Information processing device, processing device, distortion correction method, and distortion correction program

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing device, a processing device, a distortion correction method, and a distortion correction program that enable processing according to processing data at a position equivalent to the original processing position, even if distortion occurs in the workpiece. [Solution] The cutting plotter control device identifies a first rectangle 32 based on a plurality of registration marks 30 formed on the media placed on the cutting plotter's table. If the first side 34 of the first rectangle 32 intersects the reference line in a way other than perpendicular, the device calculates an intermediate position 38 of the displacement between one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34 with respect to the direction of the reference line. By correcting the positions of the first end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34 in the direction of the reference line to the intermediate position 38, a second rectangle is generated in which the first side 34 and the reference line are perpendicular. The processing data indicating the processing content for the media is then placed in the center of the second rectangle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a processing apparatus, a distortion correction method, and a distortion correction program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, processing apparatuses such as cutting plotters that perform processing such as cutting with a cutter on a workpiece medium (also referred to as a medium) have become widespread.

[0003] As described in Patent Document 1, for example, such a processing apparatus provides a plurality of registration marks called dragonflies around the effective area of printing or cutting on the workpiece medium, and positions the workpiece medium based on the detected positions of the dragonflies.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In some cases, distortion may occur in the workpiece medium, such as expansion and contraction of the workpiece medium or skew printing of an image on the workpiece medium. Due to this distortion, the shape of the workpiece medium that is originally rectangular or the image printed on the workpiece medium may become a parallelogram.

[0006] When distortion occurs in the workpiece medium in this way, it also affects the positions of the dragonflies printed on the workpiece medium. That is, when performing processing on the workpiece medium based on the detected positions of the dragonflies, there is a possibility of performing processing at a position deviated from the original processing position for the workpiece medium. Also, it is possible to correct the shape of the processing data according to the distortion of the workpiece medium. However, when assembling a plurality of workpiece media cut based on the processing data, it is not preferable to correct the shape of the processing data.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an information processing device, a processing device, a distortion correction method, and a distortion correction program that can perform processing according to processing data at a position equivalent to the original processing position, even if distortion occurs in the workpiece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: identification means for identifying a first rectangle based on a plurality of alignment marks formed on a workpiece placed on a table of a processing device; calculation means for calculating an intermediate position of the deviation between one end and the other end of the first rectangle with respect to the direction of the reference line when a predetermined first side of the first rectangle intersects with respect to a predetermined reference line in a direction other than perpendicular to the reference line; generation means for generating a second rectangle in which the first side and the reference line are perpendicular to each other by correcting the positions of the first end and the other end of the first rectangle in the direction of the reference line to the intermediate position; and arrangement means for arranging processing data indicating the processing content for the workpiece in the center of the second rectangle.

[0009] In this configuration, the first rectangle is identified by multiple alignment marks formed on the workpiece. The alignment marks indicate the processing position on the workpiece and are formed, for example, at the four corners of the processing position. Here, if the workpiece is distorted, such as due to expansion or contraction of the workpiece or if an image is printed obliquely on the workpiece, the first rectangle will be a parallelogram or the like that reflects the distortion of the workpiece. Such a first rectangle has a first side that intersects the reference line in a direction other than perpendicular. The reference line is, for example, the x-axis or y-axis defined on the horizontal surface of the table of the processing device.

[0010] This configuration calculates the midpoint of the deviation between one end and the other end of the first side that intersects the reference line in a direction other than perpendicular to it, relative to the direction of the reference line. Furthermore, this configuration corrects the position of the reference line direction at one end and the other end of the first side to the midpoint, thereby generating a second quadrilateral in which the first side and the reference line are perpendicular to each other.

[0011] By correcting the position of the first side that intersects the reference line in a way other than perpendicularly, the second rectangle is positioned evenly shifted relative to the multiple alignment marks, that is, closer to the center of the original processing position. Then, the processing data indicating the processing details for the workpiece is placed in the second rectangle.

[0012] Therefore, this configuration allows for processing according to the processing data at a position equivalent to the original processing position, even if the workpiece is distorted.

[0013] In the above-described information processing device, the second side of the first quadrilateral intersecting the first side is parallel to the reference line, and the generation means may generate the second quadrilateral by moving the second side in accordance with the correction of the first side. This configuration allows processing according to the processing data to be performed at a position equivalent to the original processing position, even if distortion occurs in the workpiece.

[0014] In the above-described information processing device, if the second side intersecting the first side intersects the reference line in a manner other than perpendicular to it, the device is provided with a rotation means for rotating the first quadrilateral so that the second side and the reference line are parallel, the calculation means calculates the midpoint of the displacement between one end and the other end of the first side of the rotated first quadrilateral, the generation means generates the second quadrilateral by correcting the position of the reference line direction at one end and the other end of the first side of the rotated first quadrilateral to the midpoint, and the rotation means may rotate the second quadrilateral in the opposite direction by the angle at which the first quadrilateral was rotated.

[0015] Users may place a workpiece that is distorted at an angle on the table. In such cases, the first and second sides of the specified first quadrilateral will intersect the reference line in a way other than perpendicularly. Therefore, this configuration rotates the first quadrilateral so that the second side is parallel to the reference line. As a result, only the first side of the first quadrilateral intersects the reference line in a way other than perpendicularly.

[0016] This configuration then generates a second quadrilateral by correcting the position of the reference line at one end and the other end of the first side of the rotated first quadrilateral to an intermediate position. Subsequently, the second quadrilateral is rotated in the opposite direction by the same angle as the first quadrilateral.

[0017] This configuration allows for processing according to the processing data at the same position as the original processing location, even if the workpiece is distorted.

[0018] In the above-described information processing device, the rotation means may rotate the first quadrilateral around a predetermined vertex forming the first quadrilateral as the rotation center, and rotate the second quadrilateral in the opposite direction. This configuration allows processing according to the processing data to be performed at a position equivalent to the original processing position, even if the workpiece is distorted.

[0019] In the above-described information processing device, the processing data may be arranged in the second rectangle without any shape correction. This configuration allows for processing of the workpiece that is faithful to the processing data.

[0020] The above-described information processing device may include a selection means that allows the user to select whether or not to perform processing on the workpiece medium based on the processing data arranged in the second rectangle. With this configuration, if distortion occurs in the workpiece medium, the user can choose whether or not to correct it.

[0021] In the above-described information processing device, the selection means may allow the user to select one of the following: a first processing method in which processing is performed on the workpiece medium based on the processing data arranged in the second rectangle; a second processing method in which processing is performed on the workpiece medium by arranging the processing data in a rectangle generated based on predetermined sides identified by the two alignment marks; or a third processing method in which the shape of the processing data is corrected based on the first rectangle, the corrected processing data is arranged in the first rectangle, and processing is performed on the workpiece medium. With this configuration, if distortion occurs in the workpiece medium, the user can select whether or not to correct it and what the correction content is.

[0022] The distortion correction method according to the third aspect of the present invention includes: a first step of specifying a first quadrilateral by specifying means based on a plurality of alignment marks formed on a workpiece placed on a table of a processing apparatus; a second step of calculating means calculating an intermediate position of a deviation between one end and the other end of the first side with respect to the direction of the reference line when a predetermined first side of the first quadrilateral intersects the predetermined reference line at a non-orthogonal angle; a third step of generating means generating a second quadrilateral, which is a rectangle in which the first side and the reference line are orthogonal, by correcting the positions of one end and the other end of the first side in the direction of the reference line to the intermediate position; and a fourth step of arranging means arranging processing data indicating the processing content for the workpiece at the center of the second quadrilateral.

[0023] The distortion correction program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention causes a computer to function as specifying means for specifying a first quadrilateral based on a plurality of alignment marks formed on a workpiece placed on a table of a processing apparatus, calculating means for calculating an intermediate position of a deviation between one end and the other end of a predetermined first side of the first quadrilateral with respect to the direction of a predetermined reference line when the first side intersects the reference line at a non-orthogonal angle, generating means for generating a second quadrilateral, which is a rectangle in which the first side and the reference line are orthogonal, by correcting the positions of one end and the other end of the first side in the direction of the reference line to the intermediate position, and arranging means for arranging processing data indicating the processing content for the workpiece at the center of the second quadrilateral.

Advantages of the Invention

[0024] An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus, a processing apparatus, a distortion correction method, and a distortion correction program that can perform processing according to processing data at a position equivalent to the original processing position even when the workpiece is distorted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a schematic diagram of a processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2]This is a schematic diagram showing the centering process of an embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the centering process of an embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the centering process of an embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the centering process of an embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing the centering process of an embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing the centering process of an embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram showing the centering process of an embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a schematic diagram showing the centering process of an embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a functional block diagram of the control device included in the cutting plotter of this embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a schematic diagram showing the processing that the user can select using the selection unit of the embodiment, where (A) shows the second processing and (B) shows the third processing. [Figure 12] This is a flowchart showing the flow of the centering process in the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0026] Hereinafter, a processing system 10 including a cutting plotter 12, which is a processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic overall view of the processing system 10 of this embodiment.

[0027] The processing system 10 includes a cutting plotter 12 and a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC") 14.

[0028] The cutting plotter 12 performs various processes such as cutting, perforating, and drawing on a sheet-like workpiece medium (hereinafter referred to as "media") 22 placed on the table 20, based on processing data indicating the processing content.

[0029] Various machining operations are performed using machining tools attached to a machining unit 26 that moves relative to the table 20. The table 20 has x and y axes defined on its horizontal plane. Machining tools include, for example, cutters, drills, and pens, and are attached to the machining unit 26.

[0030] The cutting plotter 12 is equipped with a support beam 28. The support beam 28 is positioned horizontally along the left-right direction (y-axis direction) on the horizontal plane of the table 20 and is movable in the x-axis direction relative to the table 20. The processing unit 26 is supported by the support beam 28 and is also movable in the longitudinal direction (y-axis direction) of the support beam 28. In this way, the processing unit 26 moves relative to the media 22 placed on the table 20, allowing the processing tool to process the media 22.

[0031] PC14 is capable of sending and receiving data to and from the cutting plotter 12 via wired or wireless connection. PC14 sends graphic data to the cutting plotter 12 as processing data indicating the processing details of the media 22. The graphic data may be created by PC14, or it may be created by another information processing device and sent to the cutting plotter 12 via PC14.

[0032] In this embodiment, the media 22 has multiple alignment marks (hereinafter referred to as "registration marks") 30 formed on it by printing or other means. The registration marks 30 indicate the processing position on the media 22 and are formed, for example, at the four corners of the processing position. The cutting plotter 12 detects the four corners of the processing position by reading the registration marks 30 formed on the media 22 using a camera. The cutting plotter 12 then performs processing based on the detected four corners.

[0033] Here, the media 22 processed by the cutting plotter 12 may be distorted, such as stretching or shrinking of the media 22, or the image being printed on the media 22 at an angle. Due to this distortion, for example, the shape of the media 22, which is originally rectangular, or the image printed on the media 22, may become a parallelogram. When processing a distorted media 22, there is a possibility that the processing will be performed at a position shifted from the original processing position.

[0034] Therefore, the processing system 10 of this embodiment performs a correction process (hereinafter referred to as "centering process") to perform processing according to the processing data at a position equivalent to the original processing position, even if distortion occurs in the media 22.

[0035] Centering processing is performed, for example, when cutting the media 22 based on processing data in order to assemble a three-dimensional object. In order to assemble a three-dimensional object, even if the media 22 is distorted, there should be no variation in the size and shape of the output cut from the media 22. Furthermore, if an image is printed on the media 22, even if the media 22 is distorted, it is desirable that the center of the printed image and the center of the cut output coincide as closely as possible.

[0036] The centering process of this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figures 2-4 and 5-9. In the examples in Figures 2-4 and 5-9, the processing by the cutting plotter 12 is shown as cutting. Although the registration marks 30 printed on the media 22 are square in one example, in the examples in Figures 2-10, the media 22 is distorted, so the registration marks 30 are also shown as distorted.

[0037] Referring to Figures 2-4, the centering process when the first side 34,34 of the first quadrilateral 32 intersects the reference line in a way other than perpendicularly will be explained. The reference line is a virtual line parallel to the reference axis (x-axis or y-axis) of table 20.

[0038] First, the centering process in this embodiment identifies the parallelogram enclosed by the four registration marks 30 as the first quadrilateral 32. More specifically, the first quadrilateral 32 is identified as the quadrilateral (parallelogram) formed by connecting the four vertices of each registration mark 30 that are located in the direction of the center of the processing area.

[0039] The first quadrilateral 32 is actually a rectangle, but because the media 22 is distorted, it is identified as a parallelogram by the registration marks 30, which are affected by this distortion. In the examples in Figures 2-4, the reference line is a line parallel to the x-axis. Because the media 22 is distorted, the first sides 34,34 of the first quadrilateral 32 intersect this x-axis at an angle.

[0040] In Figure 2, the area enclosed by the first rectangle 32, shown by a solid line, and the dashed line is the area that allows for cutting misalignment (hereinafter referred to as the "allowable area") 36. In other words, the centering process in this embodiment corrects the first rectangle 32 so that it becomes a rectangle so that it fits within the allowable area 36.

[0041] Next, as shown in Figure 3, the centering process calculates the midpoint 38 of the displacement between one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34,34 with respect to the x-axis (reference line). Next, as shown in Figure 4, the centering process corrects the position of the first end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34,34 in the direction of the x-axis to the midpoint 38, thereby generating a second quadrilateral 50, which is a rectangle in which the first side 34,34 and the x-axis are perpendicular. That is, one end 52A and the other end 52B of the first side 52 of the second quadrilateral 50 in Figure 4 correspond to one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34 of the first quadrilateral 32.

[0042] The centering process generates the second quadrilateral 50 by moving the second sides 40,40 in accordance with the correction of the first sides 34,34 of the first quadrilateral 32. In the example in Figure 4, the second sides 40,40 of the first quadrilateral 32 are moved to the right along the x-axis so that the first sides 52,52 of the second quadrilateral 50 and the second sides 54,54 are at a right angle. Thus, the position and length of the first sides 34,34 of the first quadrilateral 32 are changed by the centering process, but the length of the second sides 40,40 of the first quadrilateral 32 is not changed, as they only move along the x-axis, which is the reference line.

[0043] The centering process then places the processing data, which indicates the processing details for the media 22, in the center of the second rectangle 50. The processing data is positioned with, for example, one end 52A of the first side 52 forming the second rectangle 50 (the lower right vertex of the second rectangle 50) as the origin. The processing data is positioned in the second rectangle 50 without any shape correction.

[0044] By correcting the position of the first sides 34,34 of the first rectangle 32 in this way, the second rectangle 50 is positioned evenly offset from the four registration marks 30, that is, closer to the center of the original processing position. Therefore, the centering process in this embodiment can perform processing according to the processing data at a position equivalent to the original processing position, even if distortion occurs in the media 22.

[0045] Next, other examples of centering processes will be explained with reference to Figures 5-9. In the examples in Figures 5-9, for example, the shorter sides of the first quadrilateral 32 are set to the first side 34,34, the longer sides to the second side 40,40, and the reference line is a line parallel to the y-axis. Note that the first quadrilateral 32 shown in Figure 5 may correspond to the allowable area 36 in Figure 2.

[0046] In the first quadrilateral 32 shown in Figures 5-9, not only the first sides 34,34, but also the second sides 40,40 that intersect the first sides 34,34, intersect the baseline in a way that is not perpendicular. That is, the first quadrilateral 32, identified by the four registration marks 30 in the example of Figure 5, does not have any sides parallel to the x and y axes. Such a case occurs, for example, when a user places a distorted media 22 diagonally on the table 20.

[0047] The centering process in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, involves rotating the first quadrilateral 32 by an angle θ so that its second sides 40,40 are parallel to the y-axis, which is the reference line. The center of this rotation is a predetermined vertex of the first quadrilateral 32, and in this embodiment, as an example, it is one end 34A of the first side 34 of the first quadrilateral 32 (the lower right vertex of the first quadrilateral 32). Figure 6 shows the first quadrilateral 32 after rotation by an angle θ.

[0048] Next, the centering process calculates the midpoint 38 of the displacement between one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34,34 of the rotated first quadrilateral 32. Then, as shown in Figure 7, the centering process generates the second quadrilateral 50 by correcting the position of the reference line in the direction of one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34,34 of the rotated first quadrilateral 32 to the midpoint 38.

[0049] Next, the centering process corrects the origin 60 for positioning the machining data 56, as shown in Figure 8. This origin 60 is a predetermined position based on, for example, one end 52A of the first side 52 of the second rectangle 50 (the lower right vertex of the second rectangle 50). The centering process positions the machining data 56 in the center of the second rectangle 50 with respect to the origin 60.

[0050] Then, as shown in Figure 9, the centering process involves rotating the second quadrilateral 50 in the opposite direction by the same angle θ as the first quadrilateral 32. The center of rotation for the reverse rotation is one end 34A of the first side 34 of the first quadrilateral 32 (the lower right vertex of the first quadrilateral 32). In other words, the second quadrilateral 50 is rotated at an angle of -θ with one end 34A of the first side 34 of the first quadrilateral 32 as the center of rotation.

[0051] As described above, the centering process in this embodiment rotates the first quadrilateral 32 around a predetermined vertex of the first quadrilateral 32, i.e., the same position, as the center of rotation, and rotates the second quadrilateral 50 in the opposite direction. As a result, the second sides 54, 54 of the second quadrilateral 50 are in the same position as the second sides 40, 40 of the first quadrilateral 32. In addition, the centering process also rotates the machining data 56 placed in the second quadrilateral 50 by an angle θ along with the second quadrilateral 50.

[0052] Therefore, the centering process in this embodiment can perform machining according to the machining data 56 at a position equivalent to the original machining position, even if distortion occurs in the media 22.

[0053] In the examples shown in Figures 5-9, the machining data 56 was placed in the second rectangle 50, and then the machining data 56 was rotated in the reverse direction along with the second rectangle 50. However, the method is not limited to this; the machining data 56 may also be placed in the second rectangle 50 after being rotated in the reverse direction. In this case, the machining data 56 is rotated by an angle θ before being placed in the second rectangle 50.

[0054] Furthermore, in the examples in Figures 5-9, the shorter sides of the first quadrilateral 32 are set to 34,34 and the longer sides to 40,40, with the reference line being the y-axis. However, this is just one example; the longer sides of the first quadrilateral 32 could also be set to 34,34 and the shorter sides to 40,40, with the reference line being the x-axis.

[0055] Figure 10 is a functional block diagram of the control device 70 included in the cutting plotter 12 of this embodiment. The functional block diagram in Figure 10 mainly shows the functions related to centering processing.

[0056] The control device 70 is an information processing device that controls the cutting plotter 12, and includes a communication unit 72, a storage unit 74, a processing control unit 76, and a correction processing unit 78. The processing control unit 76 and the correction processing unit 78 are implemented, for example, by the arithmetic unit (computer) of the control device 70 executing a program.

[0057] The communication unit 72 transmits and receives data such as graphic data with other information processing devices such as the PC 14.

[0058] The memory unit 74 stores various programs for controlling the cutting plotter 12, programs for executing various processes such as centering, various setting values, and processing data 56 received from the PC 14.

[0059] The processing control unit 76 controls the cutting plotter 12 to perform processing on the media 22 based on the processing data 56.

[0060] The correction processing unit 78 performs centering processing. The correction processing unit 78 in this embodiment includes a specific unit 80, a calculation unit 82, a generation unit 84, a rotation unit 86, an arrangement unit 88, and a selection unit 90.

[0061] The identification unit 80 identifies the first rectangle 32 based on a plurality of registration marks 30 that indicate the processing position of the media 22 placed on the table 20 of the cutting plotter 12.

[0062] The calculation unit 82 calculates the intermediate position 38 of the displacement between one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34,34 of the first quadrilateral 32 with respect to the direction of the reference line, when the first sides 34,34 of the first quadrilateral 32 intersect the reference line in a direction other than perpendicular to it.

[0063] The generation unit 84 corrects the position of the reference line direction at one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34,34 of the first quadrilateral 32 to an intermediate position 38, thereby generating a second quadrilateral 50 which is a rectangle in which the first side 34,34 and the reference line are perpendicular.

[0064] The rotating part 86 rotates the first quadrilateral 32 so that the second sides 40,40 and the reference line become parallel when the second sides 40,40 intersect the first sides 34,34 of the first quadrilateral 32 in a way other than perpendicular to the reference line. The rotating part 86 also rotates the second quadrilateral 50 in the opposite direction by the same angle θ as the rotation of the first quadrilateral 32.

[0065] The placement unit 88 places the processing data 56 in the center of the first rectangle 32 or the second rectangle 50.

[0066] The selection unit 90 allows the user to choose whether or not to perform processing on the media 22 based on the processing data 56 placed in the second rectangle 50, which is a corrected version of the first rectangle 32. More specifically, the selection unit 90 displays the second rectangle 50 generated by the centering process, the processing data 56 placed in the second rectangle 50, and the detection position of the registration marks 30 on the display of the cutting plotter 12 or PC 14, allowing the user to choose whether or not to perform processing based on the second rectangle 50.

[0067] The cutting plotter 12 processes the media 22 based on the processing data 56 placed on the second rectangle 50 if the user chooses to perform processing based on the second rectangle 50. On the other hand, if the user does not choose to perform processing based on the second rectangle 50, the cutting plotter 12 processes the media 22 based on the processing data 56 without any correction. Processing without correction will be described later as the second processing method, with reference to Figure 11(A).

[0068] Furthermore, the selection unit 90 may allow the user to select one of the first, second, or third processes. The first process involves correcting the first rectangle 32 into the second rectangle 50 by centering.

[0069] The second and third processing steps will be explained with reference to Figure 11.

[0070] The second processing step, as shown in Figure 11(A), involves placing the processing data 56 within a rectangle 94 generated based on predetermined sides 92 identified by two registration marks 30A and 30B, and then processing the media 22. This second processing step does not involve any correction to the rectangle identified by the registration marks 30. Therefore, as shown in Figure 11(A), the rectangle 94 may be positioned off-center from the center of the allowable area 36.

[0071] The third processing step, as shown in Figure 11(B), involves correcting the shape of the processing data 56 based on the first rectangle 32, placing the corrected processing data 56 on the first rectangle 32, and then processing the media 22. In the third processing step, the processing data 56 is corrected according to the distortion of the media 22 without correcting the first rectangle 32, resulting in processing that reflects the distortion of the media 22.

[0072] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the centering process in this embodiment, which is performed by the correction processing unit 78. The centering process is performed, for example, when a processing start instruction based on graphic data is input to the cutting plotter 12 for the media 22.

[0073] First, in step 100, the registration marks 30 printed on the media 22 placed on the table 20 are detected by taking a picture of them with a camera, and the identification unit 80 identifies the first rectangle 32 based on the registration marks 30.

[0074] In the next step 102, the identification unit 80 determines whether or not distortion has occurred in the first quadrilateral 32. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 106; if the determination is negative, the process proceeds to step 104. Whether or not distortion has occurred is determined, for example, by whether or not the sides of the first quadrilateral 32 intersect the x-axis or y-axis in a manner other than perpendicular to them.

[0075] In step 104, assuming that no distortion has occurred in the media 22, the placement unit 88 places the processing data 56 in the center of the first rectangle 32, and the centering process is completed. The cutting plotter 12 then processes the media 22 based on the processing data 56 placed in the first rectangle 32.

[0076] In step 106, the identification unit 80 determines whether the first quadrilateral 32 has a side parallel to the x-axis or y-axis. If the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step 108; otherwise, it proceeds to step 112. A positive determination occurs when the first quadrilateral 32 is the quadrilateral shown in Figure 2. A negative determination occurs when the first quadrilateral 32 is the quadrilateral shown in Figure 5.

[0077] In step 108, the calculation unit 82 calculates the intermediate position 38 of the displacement between one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34,34 of the first quadrilateral 32.

[0078] In the next step 110, the generation unit 84 generates the second quadrilateral 50 by correcting one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34,34 of the first quadrilateral 32 to an intermediate position 38.

[0079] In the next step 112, the placement unit 88 places the processing data 56 in the center of the second rectangle 50, and then proceeds to step 124.

[0080] In step 114, which is the step to which the result is negative in step 106, the rotating unit 86 rotates the first quadrilateral 32 so that the second sides 40,40 of the first quadrilateral 32 are parallel to the reference line.

[0081] In the next step 116, the calculation unit 82 calculates the midpoint 38 of the displacement between one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34,34 of the rotated first quadrilateral 32.

[0082] In the next step 118, the generation unit 84 generates the second quadrilateral 50 by correcting one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first side 34,34 of the rotated first quadrilateral 32 to an intermediate position 38.

[0083] In the next step 120, the placement unit 88 places the processing data 56 in the center of the second rectangle 50.

[0084] In the next step 122, the rotating part 86 rotates the second rectangle 50 in the reverse direction, and the process moves to step 124.

[0085] In step 124, the selection unit 90 prompts the user to select the first, second, or third processing step, and the centering process ends. The cutting plotter 12 then processes the media 22 based on the processing step selected by the user.

[0086] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the embodiments above. Various modifications or improvements can be made to the embodiments above without departing from the spirit of the invention, and such modified or improved forms are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0087] In the above embodiment, the first quadrilateral 32 was described as a parallelogram with two opposing sides parallel, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first quadrilateral 32 may be a quadrilateral of other shapes, such as a trapezoid. Centering can be performed on these quadrilaterals as well by setting a reference line and performing correction.

[0088] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the correction processing unit 78 is provided in the cutting plotter 12 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The correction processing unit 78 may be provided in the PC 14. In this configuration, the PC 14 transmits the processing result from the correction processing unit 78 to the cutting plotter 12, and the cutting plotter 12 performs processing on the media 22 according to the processing result.

[0089] In the above embodiment, a configuration in which the processing device is a cutting plotter 12 was described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the processing device may be a device other than the cutting plotter 12. For example, the processing device may be a printing device, and the processing data 56 may be image data showing an image to be printed on the media 22.

[0090] (Effects of the embodiment) (1) The control device 70 of this embodiment includes: an identification unit 80 that identifies a first rectangle 32 based on a plurality of registration marks 30 formed on the media 22 placed on the table 20 of the cutting plotter 12; a calculation unit 82 that calculates an intermediate position 38 of the displacement between one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first sides 34,34 with respect to the direction of the reference line when the first sides 34,34 of the first rectangle 32 intersect with respect to the reference line in a manner other than perpendicular to it; a generation unit 84 that generates a second rectangle 50 in which the first sides 34,34 and the reference line are perpendicular to each other by correcting the positions of one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first sides 34,34 with respect to the reference line to the intermediate position 38; and an arrangement unit 88 that places processing data 56 indicating the processing content for the media 22 in the center of the second rectangle 50. As a result, the control device 70 of this embodiment can perform machining according to the machining data 56 at a position equivalent to the original machining position, even if distortion occurs in the media 22.

[0091] (2) The second sides 40, 40 that intersect the first sides 34, 34 of the first quadrilateral 32 in this embodiment are parallel to the reference line, and the generation unit 84 moves the second sides 40, 40 in accordance with the correction of the first sides 34, 34 to generate the second quadrilateral 50. As a result, the control device 70 in this embodiment can perform processing according to the processing data 56 at a position equivalent to the original processing position, even if distortion occurs in the media 22.

[0092] (3) The control device 70 of this embodiment includes a rotation unit 86 that rotates the first quadrilateral 32 so that the second sides 40, 40 that intersect the first sides 34, 34 are parallel to the reference line when the second sides 40, 40 that intersect the first sides 34, 34 are not perpendicular to the reference line. The calculation unit 82 calculates the intermediate position 38 of the displacement between one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first sides 34, 34 of the rotated first quadrilateral 32. The generation unit 84 corrects the position of the reference line direction at one end 34A and the other end 34B of the first sides 34, 34 of the rotated first quadrilateral 32 to the intermediate position 38 to generate the second quadrilateral 50. The rotation unit 86 rotates the second quadrilateral 50 in the opposite direction by the angle at which the first quadrilateral 32 was rotated. As a result, the control device 70 of this embodiment can perform machining according to the machining data 56 at a position equivalent to the original machining position, even if distortion occurs in the media 22.

[0093] (4) The rotating part 86 of this embodiment rotates the first rectangle 32 with a predetermined vertex of the first rectangle 32 as the rotation center, and rotates the second rectangle 50 in the opposite direction. As a result, the control device 70 of this embodiment can perform processing according to the processing data 56 at a position equivalent to the original processing position, even if distortion occurs in the media 22.

[0094] (5) The processing data 56 in this embodiment is arranged in the second rectangle 50 without any shape correction. As a result, the control device 70 in this embodiment can perform processing on the media 22 in a manner that is faithful to the processing data 56.

[0095] (6) The control device 70 of this embodiment includes a selection unit 90 that allows the user to select whether or not to perform processing on the media 22 based on the processing data 56 arranged in the second rectangle 50. This allows the user to select whether or not to correct distortion in the media 22 when distortion occurs in the control device 70 of this embodiment.

[0096] (7) The selection unit 90 of this embodiment allows the user to select one of the following: a first processing method which processes the media 22 based on the processing data 56 arranged in the second rectangle 50; a second processing method which processes the media 22 by arranging the processing data 56 in a rectangle generated based on predetermined sides identified by the two registration marks 30; or a third processing method which corrects the shape of the processing data 56 based on the first rectangle 32, arranges the corrected processing data 56 in the first rectangle 32, and processes the media 22. In this way, the control device 70 of this embodiment allows the user to select whether or not to correct and the content of the correction when distortion occurs in the media 22. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 12. Cutting plotter (processing equipment) 20 tables 22. Media (processed media) 40 Control device (information processing device) 56 Processing data 80 Specific part (specific means) 82 Calculation Unit (Calculation Means) 84 Generation unit (generation means) 86 Rotating part (rotating means) 88 Placement section (placement means) 90 Selection unit (selection means)

Claims

1. A means for identifying a first rectangle based on a plurality of alignment marks formed on a workpiece placed on the table of a processing device, A calculation means for calculating the midpoint of the displacement between one end and the other end of the first side of the first quadrilateral with respect to the direction of the reference line, when the first side of the first quadrilateral intersects with respect to a predetermined reference line in a manner other than perpendicular to it, A generation means that generates a second quadrilateral in which the first side and the reference line are perpendicular to each other by correcting the position of the reference line in the direction of the reference line at one end and the other end of the first side to the intermediate position, Arrangement means for arranging processing data indicating the processing content for the workpiece in the center of the second rectangle, An information processing device equipped with the following features.

2. The second side of the first quadrilateral intersecting the first side is parallel to the reference line, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the generation means generates the second quadrilateral by moving the second side in accordance with the correction of the first side.

3. The first quadrilateral is provided with a rotation means for rotating the second side that intersects the first side in a manner other than perpendicular to the reference line, such that the second side and the reference line become parallel. The calculation means calculates the midpoint of the displacement between one end and the other end of the first side of the rotated first quadrilateral, The generating means generates the second quadrilateral by correcting the positions of the reference line in the direction of one end and the other end of the first side of the rotated first quadrilateral to the intermediate position. The rotating means rotates the second quadrilateral in the opposite direction by the same angle as the first quadrilateral was rotated. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rotating means rotates the first quadrilateral and rotates the second quadrilateral in the opposite direction, with a predetermined vertex forming the first quadrilateral as the center of rotation.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 3, wherein the processing data is arranged in the second rectangle without any shape correction.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 3, further comprising a selection means for allowing a user to select whether or not to perform processing on the workpiece based on the processing data arranged in the second rectangle.

7. The aforementioned selection means is, Based on the processing data arranged in the second rectangle, a first processing step is performed on the workpiece medium. A second processing step involves arranging processing data in a rectangle generated based on predetermined sides identified by the two alignment marks, and then performing processing on the workpiece medium. A third processing step is performed on the workpiece medium by correcting the shape of the processing data based on the first rectangle, arranging the corrected processing data on the first rectangle, The user is given the option to choose one of the following: The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. A processing apparatus comprising the information processing device described in claim 1 or claim 3.

9. A first step in which a identifying means identifies a first rectangle based on a plurality of alignment marks formed on a workpiece placed on the table of a processing device, A second step in which, when a predetermined first side of the first quadrilateral intersects a predetermined reference line in a manner other than perpendicular to it, the calculation means calculates the midpoint of the displacement between one end and the other end of the first side with respect to the direction of the reference line, A third step in which the generating means generates a second quadrilateral, which is a rectangle in which the first side and the reference line are perpendicular, by correcting the position of the reference line direction at one end and the other end of the first side to the intermediate position, A fourth step involves placing processing data indicating the processing content for the workpiece in the center of the second rectangle, A distortion correction method having [a certain characteristic].

10. Computers, A means for identifying a first rectangle based on a plurality of alignment marks formed on a workpiece placed on the table of a processing device, A calculation means for calculating the midpoint of the displacement between one end and the other end of the first side of the first quadrilateral with respect to the direction of the reference line, when the first side of the first quadrilateral intersects with respect to a predetermined reference line in a manner other than perpendicular to it, A generation means that generates a second quadrilateral in which the first side and the reference line are perpendicular to each other by correcting the position of the reference line in the direction of the reference line at one end and the other end of the first side to the intermediate position, Arrangement means for arranging processing data indicating the processing content for the workpiece in the center of the second rectangle, A distortion correction program to enable it to function.

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