Automatic engraving systems and method
AssigneeRoger LeCren
InventorClaude M. Cauwet
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is a method making use of a video camera, a programmed computer and a numerically-controlled machine-tool with three displacement axes. Particular transitions of the gray levels of the digitized output signal of the camera are sought. Two contiguous binary signals thus produced define a primitive segment of a line to be engraved. The directing parameters of the line segments, normalized in accordance with the displacement step of the machine, are produced and the successions of digital signals controlling the horizontal movement of the machine are deduced therefrom. The engraving depth control signals are renewed with each new engraving pass. Application to the customized production of jewelry and object-words.
Claims7
A method for producing objects having the faithful representation of the distinctive features of a given subject image, said method using at least a microcomputer, a monitor and a numerically controlled machine having at least X and Y displacement axes, said machine being fitted with tool means producing thin strokes and with a blank to be processed, said method comprising the steps of:
- producing and storing bit mapping signals on the screen of said monitor representing the Cartesian coordinates of the various points of distinctive lines of said subject image;
- identifying the origin point of one of said distinctive lines and storing apart its Cartesian coordinates;
- from the Cartesian coordinates of said origin point, processing the other Cartesian coordinates signals of said one distinctive line so as to produce a sequence of curvilinear coordinates signals representative of the successive segments of said one distinctive line as displayed on said monitor screen;
- combining a restitution scale factor with said sequence of curvilinear coordinates signals so as to produce a continuous dual sequence of X and Y control pulses for said numerically controlled machine;
- applying said dual sequence of X and Y control pulses to said machine, thereby producing two sequences of elementary relative displacements of said blank and of said tool and so generating one distinctive line of said distinctive line on said blank;
- and
- renewing the four previous foregoing steps for the other distinctive lines of said representation.
A system for the automatic making of objects having the faithful representation of the distinctive features of a given subject, comprising:
- (1) a numerically controlled precision machine having at least X and Y displacement axes, said machine being equipped with tool means producing thin strokes and with a blank to be processed;
- (2) means for scanning the image of said subject and means for producing primary series of digital signals representative of the grey levels of the lines of pixels of the scanned image;
- (3) a monitor having a screen;
- (4) a programmed microcomputer including:
- (a) means for storing said primary series of digital signals;
- (b) means for producing particular transitions of the grey levels of said primary series;
- (c) means for converting said transitions into binary signals so as to form secondary series of two by two adjacent signals respectively representing on the screen of said monitor the Cartesian coordinates of the ends of the primitive segments of the distinctive lines and contours to be represented;
- (d) means for storing in bit mapping said secondary series;
- (e) means for identifying the origin pixel of each of said distinctive lines or contours and means for storing apart the Cartesian coordinates of said origin pixel;
- (f) means for processing said origin pixel Cartesian coordinates together with the other Cartesian coordinates signals of said secondary series so as to produce sequences of curvilinear coordinates signals representative of the successive primitive segments of said lines or contours and means for storing said sequences;
- (g) means for storing a restitution scale factor;
- (h) means for combining said scale factor with the curvilinear coordinates of the primitive segments of each distinctive line or contour to be represented so as to produce continuous sequences of control pulses for said machine;
- and
- (5) means for applying said control pulses to said machine so as to produce the elementary relative X and Y displacements of said blank and of said tool.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.