JP2004243328A - Set data management method and computer program for laser marker - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a set data management method for a laser marker which enables a user to swiftly find and read desired set data and to provide a computer program therefor. <P>SOLUTION: As for each of a plurality of set data prepared per printing contents such as the kind, size, position and direction of the letters or marks to be printed, thumbnail pictures obtained by reducing pictures showing printing contents are stored in a memory, and in a window for set data selection by a user, the thumbnail pictures of a plurality of set data stored in the memory are read out and displayed side by side. The method further comprises a step wherein the pictures showing the printing contents of the set data are displayed on the window, and part of the picture is cut out in a region designated by the user and is reduced to produce each thumbnail picture. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a laser marker setting data management method and a computer program for printing characters and the like on the surface of resin, wood, metal or the like using laser light.
[0002]
[Prior art]
This type of laser marker heats the surface of an object such as resin, wood, or metal with a laser beam emitted from a carbon dioxide laser or YAG laser, and locally discolors or deforms the surface to print characters or the like ( Marking or simply printing).
[0003]
As a method of deflecting the laser beam so that the spot of the laser beam moves along the surface of the object along the character to be printed, a method called vector scan is usually used. This is a method of moving an irradiation spot of a laser beam along a character or a line drawing by simultaneously controlling the deflection in the X direction and the Y direction of the laser beam using a galvanometer mirror. In order to perform printing efficiently and in a short time, a trajectory with a single stroke is selected as much as possible.
[0004]
The laser marker usually includes a head unit and a controller unit, and a laser oscillator and a laser deflection device (galvano mirror) are built in the head unit. The controller unit includes a control microcomputer and a memory for storing setting data and font data. The setting data includes information such as the type and size of characters and marks to be printed, the printing position, and the printing direction.
[0005]
Setting data given to the controller unit from the console or an external computer is temporarily stored in the memory. The microcomputer of the controller unit reads the setting data and generates expanded data when executing the printing process. That is, development data including line segment data and laser control data for defining a locus that the laser beam should follow is generated from the setting data regarding the print contents and the font data.
[0006]
The generated development data is transferred from the controller unit to the head unit. In the head unit, the galvanometer mirror is controlled based on the line segment data included in the received development data, and laser on / off control is performed based on the laser control data. Thus, printing is performed on the surface of the object with the laser beam.
[0007]
Setting data relating to print contents is usually created using a console or personal computer having a display device connected to the controller unit, and management such as editing and storage is performed. At this time, each setting data is stored with an appropriate name, that is, a file name by the user. For example, a file name for easily identifying the contents of the setting data is attached to the setting data and saved.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the amount of setting data to be created and managed (saved) increases, it becomes difficult to identify the contents of the setting data, that is, the print contents from the file name. There are limits to the user's memory and there are individual differences. In order to read out the desired setting data, it is often repeated that the setting data of the file name that seems to be read out is displayed on the screen, and if it is different, the setting data of another file name is read out.
[0009]
In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a laser marker setting data management method and a computer program that allow a user to quickly find and read desired setting data.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The method of the present invention is a laser marker that performs printing on the surface of an object using laser light, and a plurality of setting data generated for each print content such as the type, size, position, and direction of characters or marks to be printed. For each of a plurality of setting data, a step of storing in a storage device a thumbnail image obtained by reducing an image indicating print contents and selecting setting data to be used by a user And a step of reading thumbnail images of a plurality of setting data stored in the storage device and displaying them side by side.
[0011]
According to such a configuration, the contents of each setting data are displayed side by side as thumbnail images, compared to the case where the user selects setting data from the file name depending on the memory as in the prior art. Makes it easier to find.
[0012]
In a preferred embodiment, the method of the present invention further displays an image representing the print contents of the setting data on the screen of the display device, and cuts out a portion of the image in a region specified by the user (ie, reduces the number of pixels). To generate a thumbnail image. Although it is possible to reduce the image (full image) representing the print content as a default image as a thumbnail image as a default, a blank portion around the print character (or mark) is excluded, or one of the print character (or mark) is displayed. By generating a thumbnail image by cutting out a portion, it is possible to create a thumbnail image that is easy for the user to identify.
[0013]
In addition, the computer program of the present invention is a laser marker that performs printing on the surface of an object using laser light, and a plurality of the programs generated for each print content such as the type, size, position, and direction of characters or marks to be printed. In order to manage the setting data, a computer program to be executed by a computer connected to the laser marker is stored in the storage device in association with a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image indicating the print contents for each of the plurality of setting data. And a step of reading thumbnail images of a plurality of setting data stored in the storage device and displaying them side by side on a selection display screen for selecting setting data to be used by the user, and setting data selected by the user. And transmitting to the laser marker.
[0014]
According to such a configuration, setting data including print contents can be created and stored using a computer connected to the laser marker, and setting data to be used can be read and edited, or transmitted to the laser marker. When selecting the setting data to be used, the user can quickly find a desired image from thumbnail images displayed side by side on the screen.
[0015]
In a preferred embodiment, the computer program of the present invention further displays an image representing the print contents of the setting data on the screen of the display device, and cuts out a portion of the image in a region specified by the user to reduce the thumbnail image. Generating. A thumbnail image that can be easily identified by the user can be generated by generating a thumbnail image by removing a blank portion around the print character (or mark) or by cutting a part of the print character (or mark).
[0016]
Such a computer program is supplied in a state of being stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and installed in the computer from the storage medium and executed.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0018]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a laser marker according to an embodiment of the present invention. The laser marker includes a head unit 1 and a controller unit 2, both of which are connected by a cable 4. A console (display / operation console) 3 using a liquid crystal display and a touch panel is connected to the controller unit 2 by a cable 5. The head unit 1 includes a laser oscillator 11 and a laser deflection device 12.
[0019]
The laser oscillator 11 is a laser tube using a carbon dioxide gas laser or a YAG laser. The laser deflection device 12 includes a two-dimensional galvanometer mirror 12a and a condenser lens (fθ lens) 12b. The laser beam LB emitted from the laser oscillator 11 is deflected in the X direction and the Y direction (two-dimensionally) by the galvano mirror 12a and is condensed on the surface of the work (workpiece) WK by the condenser lens 12b. In this way, desired characters and symbols can be printed on the surface of the workpiece WK.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of the laser marker according to the embodiment of the present invention. The head unit 1 includes a line receiver 13, a data restoration / timing adjustment unit 14, a D / A converter 15, and a galvano control unit 16 in addition to the laser oscillator 11 and the laser deflection device 12.
[0021]
The controller unit 2 includes a processing unit (MPU) 21, a static RAM (SRAM) 22, a font data memory (ROM) 23, a dynamic RAM (DRAM) 24, and a line driver 25. The processing device 21 stores setting data related to the print contents received from the console 3 in the SRAM 22 and generates expanded data from the setting data and font data and stores it in the DRAM 24. Note that the process of generating expanded data from setting data and font data is referred to as expanded process.
[0022]
The SRAM 22 can retain the stored contents even when the power is turned off by battery backup. The SRAM 22 is used for storing setting data received from the console 3 or the like. The setting data includes information on print contents such as the type, size, position, and direction of characters or marks to be printed.
[0023]
The font data memory 23 stores font data of various characters and marks used for printing. By managing this font data as common data for printing contents, the information amount of each setting data can be reduced. Therefore, the font data memory 23 is referred to when the development data is generated from the setting data.
[0024]
The DRAM 24 is a volatile memory in which stored contents disappear when the power is turned off. The expanded data generated from the setting data is temporarily stored in the DRAM 24. The development data is time-series data composed of a plurality of bits including line segment data defining a locus that the laser beam should follow for printing and laser control data for laser on / off control. Note that the amount of decompressed data is larger than the print content setting data, and the number of decompressed data that can be stored in the DRAM 24 is limited.
[0025]
The console 3 includes a slot in which the memory card 31 can be attached and detached and a read / write interface. Setting data relating to print contents input from the console 3 can be stored in the memory card 31 and read out and transmitted to the controller unit 2 when necessary. In addition, setting data created by an external computer or the like can be transferred from the console 3 to the controller unit 2 via the memory card 31.
[0026]
It is also possible to connect a personal computer 32 to the controller unit 2. As a connection interface, an RS232C serial port, a parallel port, a USB port, an IEEE 1394 port, or the like is used. With the dedicated software installed in the personal computer 32, setting data for the controller unit 2 can be created and managed using the screen of the personal computer 32, a full keyboard, a mouse, or the like.
[0027]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the personal computer 32 connected to the controller unit 2 of the laser marker. The personal computer 32 is a display device 51 such as a CRT or LCD, a keyboard 52, a mouse (may be another pointing device) 53, a communication interface 54 such as an RS232C serial port, a parallel port, and a USB port, a CPU 55, and a semiconductor storage medium. A main memory 56, a fixed disk device 57 as an auxiliary storage device, and a removable disk device 58 are provided.
[0028]
Dedicated software (computer program) for creating and managing laser marker setting data is supplied in a state of being stored in a storage medium 59 such as a CD-ROM, and a removable disk device 58 such as a CD-ROM drive device. Is read from the storage medium 59 and installed in the fixed disk device 57. The dedicated software installed in the fixed disk device 57 is loaded into the main memory 56 and executed by the CPU 55. An example of setting data editing and management executed by the dedicated software will be described later.
[0029]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the unfolding process executed by the processing device 21 of the controller unit 2 of the laser marker. In step # 101, the processing device 21 reads setting data from the SRAM 22. In the subsequent step # 102, the font data read from the font data memory 23 is referred to, and the print characters and symbols included in the setting data are decomposed into a plurality of continuous processing curves (including straight lines). Each continuous processing curve is a continuous curve that moves the laser beam spot while continuously outputting the laser beam as in a single stroke.
[0030]
One continuous processing curve is represented as a set of a plurality of coordinates (corresponding to line segment data) for controlling the two-dimensional galvanometer mirror 12a of the laser deflecting device 12 at regular intervals. That is, one continuous machining curve is approximated by a plurality of line segments connected at a plurality of coordinates (bending points). Further, movement (deflection) from the end of one continuous processing curve to the start of the next continuous processing curve is performed in a state where the output of laser light is stopped (zero power).
[0031]
In the next step # 103, a plurality of continuous machining curves are rearranged. The processing order of the continuous processing curves is selected so that the movement of the laser light spot is most efficient, that is, the total moving distance including the zero power movement between the continuous processing curves is the shortest. In the subsequent step # 104, a movement path (line segment with a laser output of zero) from the end of one continuous processing curve to the start of the next continuous processing curve is generated and added.
[0032]
For example, the letter “B” can be drawn with one continuous processing curve like a single stroke. On the other hand, since the letter “A” cannot be drawn with a single stroke, it is decomposed into a first continuous machining curve (straight line) “∧” and a second continuous machining curve (straight line) “−”. In this case, a movement path from the end of the first continuous machining curve (straight line) “∧” to the beginning of the second continuous machining curve (straight line) “−” is generated and added. This movement path is also expressed as a set of a plurality of coordinate points (line segment data) for controlling the two-dimensional galvanometer mirror 12a of the laser deflecting device 12 at regular intervals.
[0033]
In subsequent step # 105, development data including time-series line segment data (X coordinate and Y coordinate data) and laser control data (laser output on / off distinction) is generated. In this way, the generated expansion data is temporarily written in the DRAM 24 in the next step # 106, and the expansion processing is completed.
[0034]
Thereafter, the processing device 21 reads the development data designated from the DRAM 24 in accordance with the print execution command, and transmits the development data to the head unit 1 via the line driver 25. As shown in FIG. 2, in the head unit 1 that has received the development data via the line receiver 13, the data restoration / timing adjustment unit 14 controls on / off of the laser oscillator 11 based on the laser control data included in the development data. And the data corresponding to the moving amount of the laser beam obtained from the line segment data is given to the D / A converter 15.
[0035]
The D / A converter 15 converts the data corresponding to the movement amount into an analog voltage and gives it to the galvano controller 16. The galvano controller 16 drives the two-dimensional galvanometer mirror 12a of the laser deflection device 12 in accordance with the applied analog voltage, thereby moving the beam spot of the laser beam to a predetermined position. In this way, the laser beam emitted from the laser oscillator 11 is sequentially deflected by the laser deflecting device 12, and the beam spot of the laser beam moves on the surface of the workpiece WK, so that desired characters, symbols, etc. are formed on the surface of the workpiece WK. Is printed.
[0036]
Next, an example of editing and management of setting data executed by the personal computer 32 connected to the controller unit 2 of the laser marker according to dedicated software (program) will be described.
[0037]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a selection display screen for selecting setting data used for editing or printing. In the selection display screen (window) 61, in the upper right part, a file such as setting data is transferred from the personal computer 32 to the controller 2 of the laser marker, transferred in the reverse direction, or the file name is changed. Buttons 62 to 64 are arranged. Below that, buttons 65 to 67 for copying, pasting or deleting files are arranged.
[0038]
In the lower left part of the selection display screen 61, a display area 68 for displaying a plurality of files to be selected side by side is provided. By operating the scroll bar at the right end of the display area 68, a plurality of files displayed in the display area 68 can be sequentially changed. In addition, an area 69 for setting the type of file to be displayed and an area 70 for selecting a file storage destination memory are provided at the top of the selection display screen 61. In the illustrated example, setting data is selected from among setting data, logo data, and external character data as the file type, and SRAM 22 is selected from among the SRAM 22 of the controller unit 2 or the external memory card 31 as the storage destination memory.
[0039]
Further, an area 71 for selecting a display format of a file to be displayed in the display area 68 is provided at the lower right portion of the selection display screen 61. In the example shown in the drawing, thumbnail display is selected from among the list display of file names and thumbnail display as the display format.
[0040]
In the display example shown in FIG. 5, thumbnail images of a plurality of setting data are displayed side by side in the display area 68 according to the setting (selection) contents as described above. Below each thumbnail image, a part of the file serial number and file name is displayed. By viewing the thumbnail image, the user can identify the print contents of the setting data at a glance, and can select the desired setting data used for editing or printing by, for example, clicking the mouse.
[0041]
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting data editing screen. In such an editing screen 73, it is possible to set print contents such as the type, size, position, direction, and the like of characters or marks to be printed by operations using respective buttons and a mouse. In the display area 74, an image (full image) of the print content that is being created / edited or has been created is displayed. This image is substantially equal to the image of the character or mark printed with the surface laser beam of the workpiece WK in accordance with the print execution command.
[0042]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a thumbnail image registration screen. The thumbnail image of each setting data displayed in the display area 68 of FIG. 5 can be created and registered by cutting out a part of the image showing the print contents displayed in the display area 74 of FIG. .
[0043]
First, the user performs a cropping operation to cut out a part of an image indicating the print contents displayed in the display area 74 of FIG. As a general method of the cropping operation, a cropping area can be designated by a rectangle that expands and contracts by a drag operation of the mouse. Alternatively, it is possible to specify the cutout region by specifying two diagonal points of the rectangle. When such a cropping operation is performed, a thumbnail image registration screen (window) 76 as illustrated in FIG. 7 appears.
[0044]
In the thumbnail image registration screen 76 of FIG. 7, the image cut out by the above operation is displayed in the display area 77 on the left side. On the right side, the data of the size and position of the cut image are displayed numerically. The cutting area can be changed (adjusted) by directly inputting the numerical value or by using the increase / decrease button of the triangle mark at the right end. When the OK button 79 is pressed (clicked with the mouse), the number of pixels of the cut image displayed in the display area 77 is reduced (reduced), and a thumbnail image is generated. The generated thumbnail image is stored (registered) in the auxiliary storage device (fixed disk device) 57 in association with the full image (and its file name) indicating the original print content. The thumbnail images of the setting data registered in this way are displayed side by side as selection targets in the display area 68 of the selection display screen 61 as described above.
[0045]
As another embodiment, a thumbnail image corresponding to each setting data may be transferred together with the setting data from the personal computer 32 to the controller unit 2 of the laser marker and stored in the SRAM 22. Alternatively, the thumbnail image corresponding to the setting data may be stored in the auxiliary storage device 57 of the personal computer 32 in a state associated with the file name or serial number of the setting data stored in the SRAM 22 of the controller unit 2. . In addition, the present invention can be implemented in various forms.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the laser marker setting data management method and the computer program of the present invention, each setting data is compared with the case where the user selects the setting data from the file name by relying on the memory as in the prior art. Since the contents are displayed side by side as thumbnail images, it is easy to find desired setting data. Further, since a thumbnail image can be created by cutting out a part of the image indicating the print content, it is possible to create and register a thumbnail image that can be easily identified by the user.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a laser marker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a laser marker according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of a personal computer connected to a controller unit of a laser marker.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of an unfolding process executed by the processing device of the controller unit of the laser marker.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a selection display screen for selecting setting data used for editing or printing.
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a setting data editing screen.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a thumbnail image registration screen.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Laser Marker Controller 11 Laser Oscillator 32 Personal Computer 59 Storage Medium 68 Thumbnail Image Display Area 74 Image Display Area Showing Print Contents 77 Cut Image Display Area

Claims (5)

Method for managing a plurality of setting data generated for each print content such as the type, size, position, direction, etc. of characters or marks to be printed in a laser marker that performs printing on the surface of an object using laser light Because
Storing each of the plurality of setting data in a storage device in association with a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image indicating the print content;
In a selection display screen for selecting setting data to be used by a user, the method further comprises a step of reading thumbnail images of a plurality of setting data stored in the storage device and displaying the thumbnail images side by side. Management method. The method further comprises a step of displaying an image representing a print content of the setting data on a screen of a display device, and generating the thumbnail image by cutting out and reducing a part of the image in an area designated by a user. The laser marker setting data management method according to claim 1. In order to manage a plurality of setting data generated for each print content such as the type, size, position, direction, etc. of characters or marks to be printed in a laser marker that performs printing on the surface of an object using laser light, A computer program to be executed by a computer connected to the laser marker,
Storing each of the plurality of setting data in a storage device in association with a thumbnail image obtained by reducing the image indicating the print content;
In a selection display screen for selecting setting data to be used by a user, reading out thumbnail images of a plurality of setting data stored in the storage device and displaying them side by side;
And a step of transmitting the setting data selected by the user to the laser marker. The method further comprises the step of displaying an image indicating the print content of the setting data on a screen of a display device, and generating the thumbnail image by cutting out and reducing a part of the image in an area designated by a user. The computer program according to claim 3. In order to manage a plurality of setting data generated for each print content such as the type, size, position, direction, etc. of characters or marks to be printed in a laser marker that performs printing on the surface of an object using laser light, A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program to be executed by a computer connected to the laser marker, wherein the program is
Displaying an image indicating the print contents of the setting data on a screen of a display device, and generating the thumbnail image by cutting and reducing a part of the image in an area designated by a user;
Storing each of the plurality of setting data in a storage device in association with the thumbnail image;
In a selection display screen for selecting setting data to be used by a user, reading out thumbnail images of a plurality of setting data stored in the storage device and displaying them side by side;
Transmitting the setting data selected by the user to the laser marker.

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