Abstract:
A method including printing an image onto a medium and printing an alignment region onto the medium. The method further including loading the medium to an electronic cutter and aligning the medium with the electronic cutter. The method further including cutting the image from the medium.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/057,886 filed on Jun. 2, 2008, titled “System and Method for Printing and Cutting”, to Jonathan Aaron Johnson, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The disclosure relates to a system and method for printing and cutting. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Typical personal cutting apparatuses are not configured for cutting over an arbitrary printed image, such as may be produced by an inkjet printer. Moreover, attempts to cut a printed image may lead to misalignment and frequent mistakes. Thus, a need exists for a simple and accurate method to align a personal cutting apparatus with a printed image. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    The disclosure will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is a printer used to print an image on a craft material. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a personal electronic cutter with the craft material loaded and being aligned. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a personal electronic cutter used for cutting out the image. 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a configurable mat-less craft paper. 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a view of a mat-less craft material. 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a method of printing and cutting. 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a system for the personal electronic cutter that includes an optical sensor for finding an alignment region. 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a method for printing and cutting having automatic alignment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The Figures illustrate an exemplary embodiment of printing and cutting in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Based on the foregoing, it is to be generally understood that the nomenclature used herein is simply for convenience and the terms used to describe the invention should be given the broadest meaning by one of ordinary skill in the art. This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/057,886 filed on Jun. 2, 2008, titled “System and Method for Printing and Cutting”, to Jonathan Aaron Johnson, the contents of which are incorporated in their entirety herein by reference. 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  shows a first step where a user may print an image  140  to a craft material  120 . The user may design or select the image using a personal computer and/or a software package suited for printing images. A printer  110  may be, for example, an inkjet printer, a laser printer, or any other type of printer. The craft material  120  may be any type of paper, sticker, sticker holder, or other material that may be desirable. The software package may include special features for printing and cutting of shapes in the craft material  120 . In one example, a feature includes the automatic printing of an alignment region  130  on the craft material  120  so that the cutter  210  may be aligned with the image  140  in later steps. Using the software package or other printing software, the user may print images to their regular printer using a mat-less stock (described below). Such images, when cut may be considered “Sticut” image. Alternatively, the user may print images on regular paper or other materials that may be used with a sticky-mat-type cutting substrate that may include a sticky surface to hold the paper during the cutting operation. Note that alignment region  130  may be printed by the printer or it may be pre-printed on the craft material. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  shows a second step, the user takes printed result, inserts it into their personal electronic cutter  210  (e.g., Cricut® machine) and registers the blade position by pushing down the blade arm and aligning the blade housing  240  within the printed alignment region  130 . An example of a Cricut® machine is described in detail in application Ser. No. 11/457,419, filed Jul. 13, 2006, to Robert Workman et al., the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0016]    The alignment region  130  is shown in  FIGS. 2-5  as a circle in the corner of the craft material  120 . The alignment region  130  may be located in a non-used portion of the craft material to avoid printing image  140  over the alignment region  130 . The size of alignment region  130  is such that the cutting head of the personal electronic cutter  210  may fit perfectly within the circle of alignment region  130  to properly align the paper, and the printed image  140 , with the cutting machine. If there is a misalignment after loading the craft material  120  into the cutting machine  210 , the user may use the “arrow-keys”  230  of the cutting machine to maneuver the cutting head to position over alignment region  130 . Alternatively, as discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the personal electronic cutter  210  may automatically locate the alignment region  130  using an optical sensor. 
         [0017]    Once alignment is achieved, the craft material  120  is in a known X-Y alignment with the electronic cutter  210 . Then user may then cut around the periphery of the printed area. This may be accomplished, for example, by having the software package control the electronic cutter  210  directly since the software package knows the position of the alignment region  130  with respect to the printed image  140 . 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, the printed image  140  and the cutting may performed using the cartridge only. To ensure accurate registration, the print and cut functions are controlled by a print &amp; cut software on a personal computer (PC) or by the personal electronic cutter itself, having specialized print &amp; cut hardware. For example, the cartridge may include X-Y alignment offsets for the printed image  140  and the cutting path. 
         [0019]    In use, the alignment region  130  may be printed in upper right corner of the craft media. After the user loads the craft media into the personal electronic cutter, the user imply pushes the blade housing  240  down to see if the housing and target are aligned. If they are not, the user then changes the location of the blade housing using the arrow keys  230 . Once alignment is complete, the user then indicates that alignment is complete, e.g. pushing the “cut” button on the personal electronic cutter. 
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows the software controlling the personal electronic cutter  210  to edge-cut the artwork  140 . Alternatively, the cartridge  250  of the electronic cutter  210  may include the cutting location relative to the alignment region  130  and cut the image  140  at the periphery. 
         [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a mat-less stock, generally considered a cutting stock, that does not require a separate mat to be cut. The mat-less stock  120  may include regions  410 ,  420  at the outer periphery that provide a surface for the rollers of the cutting machine  210  to stick to and drive the stock. The inner section  440  provides a region for printing, then cutting. In one example, the outer regions are scored in relation to the main region providing a roller edge. In a small version, the mat-less stock includes a tear-away portion  430  that leaves a six (6) inch section, with roller edges  410 ,  420 . The larger size of the mat-less stock  120  allows for use in standard printers and then when tear-away portion  430  is removed, the mat-less stock  120  may be used in cutting machine having a narrower opening.  FIG. 5  shows a mat-less stock  120 A that does not include a tear-away portion. 
         [0022]      FIG. 6  shows a method  600  for printing and cutting. The steps may include mat-less stock, or typical paper stock. 
         [0023]    In step  610 , the user may design or select the artwork to be printed then cut. The design may use a personal computer or other processing device to select artwork. The artwork may be single-color or include multiple colors. Moreover, the artwork may be selected from stored cartridge content, such as the cartridges provided with the Cricut® personal electronic cutter. 
         [0024]    In step  620 , the user may print the artwork on cutting stock. The printing step may also include printing alignment region  130 , or alternatively, alignment region may be pre-printed on the cutting stock. The printing may be accomplished with an inkjet printer, laser printer etc. 
         [0025]    In step  625 , the user may configure the paper by removing the tear-away portion  430  (e.g., when using mat-less stock  120 ). If regular paper stock is used, the configuration step may be skipped. For example, where a sticky-mat-type system is used (e.g., with the Cricut® personal electronic cutter) then a tear-away portion may not be required or desired. The user may then load the craft material  120  into a personal electronic cutter  210 . 
         [0026]    In step  630 , the user may align the blade housing  240  with alignment region  130 . To test the alignment, the user may press downwardly on blade housing  240  until blade housing  240  touches, or nearly touches, alignment region  130 . If blade housing  240  is perfectly, or nearly perfectly, within alignment region  130  then the alignment is complete. If blade housing  240  is not perfectly, or nearly perfectly, within alignment region  130  then the user may adjust the position of blade housing  240  and craft material  120  until they are. To adjust the positions, the user may use the “arrow-keys”  230  of the cutting machine (see  FIG. 3 ) to maneuver the cutting head to position over alignment region  130 . Alternatively, as discussed below with respect to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the personal electronic cutter  210  may automatically locate the alignment region  130  using an optical sensor. 
         [0027]    In step  640 , the user may initiate cutting the artwork using the electronic cutter  120 . The user may initiate this action by pressing the “Cut” button on the personal electronic cutter  210 . 
         [0028]    In providing printing and cutting functionality, the user may purchase printing images and cutting images, often purchased as a pair in a “sticut” scenario or having other content. The user may also purchase printers and inks specially made or formulated for making stickers using a printer and electronic cutting machine. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is a system  700  for the personal electronic cutter  210  that includes an optical sensor for finding alignment region  130 . The personal electronic cutter  210  includes a processor  710  for controlling an optical sensor  720  and a motion control system  730  for cutter  740 . Cutter  740  may include blade housing  240  (as shown above in  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The blade used for cutting the craft material  120  may be housed within blade housing  240 . The motion control system  730  may include an X-Y-Z controller to move the craft material  120  in a Y direction, the blade housing  240  in an X direction, and the blade housing  240  (and blade) in a Z direction. In this way, processor  710  has control over the motion of the blade housing  240  and the craft material  120 . \ 
         [0030]    In an example, the optical sensor  720  may be located near the bottom of blade housing  240 . Thus, the system motion control  730  allows for movement of the optical sensor with the blade housing  240 . Optical sensor  720  may include a light emitting device such as a light emitting diode (LED) and an optical detector. Optical sensor  720  may include a light emitting device operating in the infrared spectrum (IR) and an optical detector sensitive to the same spectrum. Optical sensor  720  may be designed to detect the edges of alignment region  130  or any pattern printed on craft material  120  to serve as a fiducial. For example, the system may be configured to always print alignment region  130  within a region of the craft material  120 , and that the image  140  should not overlap that region. Given the strategy for printing alignment region  130 , the personal electronic cutter  210  may use processor  710  and optical sensor  720  to locate alignment region  130 . For example, personal electronic cutter  210  may use optical sensor  720  to determine the extents of alignment region  130  and then determine the center. The center of alignment region  130  may then become the alignment point and the offsets for cutting the image  140  are known for a precise cut. 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is a method for printing and cutting having automatic alignment. In this example, the personal electronic cutter  210  automatically aligns the craft material  120  using an optical sensor. 
         [0032]    In step  610 , the user may design or select the artwork to be printed then cut. The design may use a personal computer or other processing device to select artwork. The artwork may be single-color or include multiple colors. Moreover, the artwork may be selected from stored cartridge content, such as the cartridges provided with the Cricut® personal electronic cutter. 
         [0033]    In step  620 , the user may print the artwork on cutting stock. The printing step may also include printing alignment region  130 , or alternatively, alignment region may be pre-printed on the cutting stock. The printing may be accomplished with an inkjet printer, laser printer etc. 
         [0034]    In step  625 , the user may configure the paper by removing the tear-away portion  430  (e.g., when using mat-less stock  120 ). If regular paper stock is used, the configuration step may be skipped. For example, where a sticky-mat-type system is used (e.g., with the Cricut® personal electronic cutter) then a tear-away portion may not be required or desired. 
         [0035]    In step  810 , the user may load the craft material  120  into a personal electronic cutter  210 . When using automatic alignment of the craft material  120  with the personal electronic cutter  210 , the user may be required to place the craft material  120  into the personal electronic cutter  210  at a defined location. This may assist the personal electronic cutter to locate the alignment region  130 . However, such an orientation requirement may not be necessary because the electronic cutter may check opposite corners, or each corner, of the craft material  120  if the alignment region  130  is not found. 
         [0036]    In step  820 , the personal electronic cutter may attempt to locate the alignment region  130 . The personal electronic cutter may use processor  710  and optical sensor  720  (see  FIG. 7 ) to move craft material  120  and blade housing  240  to locate alignment region  130 . In an example, the optical sensor  720  may be located near the bottom of blade housing  240 . Processor  710  may use motion control system  730  to move both the blade housing  240  and craft material  120  to a starting position at an expected location for alignment region  130 . Processor  710  may then move blade housing  240  and craft material  120  to determine where a boundary for alignment region  130  is. The system may use the optical sensor  720  to emit light, and then use the optical detector to detect the reflection, or substantial lack of reflection, from craft material  120 . In this way, a non-printed region of craft material  120  may reflect a significant amount of the light back to the optical detector whereas a printed region may not reflect as much light back to the optical detector. 
         [0037]    In an example, the pattern of alignment region  130  is known to the personal electronic cutter  210 . When the optical sensor  720  is move over the region expected to contain alignment region  130 , if the appropriate pattern is detected then the personal electronic cutter  210  may deem the alignment region as found. For example, when alignment region  130  is configured as a circle, the personal electronic cutter  210  may know the size and line thickness of the pattern for comparison. If the appropriately sized circle is found for alignment region  130  (e.g., as shown in  FIG. 1 ) then the personal electronic cutter will determine the center of the circle as the initial starting point and/or offset for cutting. 
         [0038]    In another example, the alignment region  130  is configured as a circle with cross-lines therethrough (see  FIGS. 4 and 5 ), the personal electronic cutter  210  may know the size and line thickness of the pattern for comparison. If the appropriately sized circle is found and the cross-lines are found for alignment region  130  then the personal electronic cutter will determine the center of the circle and may verify the calculation by using the position of intersection for the cross-lines. This location may then be used as the initial starting point and/or offset for cutting. 
         [0039]    In step  640 , the personal electronic cutter may initiate cutting automatically after locating the alignment region  130 . Alternatively, the user may initiate cutting the artwork using the electronic cutter  120 . The user may initiate this action by pressing the “Cut” button on the personal electronic cutter  210 . 
         [0040]    The present invention has been described with reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof. However, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to embody the invention in specific forms other than those of the exemplary embodiments described above. This may be done without departing from the spirit of the invention. The exemplary embodiments are merely illustrative and should not be considered restrictive in any way. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents, rather than by the preceding description.