JP4788093B2 - Image correction processing program, driver program, and output device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image correction processing program, a driver program, and an output device that smoothly process outlines of characters, patterns, and the like output by a cutting machine or a plotter device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a cutting machine for cutting out a plastic sheet with an adhesive into a desired shape has been proposed.
[0003]
This cutting machine includes a cylindrical platen roller on which a plastic sheet is placed on a peripheral surface, a guide shaft extending in parallel along the rotation axis of the platen roller, a slider slidably mounted on the guide shaft, and a slider. A cutter holder held in a swingable manner; a cutter held in the cutter holder; a platen roller driving mechanism for rotating the platen roller to feed a plastic sheet; and the slider in relation to the rotation of the platen roller. A slider driving mechanism for sliding and a holder driving mechanism for bringing the cutter holder into contact with and separating from the platen roller are provided.
[0004]
These platen roller drive mechanisms are composed of a platen roller drive motor and a gear mechanism, the slider drive mechanism is composed of a slider drive motor and a pulley mechanism, and the holder mechanism is composed of an electromagnetic solenoid and a pulley mechanism.
[0005]
The platen roller drive motor, slider drive motor, and electromagnetic solenoid are connected to the microcomputer via interface circuits, respectively, and the cutter holder is driven relatively along the XYZ coordinate system of the plastic sheet by the output from the microcomputer.
[0006]
Original image data output to a microcomputer is usually created and edited by a graphic processing program of a personal computer. The original image data created by this graphic processing program is transmitted from the graphic processing program to the driver program for the cutting machine via the operation system program of the personal computer. Based on this driver program, the cutter holder of the cutting machine Is converted into command data, which is an operation command indicating the vertical movement of the blade, the moving position of the cutter, and the like, and transmitted to the cutting machine. The cutting machine operates based on this command data.
[0007]
When the cutting machine cuts out an image based on the command data, in the XY coordinate system of the plastic sheet, the rotation direction of the platen roller is the X axis, and the rotation axis direction of the platen roller is the Y axis.
[0008]
The image data is represented by vector data consisting of a collection of line segment data whose positions are specified based on this XY coordinate system, and the driver program can generate original image data based on the vector data arranged continuously. Is converted into command data, and the control program drives the platen roller drive motor, slider drive motor and electromagnetic solenoid based on the command data.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, when cutting a character / picture with such a cutting machine, if two continuous straight lines constituting the character / picture are too short, the curved portion of the character / picture, etc. meanders or vibrates, and the jaggedness becomes remarkable. As shown in FIG. 5 (1), there is a problem that it looks bad.
[0010]
In particular, in a cutting machine using a fine cutter, if the two straight lines are continuously cut as described above, the direction of the cutter is remarkably increased, so that the blade edge of the cutter becomes severely worn or damaged. There is a risk of dripping.
[0011]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to obtain an output result with as little jaggedness as possible when cutting out image data on a PC screen or drawing a line with an output device such as a cutter or a plotter.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention of claim 1 of the present application is directed to data constituting a primary image configured by connecting a number of line segments whose start point and end point are determined based on the first XY coordinates. An image correction processing program that corrects data constituting the secondary image in order to convert the data constituting the secondary image based on the second XY coordinates and smooth the output image output from the output device. And
An Nth line segment (N is an integer aligned with 1, 2, 3,...) Of data constituting the secondary image is defined by a start point A and an end point B in a second XY coordinate, and the secondary image. The (N + 1) -th line segment of the data constituting is defined by the start point B and the end point C in the second XY coordinates,
Between the points ABC of the data constituting the secondary image, the added value of the line segments AB and BC is equal to or less than a threshold value L as a criterion for performing the correction process, and the point B and the midpoint M of the line segment AC When the distance H is equal to or less than the intermediate value Lmid smaller than the threshold, the point B is omitted, and the line segment AC is output as the line segment of the output image instead of the line segments AB and BC. This is an image correction processing program.
[0013]
In addition, the invention of claim 2 of the present application uses, as the second XY coordinates, data constituting a primary image configured by connecting a number of line segments having start points and end points determined based on the first XY coordinates. An image correction processing program for correcting data constituting the secondary image in order to convert the data constituting the secondary image based on the data and smoothing the output image output from the output device,
An Nth line segment (N is an integer aligned with 1, 2, 3,...) Of data constituting the secondary image is defined by a start point A and an end point B in a second XY coordinate, and the secondary image. The (N + 1) th line segment is defined by a start point B and an end point C in the second XY coordinates,
Between the points ABC of the data constituting the secondary image, the added value of the line segments AB and BC is equal to or less than a threshold value L as a criterion for performing the correction process, and the point B and the midpoint M of the line segment AC When the distance H is between the upper limit value Lmax smaller than the threshold value L and larger than the intermediate value Lmid and the intermediate value Lmid, a replacement point R between the point B and the point M is calculated, and the point B Is replaced with a replacement point R, and instead of the line segments AB and BC, line segments AR and RC are used as line segments of the output image.
[0014]
Further, the invention according to claim 3 of the present application uses, as the second XY coordinates, data constituting a primary image formed by connecting a number of line segments having start points and end points determined based on the first XY coordinates. An image correction processing program for correcting data constituting the secondary image in order to convert the data constituting the secondary image based on the data and smoothing the output image output from the output device,
An Nth line segment (N is an integer aligned with 1, 2, 3,...) Of data constituting the secondary image is defined by a start point A and an end point B in a second XY coordinate, and the secondary image. The (N + 1) -th line segment of the data constituting is defined by the start point B and the end point C in the second XY coordinates,
Between the points ABC of the secondary image, the added value of the line segments AB and BC is equal to or less than a threshold value L as a criterion for performing correction processing, and the distance H between the point B and the midpoint M of the line segment AC is When it is equal to or less than the intermediate value Lmid smaller than the threshold, the point B is omitted, and the line segment AC is output as the line segment of the output image instead of the line segments AB and BC,
When the distance H is between the upper limit value Lmax smaller than the threshold value L and greater than the intermediate value Lmid and the intermediate value Lmid, a replacement point R between the point B and the point M is calculated, and the point The image correction processing program is characterized in that B is replaced with a replacement point R, and the line segments AR and RC are used as the line segments of the output image instead of the line segments AB and BC.
[0015]
A fourth aspect of the present invention is the image correction processing program according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the resolution of the second XY coordinate is higher than the resolution of the first XY coordinate. Is an image correction processing program.
[0016]
The invention of claim 5 of the present application is provided with the image correction processing program of any one of claims 1 to 4 so that the output device drives image data drawn by a graphic processing program of a personal computer. A driver program to output,
An image data drawn by the graphic processing program is converted by the image correction processing program, and the output device is driven and controlled based on the converted correction data.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 6 of the present application stores any one of the image correction processing program according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or the driver program according to claim 5. It is a device.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an image correction processing program and a cutting machine as an output apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0019]
FIG. 4 shows a connection state between the cutting machine 1 and the personal computer 2. A cutting machine 1 is connected to the personal computer 2 via a communication cable 3.
[0020]
The cutting machine 1 has a roll cassette (not shown) for supplying a plastic color sheet having a wide tape shape and wound in a roll shape, and sends the color sheet fed from the roll cassette in the longitudinal direction thereof. A platen roller 4, a cutter 5 provided with a cutter that can contact / separate the platen roller 4 at the tip, a cutter support member 6 that swings in the vertical direction so that the cutter 5 contacts / separates the platen roller 4, A slider member 7 for moving the cutter support member 6 in a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the platen roller 4 is provided.
[0021]
The color sheet has an adhesive layer and is bonded onto release paper. On both sides of the release paper, a large number of sprocket holes for passing the feeding claws are formed at a constant pitch. A number of feed claws for passing through the sprocket holes of the release paper are formed on both sides of the platen roller 4. The platen roller 4 can be rotated in forward and reverse directions by a platen driving motor 8 and a gear mechanism. The slider member 7 includes a nut portion that is screwed into a screw shaft 9 extending in parallel with the rotation axis of the platen roller 4. The platen roller is rotated by rotating the screw shaft 9 in the forward and reverse directions by a motor 10 and a gear mechanism. 4 is movable to the left and right along the rotation axis.
[0022]
The cutter support member 6 is swingably held by a slider member 7 so as to be able to approach and separate from the platen roller 4, and the slider member 7 includes an electromagnetic solenoid 11. The cutter support member 6 swings due to the expansion and contraction of the electromagnetic solenoid 11. The cutter support member 6 holds the shaft portion of the cutter 5 so as to be rotatable in the direction around the axis. The tip of the cutter 5 is formed in a triangular shape like a cutting knife, and the cutting edge rotates in accordance with the movement of the slider member 7 and the platen roller 4.
[0023]
The platen roller driving motor 8, the screw shaft driving motor 10 and the electromagnetic solenoid 11 are connected to the power supply circuit of the cutting machine 1 and the microcomputer 12 via an interface circuit.
[0024]
The microcomputer 12 of the cutting machine 1 includes a ROM and a RAM that holds image data from the personal computer 2 and a processor. In the ROM, a control program 20 and a command analysis program 21 for controlling the cutting machine 1 are stored.
[0025]
The command analysis program 21 analyzes commands from the driver program 24 of the personal computer 2 and generates cutting control data.
[0026]
The control program 20 of the cutting machine 1 drives the motors 8 and 10 and the electromagnetic solenoid 11 of the cutting machine 1 based on the control data of the command analysis program 21.
[0027]
In addition, even if data from the personal computer 2 is not transmitted to the ROM, data such as a character image necessary for displaying, setting, and changing the state of the cutting machine 3 itself, and other control are necessary. Data and programs are stored.
[0028]
The personal computer 2 has an operating system program 22, a graphic editing program 23 for creating and editing a primary image, and a driver program 24 for the cutting machine 1. In order to cut out the color sheet by the cutting machine 1, the graphic editing program 23 can form a contour of an image by connecting small line segments by, for example, continuous straight lines.
[0029]
The contour image drawn by the graphic editing program 23 becomes primary image data to be output to the aforementioned output device. This primary image data is configured as a collection of line segments, and the positions of the start point and end point of the line segment data are determined based on the first XY coordinates provided in the graphic editing program.
[0030]
The first XY coordinates and the second XY coordinates described later are set in order to determine the values of the start and end points of line segment data constituting the primary image data in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.
[0031]
A driver program 24 for controlling the driving of the cutting machine 1 is stored in the personal computer 2 so that detailed instructions can be given to the driver program 24 on the personal computer 2 side.
[0032]
The driver program 24 can set a second XY coordinate for smoothing the primary image data edited by the graphic editing program 23. The second XY coordinates are for converting the primary image data expressed by the first XY coordinates to the highest resolution in terms of the performance of the cutting machine 1.
[0033]
The driver program 24 converts the primary image data expressed by the first XY coordinates into the second XY coordinates before outputting the primary image data to the cutting machine.
[0034]
The driver program 24 has a line segment correction program 25 that smoothly corrects the contour of the converted secondary image data.
[0035]
The corrected image data corrected by the line segment correction program 25 is transmitted to the command analysis program 21 of the cutting machine 1.
[0036]
The image correction for the line segment correction program 25 to smooth the secondary image data includes a method of omitting consecutive points between consecutive line segments and a method of using a replacement point instead of the point. These image corrections are performed in combination in this embodiment, but either one may be performed.
[0037]
Next, this image correction process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The image correction processing includes the above-described secondary image data line segment AB (Nth line segment, where N is an integer aligned with 1, 2, 3,...) And line segment BC (N + 1th line segment). ). The data of each point constituting these continuous lines is represented by the second XY coordinates as shown in FIG.
[0038]
First, a point ABC to be corrected is extracted between the start point A, the passing point B (or the end point B), and the point C of the secondary image data (step 1). This point ABC is a point that constitutes two continuous line segments so as to form a continuous straight line.
[0039]
Next, the lengths of the line segments AB and BC are calculated for the extracted point ABC (steps 2 and 3).
[0040]
In step 4, the added value of the line segments AB and BC is compared with the threshold value L. This threshold value L is preset in the driver program according to the characteristics of the cutting machine 1 as an output device. For example, when the line segment AB or BC has a long straight line, or when either the line segment AB or the line segment BC draws a straight line, the determination in step 5 is performed without performing this image correction. This is for cutting on the street.
[0041]
If it is determined in step 4 that the added value of the line segments AB and BC is equal to or greater than the threshold value L (in the case of NO: see FIG. 2 (2) (a)), the passing point B is not corrected. Leave as it is. Here, in the flowchart, line segment AB + line segment BC ≦ threshold L is set, but line segment AB + line segment BC <threshold L may be set.
[0042]
If it is determined in step 4 that the added value is less than or less than the threshold value L (in the case of YES: see FIGS. 2 (2) and 2 (a)), the process proceeds to step 5 to perform image correction processing. Then, the midpoint M is calculated for the line segment AC, and the distance H between the passing point B and the midpoint M is calculated (step 6).
[0043]
In the next step 7, it is determined whether or not the distance H between the point B and the midpoint M of the line segment AC is located between the lower limit Lmin, the intermediate value Lmid, and the upper limit Lmax.
[0044]
Here, the lower limit value Lmin ≦ the separation distance H ≦ the upper limit value Lmax may be the lower limit value Lmin <the separation distance H <the upper limit value Lmax.
[0045]
If it is determined in step 7 that the separation distance H is not within this range (NO in step 7), no correction is made (see FIGS. 2 (2) and 2 (b)).
[0046]
If it is determined in step 7 that the separation distance H is within this range (YES in step 7), the process proceeds to step 8 to determine whether or not the separation distance H is equal to or greater than the intermediate value Lmid. . If the determination in step 8 is NO, the method of omitting step 9 is used and the passing point B is omitted (see FIGS. 2 (2) and 2 (b)).
[0047]
If the determination in step 8 is YES, a replacement point R that is the midpoint between the passing point B and the midpoint M is calculated (step 10), and a replacement method is used. In the replacement method, the passing point B is replaced with the replacement point R (step 11: (see FIGS. 2 (2) and 2 (b)).
[0048]
In the method of omitting step 9, in the data representing the start point and end point of the line segment in FIG. 3, for example, when the passing point B is omitted, the XY coordinate position of the passing point B is rewritten to the coordinate position of the point A. Process. Specifically, when processing is performed where point B is omitted when points A, B, and C are present, the output result is an apparent line segment AC, but the points A, A, and C are represented on the data. It becomes a connecting line.
[0049]
As a result, it is only necessary to repeat the basics of the above extraction method as it is without performing any special processing, thereby speeding up the processing.
[0050]
Through such processing steps, it is determined whether or not the processing is finished (step 12). If there are no remaining points (YES), the processing is finished. If there are remaining points (NO), the processing returns to the beginning of step 1. .
[0051]
The above lower limit value Lmin, intermediate value Lmid, and upper limit value Lmax are parameters that can be set and changed depending on the control accuracy or resolution of the cutting machine 1, but may be appropriately calculated and set by a program according to the offset amount described later. May be.
[0052]
The lower limit value Lmin, the upper limit value Lmax, and the intermediate value Lmid are determined from the viewpoint of improving the accuracy of the machine operation for accurate cutting and the appearance of the output image such as the design.
[0053]
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, the cutting edge of the cutter is such that the rotation center line portion c precedes the rotation center portion Tc of the cutter 5 and the blade edge rear end portion Cp contacting the sheet P or the like, and the blade edge rear end portion Cp is An offset amount Os is provided so as to follow.
[0054]
Therefore, in the case of a cutout of a pattern or the like, the cutout pattern that follows the center of rotation tends to meander when the line segment is bent even though the cutout line segment of the pattern is short, and the cutout pattern follows. As shown in FIG. 5 (1).
[0055]
In particular, if vibration of a line segment occurs in a curved part, the curved part becomes unsmooth, or if there are corners at short intervals, unnecessary blade movements occur continuously, resulting in jagged edges in the cut-out pattern. In the cutting machine that uses a fine cutter, the cutting edge of the cutter becomes sharply consumed when the sharp jagged curve as described above is cut. Cause the cutter to be damaged.
[0056]
In the image correction processing program of this embodiment, in order to eliminate such meandering and vibration of the cutting portion of the cutter, the length of the line segment constituting the pattern is set to be long to some extent, and smoothness is obtained. In order to facilitate the direction control of the blade based on the offset amount Os between the rotation center portion Tc of the cutter and the trailing edge portion Cp of the cutter, the hardness of the paper to be cut, and the resistance of the adhesive, a threshold value L, a lower limit value Lmin, An upper limit value Lmax and an intermediate value Lmid are set.
[0057]
The threshold value L is set to approximately twice the moving distance corresponding to the minimum value of the continuous steps at which no trouble occurs even if the stepping motors 8 and 10 of the cutting machine 1 repeatedly accelerate and decelerate, and the cutter 5 is the smoothest. This is the minimum length that can cut the sheet P. As an example, it has been found that the line segment AB = 0.7 to 0.8 mm is the minimum length that can be cut most smoothly in terms of the characteristics and settings of the machine such as the stepping motors 8 and 10.
[0058]
The lower limit value Lmin is a numerical value equal to or greater than 0, is an arbitrary value between the minimum operating distances of the cutting machine 1, and is 2 which is the minimum operating distance (usually 0, 025 mm) by the stepping motors 8 and 10 of the cutting machine 1. Double.
[0059]
The intermediate value Lmid is substantially equal to the offset amount Os. The offset amount Os varies depending on the cutting depth of the blade of the cutter 5, and is set to 0.25 mm as an example of an initial set value, but is not limited thereto.
[0060]
The upper limit value Lmax is approximately twice the offset amount Os.
[0061]
When the point B in the line segment connecting the points A, B, and C is omitted in the method of omitting the step 9, in the next stage, the point D next to the point C is between the points B, C, and D. Instead, the correction is continuously determined between points A, C, and D.
[0062]
Further, when the point B in the points A, B, and C is replaced with the point R in the replacement method in the step 11, in the next stage, the point D next to the point C is between the points B, C, and D. Instead, the correction is continuously determined between the points R, C, and D.
[0063]
When the secondary image data is corrected in this way, correction data as shown in FIG. 3 is generated. The command analysis program 21 generates control data based on the correction data transmitted by the line segment correction program 25, and the control program 20 controls motor drive and head up / down based on the control data.
[0064]
In the above image correction processing program, the replacement point R does not necessarily have to be a midpoint connecting the point B and the point M, and several steps are set for the distance between the point R and the point M, and Accordingly, a new replacement point R may be set.
[0065]
As described above, according to the image correction processing program of this embodiment, when the image data is reproduced using the highest resolution of the cutting machine, the amount of original image data is large and two continuous straight lines are generated. A smooth image can be displayed while avoiding unstable operation of the motor or cutter caused by the short length, and when cutting a cut sheet or displaying a line image with a cutting machine or plotter device, FIG. As shown in 2), a smooth cut sheet or line image can be obtained.
[0066]
In addition, by using the above-described image correction processing program, unnecessary movement of the cutter is eliminated as a result, and early wear and damage at the cutter edge can be suppressed.
[0067]
Furthermore, by performing the above correction, for example, even if the personal computer 2 performs a process of 254 dpi resolution using a 16-bit table, the cutting process result of the cutting machine 1 is apparently 32 without changing the number of data. It is possible to obtain the same result as processed by the bit table and output at a resolution of 1016 dpi.
[0068]
When the cutting machine is used as an output device, the arithmetic processing method can be processed by four arithmetic operations, so that it is possible to obtain a sufficient speed for processing by a microcomputer that is currently on the market. No numerical operation processing circuit is required.
[0069]
The image correction processing program of the above embodiment may be stored as a part of a driver program in a storage device on the personal computer side, or stored in a microcomputer storage device of an output device such as a cutting machine or a plotter device. You may do it.
[0070]
Furthermore, the driver program including the above-described image correction processing program may be stored on the output device side, or may be stored in an external storage device such as an FDD, an optical disc, or a flash memory.
[0071]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image correction processing program, the driver program, and the output device of claims 1 to 6 of the present application, when image data is reproduced by the output device, a smooth image can be displayed. When a cut sheet is cut out or a line image is displayed by a cutting machine or a plotter device, a smooth cut sheet or line image can be obtained.
[0072]
Further, when a cutting machine or a plotter device is used as an output device, after determining whether or not to correct the distance between three consecutive points by comparing with a threshold value L, an omission or replacement calculation process is performed. In addition, since this arithmetic processing method can be processed by four arithmetic operations, a sufficient speed can be obtained for processing by a microcomputer that is currently commercially available, and an advanced numerical arithmetic processing circuit is not required.
[0073]
Furthermore, since the memory capacity of high-resolution image data is large, in order to correct high-resolution image data sent to a printer, cutting machine, or plotter device, a large-capacity memory is usually required. According to such an image correction processing program, since an increase in memory can be suppressed, an economical small-capacity memory can be mounted, cost reduction can be promoted, and blade consumption can be reduced.
[0074]
Further, according to the image correction processing program and the driver program and the output device of the present invention, for example, when the input data is not low resolution and originally dirty at the highest resolution in the output device such as a cutting machine, That is, even in the case of jagged line segment data that vibrates with a small amplitude at short intervals, the line segment can be made smooth.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart of an image correction processing program according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2A is a conceptual diagram when correction is performed by the image correction processing program according to FIG. 1. FIG. 2B is an addition value of two line segments, a threshold value, a comparison process, and a distance H and an upper limit value. Explanatory drawing of the comparison process of an intermediate value and a lower limit.
3 is a conceptual diagram of data processed by the image correction processing program of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a connection relationship between a personal computer and a cutting machine.
FIGS. 5A and 5B are an example of output to a cutting machine without correction and a partial enlarged view thereof, and FIG. 5B is an example of correction performed by the program of the present embodiment and output to the cutting machine and a partial enlarged view thereof. Figure.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing the offset amount of the cutter.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Cutting machine (output device)
2 Personal computer
3 Cable
4 Platen roller
5 Cutter
6 Cutter support member
7 Slider member
20 Control program
21 Command analysis program
23 Graphic processing application program
24 Driver program
25 Line segment correction program

Claims (4)

The secondary image based on the second XY coordinates provided in the output device is constituted by data constituting the primary image constituted by connecting a number of line segments whose start points and end points are determined based on the first XY coordinates. An image correction processing program for correcting data constituting the secondary image in order to convert the data into data and to output an output image output from the output device,
An Nth line segment (N is an integer aligned with 1, 2, 3,...) Of data constituting the secondary image is defined by a start point A and an end point B in a second XY coordinate, and the secondary image. The (N + 1) -th line segment of the data constituting is defined by the start point B and the end point C in the second XY coordinates,
Between the points ABC of the data constituting the secondary image, the added value of the line segments AB and BC is equal to or less than a threshold value L as a criterion for performing the correction process, and the point B and the midpoint M of the line segment AC When the distance H is equal to or smaller than the intermediate value Lmid smaller than the threshold value, the point B is omitted, and the line segment AC is output as the line segment of the output image instead of the line segments AB and BC.
When the distance H is between the upper limit value Lmax smaller than the threshold value L and greater than the intermediate value Lmid and the intermediate value Lmid, a replacement point R between the point B and the point M is calculated, and the point An image correction processing program , wherein B is replaced with a replacement point R, and line segments AR and RC are used as line segments of an output image instead of the line segments AB and BC . An image correction processing program according to claim 1,
An image correction processing program, wherein the resolution of the second XY coordinate is higher than the resolution of the first XY coordinate . A driver program comprising the image correction processing program according to claim 1 or 2 and outputting image data drawn by a graphic processing program of a personal computer so that the output device drives,
The converted image data drawn by the graphic processing program by the image correction processing program, a driver program characterized and this for driving and controlling the output device based on the converted correction data. 3. An output device, wherein one of the image correction processing program according to claim 1 or claim 2 or the driver program according to claim 3 is stored.

Images