JPH06286391A - Plotter device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To shorten a processing time by selectively reading vector-data only in a specified region by operating a plotting-region specified means when the specified region is plotted again after the completion of the plotting of a plotting region based on the vector-data. CONSTITUTION:A console panel 24, in which a cursor-key 24a, a plotting-region setting button 24b and a plotting start button 24c are mounted, is provided. A RAM 14, to which a buffer-memory, etc., in which vector-data output from a host computer are stored, is set, is furnished. A plotting region is set in such a manner that a cursor-key 24a is operated, a carriage 16 is moved successively to two angles on a square diagonal set as the plotting region for correcting plotting and the plotting-region setting button 24b is pushed and operated at each one time. The vector-data in the set plotting region are read selectively from the RAM 14, and plotting is conducted according to the data.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plotter device,
In particular, the present invention relates to a plotter device having a drawing correction function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional plotter device, for example, a plotter device as shown in FIG. 4 is known. Further, FIG. 5 shows a schematic configuration of a drive mechanism of the plotter device shown in FIG.

The plotter device 1 shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
Reference numeral 00 is provided with a buffer memory for storing vector data for designating graphics, characters, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as “graphics”) output from a host computer (not shown). The movement of the carriage 102 is realized by sequentially reading the stored contents of the buffer memory under the control of the microcomputer.

That is, the X motor 104 that moves the carriage 102 in the X direction and the Y motor 1 that moves in the Y direction.
Drive 06 according to the vector data stored in the buffer memory under the control of the microcomputer,
The carriage 102 is moved relative to the sheet 108 in the XY directions. In this way, the carriage 102 is moved along the figure specified by the vector data.

Therefore, by holding the pen 109 on the carriage 102 and moving it as described above, it is possible to draw a figure or the like designated by the vector data on the sheet 108, and the carriage 102 is provided with a cutter. When the sheet is gripped, the sheet 108 can be cut by the cutter along the figure specified by the vector data.

The X motor 104 and the Y motor 1
Encoders 110 and 112 are respectively arranged on 06, and the driving states of the X motor 104 and the Y motor 106 can be constantly detected.
The current position of the is always readably stored in a predetermined memory. Therefore, in such a plotter device 100, the position of the carriage 102 can be detected by reading the memory that stores the position of the carriage 102.

By the way, the plotter device 1 as described above
00, the pen 10 is attached to the carriage 102, for example.
9 is grasped to draw a figure or the like designated by the vector data on the sheet 108, the pen 109
There is a problem in that the ink is faint depending on the state of the ink, and the line of the figure drawn on the sheet 108 is faint, the color is light, or is interrupted.

In order to solve these problems, the so-called
Conventionally, a plotter device having a drawing correction function called a replot function has been proposed.

The re-plot function is to read all the stored contents of the buffer memory storing the vector data output from the host computer again,
By tracing the entire drawing area such as a figure specified by vector data output from the computer with the pen 109, a part where a line is faint, a color becomes faint, or a break is corrected. is there.

Therefore, by executing the replot function, the line 108 becomes faint, the color becomes light, or the line is interrupted without wasting the sheet 108 and without correcting the line by handwriting or the like. It was possible to correct the drawings that were lost.

[0011]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional re-plotting function, even if the drawing area to be corrected is extremely narrow, all the vector data stored in the buffer memory is read out. Vector
Since all the drawing areas such as figures specified by the data are traced, it takes a lot of time to correct the drawing, and it causes a new problem that ink is wasted. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems of the prior art, and an object thereof is to make it possible to correct a drawing in a short time, and An object of the present invention is to provide a plotter device that prevents wasteful consumption of ink in a pen and unnecessary consumption of a cutter.

[0013]

In order to achieve the above object, in the present invention, a storage means for storing vector data indicating a figure or the like to be drawn and a vector data stored in the storage means are provided. Based on the drawing area designating means for designating a predetermined drawing area out of all the drawing areas to be drawn on the basis of the drawing area, and the vector data for drawing the drawing area designated by the drawing area designating means, are sequentially selected from the storage means. The reading means for reading and the drawing means for drawing on the basis of the vector data read by the reading means are provided.

[0014]

[Function] After the drawing of the entire drawing area based on the vector data is completed, if the lines of the figure drawn by the pen are faint, the color is faint, or broken, or it is cut by the cutter If the cutting point to be cut is not completely cut, the drawing area specifying means specifies the drawing area to be corrected as described above in the entire drawing area.

Then, the reading means selectively and sequentially reads the vector data for drawing the drawing area designated by the drawing area designating means from the storage means, and based on the vector data read by the reading means. The drawing means again draws the drawing area specified by the drawing area specifying means.

Therefore, since a drawing area that does not need to be corrected is not drawn unnecessarily, the processing time can be shortened, ink of the pen is wasted, and the cutting edge of the cutter is wastefully consumed. Will disappear.

[0017]

Embodiments of the plotter device according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a plotter device according to the present invention. The plotter device uses a central processing unit (CPU) 10 to control the entire operation thereof. It is configured to control.

The CPU 10 has a read-only memory (RO) storing a predetermined program for controlling the overall operation and executing the processes described later, via the bus.
M) 12 and a buffer memory or C for storing vector data output from a host computer (not shown)
Various registers (a register for storing the position of the carriage 16 and
There is a register for storing the drawing area set by the drawing area setting button 24b described later. ) Etc. are set as a random access area as a working area.
Memory (RAM) 14, driver 22, driver 2
An operation panel 24 in which an operator or the like for controlling the control unit 2 is arranged is connected.

An X motor 18 for moving the carriage 16 in the X direction relative to the sheet 108 and a Y motor 20 for moving the carriage 16 in the Y direction are connected to the driver 22. The X motor 18 and the Y motor 20 are excited. Is controlled to be turned on / off and driven at the time of turning on.

In addition, the X motor 18 and the Y motor 20
Are connected to encoders 26 and 28, respectively, so that the states of the X motor 18 and the Y motor 20 can be constantly detected, and the position of the carriage 16 relative to the sheet 108 can be controlled by the CPU 10. Through R
It is always readable and stored in the AM 14. The encoders 26 and 28 are always provided to the X motor 18 regardless of whether the excitation of the X motor 18 and the Y motor 20 is on or off.
Also, the state of the Y motor 20 can be detected.

Further, on the operation panel 24, cursor keys 24a for designating the position of the carriage 16 are provided as operators related to the implementation of the present invention, and a predetermined drawing area to be corrected in the entire drawing area of the sheet 108. Drawing area setting button 24b for designating the print area and drawing area setting button 24b
The drawing start button 24c for starting the drawing of the drawing area set by is provided. Further, on the operation panel 24, light emitting diodes (LEDs) 24d and 24e for displaying the operation state of the drawing area setting button 24b, and LE for displaying the operation state of the drawing start button 24c.
D24f is provided.

The functions of the above-mentioned operators provided on the operation panel 24 will be described below.

The cursor key 24a is used for the carriage 16
Is operated to move the sheet to an arbitrary position on the sheet 108.

The drawing area setting button 24b is used for the current carriage 1 moved by the cursor key 24a.
The position 6 is input as a drawing area for correcting the drawing. The setting operation of the drawing area by the drawing area setting button 24b will be described below with reference to FIG.

When setting the drawing area, first, the cursor key 24a is operated to move the carriage 16 to one corner on the diagonal of the quadrangle set as the drawing area for correcting the drawing. Then, the drawing area setting button 24b
Press once. By this operation, the carriage 16
The coordinates (X _min , Y _min ) of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of one corner portion on the diagonal of the quadrangle where is located are set. At this time, the LED 24d is turned on to indicate that the coordinates (X _min , Y _min ) of the X coordinate and the Y coordinate of one corner portion on the diagonal line of the quadrangle have been set.

Next, when the carriage 16 is moved to the other corner portion on the diagonal line of the quadrangle set as the drawing area for modifying the drawing area and the drawing area setting button 24b is pressed once, the carriage 16 is moved. The coordinates of the X and Y coordinates of the other corner on the diagonal of the located rectangle (X _max ,
Y _max ) is set. At this time, the LED 24e is turned on, and the X coordinate and Y of one corner portion on the diagonal line of the quadrangle.
Indicating that the coordinates of the coordinates (X _max, Y _{m ax)} is set.

By the above-mentioned operation, as a drawing area for modifying the drawing, a quadrangle surrounded by the coordinates (X _min , Y _min ) and the coordinates (X _max , Y _max ) (the hatched portion by the broken line in FIG. 2). ) Can be set to any area in the entire drawing area on the sheet 108.

Further, the drawing start button 24c is pressed to start drawing of the drawing area set by the drawing area setting button 24b. When the drawing start button 24c is pressed, the LED 24f is turned on to indicate that the drawing area set by the drawing area setting button 24b is being drawn.

When the drawing area set by the drawing area setting button 24b is finished, the LED 24f
Is turned off, and the completion of the drawing of the drawing area set by the drawing area setting button 24b is notified. At this time, the LEDs 24d and 24e are also turned off.

In the above configuration, this plotter device controls the driver 22 in accordance with the vector data output from the host computer and stored in the buffer memory of the RAM 14 based on a known technique, so that the CPU 10 controls the driver 22. 18 and Y motor 20 are driven.
By driving the X motor 18 and the Y motor 20 as described above, the carriage 16 is moved relative to the sheet 108 in the XY directions, and printing is performed on the sheet 108. That is, a pen held by the carriage 16 is used to draw a figure or the like on the sheet 108, or a cutter held by the carriage 16 is used to draw the sheet 1.
08 can be cut and the like.

After the above-mentioned drawing is completed, there is a portion where there is blur or discontinuity in the figure drawn by the pen,
When there is a portion where the cutting by the cutter is not sufficient, the drawing is performed again for the portion in order to correct the drawing for the portion.

That is, the cursor key 24a and the drawing area setting button 24b are operated to set the drawing area so as to include the relevant portion. After setting the drawing area including the portion in this way, the drawing start button 24c is operated to start drawing the area set by the drawing area setting button 24b.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart for executing drawing on the area set by the drawing area setting button 24b based on the operation of the drawing start button 24c.

This flowchart shows the drawing start button 2
4c is started when it is operated. First, in step S302, the stored vector data is sequentially read from the buffer memory of the RAM 14 that stores the vector data output from the host computer. . When the process of step S302 is completed, the process proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, step S
The vector data read in 302 is the vector for drawing the area set by the drawing area setting button 24b.
It is judged whether it is data or not.

This determination process is as described in, for example, "Introductory Graphics ASCII Learning System (1) Introductory Course" (issued on December 5, 1984, first edition) relating to the issue of ASCII Corporation. It is realized by using a known technique.

In this judgment processing, as shown in FIG. 2, (1) the starting point coordinates (X) in the drawing area designated by the coordinates (X _min , Y _min ) and the coordinates (X _max , Y _max ). ₁ , Y ₁ ) and end point coordinates (X ₂ , Y ₂ ) are vector data, and (2) start point coordinates (X ₃ , Y ₃ ) are coordinates (X _min , Y _min ) and coordinates (X _max , Y). _Although it exists in the drawing area specified by _max ), the end point coordinates (X ₄ , Y ₄ )
Is vector data that does not exist in the drawing area, and (3) start point coordinates (X ₅ , Y ₅ ) are coordinates (X _min , Y _min ) and coordinates (X
vector data whose end point coordinates (X ₆ , Y ₆ ) do not exist in the drawing area specified by ( _max , Y _max ) but exist in the drawing area, and (4) coordinates (X _min , Y _min ) and coordinates (X
_{Although the} start point coordinates (X ₇ , Y ₇ ) and the end point coordinates (X ₈ , Y ₈ ) do not exist in the drawing area specified by _max , Y _max ), the start point coordinates (X ₇ , Y ₇ ) and the end point coordinates (X ₇ , Y ₇ ) X _8, Y ₈₎ and a line segment connecting the found vector data passing through the drawing area,
Is determined to be vector data for drawing the area set by the drawing area setting button 24b.

On the other hand, vector data other than the above (1) to (4), that is, the coordinates (X _min , Y _min ) and the coordinates (X
_The start point coordinates (X ₉ , Y ₉ ) and the end point coordinates (X ₁₀ , Y ₁₀ ) do not exist in the drawing area specified by _max , Y _max ), and the start point coordinates (X ₉ , Y ₉ ) and the end point coordinates (X ₉ , Y ₉ ) X ₁₀ ,
Y ₁₀₎ and vector is not also pass through the drawing area line connecting the
It is determined that the data is not vector data for drawing the area set by the drawing area setting button 24b.

The determination result of step S304 is affirmative (Y), that is, it is determined that the vector data read in step S302 is the vector data for drawing the area set by the drawing area setting button 24b. In this case, the process proceeds to step S306, and drawing is performed based on the vector data.

That is, the vector
According to the data, the CPU 10 controls the driver 22 to drive the X motor 18 and the Y motor 20. By driving the X motor 18 and the Y motor 20 as described above, the carriage 16 is relatively moved in the XY direction with respect to the sheet, and drawing is performed on the sheet 108. In this way, the drawing is performed again for the area set by the drawing area setting button 24b.

When the processing of step S306 is completed, the process proceeds to step S308.

On the other hand, it is determined that the determination result of step S304 is negative (N), that is, the vector data read in step S302 is not vector data for drawing the area set by the drawing area setting button 24b. If so, the process proceeds to step S308 without performing drawing based on the vector data.

In step S308, it is determined whether or not the vector memory next to the vector data read in step S302 is stored in the buffer memory of the RAM 14.

If the result of the determination in step S308 is affirmative, that is, if the next vector data exists in the buffer memory of the RAM 14, the process jumps to step S302 and the processes of steps S302 to S308 described above are repeated. become.

On the other hand, when the result of the determination in step S308 is negative, that is, when the next vector data does not exist in the buffer memory of the RAM 14, the above-mentioned operation is performed on all the vector data stored in the buffer memory. Since the processing of steps S302 to S308 has been completed, the processing of this flowchart ends.

Therefore, since the drawing is not performed for all the vector data stored in the buffer memory of the RAM 14, only the drawing for the range set by the drawing area setting button 24b is performed. It can be significantly shortened.

When the carriage 16 holds the pen, wasteful consumption of ink can be suppressed.
When the carriage 16 holds the cutter, wasteful consumption of the cutter can be suppressed.

The start point and the end point of the vector data are vector data outside the range set by the drawing area setting button 24b, and the line segment connecting the start point and the end point of the vector data is drawn. Vector data located within the range set by the area setting button 24b (for example,
It is vector data having coordinates (X ₇ , Y ₇ ) as starting point coordinates and coordinates (X ₈ , Y ₈ ) as ending coordinates. ), When drawing is performed in step S306,
All the line segments connecting the start point coordinates (X ₇ , Y ₇ ) and the end point coordinates (X ₈ , Y ₈ ) may be drawn, or the start point coordinates (X ₇ , Y ₇ ) and the end point coordinates (X ₈ , Y _8). It is also possible to draw only the portion of the line segment connecting the lines) that is located within the range set by the drawing area setting button 24b.

Further, the above embodiment has the following modifications.

(1) In the above embodiment, when the drawing area is set, the cursor key 24a and the drawing area setting button 24b are operated to set the coordinate position of the drawing area. An operator such as a key may be provided so that the coordinate position can be numerically input.

(2) Since the encoders 26 and 28 always detect the position of the carriage 16 even when the excitation of the X motor 18 and the Y motor 20 is turned off,
Hold the carriage 16 by hand (at this time, if the excitation of the X motor 18 and the Y motor 20 is turned off,
You can move smoothly. ) You may make it move and set the coordinate position of a drawing area.

(3) In the above embodiment, inside the coordinate position set by the drawing area setting button 24b (see FIG. 2).
Although the hatched portion (indicated by a broken line in FIG. 3) is the drawing area, the drawing area may be outside the coordinate position set by the drawing area setting button 24b. In addition, the inside or outside may be arbitrarily selected.

(4) In the above embodiment, two points on the diagonal of the quadrangle were designated when setting the drawing area.
If you simply specify a predetermined part such as the center part of the drawing area,
A predetermined area (for example, a square with a side of 5 cm or the like) of an appropriate shape (which may be a quadrangle or a circle) including a designated portion,
A circle with a radius of 5 cm. ) May be set as the drawing area. Further, the drawing area may be set not by the coordinate position but by the movement locus of the carriage 16.

(5) The carriage 16 may be held by a pencil (pencil) or the like in addition to the pen or the cutter.

(6) LE for displaying the operation state of the drawing area setting button 24b and the drawing start button 24c
Although D is used, a liquid crystal display device or the like may be used. Further, such display means may not be provided.

(7) After moving the carriage 16 to the drawing area without providing the drawing area setting button 24b,
When the drawing start button 24c is operated, the drawing area may be automatically set and the drawing relating to the drawing area may be performed.

(8) The so-called, in which the carriage itself is moved in the XY direction by the X motor and the Y motor as described in the prior art section of this specification.
Not only the flat bed type plotter device, but the carriage itself moves only in one direction of the X direction or the Y direction, but when the sheet is moved, the carriage moves relative to the sheet in the XY direction. Plotter device (sheet move,
It is called type. The present invention may be applied to

(9) Not only when the ink is faint, but only when drawing a figure at an arbitrary position, or by changing the type of pen held by the carriage 16, the color of the line within a predetermined drawing area The present invention may be applied to the case where the thickness is changed.

[0060]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects.

Storage means for storing vector data for designating a figure to be plotted, and a plotting area for designating a predetermined plotting area in all plotting areas to be plotted based on the vector data stored in the storage means. Designating means, reading means for selectively sequentially reading the vector data for drawing the drawing area designated by the drawing area designating means from the storage means, and vector data read by the reading means. Since it has a plotting means for plotting based on the vector data, if it is necessary to plot a predetermined area again after the plotting of all plotting areas based on vector data is completed, the plotting area designating means When a predetermined drawing area of is specified, the reading means is a vector for drawing the drawing area specified by the drawing area specifying means. Reads data from the storage means selectively and sequentially, on the basis of vector data read out by the read means, and performs drawing of the drawing means only drawing area specified by the drawing area specifying means again.

Therefore, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to perform drawing other than the predetermined area again, it is possible to shorten the processing time and waste ink of the pen,
The blade edge of the cutter will not be wasted.

That is, when it is necessary to correct the drawing only in a predetermined area after the completion of drawing, the correction of the drawing can be achieved in a short time, and the ink of the pen held by the carriage or the cutter It is possible to prevent wasteful consumption.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a plotter device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a drawing area set by a drawing area setting button.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of redrawing only a drawing area set by a drawing area setting button.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an external configuration of a conventional plotter device.

5 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a drive mechanism of a carriage of the plotter device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 CPU 12 ROM 14 RAM 16 Carriage 18 X Motor 20 Y Motor 22 Driver 24 Operation Panel 24a Cursor Key 24b Drawing Area Setting Button 24c Drawing Start Button 24d LED 24e LED 24f LED 26 Encoder 28 Encoder 108 Sheet

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing vector data indicating a figure or the like to be drawn, and a predetermined drawing area in all drawing areas drawn based on the vector data stored in the storage unit. A drawing area designating means, a reading means for selectively sequentially reading the vector data for drawing the drawing area designated by the drawing area designating means from the storage means, and a vector data read by the reading means. And a plotting means for plotting based on the plotter.