JP2000153645A - Mage print method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a grave and pictorial print by subjecting an imaging surface to resin treatment based on an image data and forming an image on an image recording medium having an imaging surface coated with white paint and then applying a gel paint onto the image recording medium on which an image is formed. SOLUTION: A computer 11 processes an image data inputted from an input unit 15 and transmits a processed image data to a color imaging system 2. Based on the transmitted image data, the imaging surface is subjected to resin treatment using any one of cloth, knit or nonwoven fabric as a basic material and then an image is formed and fixed on an image recording medium having an imaging surface coated with white paint. In response to a designation output from the computer 11, a gel paint automatic coater 3 coats the surface of the image recording medium on which an image is formed with gel paint automatically.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image printing method for printing an image on a recording medium, and more particularly, to an image printing method capable of forming an image on a recording medium other than paper, for example, a cloth, and finishing the painting. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In printing that requires a profound feeling of painting,
When printing on smooth paper using various printers or copiers, the printed surface looks flat and shiny, and it is difficult to express the texture and solid feeling. In addition, in the case of framed printed matter, it is necessary to put a frame on a wooden frame, but it cannot be nailed to the wooden frame because it is torn with ordinary paper.

In order to cope with these problems, it is conceivable to form an image directly on a canvas by a printer or the like. However, it is very difficult to print on an uneven surface such as a canvas. Furthermore, since the canvas does not have a "strain", it was difficult to carry the paper inside the machine such as feeding and discharging paper.

As means for solving such a point, the present applicant has proposed the following invention as Japanese Patent Application No. 9-131958.

According to the present invention, a toner image recording sheet is provided.
A woven fabric, a knitted fabric, or a dry nonwoven fabric is used as a base material, and both sides of the base material are resin-coated, and a white paint for sufficiently fixing a toner image on a resin-processed surface on a side holding a toner image is coated. , Thickness: 100-350μ
m, hardness at high temperature 15 mm or more, volume resistance: 1 × 107
１1 × 10 14 Ωcm, surface resistivity of the coated white paint: 1 × 107 to 1 × 10 14 Ω, whiteness of the surface of the white paint: 80% or more, surface flat angle of the surface of the white paint: 0.
It was prepared for 5 to 15 seconds.

This sheet has a white coat so that it is excellent in color reproducibility when printed, and it is not suitable for printing using a water-soluble material such as ink because of its low hygroscopicity. When using toner, etc.,
Since it is not necessary to have excellent hygroscopicity, it is possible to form an image with high resolution.

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned proposed invention relates to a sheet for recording a toner image, and even if it is possible to form an image with a high resolution by using this recording sheet, It has not yet been proposed how an image can be formed in order to cope with a case where a more profound feeling is required or a case where a photograph is to be rendered like a painting.

The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image printing method and an image printing system capable of printing heavy and painting-like images.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a first means comprises a processing step of processing input image data by an information processing apparatus, and a step of converting the image data processed in this processing step into the information processing information. A transmission step of transmitting from the processing apparatus to the image forming apparatus, and at least an image forming surface is subjected to resin processing using any one of a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, and a nonwoven fabric as a base material based on the image data transmitted in the transmission process,
And, an image forming step of forming an image on an image recording medium coated with a white paint on the image forming surface and fixing the image,
An image is formed on the recording medium through various steps including a coating step of applying a gel paint on the image recording medium on which the image has been formed in the image forming step.

The second means is characterized in that in the first means, the image data transmitted in the transmitting step is CMYK color space data.

A third means is the first means, wherein the processing step is a filtering step of performing a filtering process on the input image data, and a brush for applying a brush pattern to the filtered image data for processing. And a processing step.

A fourth means is the sample means according to the third means, wherein the filter processing step and the brush processing step each have a plurality of processing patterns, and any one of these patterns is selected and combined. While holding in advance, having a selection step of displaying and selecting the sample image on the display, in the filtering process,
A program necessary for the filter processing corresponding to the sample image selected in the selection step is automatically selected and activated, and the image data input to the information processing apparatus is automatically read to execute the filter processing, In the brush processing step, a program necessary for the brush processing corresponding to the sample image selected in the selection step is automatically selected and activated, and the image data after the filter processing is automatically read to perform the brush processing. It is characterized by executing.

A fifth means is the first, third, and fourth means, further comprising an outline emphasizing step of differentiating the image data digitally processed in the processing step to create outline emphasis data, Is characterized in that a gel paint is applied based on contour enhancement data created in the contour enhancement step.

A sixth means is the fifth means, further comprising a contour emphasis data transmitting step of transmitting contour emphasis data, and in the coating step, the contour emphasis data transmitted in the contour emphasis data transmitting step is added to the created contour emphasis data. It is characterized in that a gel-like paint is applied based on this.

A seventh means is an input means for inputting image data, an information processing means for performing at least a filtering process on the input image data and a process including a brush process on the filtered image data, and Image data processed by the information processing device is input, and woven, knitted,
An image forming means for forming a color image on an image recording medium coated with a white paint on at least the image forming surface, wherein at least the image forming surface is subjected to resin processing using any of the nonwoven fabric and the base material, Coating means for applying a gel paint on the recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming means.

As a method of inputting digital image data to a computer, a method of reading and inputting a photograph or a film with an optical scanner or inputting a BMP file or TI
There is a method of inputting data that has been filed in advance such as an F file. The input image is subjected to digital processing such as trimming, blanking of unnecessary portions, filtering, and brushing. After that, the processed data is CMY
Converted to K color space data, and CMY of dry toner
The gamma correction corresponding to the color characteristics of each of the K colors is performed and transmitted to the image forming apparatus.

In the image forming apparatus, a dry toner corresponding to each color of CMYK is resin-processed on both sides using a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, or a dry nonwoven fabric as a base material, and the surface holding the toner image is coated with white paint. An image is formed on a recording sheet and fixed.

The recording sheet which has been subjected to the resin processing and coded with a white paint has sufficient stiffness to be conveyed in the image forming apparatus, has excellent toner transferability and fixability, and has a gel-like paint. It has sufficient strength even when applied with a certain amount of weight as described above, and hardly causes a shape change such as loosening or tension due to application and drying of the gel paint. Also, when framed, it has sufficient strength to frame a wooden frame.

Since this recording sheet is coated with a white coat, it is excellent in color reproducibility of the printed sheet, and has a small hygroscopic property. For example, printing using a water-soluble ink is not suitable. When the toner is used, the particles may be small, and it is possible to print on a sheet with high resolution. Moreover, since this sheet is excellent in heat fixing property, it is extremely compatible with dry toner. This is very advantageous, for example, when printing an image with a fine expression such as a brush-like pattern.

Further, by applying a gel paint on the transferred and fixed toner image according to the toner concentration and the brush-like pattern, irregularities are formed on the printing surface according to the toner concentration and the brush-like pattern. In addition, it is possible to achieve a heavy finish in combination with the unevenness of the sheet. Also,
The brush-like pattern looks like the touch of a paintbrush, and a painterly finish can be expected. Here, the gel paint is a pigment, an occupied paint, a paint, a transparent or translucent medium resin, or the like, and may be any as long as it has a certain degree of viscosity and generates irregularities on a toner image after drying. Note that the medium resin is a commercially available painting material.

The filtering includes changing the resolution, hue, saturation, or brightness of an image, geometrically deforming the image, adding or deleting noise (here, pixels having randomly distributed color levels), It is performed by a combination of change of blur and sharpness, addition of texture, proximity data interaction, and the like, so that the whole or a part of the image is automatically batch processed, and the style can be easily changed.

In addition, when only the filter processing of a picture or a picture of a picture is performed, the image is homogenized as a whole and the image becomes less sharp. Therefore, in addition to the filter processing, a brush-like pattern is applied to the image data. Thus, the image can be made as if drawn with a paintbrush. Further, by changing the direction of the stripe of the brush, a more three-dimensional image can be obtained. Note that the filter processing and the brush processing are performed by executing a program stored in a computer by using a CP.
This is done by U executing.

An image sample in which several types of filter processing and brush processing are combined is created and stored in advance, and a process of selecting and displaying these image samples is provided. be able to.

The displayed image samples take into account the corresponding hot spots. A command is embedded in this hot spot, and a fixed task is executed by executing the command. The task includes automatically reading and filtering one or more programs required for filtering.
A step of automatically selecting and starting one or more programs necessary for brush processing corresponding to the selected sample image, automatically reading out image data after filter processing, and performing brush processing is described, Instructions for automatically setting the parameters required for each program are described, and the processing method can be made consistent, so that a uniform finish can be expected and rapid image processing can be performed.

The data after image processing is subjected to differential processing to perform contour enhancement. The contour enhancement refers to extracting and outputting only a portion having a large difference in brightness and saturation of pixel feeling, and is created. It becomes possible to extract streak-like image data by emphasizing the brush-like pattern. By displaying this image data as it is on a display or by printing it as a toner image on transfer paper and referring to it, it becomes possible to apply the gel paint based on this data when applying it.

By automatically applying the gel paint to the toner image in the form of a toner image using the contour emphasis data as print data, irregularities can be automatically formed on the surface. As the gel paint application device, a nozzle movable type application device or the like can be used. In an application device having a plurality of nozzles, two or more colors can be simultaneously applied. In addition, the brush pattern can be realistically expressed by rubbing the surface with a brush or the like before the automatically applied gel paint has not completely dried.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a print system for implementing the image printing method of the present invention.

This printing system basically comprises a computer system 1, a color image forming apparatus 2, and an automatic gel paint application apparatus 3. The computer system 1 includes a computer 11, a scanner 12 for reading an image, a modem 13 for capturing image data transferred from an external system via the communication line 4, and a computer 11 A display 14 displays information output from the computer 11 and information processed by the computer 11, and an input device 15 for inputting processing and input / output instructions. The color image forming apparatus 2 is connected to the computer 11 via the print server 5, and converts the output from the computer 11 into a signal or information that can be formed by the color image forming apparatus 2 by the print server 5. Are output to the color image forming apparatus 2. The gel paint automatic application device 3 automatically applies a gel paint described below to the surface of the image recording medium on which an image is formed in accordance with an instruction output from the computer 11.

Although the computer system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes one computer 11 and one color image forming apparatus, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of computers 11 and the color image forming apparatuses 2 and The system can also be assembled by connecting the gel paint automatic coating device 3 via the network 6. In this case, the print server 5 is also required for the automatic coating device 3 for gel paint. Further, in the example of FIG. 2, the color image forming apparatus 2 and the gel paint automatic application apparatus 3 have a single configuration, but it goes without saying that a printing system can be configured by providing a plurality of each.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a recording sheet on which an image is formed. The recording sheet 300 is made up of a base material 301 and resin-processed layers 30
2 and a white paint layer 303 formed on the surface holding the toner image. The white paint layer 303 is formed to sufficiently fix the toner image.

A toner image recording sheet (hereinafter, “recording sheet”) as an image recording medium according to an embodiment of the present invention
Is a sheet for transferring and fixing a toner image, and is characterized by the following points.

That is, the image recording sheet 300 is made of a woven or knitted fabric (knit) or a dry non-woven fabric, and both surfaces of the substrate 301 are processed with a resin. The processed surface is coated with a white paint for sufficiently fixing the toner image.

The toner image recording sheet has a thickness of 100 to 350 μm, a high-temperature hardness of 15 mm or more, a low volume efficiency of 1 × 10 7 to 10 14 Ωcm, and a low surface efficiency of the coated white paint of 1 × 10 7.
-1014Ω, whiteness of the surface of the coated white paint: 80% or more, surface smoothness of the coated white paint: 0.5 seconds to 15 seconds. The recording sheet 300 is also prepared so that the tear strength is 0.5 kg or more.

The above thickness is the thickness according to JISL-1096, and the volume efficiency and the surface efficiency are JISK-691.
The value based on the low efficiency of 1,5.13, the whiteness of the surface coated with the white paint is a value measured by a measuring method according to JISP-8123 (Hunter whiteness), and the surface smoothness is JISP-
8119 is a value measured by a Beck tester.
A value according to ISL-1096 (trapezoidal method), which is a range of values measured under an environment of 20 ° C. and 65% RH within the above numerical range.

If the thickness of the recording sheet 300 is thinner than 100 μm, the sheet for recording a toner image is too thin, so that the texture of the recorded image and the three-dimensional appearance of the image surface cannot be realized. Or glare will occur. The thickness of the recording sheet 300 is 350 μ
If it is larger than m, it becomes difficult to sufficiently transfer the toner image from the toner image holding member (latent image carrier or an intermediate transfer medium such as an intermediate transfer belt), and a clear toner image cannot be transferred.

The hardness of the recording sheet 300 at high temperature is 15 mm
If it is smaller, the recording sheet 300 is softened by the heat at the time of fixing the toner image (the fixing temperature of the fixing roller is usually 140 to 160 ° C.), and the sheet is conveyed in the conveyance path after the fixing section (particularly at the discharge roller). Clogging (so-called jam) is likely to occur (for example, a jam occurrence rate of about once every 50 fixings), and even if no jam occurs, the sheet curls at the time of discharge. Volume low efficiency of the recording sheet 300 is 1 × 107Ω
If it is lower than cm, the charge of the toner image is neutralized in a short time, so that the toner image cannot be firmly attached to the recording sheet, and the transferred toner image is likely to be disturbed.
On the other hand, if the volume efficiency is higher than 1 × 10 14 Ωcm, a sufficient transfer current for transferring the toner image cannot be obtained, the transfer efficiency of the toner image decreases, and the density of the obtained recorded image decreases.

The low efficiency of the surface coated with the white paint is 1
Even when it is out of the range of × 107 to 1014Ω, good transfer and transfer of the toner image can be performed for the same reason as in the case of the low volume efficiency.
Can't hold. Whiteness of the surface coated with white paint is 80
If it is lower than%, the color of the background of the recording sheet 300 is affected, the color tone and the color impression in the formed recorded image are different from those of the original, and the reproducibility of the original image is deteriorated. A more preferable range of whiteness excellent in original reproducibility is 83% or more. If the surface smoothness of the surface coated with the white paint is more than 15 seconds, the smoothness of the surface is too high and the transferred state of the transferred toner image is good, but the shininess and glare occur.

The toner constituting the toner image is obtained by adding a colorant to a transparent resin. When the toner image is fixed, the transparent resin is melted and integrated. Then, the color of the recorded image passes through the transparent resin in the recorded image, and the recording sheet 3
The light reflected on the surface of No. 00 is expressed by being reflected and absorbed by the colorant when transmitting through the toner image. When the surface smoothness of the recording sheet 300 is high and smooth, reflected light is not strongly diffused on the sheet surface,
It is considered that this causes the shiny or glare. If the surface smoothness is 0.5 seconds or less, the surface is too rough, and the toner is difficult to be transferred to concaves and convexes on the surface, so that the transferability of the toner image is deteriorated and a recorded image faithful to the original can be obtained. Can not. If the tear strength of the recording sheet 300 is set to 0.5 kg or more, the recording sheet 300 may be broken or torn even if the recording sheet 300 is framed with a nail or the like like a canvas, or fixed to a wall with a thumbtack or the like. There is no.

The upper limit of the tear strength is not particularly limited, but the thickness required for the recording sheet 300: 100 to
From the viewpoint of 350 μm and the structure, the tear strength that can be actually realized is considered to be limited to 2-3 kg. Of course, substrate 3
It is needless to say that a material having such a large tear strength may be used as long as the above tear strength is realized by selecting the material No. 01 or the resin processing material.

As the substrate 301, the above-mentioned or knitted or non-woven fabric can be used. Among them, a woven fabric is particularly preferable. In other words, the woven fabric forms a convex at the intersection of the warp and weft with respect to other parts, so there are fine irregularities on the surface,
By providing appropriate smoothness by resin processing and surface processing using the unevenness as a base, it is particularly easy to express the three-dimensional appearance and the solidity of the surface of the original in a recorded image. As the fibers constituting the base material 301, any of cellulose fibers and synthetic fibers can be used alone or in combination. That is, the base material can be composed of 30% or more of cellulose fibers and / or synthetic fibers. Suitable cellulose fibers are cotton and / or hemp or rayon fibers. As the synthetic fiber, nylon, polyester, vinylon, acryl, aramid, polyaryller, or the like, or a composite fiber (core / sheath type, sea / island type, side hydride type) containing these components can be used. Polyester, vinylon, and acryl, which have a high modulus of adhesion and good adhesion to the resin composition to be resin-processed, are particularly suitable. Further, a mixture of cotton and polyester is also suitable as the substrate 301.

In order to easily realize the high-temperature hardness, the substrate 301 preferably has a cellulose fiber content of 30% or more.
% Or more is very good as the substrate 301.

Since the recording sheet 300 is heated when the transferred toner image is fixed as a recording image, a material which is deformed or welded by heating, for example, a polyolefin-based synthetic fiber is used as the base material 301. Not suitable as material. The resin composition used for processing the resin on the base material 301 can include a pigment (particularly, an inorganic pigment such as tatin oxide, zinc oxide, and barium sulfate). As the resin composition, a mixture of a filler or a conductive filler, an antistatic agent, and a pigment in a solution or emulsion of a natural polymer or a synthetic resin is preferable. Suitable natural polymers are starches such as starch and modified starch, and cellulose powder.

Examples of the synthetic resin include thermoplastic resins such as polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyester, polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic ester, polyurethane, polyethylene, isobutylene-maleic anhydride copolymer and the like. Thermosetting resins such as melamine-formalin resin, urea-formalin resin, epoxy resin, epoxidized polyamide resin, and polyurethane are preferable. When a thermoplastic resin is used, isocyanate group-containing compounds, epoxy group-containing compounds, amine compounds, and the like are mixed as a curing agent, and a part of the mixture is formed into a crosslinked structure to achieve high-temperature hardness, low volume efficiency, and low surface efficiency. Can be prepared. Regardless of whether a thermoplastic resin or a thermosetting resin is used, it is desirable that the resin composition does not contain irritants such as formaldehyde and amine. The resin composition is used in the form of a solution or an emulsion as described above, but an aqueous emulsion is preferred from the viewpoint of ease of the resin processing step.

The filler is present in the processed resin and is used to give the required high-temperature hardness to the toner image recording sheet. The conductive filler is used to adjust the volume efficiency of the toner image recording sheet, but the filler may also serve as the conductive filler. As the filler and / or the conductive filler, specifically, powders of metal oxide, silica, and mica are suitable, and in particular, oxide sol or mica powder is generally suitable. Also,
Inorganic substances such as kaolin, clay and calcium carbonate can also be used. As the antistatic agent, a synthetic surfactant is used, and those having a polyoxyethylene group, those having a metal base of sulfonic acid, and the like are preferable. As the pigment, those based on white color are mainly used, and the above-mentioned titanium oxide can be mentioned as a typical example. In addition to the above zinc oxide and barium sulfate, kaolin, clay, calcium carbonate and the like can be used. The resin composition containing the pigment or the like can be composed of at least one of a vinyl acetate resin, a polyvinyl alcohol resin, a starch resin, and an acrylic resin.

The white paint coated on the resin-processed surface is for fixing the toner image sufficiently, and mainly contains titanium oxide in a thermoplastic resin such as polyvinyl acetate, polyacrylate or polyurethane. White pigment,
A solution or emulsion containing a pigment dispersant,
If necessary, the above-mentioned various fillers, conductive fillers (for adjusting the surface resistivity), and antistatic agents can be added. An antifoaming agent, a penetrating agent, an antibacterial agent, and an antifungal agent can be appropriately mixed with the resin composition and the white paint as needed.

The recording sheet 300 is processed with the resin composition on both surfaces of the base material 301 and coated with the color pigment on the surface on which the toner image is to be held after the resin processing, and then calendered. It is manufactured by a method of adjusting the thickness and the surface smoothness. The above resin processing may be coating. As described above, the toner image recording sheet is calendered after coating with the white paint to adjust the thickness.
Knitted and non-woven fabrics are compressed in thickness. In consideration of this, the thickness (thickness before resin processing) of the woven fabric, knitted fabric, or non-woven fabric as the base material 301, that is, the so-called fabric thickness is preferably about 300 to 350 μm.

As an example, for example, polyester:
Using a spun yarn of 30th count obtained by blending 1.3 dr x 38 mm and cotton at 50/50 wt%, density: 90 x 80 E / in
A plain woven fabric (with a basis weight of 128 g / m2) was prepared and subjected to desizing, refining, and bleaching processes by a conventional method to obtain a base material. The resin composition has the following composition.

Component Solid Content Ratio (%) Carboxyl-Modified Polyvinyl Alcohol 50 Polyamide Epichlorohydrin Resin 15 Silkasol 20 Mica Powder 10 Titanium Oxide 5 Then, a resin composition is coated on one surface of the base material 301 and at a temperature of 150 ° C. After drying for 1 minute, the other surface was similarly coated with the resin composition. The coated fabric thus obtained has a basis weight of 185 g / m2. On one side of the coated cloth (the side on which the toner image is transferred), a weight ratio of polyurethane / titanium oxide: 3/4
Is coated with white paint 301 whose main component is
For 1 minute to obtain a coated cloth having a basis weight of 250 g / m2. The coated cloth is calendered with a calender roll having a surface temperature of 120 ° C., the thickness and the surface smoothness are adjusted, and the coated cloth is cut into the size of row A, No. 3, to obtain a recording sheet.

As the color image forming apparatus 2, for example, a commercially available digital copying apparatus: Pretail 500 (trade name: manufactured by Ricoh Co., Ltd.) is used. This image forming apparatus 2
4 is shown in FIG. The photoconductive photoconductor 21 as a latent image carrier is formed in a cylindrical shape, rotates in the direction of the arrow, and is uniformly charged on the peripheral surface thereof by a known charging unit such as a corona charger. The original to be copied is
The color is separated and read by the scanner 12 to be converted into a digital signal. The digitized image signal is subjected to predetermined (known) image processing, and image information for each color separation image and gray / black image is sequentially written by a known optical writing device (not shown), and the written image is written. Is formed.

Developing devices 22, 23, 24, and 25 for the respective colors of CMYK are arranged downstream of the optically written portion of the photosensitive member 21 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed, in the rotational direction. Therefore, the electrostatic latent image to be visualized with the cyan toner is
The electrostatic latent image to be visualized by magenta toner is developed by the developing device 23, the electrostatic latent image to be visualized by yellow toner is developed by the developing device 24, and the electrostatic latent image to be visualized by black toner is developed by the developing device 23. 25, respectively. The toner images sequentially obtained on the photoreceptor 1 by development are transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 26 each time development is performed, and are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 26 to form a color toner image. The color toner image thus obtained is transferred onto the recording sheet S by the transfer roller 27. At the time of transfer, the transfer timing of the recording sheet S is adjusted to a transfer position by a registration roller (not shown). The recording sheet on which the color toner image has been transferred is sent to the fixing device 29 by the conveyor belt 28, and is fixed at a fixing temperature of 140 to 160 ° C., and then discharged by a discharge roller (not shown).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a color image is formed using the color image forming apparatus as shown in FIG. 4 using the printing system as shown in FIG. In this process, first, an image is taken into the system as a digital image (step 501).
At this time, the image data is optically captured by the scanner 12 and temporarily stored as image data A in a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk device of the computer 11; There is a case where the image data A is stored in a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk device of the computer 11 (step 502). FIG. 6 shows a sample on which the read image data A is printed.

After the image data A is fetched in this way,
A sample is selected (step 503). This sample selection is performed with reference to the sample image selection screen displayed on the display 14 of the computer system 1 in FIG. An image processing method selection program is installed in the computer 11 in advance, and a rough processing result of the captured image data can be confirmed by a sample image. The sample image is stored in the computer 11 in advance, and the selection program stores the sample in the display 1 connected to the computer 11.
4 is displayed as a thumbnail to enhance selectivity. This selection program uses the hot spot 1 corresponding to each sample.
4a, the hot spot 14a corresponds to the activation of a program necessary for the filter processing and the brush processing necessary for the image processing displayed in the sample, and the hot spot 14a corresponds to the selection by selecting the hot spot 14a. The program is started, and the image data A stored in step 502 is read out to the started program (step 504).

The filter processing and the brush processing are automatically performed as a standardized task 550 from the reading of the image data A to the temporary storage of the image data C after the brush processing by a macro instruction or the like described as indicated by the dotted line in FIG. Is processed. It should be noted that the program can be programmed so that an operation by an operator can be interposed during the processing of the routine task. The stylized task 550 includes a step of automatically reading the image data A (step 50).
It consists of 10 steps from 4) to temporary storage of image data C (step 513). This stylized task 5
After automatically reading out the image data A in step 504, the filter 50 automatically selects and starts a filter processing program (step 505). Then, parameters for the filter processing are automatically set (step 506),
Filter processing is performed (step 507). Step 5
When the filtering process ends in step 07, the image data B on which the filtering process has been performed is temporarily stored in the hard disk device (step 508). FIG. 8 shows an example of a print sample of the image data B stored at this time. It can be seen that the whole image is converted into a softer image than the image data A in FIG.

When the temporary storage processing is completed in step 508, a brush processing program is automatically selected and activated (step 509). In the brush processing program, the image data B is automatically read (step 510), and the parameters for the brush processing are automatically set (step 51).
1) After the brush processing is performed (step 512), the brushed image data C is temporarily stored in the hard disk (step 513). FIG. 9 shows the image data C subjected to the brush processing. That is, the stylizing task 550 is a process from the selection of a sample, the filtering process and the brush process on the image data A, and the temporary saving of the image data C on which these processes have been performed.

In this embodiment, brush processing is used to homogenize neighboring pixels in a streak shape. In this processing, the central part (face and neck) of the image data B is extracted, a three-dimensional direction is detected for this part, and the direction of the brush streak and the streak density are determined according to the detected direction. I have decided. In this embodiment, the respective image data A, B, and C are temporarily stored on a hard disk. This is to make it possible to start over from the middle of the processing if the processed image is not preferable.

The image data C is converted from RGB color space data to CMYK color space data by the print server 5 for the color image forming apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 (step 514). At this time, an optimization table is prepared in the print server 5 so that an optimal color conversion can be performed for each color of the toner of the color image forming apparatus 2 that outputs an image. The γ correction is performed and transmitted as CMYK data to the color image forming apparatus 2 (step 515). In the color image forming apparatus 2, the CMYK data is transmitted based on the transmitted CMYK data.
Dry toner printing is performed with each of the toners (step 516).

Next, in the computer 11, a program for differentiating the image data C is started (step 517), and the image data C is read out (step 5).
18) Contour emphasis data is extracted and contour emphasis processing is performed (step 519). Since the partial processing is for extracting the magnitude of the difference in brightness or saturation between pixels, the brush streaks are emphasized in the brushed image data. Then, the image data D obtained in this way is also temporarily stored in the hard disk (step 520). FIG. 10 shows a sample on which image data D for contour processing is printed. In this sample, the data is binarized using gray scale.

The image data D is transmitted from the computer system 1 directly or via the print server 5 to the automatic coating apparatus for gel paint (step 521), and the gel paint is applied to the recording sheet on which the image is formed by the toner. (Step 522). Thus, a painting-like image is formed. In the present embodiment, a gel-like paint obtained by diluting a transparent medium resin, which is a commercially available image, with a material was used.

[0060]

As apparent from the above description, the present invention has the following effects.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
An image is formed based on the image data processed by the information processing device, and the gel-like paint is applied on the image-formed image recording medium, so that the desired image can be easily formed into a thick painting-like image. can do. At that time, the image recording medium is subjected to resin processing on at least the image forming surface using any one of a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, and a nonwoven fabric as a base material, and
Since the image forming surface is formed of a recording sheet coated with a white paint, it is easy to form an image on a canvas-like recording medium in a painting style.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the data is converted into CMYK color space data, it is possible to cope with image formation using color toner.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the image processing apparatus includes a filter processing step of performing a filtering process on image data and a brush processing step of applying a brush pattern to the image data after the filtering process. Can be arranged like a painting, and the touch of the brush can be expressed on the image surface, so that a more painting-like image can be realized.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of patterns in the filter processing step and the brush processing step are displayed on the display as sample images and selected, and the information processing apparatus automatically optimizes the selection based on the selection result. Since an image is formed by selecting an appropriate process, a desired image can be obtained with a minimum number of steps.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the gel-like paint is applied after the outline is emphasized, a more painting-like image can be obtained.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the gel paint is applied based on the transmitted outline emphasis data, a more painting-like image can be obtained.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, an image is formed based on the image data processed by the information processing apparatus.
Performing a filter process on the image data and a brush process of applying a brush pattern to the image data after the filter process,
Furthermore, since the gel-like paint is applied on the recording sheet on which the image is formed, the outline of the image can be arranged like a painting, and the touch of the brush can be expressed on the surface of the image. You can create a perfect image.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a modification of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of a recording sheet used in the present embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of image processing according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram in which input image data A is printed.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display screen when a sample image is selected.

FIG. 8 is a diagram in which image data B subjected to a filtering process is printed.

FIG. 9 is a diagram in which image data C subjected to brush processing is printed.

FIG. 10 is a diagram in which image data D subjected to contour emphasis processing is printed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer system 11 Computer 12 Scanner 13 Modem 14 Display 15 Input device 2 Color image forming device 3 Gel paint automatic coating device 4 Communication line 5 Print server 6 Network 300 Recording sheet 301 Base material 302 Resin processing layer 303 White paint layer

Claims (7)

[Claims] A processing step of processing input image data by an information processing apparatus; a transmitting step of transmitting image data digitally processed in the processing step from the information processing apparatus to an image forming apparatus; Textile based on the transmitted image data,
An image forming step of forming an image on an image recording medium on which at least an image forming surface is subjected to resin processing using at least one of a knitted fabric and a nonwoven fabric as a base material and coated with a white paint on the image forming surface, and fixing. An application step of applying a gel paint on the image recording medium on which an image has been formed in the image forming step. 2. The image printing method according to claim 1, wherein the image data transmitted in the transmitting step is CMYK color space data. 3. The processing step includes: a filtering step of performing a filtering process on the input image data; and a brush processing step of applying a brush pattern to the image data after the filtering process. The image printing method according to claim 1, wherein: 4. The filter processing step and the brush processing step each have a plurality of processing patterns, and a sample image created by selecting and combining any of these patterns is stored in advance and the sample image Has a selection step of displaying on the display and selecting, in the filtering processing step, automatically selects and starts a program necessary for the filtering processing corresponding to the sample image selected in the selection step, and starts the information processing. The image data input to the processing device is automatically read out and the filter processing is executed. In the brush processing step, a program necessary for the brush processing corresponding to the sample image selected in the selection step is automatically selected. The image data after the filter processing is automatically read out and the brush processing is executed. Image printing method as in claim 3, wherein. 5. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an outline emphasizing step of differentiating the image data processed in the processing step to generate outline emphasis data, wherein the applying step is performed based on the outline emphasis data generated in the outline emphasizing step. 5. The image printing method according to claim 1, wherein the gel paint is applied. 6. A contour emphasis data transmitting step of transmitting the contour emphasis data, wherein the applying step applies the gel paint based on the created contour emphasis data transmitted in the contour emphasis data transmitting step. The image printing method according to claim 5, wherein 7. An input unit for inputting image data, an information processing unit for performing at least a filtering process on the input image data and a process including a brush process on the filtered image data, and Processed image data is input, and at least an image forming surface is subjected to resin processing using any one of a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, and a nonwoven fabric as a base material, and the image forming surface is coated with a white paint on an image recording medium. An image print system comprising: an image forming unit that forms and fixes a color image; and an application unit that applies a gel paint on a recording sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit.