EP0095664B1 - Control device for printing machines - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a control device for a printing press with a control panel with a plurality of push buttons or the like actuating devices.

Such control devices, which are used for remote control of printing machines, are e.g. known from GB-A 13 49 763. In known control devices of this type, a command can already be initiated by pressing a single key, which creates the possibility of errors. If, for example in GB-A 13 49 763, activation of the second actuator (22b) on the "removed" plate (21a) is desired, the "removed" plate must first be selected by pressing the key (21a) and then the key ( 22b) to operate. If the machine operator accidentally presses the button (22a) next to it, an adjustment, i.e. of the first actuator. A subsequent correction is necessary to correct the unwanted adjustment. The invention has for its object to design a control device of the type described in such a way that the handling of the device is simplified and the possibility of errors is reduced. This object is achieved according to the invention in that a first group of pushbuttons is provided for selecting a command or operating state to be initiated, and in that the arrangement is such that at least two manipulations are required to initiate the execution of the command or to change the operating state .

The advantage of the invention is that by one time. Pressing a single key of the first group can not cause a command to be executed. This reduces the possibility of errors. Since the possibly cumbersome cancellation of a command which has been initiated is also eliminated, the operation of the device is also made easier.

The required number of manipulations can be provided in different ways as desired, for example it is possible that a command is only initiated if the same command key is pressed twice. However, the arrangement is preferably such that a separate input key is provided for initiating a command or changing the operating state.

In one embodiment of the invention, in which the control device has at least one display panel, in particular a light-emitting diode display panel, a second group of pushbuttons is provided for selecting at least one item of information to be displayed on the display panel. For example, in an offset printing machine with a plurality of actuating cylinders provided for each printing unit for setting the ink layer thickness profile on a color zone display field, the actual state of the positions of the individual actuating cylinders and optionally instead the one intended for a specific print job

Desired state is shown, and on a preferably numerical display panel ink duct values (color strip length in the circumferential direction of the ink duct roller) and register values can be displayed. The pushbuttons of the second group are intended to enable the printer, before and in particular when a command is initiated, to call up the information of interest on the display panel by pressing a pushbutton of the first group in order to check whether any changes, for example in the position, have been carried out before the command is executed the actuating cylinder should be made.

In one embodiment of the invention, the push buttons of the second group are each provided with an optically switchable display. In particular, the arrangement can be such that, when a pushbutton in the first group is actuated, firmly assigned optical displays in the second group are actuated for this actuatable pushbutton. The fixed assignment of the optical displays, in particular illuminated displays, is carried out in such a way that for each of the commands or operating states to be initiated by pressing a pushbutton of the first group, that pushbutton of the second group or those pushbuttons of the second group are identified, the associated information of which the printer should know before executing the initiated command to judge based on his or her expertise whether he wants to make any changes before finally executing the command. This simplifies the operation of the device for the printer, since it is used to indicate the displays of interest in the special case by means of these illuminated displays or other optical displays. The arrangement is expediently such that keys of the second group can be operated even without pressing a command initiation key. It can also be provided that after pressing a key of the first group only a single key of the second group is optically identified. In this case, the display assigned to this key can expediently appear automatically on the display panel. If other displays also make sense, there may be the possibility of also making these other displays visible, even without the assigned key of the second group having been optically identified beforehand. It can be expedient to deactivate at least one of the keys of the second group when initiating certain commands.

In one embodiment of the invention, which is provided for a printing press with at least one printing unit, a third group of pushbuttons is provided in order to make a command effective or ineffective for one or more printing units. In the later exemplary embodiment, although most commands are generally to be carried out in the same way for all printing units, there may nevertheless be cases in which the printer, based on his experience, also only mentioned the commands for a selection who wants to make existing printing units effective. In contrast, with the "Positioning" command, which will be described later, that is to say setting the ink layer thickness profile and the ink ductor values, a separate execution of the command for each of the individual printing units will generally be advisable. The arrangement can be such that the command applies to all printing units if no special printing unit selection is made. This group of pushbuttons can also be useful for presses with only one printing unit.

In one embodiment of the invention, a fourth group of pushbuttons is provided, which are assigned to the printing inks to be processed and which can be assigned to the pushbuttons of the third group. In general, in an offset printing machine with a predetermined number of printing units, for example two printing units, the first printing unit will often process the color black, and the second printing unit will therefore process the other color. In individual cases, however, it can be expedient to proceed from such a rigid assignment of the printing inks, and the embodiment of the invention just described allows the printer to assign the printing inks to the individual printing units as desired. Internally, the device described in the exemplary embodiment operates in such a way that ultimately only the individual printing units are controlled, for example their actuating cylinders for the ink layer thickness profile; the described assignment of keys of the fourth group, which are also referred to here as color keys, makes the color assignment to the individual printing units clear for the printer, and it can also enable the printer according to embodiments of the invention, for example when setting the color layer thickness profile and the ink duct values (command "position") to execute this command for a specific printing unit, for example printing unit one, also by pressing the color key assigned to this printing unit.

The described color assignment has a significance that goes beyond this ease of operation if preset values for the various ink layer thickness profiles and ink duct values are supplied to the control device by means of any data transmission methods; then the described color assignment ensures that this supplied data actually only causes the adjustment of the actuating cylinders in those printing units that are assigned to the respective printing ink.

In one embodiment of the invention, the pushbuttons of the fourth group, that is to say the color pushbuttons, are each provided with an optical display, and the arrangement is such that when a pushbutton of the first group is actuated, these almost associated optical displays of the fourth group are actuated. This embodiment can be expedient for commands in which it is expedient to limit the command to a specific printing ink or, which is synonymous, to a specific printing group. This embodiment can therefore be replaced in a completely equivalent manner by another embodiment in which the optical displays are not assigned to the printing inks but to the printing units.

The embodiment of the invention that has just been described can be developed in such a way that a further optical display “all colors” or, completely equivalent, a display “all printing units” is provided. In the later embodiment, the arrangement is such that the last-mentioned display "all colors" or "all printing units" is not assigned a special pushbutton, but this display is included in the command execution if the printer does not execute the command on any of the Colors or any of the printing units limited.

In one embodiment of the invention, in which the printer can select information to be displayed on the display panel, the arrangement is such that the values of the information displayed in each case can be changed, and that the changed values only become effective for the control device when a command is executed is initiated. The advantage here is that the printer can, for example, change a color layer thickness profile according to his ideas on the display panel, but still has the possibility at any time to prevent the final adjustment of this color layer thickness profile. This embodiment is particularly important if the information stored in the device is overwritten, that is to say destroyed, as a result of the final acceptance of the changed values of the information.

In one embodiment of the invention, a warning display is provided for at least one of the keys of the first group, which is effective when the key is pressed. The advantage of this embodiment lies in the fact that the printer can be advised that one command or several commands should expediently be executed beforehand, in particular in order to avoid loss of information, before the execution of the command initiated by him. According to one embodiment of the invention, the warning display can have a device for actuating an optical display, which is assigned to at least one of the other keys of the first group. According to a further development, the arrangement can be such that the other keys mentioned in the first group are only marked optically, in particular by means of an illuminated display, when the printer presses a special key. In this latter case, the warning indicator will generally only alert the printer that there are one or more commands that may need to be executed prior to executing the command, and if the printer is unsure whether they already have those commands has caused or which these commands are available, he can press the button mentioned and make these commands that may have to be executed visible by the visual display.

According to embodiments of the invention, it may be expedient, after pressing a key of the first group, to deactivate those keys of the control panel, the actuation of which does not make sense or could even give rise to faults. As a rule, these are at least the other keys of the first group.

In one embodiment of the invention, which can also be implemented independently of the invention described in the introduction, a key is provided for initiating a format shift command. This command is particularly useful when printing jobs originally intended for a smaller, i.e. narrower press are to be executed on a wider press. This command is also useful if on a wide machine the job intended for a narrow machine is carried out simultaneously twice on the same sheet.

Further features of the invention relate to the different commands which are assigned to the push buttons of the first group and which are provided in the partial description and in the claims.

In order to be able to cancel a command that has not yet been executed or a command that is currently being executed but has not yet been completed, a delete key is expediently provided.

As far as above and in the following description of pushbuttons, it is expressly pointed out that pushbuttons are only regarded as a very advantageous type of actuating devices to be actuated by the printer for communicating instructions from the printer to the control device, but also all others Communication of instructions suitable devices fall within the scope of the invention, such as sensors, membrane keys, rotary switches, toggle switches and actuation by light pen. It is considered particularly important for easy actuation by the printer that the individual actuating elements, for example pushbuttons or the like, have their fixed place on the control panel, that is to say that the printer does not have to enter its instructions via a typewriter keyboard, possibly while still observing instructions that appear on a screen; Although these last-mentioned options are considered to be less advantageous than the spatially fixed arrangement of the individual pushbuttons on a control panel, these options should not be excluded from the protection of the invention.

• Fig. 1 den Hauptteil des Bedienfeldes einer Steuervorrichtung für eine Druckmaschine,
• Fig. 2 ein Anzeigefeld des Bedienfeldes mit weiteren Steuertasten.

Further features and advantages of the invention result from the following description of an embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, which shows details essential to the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can each be implemented individually or in groups in any combination in one embodiment of the invention. Show it:

• 1 shows the main part of the control panel of a control device for a printing press,
• Fig. 2 shows a display panel of the control panel with further control buttons.

The control panel 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a first group of pushbuttons, which are designated by the reference numerals 1-1 to 1-17. These pushbuttons are command initiation buttons, that is to say buttons for initiating a command and in one case also for initiating an operating state of the control device.

In addition, the control panel 10 has a second group of pushbuttons, which are designated by the reference numerals 2-1 to 2-6 and which serve to select information to be displayed on a display panel 20 in FIGS. 2 and 50 in FIG. 1. A third group of pushbuttons in the example has only the two pushbuttons 3-1 and 3-2, which are identified by the numbers 1 and 2 and, assuming that the control device is provided for a printing press with only two printing units, these two Printing units are assigned. Below the keys 3-1 and 3-2, four empty spaces are provided in the control panel 10, which can then be provided with a number of keys corresponding to the number of printing units if the control device is provided for a printing machine with a maximum of 6 printing units.

A fourth group of pushbuttons, which are identified by the reference numerals 4-1 to 4-6, serve to assign colors to the printing units and are referred to below as color pushbuttons. From top to bottom, these color buttons are assigned to the colors black (black), cyan, magenta, yellow (yellow), as well as two additional colors marked with the letters X and Z. Are two identical colors in the printing press, e.g. B. Black, so it is useful to use the X (4-5) key for the back printing unit and the B (4-1) key for the straight printing unit, so that a clear assignment of the colors to the printing units is possible. The machine can be used for the same print job, e.g. The colors black and cyan are printed in a first pass, and magenta and yellow are printed in a second pass.

In the upper part, the control panel 10 also has an input key 5, with which an input of the command is completed and the execution of the command is initiated, also a warning display key 6 and a delete key 7, with which a command which has not yet been completely inputted and one which is already being executed is deleted command can be interrupted, but not yet fully completed. In addition, a key switch 8 is provided, which allows the entire device to either be switched off, switched on or, in the “2” position, only to activate the device displays, however, no commands or control signals can be entered by the device.

A light-emitting diode 14-1 to 14-6 is provided in each case closely adjacent to the individual color keys, and also a light-emitting diode 14-7 which characterizes “all colors” together. In the lower part of the control panel, command initiation keys 1-13 and 1-14 are provided for switching on a light pen, as well as control keys 16-1 and 16-2 and a command initiation key 1-15. When button 1-15 is actuated, control buttons 16-1 and 16-2 are used to adjust the percentage of the ink film thickness profile together; otherwise to adjust the ink ductor value. The value of the percentage adjustment of the ink layer thickness profile or the ink duct value is shown on a numerical display 51. Control buttons 17-1 and 17-2 and 18-1 and 18-2 are used to adjust the circumferential register or side register of the printing press. In connection with one of the pushbuttons 3 or 4, the adjustment is made for a single printing unit. If desired, the shift operation can be extended to all registers by a desired number of millimeters, which are entered by keys 17 and 18 by correspondingly tapping, by means of a command initiation key 1-17. A command initiation key 1-16 can be used to set all or individual registers in conjunction with keys 3, 4 and displays 14-1 to 14-7 to zero. The positions or displacements of the respective registers can be indicated by means of numerical displays 52 and 53 or preselected using the keys 17, 18. The position of the circumferential register is indicated by a light-emitting diode field 26 with six columns of 15 light-emitting diodes each. Since it is often only the relative position of the registers that are of interest to one another, the control key 27 can be used to set the display for the circumferential registers to zero regardless of their actual position, so that further changes can be carried out easily.

The control panel 10 also has a light-emitting diode 30 for displaying a standstill of the printing press in order to inform the printer that, for example, a register adjustment is not possible during this standstill. In addition, a light-emitting diode 31 is provided, which indicates a failure of the computer 1 contained in the control device.

A numerical display 32 makes it possible to give the printer an indication of the type of error or malfunction in the event of errors or malfunctions.

The diode display field 20 in FIG. 2 contains 32 columns of 16 light-emitting diodes each, which are assigned to the individual ink zones of the printing press, each ink zone having an actuating cylinder for setting the ink layer thickness profile. The color zones are labeled Z1 to Z32.

Two control buttons 36-1 and 36-2 are provided underneath each LED column of the display panel 20. The LED field 20 serves not only to display the actual position of the actuating cylinder, but also for other purposes. With the control buttons 36, the display of the light emitting diode array 20 can be changed for each individual column, and further control processes explained later can also be carried out.

The individual command initiation buttons 1-1 to 1-17 have the following meaning:

Key 1-1: Position command.

This command can be used to change the position of the actuating cylinders for the individual ink zones and the ink duct values.

Key 1-2: Follow-up control command.

With this command, the printer can cause that measured values coming from outside and setting values calculated therefrom for the actuating cylinders and ink ductors are actually used by the control device for one-time adjustment of the actuating cylinders and ink ductors.

Key 1-3: Command automatic tracking.

With this command, a permanent automatic readjustment of the actuating cylinders and ink ductors can be initiated as a function of measured values that come from outside, for example a measuring device and are converted into manipulated values in the control device.

Key 1-4: Color assignment command.

With this command, a standard assignment stored in the control device (in the order of the printing units: black, cyan, magenta, yellow, X, Z; FIG. 1) of the individual colors to the individual printing units can be changed if necessary. In the standard assignment, each printing unit is assigned that color, which is identified by the color key 4, which is arranged in the control panel 10 immediately to the right of the corresponding printing unit key. If the color assignment command is initiated, the printer can preselect and display the desired deviating assignment by simultaneously pressing a printing unit key 3 and a color key 4 (by lighting the pressed key) and by pressing the enter key 5.

Key 1-5: Color reduction command.

With this command, the ink layer thickness for all ink zones and any printing units can be set to zero, and the ink ductor value can be set to the maximum value if the ductor and the subsequent inking rollers are to be made free of ink as quickly as possible.

Key 1-6: Format shift command.

With this command, ink layer thickness profiles can be shifted zone by zone. This can be of interest when changing from a smaller to a larger machine because it is generally desired that the sheets or webs to be printed pass through the printing machine symmetrically, that is to say at equal distances from the ends of the printing cylinders. For example, for a smaller machine on magnetic tape input values for the individual ink zones in a larger machine, these entered values do not correspond to the required symmetrical arrangement of the sheet in the machine, because in the case of a smaller machine, which has 16 ink zones, for example, zones Z1 to Z16 correspond to the full machine width zones Z1 to Z16 on a machine with 32 zones correspond to the left half of the machine, so that a shift by eight color zones to the right is required.

This command can also be used to transfer the narrow format with a width of 16 zones, which was just assumed in the example, to a larger machine in such a way that double-use can be carried out, i.e. the larger machine on a wide sheet or a wide sheet Paper web prints the motif, which the small machine only printed once, twice side by side.

After pressing the command initiation button 1-6 "Format shift", this button lights up itself and the LED 14-7 "All colors" as well as the button 2-4 "Memory display" with a steady light, because the format shift expediently affects all printing units and therefore all colors and the process of shifting the format must always take place before positioning, that is, setting the actuating cylinders. With any key 36-1, the profile can be shifted zone by zone from left to right, with each press of the key the profile moves one zone or continuous activation takes place when pressed continuously. In a similar manner, the profile can be shifted zone by zone to the left with any key 36-2. The display existing in the LED column of zone Z32 prior to being shifted to the right appears in the LED column Z1 after being shifted one step to the right; in the same way, the data contained therein are cyclically shifted in a display memory connected to the light-emitting diode display 20, so that no data can be lost when shifting to the right and left. Once the correct shift has been made, the printer presses the enter key 5, as a result of which the data previously contained in the display memory are transferred to a preset memory of the device (the data previously present there are overwritten) and are now available for setting the actuating cylinders, this setting being available by pressing key 1-1 (positioning).

Key 1-7: Format limitation command.

This command is used to set the ink layer thickness to zero once for all printing units for all zones outside the format to be printed and to exclude it from calculation processes for measured values coming from outside. After pressing the button 1-7, which lights up continuously after pressing, any format limitation that may be present is indicated by the fact that a special light-emitting diode 40 provided underneath each light-emitting diode column of the display panel 20 lights up in all format-restricted zones, whereas the light-emitting diodes 40 of the non-restricted zones flash. Other LEDs of the display panel 20 do not light up. In the control panel 10, the light emitting diode 14-7 lights up “all colors”, with no other light displays appearing in the exemplary embodiment. If the button 36-1 is now pressed in a limited zone, the format limitation is lifted and the associated diode 40 flashes. A previously unrestricted zone is limited by actuating the assigned key 36-2, and the assigned LED 40 changes from the flashing to the continuously illuminated state. The format is limited so that when a key 36-2 is pressed in the right half of the display field 20, the zone assigned to this key and all zones to the right of it are limited, whereas when a key 36-2 is in the left half of the display field 20 is pressed, this zone and all zones to the left of it are limited. The release of format-limited zones by pressing a key 36-1 takes place from the pressed key towards the middle of the format. Regardless of the command initiated, the format-limited zones are visible in the tracking display (key 2-2) in the diode row 40.

Key 1-8: Command lock or unlock zones.

This command makes it possible to lock or unlock any zones for the commands tracking control and automatic tracking by pressing the buttons 36-2 or 36-1. This blocking, which is visible in the tracking display in the row of diodes 40, has no significance for other commands. In particular, manual adjustment is possible for the commands control control and automatic tracking, while the zones that are not locked cannot be adjusted manually with these commands. This command is expediently carried out separately for the individual colors of the printing units, so after pressing the button 1-8 all those LEDs from the diodes 14-1 to 14-6 which correspond to an actually used color flash. The printer can now select the color and thus also the printing unit for which zones are to be locked and released by pressing one of the keys 4-1 to 4-6 or alternatively by pressing one of the printing unit keys 3-1 or 3-2 . With these commands, only the zone whose assigned push button 36-2 or 36-1 has been actuated is blocked or released.

Keys 1-9, 1-11 and 1-12 correspond to the commands read in, record and erase tape and relate to control commands for a magnetic tape cassette device which is built into the control device. If the printing machine connected to the control device is to be prepared for carrying out a new print job, the presetting data for the actuating cylinders and ink duct values stored on magnetic tape are stored in the display memory after pressing pushbuttons 1-9, which display fields 20 and 50 is assigned, read. The printer can look at the entered values on the light-emitting diode field 20 and display field 50 and can still recognize, for example, that an incorrect cassette was accidentally read in or the data is incorrect. In this case, the command is interrupted by pressing the delete key 7, so that the data read in do not influence the operation of the control device. If, on the other hand, the data are to be finally adopted by the control device, the command is brought to a conclusion by pressing the enter key 5.

The 1-10 key causes the actual values of the position of the actuating cylinders and ink ducts to be stored in the memory of the control device. If the actual values have been stored in this way, they have the function of setpoint values for the position of the actuating cylinders or ink ductors for the further operation of the control device. It is also necessary to save the actual values in the memory if these actual values are subsequently to be saved using the command 1-11 "Record on tape", since data is stored on magnetic tape from the memory.

The delete tape command is used to prevent information that is no longer up-to-date from being left on a tape and thus leading to errors in the machine settings. In addition, the tape is made as new for storing other values.

• Es blinkt die Taste 1-4 (Befehl Farbzuordnung); Taste 1-5 (Befehl Farbabbau):
• Es blinkt die Taste 1-10 (Befehl Speichern); Taste 1-9 (Befehl Einlesen):
• Es blinkt die Taste 1-11 (Befehl Aufzeichnen); Taste 1-10 (Befehl Speichern) oder Taste 1-11 (Befehl Aufzeichnen):
• Es blinkt die Taste 1-10 (Befehl Speichern); Taste 1-12 (Befehl Band löschen):
• Es blinkt die Taste 1-9 Einlesen);

The following specifies which warning key 6 lights up when the commands are initiated, and which of the other command initiation keys flash in this case when the warning key 6 is pressed: key 1-1 (positioning command):

• Key 1-4 flashes (color assignment command); Key 1-5 (color reduction command):
• Key 1-10 flashes (save command); Key 1-9 (read command):
• Key 1-11 flashes (command record); Key 1-10 (Save command) or Key 1-11 (Record command):
• Key 1-10 flashes (save command); Key 1-12 (delete tape command):
• Key 1-9 Read flashes);

Key 1-13 or 1-14 (control keys for data entry in the diode display field 20 by means of a light pen), or control key 1-9 (read command): after pressing the warning key 6, the key 1-11 (command record) flashes.

The printer is warned of possible data loss by the blinking of the keys. If the printer wants to execute a command identified by a flashing key before executing the command just initiated, it presses the delete key 7 and initiates the desired command. If the last command initiated has finally been completed by pressing the enter key 5, the command originally initiated and, as just described, interrupted must be initiated again. The control device thus does not initiate commands on its own, but the initiation of each command must be carried out by the printer. It is also possible to make the arrangement so that when the command initiation key flashing after actuation of the warning key 6 is pressed, the associated command is initiated and the command initiated first is deleted without the delete key 7 having to be actuated.

When initiating a command by pressing one of the command buttons 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-5, 1-6, 1-8 to 1-17, the commands correspond to those that make sense for single, multiple or all colors or printing units can be executed, the key itself and the light emitting diode 14-7 light up continuously, but additionally the light emitting diodes 14-1 to 14-6 assigned to the color keys 4 flash. If a printing unit key or color key that is assigned to one of these flashing light-emitting diodes is pressed, the originally flashing diode lights up continuously and the light-emitting diode 14-7 goes out. Further desired printing unit or color keys can be actuated one after the other, the associated flashing light-emitting diode then constantly lighting up and thus indicating the selected printing units or colors to the printer. The input key 5 is then used to execute the command on the actuated printing units or colors. As the commands just mentioned towards the end show, this selection option also exists for reading from the magnetic tape, recording and deleting the tape; partial deletion is also possible.

With the command 1-7 format limitation, such an expansion of the option to individual printing units is not expedient, therefore none of the diodes 14-1 to 14-6 flashes.

With the 1-6 Format Shift command, a shift for all colors is generally useful, but it can still be useful to carry out the shifting process only for a selection of the colors.

The buttons 2-1 to 2-6 that control the display on the LED field 20 have the following meaning:

Key 2-1: density trend display; Key 2-2: tracking display; Key 2-3: difference display; Key 2-4: memory display; Key 2-5: profile display; Key 2-6: fine display. By pressing one of these keys, the associated information is brought to the displays 20 and 50.

The density trend display (2-1) indicates whether the actual color density values measured by a sheet measuring device deviate from the respective target value, and in which direction and to what extent.

The tracking display (2-2) shows the measured values supplied from outside and values converted into control signals. The tracking display switches on automatically when the commands tracking control or automatic tracking are initiated.

The difference display (2-3) shows the difference between target and actual values of the position of the actuating cylinder and ink duct values.

The memory display (2-4) shows the target values for the position of the actuating cylinders.

The profile display (2-5) shows the actual position of the individual actuating cylinders in 16 steps for each individual zone. The additionally switchable fine display, which makes use of the same light-emitting diodes as the profile display, also shows the exact position of the actual value between two adjacent light-emitting diodes of the profile display, whereby this distance of the light-emitting diodes used for the rough display expands to 16 light-emitting diodes during the fine display is. So that the profile display and the fine display can be differentiated, the LEDs used for the fine display flicker and they glow somewhat darker than the LEDs used for the profile display.

If the memory display (2-4), that is to say the display of the stored target values, is switched on by means of the command keys 1-13 or 1-14, which relate to two light pen commands which differ somewhat in their mode of operation, then the printer on the LED field 20 either by means of a light pen or by means of the keys 36-1 and 36-2 change the profile shown selected with the aid of the key group 3 or 4 and by pressing the enter key 5 the profile thus changed for the selected color as a new target value in the memory of the device enter. By pressing the button 2-5 for the profile display and possibly also the button 2-6 for the fine display, the printer can visualize the actual values of the position of the actuating cylinders and these actual values also with the light pen or the buttons 36-1 and 36-2 change accordingly.

If all the colors are selected for one of the light pen commands mentioned, an artificial profile appears in the form of an upward-pointing, very blunt arrow head, which extends over the entire width of the display field 20 and whose tip in the area of the center of the format in the zones Z16 and Z17 lies to make the printer particularly aware that he has selected all colors or all printing units. A transfer of this displayed profile into the memory is not readily possible for security reasons; rather, commands can only be executed if the artificial profile has been changed by the printer in at least two zones.

The ink duct value appears on the numerical display 51, that is the value of the ink duct stroke as a percentage of the maximum ink duct stroke that is possible on the printing press. If all printing units were selected during light pen operation, the display 51 shows an average value for the ink fountain pen value, in the example the number 50. Accepting this value, which would set all ink fountain rollers to this value, is not easily possible by pressing the enter key 5 command execution is only possible if an acknowledgment has taken place or the value indicated by the display 51 has been changed. In the example, keys 16-1 and 16-2 are used for this. When the button 16-1 is pressed, the value shown on the display 51 increases by 1. This value could now be entered into the memory by pressing the enter button 5. If, on the other hand, the value 50 is to be entered, the printer briefly touches the key 16-2 and thereby brings the displayed value back to 50 and can now enter this value by pressing the enter key 5. A visual marking of the display field 51 which characterizes the selection of all colors is carried out by flashing the number shown in this display 51.

As soon as a button of the first group (1-1 to 1-17) is pressed, it lights up continuously. Keys of the control panel 10 which are released for further actuation after a command has been initiated or which light-emitting diodes or displays associated therewith flash; after the key is pressed, this or the associated light-emitting diode or display lights up continuously. The enter key flashes after a command has been initiated, lights up when pressed and goes out after the command has been executed. At this point in time, all other indicator lights in the executed command go out and the display status is automatically selected again before the command is initiated, i.e. the information that was visible before the last command was initiated is shown on the display fields.

Keys 2-1 to 2-6 are switched on by pressing and switched off by pressing again or another key 2. For better distinction, the keys of the first group are orange, the keys of the second to fourth groups are white.

The described optical markings of already actuated keys, of keys that can expediently still be operated by the printer, and the described optical markings of displays on the display fields provide user guidance, and the printer is thus handled by the device when handling the device self managed. This tour facilitates familiarization, avoids mistakes and leads to systematic work.

Claims (13)

1. Control device for a printing machine including an operating panel having a plurality of push buttons or similar actuating devices, said control device being provided with a first group of push buttons (1-1 through 1-17) for selecting a command to be induced or a machine operation state, at least two manipulations being necessary for inducing a command execution or a change in the machine operation state, including at least one indicator panel, in particular a light-emitting diode indicator panel, characterized

- in that there is provided a second group of push buttons (2-1 through 2-6) for selecting an information indicated on a indicator panel by actuating one of said push buttons, and

- that a switchable visual indicator is assigned to each push button of the second group of push buttons (2-1 through 2-6), said indicator being activated by actuating a push button of the first group of push buttons (1-1 through 1-17).

2. Control device according to Claim 1, characterized in that there is provided a separate input button (5) for inducing the execution of a command.

3. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that said input button (5) flashes during initiation of a command and lights up during execution of a command.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims for a printing machine comprising at least one printing unit, characterized in that a third group of push buttons (3-1 through 3-2) is provided for making effective or ineffective a command for one or more of said printing units.

5. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that there is provided a fourth group of push buttons (4-1 through 4-6) being assigned to the printing inks to be used and being assignable to the push buttons of the third group (3-1, 3-2).

6. Device according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that a push button of the first group is provided for a command «colour assignment» in order to assign to each push button (3-1, 3-2) of the third group one push button (4-1 through 4-6) of the fourth group.

7. Device according to Claim 5 or 6, characterized in that each push button of the fourth group (4-1 through 4-6) is provided with a visual indicator and that the arrangement is such that, by actuating a push button of the first group, visual idicators of the fourth group permanently assigned to said push button are actuated.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that a further visual indicator (14-7) indicating «all colours» is provided.

9. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the arrangement is such that the values of the respectively indicated information can be changed and that the changed values for the control device are only effective when the command execution has been induced.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a warning indicator which becomes effective when actuating said button is provided for at least one of the push buttons of the first group.

11. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that a command «light pen» (push buttons 1-13,1-14) is provided whereby in light pen mode when all colours have been selected an artificial profile is displayed on the display panel (20), and that the device is designed such that a command execution is only possible when said artificial profile has been changed in at least two zones (Z1 through Z32).

12. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a command «light pen» (push buttons 1-13,1-14) is provided whereby in light pen mode when all coulours have been selected an ink fountain roller display for a mean value is displayed and visually emphasized and that a command execution is only possible when an assigned acknowledge button (16-1, 16-2) has been actuated or when the value indicated has been changed.

13. Device according one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cancel button (7) is provided for aborting a command which has not yet been completed.

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