedure performed by the quality inspection device of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0035] First, the image capturing means 2 captures an image of the printed surface of the printed matter S, including the barcode display (S101), and the captured image processing unit 40 stores the image data in the image data storage unit 30 of the storage means 11 (S102). Next, the reading processing unit 41 of the information reading means 3 reads information indicated by the barcode display from the barcode image of the image data in the image data storage unit 30 (S103), and the extraction processing unit 42 extracts code display creation information required to create a master barcode display from the read information (S104).

[0036] If the necessary code display creation information cannot be extracted in S104, it is determined that the barcode display is defective, and the process ends (S105). If the information necessary for creating the code display can be extracted, it is stored in the creation information storage unit 31 (S106).

[0037] Next, based on the extracted code display creation information, the reference image generation processing unit 43 generates a barcode image (master) that is to be displayed as a reference, and stores it in the master image storage unit 32 (S107). Next, the defect detection processing unit 44 compares the barcode image stored in the image data storage unit 30 with the barcode image (master) that is stored in the master image storage unit 32 and serves as a reference for the barcode image, and if the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset allowable range, it detects the portion that exceeds the allowable range as a defective portion of the barcode display, and stores this determination result in the determination result storage unit 33 (S108).

[0038] The result of this determination is preferably displayed on a display of a display means (not shown). When a defect is detected, an image of the defect is preferably also displayed so that the operator can confirm the severity of the defect.

[0039] Next, as shown in Fig. 4, when image data acquired by the imaging means 2 includes a barcode image and an image of visible characters displayed along the barcode, a modified example of the device that can generate a master from the captured image data and perform defect inspection for the visible characters without storing a master in advance will be described. Note that, although this modified example shows an example of a one-dimensional barcode as the barcode, the same applies to a two-dimensional barcode.

[0040] In this modified example, as shown in FIG. 5, the processing unit 10 is equipped with, in addition to the configuration of the representative embodiment, a discrimination processing unit 45 (discrimination means) which discriminates the font of a visible character from an image of a visible character included in image data acquired by the imaging means 2, a reference character image generation processing unit 46 (reference character image generation means) which generates an image of a reference visible character that should originally be displayed for the visible character in the font determined by the discrimination processing unit 45, and a character defect detection processing unit 47 which compares the image of a visible character included in the image data with the reference image of a visible character generated by the reference character image generation processing unit 46, and when the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detects a portion exceeding the tolerance range as a defective portion of the visible character. The font discrimination processing unit 45 can process the above font using known character recognition software, and it is particularly preferable to use one equipped with AI (artificial intelligence). When the text consists of multiple characters, the font is discriminated for each character. Furthermore, the reference character image generation processing unit 46 selects the font identified by the discrimination processing unit 45 from the font data stored in the storage means 11, and generates the reference character using that font. At this time, it is preferable to generate the size of the character according to the size of the character in the image data acquired by the imaging means 2. If the reference character consists of multiple characters, they can be generated one by one.

[0041] In this modification, the imaging means 2 of the processing unit 10 images the printed surface of the printed matter including the barcode display and the visible characters, and acquires image data including at least the barcode image and the visible characters. The information reading means 3 reads the code display creation information from the acquired barcode image (for example, B002' in FIG. 4).

[0042] The reference image generating means 4 generates a reference barcode image (e.g., B002 in FIG. 4) that should be displayed based on the read code display creation information. More specifically, it has a reference image generation processing unit 43 that generates a reference barcode image (master, e.g., the above B002) that should be displayed based on parameters stored in the creation information storage unit 31 and stores it in the master image storage unit 32. The defect detection means 5 detects defects in the barcode display by comparing the acquired barcode image (B002') with the reference barcode image (B002) generated by the reference image generating means 4.

[0043] The character defect detection processing unit 47 compares the image of the visible character acquired by the imaging means 2 and stored in the image data storage unit 30 with a reference image of the visible character (master) generated by the reference character image generation processing unit 46 and stored in the second master image storage unit 35, and when the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detects the portion exceeding the tolerance range as a defective portion of the display of the visible character, and stores such a judgment result in the second judgment result storage unit 36.

[0044] The above comparison may be performed in the same manner as the barcode defect detection processing unit 44, for example by comparing density levels and detecting the portion as a defective portion if the density level difference exceeds an allowable value, or by using other known methods.

[0045] In addition to the respective storage sections of the representative embodiments described above, the storage means 11 at least includes, as shown in FIG. 5, a font information storage section 34 for storing font information of a visible character discriminated by a discrimination processing section 45, a second master image storage section 35 for storing an image of a reference visible character (e.g., C002 in FIG. 4) generated by a reference character image generation processing section 46, and a second judgment result storage section 36 for storing a defect image including a defective portion detected by a character defect detection processing section 47 and a judgment result.

[0046] Moreover, the image data storage unit 30 of the storage means 11 stores image data including a barcode image (e.g., B002' in FIG. 4) and visible characters (e.g., C002' in FIG. 4) captured by the imaging means 2. Moreover, the master image storage unit 32 stores a reference barcode image (e.g., B002 in FIG. 4) generated by the reference image generating means 4.

[0047] In this modified example, for example, variably printed characters (numbers and alphabets) are imaged, and the ideal shape when printed in the corresponding font is generated in memory as a master image, and then a comparison inspection is performed with the imaged characters. Since the font is not included in the parameters that can be read from the barcode described above and cannot be reproduced, the font can be identified as described above, and the characters of the font can be generated again as a master image for inspection.

[0048] Next, the inspection procedure of this modified example will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0049] First, the imaging means 2 captures an image of the printed surface including the barcode display and visible characters of the printed matter S (S101), and the captured image processing unit 40 stores the image data in the image data storage unit 30 of the storage means 11 (S102). Next, the reading processing unit 41 of the information reading means 3 reads information indicated by the barcode display from the barcode image of the image data in the image data storage unit 30 (S103), and the extraction processing unit 42 extracts code display creation information required to create a master barcode display from the read information (S104).

[0050] If the necessary code display creation information cannot be extracted in S104, it is determined that the barcode display is defective, and the process ends (S105). If the information necessary for creating the code display can be extracted, it is stored in the creation information storage unit 31 (S106).

[0051] Next, the discrimination processing unit 45 discriminates the font of the character from the image of the visible character in the image data of the image data storage unit 30 (S107). If the font cannot be discriminated in S107, it is determined that there is a defect in the display of the visible character, and the process ends (S108). If the font can be discriminated, it is stored in the font information storage unit 34 (S109).

[0052] Next, based on the extracted code display creation information, the reference image generation processing unit 43 generates a barcode image (master) that is to be displayed as a reference, and stores it in the master image storage unit 32 (S110). Also, based on the determined font information, the reference character image generation processing unit 46 generates an image (master) of visible characters that is to be displayed as a reference, and stores it in the second master image storage unit 35 (S111).

[0053] Next, the defect detection processing unit 44 compares the barcode image stored in the image data storage unit 30 with a reference barcode image (master) corresponding to the barcode image, which is stored in the master image storage unit 32, and if the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, it detects the portion that exceeds the tolerance range as a defective portion of the barcode display and stores this judgment result in the judgment result storage unit 33 (S112).

[0054] Furthermore, the character defect detection processing unit 47 compares the image of the visible character stored in the image data storage unit 30 with a reference image of the visible character (master) that corresponds to the image of the visible character and is stored in the second master image storage unit 35, and if the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detects the portion that exceeds the tolerance range as a defective portion of the display of the visible character, and stores such a judgment result in the second judgment result storage unit 36 ​​(S113).

[0055] It is preferable that these judgment results are displayed on a display of a display means (not shown). When a defective portion is detected, it is preferable that an image of the defective portion is also displayed so that an operator can confirm the severity of the defect.

[0056] In addition, in this modified example, a preferred example further includes a determination means for determining whether the contents of the barcode and the visible characters correspond to each other. That is, by reading information from the barcode, which includes information on the visible characters, and by confirming that the two match, it is possible to confirm that both are normal not only in terms of display but also in terms of content.

[0057] This determination can be made by reading and storing information about the visible characters from the barcode using the information reading means 3, and comparing the stored information about the visible characters with the reference visible characters generated by the reference character image generation processing unit 46. Alternatively, it is also possible to read information about the visible characters from the reference barcode image (master) generated by the reference image generation processing unit 43 using a separate reading means, and compare the reference visible characters generated by the reference character image generation processing unit 46 with the read information about the visible characters.

[0058] Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, the quality inspection device 1A of this embodiment is equipped with an imaging means 2 that images the printing surface of a printed matter including a barcode display and acquires image data including at least a barcode image, a reference image extraction means 6 that extracts barcode images (A001 to A005) from printing image data (for example, X001 to X005 in the figure) that is the basis for printing and that has been input in advance and stored in a printing image data storage unit 37, and stores the barcode images (A001 to A005) in a master image storage unit 32A, and a defect detection means 5A that detects defective portions of the barcode display by comparing the barcode image (A002') acquired by the imaging means 2 with the reference barcode image (A002) extracted by the reference image extraction means 6.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 8, the reference image extraction means 6 and the defect detection means 5A are composed of a control device such as a computer equipped with a processing unit 10A and a storage means 11A. The storage means 11A is composed of storage memories such as RAM and ROM, and hard disks inside and outside the device, and stores programs and processing data that define the procedures of various processing operations in the processing unit 10A. The processing unit 10A is mainly composed of a CPU such as a microprocessor, and receives an output signal from the imaging means 2 through an input / output unit and a bus line. The processing unit 10A functionally comprises at least the reference image extraction means 6 and the defect detection means 5A, and these functions are realized by the above-mentioned programs.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 8, the memory means 11A at least includes a print image data memory unit 37 that stores print image data (e.g., X001 to X005 in the figure) that is the basis for printing, an image data memory unit 30A that stores image data including a barcode image (e.g., A002' in FIG. 7) captured by the imaging means 2, a master image memory unit 32A that stores a reference barcode image (e.g., A001 to A005 in FIG. 7) extracted by the reference image extraction means 6, and a judgment result memory unit 33A that stores defect images including defective parts detected by the defect detection means 5A and judgment results.

[0062] The processing unit 10 further includes a captured image processing unit 40A that receives image data including a barcode image from the imaging means 2 and stores it in the image data storage unit 30 of the storage means 11, and an input image processing unit 48 that stores previously input print image data (for example, X001 to X005 in the figure) that is the basis for printing in the print image data storage unit 37. When the captured image received from the imaging means 2 is image data from a line sensor camera, the captured image processing unit 40A performs a synthesis process on this with the inspection image data and stores it in the image data storage unit 30.

[0063] The reference image extraction means 6 extracts the barcode display from the printing image data using known techniques such as pattern recognition, and stores the extracted barcode display in the master image storage unit 32A as a reference barcode image (master).

[0064] The defect detection means 5A includes a defect detection processing unit 44A which compares the barcode image acquired by the imaging means 2 and stored in the image data storage unit 30 with a reference barcode image stored in the master image storage unit 32A, and if the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detects the portion exceeding the tolerance range as a defective portion of the barcode display, and stores such a judgment result in the judgment result storage unit 33A.

[0065] The above comparison may be performed in the same manner as in the representative embodiment described above, for example by comparing density levels and detecting the portion as a defective portion when the density level difference exceeds a tolerance, or by using other known methods. That is, the defect detection processing unit 44A includes a comparison processing unit that compares the density levels of each portion of the multi-tone area image of the captured barcode image with the density levels of each portion of the multi-tone area image of the master image to determine the density level difference.

[0066] Next, the inspection procedure performed by the quality inspection device of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0067] First, in the preparation process, the computer that sends the print data to the printer (printing device) sends the same print image data (for example, PDF image data, 1-bit TIFF (black and white) image data, CMYK TIFF image data, RGB TIFF image data, etc.) (print content of the printer) to an inspection device, and extracts only the image of the barcode portion and pre-registers it as a master image (an image of a good product that will be compared during inspection).

[0068] Specifically, the input image data for printing that is the basis for printing is stored in the print image data storage unit 37 by the input image processing unit 48 (S201). Next, the reference image extraction means 6 extracts a barcode display from the print image data (S202), and stores the extracted barcode display in the master image storage unit 32A as a reference barcode image (master) (S203).

[0069] Next, the image capturing means 2 captures an image of the printed surface including the barcode display of the printed matter S (S204), and the captured image processing unit 40A stores the image data in the image data storage unit 30A of the storage means 11A (S205). Next, the defect detection processing unit 44A compares the barcode image stored in the image data storage unit 30A with a reference barcode image (master) corresponding to the barcode image stored in the master image storage unit 32A, and if the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detects the portion that exceeds the tolerance range as a defective portion of the barcode display, and stores such a judgment result in the judgment result storage unit 33A (S206).

[0070] The result of this determination is preferably displayed on a display of a display means (not shown). When a defect is detected, an image of the defect is preferably also displayed so that the operator can confirm the severity of the defect.

[0071] Next, as shown in Figures 10 to 12, when image data acquired by imaging means 2 includes character images, an embodiment of an apparatus that can generate a master from the captured image data and perform defect inspection for the characters as well, without storing a master in advance, will be described.

[0072] As shown in Figures 10 and 11, the quality inspection device 1A of this embodiment is equipped with an imaging means 2 that images the printing surface of a printed matter including character display and acquires image data including at least an image of the character (e.g., D002' in the figure), a discrimination means 7 (discrimination processing unit 45) that discriminates the font of the character from the image of the character included in the acquired image data, a reference character image generation means 8 (reference character image generation processing unit 46) that generates a reference character image (e.g., D002 in the figure) of the character that should originally be displayed in the determined font, and a character defect detection means 9 (character defect detection processing unit 47) that compares the character image (D002') acquired by the imaging means 2 with the reference character image (D002) generated by the reference character image generation means 8, and if the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, detects the portion that exceeds the tolerance range as a defective portion of the character display.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 11, the discrimination means 7, the reference character image generating means 8, and the character defect detection means 9 are configured by a control device such as a computer equipped with a processing unit 10B and a storage means 11B. The storage means 11B is configured by storage memories such as RAM and ROM, and hard disks inside and outside the device, and stores programs and processing data that define the procedures of various processing operations in the processing unit 10B. The processing unit 10B is mainly configured with a CPU such as a microprocessor, and receives an output signal from the imaging means 2 through an input / output unit and a bus line. The processing unit 10B functionally comprises at least the discrimination means 7, the reference character image generating means 8, and the character defect detection means 9, and these functions are realized by the above-mentioned programs.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 11, the storage means 11B includes at least an image data storage unit 30B that stores image data including a character image (e.g., D002' in FIG. 10) captured by the imaging means 2, a font information storage unit 34 that stores font information discriminated by the discrimination means 7, a master image storage unit 35 that stores a reference character image (e.g., D002 in FIG. 10) generated by the reference character image generation means 8, and a judgment result storage unit 36 ​​that stores a defect image including a defective portion detected by the character defect detection means 9 and a judgment result.

[0075] The font discrimination processing unit 45 can process the above font using known character recognition software, and it is particularly preferable to use one equipped with AI (artificial intelligence). When the text consists of multiple characters, the font is discriminated for each character. Furthermore, the reference character image generation processing unit 46 selects the font identified by the discrimination processing unit 45 from the font data stored in the storage means 11, and generates the reference character using that font. At this time, it is preferable to generate the size of the character according to the size of the character in the image data acquired by the imaging means 2. If the reference character consists of multiple characters, they can be generated one by one.

[0076] The comparison between the character image (D002') and the reference character image (D002) by the character defect detection processing unit 47 may be performed, for example, by comparing density levels and detecting the portion as a defective portion if the density level difference exceeds an allowable value, or by using other known methods.

[0077] Next, the inspection procedure of this modified example will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0078] First, the image capturing unit 2 captures an image of the printed surface of the printed matter S including characters (S301), and the captured image processing unit 40 stores the image in the image data storage unit 30B (S302). The discrimination processing unit 45 discriminates the font of the characters from the character image of the image data in the image data storage unit 30B (S303).

[0079] If the font cannot be identified in S303, it is determined that there is a defect in the character display, and the process ends (S304). If the font can be identified, it is stored in the font information storage unit 34 (S305). Next, based on the identified font information, the reference character image generation processing unit 46 generates an image (master) of the reference character that should originally be displayed, and stores it in the master image storage unit 35 (S306).

[0080] Next, the character defect detection processing unit 47 compares the character image stored in the image data storage unit 30B with a reference character image (master) corresponding to the character image, stored in the master image storage unit 35, and if the difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset tolerance range, it detects the part that exceeds the tolerance range as a defective part in the character display, and stores this judgment result in the judgment result storage unit 36 ​​(S307).

[0081] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it is of course possible to carry out the present invention in various forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1, 1A, 1B Quality Inspection Equipment 2. Imaging Method 3. Means of reading information 4. Reference image generation means 5.5A Defect detection means 6. Reference image extraction method 7 Discrimination means 8. Reference character image generation means 9. Character defect detection method 10 Processing section 10A, 10B Processing section 11,11A, 11B Storage means 30, 30A, 30B Image data storage unit 31 Creation information storage unit 32, 32A Master image storage section 33,33A Judgment result storage unit 34 Font information storage unit 35 Master image storage unit 36 Judgment result storage unit 37 Print image data storage unit 40, 40A Image processing unit 41 Reading processing section 42 Extraction processing section 43 Reference image generation processing unit 44, 44A Defect detection processing section 45 Discrimination processing section 46 Reference character image generation processing unit 47 Character defect detection processing section 48 Input image processing section S Printed material

Claims

1. an imaging means for imaging a printed surface of a printed matter including a barcode display and acquiring image data including at least a barcode image; an information reading means for reading code display creation information from the acquired barcode image; a reference image generating means for generating a reference barcode image to be displayed based on the read code display creation information; a defect detection means for comparing the barcode image captured by the imaging means with the reference barcode image generated by the reference image generation means, and detecting a portion that exceeds a preset allowable range as a defective portion of the barcode display when a difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset allowable range; A quality inspection device comprising:

2. the image data acquired by the imaging means includes an image of visible characters displayed along the barcode image on the printed matter, a determining means for determining a font of the visible character from the acquired image of the visible character; a reference character image generating means for generating an image of a reference human readable character that should be originally displayed in the determined font; character defect detection means for comparing the image of the visible character acquired by the imaging means with the reference image of the visible character generated by the reference character image generation means, and detecting a portion that exceeds the allowable range as a defective portion of the visible character display when a difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset allowable range; The quality inspection device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. an imaging means for imaging a printed surface of a printed matter including a character display and acquiring image data including at least an image of the character; A discrimination means for discriminating a font of a character from the acquired image of the character; a reference character image generating means for generating an image of a character that is a reference for the character to be originally displayed in the determined font; character defect detection means for comparing the image of the character captured by the imaging means with the reference image of the character generated by the reference character image generation means, and detecting a portion that exceeds the allowable range as a defective portion of the character display when a difference between the comparison values ​​exceeds a preset allowable range; A quality inspection device comprising:

Images