JP2001001295A - Seal cutting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To automatically cut a desired image in the cutting of a seal by moving a cutter in the X-Y axial directions by using a seal on which the image information and a bar code for extracting the information on cutting are printed, and cutting only the objective image in the image information by receiving a signal reading the information. SOLUTION: The photographed image information 10 and a bar code 11 are printed on a seal 5 by a print supply device 2. The seal 5 is placed on a sheet feeder 3 mounted on a seal cutting machine body 1, and set on a predetermined position, and then a start button is pushed. First of all, the bar code 11 is read out by a reading means, the optimum data file stored in a computer is opened through a controller, and the information on cutting, input by an user is extracted. The data relating to the information on cutting is output to a moving means with a cutter, and the cutter is moved in the X-Y axial directions, so that the sheet 5 is cut to cut out only the objective information 13 in the image information 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a seal cutting machine capable of cutting only a specific target image from image information such as a person, a character, a figure or a symbol as a subject printed on a sticker. It is used in conjunction with the supply device, but is not necessarily limited to stickers as long as it can print image information and barcodes. It can also be used for vinyl sheets.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various seal print supply apparatuses have been marketed, and most of them have a seal pre-cut into 16 divisions in advance. With the development of things that can be used for close-up photography, printing has come to be performed using a large-size sticker that has not been precut.

[0003]

However, when printing is performed using these large-sized stickers, it is necessary to cut out only the image portion that the user prefers when pasting it to a desired place, The fact is that cutting is performed according to the shape of the place to be stuck, and this is a very cumbersome and cumbersome operation performed using scissors and a cutter. In particular, if the part to be cut has a complicated shape, it is difficult to cut along the contour.Even if it can be cut, the cut edges of the seal will be jagged or partially mistaken. Mistakes such as scissors were made, and the result was not always satisfactory.

[0004] Further, when cutting out using scissors or a cutter, a portion having an especially acute angle in the image is necessarily cut linearly.
When the seal was peeled off from the backing paper, there was a problem that a portion cut at an acute angle was torn or a cut was formed therefrom.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to automatically extract only a desired target image from image information on various subjects printed on a sticker and automatically cut the target image. It has been developed to solve the problem of a user cutting with a scissor or a cutter every time by making it possible to cut an image at regular intervals along the contour line, and to eliminate a cutting error. In addition, the present invention also aims to solve the problem of breakage of the seal when peeled off from the backing sheet and to increase the cutting speed by forming the cut edge of the seal with a gentle curve. This is one of the issues.

[0006]

According to the present invention, as a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, first, in a seal cutting machine for cutting a seal by moving a cutter in the X-Y axis directions in accordance with a command from a computer, The sticker on which image information including the target image to be cut and a barcode for extracting the cut information are printed, reading means for reading the barcode printed on the sticker, and reading means for reading the barcode printed on the sticker; A seal cutting machine (Claim 1) including a cutter for cutting only the target image in the image information based on a cutting instruction output from the computer in response to the signal is proposed. With such a configuration of the seal cutting machine, a desired target image in the image information can be automatically cut at any time in relation to a computer that can output a cutting command by a bar code signal. it can.

According to the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the barcode includes information on a serial number assigned to each computer, thereby being able to respond to instructions from a plurality of computers. A seal cutting machine (Claim 2) is proposed. With such a configuration, it is possible to respond to a cutting command output from a plurality of computers or a plurality of print supply devices built in the computer.

According to the present invention, the cutting information extracted by the bar code includes outline information of the target image to be cut in the image information. The present invention also proposes a seal cutting machine (Claim 3) that can cut the target image along the contour line based on a cutting command output from the computer in response to the signal. With such a configuration, a desired target image in the image information can be cut along the outline.

According to the present invention, in the invention according to claim 3, the contour information is created by digitally processing a difference in chrominance between a foreground as a subject and a background as a background screen thereof. Item 4) is also proposed. This is a configuration using a chroma key technique as a means for recognizing the contour of a target image desired to be cut, particularly when the present invention is used in relation to a print supply device.

According to the present invention, the cutting information extracted by the barcode is set so that the cut edge of the seal has a curved line with a large curvature. A seal cutting machine (Claim 5) containing information about the cutting point is also proposed. With such a configuration, the edge of the seal can be formed with a gentle curve when a desired target image is cut.

[0011] The present invention also proposes a seal cutting machine (claim 6) having a sheet feeder in the inventions of claims 1 to 5.
This makes it possible to automatically transfer the seal or the sheet to a predetermined position, and to reliably read the barcode related to the cutting information.

According to the present invention, there is further provided a seal cutting machine (claim 7) which is incorporated in a print supply apparatus main body for printing the image information and the bar code. I do. This is a configuration in which a command regarding cutting of the target image is output from a computer provided in the print supply device.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a seal cutting machine (claim 8) having a display unit capable of displaying various messages in the inventions of claims 1 to 7. With this configuration, the user can check the bar code reading result and the disconnection status.

[0014]

With the seal cutting machine according to the present invention, a bar code for extracting cutting information as well as image information is printed on a sticker, and the bar code has a function as a password for outputting a cutting command from a computer. By simply bringing the printed sticker, the user can always extract the cutting information of the target image created and stored in the computer and cut it automatically. Therefore, the trouble of cutting the desired image with scissors or a cutter can be eliminated, and if the user is in a hurry or is crowded with the user, only the cutting information is created first, and later, Cutting can be performed again.

At this time, since the barcode contains information of the serial number assigned to each computer or each print supply device built in the computer, when the user brings the printed sticker later, The computer corresponding to the serial number read from the bar code can be reliably specified, and the stored cutting information can be accurately extracted. For this reason, one seal cutting machine according to the present invention can respond to instructions from a plurality of computers or a print supply device built in the computer without causing any confusion.

Further, in the seal cutting machine according to the present invention, since the cutting information extracted by the bar code also includes the outline information of the target image to be cut, only the desired target image is displayed in the outline. It can also cut automatically along the line.

Further, in the present invention, when the target image is cut, the cutting point is set so that the edge of the seal is formed by a curve having a gentle curvature, which is generated when the cut seal is peeled off from the backing paper. It is possible to prevent breakage and breaks that easily occur.

Further, in the present invention, by providing a sheet feeder, it is possible to reliably transfer the seal and the sheet,
Thereby, it is possible to read and cut the barcode accurately.

In addition, since the seal cutting machine according to the present invention is incorporated in the main body of the print supply apparatus and is integrated with the print supply apparatus, the same cutting operation can be performed even in a narrow space. It is effective for conversion.

[0020]

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of the seal cutting machine according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic system diagram showing the internal structure of the seal cutting machine according to the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 3B is a schematic plan view of a seal on which a label and a barcode are printed, and FIG.
It is a schematic plan view showing the state where the seal of (a) was cut along the outline of the target image. 1 is a main body of a seal cutting machine, 2 is a main body of a print supply device, 3 is a sheet feeder, 4 is a connection cord, 5 is a printed seal, 6 is a cut seal, 7 is a moving means with a cutter,
8 is a reading means, 9 is a computer, 10 is image information, 1
1 is a barcode, 12 is a control device, 13 is a target image, 1
4 is an edge of the cut seal, 15 is a port, 16 is a curtain provided in the print supply device, 17 is a display unit, 18 is a printer built in the print supply device, and 19 is a marking.

First, in the seal cutting machine according to the present invention, a cutter for cutting a seal and a command from a computer 9 move the cutter in the XY directions inside the main body 1 in advance. A moving means for causing the moving means is provided, and is usually integrally formed as a moving means with a cutter 7 as shown in FIG. 2 (in FIG. 2,
"Plotter"). In the present invention, the computer 9 is a seal cutting machine 1.
Although an external device, for example, a device provided in the print supply device 2 is planned to be used, a general personal computer may be used, or this may be provided inside the seal cutting machine 1. Further, as will be described later, the moving means with cutter 7 also moves very slightly in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) depending on the type of the seal paper to be cut. For example, when a thicker seal paper is selected, The cutter can cut the seal paper somewhat deeper.
The cutting by the moving means 7 with a cutter is performed by the seal 5
This is a half-cut that targets only the cutting, and does not cut the mount.

A characteristic part of the present invention is that, as shown in the drawing, the seal 5 used in the present invention extracts cutting information from the computer 9 in addition to the image information 10 including the target image 13 to be cut. The point is that a barcode 11 serving as a password for printing is printed. The printing of the image information 10 and the barcode 11 on the sticker 5 is performed by a printer 18 built in the print supply device 2 which is an external device of the sticker cutting machine 1.
Alternatively, when the seal cutting machine 1 is incorporated in the print supply device 2, the operation is performed by the printer 18, which is an internal device thereof.

The image data of the image information 10 printed on the sticker 5 and the cutting information thereof are stored in a computer 9 built in the print supply device 2 or installed elsewhere. The user inputs using the computer 9 to create the data file. The storage of the disconnection information is performed by saving the information on a hard disk or a CD-ROM of the computer 9.

Another feature of the present invention is that the barcode 11 includes information on the serial number assigned to each computer so as to respond to commands from a plurality of computers 9. is there. As described above, this information is printed as a barcode on the sticker 5 by the printer 18 built in the print supply device 2. Since the barcode 11 includes information on the serial number of each of the plurality of computers 9, as shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of computers 9 connected to the port 15 provided in the seal cutting machine main body 1 can use the respective serial numbers. The identified and necessary cutting information will be appropriately extracted from the corresponding computer 9.

The cutting information that can be extracted by the barcode 11 includes the contour information of the target image 13 to be cut and the cutting information that is set so that the cut edge 14 of the seal has a gentle curve. Information on points is also included, which is also a feature of the present invention. As described above, the cutting information is input by the user using the computer 9 built in or not in the print supply device 2 to create the data file. At this time, the contour information of the target image 13 is also obtained. You can enter it. In addition, the information on the edge 14 of the seal is based on contour data sampled by a camera built in or not built into the print supply device 2, and a cutting point is set in advance so that the cut edge has a gentle curve with a curvature. I have. As a result, when cutting along the contour of the subject is selected, the desired target image 13 is automatically cut along a gentle curve along the contour according to the setting. The setting of the cutting point can be changed, but in order to avoid a setting error by the user, the setting is usually made such that an edge line of a curve considered most appropriate is formed. It is desirable to perform FIX. The seal 5 created by the printer 18 has not only the cutting information including the contour information and the cutting point described above, but also the information on the serial number, and the seal 5 so that it can be cut accurately when it is set on the sheet feeder 3. The marking 19 serving as an index for determining the cutting position is also printed, and the marking 19 is attached to the sheet feeder 3 of the main body 1.
It is read by a sensor (not shown) provided in the vicinity.

Further, in the present invention, it is possible to incorporate the seal cutting machine 1 into the main body 2 of the print supply apparatus for printing the image information 10 and the bar code 11, in which case the image information 10 and the bar Code 11
Is printed by the printer 18 built in the print supply device main body 2.
The extraction of various information by the signal of the bar code 11 is performed by a computer 9 built in the print supply device main body 2.
Will be output. Incidentally, the present invention is intended to be implemented by combination with the print supply device 2 or by incorporation into the print supply device 2. However, if it is possible to print a barcode that can extract the same cutting information,
The present invention can also be implemented by combining or incorporating with a print supply device having a configuration other than that used in the present invention, and other devices.

When the present invention is used in relation to the print supply apparatus 2, a curtain 16 provided on the print supply apparatus 2 is used, the color inside the curtain 16 is used as the background (background screen), and the subject is set in the foreground (foreground). ), The contour data of the target image 13 desired to be cut can be created by using the chroma key technique of digitally processing the difference in chrominance (hue) between the two. It is desirable that the inside of the curtain 16 as the background be blue, but in the case of blue clothes, green is desirable.

[0028]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a seal cutting machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2
In the seal cutting machine 1 according to the present invention,
Is stored in advance in the inside thereof in accordance with a command from the computer 9.
A moving means 7 with a cutter movable in the Y-axis direction is provided, and is connected to the control device 12 in a circuit manner. Further, in order to surely transfer and cut the seal 5 to a predetermined position, it is desirable to provide the main body 1 with the sheet feeder 3. The sheet feeder 3 is connected to the control device 12 in a circuit manner. The moving means with cutter 7 can be moved in the Z-axis direction (up and down direction) depending on the thickness of the seal paper to be cut, though very slightly.

The seal 5 used in the present invention is usually
It is created by the print supply device 2 that is connected to the main body 1 in a circuit manner. However, as long as barcode printing is possible, it can be created by using a print supply device having a configuration other than that used in the present invention. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in relation to the print supply device 2.

First, the user shoots image information 10 including the target image 13 to be cut by the print supply device 2. Next, a target image 13 to be cut is specified from the photographed image information 10, cutting information such as a cutting format is input, and a data file is created. When the data file is created, a unique barcode 11 from which the data file can be extracted is created, and a printer 18 built in the print supply device 2 that has acquired the data prints the barcode 11 on the sticker 5. At this time, the cutting position of the seal 5 is determined in relation to the type of the seal sheet to be cut so that the seal 5 is correctly set on the sheet feeder 3 and cut accurately according to the cutting information. Marking 1
9 is also printed. In addition, the marking 19 is different from the printing of the barcode 11 and according to the type of the sticker paper.
It may be provided on the seal 5 in advance.

The bar code 11 also includes a serial number that can identify the computer that created the data file. Further, the cutting information extracted by the signal of the bar code 11 includes Of the target image 13 desired to be cut out of the image information 10 and information on a cutting point set so that the cut edge 14 of the seal 6 has a gentle curve. In addition to the cutting information, the genre of the target image to be cut (subject image, telephone number, etc.), the type of the seal related to cutting (A5, A4, etc.), the cutting format (normal cut, contour cut, etc.), and Billing information is also included.

Thus, the photographed image information 10 and the barcode 11 are printed on the sticker 5 created by the print supply device 2, as shown in FIG. The user holding the seal 5 subsequently places the seal 5 on the sheet feeder 3 provided in the main body 1 of the seal cutting machine, and the seal 5 is automatically transferred to a predetermined position, and the setting is completed. I do. At that time, depending on the type of the selected sticker sheet, the moving means with cutter 7 also moves in the Z-axis direction, though slightly, depending on the thickness thereof. Further, when the seal 5 is transferred by the sheet feeder 3, a sensor (not shown) provided near the sheet feeder 3 of the main body 1 detects the marking 19 provided on the seal 5, and the seal 5 is located at a position suitable for cutting. Will be set correctly. After confirming the completion of the set,
The start button is pressed, and the bar code 11 is read by the reading means 8.

When the reading of the barcode 11 is completed,
The read signal is sent to the print supply device 2 having the computer 9 matching the serial number via the control device 12, and in response to this, an appropriate data file stored in the computer 9 is opened and the user Will be extracted. With respect to the extracted data on the cutting information, a cutting instruction is output to the moving device with cutter 7 again via the control device.

Upon receiving the command, the moving means with a cutter 7
Move in the XY axis direction based on the output cutting information,
The seal 5 is cut so that only the target information 13 of the image information 10 is cut out according to the created cutting information. In FIG. 1, since the content of the created cutting information is a normal cut, the cut seal 6 cut using the present apparatus 1 has only four target images 13 cut in a rectangular shape. However, the seal 5 shown in FIG.
3 is cut along the contour, the cut seal 6 cut by the apparatus 1 has only the target image 13 from the image information 10 cut along the contour. In addition, when the cutting is performed by the present apparatus 1, particularly when the cutting is performed along the contour, the edge 1 of the cut seal is used.
4 is formed by a curve having a large curvature.

Thus, the target image 1 in the image information 10
When the cutting of the sheet 3 is completed, the cut seal 6 is taken out of the sheet feeder 3, the cut target image 13 is peeled off from the backing paper, and attached to a desired place. At this time, as described above, since the edge 14 of the cut seal is formed with a gentle curve, it can be cleanly peeled from the backing sheet without breakage or breakage. Also,
In the present invention, only the seal portion of the desired target image is cut, and the backing sheet is a half-cut which is not cut. Therefore, only the cut seal 6 is peeled off from the backing sheet.

As shown in FIG. 1, it is desirable to provide a display unit 17 on the main body 1 of the seal cutting machine so that various messages relating to cutting and the cutting status can be confirmed. As a result, it is possible to confirm a message indicating that the barcode 11 cannot be read for some reason or a message indicating that the sticker sheet is different.

[0037]

The seal cutting machine according to the present invention can automatically cut the target image in the printed image information, so that the trouble and trouble of manually cutting the target image using scissors or a cutter can be reduced. It was resolved.

Since the target image in the image information can be cut according to the cut information inputted, only the image of a favorite person or the like can be cut, or a cut such as a mobile phone or a makeup tool can be cut in accordance with a desired place to be pasted. As a result, the range of use of the sticker printed using the print supply device or the like could be expanded.

By printing on a sticker a barcode having a function as a keyword for extracting cutting information including outline information and the like along with image information, the user can simply bring one printed sticker. Then, the created disconnection information can be called, and the disconnection can be performed according to the contents. Therefore, when the user is busy or busy, the date and time can be changed and the user can calm down later.

Further, since the information on the cutting point included in the cutting information is set so that the edge of the cut seal has a gentle curve, particularly when the target image is cut along the contour line, the cutting is performed. The broken seal can be peeled off from the backing sheet without causing breakage or breakage.

Further, the edge of the seal is cut along a gentle curve, so that the moving means with cutter X
Since the movement in the −Y direction can be performed quickly, there is also an advantage that the time required for cutting the seal can be reduced.

In addition, since information relating to the serial number assigned to each computer is also recorded in the barcode, it is possible for a single sticker cutting machine to respond to commands from a plurality of computers inside and outside the print supply apparatus. it can. Therefore, a game arcade in which several print supply devices are installed may be installed by only one, so that it is economical and can cope with space saving.

In the present invention, the present seal cutting machine can be incorporated into the main body of the print supply apparatus, thereby further saving space.

[0044]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an embodiment of a seal cutting machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic system diagram showing an internal structure of the seal cutting machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a schematic plan view of a sticker on which image information and a barcode are printed.

FIG. 3 (b) is a schematic plan view showing a state where the seal of FIG. 3 (a) is cut along the contour of the target image.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Seal cutting machine main body 2 Print supply apparatus main body 3 Sheet feeder 4 Connection code 5 Printed seal 6 Cut-off seal 7 Moving means with cutter 8 Reading means 9 Computer 10 Image information 11 Barcode 12 Control device 13 Target image 14 Cut Edge of seal 15 Port 16 Curtain provided in print supply device 17 Display 18 Printer built in print supply device 19 Marking

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A seal cutting machine that cuts a seal by moving a cutter in an XY axis direction in accordance with a command from a computer, wherein a bar code for extracting image information including a target image to be cut and the cutting information. The sticker printed thereon, reading means for reading the bar code printed on the sticker, based on a cut-off command output from the computer in response to a signal read by the reading means, the image information of the And a cutter for cutting only the target image in the seal cutting machine. 2. The sticker according to claim 1, wherein the bar code includes information on a serial number assigned to each computer, so that the bar code can correspond to a command from a plurality of computers. Cutting machine. 3. The cutting information extracted by the barcode includes contour information of the target image to be cut in the image information, and is output from the computer in response to the signal. Based on the cutting directive,
The seal cutting machine according to claim 1, wherein the target image can be cut along a contour line thereof. 4. The seal cutting machine according to claim 3, wherein the outline information is created by digitally processing a difference in chrominance between a foreground as a subject and a background as a background screen. 5. The cutting information extracted by the barcode includes information on a cutting point set so that the cut edge of the seal becomes a curve having a large curvature. Claims 1 to 4
The described seal cutting machine. 6. The seal cutting machine according to claim 1, further comprising a sheet feeder. 7. The seal cutting machine according to claim 1, wherein the seal cutting machine is incorporated in a print supply device main body for printing the image information and the barcode. 8. The seal cutting machine according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit capable of displaying various messages.