JPH0462098A - Card engraving device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a single card to be engraved concurrently with a reading step and thereby prevent the card from being altered by giving an oscillation to a cutter at ever single pitch in an engraving direction following data on characters, a picture or an image in response to a connected cutter drive signal. CONSTITUTION:A cutter 19 travels relatively in the line and row direction of a card 200 under the control of engraving depth(d). The cutter advances, dot-engraving the card at every single pitch of 0.13mm/dot on a single line in a line direction of the card 200 under the control of engraving depth(d). Next, the cutter 19 is fed by a single pitch at a pitch of 0.13mm in the row direction of the card 200, during a single period of a shuttle motion or after the period in the line direction, and the formation of dots is engraved on a following line within a specified range. Thus white and black dots are formed in a matrix form in both line and row directions across the entire area of an image falling within an engradable scope. The image is dot-engraved to meet a white/black contrast level by control of engraving depth.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application This invention relates to a card engraving device used for engraving characters and images corresponding to input characters, photographs, and image data onto a plastic card.

Conventional technology and issues to be solved Traditionally, credit cards and cash cards.

Many cards are issued to prove a user's identity, such as a key card, employee ID, member's club membership card, student ID, driver's license, and commuter pass.

Conventionally, in order to prove the identity of the user of this identification card, for example, a photograph of the user's face is pasted onto the card base material, or a printing plate is created using the photograph as a manuscript, and this printing plate is used to attach the card base material to the card base material. Various methods have been tried, such as printing an image such as a face on it. In this case, the character data is displayed separately by printing or writing. Furthermore, when fingerprint data is required, the fingerprint is attached directly to the card base material, or a mount with the fingerprint taken is attached.

However, the conventional method of pasting facial photographs, etc., onto the card base material is not perfect in terms of preventing card forgery and alteration, and if the card is stolen or lost, it may be misused by replacing the facial photograph, etc. There is. In addition, only the facial photograph portion becomes thicker, which impairs the machine processability when, for example, a machine is used to confirm the photograph using magnetism.

Furthermore, with any of the above methods, the photo/image data and text data must be pasted, printed, collected, or written on separately, making card creation troublesome and time-consuming. This method is not suitable for immediate issuance of cards, is not easy to reissue, and is not suitable for data management such as personnel files.

Furthermore, with any of the above methods, facial photographs, etc. are not durable and can be damaged by friction during long-term use, losing their function as identification, and the identification of the user cannot be verified within the validity period of the card. The disadvantage is that it is difficult.

Furthermore, conventionally proposed card making devices engrave an image on a resin card base material by printing character data in advance, using the user's face photo as a manuscript. A photograph of the user must be prepared in advance, and the identity of the user's face must be verified before the card is created, making the card creation time-consuming and complicated. It has some drawbacks.

This invention was made in view of the above points, and it is possible to simultaneously engrave character data and photograph/image data on one card along with the reading operation, and effectively prevent forgery, alteration, and tampering of the card. It is an object of the present invention to provide a card engraving device that can create cards suitable for instant issuing, reissuing, and data management.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the first technical means of the present invention is to provide a first technical means of the present invention that is movable relative to the card in the row direction and the column direction, and that one of the reciprocating movements in the row direction. A cutter that moves relatively in the column direction at a predetermined pitch interval after a cycle period or one cycle, and performs reciprocating motion in the row direction and relative motion in the column direction accompanying the reciprocating motion over an engraving range, and a cutter that performs text, photo, and image data. a control means for correcting the signal read and passed through engraving and outputting the corrected signal as a cutter drive signal according to character data or photograph/image data; and a cutter driving means that operates to apply vibration in the engraving direction at every pitch interval imitating text or photo/image data, and the cutter drive means operates to apply vibration in the engraving direction at every pitch interval in imitation of the text or photo/image data, and the cutter drive means operates to apply vibration in the engraving direction at every pitch interval to imitate text or photo/image data. A configuration is adopted in which the cutter is driven and controlled in the engraving direction together with the relative movement so that dots are formed in the row and column directions according to the dots.

A second technical means of the present invention is the first technical means, wherein the cutter is in the engraving state or in a state in which it is moved upward from the engraving state in response to the input of the cutter drive signal output from the control means. Drives according to character data,
In addition, the cutter is equipped with a cutter driving means that operates to apply vibrations in the engraving direction at every pitch interval following the photo/image data, and for the character area, the cutter is in the engraving state in synchronization with the reading of character data. Alternatively, drive control is performed while keeping the engraving state in the upward movement state, and for the image area, in synchronization with the loading of photo/image data, dots are created in the row/column direction according to the photo/image data. The cutter is driven and controlled in the engraving direction along with relative movement with respect to the card so that the card is formed.

Further, a third technical means of the present invention is that in the first and second technical means, the cutter is relatively moved in the column direction at a pitch interval of 0513 pitches or less after one period or one cycle of the reciprocating motion in the row direction. and causing the relative movement to occur over the engraving range,
It is characterized in that the pitch interval of the relative movement of the cutter is set so that the engraving resolution on the card is 7.5 lines per square or more.

Furthermore, in the first, second, or third technical means, the present invention uses materials of two colors different in brightness, darkness, shade, and hue, and the surface of the card base material formed of one of the materials is coated with the other. The material is coated to form a card, and the tip of the cutter is shaped into a pyramid or a section of a cone. The level or hue is determined by a control means, and the engraving depth of the cutter on the card is controlled according to the light/darkness, shading level, or hue, and by controlling the engraving depth, a dot is formed on the card. The cutter is controlled to be driven relative to the card to change the ratio of the exposed portion of the base material to the coating layer, thereby cutting the read text, photo, etc.
It is characterized by forming an image according to the brightness, darkness, level of shading, or hue of the image data. In this configuration, the present invention further provides a signal obtained by superimposing an AC drive signal on a signal corrected by the control means, or an AC drive signal modulated by the signal corrected by the control means as a cutter drive signal. Based on the input of the cutter drive signal, vibration is applied to the force/cutter in the engraving direction to form dots at a predetermined pitch on the card.

Furthermore, in the first, second, or third technical means, the present invention forms a card base material using one of two colored materials having different brightness and darkness, shading, and hue, and coats the other material on the surface of the card base material. While forming a card, a threshold value for the brightness, darkness, shading level, or hue of the text, photo, or image data read into the control means is set, and The rate of exposure of the card base material from the coating layer should be changed depending on whether the value exceeds the threshold value or is below the threshold value. In this configuration, the cutter is applied to the card according to the level of brightness, shading, or hue of the character data read into the control means, which is above the threshold value or below the threshold value. The control means outputs a signal for driving and controlling the cutter to the cutter driving means so that the cutter is relatively moved in an upwardly moved state or in an engraving state, and characters corresponding to the read character data are carved in a line shape. This is also a feature of the present invention.

Further, the present invention enables the engraving range of the cutter on the card to be set to predetermined ranges in the row direction and the column direction from the engraving start point based on the input of the engraving range setting signal to the control means, and the image area setting signal Based on the input, it is possible to set an image area at a position at a predetermined distance in the row direction and column direction from the engraving start point within the engraving range, and within a predetermined range from the position in the row direction and column direction. It can be characterized by what it did.

Furthermore, the present invention sets the gamma value of the input-to-output curve for the light/darkness, shading level, and hue of the text/photo/image signal in the control means, and sets the gamma value of the input vs. output curve for the text/photo/image signal read into the control means. The corrected signal is output as a cutter drive signal in synchronization with the reading operation, and the control means receives the read text, photo, etc.
Multiple sets of combinations of several types of correction coefficients for varying the contrast of the image signal and several types of correction coefficients for making the brightness, shading, or hue true are set in multiple stages, and used as input for the image quality setting signal. one of the combinations can be selected and set based on the selection and setting, and the gamma-corrected signal is corrected by the combination of the correction coefficients;
It is now output as a cutter drive signal. In this configuration, the present invention further enables read text, photographs,
The drive voltage of the cutter can be adjusted for components of a predetermined frequency or higher of the image signal, and by this adjustment, the response frequency of the cutter can be maintained at a predetermined value with respect to the read signal, and the response of the cutter drive with respect to the read signal can be improved. are doing.

In the above configuration, the present invention enables engraving of a predetermined number of binarized bits of identification information in a predetermined part within the engraving range together with characters, photographs, and image data, and prevents card users from forgery, alteration, and tampering. We are trying to prevent this.

action When the engraving operation starts, the character data and face photo are displayed.

Photo/image data such as fingerprints and signatures are simultaneously read dot by dot or line by line and input to the control means. This input signal is used to perform level correction, gamma correction, contrast strength, etc. according to black and white gray levels, etc.
Correction calculations are made to a signal suitable for engraving according to engraving conditions, such as image quality correction of brightness, etc., and outputted as a cutter drive signal via a drive amplifier. The cutter starts an engraving operation on the card upon receiving the cutter drive signal. Then, it moves relatively in the row direction of the card at a pitch interval corresponding to the one dot. In the process of movement, when engraving for one line in the 0th line direction is completed, character data is engraved one dot at a time in the character area, and photo/image data is engraved one dot at a time in the image area. ,
The cutter is relatively moved in the column direction of the card at 1-pinch intervals, and then moved relatively in the row direction, and in the process, character data or photo/image data is engraved one dot at a time in the same way as above. The engraving for the line is completed.

(In this way, character data is engraved for the character area and photo/image data is engraved for the image area over the entire engraving range.The character data is, for example, the state in which the cutter is engraved on the card or the engraved state. It is engraved in a line shape by moving it up from the horizontal position and moving it relative to the other position.
For example, photo/image data is processed by moving a cutter up and down in accordance with the level of black and white shading of the input signal, controlling the engraving depth on the card, and creating a matrix of white and black backgrounds in the form of dots in the row and column directions of the card. The ratio of the white background to the black background is changed according to the level of black and white shading of the input signal.
It is engraved in a dot shape.

When engraving character data, set a threshold for the level of black and white shading, and set it so that when the input signal is below the threshold, it becomes a black background, and when it exceeds the threshold, it becomes a white background. , clearly engraved with black letters on a white background.

According to the present invention, characters, photographs, and image data can be simultaneously read and input, and the character area and image area on the card can be simultaneously engraved. The engraving range of the card can be set to any range by operating an engraving range setting signal. Furthermore, by inputting image area settings, the image area can be preset to any part within the engraving range. Further, the input signal is corrected into a signal suitable for engraving according to the level of shading, etc., and this corrected signal is output as a cutter drive signal to drive and control the cutter. The pitch interval of the relative movement of the cutter in the row/column directions with respect to the card is 0.13 mm or less, and the engraving resolution can be set to 765 lines/- or more by the feeding operation at this pitch interval.

Therefore, the engraving quality and precision are good, and for example, in the case of photographic data, it is possible to engrave with the same degree of precision as a printed photograph.

Manual methods for text, photo, and image data include devices that optically read text, photos, and images displayed on a manuscript and convert them into electrical signals that correspond to the intensity of light, CCD cameras, video cameras, and electronic still cameras. Examples of imaging means include: It is also possible to connect to a personal computer and input character data through the keyboard. Furthermore, it can be connected to a computer to create a system, making it easy to manage data and reissue cards.

Furthermore, since the device of the present invention can engrave a predetermined number of binary bits of identification information as secret information in a predetermined part of the engraving area, it is possible to prevent forgery or alteration, for example, for a user who has requested processing of a card. be able to.

Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a card engraving device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the main parts thereof.

In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a table on which a document 1 (10), which is a subject on which characters, photographs, and image data are displayed, and a card 2 (10), which is an object to be engraved, are juxtaposed at a constant interval.

The table 10 is driven by a table motor 11 and reciprocated with a constant stroke via a crank mechanism 12. The direction of reciprocating movement of the table 10 corresponds to the row direction of engraving on the card 2 (10).

The card has a black resin coating applied to the surface of a card base material 201 made of white plastic, and the thickness of the resin coating layer 202 is about 7 to 13 μm.

A linear encoder 13 is attached to the table 10. When the table 10 reciprocates, the scale of the linear encoder 13 is detected by the photoelectric sensor 14, and a constant periodic pulse output is taken out from the photoelectric sensor 14. Linear encoder 13 and photoelectric sensor 14
A synchronizing pulse generating means is constituted by the above. The pulses are input to a control circuit to be described later, and based on the input, the engraving operation of the cutter is synchronized with the reading operation of characters, photographs, and image data.

On both sides of the installation position of the original 1 (10), that is, on both sides in the reciprocating direction of the table IO, there are first strips of approximately ideal white and approximately ideal black.
, a second member 15.16 is attached. 1st, 2nd
The members 15 and 16 serve as a reference for correcting the black and white gray level of the input signal, which will be described later, and are detected by the photosensors 17 and 18 at the time of engraving start operation, and the read values are input to the control circuit.

On the other hand, a cutter unit 20 having a cutter 19 is assembled above the installation position of the card 2 (10). The cutter 19 has a substantially diamond-shaped cross section and a pyramid-shaped tip so that it can accurately carve dots, which will be described later. However, even if a part of the cone is shaped like a section, the engraving operation can be performed without any problem.

The cutter unit 20 is carried above the card 2 (10) via the belt mechanism 22 by the drive of the pulse motor 21, and then by the up and down mechanism 2 by the drive of the motor 23.
4. The cutter 19 is the card 2 (10
) is positioned at the engraving start position on the top. The direction of movement of the cutter unit 20 is the front-back direction perpendicular to the direction of reciprocating movement of the table 10, that is, the row direction of the cards 2 (10).

When the cutter unit 20 advances above the card 2 (10) and the pulse motor 21 stops, the cutter unit 20 is lowered onto the card 2 (10) by the vertical mechanism 24. When the cutter unit 20 descends, the belt mechanism 22 is uncoupled, and
The lead screw 25 sends it from the forward position toward the rear in the engraving direction. That is, during the engraving operation, the cutter unit 20 is sent rearward along with the reciprocating movement of the table 10 by the rotation of the lead screw 25. The lead screw 25 is connected to the table motor 11 via a gear mechanism 26 and a belt mechanism 27.
1, the table 10 is rotated together with the reciprocating motion of the table 10. As a result, the cutter unit 20, that is, the cutter 19 is sent to the rear side perpendicular to the table while performing the engraving operation in conjunction with the reciprocating movement of the table 10. When the cutter unit 20 moves forward by the drive of the pulse motor 21, the lead screw 25 is held in an idling state by the action of the clutch mechanism, and at the same time when the belt mechanism 22 is disengaged at the forward position, the cutter unit 2
Connected to 0. Then, the cutter 19 moves the card 2 (1
When the cutter unit 20 moves to the end of the engraving range 0), the cutter unit 20 is lifted above the table 0 via the up-and-down mechanism 24 by the drive of the motor 23. At the same time as this lifting operation, the belt mechanism 22 moves the cutter unit 20
The cutter unit 20 and the lead screw 25 are disconnected from each other. Motor 23 and vertical mechanism 24
has the function of raising and lowering the cutter unit 20 and the function of connecting and disconnecting the cutter unit 20 to and from the belt mechanism 22.

Figure 3 shows card 2 (10) of cutter 19 during engraving operation.
This diagram schematically shows the locus of movement relative to the table 10, in which the table 10 reciprocates with a partial stroke, and the cutter unit 20 moves one pitch rearward perpendicular to the reciprocating motion of the table 10 by rotation of the lead screw 25. When moving to the interval, the cutter 19 moves from the engraving starting point to card 2.
(10) While moving in the row direction, it moves relatively in the column direction and reaches the end of the engraving. At this time, the cutter 19 is driven by a drive mechanism 210 built into the cutter unit 20, and the cutter 19 is driven by a drive mechanism 210 built into the cutter unit 20, and the cutter 19 is driven by a drive mechanism 210 built into the cutter unit 20, and the cutter 19 is driven by a drive mechanism 210 built into the cutter unit 20 to
The engravings are fed in the column direction at a pitch interval of, for example, 0.13so or less, for example, 0.13 pitches. cutter 19 to 0.1
If the drive is set to be controlled at pitch intervals of 3 m or less, the engraving resolution for card 2 (10) will be 7.5 lines/m or more, for example 7.7 lines/W, making it suitable for engraving photos and image data. A clear engraving image with good precision can be obtained even when the engraving is performed.

In FIG. 1, an optical imaging means 30 is arranged above the installation position of the original 1 (10). The light emitted from the light source 31 is irradiated onto the surface of the original 1 (10) through a condensing lens 32, and the reflected light is received by a light receiving element 33 consisting of a photodiode.

The light receiving element 33 converts the intensity of light corresponding to the characters, photographs, and images on the surface of the original 1 (10) into electrical signals.

The second signal is AD converted by the A/D converter 34 and then input to the control circuit 40 via the switching circuit 35. The control circuit 40 is constituted by a microprocessor including a CPU 41. Character/photo/image data read by the imaging means 30 is input to the control circuit 40 one dot at a time. The signal input to the control circuit 40 has its black and white gray level corrected with respect to a preset standard, and then is gamma corrected with respect to the input/output gamma value set in the control circuit 40. If necessary, this gamma-corrected signal is further subjected to image quality correction such as contrast strength, brightness, etc., to make it a signal suitable for engraving, and then output.

This output signal is DA-converted via the D/A converter 36 and then given to the cutter drive mechanism 210 of the cutter unit 20 via the drive amplifier 37 as a cutter drive signal. The cutter drive mechanism 210 receives a cutter drive signal and controls the cutter 19 to perform an engraving operation. As a result, the text, photo,
Characters and images are engraved according to the image input signal. That is, characters, photographs, and images imitating the characters, photographs, and images of original document 1 (10) are accurately engraved on card 2 (10).

That is, by controlling the drive of the cutter 19, characters, photographs, and images are sequentially engraved in the column direction line by line on the card 2 (10) from the engraving start position at a pitch interval of 0.13 mm. 10) The entire character area and image area within the engraving range are engraved.

In the following explanation, the term "line engraving" refers to moving the cutter relative to the card (continuously) on the line while engraving, and in the process of moving the cutter on the part of the letter, pattern, etc. Represents a method of carving in which characters, patterns, etc. are left uncarved by moving upwards. In addition, the term dot engraving refers to a method of engraving in which the cutter is moved up and down on the card at intervals of l pitch to form dots on the line at intervals of one pitch. .

[Line engraving]

For example, when engraving character data with this device, the cutter 19 engraves the card 2 (10) as shown in FIG.
It moves relatively in the row/column direction while being engraved by a constant temperature d. In the process, the cutter 19 is controlled to drive in a line in the row and column directions at pitch intervals of 0.13 m, and characters that follow the input character data are carved into the entire character area of the card 2 (10). In this way, character data is engraved into the character area line by line.

During this line engraving, as shown in Figure 5, a threshold is set for the black and white shading level of the input signal, and when the shading level is below the threshold, it is black (OV) and exceeds the L threshold. It is set so that it becomes white (5■) when Therefore, the characters formed on the card 2 (10) on the black background stand out clearly against the white background, making it possible to engrave clearer and more accurate characters.

In addition, line carving is a carving method suitable for character carving,
By controlling the drive of the cutter 19, it is possible to engrave photographs and images.

[Dot carving]

When engraving a photograph or image using this device, the method of controlling the drive of the cutter 19 called dot engraving described above is adopted.

6 and 7 schematically show the dot engraving procedure, in which the cutter 19 moves relatively in the row and column directions of the card 2 (10) while the engraving depth d is controlled. That is, the cutter 19 controls the engraving depth d,
0.131/1 line up in the row direction of card 2 (10)
Move while engraving every 1 pitch interval of the dots, and place card 2 on the line in the form of dots with a pitch interval of 0.13 dragons.
(10) is engraved. Next, after one period or one cycle of reciprocating motion in the row direction, the cutter 19 cuts the card 2 (10).
The dots are sent in the column direction by one pitch at intervals of 0.13-, and the dot shape is carved in a predetermined range on the next row line. In this way, black and white dots are formed in a matrix in the row and column directions over the entire image area within the engraving range. The ratio of this black and white dot, that is, the ratio of the black background to the white background formed in the shape of a dot, is controlled by controlling the engraving depth by the cutter 19 so as to correspond to the black and white gray level of the input image signal. Ru. As a result, it is possible to engrave a photo/image with the same gradation level as the input photo/image information. In this case, by changing the ratio of the dots on the white background and the black background, the gray level on the card 2 (10) can be set to a height of about 32 gradations.

The engraving resolution for this dot engraving is set to 7.5 lines/lxm or more, for example, 7.7 lines/lxm, which corresponds to a cutter feed pitch interval of 0.13 lines/dot or less.

Although dot engraving is a method suitable for engraving photographic and image data, it is also fully possible to apply it to engraving character data by adjusting the cutter control method.

The line engraving and dot engraving described above are performed on one card 2 (
10) In the above, switching is performed while being controlled on one and the same line corresponding to the character area and the image area. That is, the character area of one card 2 (10) is carved in a line shape by line engraving, and the image area is carved in a dot shape by dot engraving.

When engraving characters, photographs, and images on the card 2 (10), an engraving range and an image area are set on the card.

[Setting the engraving range] The card 2 (10) is placed on the table 10 by vacuum suction.
held on top. When setting the engraving range for this card 2 (10), it is specified as a preset distance from the base point 0 in the row direction and a preset distance in the column direction. Specifically, pulses are detected by reading the scale of the linear encoder 13 to determine the amount of movement of the table 10, and the position where pulse number is counted from the movement start point of the table 10 is set as the engraving start position in the row direction. The position where the number of pulses is counted is defined as the engraving end position in the row direction. The engraving start position and end position in the row direction are stored in the control circuit 40 by counting the number of pulses from the movement start point.

On the other hand, in the depth direction (back and forth direction), that is, card 2 (1
The column direction of 0) is set as follows. That is, the sensor 3 (10) for detecting the origin position is arranged at the position where the cutter 19 has moved to the rear end, and the origin sensor 3
The position where the cutter 19 has advanced from the origin detected in (10) to the preset position is set as the engraving start point. Specifically, the engraving start position in the column direction is set by counting the amount of pulses of the pulse motor 21. This count number is read by the control circuit 40.

The engraving end position in the column direction is selected as follows.

When the table 10 reciprocates one stroke from the position where the cutter 19 advances first in the row direction relative to the card 2 (10), the cutter 19 moves one pitch at a time in the row direction at a pitch interval of 0.13-. fall back. Therefore,
By counting the number of strokes of the reciprocating motion of the table 10, the end of the cutter 19 in the backward direction, that is,
The engraving end position is determined.

As described above, the engraving range on the card 2 (10) is set to the required distance in the row direction and the required distance in the column direction from the engraving starting point O.

Through the same procedure, for example, three types of image areas (■, ■, ■) are set within the engraving range. This image area■,
A face photo, fingerprint, signature, or other image is engraved inside the ■, ■, etc.

The engraving range is set by inputting an engraving range setting signal when starting the engraving operation. Similarly, the image area is set at a desired location by inputting image area settings. When the image area is not set, the entire engraving range becomes the character area.

Note that text data and photos/images are stored in the text area and image area.
The image data may be engraved at the same time, or it is also possible to engrave each area separately at different times. Furthermore, it is also possible to engrave photograph/image data by copying onto a card on which character data is written by printing or the like in the character area.

The characters read by the imaging means 30 as described above
When a photo/image is input to the control circuit 40 one dot at a time, its black and white gray level is corrected with respect to the reference black and white gray level. The procedure is as follows.

[Correction of black and white shading level] The ideal black and white shading level read from the first and second members 15 and 16 mentioned above is set to 0V for black and 5V for white, and these are set as the standard for black and white as shown in FIG. The density level.

Next, assume that the black and white gray level of the input signal actually read is, for example, IV for black and 3.5■ for white. Then, the control circuit 40 performs arithmetic processing to correct the black 1■ to the standard 0■ and the white 3.5■ to the standard 5■. The intermediate gradation level between white 3.5■ and black 1■ is corrected by distributing it at a fixed ratio between white 5■ and black O■ according to each level.

In this way, the black and white gray level of the input signal is corrected based on the reference black and white.

The input signal whose black and white gray level has been corrected is subjected to gamma correction, and then the image quality is corrected using a preset correction coefficient.

[Image quality settings]

That is, a correction coefficient for emphasizing or weakening the contrast between black and white, and a correction coefficient for raising or lowering the overall level of brightness to make it bright and dark are set in advance.
When a correction is made to make the contrast between black and white more or less strong as shown in Figure (A), the overall contrast becomes weaker as shown in (■) in the same figure, or the contrast becomes stronger as shown in (■).

On the other hand, as shown in Figure (a),
When the brightness is corrected by raising or lowering it, the brightness becomes darker as shown in (■) in the same figure (A), or becomes brighter as shown in (■).

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10 (b), the control circuit 40 is programmed to set the contrast strength in 8 levels compared to the standard, and the brightness level in 8 levels compared to the standard. Ru.

Depending on the combination of each of the eight levels, for example, (1) the contrast is strong and the brightness is dark, (2) the contrast is near normal and the brightness is bright, (3) the contrast is strong and the brightness is bright...・You can create multiple combinations with different contrast strengths and brightness in multiple stages, such as. This combination is set in advance, and any combination suitable for the engraving shape can be selected and set by external image quality setting input. The strength of the contrast and the brightness of the brightness shown in FIG. 10(b) are determined by the settings of the correction coefficients described above.

When the input signal is at or near the standard level, a gamma-corrected signal is output from the control circuit 40 as the cutter drive signal.

On the other hand, if image quality correction is required due to engraving conditions, etc., the contrast of the signal after gamma correction and the brightness can be adjusted by one of the combinations of contrast strength and brightness, which are selected by inputting settings in advance from the outside. The image quality is corrected to be suitable for engraving, and the corrected signal is output from the control circuit 40 as a cutter drive signal.

Image quality is corrected as described above.

Furthermore, in this device, the response characteristics of the cutter 19 to the drive voltage are maintained as follows.

The drive voltage applied to the cutter 19 via the drive amplifier 37 is normally hv, as shown in FIG. Increase the applied drive voltage to HV and increase the response speed of the cutter 19 to the drive signal to FK.
I'm trying to raise it to Hz. By this, fkHz
When the cutter's response characteristics are supposed to decrease as shown by the broken line in Figure 10 (c), the cutter's response characteristics are
As shown by the solid line in Figure (c), the response characteristics of the cutter can be kept constant with respect to the drive voltage.

Furthermore, according to this device, as shown in FIG. 11, the binarized identification information 4 (10) is placed in a predetermined area within the engraving range of the card 2 (10) as secret information at the same time as the characters and images are engraved. It can be engraved. This identification information is made up of 16 binary coded bits and is difficult to distinguish from the outside.
It is possible to identify what data the card processor has engraved, for which user, what year, month, day, etc.
Efforts are made to prevent forgery, alteration, and tampering for users.

In the above embodiment, text, images, and photographs are stored in document 1 (1
0) using the scanning method, but as a means of inputting characters, photographs, and images, CC
A wide range of imaging means can be used, such as a D camera, an electronic still camera, a video camera, and an ITV camera. In this case, the input switching circuit 35 shown in FIG. 1 may be switched to connect any one of these imaging means.

The part indicated by the broken line frame in FIG. 1 shows an external connection means that is an alternative to the copying method using the original 1 (10).

A personal computer 50 is connected to the CPU 41 of the control circuit 40. Character data is transferred to the computer 5 via the keyboard 51.
0, and from this point on, it is stored in frame memory ■ or frame memory ■.

On the other hand, photograph/image data is captured by a video camera 52, and the image read by the COD is processed by a personal computer 50 into a shape suitable for engraving, and then stored in a frame memory (2) for one frame. The character data or image data for one frame stored in the frame memory I or (2) is simultaneously displayed on the screen of the monitor 54 via the switching circuit 53 and can be viewed from the outside.

The character data or image data stored in the frame memory ■ or ■ for one frame has been subjected to the necessary image processing, and is displayed on the monitor 54, at the same time it is sent to the input switching circuit 35 one dot at a time. Control circuit 4 through
It is input to 0. Then, in the same manner as described above, level correction of black and white density, gamma correction, and image quality correction are performed, and after correction calculation is performed to a signal suitable for engraving, it is output from the control circuit 40 as a cutter drive signal. (Then, characters/images corresponding to the characters/photos/images input in the same manner as above are engraved on the card 2 (10).

When the computer 50 is connected as shown in Figure 1, it is possible to set the engraving range and image area while looking at the monitor screen, and also to set the position and size of characters and images in multiple levels, and also to preset them. becomes.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned identification information can be engraved on the card at the same time, which greatly contributes to the prevention of forgery and alteration in card issuance management. Furthermore, by storing card data in an optical disk file or the like, it is possible to immediately respond to reissuance or immediate issuance of cards.

In addition, in the above example, the card is formed by applying a black resin coating to a white card base material, but
It is also possible to form a card not only in black and white, but also by coating the surface of a card base material made of one of two colored materials with different brightness, darkness, shading, and hue with the other material. In this case, the control means determines the brightness, shading level, or hue of the text, photo, or image data, controls the engraving depth of the cutter according to the brightness, shading level, or hue, and places a dot on the card. A device that controls the drive of a cutter to change the ratio of the exposed part of the card base material formed in the form of A configuration is adopted. In addition, with this card configuration, thresholds are set for the brightness, shade level, and hue of text, photos, and image data, and when the brightness, shade level, and hue of the read data exceeds the threshold, the threshold value is set. It is also possible to adopt an apparatus configuration in which the control means supplies a signal for driving and controlling the cutter to the cutter drive means in order to change the exposure rate of the card base material from the coating layer depending on the following times. In this device configuration, a state in which the cutter is moved upward relative to the card according to the level of brightness, darkness, shading, or hue of character data read into the control means is above a threshold value or below a threshold value;
Alternatively, the apparatus may be configured such that the control means outputs a signal to the cutter drive means to drive and control the cutter so that the cutter is relatively moved in the engraving state and characters corresponding to the character data read into the control means are carved in a line shape. can.

Furthermore, the cutter drive signal output from the control circuit (means) 40 is, more specifically, a signal obtained by superimposing an AC drive signal on a signal corrected by the control circuit 40, or a signal obtained by superimposing an AC drive signal on a signal corrected by the control circuit 40. AC modulated with a signal
drive signals are used. Then, based on this cutter drive signal, the cutter is vibrated in the engraving direction to form dots at predetermined pitch intervals on the card.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above explanation, the present invention has the following effects.

■ It is possible to simultaneously read and input text, photos, and image data, and engrave the text area and image area of a single card at the same time. Therefore, it is possible to configure a card issuing system that is difficult to forge, alter, or tamper with.

■Engraving range can be set arbitrarily.

Moreover, the image area can be easily set and preset at any part of the engraving range.

■ In addition, the input signal is corrected to a signal suitable for engraving according to the level of black and white shading, and this corrected signal is used as the cutter drive signal, so text and photos are processed in the optimal form that matches the engraving conditions.・You can engrave images. Moreover, the engraving resolution can be 7.5 lines/mm or more. Therefore, the engraving precision is high (it is extremely suitable for engraving cards for identification that require a face photo or fingerprint).

■ It becomes possible to configure a card issuing system suitable for immediate issuing, reissuing, and card data management.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a card engraving device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of its main parts, Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically explaining the operation of the cutter, and Fig. 4 is a diagram explaining line engraving. A sectional view, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating line engraving, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are a sectional view and a plan view illustrating dot engraving.
Figure 8 is a plan view showing the setting state of the engraving area, Figure 9 is a graph diagram explaining the correction of black and white shading levels, and Figure 10 (
A), (B), and (C) are graphs explaining image quality settings;
FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the card after engraving. 10...Table, 1(10)...Manuscript, 2(10
)...Card, 19...Cutter, 30...Imaging means, 40...Control circuit, 13.14...Pulse generation means. Figure 3

Claims (13)

[Claims] (1) It is movable relative to the card in the row direction and the column direction, and after one cycle or one cycle of the reciprocating movement in the row direction, the card is moved relative to the card at a predetermined pitch interval in the column direction, and A cutter that performs reciprocating movement and relative movement in the row direction accompanying the reciprocating movement over the engraving range, reads text, photographs, and image data, corrects it to a signal suitable for engraving, and converts the corrected signal into character data. or a control means for outputting a cutter drive signal according to the photo/image data, and a control means that causes the cutter to vibrate in the engraving direction at every pitch interval following the text or photo/image data in response to the input of the cutter drive signal. and a cutter driving means that operates to apply the data, and drives the cutter so that dots are formed in the row and column directions according to the text or the photo/image data in synchronization with the reading of the text or the photo/image data. A card engraving device characterized in that drive control is performed in the engraving direction together with the relative movement. (2) In response to the input of the cutter drive signal output from the control means, the cutter is driven in the engraving state or in the state of being moved upward from the engraving state, and the cutter is driven to follow the character data, and the cutter is driven to follow the character data. A cutter driving means is provided which operates to apply vibration in the engraving direction at intervals of one pitch in accordance with The drive is controlled while keeping it in the moving state, and the image area is
The cutter is driven and controlled in the engraving direction along with relative movement with respect to the card so that dots are formed in the row and column directions according to the photo/image data in synchronization with the reading of the image data. Claim (1)
The card engraving device described in . (3) After one cycle or one period of the reciprocating motion in the row direction, the cutter is moved relative to the row direction at a pitch interval of 0.13 mm or less, and the relative movement is performed over the engraving range, so that the engraving resolution on the card is The card engraving device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pitch interval of the relative movement of the cutter is set to be 7.5 lines/mm or more. (4) Using two colored materials with different light and dark, shading, and hue,
A card is formed by coating the surface of a card base material made of one of the materials with the other material, and the tip of the cutter is formed into the shape of a pyramid or a section of a part of a cone. The control means determines the brightness, shading level, or hue of the read character, photograph, or image data, and controls the engraving depth of the cutter on the card according to the brightness, shading level, or hue. , controlling the drive of the cutter relative to the card to change the ratio of the coating layer to the exposed portion of the base material formed in the form of dots on the card by controlling the engraving depth; Claims (1), (2), or (3), characterized in that an image is formed according to the brightness, darkness, level of shading, or hue of the read text, photograph, or image data. Card engraving equipment. (5) A signal obtained by superimposing an AC drive signal on the signal corrected by the control means, or an AC drive signal modulated by the signal corrected by the control means, is output as a cutter drive signal to the cutter drive means. 5. The card engraving device according to claim 4, wherein the cutter is vibrated in the engraving direction based on input of the cutter drive signal to form dots at a predetermined pitch on the card. (6) A card base material is formed from one of two colored materials with different light and dark, shading, or hue, and the other material is coated on the surface to form a card. At the same time, characters, photographs, etc. are read into the control means. Set a threshold for the brightness, shading level, or hue of the image data, and when the brightness, shading level, or hue of the text, photo, or image data exceeds the threshold value or is below the threshold value Claim 1: wherein the control means supplies a signal for driving and controlling the cutter to the cutter drive means in order to change the exposure ratio of the card base material from the coating layer according to the cutter. ), (2) or (3)
A card engraving device as described in any of the above. (7) a state in which the cutter is moved upward relative to the card according to the level of brightness, darkness, darkness, or hue of the character data read into the control means is above a threshold value or below a threshold value; The control means outputs a signal for driving and controlling the cutter to the cutter drive means so that the cutter is relatively moved in the engraving state and characters corresponding to the read character data are carved in a line shape. The card engraving device according to claim (6). (8) Based on the input of the engraving range setting signal to the control means, the engraving range of the cutter on the card can be set to predetermined ranges in the row direction and the column direction from the engraving start point, and the image area setting signal is inputted. Based on this, it is possible to set an image area at a position at a predetermined distance in the row direction and column direction from the engraving start point within the engraving operation range, and within a predetermined range from the position in the row direction and column direction. The card engraving device according to claim 1, (2) or (4). (9) Setting the gamma value of the input vs. output curve for the brightness, darkness, density level, and hue of the text, photo, and image signals in the control means, and applying gamma correction to the text, photo, and image signals read into the control means. The signal is outputted as a cutter drive signal in synchronization with the reading operation, and the control means is provided with several correction coefficients and brightness, shading, or hue that vary the contrast of the read character/photo/image signal. A plurality of combinations with several types of correction coefficients are set in multiple stages to make the difference, one of the combinations can be selected and set based on the input of an image quality setting signal, and the signal after the gamma correction is applied to the correction coefficient. Claim (1), (2) or (3), characterized in that the correction calculation is performed by a combination of coefficients and output as a cutter drive signal.
The card engraving device described in . (10) The drive voltage of the cutter can be adjusted with respect to the components of the read text/photo/image signal having a predetermined frequency or higher, and the response frequency of the cutter to the read signal can be maintained at a predetermined value. Claim (7)
Or the card engraving device described in (9). (11) The card engraving device according to claim (8), wherein binary identification information of a predetermined number of bits can be engraved at a predetermined portion within the engraving range. (12) A table on which a manuscript on which text, photographs, and images are displayed and a card to be engraved are placed side by side and reciprocated with a constant stroke, and the direction of the reciprocating movement of the table is orthogonal to the card. a cutter supported to be movable in the direction and movable up and down at the engraving position; an imaging means for optically reading characters, photographs, and images of the document and converting them into electrical signals according to the intensity of light; a control means for capturing an input signal of a character, photograph, or image captured by the means, correcting it to a signal suitable for engraving, and outputting it as a cutter drive signal; and a control means for generating a pulse in conjunction with the reciprocating movement of the table; pulse generating means for synchronizing the operation of the cutter with the input signal based on the input to the control means,
For text data on the document, the cutter is in the engraving state or moved upward from the engraving state, and for image data, the cutter is applied to the card while applying vibration in the engraving direction at intervals of one pitch. A card engraving device characterized in that the cutter is driven and controlled in response to the input signal so that the cutter is engraved. (13) A cutter that can move relative to the card in the row and column directions and can move up and down, input means for text/photo/image information such as a keyboard, CCD camera, video camera, etc., and input characters A frame memory that digitizes and stores data and image data, and a frame memory that stores the character/image data one dot at a time or
comprising: a control means that reads each line, performs a correction calculation to a signal suitable for engraving, and then applies the signal to the cutter as a cutter drive signal; and means that generates a pulse that synchronizes the operation of the cutter with the input of the read data; For character data, the card is engraved while the cutter is in an engraving state or in a state in which it is moved upward from the engraving state, and for image data, the card is engraved while applying vibration in the engraving direction to the cutter at every pitch interval. like,
A card engraving device characterized in that the drive of the cutter is controlled in synchronization with input of the read data.