JP2005152968A - Image marking device for cellular phone - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a laser marking device for a cellular phone which marks a photograph image on the case of the cellular phone by laser marking, can easily mark the photograph image on the case of the cellular phone, and can make the design characteristic of the cellular phone higher. <P>SOLUTION: The laser marking device for the cellular phone is equipped with a camera (1) which photographs a subject and outputs digital image data and a laser marking device (2) which marks the image on the basis of the image data obtained by the camera. The laser marking device (2) mainly comprises a laser scanning unit (21) which irradiates the case of the cellular phone (4) or a part thereof with the laser beam, a supporting stand (3) which supports the cellular phone or a part of the case in a laser irradiation region of the laser scanning unit, and a computer (22) for control which outputs a control signal to the laser scanning unit (21) on the basis of the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image engraving apparatus for a mobile phone, and more particularly to an image engraving apparatus for a mobile phone that can easily engrave a photographic image on a molded product of a thermoplastic resin by laser marking, particularly a mobile phone case. is there.

In laser marking, for example, a target (work piece) made of a resin material is irradiated with laser light by a laser marking device, and the energy of the laser light absorbed by the target is converted into heat, or a photochemical reaction is caused by the laser light. This is a technique for imprinting characters and symbols on the surface of a target by decomposing, evaporating, carbonizing, changing color, or foaming the resin. The laser marking described above is used, for example, for marking characters or the like on keys such as a keyboard of an OA device.
JP-A-52-58196 JP-A-11-27362

  By the way, mobile phones that are rapidly spreading, for example, have been devised to improve the design by the coloring and design of the case, but since they are mass-produced products, they are differentiated by design for each owner. It is difficult to do so, and each has its own unique design. The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is an image engraving apparatus for a cellular phone that engraves a photographic image on a cellular phone case by laser marking, and the photographic image is engraved on the cellular phone case. It is an object of the present invention to provide an image engraving apparatus for a mobile phone that can easily engrave the design of the mobile phone, can further enhance the design of the mobile phone, and can give the mobile phone more distinctiveness.

  The present invention combines a camera for photographing a subject and a laser marking device for imprinting an image so that a photograph image photographed by the camera can be edited on the spot and immediately imprinted on a case of a mobile phone. did.

  That is, the gist of the present invention is an image marking device for a cellular phone that engraves a photographic image on a cellular phone case, a camera that captures a subject and outputs digital image data, and image data obtained by the camera. A laser marking device for engraving an image based on the laser scanning unit for irradiating a laser beam toward a case of a mobile phone or a part thereof, and a laser irradiation area of the laser scanning unit. It is mainly composed of a support base that supports a mobile phone or a part of the case, and a control computer that outputs a control signal to the laser scanning unit based on image data, and the control computer is the camera. Display that can display the obtained image data and edit the displayed image data And software resides on the mobile phone image marking apparatus characterized by and a control panel for operating the software.

  According to the image marking device for a mobile phone of the present invention, image data of a photograph of a subject photographed by a camera is directly taken into a control computer of the laser marking device, and an image is immediately displayed on the spot using a display and an operation panel. Photo data can be easily stamped on the mobile phone case or part of it for editing and data can be instantly stamped by the laser scanning unit and photographed on individual mobile phone case or part of it. In addition, the unique characteristic image can be engraved, so that the design of the mobile phone can be further enhanced and more distinctiveness can be imparted.

  An embodiment of an image marking device for a mobile phone according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a configuration example of an image marking device for a mobile phone according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a device configuration of a main part of the image marking device for a mobile phone according to the present invention. . In the following description, the image marking device for mobile phones is abbreviated as “image marking device”. Further, in the present invention, engraving refers to drawing characters, images, etc. on a target (article to be processed) by laser marking.

  First, the main apparatus configuration in the image marking apparatus of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the image marking device of the present invention is a device that stamps a photographic image on the case of a mobile phone (4) as a target by laser marking, and shoots a subject and outputs digital image data. (1) and a laser marking device (2) for marking an image based on image data obtained by the camera.

  In the present invention, the target for imprinting the image is the case of the mobile phone (4), more specifically, the face of the case of the mobile phone (4) other than the dial and the display (on the opposite side of the dial). The case surface of the case or the surface of the case opposite to the display unit). In particular, the target is preferably the battery pack lid (41) of the mobile phone (4). The battery pack lid (41) can be replaced according to taste by preparing a plurality of the lids and engraving different images for each.

  The case of the mobile phone (4) including the battery pack lid (41) is made of various synthetic resins, such as propylene resin, polystyrene resin, polyethylene terephthalate resin, polymethyl methacrylate. Various thermoplastic resins such as resin, polycarbonate resin, and transparent ABS resin are preferable. Among these, unsaturated carboxylic acid alkyl ester (co) polymers such as polymethyl methacrylate resins and ABS resins and polycarbonate resins are preferred. The above thermoplastic resin contains pigments and certain additives, for example, carbon black and / or black iron oxide as a colorant, so that black, white, chromatic characters, You can create a design.

  More specifically, a rubber-reinforced resin obtained by polymerizing a vinyl monomer in the presence of a rubber-like polymer and a polymer obtained by polymerizing a vinyl monomer as a main component, and polymerization At least one black compound selected from the group of carbon black, black iron oxide and titanium black, and a dye and / or an organic dye for the thermoplastic resin component containing a specific amount of the (meth) acrylic acid ester The thermoplastic resin composition comprising a specific amount of each can clearly develop chromatic colors such as red, yellow, blue, green, and purple when irradiated with laser light. The above-mentioned thermoplastic resin composition suitable for laser marking is disclosed in International Publication No. WO 00/24826 relating to the previous application by the present applicant.

  The camera (1) for photographing the subject is not particularly limited as long as it can digitally output image data. Usually, a digital camera having about 2 to 3 million pixels is used. The camera (1) is directly connected to a control computer (22) of a laser marking device (2), which will be described later, by a signal cable, and directly outputs digital image data to the control computer (22).

  In the present invention, in order to form a more precise image, the laser marking device (2) is preferably a scanning type device in which the scanning beam is controlled by a computer. The scanning type laser marking device (2) can draw a finer line drawing at a high speed and manages data such as the drawn image by a computer, which is convenient for drawing different characters and images for each target. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the laser marking device (2) includes a laser scanning unit that emits laser light toward the case of the mobile phone (4) or a part thereof (for example, the lid (41) of the battery pack). A header unit) (21), a cooling unit (23) for cooling the laser scanning unit (21), and a mobile phone (4) or a part of its case (S) in the laser irradiation region (S) of the laser scanning unit (21) For example, it mainly comprises a support base (3) for supporting a battery pack lid (41) and a control computer (control unit) (22) for outputting a control signal to the laser scanning unit (21) based on the image data. Is done.

  The laser scanning unit (21) includes a power source circuit, a laser transmitter including an oscillation circuit, a beam expander, a galvano scanner composed of two reflecting mirrors that perform scanning in the X-axis direction and scanning in the Y-axis direction, and a light collecting unit. The lens is mainly composed of a lens (Fθ lens), and the operation of the laser transmitter and the galvano scanner is controlled based on the control signal input from the control computer (22).

  Examples of the laser applicable to the laser scanning unit (21) include a carbon dioxide gas laser, a YAG laser, an excimer laser, and a harmonic YAG laser. In order to perform precise marking, an Nd: YAG laser and an Nd: YVO4 laser are preferable, and an LD excitation type, so-called diode pump type laser is particularly preferable. Examples of the laser marking device (2) of the above method include “Laser Marking System Powerline 10E” (trade name) manufactured by Rofin. Such a laser marking device (2) is equipped with an LD-excited Nd: YAG laser and has a laser beam spot diameter of 6 to 10 nm, and is relatively small and capable of high-speed processing.

  The laser irradiation region (S) of the laser scanning unit (21) is provided with a support base (3) capable of supporting the mobile phone (4) or a part of the case. The support base (3) may be a base that can support the entire mobile phone (4) or a base that can support the lid (41) of the battery pack that is a part of the mobile phone (4) case. Any appropriate one can be used. For example, the support base (3) is arranged on the flat plate portion on which the mobile phone (4) or the lid (41) of the battery pack is placed in a horizontal state and on both side edges of the flat plate portion, and the mobile phone (4) or battery. The pair of clamp members sandwiching a substantially parallel peripheral edge of the lid (41) of the pack from both sides, and the pair of clamp members is configured to apply the cellular phone (4) or the lid (41) of the battery pack to the laser irradiation region ( S) has a function of positioning at the center.

  The control computer (22) captures image data of a photograph, performs a predetermined data conversion process on the image data, and converts the converted image data to the laser scanning unit (21). A device having a function of outputting as a control signal is used. That is, in the control computer (22), image data in various formats such as JPEG, TIF, BMP, etc. captured from the camera (1) is converted into grayscale image data of a predetermined resolution, for example, 1.5 to 3 million pixels, Software having a function of converting to binarized image data is used.

  The reason why the above data conversion processing is performed in the control computer (22) is as follows. That is, when image data with a resolution higher than necessary is output to the laser scanning unit (21) as part of the control signal as it is and laser marking is performed, it is formed on the target based on the relationship between the size of the laser spot and the number of dots. Compared with the improvement of the image quality of the image to be processed, the processing time becomes longer. On the other hand, if the resolution of the image data output to the laser scanning unit (21) is too low, a delicate image cannot be formed.

  In the control computer (22), the software includes an image editing function for editing the captured image data on the display (24). Examples of the image editing function include a function for reducing and enlarging a photographed subject, a function for selecting a background of a person as a subject, and a function for creating and inserting characters such as initials.

  That is, the control computer (22) includes a display (24) capable of displaying image data obtained by the camera (1) and software as described above capable of editing the image data displayed on the display. And an operation panel (25) for operating the software, and when outputting the image data to the laser scanning unit (21), the image data is edited in advance based on a predetermined editing pattern. It has a function. For example, as software installed in the control computer (22) of the aforementioned laser marking device (2) manufactured by Rofin, image processing software known as “Visual Laser Marker” (trade name) can be cited. .

  Next, a further preferred embodiment of the image marking device according to the present invention will be described. In the image marking device of the present invention, in order to easily mark an image on the case of the mobile phone (4), as shown in FIG. 1, there is a booth-structured shooting room (50) for accommodating a subject as a subject. It is provided adjacent to the laser marking device (2). The camera (1), the display (24), and the operation panel (25) are arranged in the photographing room (50).

  The photographing room (50) is a booth configured as a space by the partition (5). The partition (5) has three partition walls (partitions) arranged in a U-shape, that is, a partition wall (51) disposed to face the front side of the laser marking device (2), and one end of the partition wall. A partition wall (52) connected in a direction substantially orthogonal to the partition wall, and disposed at one end of the partition wall in parallel with the partition wall (51) and covering substantially the entire front surface of the laser marking device (2). It is mainly composed of a partition wall (53). And said photography room (50) is made to go in and out from the open part on the opposite side to a partition wall (52). In addition, although a ceiling is usually unnecessary in the photographing room (50), a ceiling may be installed.

  In the photographing room (50), the camera (1) and the display (24) are fitted into a partition wall (53) that covers the front surface of the laser marking device (2). That is, the camera (1) is installed in a through hole provided in the upper part of the partition wall (53), and is set so as to photograph the subject in the photographing room (50). In addition, the display (24) is attached to an opening provided substantially at the center of the partition wall (53) so that it can be confirmed from the photographing room (50). Further, the operation panel (25) is attached to the partition wall (53) and can be operated from the photographing room (50).

  In addition, on the front partition wall (53) where the camera (1) and the display (24) are arranged, the mobile phone (4) or a part of the case (for example, the lid (41) of the battery pack) is supported by the support base ( 3) A loading port (53c) for placing the cellular phone (4) or a part of the case can be loaded from the photographing room (50). Further, a safety door (54) that is closed when the laser scanning unit (21) is in operation is provided at the loading port (53c) of the partition wall (53). In other words, in the image marking device of the present invention, the laser scanning unit (21) is set to operate in a state where the safety door (54) is closed in order to ensure safety during operation of the device. Reference numeral (6) in FIG. 1 denotes a chair, and in the photographing room (50), for example, the subject can operate the apparatus while sitting by himself / herself.

  Next, an image marking method using the image marking device of the present invention will be described. In order to imprint an image on the case of the cellular phone (4) by the image marking device of the present invention, first, the front safety door (54) is opened in the photographing room (50), and the support stand in the laser irradiation area (S) is opened. Place the battery pack lid (41) of the mobile phone (4) on the mobile phone (4) or the mobile phone (4) as shown in FIG. Next, the user sits on the chair (6), operates the keys of the operation panel (25), and takes a picture with the front camera (1). Then, the photograph image data is taken into the control computer (22) from the camera (1).

  After the image data is taken into the control computer (22), the image data taken on the display (24) is edited by using the image editing function of the above software by the key operation of the operation panel (25). . In editing, for example, when the image is a person photograph as described above, the image may be reduced or enlarged, a background prepared in advance may be selected, or characters such as names may be inserted. Further, in the above editing operation on the display (24), the focus is adjusted to position the image with respect to the case of the mobile phone (4) and to accurately form a laser spot on the case surface of the mobile phone (4). Align.

  After the image is edited as described above, the software of the control computer (22) is used by the key operation of the operation panel (25), and the edited image data is subjected to conversion processing to obtain image data of a predetermined resolution. Create That is, the captured image is converted into a grayscale image or a binarized image having a certain resolution, for example, BMP data. By setting the resolution of the image to a predetermined value by such conversion processing, a clear image can be efficiently drawn on the case of the mobile phone (4).

  Subsequently, by operating the control computer (22) by operating the keys on the operation panel (25), a control signal including the converted image data is output from the control computer (22) to the laser scanning unit (21). The image is imprinted on the lid (41) of the battery pack by the laser scanning unit (21). In addition, when laser light is irradiated in the laser marking device (2), when using binarized image data by setting the irradiation conditions in advance, marking dots are usually formed corresponding to the black value dot signal. However, when gray scale image data is used, a marking dot having a shallow depth can be formed corresponding to a gray value dot signal.

  As described above, according to the image marking device of the present invention, the image data of the photograph of the subject taken by the camera (1) is directly taken into the control computer (22) of the laser marking device (2), and the display (24). In order to immediately edit the image data on the spot using the display and operation panel (25) and imprint it immediately by the laser scanning unit (21), the case of the cellular phone (4) or the battery pack lid (41) It is possible to easily engrave a photographic image on the mobile phone (4) and to engrave an original characteristic image photographed on the case of the individual mobile phone (4) or the lid (41) of the battery pack. ) Can be further improved in design, and more distinctiveness can be imparted. In particular, the image marking device in which the booth-structured shooting room (50) is provided adjacent to the laser marking device (2) has a shooting space for the subject, and the camera (1), which is necessary for the operation, Since only the display (24) and the operation panel (25) are arranged, it can be used more easily.

  For example, a person image taken by a camera (digital camera) (1) is taken from a battery pack cover (41) of a mobile phone (4) (a gray made of PC / ABS resin containing carbon black and black iron oxide). The lid was engraved. The captured image is JPEG format image data with a resolution of 1600 × 1200 dpi, and this is taken into the above-mentioned Rofin laser marking device (2), and after image editing on the display (24), When converted to BMP format image data and output to the laser scanning unit (21) and laser marking is performed, an image substantially equivalent to a photographic image can be clearly engraved with a black line drawing in a processing time of about 10 seconds. done.

It is a top view which shows the structural example of the image marking apparatus for mobile phones which concerns on this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the apparatus structure of the principal part of the image marking apparatus for mobile phones based on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1: Camera 2: Laser marking apparatus 21: Laser scanning unit 22: Control computer 23: Cooling unit 24: Display 25: Operation panel 3: Support stand 4: Mobile phone 41: Battery pack lid 5: Partition 50: Shooting room 51: Partition wall 52: Partition wall 53: Partition wall 53c: Loading port 54: Safety door 6: Chair S: Irradiation area

Claims (2)

  An image engraving device for a cellular phone that imprints a photographic image on a case of a cellular phone, a camera that shoots a subject and outputs digital image data, and a laser that imprints an image based on the image data obtained by the camera A laser scanning unit that irradiates laser light toward a case of a mobile phone or a part thereof, and a mobile phone or a part of the case in a laser irradiation region of the laser scanning unit. And a control computer that outputs a control signal to the laser scanning unit based on image data, and the control computer can display image data obtained by the camera. Display, software that can edit the displayed image data, and the software Mobile phone image marking apparatus characterized by and a control panel for operating the software.   The image marking device for a mobile phone according to claim 1, wherein a photographing room for accommodating a subject is provided adjacent to the laser marking device, and a camera, a display, and an operation panel are disposed in the photographing room.

Images