Method and apparatus for automatic precision cutting of graphics areas from sheets
First Claim
1. In a method for cutting a graphics area from a sheet of material bearing such graphics area and a plurality of registration marks in predetermined positions with respect thereto, a subset of the marks being initial-position/orientation-determining marks on no more than one side of the graphics area, the method being of the type including (a) placing the sheet on a sheet-receiving surface, (b) sensing the subset in the field of view of a main sensor to determine the position and orientation of the sheet and approximate positions of the plurality of marks, (c) sensing the precise positions of the marks, and (d) cutting the graphics area from the sheet in response to the precise positions of the marks with respect to the graphics area, the improvement comprising:
- if the subset is not in an expected location, automatically determining the coordinate region of the subset on the sheet-receiving surface; and
in response to the determining step, automatically repositioning the main sensor to the coordinate region such that the subset is within the field of view of the main sensor.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for automatic cutting of graphics area(s) from a sheet of material which includes such graphics area(s), the graphics areas having a plurality of registration marks in predetermined positions with respect thereto and including a subset of the marks on no more than one side of the graphics area which are initial-position/orientation-determining marks. The method involves placing the sheet on a sheet-receiving surface, attempting to sense the subset in the field of view of a main sensor, and, when the subset is not in an expected location, automatically determining the coordinate region of the subset on the sheet-receiving surface and automatically repositioning the main sensor to the coordinate region such that the subset is within the field of view of the main sensor. Then the position and orientation of the sheet and approximate positions of the plurality of marks are determined based on sensing the subset, and thereafter their precise positions are sensed to guide cutting operations.
12 Citations
17 Claims
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1. In a method for cutting a graphics area from a sheet of material bearing such graphics area and a plurality of registration marks in predetermined positions with respect thereto, a subset of the marks being initial-position/orientation-determining marks on no more than one side of the graphics area, the method being of the type including (a) placing the sheet on a sheet-receiving surface, (b) sensing the subset in the field of view of a main sensor to determine the position and orientation of the sheet and approximate positions of the plurality of marks, (c) sensing the precise positions of the marks, and (d) cutting the graphics area from the sheet in response to the precise positions of the marks with respect to the graphics area, the improvement comprising:
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if the subset is not in an expected location, automatically determining the coordinate region of the subset on the sheet-receiving surface; and
in response to the determining step, automatically repositioning the main sensor to the coordinate region such that the subset is within the field of view of the main sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. In a method for cutting a graphics area from a sheet of material bearing such graphics area and a plurality of registration marks in predetermined positions with respect thereto at the time the graphics are applied, a subset of the marks being initial-position/orientation-determining marks on no more than one side of the graphics area, the method being of the type including (a) placing the sheet on a sheet-receiving surface, (b) sensing the subset in the field of view of a main sensor to determine the position and orientation of the sheet and approximate positions of the plurality of marks at the time of cutting, (c) sensing the precise positions of the marks, and (d) cutting the graphics area from the sheet in response to the precise positions of the marks with respect to the graphics area at that time, the improvement comprising:
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if the subset is not in an expected location, automatically determining the coordinate region of the subset on the sheet-receiving surface; and
in response to the determining step, automatically repositioning the main sensor to the coordinate region such that the subset is within the field of view of the main sensor whereby cutting occurs precisely despite two-dimensional distortion of the sheet prior to cutting.
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11. In a method for narrow-path-processing with respect to a graphics area on a sheet of material bearing such graphics area and a plurality of registration marks in predetermined positions with respect thereto, a subset of the marks being initial-position/orientation-determining marks on no more than one side of the graphics area, the method being of the type including (a) placing the sheet on a sheet-receiving surface, (b) sensing the subset in the field of view of a main sensor to determine the position and orientation of the sheet and approximate positions of the plurality of marks, (c) sensing the precise positions of the marks, and (d) narrow-path-processing with respect to the graphics area on the sheet in response to the precise positions of the marks with respect to the graphics area, the improvement comprising:
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if the subset is not in an expected location, automatically determining the coordinate region of the subset on the sheet-receiving surface; and
in response to the determining step, automatically repositioning the main sensor to the coordinate region such that the subset is within the field of view of the main sensor.
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- 12. In apparatus for cutting a graphics area from a sheet of material bearing such graphics area and a plurality of registration marks in predetermined positions with respect thereto, a subset of the marks being initial-position/orientation-determining marks on no more than one side of the graphics area, the apparatus being of the type including (a) a sheet-receiving surface, (b) a main sensor for sensing the subset in the field of view of the main sensor to determine the position and orientation of the sheet and approximate positions of the plurality of marks and for sensing the precise positions of the marks, and (c) a cutter operatively connected to the sensor and movable about the sheet-receiving surface, the cutter cutting the graphics area from the sheet of material in response to the precise positions of the marks sensed by the main sensor, the improvement comprising a coordinate region locator which, if the subset is not in an expected location, automatically determines the coordinate region of the subset on the sheet-receiving surface and in response thereto automatically repositions the main sensor to the coordinate region such that the subset is within the field of view of the main sensor.
Specification