Outline Vector Data Extraction for Drawing Apparatus

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional drawing apparatuses face limitations in resolution and data processing efficiency when converting vector-graphic data to raster-graphic data for pattern drawing on workpieces, resulting in high data loads and increased data transmission requirements.

Innovation Solution

A data processing method that extracts run length data, groups it, and creates outline vector-graphic data with a smaller data amount, reducing the need for high-resolution data transmission and processing by focusing on the outline of the figure to be drawn.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If raster-graphic data is used to represent figures to be drawn, then drawing resolution can be improved, but the amount of data increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawing resolutionVSAvoidamount of data

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential outline information from the complete raster-graphic data by identifying and storing only the coordinate values of starting and ending points of run length data. This extraction process reduces the data quantity while preserving the critical outline information needed for drawing, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining drawing resolution and reducing data amount.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the raster-graphic data into discrete run length segments, each defined by starting and ending coordinate points. By processing and storing only these segmented outline points rather than the complete pixel data, the system achieves reduced data volume while maintaining the essential drawing information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the amount of data is increased to improve resolution, then drawing quality improves, but data-conversion load and data-transmittance load become heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawing qualityVSAvoiddata-conversion load and data-transmittance load

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential outline information from the complete raster-graphic data by identifying and storing only the coordinate values of starting and ending points of run length data. This extraction process reduces the data quantity while preserving the critical outline information needed for drawing, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining drawing resolution and reducing data amount.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of converting vector data to complete raster data and then processing it, the patent inverts the approach by extracting outline information from raster data and representing it as simplified vector-like outline data. This inversion avoids the heavy data-conversion process while maintaining drawing quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Manufacturing precision

If complete raster-graphic data is processed, then drawing accuracy is maintained, but processing time and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrawing accuracyVSAvoidprocessing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential outline information from the complete raster-graphic data by identifying and storing only the coordinate values of starting and ending points of run length data. This extraction process reduces the data quantity while preserving the critical outline information needed for drawing, directly resolving the contradiction between maintaining drawing resolution and reducing data amount.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by processing only the essential outline portions of the data rather than the complete raster data. By focusing only on the starting and ending points of run length data, the system achieves sufficient drawing accuracy without the processing burden of complete data conversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7502510B2Vector-graphic data processing method and drawing apparatus

Publication Date: 2009.03.10 ORC MFG

AI summary

In a data processing method, all information on a figure to be drawn, as vector-graphic data representing said figure, is transmitted to a drawing apparatus. The vector-graphic data is processed to form an image, as raster-graphic data representing the figure, and the run length data is extracted from the image. The run length data is grouped to become grouped run length data, and outline vector-graphic data, that is having a smaller data amount than that of the vector-graphic data, and that is based on an outline of the figure represented by the grouped run length data, is created. In another data processing method, the drawing data is processed in a workstation such as a CAD system, and the resulting outline vector graphic data is transmitted to the drawing apparatus.