JP2002011693A - Method for correcting cutting data - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correct the cutting data so as to indicate an area coincident with a print area not only when the print area of a recording paper is rectangular, but also when four corners of the print area are not always maintained at right angles. SOLUTION: This correcting method comprises a first step of detecting four apexes on the recording paper corresponding to the print area formed on the recording paper according to the print data, and a second step of moving the coordinates in the area indicated by the cutting data indicating the same area as the area indicated by the print data to a rhombus-like area formed by reference points and two correction points with the predetermined apexes out of the four apexes detected in the first step as the reference points and with the two apexes adjacent to the reference points as the correction points, and moving the coordinates to a rectangular area connecting the four apexes detected in the first step after moved in the rhombus-like area.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method of correcting cutting data, and more particularly, to a method of correcting cutting data for correcting cutting data for cutting recording paper on which predetermined printing has been performed. About.

[0002] In this specification, "recording paper" means
It includes not only paper such as plain paper, but also various media such as OHP sheets and PVC sheets.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the whole operation is controlled by a microcomputer, and the longitudinal direction of a recording sheet (in this specification, the longitudinal direction of the recording sheet is referred to as a "sub-scanning direction"). The recording paper supplied in the width direction of the recording paper (in this specification, the width direction of the recording paper is appropriately referred to as a “main scanning direction”). 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a printing apparatus which performs predetermined printing in accordance with predetermined print data by a print head moving in (1) (see FIG. 1A).

In this printing apparatus, a print head moves along a scan (Scan) axis of the printing apparatus, and a recording sheet is conveyed along a feed (Feed) axis of the printing apparatus. Further, in this printing apparatus, the recording paper is arranged such that the main scanning direction coincides with the scan axis of the printing apparatus and the sub scanning direction coincides with the feed axis.

[0005] The print data used in such a printing apparatus is two-dimensional data in an orthogonal coordinate system having the Scan axis and the Feed axis of the printing apparatus as axes, and indicates a predetermined print area.

The print area has a rectangular shape in which all four corners have a right angle, and the printing apparatus has a length Ws in the Scan axis direction and a length Wf in the Feed axis direction.

When predetermined printing is performed in accordance with the print data in the above-described printing apparatus, a print area corresponding to the print data (FIG. 1A) is printed on the recording paper on which the predetermined print has been performed. ) Is formed.

Accordingly, if the vertex located at the lower right of the four corners of the rectangular print area is designated as vertex A and the vertex located at the lower left is designated as vertex B, the vertex B is the main vertex of vertex A. A straight line (length Ws) connecting the vertex A and the vertex B, which is located in the extension direction of the scanning direction, coincides with the Scan axis of the printing apparatus.

On the other hand, assuming that the vertex located at the upper right of the print area is the vertex C, the vertex C is located in the extension direction of the vertex A in the sub-scanning direction, and a straight line connecting the vertex A and the vertex C (length Wf). ) Coincides with the Feed axis of the printing apparatus.

Further, on the recording paper on which the predetermined printing has been performed, the printing is performed on the outer edge of the printing area where the printing is performed based on the print data due to various restrictions such as the movable range of the print head of the printing apparatus. Is formed (see FIG. 1A).

For this reason, after the predetermined printing is performed by the printing apparatus as described above, the recording paper on which the predetermined printing has been performed is disposed in the cutting apparatus, and the blank area is shifted from the printing area of the recording paper. Separation and cutting suitable for an area of a predetermined shape in a print area are performed.

On the other hand, as a cutting device for cutting such recording paper, for example, the entire operation is controlled by a microcomputer and moves in the main scanning direction on the recording paper supplied in the sub-scanning direction by the transport means. 2. Description of the Related Art There is known a cutting apparatus in which predetermined cutting is performed in accordance with predetermined cutting data by cutting means such as a cutter (see FIG. 1B).

In this cutting apparatus, a cutting means such as a cutter moves along a scan axis of the cutting apparatus, and a recording sheet is conveyed along a feed axis of the cutting apparatus.

The cutting device (FIG. 1)
The cutting data used in (b) corresponds to the print data used in the above-described printing apparatus (see FIG. 1A).

[0015] More specifically, the cutting data is:
F of the scanning axis of the cutting apparatus that matches the rectangular coordinate system having the scanning axis and the feed axis of the printing apparatus as axes
This is two-dimensional data in an orthogonal coordinate system with the axis of the axis being an axis, indicating the same area as the print area indicated by the print data, and a cutting area where the cutting means of the cutting device cuts (see a broken line area in FIG. ).

That is, the straight line connecting the vertices A and B, which coincides with the Scan axis of the printing apparatus in the printing area of the recording paper, coincides with the Scan axis of the cutting apparatus and coincides with the Feed axis of the printing apparatus. The straight line connecting the vertices A and C is the feed of the cutting device.
When the axis coincides with the d-axis, the print area indicated by the print data coincides with the area indicated by the cutting data, and the cutting area is cut by the cutting means of the cutting device (see the broken line area in FIG. 1B). Is a print
This matches the outline of the print area indicated by the data.

Accordingly, the printing apparatus described above (FIG. 1)
In (a), the recording paper on which the predetermined printing has been performed based on the print data is a straight line connecting the vertex A and the vertex B of the rectangular print area of the recording paper with the scan axis of the cutting device. However, if the cutting device is disposed in the above-described cutting device such that the straight line connecting the vertices A and C coincides with the Feed axis of the cutting device, the region indicated by the cutting data and the print region match. The cutting means cuts the print area without correcting the data.

However, as described above, the straight line connecting vertex A and vertex B of the print area of the recording paper coincides with the scan axis of the cutting device, and the straight line connecting vertex A and vertex C is the feed axis of the cutting device. It is actually very difficult to arrange the recording paper in the cutting device in such a way as to match.

Actually, in the print area of the recording paper provided in the cutting device, the straight line connecting the vertex A and the vertex B of the print area and the Scan axis of the cutting device form an angle θ, An angle θ is formed between the straight line connecting the vertices A and C and the Feed axis of the cutting device, and the angle is shifted from an orthogonal coordinate system having the Scan axis and the Feed axis of the cutting device as axes (FIG. 1B). reference).

As a result, the area indicated by the cutting data (see the broken line area in FIG. 1 (b)) does not coincide with the outline of the print area, and the cutting means does not perform cutting suitable for the print area. There was a problem of being disconnected.

Therefore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the cutting data is corrected by changing the area indicated by the cutting data.

As a method of correcting the cutting data, for example, a method of correcting the cutting data using two vertices is known, and the method of correcting the cutting data using the two vertices is described on a recording paper. Has a rectangular shape that maintains a right angle at four corners.

Next, a method of correcting cutting data using these two vertices will be described. First, among the vertices of the four corners of the print area, the vertex A located at the lower right is used as a reference point, and the lower left is used as a reference point. The vertex B located at the right is designated as the correction point 1 and the vertex C located at the upper right is designated as the correction point 2 (FIG.
(B)).

If the print area has a rectangular shape, an angle θ between a straight line connecting the reference point of the print area and the correction point 1 and the Scan axis of the cutting device is defined as:
The straight line connecting the reference point and the correction point 2 and the F of the cutting device
Since the angle θ formed between the reference point and the correction point 1 is equal to the angle θ formed by the cutting axis of the cutting device,
Either an angle θ between the n-axis or an angle θ between a reference point and the correction point 2 and a feed axis of the cutting device is calculated.

The calculated angle θ is defined by an orthogonal coordinate system having a straight line connecting the reference point of the print area and the correction point 1 (or the correction point 2) as an axis, and a scan axis and a feed axis of the cutting device. , The cutting is performed by the angle θ calculated so as to match the orthogonal coordinate system with the straight line connecting the reference point of the print area and the correction point 1 (or the correction point 2) as an axis.・ Correct the data.

The area indicated by the cutting data corrected in this way coincides with the print area of the recording paper arranged by the angle θ in the cutting device, and the reference point (vertex A) of the print area corresponds to the print area. Even if the straight line connecting the correction point 1 (vertex B) does not match the Scan axis of the cutting device, or the straight line connecting the reference point (vertex A) and the correction point 2 (vertex C) is the Fe of the cutting device.
Even if the recording paper does not coincide with the ed axis (that is, even if the recording paper is disposed in the cutting device in a state as shown in FIG. 1B), the cutting means can perform cutting suitable for the print area. become.

However, the printing area of the recording paper on which predetermined printing has been performed based on the print data in the printing apparatus has four corners as in the above-described conventional method of correcting cutting data using two vertices. Does not necessarily have a rectangular shape that maintains a right angle.

In particular, when a so-called long print is performed in which the length Wf of the print area in the sub-scanning direction of the recording paper is relatively long, the printing apparatus is limited by the accuracy of the recording paper conveyance. Due to the skewing of the recording paper or the expansion and contraction of the recording paper according to the material of the recording paper, all four corners of the print area formed on the recording paper are not maintained at a right angle, and all the corners become right angles. In this case, a rectangular print area is formed (see FIG. 2).
(A)).

Accordingly, a straight line connecting the vertex A and the vertex B of the four corners of the quadrangular print area (see FIG. 2A) is a scan of the printing apparatus.
The axis may not coincide with the axis, or the line connecting vertex A and vertex C may not coincide with the Feed axis of the printing apparatus.

When a recording sheet on which a print area in which all of the four corners are not maintained at a right angle is formed is placed in a cutting device (see FIG. 2B), the print area is set. A line connecting the reference point (vertex A) and the correction point 1 (vertex B) forms an angle θ with the scan axis of the cutting device, and the reference point (vertex A) and the correction point 2
(Vertex C) and the feed of the cutting device
The axis forms an angle φ and deviates from a rectangular coordinate system having the scanning axis and the feed axis of the cutting device as axes.

At this time, unlike the case where the print area has a rectangular shape, if the print area has a rectangular shape in which all the corners are not right angles, the reference point of the print area and the correction point 1 are connected. Straight line and cutting equipment S
The angle θ formed by the can axis and the angle φ formed by the straight line connecting the reference point and the correction point 2 and the Feed axis of the cutting device may be different, and are not necessarily equal.

However, according to the conventional cutting data correction method using two vertices, the straight line connecting the reference point and the correction point 1 is the angle θ between the scan axis of the cutting device and the reference point. Of the straight line connecting the cutting point and the correction point 2 with the Feed axis of the cutting device, and calculating the angle θ with respect to both the Scan axis and the Feed axis of the cutting device.
The cutting data is corrected by the minute (or φ minute).

For this reason, the cutting area indicated by the cutting data corrected by the conventional cutting data correction method using two vertices (see the dashed line area in FIG. 2B) is shifted to the cutting device. The set print area matches only in a limited area around a straight line connecting the reference point of the print area and the correction point 1 (or correction point 2), and does not match in the entire print area.

Therefore, due to the skewing or expansion and contraction of the recording paper,
If all four corners of the print area formed on the recording paper are not maintained at right angles, the cutting data corrected by the conventional method of correcting cutting data using two vertices may not be used. The area indicated by the corrected cutting data (see the dashed-dotted area in FIG. 2B) does not match the print area, and the cutting means cannot perform cutting suitable for the print area. There was a problem that it would be disconnected.

[0035]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned various problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a recording paper having a rectangular print area. The cutting data can be corrected so as to indicate an area coinciding with the print area not only when the print area is included but also when all four corners of the print area are not maintained at right angles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of correcting cutting data.

[0036]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a printing method is provided.
A first step of detecting four vertices on a recording sheet corresponding to a print area formed on the recording sheet according to the data, and a coordinate value in an area indicated by the cutting data indicating the same area as the area indicated by the print data With the first
A predetermined point among the four vertices detected in the step is used as a reference point, and two vertices adjacent to the reference point are used as correction points, and a rhombus-shaped area composed of the reference point and the two correction points is used. And a second step of moving to the quadrangular area connecting the four vertices detected in the first step after moving to the rhombic area.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the coordinate values in the area indicated by the cutting data indicating the same area as the area indicated by the print data are:
After being moved to a rhombus-shaped area consisting of a reference point and two correction points, it is moved to a quadrangular area connecting four vertices corresponding to a print area formed on recording paper, and the cutting data is corrected. Therefore, the area indicated by the corrected cutting data matches the print area actually formed on the recording paper.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the four vertices are close to the four vertices of a rectangular area indicated by the print data. And four crop marks formed according to predetermined data.

Therefore, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the coordinate values in the area indicated by the cutting data indicating the same area as the area indicated by the print data are:
The cutting data is moved to a quadrangular area having four crop marks corresponding to the print area formed on the recording paper as vertices, and the cutting data is corrected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the four vertexes correspond to rectangular areas indicated by print data in accordance with predetermined data. Four crop marks formed so as to be close to the four vertices, and opposition of the two sides so as to be close to two sides of the rectangular area indicated by the print data which coincide with the recording paper conveyance direction. And two or more crop marks formed at one or more pairs at the corresponding position may be four adjacent crop marks among the total of six or more crop marks.

Further, in the present invention according to any one of the first, second and third aspects, as in the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second step, The coordinate value in the area indicated by the cutting data is moved to a rhombic area according to a distance corresponding to the position on the scan axis side and the position on the feed axis side in the area indicated by the cutting data of the coordinate value, and After moving to the region of the shape, it may be moved to the region of the quadrangular shape.

[0042]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an example of a first embodiment of a cutting data correction method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural explanatory view of a cutting apparatus 10 for realizing an embodiment of a cutting data correcting method according to the present invention, and an embodiment of the cutting data correcting method according to the present invention. A block diagram of a control system that controls the entire operation of the cutting apparatus 10 that realizes an example is shown.

The cutting device 10 is provided with a fixed base member 12 extending in the scan axis direction of the cutting device 10 and right and left ends of the base member 12 at right angles to the base member 12. Side member 14L, 1
4R, a central wall 22 connecting the left and right side members 14L and 14R, a wire 24 arranged parallel to the wall surface of the central wall 22 and movably in the Scan axis direction, and opposed to the recording paper. The optical sensor 40 fixedly disposed on the wire 24, the cutting carriage 35 fixedly disposed on the wire 24, and the recording carriage 35 are disposed on the cutting carriage 35 so as to face the recording paper. It comprises a cutter 37 as a cutting means and an auto cutter 36 disposed on the front side of the cutting carriage 35 so as to face the recording paper.

Here, the optical sensor 40 scans the recording paper at a predetermined sampling rate. The resolution of the optical sensor 40 is such that a crop mark (described later) printed on the recording paper can be detected. belongs to.

The optical sensor 40 detects the reflected light from the recording paper, and the optical sensor 40 outputs an analog signal corresponding to the detected reflected light to an analog / digital converter (A / D) 110 described later. To do.

The auto cutter 36 separates (cuts) the recording paper in a predetermined area by moving while the blade portion of the cutter is in contact with the recording paper.

Then, the optical sensor 40 and the cutting carriage 35 fixedly disposed on the wire 24 are wound by a driving device (not shown) such as a motor so that the Sc of the cutting device 10
When the wire 24 moves in the an-axis direction, the wire 24 moves in the Scan-axis direction of the cutting device 10 along the wall surface of the central wall 22.

Accordingly, the cutter 37 fixedly disposed on the cutting carriage 35 moves on the recording paper in the Scan axis direction of the cutting device 10 with the movement of the cutting carriage 35.

In the cutting apparatus 10, the recording paper is conveyed along a feed axis of the cutting apparatus 10 (see a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3).

The cutting apparatus 10 for realizing an embodiment of the cutting data correcting method according to the present invention performs the entire operation including the drive control of the motor for winding the wire 24 by the microcomputer 100. Controlled.

The microcomputer 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 102 for executing processing in accordance with a program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) 104, which will be described later, and a ROM 104 storing programs executed by the CPU 102. , A cutting data storage unit 106-1 for storing cutting data (described later) used when the cutting apparatus 10 operates under the control of the CPU 102, and a mark obtained by operating the cutting apparatus 10 under the control of the CPU 102. A random access memory in which an area as a working area when the operation of the cutting apparatus 10 is performed under the control of the CPU 102 such as a mark data storage unit 106-2 for storing data (described later) is set. It is configured to include a memory (RAM) 106.

Then, the microcomputer 100
Converts an analog signal output from the optical sensor 40 into a digital signal and converts the analog signal into a digital signal.
-To-analog converter (A / D) 110 for output to
Is connected.

When the recording paper is cut using the above-described cutting device 10, a feed shaft (FIG. 3) of the cutting device 10 is fed by a paper feeding device (not shown).
Of the cutter 37 disposed on the cutting carriage 35 along with the movement of the wire 24 by winding the wire 24 on the recording paper conveyed along the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper. Is moved along the Scan axis of the cutting device 10 in a state in which the recording paper is in contact with the recording paper, and the recording paper in a predetermined area is cut.

At this time, by changing the direction of the blade portion of the cutter 37 automatically, or by arranging a plurality of cutters 37 with the blade portions oriented in different directions, The position where the cutting of the recording paper is performed by the blade portion of the cutter 37 is determined by the F of the cutting device 10.
Not only the direction along the feed axis or scan axis,
The direction can be any direction in an orthogonal coordinate system having the Feed axis and the Scan axis of the cutting device 10 as axes.

In the above configuration, an outline of the processing for correcting the cutting data by the cutting data correcting method according to the present invention will be described. In the printing apparatus, a print area and four crop marks 1 according to the print data are described. The recording paper on which 2, 3 and 4 are formed is disposed in the cutting device 10 and the cutting device 1
The zero optical sensor 40 detects four crop marks 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the recording paper to acquire mark data, and corrects cutting data from the acquired mark data.

Here, the recording paper provided in the above-described cutting device 10 and subjected to predetermined cutting will be described. A printing area is formed on the recording paper by predetermined printing according to predetermined printing data. In addition, four crop marks are also printed (see FIG. 4A).

For details of the printing apparatus for performing predetermined printing on recording paper and the print data used in the printing apparatus, see the printing apparatus and the print data described in the above-mentioned section of "prior art". Therefore, the above description is referred to (see FIGS. 1 and 2).

On the other hand, the crop marks 1, 2, 3, and 4 are defined on the recording paper according to the predetermined data at the start of the predetermined printing according to the print data in the printing apparatus and at the end of the predetermined printing. The four corners (4) of the print area are added to the margin area of the outer edge of the print area on the recording paper formed according to the print data.
(The two vertices).

Here, the print area formed together with the crop mark on the recording paper has a rectangular shape in which all four corners of the print area have a right angle, as described in detail in the above-mentioned "Prior Art" section. Or a case in which the four corners of the print area are not maintained at a right angle due to skew or expansion and contraction of the recording paper, resulting in a square shape (the state shown in FIG. 4A). .

Accordingly, the position of the crop mark formed close to the four corners of the print area differs between the case where the print area is rectangular and the case where the print area is square. Will change accordingly.

In this way, the print area and crop
After the recording paper on which the marks have been formed is subjected to predetermined printing by a printing device, the above-described cutting device 10 is used.
And the cutting is performed according to the cutting data (see FIG. 4B).

The cutting data used in the cutting apparatus 10 is as follows.
The details are stored in the data storage unit 106-1, and the details thereof are the same as the details of the cutting data described in the section of the above-mentioned “Prior Art”, so the above description will be referred to.

When the recording paper is placed on the cutting device 10, first, four crop marks 1, 2, 3, 4 on the recording paper are detected by the optical sensor 40 of the cutting device 10, and the mark Data is acquired and stored in the mark data storage unit 106-2.

More specifically, in the printing apparatus, the recording paper on which the print area and the four crop marks 1, 2, 3, 4 are formed is fed by the feed axis of the cutting apparatus 10 (refer to the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3). The optical sensor 40 is conveyed along with the recording paper while facing the recording paper.
It moves along the Scan axis with the movement of the wire 24 by winding the wire 24.

At this time, the reflected light from the margin area where the crop mark on the recording paper facing the optical sensor 40 is located is detected by the optical sensor 40.

Then, from the optical sensor 40, at a predetermined sampling rate, an analog signal indicating a change in the voltage value according to the intensity of the reflected light detected by the optical sensor 40 is output to the A / D 110, and the analog signal is output. The signal is converted into a digital signal by D110, and the digital signal is output to the microcomputer 100.

Then, from the A / D 110, the micro
The digital signal output to the computer 100 is C
Processed by the PU 102, the crop mark 1,
The mark data is stored in the mark data storage unit 106-2 as mark data for specifying positions on recording papers 2, 3, and 4.

Using the mark data thus obtained, that is, four crop marks 1, 2, 3, and 4,
Performing diamond axis correction and square axis correction,
This is to correct the data.

First, the rhombus axis correction will be described. FIG. 5 shows a cutting area and a mark indicated by cutting data before correction in an orthogonal coordinate system of the cutting apparatus 10 using the Scan axis and the Feed axis as axes.・
An explanatory diagram showing an area indicated by data is shown.

Here, the cutting data storage unit 10
The area indicated by the cutting data before correction stored in 6-1; that is, the cutting area (see the dashed line area in FIG. 5) is the same area as the print area indicated by the print data in the printing apparatus.

The S in the rectangular cutting area
Assuming that the length on the can axis side is CutSizeS and the length on the Feed axis side is CutSizeF, the four vertices of the cutting area are each a vertex A where the vertex of the coordinate value (0, 0) is located at the lower right of the print area. The vertex of the coordinate value (CutSizeS, 0) corresponds to the vertex B located at the lower left of the print area, and the coordinate value (0, CutSiz, 0).
The vertex of eF) corresponds to the vertex C located at the upper right of the print area, and has coordinate values (CutSizeS, CutSize).
The vertex of F) corresponds to the vertex D located at the upper left of the print area.

On the other hand, the area indicated by the mark data (see the solid line area in FIG. 5), ie, four crop marks 1
The quadrangular area having the vertices 2, 3, and 4 is the same area as the print area formed on the recording paper by actually performing predetermined printing according to the print data.

Here, the crop area close to the vertex A located at the lower right of the print area actually formed on the recording paper
With the mark 1 as the reference point, the crop mark 2 close to the vertex B located at the lower left of the print area is set as the correction point 1,
The crop mark 3 near the vertex C located at the upper right of the print area is the correction point 2, and the crop mark 4 near the vertex D located at the upper left of the print area is the correction point 3.
And

Then, a length WIDscan connecting the reference point and the correction point 1 and a length LENfeed connecting the reference point and the correction point 2 are calculated.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reference point indicated by the mark data is the coordinate value (0, 0) of the cutting area in the orthogonal coordinate system of the cutting apparatus 10 having the Scan axis and the Feed axis as axes. And the angle θ formed by a straight line connecting the reference point and the correction point 1 and the Scan axis of the cutting device 10, and a straight line connecting the reference point and the correction point 2 and the cutting device 10 An angle φ between the scan axis and the scan axis is calculated.

Using the lengths WIDscan, LENfeed, the angle θ and the angle φ calculated from the mark data, first, the reference point and two correction points 1 and 2 adjacent to the reference point are corrected. Perform diamond axis correction at three vertices.

The diamond-shaped axis correction is performed by using coordinate values X (CutS, CuS) in a cutting area (see a dashed line area in FIG. 5).
tF) is moved to a rhombus-shaped area (see a broken line area in FIG. 5) including a reference point and two correction points 1 and 2 adjacent to the reference point.

The length C of the cutting area on the Scan axis side
When utSizeS is distance-corrected to the length WIDscan of a straight line connecting the reference point and the correction point 1, the distance correction value CompensS on the Scan axis side is obtained using the following equation 1.

[0080]

(Equation 1) (Equation 1) On the other hand, the length CutS on the Feed axis side of the cutting area.
sizeF is the length LE of a straight line connecting the reference point and the correction point 2
When the distance is corrected to Nfeed, the distance correction value CompensF on the Feed axis side is obtained using the following Expression 2.

[0081]

(Equation 2) (2) Therefore, the coordinate value X (CutS, C
utF) is corrected to a rhombus-shaped area (see the broken line area in FIG. 5) including the reference point, the correction point 1 and the correction point 2, and the coordinate value X ′ (CutS ′, CutF ′) is

[Equation 3] ... Equation 3

(Equation 4) ... Formula 4

The coordinates (CutSiz) of the cutting area corresponding to the vertex D located at the upper left of the print area
eS, CutSizeF) is a rhombus-shaped area composed of a reference point, a correction point 1 and a correction point 2 (see a broken line area in FIG. 5).
Coordinate values (CutSizeS ', Cu
tSizeF ') is

(Equation 5) ... Equation 5

(Equation 6) ... Formula 6

The coordinate value X (Cut) in the cutting area (see the dashed-dotted area in FIG. 5) is obtained by such rhombic axis correction.
S, CutF) is a reference point and a correction point 1 in accordance with a distance corresponding to the position on the Scan axis side and the position on the Feed axis side in the cutting area (see the dashed-dotted area in FIG. 5) of the coordinate value X (CutS, CutF). After being moved to a rhombus-shaped area (see the broken line area in FIG. 5) including the correction point 3 and the correction point 3, the quadrangle axis correction at four vertices is further performed using the correction point 3.

The square axis correction will be described in detail. In the square axis correction of the cutting data, the distance correction value CompRectS on the Scan axis side is calculated as follows.
It is calculated using the following equation (7).

[0085]

(Equation 7) (Equation 7) On the other hand, the distance correction value CompRectF on the Feed axis side
Is calculated using the following equation (8).

[0086]

(Equation 8) ... Equation 8 Therefore, the cutting area (see the dashed-dotted area in FIG. 5)
Is the coordinate value X (CutS, CutF) in the coordinate value X (C
utS, CutF) in the cutting area (see the dashed-dotted area in FIG. 5) on the Scan axis side and F
The coordinate value X ″ when the pixel is moved to a quadrangular area (see the solid line area in FIG. 5) including the reference point, the correction point 1, the correction point 2, and the correction point 3 according to the distance corresponding to the position on the side of the seed axis (CutS ″, CutF ″) is

(Equation 9) ... Equation 9

(Equation 10) ... Equation 10

In this way, the rectangular area (see the dashed-dotted area in FIG. 5) indicated by the cutting data before correction is marked by the diamond axis correction and the square axis correction.
The area indicated by the data (see the solid line area in FIG. 5), that is, a square area having four crop marks as vertices, and the corrected cutting data is stored in the cutting data storage unit 106-1. Is done.

Therefore, the cutting data storage unit 10
The cutting data stored in 6-1 is the corrected cutting data. The area indicated by the corrected cutting data is the area indicated by the mark data (see the solid line area in FIG. 5), that is, the print area. The print area matches the print area (see FIG. 4B) formed on the recording paper by performing the predetermined printing according to the data.

When cutting is performed in the cutting apparatus 10 in accordance with the corrected cutting data, the area indicated by the corrected cutting data is shifted by the angle θ to the scan axis side in the cutting apparatus 10 by the angle θ.
A straight line connecting the vertex A and the vertex B of the print area (a straight line connecting the reference point and the correction point 1), which coincides with the print area of the recording paper disposed at the ed axis side shifted by φ degrees.
Does not match the Scan axis of the cutting device 10, or the straight line connecting the vertex A and the vertex C of the print area (the straight line connecting the reference point and the correction point 2) matches the Feed axis of the cutting device 10. Even if the recording paper is not provided (that is, even when the recording paper is disposed in the cutting device in a state as shown in FIG. 4B), the cutter 37 cuts the print paper in accordance with the print area.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the cutting data correcting method according to the present invention, when a predetermined printing is performed according to the print data in the printing apparatus, the printing data is actually printed on the recording paper. Crop marks 1, 2, 3, and 4 are formed close to the four corners of the print area to be formed, and a quadrangular shape having the four crop marks 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the recording paper as vertices. Since the cutting data is corrected in the area (see the solid line area in FIG. 5), the area indicated by the corrected cutting data is formed on the recording paper by actually performing predetermined printing according to the print data. This is the same as the printed area.

Therefore, according to the cutting data correction method of the present invention, predetermined printing is performed in accordance with the print data, and the print area actually formed on the recording paper has four corners of the print area. Correction is made in either case of a rectangular shape having a right angle, or a case in which all four corners of the print area are not maintained at a right angle due to skew or expansion and contraction of the recording paper and become a square shape. The area indicated by the obtained cutting data coincides with the print area on the recording paper, and the cutter 37 serving as cutting means of the cutting apparatus 10 is used.
As a result, cutting suitable for the print area is performed.

Next, a second embodiment of the cutting data correction method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

In the second embodiment, the first of the above-described cutting data correction methods according to the present invention.
In the embodiment of the present invention, four crop marks are formed close to the four corners (ie, vertex A, vertex B, vertex C, vertex D) of the print area on the recording paper (FIG. 4). (A)), four crop marks are formed near the four corners (four vertices) of the print area on the recording paper, and two crop marks are formed along the feed axis of the printing apparatus.
Two or more are different from each other (see FIG. 6A).

That is, in the second embodiment,
According to the predetermined data, at the start of the predetermined printing according to the print data in the printing device, at the end of the predetermined printing, and further, during the predetermined printing, the crop mark is formed and recorded. Six or more crop marks will be printed on the paper.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the position of a crop mark indicated by predetermined data for forming a crop mark and a print area indicated by print data.

More specifically, predetermined data for forming a crop mark includes a scan axis of the printing apparatus and a feed axis.
This corresponds to a print area indicated by print data in an orthogonal coordinate system having the d axis as an axis.

That is, S at which a crop mark is formed
The positions on the scan axis side are both ends of the range s corresponding to the length Ws of the print area indicated by the print data in the scan axis direction, and the Fee where the crop mark is formed.
The position on the d-axis side is within a range f corresponding to the length Wf of the print area indicated by the print data in the Feed axis direction.

Further, F in which a crop mark is formed
Within the range f on the side of the feed axis, a pair of crop marks are provided so as to have the same coordinate value in the direction of the feed axis for each predetermined range (see the range f1, range f2, and range f3 shown in FIG. 7). Is set at the position where is formed.

Therefore, the crop mark is located close to the four corners (four vertices) of the print area in the margin area at the outer edge of the print area on the recording paper formed in accordance with the print data by the predetermined data as described above. In addition to the above, the two adjacent right and left sides of the print area are arranged along the feed axis of the printing apparatus so as to be close to the two sides.
A predetermined interval (a range f1 shown in FIG.
One or more pairs are formed at intervals corresponding to the range f2 and the range f3.

When the length Wf of the print area in the direction of the feed axis becomes several hundred cm due to the fact that the printing apparatus performs long printing, etc.
The range f1, range f2, and range f3 shown in FIG. 7 may each be set to several tens of cm, or the number of divisions may be increased according to the length Wf.

After the recording paper on which six or more crop marks have been formed in this way is subjected to predetermined printing by a printing device, the above-described cutting device 1
0, the cutting is performed according to the cutting data (see FIG. 6B).

At this time, in the second embodiment of the cutting data correction method according to the present invention, a printing area is stored in a printing apparatus in accordance with print data.
When the recording paper on which one or more crop marks are formed is placed in the cutting device 10, mark data acquisition and cutting are performed for each quadrangular area having four adjacent crop marks as vertices. The correction of the data and the cutting in accordance with the corrected cutting data are performed, and such processing is repeatedly performed for a quadrangular region having four adjacent crop marks as vertices.

For example, as shown in FIGS.
In addition to forming four crop marks 1, 2, 7, 8 near the four corners of the print area in the printing device, four crop marks 3, 4, 5 along the feed axis of the printing device. , 6 are formed, and a total of eight crop marks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 are formed in the print area corresponding to the print data.

In this case, the quadrangular region having four adjacent crop marks as vertices includes a quadrangular region 1 having the crop marks 1, 2, 3, and 4 as vertices.
And a rectangular area 2 having the vertices of the crop marks 3, 4, 5, 6 and a rectangular area 3 having the vertices of the crop marks 5, 6, 7, and 8. .

That is, when there are a total of n crop marks (where "n" is an even number of 4 or more) for the print area corresponding to the print data, four adjacent crop marks are added. There will be n / 2-1 quadrangular regions serving as vertices.

At this time, in the second embodiment of the cutting data correcting method according to the present invention, a predetermined number of areas (FIG. 7A) are formed by forming four or more crop marks. In response to the presence of the areas 1, 2 and 3 shown in b), the entire area of the print area indicated by the print data is defined as a quadrangular area having the four adjacent crop marks as vertices. It becomes possible to make a set of unit areas corresponding to each.

In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the boundaries of the unit areas of the print area corresponding to the respective quadrangular areas having four adjacent crop marks as vertices are indicated by broken lines in the print area. Although schematically shown, such unit area boundaries are not necessarily formed on actual recording paper.

Then, mark data is obtained for each quadrangular area having four adjacent crop marks as vertices.
When the optical sensor 40 detects the four crop marks adjacent to the crop marks 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the opposing recording paper, the mark data for the area 1 is obtained. Is obtained.

Note that the details of the process of acquiring the mark data are the same as the details of the acquisition of the mark data described in the first embodiment, so the above description will be referred to. .

Then, using the acquired mark data for the area 1, the crop mark 1 is used as a reference point, the crop mark 2 is used as a correction point 1, and
With the mark 3 as the correction point 2 and the crop mark 4 as the correction point 3, the cutting data is corrected by diamond-axis correction and square-axis correction.

However, the cutting data corrected using the mark data for the area 1 is the cutting data (see FIG. 8A) stored in the cutting data storage section 106-1. , Area 1
Are only the print data indicating the unit area of the print area corresponding to the print data and the cutting data corresponding to the print data.

That is, in the second embodiment of the cutting data correction method according to the present invention, four or more crop marks are formed so that the print area is composed of a set of unit areas. , Cutting data correction is also performed in the area indicated by the mark data (FIG. 6).
This is performed for each piece of cutting data corresponding to the unit area of the print area corresponding to (area 1, area 2, area 3 shown in (a) and (b)).

The processing for correcting the cutting data by the rhombus axis correction and the square axis correction using the acquired mark data is described in detail in the cutting data described in the first embodiment. Since the details of the correction are as described above, the above description will be referred to.

The print data indicating the print area corresponding to the area 1 and the area indicated by the corrected cutting data corresponding to the print data are composed of four adjacent crop marks 1, 2, 3, 4. This matches the unit area of the print area corresponding to the area 1 indicated by the mark data.

When cutting is performed in the cutting apparatus 10 in accordance with the corrected cutting data, the area indicated by the corrected cutting data becomes
The unit area of the print area corresponding to the area 1 of the print area of the recording paper arranged in the cutting device 10 is matched, and only a part of the print area (the unit area corresponding to the area 1) is controlled by the cutter 37. The cutting is performed according to

In this way, the four crop marks adjacent to the crop marks 1, 2, 3, and 4 on the recording paper are detected to obtain the mark data for the area 1, and the mark data for the area 1 is obtained. Using the data, only the print data indicating the unit area of the print area corresponding to the area 1 and the corresponding cutting data are corrected, and the area 1 of the print area is corrected according to the corrected cutting data. After cutting only the unit area of the corresponding print area, four crop marks adjacent to the crop marks 3, 4, 5, and 6 on the recording paper are detected and the mark data for the area 2 is detected. get.

Then, using the acquired mark data for the area 2, the crop mark 3 is used as the reference point, the crop mark 4 is used as the correction point 1, the crop mark 5 is used as the correction point 2, and the crop mark 5 is used. Mark 6 at correction point 3
, The cutting data is corrected.

At this time, the correction of the cutting data is performed in the same manner as in the case of the area 1 described above, and the unit of the print area corresponding to the area 2 in the print area according to the corrected cutting data. Only the region is cut.

Further, after the cutting of only the unit area of the print area corresponding to each of the area 1 and the area 2, the crop marks 5, 6, 7, and
8 adjacent four crop marks are detected to obtain mark data for the area 3, and the obtained mark data for the area 3 is used to set the crop mark 5 as a reference point to obtain the crop mark. 6 as a correction point 1, a crop mark 7 as a correction point 2, and a crop mark 8 as a correction point 3, the cutting data is corrected in the same manner as in the above-described areas 1 and 2. According to the corrected cutting data, only the unit area of the print area corresponding to the area 3 of the print area is cut. As described above, in the second embodiment of the cutting data correction method according to the present invention, six or more crop marks are formed on recording paper in accordance with predetermined data. For each quadrangular area having four crop marks as vertices, that is, for each unit area of a print area corresponding to each quadrangular area having four adjacent crop marks as vertices, the mark data is The acquired cutting data is corrected based on the acquired mark data, and the cutting is performed according to only a part (unit area) of the print area according to the corrected cutting data.

Further, in the above-described second embodiment of the cutting data correcting method according to the present invention,
For each quadrangular area having four adjacent crop marks as vertices, (1) acquisition of mark data, (2) correction of cutting data, and (3) according to corrected cutting data. Cutting is performed, and the three processes (1) to (3) are repeated for a quadrangular region having four adjacent crop marks as vertices. (1) Mark data , And (2) correction of the cutting data are performed only on the quadrangular region having four adjacent crop marks as vertices, and (3) according to the corrected cutting data. The cutting may be performed on the entire print area.

For example, in FIG. 9A, it is not possible to maintain that all four corners of the print area are right angles due to skew or expansion and contraction of the recording paper. The entire print area which is meandering and curved or distorted so as not to be approximated by a square shape is shown in an extremely distorted manner for ease of explanation.

With respect to the print area distorted in such a distorted shape (see FIG. 9A), the four corners (ie, vertex A, vertex B, vertex C, and vertex D) of the print area are close to each other. When only four crop marks are formed, the first of the above-described cutting data correction methods according to the present invention.
In some cases, the cutting area indicated by the cutting data corrected in the same manner as in the embodiment may be an area slightly different from the print area on the recording paper.

However, as in the above-described second embodiment, six or more crop marks are formed in a print area distorted in an irregular manner (FIG. 9A).
(See (c)), only two processes, (1) acquisition of mark data and (2) correction of cutting data, are performed for each quadrangular region having four adjacent crop marks as vertices.

Then, after the cutting data corrected for each quadrangular area having the vertices of four adjacent crop marks is obtained for the entire print area, the corrected cutting data for the entire print area is obtained.・ Disconnect according to the data.

In this manner, the entire area of the print area distorted in a distorted manner so as not to be approximated by a rectangular shape is approximated for each rectangular area having four adjacent crop marks as vertices. Will be cut in accordance with the print area.

In the above embodiment, the cutting data is corrected using all the crop marks detected by the cutting device. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Therefore, the correction of the cutting data may be performed without using all the detected crop marks on the recording paper.

For example, depending on the degree of skew and expansion / contraction of the recording paper, one or more pairs of crops are formed at predetermined positions at opposite positions on the right and left sides of the print area along the feed axis of the printing apparatus. By skipping marks one by one, the processing of correcting the cutting data can be performed using a smaller number of crop marks than the crop marks actually formed on the recording paper. can do.

In the above-described embodiment, the recording paper on which the print area and the crop mark are formed in the printing apparatus is cut by the cutting apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Of course, if the print data and the cutting data correspond to each other, for example, a printing unit is provided in the cutting apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 to form a print area and a crop mark. 1 for cutting the recording paper
It may be performed in one device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where a print area formed according to print data in a printing apparatus is rectangular, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a case where a rectangular print area illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which formed recording paper is provided in a cutting device.

FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where a print area formed in accordance with print data in a printing apparatus has a rectangular shape, and FIG. 2B illustrates a case where the rectangular print area illustrated in FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which formed recording paper is provided in a cutting device, and an area indicated by cutting data corrected by a conventional cutting data correction method using two vertices.

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural explanatory view showing a cutting apparatus for realizing an embodiment of a cutting data correction method according to the present invention, and realizes an embodiment of the cutting data correction method according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a control system that controls the entire operation of the cutting apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of a cutting data correction method according to the present invention, in which (a) shows four crop marks formed in a printing apparatus and formed in accordance with print data. FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the printed area is a quadrangular shape, and FIG.
FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a recording sheet on which four crop marks and a rectangular print area shown in FIG. 3A are formed in a cutting device, and a cutting area indicated by cutting data before correction. is there.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a cutting system before correction in an orthogonal coordinate system using a scanning axis and a feed axis as axes of the cutting apparatus.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a cutting area indicated by data and an area indicated by mark data.

6A and 6B are explanatory diagrams showing a second embodiment of a cutting data correction method according to the present invention, in which FIG. 6A shows a printing apparatus in which four or more crop marks are formed and according to the print data; FIG. 9B is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where the formed print area has a rectangular shape, and FIG.
FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a recording sheet on which four or more crop marks and a rectangular print area shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a position of a crop mark indicated by predetermined data for forming a crop mark and a print area indicated by print data.

FIG. 8A shows a second embodiment of the cutting data correction method according to the present invention, in which FIG.
FIG. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing a rectangular area having two crop marks as vertices in correspondence with a rectangular area. FIG.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a rectangular area having two crop marks as vertexes in correspondence with the rectangular area;

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing another embodiment of the cutting data correction method according to the present invention, in which (a) shows a printing apparatus in which six or more crop marks are formed and formed according to the print data. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a case where the printed print area is distorted into irregular shapes, and FIG.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing cutting areas indicated by cutting data in which four crop marks are formed in the printing apparatus and corrected from the four crop marks, and FIG. 9C is a diagram illustrating six or more crops in the printing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cutting area which the cutting data which the mark was formed and the cutting data corrected from the said six or more crop marks shows is shown.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Crop mark 10 Cutting device 12 Base member 14L, 14R Side member 22 Central wall 24 Wire 35 Cutting carriage 36 Auto cutter 37 Cutter 40 Optical sensor 100 Micro · Computer 102 Central control unit (CPU) 104 Read only memory (ROM) 106 Random access memory (RA)
M) 106-1 Cutting data storage unit 106-2 Mark data storage unit 110 Analog / digital converter (A / D)

Claims (4)

[Claims] A first step of detecting four vertices on a recording sheet corresponding to a print area formed on the recording sheet according to the print data; and cutting data indicating the same area as the area indicated by the print data. The coordinate values in the region indicated by the reference point, a predetermined point among the four vertices detected in the first step as a reference point, two vertices adjacent to the reference point as a correction point, the reference point and A second step of moving to a diamond-shaped area consisting of the two correction points, moving to the diamond-shaped area, and then moving to a quadrangular area connecting the four vertices detected in the first step; And a method for correcting cutting data. 2. The method of correcting cutting data according to claim 1, wherein the four vertices are formed in accordance with predetermined data so as to be close to the four vertices of a rectangular area indicated by the print data. Correction method for cutting data, which is four crop marks. 3. The method of correcting cutting data according to claim 1, wherein the four vertices are printed and printed according to predetermined data.
Four crop marks formed so as to approach the four vertices of the rectangular area indicated by the data, and two crop marks adjacent to the two sides of the rectangular area indicated by the print data that match the recording paper conveyance direction. A total of two or more crop marks formed at one or more pairs at opposite positions of the two sides in this manner is a total of six or more crop marks. Correction method. 4. The method of correcting cutting data according to claim 1, wherein in the second step, coordinate values in an area indicated by the cutting data are used. Is moved to a rhombic area according to a distance corresponding to the position on the scan axis side and the position on the feed axis side in the area indicated by the cutting data of the coordinate values, and after moving to the rhombic area, the rectangular shape is moved. The method of correcting cutting data that moves to the area of.