JP4366739B2 - Stamp apparatus and driving method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention Dress In particular, a stun that performs printing by allowing ink to pass through holes formed at predetermined positions on a stencil sheet. Dress And a driving method thereof.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 5-74833 discloses a heat-sensitive stencil sheet in which perforations can be formed in a desired pattern by infrared irradiation or thermal head heating, and ink can be transmitted through the perforations. This heat-sensitive stencil sheet is suitable for use as a stamp printing surface. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-226778 discloses a stamp body provided with a heat-sensitive stencil sheet and an ink pad for supplying ink to the stencil sheet, and perforations are formed in the stencil sheet on the stamp surface of the stamp body. A stamping device comprising a heating perforation device is disclosed. According to this stamp apparatus, the stencil sheet can be punched with a desired pattern such as characters, and ink is automatically supplied from the ink pad inside the stamp body to the stamping surface during printing. Continuous printing is possible without applying ink from the outside.
[0003]
The heat punching apparatus for a stamp apparatus as described in the above publication has a thermal head for punching a stencil sheet. In the thermal head, normally 180 heating elements per inch are arranged one-dimensionally (180 dpi). A dot matrix is configured corresponding to the change over time accompanying the relative movement of the heating elements. FIG. 26A shows the size and interval of the heating element 311 at 180 dpi. In other words, the heating element 311 has a rectangular shape with a length of 75 μm and a width of 55 μm. Then, when the stencil sheet is heated and punched by the heating element 311, the energization time to the heating element 311 is controlled so that a hole 312 having a diameter of 80 μm is formed on the stencil sheet as shown in FIG. To do. The size of the hole 312 is about 1.1 times in the vertical direction and about 1.5 times in the horizontal direction compared to the size of the heating element 311. Further, as shown in FIG. 26C, the diameter of the diffusion region 313 of ink applied to the printing paper through the hole 312 is about 160 μm, which is almost twice the diameter of the hole 312. Therefore, in the case of 180 dpi, as shown in FIG. 26 (d), even when adjacent heating elements are perforated together, the proportion of the corresponding diffusion regions 313 overlapping is relatively small, and the gray of the original data The scale value and the density of the stamping result are in a substantially linear relationship.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In recent years, in order to improve the image quality of a stamp, it has been studied to change the dot density of a dot matrix configured corresponding to a heating element of a thermal head from 180 dpi to 360 dpi. FIG. 1A shows the size and interval of the heating element 321 at 360 dpi. That is, the heating element 321 has a rectangular shape with a length of 52 μm and a width of 38 μm, and is 32.5 μm horizontally and 18.5 μm vertically (that is, in units of moving distance in the vertical direction) from adjacent heating elements. When the stencil sheet is heated and perforated by the heating element 321, even if the energization time to the heating element 321 is controlled, the stencil sheet has a substantially circular shape with a diameter of 60 μm as shown in FIG. A hole 322 is formed in the stencil sheet. The size of the hole 322 is about 1.2 times in the vertical direction and about 1.6 times in the horizontal direction compared to the size of the heating element 321. Further, as shown in FIG. 1C, the diffusion region 323 of the ink applied to the printing paper through the hole 322 has a substantially circular shape with a diameter of about 120 μm, and the diameter is almost twice the diameter of the hole 322. It becomes.
[0005]
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1D, when the dot density is set to 360 dpi, the number of adjacent overlapping regions of the diffusion regions 323 due to the heating elements 321 is inevitably increased as compared with the case of 180 dpi. Therefore, when the dot density is set to 360 dpi, particularly in a region close to so-called solid black such as a character, ink exuding from adjacent dots is connected, and the marking result of that portion tends to be darker than desired. That is, as shown in FIG. 27, which is a graph showing the relationship between the gray scale value of the original data and the density of the marking result, in the area where the original data is black, that is, close to the gray scale value “0”, the density of the marking result is so-called. There is a problem that the seal result cannot be expressed with the density according to the gray scale value of the original data in a saturated state. In order to prevent the stamping result from becoming darker than desired, the brightness of the original data of the stamp image is changed to check whether the stamped stamp has an appropriate brightness. It is necessary to repeat troublesome adjustment work over and over again.
[0006]
Therefore, the present inventors have come up with an invention characterized by performing gradation correction on the original data relating to the printing content by the stamp, with respect to the stamp that performs printing by transmitting ink from the hole formed in the stencil sheet, A patent application was filed for this. According to the present invention, it is possible to express the stamping result with the density according to the gray scale value of the original data without the need for troublesome adjustment work.
[0007]
By the way, there are two types of stamp printing contents handled by the stamp producing apparatus, that is, characters and figures. Characters are kanji and numbers, symbols and alphabets, and figures (graphics) are grayscale images such as photographs other than characters. Of the characters and graphics, it is preferable that the graphic portion is subjected to binarization processing after gradation correction as described in the above patent application to express the gradation. However, the character part has two gradations of black or white due to its nature, and not only the necessity of gradation correction is small, but a character in which non-perforated dots are generated in the character when gradation correction is applied to the character part. An unfavorable situation may occur when expressing In other words, when creating a stamp of an image with a mixture of characters and graphics, perform gradation correction according to the suitability of each and express the character part with solid black and the graphic part with appropriate gradation. Is desirable.
[0008]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a stun that can appropriately represent a character portion and a graphic portion even when the dot density is increased to, for example, 360 dpi. Dress And a driving method thereof.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, the stun of claim 1 of the present application is provided. Dress Is a stamp that performs printing by allowing ink to permeate through holes formed at predetermined positions on the stencil sheet, and the printing contents by the stamp. By thermal printing Identification label of the stamp that can be confirmed in advance Create stamp In the apparatus, management means for managing the original data relating to the printing content by the stamp so that the character data and the graphic data can be identified, and at the time of creating the stamp, the stamping density by the stamp for the character is set. For the case without gradation correction So as not to change Regarding the figure, the stamping density by the stamp is the maximum value at which the stamping density at the minimum grayscale value of the original data does not exceed the stamping density for characters, and the stamping density at the maximum value of the grayscale value of the original data is minimum. So that the density is represented by a straight line with a value of 0, Applying gradation correction using different gradation correction tables to the character data and graphic data in the original data managed by the management means, and when creating the identification label, The print density of the identification label is the maximum value at which the print density at the minimum gray scale value of the original data does not exceed the print density for characters, and the print density at the maximum value of the gray scale value of the original data is the minimum value. In order to obtain a density represented by a straight line of 0, A gradation correction unit that performs gradation correction only on the graphic data in the original data using a gradation correction table different from that at the time of creation of the stamp, and at the time of creation of the stamp, gradation correction is performed by the gradation correction unit. The identification label is driven in accordance with the corrected character data or the corrected graphic data for punching on the stencil sheet, and the gradation is corrected by the character data or the gradation correction means when the identification label is created. And a thermal head driven in accordance with corrected graphic data for printing.
[0010]
The stun of claim 8 Dress The driving method of the apparatus is a stamp that performs printing by transmitting ink from a hole formed at a predetermined position of the stencil sheet, and the printing contents by the stamp. By thermal printing Identification label of the stamp that can be confirmed in advance Create stamp In the driving method of the apparatus, the original data relating to the printing content by the stamp is managed so that the character data and the graphic data can be identified, and when the stamp is created, the stamping density by the stamp is set for the character. For the case without gradation correction So as not to change Regarding the figure, the stamping density by the stamp is the maximum value at which the stamping density at the minimum grayscale value of the original data does not exceed the stamping density for characters, and the stamping density at the maximum value of the grayscale value of the original data is minimum. So that the density is represented by a straight line with a value of 0, While performing gradation correction using different gradation correction tables for character data and graphic data in the original data, and at the time of creating the identification label, The print density of the identification label is the maximum value at which the print density at the minimum gray scale value of the original data does not exceed the print density for characters, and the print density at the maximum value of the gray scale value of the original data is the minimum value. In order to obtain a density represented by a straight line of 0, Only the graphic data in the original data is subjected to gradation correction using a gradation correction table different from that at the time of creation of the stamp, and at the time of creation of the stamp, the corrected character data or the stencil subjected to the gradation correction. A thermal head is driven in accordance with corrected graphic data for punching on the base paper, and when the identification label is created, according to character data or corrected graphic data for printing on the gradation-corrected identification label Drive the thermal head.
[0011]
According to Claims 1 and 8, since gradation correction is performed on the character data and graphic data in the original data managed so as to be identifiable at the time of creating the stamp using different gradation correction tables, graphic data and characters It is possible to express data with appropriate gradations suitable for each. When creating a stamp, set the stamp density for the characters For the case without gradation correction Since the character data is not subjected to gradation correction when the identification label is created without being changed, the character can be expressed as solid black. At this time, the gray level correction table for character data uses the gray scale value. Before gradation correction In addition to things that do not change substantially, the stamping density as the stamping result For the case without gradation correction The gray scale value may be increased within a range that does not substantially change.
[0012]
The stun of claim 2 Dress Is a stamp that performs printing by allowing ink to permeate through holes formed at predetermined positions on the stencil sheet, and the printing contents by the stamp. By thermal printing Identification label of the stamp that can be confirmed in advance Create stamp In the apparatus, when the stamp is created, the original data relating to the printing content by the stamp is not the minimum value of the gray scale value of the original data. The stamp density by the stamp is represented by a straight line in which the stamp density at the minimum gray scale value of the original data is the maximum value and the stamp density at the maximum gray scale value of the original data is the minimum value of 0. So that the concentration is The gray scale value of the original data is From before gradation correction The minimum density of the gray scale value of the original data increases the stamp density by the stamp. For the case without gradation correction In addition to performing gradation correction using a gradation correction table that does not change, at the time of creating the identification label, the original data must be a value other than the minimum grayscale value of the original data. The printing density of the identification label is represented by a straight line in which the printing density at the minimum grayscale value of the original data is the maximum value and the printing density at the maximum grayscale value of the original data is 0 of the minimum value. So that the concentration is The grayscale value of the original data Larger than before gradation correction The value is changed to a value different from that at the time of creation of the stamp, and the printing density of the identification label is set to the minimum gray scale value of the original data. For the case without gradation correction A gradation correction unit that performs gradation correction using a gradation correction table that does not change, and corrected data for punching the stencil sheet that has been gradation corrected by the gradation correction unit when the stamp is created And a thermal head that is driven in accordance with corrected data for printing on the identification label that has been subjected to gradation correction by the gradation correction means when the identification label is created.
[0013]
The stun of claim 9 Dress The driving method of the apparatus is a stamp that performs printing by transmitting ink from a hole formed at a predetermined position of the stencil sheet, and the printing contents by the stamp. By thermal printing Identification label of the stamp that can be confirmed in advance Create stamp In the driving method of the apparatus, when the stamp is created, the original data related to the print content by the stamp is not a minimum value of the gray scale value of the original data. The stamp density by the stamp is represented by a straight line in which the stamp density at the minimum gray scale value of the original data is the maximum value and the stamp density at the maximum gray scale value of the original data is the minimum value of 0. So that the concentration is The gray scale value of the original data is From before gradation correction The minimum density of the gray scale value of the original data increases the stamp density by the stamp. For the case without gradation correction In addition to performing gradation correction using a gradation correction table that does not change, at the time of creating the identification label, the original data must be a value other than the minimum grayscale value of the original data. The printing density of the identification label is represented by a straight line in which the printing density at the minimum grayscale value of the original data is the maximum value and the printing density at the maximum grayscale value of the original data is 0 of the minimum value. So that the concentration is The grayscale value of the original data Larger than before gradation correction The value is changed to a value different from that at the time of creation of the stamp, and the printing density of the identification label is set to the minimum gray scale value of the original data. For the case without gradation correction Gradation correction is performed using a gradation correction table that does not change, and when the stamp is created, a thermal head is driven according to the corrected data for punching on the stencil sheet corrected in gradation, and the identification is performed. At the time of creating the label, the thermal head is driven in accordance with corrected data for printing on the identification label whose tone has been corrected.
[0014]
According to claims 2 and 9, when the stamp is created, the grayscale value of the original data is not the minimum value of the grayscale value of the original data. From before gradation correction Since gradation correction is performed so as to increase, it is possible to appropriately perform gradation correction on data in a range in which there is a high possibility that the gray scale value is graphic data other than the minimum value without darkening the sealing result. . In addition, the minimum grayscale value of the original data indicates the stamping result by stamp and the printing density of the identification label. For the case without gradation correction Since gradation correction is performed so as not to change, data with a minimum gray scale value that is likely to be character data can be stamped and printed as it is in solid black. In this specification, “substantially gradation correction is not applied to the original data” means that the gray scale value of the original data is Before gradation correction In addition to not changing substantially, the stamping density as the stamping result For the case without gradation correction Including increasing the grayscale value of the original data within a range that does not substantially change.
[0015]
The stun of claim 3 Dress The gradation correction means performs gradation correction on the graphic data in the entire range of gray scale values so that the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same for the graphic.
[0016]
The stun of claim 10 Dress In the driving method, gradation correction is performed on graphic data in the entire range of gray scale values so that the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same for the graphic.
[0017]
According to the third and tenth aspects, since the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same for the graphic, the gray scale value according to the input graphic data is not required to perform troublesome adjustment work. With this, it becomes possible to express the stamping result, and it is possible to obtain a good stamping result.
[0018]
The stun of claim 4 Dress In other words, the gradation correction means performs gradation correction on the original data so that the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same except for the minimum grayscale value of the original data. Apply.
[0019]
The stun of claim 11 Dress In the driving method, gradation correction is performed on the original data so that the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same except for the minimum gray scale value of the original data.
[0020]
According to the fourth and eleventh aspects, except for the minimum gray scale value of the original data, the original data is subjected to gradation correction so that the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same. Therefore, it is possible to express the stamp result with a gray scale value according to the input graphic data without having to perform troublesome adjustment work, and it is possible to obtain a good stamp result.
The stun of claim 5 Dress The gray scale value of the graphic data after the correction by the gradation correcting means is larger for the punching than for printing the identification label in the entire range of the gray scale value of the original data. .
The stun of claim 12 Dress In the driving method, the gray scale value of the graphic data after the gradation correction is larger for the punching than for printing the identification label in the entire range of the gray scale value of the original data. .
The stun of claim 6 Dress The gray scale value of the original data after correction by the gradation correcting means is within the range excluding the minimum gray scale value of the original data, and the one for punching is the one for printing the identification label. Bigger than.
The stun of claim 13 Dress The gray scale value of the original data after the gradation correction is a range for excluding the minimum gray scale value of the original data, and the one for punching is the one for printing the identification label. Bigger than.
According to the fifth, sixth, twelfth and thirteenth aspects, the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density can be brought close to each other.
The stun of claim 7 Dress In the setting, the gradation correction table for punching and the gradation correction table for printing the identification label are discontinuous with a portion other than the minimum value at the minimum grayscale value of the original data. Has a singularity.
The stun of claim 14 Dress In the driving method of the apparatus, the gradation correction table for punching and the gradation correction table for printing the identification label are different from the minimum value in the grayscale value of the original data. Has discontinuous singularities.
According to the seventh and fourteenth aspects, even if character data and graphic data are not managed separately, graphic data can be faithfully reproduced at a density according to the gray scale value of the original data, and the character data is solid black. Can be printed.
[0021]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a stun which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described. Dress The device and its driving method will be described with reference to the drawings. 2 to 6 show the stun according to the first embodiment of the invention. Dress FIG. 7 to FIG. 9 are drawings for explaining a stamp body used in the apparatus. Dress FIG. 10 to FIG. 13 are diagrams for explaining a thermal paper cassette used in the installation, and FIGS. Dress It is a figure for demonstrating the structure of a device. 14 to 21 are diagrams for explaining the gradation correction performed in the present embodiment.
[0022]
First, the stun according to the present embodiment Dress The stamp body used for the setting will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 3, the stamp body 1 includes a grip portion 2 for gripping with a hand, a stamp portion 3 fixedly connected to the grip portion 2, and a skirt that covers the outer peripheral side of the stamp portion 3. A member 6 and a protective cap 7 detachably attached to the stamp portion 3 are provided. The stamp unit 3 includes a stamp unit body 4 and an outer periphery holding member 5. The stamp body 4 is inserted and fixed to the outer periphery holding member 5 from below. The stamp body 4 includes a rectangular parallelepiped hollow synthetic resin base member 26 having a shallow concave portion 25 (see FIG. 4) on the lower surface side, and an impregnated body 27 attached to the concave portion 25 of the base member 26. An impregnated body 27 (corresponding to an ink body) impregnated with oil-based ink, and a heat-sensitive material that covers the lower surface of the impregnated body 27 and the outer peripheral side of the base member 26 and is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the base member 26 with an adhesive 29. Stencil paper 28. The impregnated body 27 may be bonded to the recess 25 of the base member 26 with an adhesive or the like.
[0023]
The base member 26 is made of a synthetic resin material (for example, vinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyacetal, polyethylene terephthalate, etc.) or a metal material that is excellent in oil resistance because of contact with oil-based ink. By mounting the impregnated body 27 in the concave portion 25, the positional deviation of the impregnated body 27 can be prevented, and the outflow of ink from the impregnated body 27 can be prevented. The impregnated body 27 is made of an elastic foam or non-woven fabric of a synthetic resin material (for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyurethane, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, etc.). The impregnated body 27 is saturated with oil-based ink. When the pressure is applied to the impregnated body 27, the ink oozes out.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 5, the heat-sensitive stencil sheet 28 is formed by laminating a thermoplastic film 30, a porous support 31, and an adhesive layer 32 for bonding them. The thermoplastic film 30 is composed of a film of a thermoplastic synthetic resin material (for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer, etc.) having a thickness of 1 to 4 μm, preferably 2 μm. The thermoplastic film 30 is disposed on the thermal head side, which will be described later, and is perforated by being partially melted by the heating element of the head. The thermoplastic film 30 having a thickness of less than 1 μm is not practical because the manufacturing cost is expensive and the strength is weak, and a film having a thickness of 4 μm or more is too thick, so that the rated output is 50 mJ / mm. ² Since a general thermal head of a degree cannot perforate, it is not preferable. The porous support 31 is mainly composed of natural fibers (for example, manila hemp, ridge, honey, etc.), synthetic fibers (for example, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylonitrile, etc.) or semi-synthetic fibers such as rayon. Made of porous thin paper. The portion of the heat-sensitive stencil sheet 28 that is in close contact with the surface of the impregnated body 27 (the lower surface in FIG. 4) constitutes the stamp surface 33. As described above, since the configuration in which the heat-sensitive stencil paper 28 is adhered to the outer peripheral surface of the base member 26 is adopted, the stamp surface portion 33 is formed over almost the entire lower surface of the stamp portion 3. As a result, positioning during printing is simplified.
[0025]
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, a large number of perforations (dot pattern perforations) of a pattern composed of a character string of a mirror character of “ABCDE” and a six-fold rectangular frame that surrounds the outer surface of the stamp surface 33. A stamp body formed by a thermal head (not shown) and capable of printing a character string “ABCDE”, which is a mirror image of the pattern of FIG. 6, and a six-fold rectangular frame, has a normal rubber stamp surface. Similar to the stamp, for example, the pattern can be stamp printed about 1000 times.
[0026]
Next, the stun according to the present embodiment Dress A thermal paper cassette for printing an identification label (ID label) used for printing will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 is a sectional view of the thermal paper cassette, FIG. 8 is a front view, and FIG. 9 is a side view.
[0027]
As described in JP-A-8-183214, the thermal paper cassette 135 is capable of confirming in advance the actual printing contents by the stamp body and is also used as an identification label (ID label) of the stamp body. It is a cassette that can store. Stan this cassette Dress By attaching it to the printer and performing thermal printing on the thermal paper, you can know errors in the original data before perforating the stencil sheet, avoiding wasting relatively expensive stamps, In addition, the stamp body can be easily identified by attaching the printed thermal paper to the stamp body.
[0028]
As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, the thermal paper cassette 135 is provided with a grip portion 140 for gripping with a hand, a main body base portion 150 integrally formed at the lower end of the grip portion 140, and a lower portion of the main body base portion 150. The platen forming portion 180 and a lid 170 rotatably attached to one end side of the main body base 150 are provided. Further, a cut sheet-like thermal paper 160 can be disposed between the platen forming portion 180 and the lid 170, and the thermal paper 160 is exposed from the opening 172 formed on the lower surface of the lid 170. Note that the thermal paper cassette 135 is partially different in shape from the stamp body 1, and the difference will be described later. Dress The proximity switches 104 and 105 (see FIG. 13) of the mounting body 50 can be identified.
[0029]
The grip portion 140 is formed in substantially the same shape as the grip portion 2 of the stamp body 1, and a stamper is formed below the grip portion 140. Dress A slit port 141 into which a member (not shown) on the mounting body 50 side is inserted is provided. In addition, there are stamps on both lower sides of the gripping part 140. Dress A guide groove 142 that engages with the convex portion on the mounting body 50 side is provided. A rectangular rubber sheet 185 is attached to the lower surface of the platen forming portion 180 located below the main body base 150 via an adhesive 186. A pair of left and right spring support portions 151 are formed downward on the upper wall inside the main body base 150. In addition, a pair of spring support portions 181 facing the spring support portions 151 are formed on the upper surface of the platen forming portion 180 so as to face upward. A compression spring 183 is fitted to the spring support portions 151 and 181. In addition to the action of the compression spring 183, the platen forming portion 180 is biased downward by a mechanism (not shown).
[0030]
The lid 170 is maintained in the closed state by the engagement of the engagement claws 173 provided in the engagement window 174 of the lid 170 and the protrusion 153 of the main body base 150. When this engagement is released on one side (left side in FIG. 8), the lid 170 is rotated around the protrusion 153 and opened. This state thermal paper 160 can be supplied to the thermal paper cassette 135. A positioning hole (not shown) is provided at an end of the cut sheet thermal paper 160, and the thermal paper 160 is set at a predetermined position by inserting a positioning pin 171 provided on the lid 170 into the positioning hole. can do.
[0031]
The thermal paper 160 is obtained by laminating a thermal paper having a thermal layer with a release paper via an adhesive, and a half cut is provided on the thermal layer side so that the user can easily peel it off after printing. It has been subjected. When the thermal paper 160 is set in the thermal paper cassette 135, one end of the thermal paper 160 projects from the drawer port 176 of the thermal paper cassette 135. Regardless of the number of sheets, the thermal paper 160 is gently fixed between the platen forming part 180 and the lid 170 by the urging force of the platen forming part 180.
[0032]
According to the thermal paper cassette 135 configured in this way, Dress Using the thermal head of the mounting body 50, the cut sheet-like thermal paper 160 appearing in the opening 172 of the lid 170 can be heated and subjected to thermal printing. When printing on the thermal paper 160, not a mirror character as shown in FIG. 6, but a normal image character is printed. By peeling the half-cut portion from the printed thermal paper 160, an ID label for application to the stamp body 1 can be obtained.
[0033]
Next, the stun according to the present embodiment Dress The structure of the device will be described. As shown in FIG. 10, the stun according to the present embodiment Dress Device 40 is a stun Dress The main body 50 and a personal computer 60, which is gradation correction means connected to the wiring body 50, are configured. When the personal computer 60 assembles the input original data to create stamp image data, the personal computer 60 performs γ correction, gradation correction, binarization processing, and the like as will be described in detail later, and the corrected data is processed. Stan Dress It is supplied to the mounting body 50.
[0034]
Stan Dress The main body 50 includes a main body frame 51, a keyboard (input means) 52 and a liquid crystal display 53 provided at the front of the main body frame 51. The stamp body 1 or the thermal paper cassette 135 described above can be detachably mounted behind the main body frame 51. Further, as shown in FIG. 11 in which the description of the personal computer 60 is omitted, the stamp body 1 or the thermal paper cassette 135 can be taken in and out from an opening 74 provided on the side surface of the main body frame 51. An opening / closing door 75 is provided in the opening 74.
[0035]
The keyboard 52 includes a character symbol key including a plurality of character keys and a plurality of symbol keys which are also used as a kana key and an alphabet key, and various function keys (cursor movement key, execution key, line feed key, confirm / end key, cancel key) , Delete key, shift key, lowercase switch, character type setting switch, punch switch, etc.), main switch is provided. The liquid crystal display 53 is configured to be able to display a plurality of lines of character strings, figures, and the like corresponding to a print pattern to be stamp printed by the stamp body 1.
[0036]
A heating perforation mechanism having a thermal head 90 (see FIG. 12) is provided at a position facing the bottom of the stamp body 1 or the thermal paper cassette 135 at the rear of the main body frame 51. The thermal head 90 is the same as the thermal head of a normal thermal printer. For example, 384 heating elements (hole forming means) 103 are provided in a line at 360 dpi in the front-rear direction. ing. The heating perforation mechanism can be moved left and right along the width direction of the main body frame 51, and the thermal head 90 is energized and driven in accordance with this movement, so that a desired portion of the heat-sensitive stencil sheet 28 of the stamp body 1 is perforated. Is done.
[0037]
Next, the head drive circuit 119 shown in FIG. 12 will be described. As shown in FIG. 12, one electrode of each heating element 103 is connected to a power supply terminal 127 of +12 V, and the other electrode is connected to a driver 128. The input terminal of each driver 128 includes an output terminal of the inverter 129 connected to the punching strobe input terminal 130 on the input side and each output terminal of the data latch circuit 132 connected to the latch signal input terminal 131 on the input side. Each is connected. Further, each input terminal of the data latch circuit 132 is connected to each output terminal of the shift register 135 whose input terminal is connected to the clock input terminal 133 and the data input terminal 134.
[0038]
In the head driving circuit 119, the punching data is stored in the shift register 135 in synchronization with the clock signal, and then, when the latch signal is supplied to the data latch circuit 132, the data stored in the shift register 135 corresponds. The data is output to and stored in the data latch circuit 132. At the same time, the data is applied to each driver 128. In this state, when a drilling pulse signal of logic “0” is applied from the drilling strobe input terminal 130 to the input terminal of the inverter 128, a signal of logic “1” is output from the output terminal of the inverter 128, and each driver 128. Applied to the input terminal. Therefore, when the data of the data latch circuit 132 is logic “1”, the output side of the driver 128 becomes logic “0”, and a driving current is supplied from the power supply terminal 127 to the corresponding heating element 103. At this time, the pulse width of the drilling pulse signal input to the punching strobe input terminal 130 is set so that the surface temperature of the heating element 103 becomes a temperature suitable for thermal drilling.
[0039]
Next, the stun according to the present embodiment Dress A control system for driving and controlling the device 40 will be described. As shown in FIG. Dress The control unit 110 of the main body 50 includes a personal computer 60, a keyboard 52, a thermal head 90, and a carriage feed motor 100 for moving a carriage (not shown) of a heating and punching mechanism including the thermal head 90 left and right. The liquid crystal display 53 is connected to two proximity switches 104 and 105 for detecting the type of the stamp body 1 and the thermal paper cassette 135 and the presence or absence of these.
[0040]
The control unit 110 includes a CPU 111, a ROM 112, a RAM (perforation data storage means) 113, a perforation CG-ROM 114, a display CG-ROM 115 for display on the display 53, and a keyboard 52 (input means). ) And the proximity switches 104 and 105, and an output interface 117, which are connected to each other by a bus 118. Further, the control unit 110 has a head drive circuit 119, a motor drive circuit 120, and a display drive circuit 121, which are connected to the output interface 117, respectively.
[0041]
The personal computer 60 includes a CPU 61, a hard disk 62, a RAM 63, and a stand-alone computer. Dress The input / output interface 64 is connected to the input interface 116 of the mounting body 50, and these are connected to each other by a bus 65. In addition to a display connected to the input / output interface 64, a scanner for capturing image data may be connected. The hard disk 62 stores stamp image editor software executed by the personal computer 60 and data edited by the editor. Dress In addition to a driver for sending to the main body 50 side, a gradation correction table and the like to be described later are stored. The user can assemble image data to be stamped by inputting character data according to the editor and further capturing graphic data. The editor software and the gradation correction table may be stored in a nonvolatile storage device that can be rewritten by the user, such as an EEPROM, instead of the hard disk 62.
[0042]
In the present embodiment, the editor can manage the original data so that character data and graphic data can be identified. That is, the editor manages graphic data, for example, using a flag when capturing graphic data when editing stamp image data, and manages the data as character data, for example, using a flag when inputting characters.
[0043]
The RAM 63 temporarily stores original data obtained from the input / output interface 64 via an input unit such as a keyboard and a scanner, and temporarily stores corrected data subjected to gradation correction described later. It has a corrected data buffer for storing it. The CPU 61 performs processing such as performing predetermined processing on the original data in accordance with an instruction from the editor. These processes will be described in detail later.
[0044]
Based on the data input from the keyboard 52 or the personal computer 60 via the input interface, the CPU 111 determines that each of the dots arranged in the dot matrix formed by the heating element 103 of the thermal head 90 is a dot to be punched and a non-perforated dot. It is sequentially determined which of the dots to be punched. In addition, the control unit 110 may perform a so-called thinning process in which each of the thinning candidate dots selected from the dot matrix is not a punched dot when a predetermined condition is satisfied. By performing the thinning process, it is possible to prevent the perforated dots from continuing in one direction, so that the so-called printing surface peeling phenomenon in which the stencil sheet 28 is peeled off when stamping on the coated paper can be prevented. However, since the gray scale value of the original data is not taken into consideration in the thinning-out process, the marking result cannot be expressed by the density according to the gray scale value of the original data.
[0045]
The ROM 112 has this stun Dress A program memory 122 that stores a control program for controlling the overall operation of the main body 50 and a dictionary memory 123 for kana / kanji conversion are provided. In the RAM 113, a dot matrix including an input buffer 124 that stores corrected data input from the personal computer 60 via the input interface 116, a punching buffer 125 that stores punching data, and the heating element 103 of the thermal head 90. In addition to the X line counter 126a and the Y line counter 126b, various counters and registers are provided. The CG-ROM 114 for punching stores dot pattern data of a large number of characters to be punched in association with code data. Further, the display CG-ROM 115 stores display dot pattern data of a large number of characters to be punched in association with code data.
[0046]
Next, the stun of this embodiment Dress The operation of the device 40 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 14 shows a stun according to this embodiment. Dress 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device 40. First, in step S1, the user designates whether to perform stamp creation or ID label printing using the above-described editor. A flag is set in the RAM 63 of the personal computer 60 in accordance with the designated contents. This flag is Dress The device body 50 designates whether stamp production or ID label printing is performed.
[0047]
Next, in step S2, it is determined whether next time stamp production or ID label printing is performed. Specifically, the driver refers to the flag in the RAM 63 and determines which flag is designated. As a result, if it is determined that stamp creation is specified (S2: NO), the process proceeds to step S3. If it is determined that ID label printing is specified (S2: YES), the process proceeds to step S4.
[0048]
In step S3, stencil sheet punching data processing (γ correction, gradation correction, binarization processing) is performed only on the graphic data of the character data and the graphic data. In step S4, thermal printing data processing (γ correction, gradation correction, binarization processing) is performed only on the graphic data. The punching data processing and thermal printing data processing are performed simultaneously when the stamp image data is created by combining the character data and graphic data input to the personal computer 60 using an editor.
[0049]
In the data processing for punching in step S3, first, γ correction is performed on the graphic data of the 360 dpi original data input to the personal computer 60. The γ correction is a correction for outputting the original data multiplied by γ with respect to the contrast of the original data. By performing γ correction, the contrast of the stamped image can be made appropriate.
[0050]
Subsequently, gradation correction is performed on the graphic data by the editor. The tone correction is a correction for appropriately adjusting the gray scale value of the original data. In this embodiment, gradation correction is performed only on graphic data, and gradation correction is not performed on character data. In order to perform gradation correction on graphic data, it is necessary to prepare a gradation correction table in advance. For this purpose, 256 sample data having respective gray scale values from “0” (black) to “255” (white) are created. Note that this sample data is, for example, binarized data created based on error diffusion. These 256 pieces of sample data are used as original data, and the actual data is actually stored without gradation correction. Dress The stencil sheet 28 of the stamp body 1 is punched using the setting body 50. As a result, the stamp body 1 created is used to mark the paper. Further, by measuring the density of the stamped portion of the paper with a densitometer, the input / output characteristics represented by the curve 201 indicating the relationship between the gray scale value of the original data and the stamped density as shown in FIG. 15 are obtained. At this time, the marking portion can be read by a scanner and the density of the portion can be measured. However, it is preferable to use a densitometer that is closer to the sense of the human eye than a scanner that is a reflective image reading device.
[0051]
The input / output characteristics represented by the curve 201 show that the gray scale value of the original data and the stamp density are not proportional to each other due to the overlap of ink from adjacent holes from the stencil paper 28, and the upper side is slightly higher. The curve is swollen. Therefore, as described above, in the region where the gray scale value is close to “0”, the stamp density is saturated, the stamped image becomes dark, and the gray scale value of the original data cannot be accurately expressed.
[0052]
Next, the input / output characteristics represented by the curve 201 are represented by the straight line 202 (the original data gray scale value “0” indicates the stamp density is “1” (black), and the original data gray scale value “255” indicates the stamp density. A gradation correction table for correcting gradation in a linear relationship represented by “0” (a straight line that becomes white) is created. In order to correct the input / output characteristics from the curve 201 to the straight line 202, the stamp density a1 on the curve 201 when the gray scale value of the original data is m (m is an appropriate natural number between 0 and 255) What is necessary is just to be able to lower the marking density a2 at 202. For this purpose, the gray scale value m of the original data may be converted into a gray scale value n corresponding to the marking density a2 on the straight line 202. The gradation correction table formed in this way is the table shown in FIG. 16, and this is shown by the curve 203 in FIG. A curve 203 in FIG. 17 is a curve that swells slightly downward.
[0053]
Further, when it is desired to brighten the overall image printed, the input / output characteristics represented by the curve 201 are set to a straight line 208 (gray of the original data) shown in FIG. A linear relationship such that the stamp density is “0.8” when the scale value is “0”, and the stamp density is “0” (white) when the gray scale value is “255” of the original data. A gradation correction table for gradation correction is created. In order to correct the input / output characteristic from the curve 201 to the straight line 208, the stamping density a1 'on the curve 201 when the gray scale value of the original data is m' (m 'is an appropriate natural number between 0 and 255). Can be reduced to the marking density a2 ′ on the straight line 208. For that purpose, the gray scale value m ′ of the original data may be converted into the gray scale value n ′ corresponding to the marking density a2 ′ on the straight line 208. The gradation correction table thus formed is the table shown in FIG. 19, and this is shown by the curve 204 in FIG. A curve 204 in FIG. 17 is a curve located below the curve 203. In this process, the value of 80% is preferably changed according to conditions such as the contents of the original data. The gradation correction table represented by such a curve 203 or 204 is stored in the gradation correction table memory of the hard disk 62 in the personal computer 60. Note that a plurality of types of gradation correction tables may be stored so that the user can appropriately select the density of the stamped image.
[0054]
When gradation correction is actually performed, the gray scale value of each dot in the γ-corrected graphic data is referred to the gradation correction table for punching as represented by the curve 203 or 204 in FIG. To be corrected. In other words, in the present embodiment, the gradation of the graphic data is substantially the entire range of the gray scale values so that the relationship between the gray scale value before the gradation correction of the graphic data and the marking density is substantially linear. Correction is applied.
[0055]
On the other hand, since tone correction is not performed on character data, the relationship between the grayscale value before correction and the grayscale value after correction is as shown in FIG. That is, for the character data, the gray scale values are both “0” before and after the correction and do not change. In addition, the stamp density of the character part For the case without gradation correction The corrected gray scale value may be increased to the white side within a range that does not substantially change.
[0056]
After the gray scale value level of the graphic data is reduced by the gradation correction (the gray scale value itself is increased), the CPU 61 performs binarization processing of the graphic data. That is, for example, when the gray scale value “128” is set as a threshold value, when the gray scale value is “128” or more, the dot is turned off, that is, a dot that is not perforated, and the gray scale value is less than “128”. Makes that dot off, that is, a perforated dot. This binarization process is preferably performed according to an error diffusion method. By using an error diffusion method in which an error due to binarization is weighted and assigned to surrounding dots, a reduction in resolution can be minimized.
[0057]
The corrected data for punching, which is a combination of graphic data and character data subjected to predetermined data processing by the editor, is sent by the driver to the RAM 63 together with a flag indicating that the data is for punching and stored therein. Is done.
[0058]
Also, in the thermal printing data processing of step S4, γ correction, gradation correction, and binarization processing are performed only on graphic data when creating stamp image data, and these processing is not performed on character data. . In thermal printing for creating an ID label, the ink does not diffuse and bleed out from the holes of the stencil sheet unlike a stamp, so the gray scale value and the printing density of the original data are represented by a straight line 202 in FIG. Is in a linear relationship. That is, when gradation correction is performed on graphic data, the gray scale value of the original data and the corrected gray scale value may be the same value (no gradation correction), as indicated by a straight line 210 in FIG. .
[0059]
However, when it is desired to brighten the overall thermal print image printed on the thermal paper, the gray scale value after correction of the gradation correction table indicated by the straight line 210 in FIG. The size is made, and a straight line 211 is obtained. In this process, the value of 80% is preferably changed according to conditions such as the contents of the original data. Moreover, this process is not necessarily required, and may be executed as necessary. The gradation correction table represented by the straight line 210 or 211 is stored in the gradation correction table memory of the hard disk 62 in the personal computer 60. Note that a plurality of types of gradation correction tables may be stored so that the user can appropriately select the density of the thermal print image.
[0060]
Note that the thermal printing density tends to be lighter than the marking density under the condition that a gradation correction table having the same characteristics is used. Therefore, in order to bring the printing density of the thermal printed thermal paper closer to the stamping density, the curve representing the gradation correction table for punching is below the straight line representing the gradation correction table for thermal printing. The gray scale value after gradation correction for punching is preferably larger than the gray scale value after gradation correction for thermal printing on thermal paper.
[0061]
When the gradation correction is actually performed, the gray scale value of each dot of the γ-corrected graphic data is corrected with reference to the thermal printing gradation correction table of the hard disk 62 (note that the original When the relationship between the gray scale value of the data and the corrected data is represented by a straight line 210, gradation correction is not performed). After the gray scale value level is decreased by the gradation correction (the gray scale value itself is increased), the CPU 61 performs binarization processing on the graphic data.
[0062]
On the other hand, since the gradation correction is not applied to the character data even in the case of the thermal printing data processing, the relationship between the gray scale value before correction and the corrected gray scale value for character data is the same as that of the punch data processing. As in the case, it is as shown in FIG. That is, for the character data, the gray scale values are both “0” before and after the correction and do not change.
[0063]
The corrected data for thermal printing, which is a combination of graphic data and character data that have been subjected to predetermined data processing by the editor, is sent by the driver to the RAM 63 together with a flag indicating that the data is for thermal printing and stored therein. Is done.
[0064]
Next, in step S5, using the above-described driver, the spooler of the personal computer 60 is used to Dress The corrected data is sent to and stored in the input buffer 124 of the RAM 113 via the input interface 116 of the mounting body 50. In this case, Stan Dress The proximity switches 104 and 105 determine whether the stamp main body 1 or the thermal paper cassette 135 is set in the main body 50. Only when it is determined that the determination result matches the flag, Dress The corrected data is sent to the mounting body 50. By this, Stan Dress It is possible to prevent the thermal head 90 from being driven when there is an error in setting the stamp body 1 and the thermal paper cassette 135 to the mounting body 50.
[0065]
When the stencil paper 28 is punched, the control unit 110 performs the thinning process on the corrected data for punching if necessary, and then writes the thinned punching data to the punching buffer 125. . Note that the thermal printing data need not be thinned because there is no problem such as peeling of the stamp surface. Further, in step S6, the thermal head 90 is driven according to the corrected data for punching or thermal printing, so that Dress A perforation is provided at a desired location on the stencil sheet 28 of the stamp body 1 arranged at a predetermined position of the mounting body 50, or thermal printing is performed on the thermal paper 160 set in the thermal paper cassette 135.
[0066]
FIG. 21 shows the relationship between the stamp density (or the print density of the thermal paper 160) obtained as a result of stamp printing on a sheet using the stamp body 1 created by the above process and the gray scale value of the original data. . In FIG. 21, the straight line 205 corresponds to the curved line 203 and the straight line 210 in FIG. 17, and the straight line 206 corresponds to the curved line 204 and the straight line 211. These straight lines 205 and 206 show the relationship between the graphic data, and the character data always has a stamp density or a print density of “1”.
[0067]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, gradation correction is performed only on graphic data, and gradation correction is not substantially performed on character data. Can be expressed. In other words, with regard to graphic data, by performing gradation correction, the gray scale value of the original data can be faithfully reproduced at an appropriate stamp density or printing density even if the gray scale value is close to “0”. Is possible. On the other hand, since the character data can always be expressed by the stamp density or the print density “1”, the characters can be beautifully displayed in solid black.
[0068]
In addition, according to the present embodiment, since different gradation correction tables are used for punching and thermal printing, when the gray scale values of the original data are the same, the stamp density 1 of the stamp density and the thermal paper 160 The print density can be made substantially the same. For this reason, it is possible to make the image density and brightness thermally printed by the thermal paper 160 in advance close to the actual printing density before creating the stamp.
[0069]
In the stamp body 1 obtained by the present embodiment, the gray scale value of the original data and the stamp density have a substantially proportional relationship. For this reason, the density of the printing result is not substantially saturated in a region where the gray scale value is close to “0” as shown by the curve 201 in FIG. 15. Even in this region, a slight difference in the gray scale value is obtained. It is possible to reflect on. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to perform the troublesome adjustment work of repeating the brightness adjustment of the original data, which has been necessary in the past, and the stamping is performed at a density according to the gray scale value of the original data. It becomes possible to express the result, and it is possible to obtain a good stamping result.
[0070]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the editor manages the original data without distinguishing between character data and graphic data. In other words, the editor does not have a function of distinguishing and managing graphic data and character data captured when editing stamp image data. An editor like this embodiment is Dress There is an advantage that not only the apparatus connected to the personal computer 60 but also the apparatus for connecting to the personal computer 60 may be used in common for the apparatus only by replacing the apparatus that does not need to express the shading of the image, for example, with a label producing apparatus.
[0071]
Stan in this embodiment Dress The device 40 (uses the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment for the sake of convenience, the same applies to the reference numerals of other members), and the editor cannot distinguish and manage graphic data and character data, and data processing such as gradation correction is not possible. Since it is the same as that of the first embodiment except that it is not performed by an editor but by a driver, detailed description of the structure is omitted here, and the stanza of the present embodiment is omitted according to FIG. Dress The operation of the device 40 will be described.
[0072]
FIG. 22 shows the stun according to this embodiment. Dress 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the device 40. First, in step S21, the user designates whether to perform stamp creation or ID label printing using the above-described editor. A flag is set in the RAM 63 of the personal computer 60 in accordance with the designated contents. This flag is Dress The device body 50 designates whether stamp production or ID label printing is performed.
[0073]
Next, in step S22, it is determined which of the stamp production and ID label printing is performed next time. Specifically, the driver refers to the flag in the RAM 63 and determines which flag is designated. As a result, if it is determined that stamp creation is specified (S22: NO), the process proceeds to step S23. If it is determined that ID label printing is specified (S22: YES), the process proceeds to step S25.
[0074]
In step S23, the image data is combined with the graphic data by the editor to create stamp image data. At this time, since the editor does not have a function of identifying and managing character data and graphic data, data such as gradation correction is only added to graphic data at the same time as data creation as in the first embodiment. No processing is performed.
[0075]
Thereafter, in step S24, the driver performs punching data processing (γ correction, gradation correction, binarization processing) of the stencil sheet on the created stamp image data. Since this data processing is performed on the entire stamp image data, gradation correction is performed on both character data and graphic data included in this data.
[0076]
In the punching data processing in step S24, first, γ correction is performed on the stamp image data as the original data, and then gradation correction is performed. A gradation correction table for the gradation correction performed here is shown in FIG. In FIG. 23, a curve 220 showing the relationship between the grayscale value of the original data and the corrected grayscale value has the first point except that the grayscale value “0” of the original data has a singular point. It is a curve similar to the curve 204 relating to the gradation correction of graphic data in the embodiment. That is, the curve 220 is different from the curve 204 in that the grayscale value after correction with the grayscale value “0” of the original data is “0”, and the portion other than the grayscale value “0” of the original data. Do not take consecutive values from.
[0077]
By applying such gradation correction to the original data, the gray scale value can be increased in a range where the possibility that the gray scale value of the original data is graphic data other than the minimum value “0” is high. Data can be properly stamped without darkening the data. In addition, since the grayscale value after correction is “0” at the minimum grayscale value “0” of the original data that is highly likely to be character data, gradation correction is not substantially performed. Character data can be expressed in solid black as it is. Note that the marking density of the portion that is highly likely to be a character corresponding to the minimum value “0” of the gray scale value of the original data For the case without gradation correction The corrected gray scale value may be increased to the white side within a range that does not substantially change.
[0078]
After the gradation correction, the data is binarized using the driver as in the first embodiment. Then, the corrected data for punching combined with the graphic data and the character data subjected to predetermined data processing by the driver is sent by the driver to the RAM 63 together with a flag indicating that the data is for punching and stored therein. Is done.
[0079]
In step S25, as in step S23, stamp data is created by combining character data and graphic data by the editor. At this time, since the editor does not have a function of identifying and managing character data and graphic data, data such as gradation correction is only added to graphic data at the same time as data creation as in the first embodiment. No processing is performed.
[0080]
Thereafter, in step S26, the driver performs thermal printing data processing (γ correction, gradation correction, binarization processing) on the created stamp image data. Since this data processing is performed on the entire stamp image data, gradation correction is performed on both character data and graphic data included in this data.
[0081]
In the thermal printing data processing in step S26, first, γ correction is performed on the stamp image data as the original data, and then gradation correction is performed. A gradation correction table for the gradation correction performed here is shown in FIG. In FIG. 24, the straight line 222 indicating the relationship between the gray scale value of the original data and the corrected gray scale value has a singular point at the gray scale value “0” of the original data. It is the same curve as the straight line 211 regarding the gradation correction of the graphic data in the embodiment. That is, the straight line 222 is different from the straight line 211 in that the gray scale value after correction with the gray scale value “0” of the original data is “0”, and the portion other than the gray scale value “0” of the original data. Do not take consecutive values from.
[0082]
By applying such gradation correction to the original data, the gray scale value can be increased in a range where the possibility that the gray scale value of the original data is graphic data other than the minimum value “0” is high. Data can be properly stamped without darkening the data. In addition, since the grayscale value after correction is “0” at the minimum grayscale value “0” of the original data that is highly likely to be character data, gradation correction is not substantially performed. Character data can be expressed in solid black as it is. Note that the print density of the portion that is highly likely to be a character corresponding to the minimum value “0” of the grayscale value of the original data For the case without gradation correction The corrected gray scale value may be increased to the white side within a range that does not substantially change.
[0083]
After the gradation correction, the data is binarized using the driver as in the first embodiment. The corrected data for thermal printing, which is a combination of graphic data and character data that has been subjected to predetermined data processing by the driver, is sent by the driver to the RAM 63 together with a flag indicating that this data is for thermal printing. Is remembered.
[0084]
Next, in step S27, a stun is performed from the RAM 63 in the same manner as in the first embodiment described above. Dress The corrected data is sent to and stored in the input buffer 124 of the RAM 113 via the input interface 116 of the mounting body 50. In step S28, the thermal head 90 is driven according to the corrected data for punching or thermal printing, thereby Dress A perforation is provided at a desired location on the stencil sheet 28 of the stamp body 1 arranged at a predetermined position of the mounting body 50, or thermal printing is performed on the thermal paper 160 set in the thermal paper cassette 135.
[0085]
FIG. 25 shows the relationship between the stamp density (or the print density of the thermal paper 160) resulting from the stamping on the paper using the stamp body 1 created by the above process and the gray scale value of the original data. A straight line 224 in FIG. 25 corresponds to the curved line 220 and the straight line 222. The straight line 224 is proportional to the printing density or the printing density when the gray scale value of the original data is other than the minimum value “0”. However, at the gray scale value “0” of the original data, the stamp density or the print density is “1”, and a continuous value is not taken from a portion other than the gray scale value “0” of the original data. Since the gray scale value of the original data and the seal density or the print density have the relationship shown in FIG. 25, even if the editor does not manage the character data and the graphic data separately, the graphic data is stored in the original data. It can be faithfully reproduced at a density according to the gray scale value, and character data can be printed in solid black.
[0086]
In the stamp body 1 obtained by the present embodiment, the gray scale value of the original data and the stamp density have a substantially proportional relationship. For this reason, the density of the printing result is not substantially saturated in a region where the gray scale value is close to “0” as shown by the curve 201 in FIG. 15. Even in this region, a slight difference in the gray scale value is obtained. It is possible to reflect on. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is not necessary to perform the troublesome adjustment work of repeating the brightness adjustment of the original data, which has been necessary in the past, and the stamping is performed at a density according to the gray scale value of the original data. It becomes possible to express the result, and it is possible to obtain a good stamping result.
[0087]
Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described above, various design changes can be made to the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the gradation correction means that is the personal computer 60 is the stun. Dress However, as another embodiment, the gradation correction is not performed by the personal computer 60 as a separate embodiment. Dress It is also possible to perform gradation correction or the like in the main body 50. In that case, stun Dress A tone correction table may be stored in the ROM 112 in the main body 50 in addition to a program for image processing such as tone correction. In this case, the place where the gradation correction is performed is changed from the personal computer 60 to the stand-by position. Dress Since only the inside of the mounting body 50 is present and there is no substantial difference, the description is omitted. In the above-described embodiment, the case of a stamp image including both character data and graphic data has been described. However, the present invention operates similarly when the stamp image includes only character data or graphic data.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to claims 1 and 8, tone correction is performed on character data and graphic data in original data managed so as to be identifiable at the time of stamp creation using different tone correction tables. Therefore, the graphic data and the character data can be expressed with appropriate gradation suitable for each. When creating a stamp, set the stamp density for the characters For the case without gradation correction Since the character data is not subjected to gradation correction when the identification label is created without being changed, the character can be expressed as solid black.
[0089]
According to the second and ninth aspects of the present invention, at the time of creating the stamp, gradation correction is performed so that the grayscale value of the original data is increased except for the minimum value of the grayscale value of the original data. It is possible to appropriately perform tone correction on data in a range where there is a high possibility that the graphic data is other than the minimum value without darkening the marking result. In addition, the minimum grayscale value of the original data indicates the stamping result by stamp and the printing density of the identification label. For the case without gradation correction Since gradation correction is performed so as not to change, data with a minimum gray scale value that is likely to be character data can be stamped and printed as it is in solid black.
[0090]
According to the third and tenth aspects of the present invention, since the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same with respect to the graphic, there is no need for troublesome adjustment work, and gray according to the input graphic data. The marking result can be expressed by the scale value, and a good marking result can be obtained.
[0091]
According to the fourth and eleventh aspects, except for the minimum gray scale value of the original data, gradation correction is applied to the original data so that the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density of the stamp are the same. As a result, it is possible to express the stamping result with the gray scale value according to the input graphic data without having to perform troublesome adjustment work, and it is possible to obtain a good stamping result.
According to the fifth, sixth, twelfth and thirteenth aspects, the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density can be brought close to each other.
According to the seventh and fourteenth aspects, even if character data and graphic data are not managed separately, graphic data can be faithfully reproduced at a density according to the gray scale value of the original data, and the character data is solid black. Can be printed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a state in which a stencil sheet is perforated at 360 dpi.
FIG. 2 shows a stun according to an embodiment of the present invention. Dress It is a perspective view of the stamp body used for setting.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the stamp body shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
4 is a longitudinal side view of the stamp body shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a heat-sensitive stencil sheet of the stamp body shown in FIG.
6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a pattern for punching a stamp face portion of the stamp body illustrated in FIG. 2; FIG.
FIG. 7 shows a stun according to an embodiment of the present invention. Dress It is sectional drawing of the thermal paper cassette used for setting.
FIG. 8 shows a stun according to an embodiment of the present invention. Dress It is a front view of the thermal paper cassette used for setting.
FIG. 9 shows a stun according to an embodiment of the present invention. Dress It is a side view of the thermal paper cassette used for setting.
FIG. 10 shows a stun according to an embodiment of the present invention. Dress FIG.
FIG. 11 shows the stun shown in FIG. Dress It is a perspective view of a mounting body.
FIG. 12 shows the stun shown in FIG. Dress FIG. 6 is an electric circuit diagram of a head driving circuit incorporated in the mounting body.
FIG. 13 shows the stun shown in FIG. Dress It is a block diagram of the control system of a device.
FIG. 14 shows a stun according to the first embodiment of this invention. Dress 6 is a flowchart for explaining a driving method of the apparatus.
FIG. 15 is a graph for explaining a method of creating a gradation correction table in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a gradation correction table obtained by the method described in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a graph showing a gradation correction table for punching and thermal printing of graphic data in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 18 is a graph for explaining a method of creating a gradation correction table in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a gradation correction table obtained by the method described in FIG.
FIG. 20 is a graph showing a tone correction table for punching and thermal printing of character data in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 21 is a graph showing the relationship between the gray scale value of the original data and the printing density or the printing density according to the graphs of FIGS. 17 and 20 in the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 22 shows a stun according to the second embodiment of this invention. Dress 6 is a flowchart for explaining a driving method of the apparatus.
FIG. 23 is a graph showing a gradation correction table for punching according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 24 is a graph showing a gradation correction table for thermal printing in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 25 is a graph showing the relationship between the gray scale value of the original data and the printing density or the printing density according to the graphs of FIGS. 23 and 24 in the second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining how the stencil sheet is punched at 180 dpi.
FIG. 27 is a graph showing the relationship between the gray scale value of the original data and the stamp density according to the conventional stamp creation technique.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Stamp body
28 Heat-sensitive stencil paper
40 stun Dress Place
50 stun Dress Body
52 keyboard
60 Personal computer
90 Thermal head
103 heating element
110 Control unit
111 CPU
112 ROM
113 RAM

Claims (14)

In a stamp device for creating a stamp for performing printing by transmitting ink from a hole formed in a predetermined position of a stencil sheet, and for creating an identification label of the stamp that can be confirmed in advance by performing thermal printing on the printing content by the stamp ,
Management means for managing the original data related to the printing content by the stamp so that character data and graphic data can be identified;
At the time of creating the stamp, the stamp density of the stamp is the minimum value of the gray scale value of the original data so as not to change the stamp density of the stamp with respect to the character without the gradation correction . Managed by the management means so that the stamp density is a maximum value that does not exceed the stamp density for characters, and the density is represented by a straight line where the stamp density at the maximum gray scale value of the original data is 0, which is the minimum value. The original character data and graphic data in the original data are subjected to gradation correction using different gradation correction tables, and when the identification label is created, the print density of the identification label is the gray scale value of the original data. The print density at the minimum value is the maximum value that does not exceed the print density for characters and the print density at the maximum grayscale value of the original data. As but a concentration represented by a straight line which becomes the minimum value of 0, the gradation correction for performing tone correction using different gradation correction table as when creating the stamp only graphic data in the original data Means,
At the time of creating the stamp, it is driven according to the corrected character data subjected to gradation correction by the gradation correcting means or the corrected graphic data for punching on the stencil sheet, and at the time of creating the identification label, character data or stamp equipment, characterized in that it comprises a thermal head is driven in accordance with the corrected graphic data for printing to the gradation corrected the identified labels in said tone correction means. In a stamp device for creating a stamp for performing printing by transmitting ink from a hole formed in a predetermined position of a stencil sheet, and for creating an identification label of the stamp that can be confirmed in advance by performing thermal printing on the printing content by the stamp ,
At the time of creating the stamp, with respect to the original data related to the printing content by the stamp, the stamp density by the stamp is the density at the minimum gray scale value of the original data, except for the minimum gray scale value of the original data. The gray scale value of the original data is larger than that before the gradation correction so that the marking density at the maximum value of the gray scale value of the original data becomes a density represented by a straight line where the minimum value is 0. The grayscale value of the original data is subjected to gradation correction using a gradation correction table that does not change the stamping density by the stamp as compared with the case where gradation correction is not performed, and the identification label when creating the the original data, the outside minimum values of the gray scale value of the original data, the print density of the identification label, under As the print density at the minimum value of the gray scale value of the data is a concentration in which the print density at the maximum value of the grayscale values become and the original data and the maximum value is represented by a straight line which becomes the minimum value of 0, the original When the grayscale value of the data is changed to a value different from that at the time of creating the stamp larger than before the gradation correction, and the print density of the identification label is not subjected to gradation correction at the minimum grayscale value of the original data Gradation correction means for performing gradation correction using a gradation correction table that does not change with respect to
When the stamp is created, the stamp is driven in accordance with the corrected data for punching the stencil sheet whose tone has been corrected by the tone correction unit, and when the identification label is created, the tone is corrected by the tone correction unit. the stamp equipment, characterized in that it comprises a thermal head is driven in accordance with the corrected data for printing on identification label. The gradation correction means applies gradation correction to graphic data in the entire range of gray scale values so that the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same for the graphic. stamp equipment according to claim 1. The gradation correction means performs gradation correction on the original data so that the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same except for the minimum gray scale value of the original data. stamp equipment according to claim 2, characterized. The gray scale value of the graphic data after correction by the gradation correction means is such that, for the entire range of the gray scale value of the original data, the one for punching is larger than the one for printing the identification label. stamp equipment according to claim 1. The gray scale value of the original data after the correction by the gradation correction means is larger than that for printing the identification label in the range excluding the minimum gray scale value of the original data. stamp equipment according to claim 2, wherein. The gradation correction table for punching and the gradation correction table for printing the identification label have discontinuous singularities at locations other than the minimum value in the minimum value of the gray scale value of the original data. stamp equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that it is. Driving of a stamp device for creating a stamp for printing by transmitting ink from a hole formed at a predetermined position of a stencil sheet, and an identification label for the stamp that can be confirmed in advance by performing thermal printing on the printed content of the stamp In the method
Manage the original data related to the printing contents by stamp so that character data and graphic data can be identified,
At the time of creating the stamp, the stamp density of the stamp is the minimum value of the gray scale value of the original data so as not to change the stamp density of the stamp with respect to the character without the gradation correction . In the original data, the stamp density is a maximum value that does not exceed the stamp density for characters, and the density is represented by a straight line where the stamp density at the maximum gray scale value of the original data is 0, which is the minimum value . Tone correction is performed on character data and graphic data using different gradation correction tables, and at the time of creation of the identification label, the print density of the identification label is printed with the minimum grayscale value of the original data. The print density at the maximum value of the gray scale value of the original data is 0, which is the minimum value. As a concentration expressed by comprising straight performs tone correction using different gradation correction table as when creating the stamp only graphic data in the original data,
When creating the stamp, the thermal head is driven in accordance with the corrected character data subjected to gradation correction or corrected graphic data for punching on the stencil sheet, and when creating the identification label, the character data or the stamp equipment driving method, characterized by driving the thermal head in accordance with the corrected graphic data for printing to the gradation corrected the identification label. Driving of a stamp device for creating a stamp for printing by transmitting ink from a hole formed at a predetermined position of a stencil sheet, and an identification label for the stamp that can be confirmed in advance by performing thermal printing on the printed content of the stamp In the method
At the time of creating the stamp, with respect to the original data related to the printing content by the stamp, the stamp density by the stamp is the density at the minimum gray scale value of the original data, except for the minimum gray scale value of the original data. The gray scale value of the original data is larger than that before the gradation correction so that the marking density at the maximum value of the gray scale value of the original data becomes a density represented by a straight line where the minimum value is 0. The grayscale value of the original data is subjected to gradation correction using a gradation correction table that does not change the stamping density by the stamp as compared with the case where gradation correction is not performed, and the identification label when creating the the original data, the outside minimum values of the gray scale value of the original data, the print density of the identification label, under As the print density at the minimum value of the gray scale value of the data is a concentration in which the print density at the maximum value of the grayscale values become and the original data and the maximum value is represented by a straight line which becomes the minimum value of 0, the original When the grayscale value of the data is changed to a value different from that at the time of creating the stamp larger than before the gradation correction, and the print density of the identification label is not subjected to gradation correction at the minimum grayscale value of the original data subjected to tone correction using the tone correction table that does not alter relative,
When the stamp is created, a thermal head is driven according to the corrected data for punching the stencil sheet whose gradation has been corrected, and when the identification label is created, printing is performed on the identification label whose gradation has been corrected. stamp equipment driving method characterized by driving the thermal head in accordance with the corrected data of use. 9. The stun according to claim 8, wherein gradation correction is performed on the graphic data over the entire range of gray scale values so that the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same for the graphic. method of driving a flop equipment. 10. The gradation correction is applied to the original data so that the printing density of the identification label and the stamping density by the stamp are the same except for the minimum grayscale value of the original data. stamp equipment of the driving method described. The gray scale value of the graphic data after the gradation correction has a larger size for punching than for printing the identification label in the entire range of the gray scale value of the original data. stamp equipment of the driving method according to 8. The grayscale value of the original data after the gradation correction is characterized in that, in a range excluding the minimum value of the grayscale value of the original data, the one for punching is larger than the one for printing the identification label. stamp equipment driving method of claim 9,. The gradation correction table for punching and the gradation correction table for printing the identification label have discontinuous singularities at locations other than the minimum value in the minimum value of the gray scale value of the original data. stamp equipment driving method of claim 9, it is characterized in that.

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