JPH0757114A - Method and device for image processing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make cutting operation efficient, facilitate the coordinate matching of a cutting line, and to eliminate an error in coordinate positioning by enabling one device to process the cutting line and perform a marking process at the same time. CONSTITUTION:Data which are painted in respective colors are copied to their layers. Then they are grouped as color data, layer by layer, and a process for output, etc., is performed. Similarly, cutting lines also have their layers (attribute) and can be grouped by themselves. Consequently, the cutting lines can also be processed on the same axes with the colored image data and only the cutting lines can be processed individually. An operator 74 plots segments which become the cutting lines first and sends an indication to a processor 71 to detect the origin coordinates and maximum coordinates of the cutting lines. Those coordinate positions are marked and then colored when necessary. The printed body is set for cutting.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for outputting a single color or color image, and an image capable of simultaneously processing an outline (cutting line) for an output product processed (cutting) into a complicated shape. A processing method and apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as shown in FIG. 1, in a design system intended for color output, when a large number of stickers are to be produced, a printing machine is used and the stickers are placed on the paper distribution portion. There is a device for pulling out the material to be printed in the shape of the seal and it can be cut out. However, if you want to create a small amount of sticker such as an original sticker, for example, if you output it with a thermal recording device and make a die,
Because of the high cost, scissors are used to cut out according to the shape. Alternatively, there is a method of cutting out using a cutting machine, but since the image formation and the cutting line (outline) cannot be processed simultaneously on the same creation data, the cutting line must be created by another system. It is difficult to match the coordinate position with the image of the cutout, and there is the inconvenience that the image cannot be cut at the desired position.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional method, since the cut lines cannot be processed at the same time when the image is created,
As shown in FIG. 2, a cutting line must be created and output separately. For this reason, if a separate cutting line is created, there are drawbacks such as difficulty in understanding the positional relationship with the image or difficulty in aligning the origin at the time of output, requiring skill, and lowering work efficiency.

[0004]

In view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, an image processing method capable of processing cut lines at the same time, and improving the cutting work if the origin can be easily adjusted even if the cutting device is different. provide. That is, the present invention is an image processing method for performing image formation and clipping, and an image processing method for performing image formation and clipping by the same device. ), A means for drawing a mark at a specified coordinate position, a means for outputting for each attribute set in the image, and a means for selecting an output destination for each attribute. To do.

The "image formation" referred to in the present invention means not only selecting a predetermined image from existing images, but also creating a new figure. Further, the term “perform cutting” in the present invention usually means designation of a cutout portion and drawing of the designated portion and the designated portion. Furthermore, the actual cutting work is performed in conjunction with an image forming and cutting device. Also means when to do.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the present description, an apparatus that manages output data by a hierarchy according to the type of color will be described as an example. FIG. 3 shows a graphic to be created for the embodiment of the present invention. The data colored in each color is copied to the hierarchy. Then, each layer is grouped as color data and processed such as output. Here, the cut lines also have a hierarchy (attribute) of the cut lines so that the cut lines can be grouped only by the cut lines.
Therefore, the cutting line can be processed on the same coordinate axis as the colored image data, and only the cutting line can be processed (output) individually.

FIG. 4 shows and describes the image data as an embodiment in FIG. FIG. 5 shows that the registration mark is drawn for marking at the position of the reference origin coordinate and the maximum coordinate, with the lower left corner as the origin coordinate of the image part and the cutting line. FIG. 6 shows that the printing medium is moved to the cutting plotter after the image portion is output by the thermal recording device. After outputting in color, the printed material is transferred to the plotter and set. Then, the origin coordinate position is adjusted, and the data of the cutting line is transmitted from the image processing apparatus to cut the cutting line.

FIG. 7 is an example of a device configuration diagram for carrying out the present invention. In the figure, 71 is a central processing unit / storage device,
Reference numeral 72 is an image display device for displaying graphics, 73 is an input device for inputting data or instructing work, 74
Indicates the operator who creates the data. Figure 8
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an actual process of this embodiment. Already
The state in which the image portion is formed will be described. The operator 74 draws a line segment to be a cut line. Next, the processor is instructed to detect the origin coordinates and the maximum coordinates of the cut line, and draw marks (such as register marks) at those coordinate positions. If necessary, the mark is colored.

The image portion including the mark is output in color.
The printed substrate is set in the cutting. Then, the origin coordinates are adjusted to the position of the mark. The processor is
Change the output destination to the cutting plotter. And
Send the cut line data. Cut out the plotter according to the cutting line. The above work and processing are performed by the 71 central processing unit / storage device, 72 image display device, and 73 input device. In the description of the present research, the image part is color-outputted as an example. However, it is needless to say that monochromatic output, output to a printer or pen plotter is also possible.

Further, although the cutting line has been described as an ellipse, it is possible to cut out a complicated figure corresponding to all line information such as a straight line and a curve, and a single line or plural lines can be cut by specifying a cutting line. Of course. As for the shape, the number, and the mark position of the mark, it is needless to say that the setting can be changed for each device, and if the settings are set in advance, the mark can be automatically drawn at the coordinate position. is there. Further, the cutoff line may be not only on the outside of the image portion but also on the overlapping position or the inside. In that case, when the mark hits the image, it is possible to give a movement distance (offset value) from the origin coordinate in order to shift the position of the mark from the origin coordinate (maximum coordinate). Cutting is done by setting the coordinates with an offset.

When the device for outputting an image and the cutting plotter have different axial directions, for example, the origin position is
When the color output device is at the lower left and the cutting plotter is at the lower right and the direction of the positive value is different, it is needless to say that when outputting the cut line data, the data is converted and adjusted to the coordinate setting of the plotter. Although this research is an image processing method and apparatus, it may be a system as long as it achieves the functions of this research, and if the functions of this research are achieved by supplying a program to a computer. Of course, it is also applicable.

[0012]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if a small number of output objects need to be cut, the cutting line is processed by the same device (in the example of FIG. 6, a personal computer). Because it is possible, the coordinate alignment of the cutting line is simplified,
Further, since the marks can be attached at the same time, there is an effect that the efficiency of the cutting work is improved and the mistakes in the sitting work are eliminated so that the work efficiency is greatly improved. Further, since the image and the cut line can be processed at the same time, they can be saved in the same file, which facilitates data management. further,
Even when outputting again, it is not necessary to draw the cutting line in advance, so that there is an effect that it can be output as it is.

[Brief description of drawings]

[Figure 1]

FIG. 2 is an example of processed graphics to illustrate the present invention,

FIG. 3 is a conceptual configuration diagram for implementing the present invention,

[Fig. 4]

FIG. 5 is a procedure of image processing according to the present invention,

[FIG. 6]

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the device of the present invention,

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the process of the present invention, respectively.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image processing method for forming and cutting an image, wherein the image forming and cutting are performed by the same apparatus. 2. In an image processing apparatus for forming and cutting an image, a means for detecting the size of an image (including a cutting line), a means for drawing a mark at a designated coordinate position, and an attribute set in the image. An image processing apparatus, comprising: a means for outputting to a user and a means for selecting an output destination for each attribute.