JP2007079895A - Image processing apparatus, printer, and printing method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processing apparatus which can perform the most suitable processing according to the characteristics of a stereoscopic image and a transformation image. <P>SOLUTION: This image processing apparatus has a correlation calculation means (an image processing program 221) which calculates correlation of a plurality of image data, and a printing data generation means (a printer driver program 223) which selects a first processing which produces half tone processing after fractionalized images obtained by fractionalization of a plurality of images respectively are arranged in order and are combined and generates printing data when correlation calculated by the correlation calculation means is no less than the prescribed threshold and which selects a second processing which combined images after fractionalizing images obtained by producing half tone processing to a plurality of images respectively and generates printing data when the correlation is less than the prescribed threshold. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a printing apparatus, and a printing method.

  Among various printing technologies, there is one that prints a printed image on a recording layer of a lens sheet that includes a lenticular lens in which a large number of cylindrical convex lenses (hereinafter, convex lenses) are arranged in parallel (Patent Document 1). reference). In such a printing technique, a large number of stripe-shaped subdivided images corresponding to the pitch of the convex lenses are recorded side by side on the recording layer of the lens sheet. Then, depending on the type of the subdivided image, the image to be viewed can be viewed stereoscopically, or an image (animation) that changes depending on the viewing angle can be displayed. Such a method is called a direct drawing type because printing is directly performed on a lens sheet.

  There is also a method for separately bonding a printed material to a lenticular lens and viewing it as a stereoscopic view or animation (see Patent Document 2). As described above, the method of attaching the printed material to the lenticular lens is called a separation type.

  FIG. 21 shows a method of displaying a stereoscopic image (hereinafter referred to as a stereoscopic image) using a lens sheet. As shown in this figure, on the back surface of the lens sheet 1 having a plurality of convex lenses 2, a plurality of subdivided images 3a1 to 3a7 formed by dividing one image into a plurality of strip-shaped images, A plurality of subdivided images 3b1 to 3b7 formed by dividing another image taken from an angle different from the image into a plurality of strip-like images are arranged or printed.

  When such a lens sheet 1 is observed, a light image from the subdivided images 3a1 to 3a7 is incident on the right eye ER, and a light image from the subdivided images 3b1 to 3b7 is incident on the left eye EL. As a result, since two images with different angles are presented to the right eye ER and the left eye EL, the images can be viewed three-dimensionally.

  In the case of an animation image (hereinafter referred to as a change image), the lens sheet is held so that the longitudinal direction of the convex lens is horizontal, and the lens sheet is rotated so that the longitudinal direction of the convex lens is an axis. By doing so, one of the subdivided images is selected according to the angle, and the subdivided images are incident simultaneously on the right eye and the left eye. As a result, the image changes according to the angle.

Japanese Patent No. 3471930 (see paragraph numbers 0066 to 0076, FIG. 1, FIG. 5, FIG. 8, FIG. 9 etc.) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-42462 (see abstract, paragraph number 0033, etc.)

  Incidentally, in order to print an image on a lens sheet, it is necessary to synthesize a plurality of image data after subdividing into strips, and to perform resolution conversion processing, color conversion processing, halftone processing, and the like. Therefore, since these processes are performed on a plurality of images, there is a problem that the process takes time.

  In addition, the characteristics of the image are different between the stereoscopic image and the change image. That is, since the stereoscopic image is an image when the same object is viewed from different angles, the correlation between the images is high. On the other hand, in the change image, since the object changes or the object moves, the correlation between the images is low. Conventionally, it has not been clarified in what order the above-described processing should be applied in consideration of such image characteristics.

  Furthermore, when printing a subdivided image, there is a problem that ink bleeding may occur or graininess may increase depending on the order of halftone processing and subdivision processing.

  The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus, a printer, and a printing method capable of performing optimum processing according to characteristics of a stereoscopic image and a change image. I will try.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a printer according to the present invention is an image processing apparatus that processes a plurality of image data to form a print image on a lens sheet in which a plurality of lenses having one longitudinal direction are arranged. Correlation calculating means for calculating the correlation of a plurality of image data, and subdivided images obtained by subdividing the plurality of images when the correlation calculated by the correlation calculating means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold If the correlation is less than a predetermined threshold value, the halftone process is performed for each of the plurality of images. Print data generating means for selecting and executing a second process for generating print data by subdividing the image obtained by performing the processing and then synthesizing the image.

  For this reason, the image processing apparatus which can perform the optimal process according to the characteristic of a stereo image and a change image can be provided.

  In addition to the above-described invention, the image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the invention may be configured so that the print data generation unit includes the number of images even when the correlation calculated by the correlation calculation unit is less than a predetermined threshold. However, when the maximum number of parallaxes obtained by dividing the lens width by the print width is exceeded, the first processing is selected. For this reason, if the number of images exceeds the maximum number of parallaxes obtained by dividing the lens width by the print width, halftone processing can be performed on an image basis to cause ink bleeding or graininess. Although it may increase, such a situation can be prevented.

  In addition to the above-described invention, the image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the invention is configured such that the threshold value of the print data generation unit selects the first process when the print image is a stereoscopic image, and the print image is a change image. In some cases, the value is set so that the second process is selected. For this reason, since the optimal process is automatically selected for the stereoscopic image and the change image, a user-friendly environment can be provided.

  In addition to the above-described invention, an image processing apparatus according to another invention further includes a threshold setting unit that can arbitrarily set the threshold of the print data generation unit. For this reason, for example, if the threshold is set small, the first process with a short processing time is preferentially selected, so that the processing time can be shortened.

  In addition to the above-described invention, in the image processing apparatus of another invention, the print data generation unit may select the first process or the second process in consideration of the ink absorbability of the lens sheet. Yes. For this reason, for example, when the ink absorptivity is high, even if halftone processing is performed on an image basis, there are few cases where ink bleed or graininess increases. Even when the number is exceeded, halftone processing can be performed in units of images.

  In addition to the above-described invention, in the image processing apparatus of another invention, the correlation calculation means calculates a correlation value between one arbitrarily selected image data and other image data. Thus, the correlation between the image data is calculated. For this reason, the time required for the comparison process can be reduced as compared with a case where all image data are compared with each other.

  In addition to the above-described invention, the image processing apparatus according to another aspect of the invention includes information on pixel groups sampled at a plurality of sampling points of one arbitrarily selected image data by the correlation calculation unit, and other than that The correlation between the images is calculated based on the pixel group information sampled at the sampling point corresponding to the image data. For this reason, since the correlation can be determined from a part of information of the image data, the processing time can be shortened.

  In addition, the present invention processes a plurality of image data to form a print image on a lens sheet on which a plurality of lenses having one longitudinal direction are arranged, and performs printing based on the processed image data. In the printer for execution, when the correlation calculation means for calculating the correlation of a plurality of image data and the correlation calculated by the correlation calculation means are equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, each of the plurality of images is subdivided. If the correlation is less than a predetermined threshold when the first processing for generating print data by performing halftone processing after sequentially combining the subdivided images obtained in this way and combining them is selected. Print data generating means for selecting a second process for generating print data by subdividing an image obtained by subjecting the halftone process to subdivision.

  For this reason, it is possible to provide a printing apparatus capable of performing optimum processing according to the characteristics of the stereoscopic image and the change image.

  In addition, the present invention processes a plurality of image data to form a printed image arranged on a lens sheet on which a plurality of lenses having one longitudinal direction are arranged, and the processed image data In the printing method for executing printing based on the correlation calculation step of calculating the correlation of the plurality of image data, and when the correlation calculated by the correlation calculation means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, When the correlation is less than a predetermined threshold when the first processing for generating print data by performing halftone processing after combining the subdivided images obtained by subdividing the images one after the other is selected and executed. Print data generation executed by selecting and executing a second process for generating print data by subdividing an image obtained by performing halftone processing on each of a plurality of images Comprising a degree, the.

  Therefore, it is possible to provide a printing method capable of performing optimum processing according to the characteristics of the stereoscopic image and the change image.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, the printer 60 shown in FIG. 1 and a host computer 200 described later are connected, and the printing apparatus is realized by cooperation between them. In the following embodiments, the printer 60 is an ink jet printer. However, the ink jet printer may be an apparatus that employs any ejection method as long as the apparatus is capable of printing by ejecting ink.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a printer 60 according to the present embodiment. In the following description, the lower side refers to the side where the printer is installed (the Z-axis downward direction), and the upper side refers to the side away from the installation side (the Z-axis upward direction). In addition, a direction in which a carriage 31 described later moves is a main scanning direction, a direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction, and a direction in which the lens sheet 10 is conveyed is a sub-scanning direction. Further, the side on which the lens sheet 10 is supplied will be described as a paper feeding side (rear end side) and the side on which the lens sheet 10 is discharged will be described as a paper discharge side (front side).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 60 includes a platen 20, and a carriage 31 is configured to be reciprocally movable relative to the platen 20. The carriage 31 holds an ink cartridge 30 in which cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks are stored. A recording head 32 is provided on the lower side of the carriage 31 so as to face the lens sheet 10, and the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 can be sucked and ejected as minute ink droplets. The mounted ink cartridges 30 are not limited to four colors, and may be any number of colors such as six colors, seven colors, and eight colors. Ink filled in the ink cartridge 30 is not limited to dye-based ink, and other types of ink such as pigment-based ink may be mounted.

  A part of the timing belt 35 is fixed to the carriage 31. The timing belt 35 is stretched so as to connect the pulleys 33 and 34. A drive shaft of a carriage motor 36 is connected to the pulley 33. Therefore, when the carriage motor 36 is rotated, the carriage 31 reciprocates in the X direction (main scanning direction) indicated by an arrow in FIG.

  An optical sensor 40 for detecting a cylindrical convex lens (hereinafter referred to as a convex lens) to be described later is provided on a part of the carriage 31 (on the left side in the example of this figure). Details of the optical sensor 40 will be described later.

  A scale 37 constituting a linear encoder is disposed on a path along which the carriage 31 reciprocates. An optical sensor 38, which will be described later, is disposed on the surface of the carriage 31 that faces the scale 37. By detecting the pattern printed on the scale 37 by the optical sensor 38, the position of the carriage 31 on the main scanning path is detected. Is identified.

  A paper feed roller 50 having a cylindrical shape is provided on the upstream side (back side of the paper surface) of the platen 20. A driving force of a paper feed motor (PF motor) 51 is transmitted to the paper feed roller 50. Accordingly, when the paper feed motor 51 is rotated, the paper feed roller 50 is rotated, and the lens sheet 10 is conveyed on the platen 20 toward the paper discharge side in the Y direction (the direction indicated by the arrow in the figure).

  As will be described later, the lens sheet 10 is formed with a plurality of convex lenses (lenses) having a convex shape on one surface, for example. The other surface is a printing surface. In the example of FIG. 1, the lens sheet 10 is disposed so that the longitudinal direction of the convex lens (the direction in which the lens extends) and the Y direction (sub-scanning direction) coincide. In this example, a plurality of strip-shaped images that are long in the Y direction are printed so as to be within the width of each convex lens in the short direction. In addition, as a convex lens, what has not only the convex shape shown to a figure but a concave shape can also be used, for example.

  The platen 20 has a light emitting part 22 on its upper side. The platen 20 is made of, for example, resin, and holds the lens sheet 10 so that the platen 20 can be smoothly conveyed, and the distance between the recording head 32 and the lens sheet 10 is constant.

  The light emitting unit 22 irradiates the lens sheet 10 with light and causes the light transmitted through the lens sheet 10 to enter the optical sensor 40. The light emitting unit 22 includes, for example, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) arranged along the main scanning path, and a transparent diffusion plate (for example, opal, pearl, frosted glass, etc.) for diffusing light on the upper part. ) Is arranged and configured. The transmissive diffusing plate is for making the light emitted from the light emitting unit 22 uniform light. Further, the light emitting unit 22 has, for example, a rectangular shape, the longitudinal direction has a width wider than the X direction of the lens sheet 10, and the short side direction is the sub-scanning direction of the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 40. It has a width wider than the width of. Note that a transmission plate (for example, an acrylic plate or a glass plate) may be provided instead of the diffusion plate, or a configuration in which a transmissive diffusion plate or a transmission plate is not provided at all is also possible. In the case where a diffusion plate or a transmissive diffusion plate is provided, it is possible to prevent ink droplets from adhering to the light emitting element 22a and lowering the light emission intensity.

  In FIG. 1, in order to make the overall shape easy to understand, the light emitting unit 22 is provided in the vicinity of the downstream end of the platen 20, but it is actually provided at a position facing the upstream optical sensor 40. It has been. These detailed positional relationships will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the back surface of the carriage 31 (the surface facing the lens sheet 10). As shown in the drawing, on the rear surface of the carriage 31, a recording head 32 having a plurality of nozzle rows 32a in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in the row direction is provided. Each nozzle row 32a is composed of, for example, 180 nozzles. Each nozzle row 32a is constituted by a nozzle group that ejects ink of the same color.

  An optical sensor 40 is provided at the upper right end of the back surface of the carriage 31. In this example, the optical sensor 40 is provided on the upstream side (upstream side in the conveyance direction of the lens sheet 10) from the nozzle formed at the uppermost end (upper end in the drawing) of each nozzle row 32a. The convex lens 11 can be detected by the optical sensor 40 before the lens sheet 10 reaches the first nozzle (uppermost nozzle) of the recording head 32.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a positional relationship between the optical sensor 40 and the lens sheet 10 shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the optical sensor 40 has a holding body 41 and a light receiving portion 43. Here, the holding body 41 is formed with a recess 42 in which the light receiving portion 43 is disposed. A light receiving portion 43 is disposed on the bottom surface of the recess 42.

  The light receiving unit 43 is configured by, for example, a photodiode, receives light transmitted through the lens sheet 10, converts the light into an electric signal having a level corresponding to the intensity of the light, and outputs the electric signal. As the light receiving unit 43, for example, an element that can convert received light into an electrical signal, such as a phototransistor, a photodiode, or a photo IC, can be used.

  The light emitting unit 22 includes a plurality of light emitting elements 22a such as LEDs and a transmissive diffusion plate 22b. Here, as the light emitting element 22a, for example, a light emitting diode capable of emitting light of a predetermined color such as red light, blue light, green light, infrared light, or the like can be used. Further, for example, an LED, a lamp, or an EL (Electro Luminescence) that can generate laser light such as visible light or infrared light may be used as the light emitting unit. Further, instead of arranging a plurality of light emitting elements, for example, at least one cold cathode tube can be used. Or you may make it arrange | position a light-guide plate on the platen 20 and to arrange | position a cold cathode tube or LED in the edge part.

  The transmissive diffusing plate 22b is made of, for example, opal, pearl, or frosted glass, and diffuses light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 22a into uniform light, which is incident on the lens sheet 10. Instead of the pearl plate, for example, another plate having a concavo-convex structure on the surface can be used. Further, when using a cold cathode tube or a light guide plate, the light emitted from them is sufficiently uniform, and therefore the transmissive diffusion plate 22b may not be provided.

  The lens sheet 10 includes a convex lens 11, an ink absorption layer 12, and an ink transmission layer 13. Here, the convex lens 11 as a lens is made of, for example, a transparent resin, and a plurality of lenses having a kamaboko shape are connected at a predetermined interval (pitch). The type of the lens sheet 10 is indicated by the distance between the lenses, and examples thereof include 45 lpi (lens per inch), 60 lpi, and 90 lpi. It is also possible to use lenses with other pitches (for example, 100 lpi). Convex lens 11 is made of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol), APET (Amorphous Polyethylene Telephthalate), PP (Polyethylene), PP (Polyethylene), PP (Polyethylene), PS (Polyethylene), PS (Polyethylene), PS (Polyethylene). Composed.

  The ink absorption layer 12 is made of a material that absorbs ink, and fixes the ink that has passed through the ink transmission layer 13. The ink absorbing layer 12 is made of, for example, a hydrophilic polymer such as PVA (Poly Vinyl Alchol), fine particles such as a cationic compound, and silica. The ink transmission layer 13 is made of a material that transmits ink, and protects the ink fixed on the ink absorption layer. The ink transmission layer 13 is composed of fine particles such as titanium oxide, silica gel, and PMMA (Polymethylmethacrylate), a binder resin, and the like. Note that one of the ink absorption layer 12 and the ink transmission layer 13 is made of a non-transparent material. The ink permeable layer 13 may or may not be present. Further, in addition to the ink absorption layer 12 and the ink transmission layer 13, for example, a transparent film layer or an adhesive layer may be provided.

  The light emitted from the light emitting unit 22 and transmitted through the convex lens 11, the ink absorbing layer 12, and the ink transmitting layer 13 is received by the light receiving unit 43, converted into an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the transmitted light, and output. .

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a control system of the printer 60 shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the control system of the printer 60 includes a carriage motor 36, a paper feed motor 51, a control unit 100, and an interface 112. Here, the interface 112 has a function of electrically connecting the control unit 100 and the host computer 200 and converting a signal expression format or the like in order to enable information exchange between them. The control unit 100 performs control for printing an image on the lens sheet 10 based on the print data transmitted from the host computer 200. Details of the control unit 100 will be described later. The carriage motor 36 is controlled by the control unit 100 and reciprocates the carriage 31 in the main scanning direction. An optical sensor 38 is provided on a part of the carriage 31, and the optical sensor 38 and the scale 37 constitute a linear encoder. The control unit 100 can know the current position of the carriage 31 using this linear encoder. The paper feed motor 51 moves the lens sheet 10 in the sub-scanning direction by applying a driving force to the paper feed roller 50. The host computer 200 has an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 204, and an image processing program for processing an image corresponding to printing of the lens sheet 10 is stored in the HDD 204.

  FIG. 5 is a view of the printer 60 shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from the right side of the drawing. As shown in this figure, the carriage 31 is provided so as to face the platen 20. A recording head 32 is provided below the carriage 31. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 32 has a plurality of nozzles arranged in the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the lens sheet 10 to form a nozzle row 32a. As described above, in the present embodiment, each nozzle row 32a is composed of, for example, 180 nozzles, of which the 180th nozzle is the paper feed side and the first nozzle is the paper discharge side. Is located.

  In addition, a piezo element (not shown) is provided for each nozzle in the nozzle row 32a provided at the lower portion of the carriage 31 and associated with each ink. By operating the piezo element, it is possible to eject ink droplets from the nozzles at the end of the ink passage. The recording head 32 is not limited to the piezo driving method using a piezo element, and other methods may be used. Other methods include, for example, a heater method in which ink is heated with a heater and the generated foam force is used, a magnetostriction method in which a magnetostrictive element is used, an electrostatic method in which electrostatic force is used, and a mist method in which mist is controlled by an electric field. Etc. are mentioned as main methods.

  The paper transport mechanism 80 includes a paper feed motor (not shown) that provides a driving force for transporting a printing object such as the lens sheet 10 and a paper feed roller 82 that supports the feeding of plain paper or the like. A paper feed roller 50 for conveying the lens sheet 10 is provided on the paper discharge side of the paper feed roller 82. Further, the platen 20 and the recording head 32 described above are disposed on the paper discharge side of the paper feed roller 50 so as to face each other in the vertical direction. The platen 20 supports the lens sheet 10 conveyed below the print head 32 by the paper feed roller 50 from below.

  A paper discharge roller 52 similar to the paper feed roller 50 is provided on the paper discharge side of the platen 20. The paper discharge roller 52 rotates upon receiving the driving force from the paper feed motor 51. The paper feed motor 51 employs a configuration that distributes the driving force to the paper feed roller 50 and the paper discharge roller 52. However, a configuration may be employed in which a separate motor is provided in addition to the paper feed motor 51 and the paper discharge roller 52 is driven by the motor.

  An opening 87 is provided on the rear end side opposite to the paper discharge side and on the lower side of the paper feed roller 82. The opening 87 is an opening for allowing a printing object that is difficult to bend, such as the lens sheet 10, to pass therethrough. Therefore, the opening 87 has a width in the main scanning direction sufficient to pass the lens sheet 10. The lens sheet 10 alone may pass through the opening 87, or may be passed in a state of being placed on a thick tray or the like.

  FIG. 6 is an example of a side sectional view of the platen 20. As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of ribs 21 b projecting upward from the reference plane 21 a of the platen 20 and contacting the lens sheet 10 and the like protrude from the platen 20. In addition, a light emitting unit 22 is provided on the end side of the sheet feeding side of the platen 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 7). The light emitting unit 22 is a part for irradiating the lens sheet 10 with light.

  The lens sheet 10 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by being given a driving force while being sandwiched between the paper feed roller 50 and the driven roller 50a. Further, when printing is completed, the lens sheet 10 is ejected with a driving force applied while being sandwiched between the ejection roller 52 and the driven roller 52a.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the control unit 100. As shown in this figure, the control unit 100 includes a CPU 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an ASIC (Application Specified Integrated Circuit) 104, a DC (Direct Unit Current Processing) unit, and a DC (Direct Unit Current Processing) unit. 106, a PF motor driver 107, a CR motor driver 108, a head driver 109, a nonvolatile memory 110, a lens signal binarization circuit 111, and an interface 112. The control unit 100 is connected to a paper width detection PW (Paper Width) sensor (not shown), an optical sensor 40, a gap detection sensor (not shown), an optical sensor 38, a rotary encoder 113, and the like. Based on signals input from these sensors, the recording head 32, the paper feed motor 51, the carriage motor 36, and the like are controlled.

  Here, the CPU 101 performs arithmetic processing for executing a control program stored in the ROM 102, the nonvolatile memory 110, and the like, and other necessary arithmetic processing. The ROM 102 stores a control program for controlling the printer 60, data necessary for processing, and the like. The ASIC 104 includes a parallel interface circuit, and can receive a print signal supplied from the host computer 200 via the interface 112.

  The RAM 103 is a memory that temporarily stores programs being executed by the CPU 101 / data being calculated. The nonvolatile memory 110 is a memory for storing various data that needs to be retained even after the printer 60 is powered off.

  Note that the rotary encoder configured by the optical sensor 113 and the scale 113a is different from the above-described linear encoder in that the scale 113a is provided in a disk shape. However, the other configuration is the same as that of the linear encoder. In the present embodiment, the slit interval of the plurality of slits provided on the scale 113a of the rotary encoder is 1/180 inch, and when the paper feed motor 51 rotates by one slit, The lens sheet 10 is configured to be conveyed by 1440 inches. However, the slit interval and the conveyance pitch are not limited to this, and can be variously set.

  The DC unit 105 is a control circuit for performing speed control of the carriage motor 36 and the paper feed motor 51 which are DC motors. The DC unit 105 performs various calculations for controlling the speed of the paper feed motor 51 and the carriage motor 36 based on a control command sent from the CPU 101, an output signal from the signal processing unit 106 described later, and the like. Based on the calculation result, a motor control signal is transmitted to the paper feed motor driver 107 and the carriage motor driver 108.

  Further, the signal processing unit 106 receives a binarized signal output from a lens signal binarization circuit 111 described later and an encoder signal output from the optical sensor 38. Based on the binarized signal and the encoder signal, the signal processing unit 106 generates a motor drive signal and a PTS (Print Timing Signal) signal reflecting the binarized signal having lens pitch information, and the carriage motor 36. And output to the recording head 32. Thereby, the carriage motor 36 is driven at a driving speed corresponding to the detected lens pitch, and an image is printed at a position corresponding to the lens pitch.

  The PF motor driver 107 is a drive circuit that drives the paper feed motor 51 in accordance with a motor control signal supplied from the DC unit 105. The CR motor driver 108 is a drive circuit that drives the carriage motor 36 in accordance with a motor control signal supplied from the DC unit 105. The head driver 109 drives a piezo element built in the recording head 32 according to the print signal supplied from the ASIC 104, generates ink droplets corresponding to the print signal, and prints a desired image on the lens sheet 10. To do.

  Each component in the control unit 100 described above is connected by a bus 100a, and data can be exchanged between the components.

  The printer 60 includes an interface 112. A host computer 200 is connected via the interface 112. As described above, the host computer 200 includes the HDD 204. The HDD 204 stores an image processing program and a printer driver program for processing an image corresponding to printing of the lens sheet 10. ing.

  The image processing program and the printer driver program compress the image data to 1 / N only in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction according to the number N of the selected image data. Compression processing, image segmentation processing that divides the image according to the lens pitch of the convex lens before and after this compression processing, and the segmented image data that has been subjected to compression processing and image segmentation processing are appropriately processed in each convex lens. The composition processing is performed by arranging it at the site, and the halftone processing is performed at an appropriate timing. In the image processing program and the printer driver program, it is possible to specify predetermined items such as the width (LPI) of the convex lens and the division direction of the image data. Further, after the image segmentation process and the compression process, a segmented image is formed. Details of the process will be described later.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing details of the lens signal binarization circuit 111 shown in FIG. As shown in this figure, the lens signal binarization circuit 111 includes a band pass filter 111a, an amplification circuit 111b, and a binarization circuit 111c as main components.

  Here, the band pass filter 111 a is a filter that selectively passes a signal corresponding to the period of the convex lens 11 from the analog signal output from the light receiving unit 43. For example, when the lens sheet 10 having a pitch of 100 lpi is used, when the signal output from the light receiving unit 43 is Fourier-transformed, the signal output from the light receiving unit 43 includes a signal in the vicinity of 2 kHz, 14.4 kHz Two types of nearby signals are included. Here, the signal around 14.4 kHz is a signal that is output under the influence of the driving frequency of the printer 60 (for example, the driving frequency of the carriage motor 36) around 14.4 kHz. On the other hand, a signal in the vicinity of 2 kHz is a signal corresponding to light periodically transmitted by the convex lens 11 when the carriage 31 is scanned. Therefore, in this example, as the band pass filter 111a, a filter that selectively passes a signal in the vicinity of 2 kHz (a filter having a pass band of 2 kHz) may be used. Specifically, a band pass filter having a pass band from 1.8 kHz to 2.2 kHz centered on 2 kHz is used.

  When the type (lens pitch) of the convex lens 11 changes, the frequency of the signal output from the light receiving unit 43 also changes. Specifically, when the resolution is low (when lpi (lens per inch) is low), the frequency is low, and when the resolution is high, the frequency is high. Accordingly, when there is a possibility of using various kinds of resolutions as the lens sheet 10, for example, the frequencies at the maximum resolution and the minimum resolution are measured in advance, and the bands that maximize and minimize these frequencies are measured. By using the band-pass filter 111a having a pass band within this range, the lens signal can be reliably extracted regardless of the resolution of the lens sheet 10 within this range. As a specific example, in the case of 100 lpi, as described above, the bandpass filter 111a having a center band of 2 kHz and a pass band from 1.8 kHz to 2.2 kHz is used. In the case of 60 lpi, a band pass filter 111a having a center band of 1.2 kHz and a pass band from 1.0 kHz to 1.4 kHz is used. Therefore, when there is a possibility of using these two types, a band pass filter having a pass band from 1.0 kHz to 2.2 kHz is used.

  In addition to this, for example, a switch capacitor filter is used as the band-pass filter 111a, and an optimum pass band according to the resolution of the lens sheet 10 being used is changed by changing the drive frequency (switching frequency) of the filter. May be set. That is, in the switched capacitor filter, the transfer function is determined by the capacitance value ratio of the capacitor and the switching period. Since the capacitance value of the used capacitor is fixed, for example, the pass band of the band-pass filter can be easily changed by changing the switching period.

  The amplifier circuit 111b amplifies the signal in the vicinity of 2 kHz that has passed through the band-pass filter 111a to a predetermined gain (for example, 40 times) and outputs the amplified signal. The binarization circuit 111c is configured by, for example, a Schmitt trigger circuit or the like, and outputs a high-level signal when the output signal of the amplification circuit 111b exceeds a predetermined threshold, and otherwise outputs a low level signal. The signal of the state is output. As a result, a digital signal having a binary value of high or low is output from the binarization circuit 111c.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of the host computer 200 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7. As shown in this figure, the host computer 200 has a CPU 201, ROM 202, RAM 203, HDD 204, video circuit 205, I / F 206, bus 207, display device 208, input device 209, and external storage device 210.

  Among these, the CPU 201 executes various arithmetic processes according to programs stored in the ROM 202 and the HDD 204 and controls each unit of the apparatus. The ROM 202 stores basic programs and data executed by the CPU 201. The RAM 203 is a memory that temporarily stores programs being executed by the CPU 201 and data being calculated. The HDD 204 is a recording device that reads data recorded on a hard disk, which is a recording medium, and a program to be described later in response to a request from the CPU 201 and records the data on the hard disk described above.

  The video circuit 205 is a circuit that executes a drawing process in accordance with a drawing command supplied from the CPU 201, converts the obtained image data into a video signal, and outputs the video signal to the display device 208. The I / F 206 is a circuit that appropriately converts the expression format of signals output from the input device 209 and the external storage device 130 and outputs a print signal PS to the printer 60. A bus 207 is a signal line that interconnects the components of the host computer 200 and enables data exchange between them. The display device 208 is a device that displays an image corresponding to the video signal output from the video circuit 205. The input device 209 is, for example, a device that indicates a keyboard or a mouse, generates a signal corresponding to a user operation, and supplies the signal to the I / F 206.

  The external storage device 210 is constituted by, for example, a CD-R / RW drive unit or the like, reads data or a program recorded on a recording medium such as a CD-R disc, and supplies the data or program to the CPU 201 or data supplied from the CPU 201. Is a device that records the image on the MO disk or FD.

  Next, functions of programs and drivers installed in the host computer 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining means realized when executing a first process (a process selected mainly when a stereoscopic image is printed) to be described later. On the other hand, FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining means realized when executing a second process (a process selected mainly when a change image is printed) to be described later. Note that the means shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 are realized by the cooperation of the hardware of the host computer 200 and the software recorded in the HDD 204.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the first process is executed, in the host computer 200, various programs such as an image processing program 221, a video driver program 222, and a printer driver program 223a are stored in a predetermined operating system (OS ) Is operating under. As shown in FIG. 11, when the second process is executed, as in the case of FIG. 10, the host computer 200 replaces the image processing program 221, the video driver program 222, and the printer driver program 223a. The printer driver program 223b operates under a predetermined operating system. In FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the same numerals are given to the common parts, and the first and second drivers are represented by the alphabet given at the end of the numerals.

  Here, the image processing program 221 serving as a correlation calculation unit selects desired image data from the HDD 204, displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for generating a stereoscopic image or a change image, and selects a plurality of selected images. It is a program for calculating the correlation of image data. The video driver program 222 causes the display device 208 to display a stereoscopic image or a change image generated by the image processing program 221.

  The printer driver programs 223a and 223b generate print data from a plurality of image data. Hereinafter, the printer driver program 223a will be described as an example. As shown in FIG. 10, the printer driver program 223a includes an inversion processing module 231a, a rotation processing module 232a, a resolution conversion module 233a, a subdivision module 234a, a composition module 235a, a color conversion module 236a, a halftone module 237a, and print data generation. A module 238a, a transmission module 239a, a color conversion table 240a, a recording rate table 241a, and a distribution table 242a are provided.

  The reversal processing module 231a executes a process for reversing the image data to be printed. That is, when printing an image on the lens sheet 10, the image is printed on the ink absorbing layer 12, and the printed image is observed from the convex lens 11 side which is the back side thereof, so the front and back sides are reversed. Observed in state. Therefore, the reversal processing module 231a executes a process for reversing the image data to be printed.

  The rotation processing module 232a is a module for rotating the image so that the direction of the image data matches the printing direction. The resolution conversion module 233a is a module that appropriately converts the resolution of the image data in accordance with the print resolution (for example, 1440 dpi) of the printer 60.

  The subdivision module 234a is a module for generating a subdivision image by subdividing each of a plurality of image data into strips. The synthesizing module 235a is a module that executes processing for arranging the strip-shaped image data subdivided by the subdividing module 234a in a predetermined order and synthesizing. The color conversion module 236a refers to the color conversion table 240a, and executes processing for converting image data expressed by an RGB (Red Green Blue) color system into, for example, a CMYK (Cyan Magenta Yellow Black) color system. It is a module.

  The halftone module 237a executes, for example, error diffusion processing in order to express the gradation of image data in which one pixel is expressed by 256 gradations, for example, by three large dots, medium dots, and small dots. It is a module to do. The halftone module 237a executes halftone processing with reference to the recording rate table 241a.

  The print data generation module 238a generates print data including raster data indicating the dot recording state during each main scan and data indicating the sub-scan feed amount from the bitmap data output from the halftone module 237a. . The transmission module 239a is a module that transmits the print data generated by the print data generation module 238a to the printer 60.

  The color conversion table 240a is a table that stores information indicating the correspondence between the RGB color system and the CMYK color system. The recording rate table 241a is a table that stores information indicating the recording rate of small, medium, and large dots in each case of 0 to 255 gradations, for example. The distribution table 242a is a table that is referred to when generating raster data indicating the dot recording state during each main scan from the bitmap data output from the halftone module 237a. For storing distributed data.

  The printer driver program 223b has the same modules as the printer driver program 223a, but the order of the modules is different from that in FIG. Details of these processes will be described later.

  Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. First, the user activates the image processing program 221 (S10). Then, the user designates a predetermined number of pieces of image data to be printed from the GUI displayed on the display device 208 by starting the program (S11).

  Next, when printing an image selected by the user, a command for executing printing is input from the input device 209. As a result, the image data selected in the GUI is read into the image processing program 221 (S12). Then, the image processing program 221 selects any one of the specified plurality of image data as a reference image (S13).

  Subsequently, the image processing program 221 selects one comparison image to be compared (S14). When there are two pieces of image data, other image data that is not the reference image is selected. In the case of three or more, arbitrary image data is selected from other image data excluding the reference image.

  Subsequently, the image processing program 221 calculates a correlation value C between the reference image data and the comparison image data (S15). Specifically, pixels are obtained from a plurality of sampling points of the reference image data, and an average value of RGB values is calculated for each pixel to obtain a luminance value. Then, the same processing is performed for the comparison image data, the luminance values obtained from the corresponding sampling points are multiplied, the obtained values are added for all the sampling points, and divided by the number of samplings. The correlation value C obtained in this way is a large value when the images are similar, and a small value when the images are not similar. Specifically, when the image to be printed is a stereoscopic image, the value is large (a value close to 1), and when the image is a change image, the value is small (a value close to 0) (0 ≦ C ≦). 1).

  Next, when the correlation value C obtained in this way is larger than a predetermined threshold Th (for example, “0.5”), the image processing program 221 determines that the correlation is low and proceeds to the process of step S18. If not, the process proceeds to step S17. As for the threshold Th, an arbitrary value input by the user may be used by operating the input device 209 as a threshold setting unit. That is, the user may freely set the threshold value. In this way, the separation between the first process and the second process can be set according to the user's preference.

  In step S17, it is determined whether or not the comparison of all the selected images has been completed. If not, the process returns to step S14 and the same processing is repeated. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S19. . If YES is determined in step S17, the selected image data is image data having a high correlation with each other, and is considered to be a stereoscopic image. Therefore, if YES is determined in the step S17, the first printing process suitable for the printing of the stereoscopic image is executed to generate the print data.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the correlation between the image data is low, for example, since the image is a change image such as a motion image or a changing image, the change image is displayed on condition that the number of parallaxes is less than the maximum number of parallaxes. The process proceeds to a suitable second printing process.

  In step S19, a first printing process to be described later is executed. At this time, the printer driver program 231a is selected and the process is executed.

  In step S18, it is determined whether or not the number of parallaxes, that is, the number of selected image data is equal to or less than the maximum number of parallaxes, which is a value obtained by dividing the width of the convex lens 11 by the printing width. If so, the process proceeds to step S20. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S19. Note that the reason for determining that the number of parallaxes is equal to or less than the maximum number of parallaxes is that when the number of parallaxes exceeds the maximum number of parallaxes, when the second print processing is executed, ink bleeding or granularity occurs. This is to avoid such a situation because the feeling may increase.

  In step S20, a second printing process described later is executed. When the second print process is executed, the printer driver program 231b is selected and the process is executed.

  Next, the details of the first printing process shown in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIG. When the first printing process is executed, the inversion processing module 231a executes a process for inverting the front and back of all the selected image data. Specifically, a process for changing the order of the row data of the image data is executed. For example, when certain row data is stored at addresses A000 to A280, they are reversed and stored sequentially at A280 to A000. The reason why the image data is reversed upside down in this manner is that, as described above, the image is printed on the ink absorbing layer 12 and observed from the side of the convex lens 11 on the back side.

  The plurality of image data inverted by the inversion processing module 231a is transferred to the rotation processing module 232a, where the image is upright (whether the vertical direction in the image is displayed in the vertical direction when the image is actually displayed). Whether or not they coincide with each other is determined (S31), and if erect, the process proceeds to step S33, otherwise proceeds to step S32. In step S32, the rotation processing module 232a executes, for example, a process of rotating the image data by 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise so that all the image data is upright. This process is, for example, a process for printing in the correct direction when image data is shot with a digital camera, regardless of whether the camera is shot horizontally or vertically.

  The image data output from the rotation processing module 232a is supplied to the resolution conversion module 233a, where resolution conversion processing is executed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, it is assumed that four pieces of image data of 640 × 400 pixels are selected in the GUI, and this has a printing accuracy of 1440 dpi, a lens resolution of 60 lpi, and a size of 4 × 3 inches. The case where it prints on the lens sheet 10 is assumed as an example. In this case, the number of pixels of the image printed on the lens sheet 10 is 5740 × 4320 because the vertical direction is 4 × 1440 = 5740 and the horizontal direction is 3 × 1440 = 4320.

  By the way, as shown in FIG. 15, in the lateral direction of the lens sheet 10, the row data of four images is sequentially arranged with respect to one convex lens 11. In this example, after the column data a11 to aY1 of the image data A are repeatedly arranged, the column data b11 to bY1 of the image data B are repeatedly arranged. Similarly, the column data c11 to cY1 of the image data C and the image data B Column data d11 to dY1 of data D are repeatedly arranged. Since the convex lens 11 is 60 lpi and the printing resolution is 1440 dpi, 24 pixels (= 1440/60) are printed in one lens. Therefore, for each image, the same column data is arranged 6 (= 24/4) times. Further, since the lens sheet 10 has a horizontal length of 3 inches and the number of lenses is 180, the image data A to D after resolution conversion is an image having a number of pixels of 5740 × 180. Is required. Therefore, in the resolution conversion module 233a, processing for converting image data of 640 × 400 pixels into image data of 5740 × 180 pixels is executed. That is, since the number of pixels increases in the vertical direction, the resolution conversion module 233a increases the number of pixels by, for example, interpolation processing. In addition, since the number of pixels decreases in the horizontal direction, the resolution conversion module 233a decreases the number of pixels by, for example, thinning processing. FIG. 14 shows how the image data A to D of 640 × 400 pixels are converted to image data of 5740 × 180.

  The plurality of image data whose resolution has been converted by the resolution conversion module 233a is passed to the subdivision module 234a. The subdivision module 234a executes processing for refining image data according to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, the resolution conversion module 233a calculates the image size of the image data after the resolution conversion is performed and a plurality of pieces of image data are synthesized according to the lens resolution at the time of manufacture, the print resolution, and the print size (S70). ). For example, when the print size is 4 × 3 inches, the lens resolution is 60 lpi, and the print resolution is 1440 dpi, the image data after resolution conversion is 5740 × 4320.

  Next, the number R of pixels printed in each convex lens 11 is obtained (S71). In order to obtain this, first, the number of dots that can be struck in each convex lens 11 is obtained. This is the number of pixels R. In the above example, R is 24 (= 1440/60). Next, the number of pixels (number of dots) L per image data printed in each convex lens 11 is obtained (S72). The number of pixels L is calculated when the number of image data is four, and the number of pixels L is 6 (= 24/4). Of course, the number of dots in each image data is not necessarily uniform. In this case, the dot distribution may be adjusted within one convex lens 11 or across a plurality of convex lenses 11.

  Based on the above calculation, a process of arranging (complementing) the same pixels side by side for the number of pixels L obtained in S72 is performed (S73), and elongated image data for one parallax is formed. The other image data is similarly processed. Further, the segmentation module 234a arranges and arranges the image data composed of L pixels in the order in which the image changes (order of viewing angle) (S74). Thereby, strip-shaped fragmented image data arranged in one convex lens is created.

  Returning to FIG. 13, the image (strip-shaped image) data subdivided by the subdivision module 234a is supplied to the synthesis module 235a, where it is synthesized into one piece of image data (S35). As a result, the size is 5740 × 4320, and striped image data is generated (see FIG. 14).

  The image data synthesized by the synthesis module 235a is supplied to the color conversion module 236a, where color conversion processing is performed (S36). That is, the color conversion module 236a refers to the color conversion table 240a and converts image data represented in the RGB color system into image data represented in the CMYK color system. As a result, as shown in FIG. 14, images of CMYK are generated. In addition to CMYK, color conversion can be performed so as to include, for example, LC (light cyan), LM (light magenta), and the like.

  The image data color-converted by the color conversion module 236a is supplied to the halftone module 237a, where halftone processing is performed (S37). That is, the halftone module 237a refers to the recording rate table 241a, and performs a halftone process, for example, by error diffusion processing or dither processing on each of the CMYK image data. As a result, CMYK image data subjected to halftone processing is generated (see FIG. 14).

  The image data subjected to the halftone processing by the halftone module 237a is supplied to the print data generation module 238a, where print data is generated (S38). In other words, the print data generation module 238a refers to the distribution table 242a, applies distribution processing to each of the CMYK image data, and generates print data.

  The print data obtained in this way is transmitted to the printer 60 via the transmission module 239a. The printing process in the printer 60 will be described later.

  Next, the details of the second processing shown in FIG. 12 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The image data supplied from the image processing program 221 is supplied to the inversion processing module 231b where the inversion processing is performed. That is, as described above, the process of inverting the front and back of the image is executed.

  The image data that has been subjected to the inversion processing by the inversion processing module 231b is transferred to the rotation processing module 232b, where it is determined whether or not it is a change image. If it is a change image, the process proceeds to step S52. In this case, the process proceeds to step S53. Here, in the case of a change image, the image is printed with the direction in which the longitudinal direction of the lens of the lens sheet 10 is the horizontal direction as an erect direction. However, when printing is performed, the lens is arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the lens coincides with the sub-scanning direction of the printer 60 as described later. For this reason, when the image is a change image, the image data is rotated 90 degrees clockwise or counterclockwise in order to align the direction of the image data with the printing direction (S52). Note that the process shown in FIG. 17 does not include a process of rotating depending on whether or not the image data is upright, as in the process shown in FIG. 13 for the sake of simplicity. However, in practice, it is necessary to rotate the image depending on whether it is upright.

  The image data for which the rotation process has been completed (or the rotation process has not been performed) is supplied to the resolution conversion module 233b, where the resolution conversion process is performed (S53). That is, as shown in FIG. 18, the resolution conversion module 233b converts image data of 640 × 400 pixels into image data of 5740 × 180 pixels according to the lens sheet 10 and the printing resolution.

  The image data whose resolution has been converted by the resolution conversion module 233b is supplied to the color conversion module 236b, where color conversion processing is performed (S54). In other words, the color conversion module 236b refers to the color conversion table 240b to convert image data represented in the RGB color system into CMYK image data (see FIG. 18).

  The image data color-converted by the color conversion module 236b is supplied to the halftone module 237b, where halftone processing is performed (S55). That is, the halftone module 237b refers to the recording rate table 241b and performs halftone processing on each of the CMYK image data by, for example, error diffusion processing or dither processing (see FIG. 18).

  The image data that has been subjected to the halftone process by the halftone module 237b is supplied to the subdivision module 234b, where the subdivision process is performed (S56). That is, the subdivision module 234b generates a subdivision image by the same processing as in FIG. 16 for each image data of CMYK. More specifically, one column of image data is extracted from the cyan C image corresponding to the image A, and is equivalent to the number of dots for one parallax in one lens (for example, six times (= 1 lens 24 dots / pixel). 4 parallax)), and then the same processing is performed on the cyan C image of the image B, and the same processing is performed on the images C and D to generate a subdivided image for one lens.

  The segmented image data generated by the segmentation module 234b is supplied to the synthesis module 235b, where a process for synthesizing the segmented image is executed (S57). That is, the composition module 235b obtains a composite image by arranging and joining the subdivided image data of CMYK in order (see FIG. 18).

  The combined image data generated by the combining module 235b is supplied to the print data generating module 238b, where a process for generating print data is executed (S58). That is, the print data generation module 238b refers to the distribution table 242b, applies pixel distribution processing to each of the combined image data of CMYK, and obtains print data (see FIG. 18).

  The print data generated as described above is supplied to the printer 60 via the transmission module 239b (S59).

  As described above, in the first process, after synthesizing the subdivided images, halftone processing is performed to generate print data, and in the second processing, after halftone processing is performed on each image, Print data is generated by generating subdivided images. In the halftone process, for example, when an error diffusion process is taken as an example, the value of an arbitrary pixel affects peripheral pixels by error diffusion. For this reason, when the halftone process is performed after the subdivided images are combined, the subdivided images affect each other. On the other hand, if each image is subjected to halftone processing and then subdivided and synthesized, the subdivided images do not affect each other. For this reason, since the obtained image becomes a highly independent image, for example, the change of each image becomes sharp by applying the latter process to the change image.

  However, in the latter case, as shown in FIG. 18, it is necessary to perform halftone processing and composition processing on a plurality of images, so that the processing cost is high. That is, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 18, in the image composition process, the former composes one image from four images, while the latter composes four images from 16 images. As a result, the amount of data processing increases and the number of program calls increases, resulting in high processing costs. In the halftone processing, the former applies halftone processing to four images, whereas the latter applies halftone processing to 16 images, so that the number of program calls increases. Processing costs are high. Therefore, for a stereoscopic image in which independence between images does not matter, the processing speed is improved by selecting the former processing.

  In the halftone processing, processing is performed so that the ink recording rate (duty) per unit area does not exceed a predetermined value. However, when halftone processing is performed on each image data and then they are subdivided and synthesized, for example, when the number of parallaxes exceeding the maximum parallax is set, in the vicinity of the junction between the subdivided images The subdivided images may interfere with each other and the recording rate may exceed a set value. In such a case, bleeding may occur. For the same reason, the graininess may increase. Therefore, in the above embodiment, even if the image is a change image, such a problem can be prevented by selecting the first process when the number of parallaxes exceeds the maximum number of parallaxes. Yes.

  In the second embodiment described above, in order to simplify the description, the module of FIG. 16 used in the first embodiment is commonly used. However, a different module is used and is different from the above. It is also possible to execute processing. For example, in the second embodiment, the result of the halftone process is copied six times for each lens unit. For example, in the resolution conversion process in step S53, the image data is converted to image data of 5740 × 180 pixels. Thereafter, an image copied six times for each pixel is created. Next, color conversion processing and halftone processing are performed, and in step S56, the data is cut out in units of 6 pixels and subdivided. According to such a method, ink bleeding or the like can be reduced by applying a more optimal halftone process as compared to a case where the pixel after the halftone process is repeatedly copied six times. That is, halftone processing is a method of expressing gradation with a certain area, and pixel groups that occupy a certain region are arranged based on a certain rule. Therefore, extracting the pixels after halftone processing and copying them repeatedly causes the regularity to be lost, and thus has a considerable influence on color development. Therefore, as described above, such influence can be minimized by repeatedly copying pixels before halftone processing.

  Instead of copying the same pixel six times before halftone processing, for example, in the processing of step S53, an image of 5740 × 1080 (= 180 × 6) pixels is created, and this is subjected to halftone processing. After application, it is possible to cut out in units of 6 pixels. Such a method can also minimize the above-mentioned color development problem.

  Furthermore, depending on the number of parallaxes, the number of dots of each parallax in one lens may not necessarily be equal, so the number of dots may be adjusted for each parallax within the range of the number of dots in one lens. For example, when there are 23 dots in one lens and there are 4 parallaxes, the dots are distributed as 6 dots, 6 dots, 6 dots, and 5 dots. Of course, it is necessary to generate step S53 (resolution conversion processing), step S56 (subdivision processing), and step S58 (synthesis processing) in consideration of the above cases. Furthermore, there are cases where the number of dots in one lens does not become an integer (for example, the number of dots existing in one lens is 23.5, etc.). In this case, it is necessary to adjust the dots in the entire lens.

  Next, an operation when print data generated as described above is supplied to the printer 60 and print processing is executed will be described.

  In the printer 60, first, the CPU 101 initially sets the pass band of the band pass filter 111a of the lens signal binarization circuit 111 in accordance with the lens resolution of the lens sheet 10 (step S100). For example, when the resolution of the lens sheet 10 is 100 lpi, the center is 2 kHz as described above, and the pass band is from 1.8 kHz to 2.2 kHz. Note that the data relating to the print resolution may be obtained directly from the host computer 200 or may be input from an operation unit (not shown) of the printer 60.

  When the setting of the bandpass filter 111a is completed, the CPU 101 drives the paper feed motor 51 to move the lens sheet 10 to a predetermined position (print start position). Specifically, the lens sheet 10 is moved in the Y direction so that the front end portion of the lens sheet 10 is directly below the optical sensor 40.

  In step S <b> 101, the CPU 101 starts the light emission of the light emitting unit 22 and starts the operation of the lens signal binarization circuit 101. Then, the CPU 101 inquires of the host computer 200 as to whether or not print data exists, and if present, proceeds to step S103, otherwise proceeds to step S108 (step S102). If print data exists, print data for one line is received from the transmission module 239a or the transmission module 239b of the host computer 200, and the printing operation is started. Specifically, the CPU 101 refers to the output signal from the optical sensor 38, detects the current position of the carriage 31, generates a drive signal corresponding to the position, and supplies it to the carriage motor 36. As a result, the carriage 31 starts reciprocating in the main scanning direction (step S103).

  At this time, light is emitted from the light emitting unit 22. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 22 passes through the convex lens 11, the ink absorption layer 12, and the ink transmission layer 13 of the lens sheet 10 and enters the light receiving unit 43. As shown in FIG. 3, when the optical axes of the light receiving unit 43 and the convex lens 11 coincide with each other, most of the light collected by the convex lens 11 enters the light receiving unit 43, so the level of the output signal of the light receiving unit 43 Becomes higher. On the other hand, when these optical axes are deviated (not shown), most of the light collected by the convex lens 11 is not incident on the light receiving unit 43, so that the level of the output signal of the light receiving unit 43 becomes low.

  FIG. 20 shows a correspondence relationship between the convex lens 11, an analog signal (output signal of the light receiving unit 43), and a digital signal (output signal of the binarization circuit 111c). As shown in FIG. 20B, the analog signal output from the light receiving unit 43 is a signal that becomes maximum and gradually decreases at the apex 11a of the lens to be detected (see FIG. 20A). Such a signal is supplied to the band-pass filter 111a, and the harmonic component (driving signal) and the low-frequency component (for example, DC component and commercial power supply signal (50 Hz signal)) are attenuated and output.

  The signal output from the band pass filter 111a is supplied to the amplifier circuit 111b, where it is amplified by, for example, 40 times and output. The signal output from the amplifier circuit 111b is supplied to the binarization circuit 111c where it is compared with a predetermined threshold value. When the input signal is greater than or equal to the threshold, the binarization circuit 111c sets the output signal to a high state, and when the input signal is less than the threshold, the binarization circuit 111c sets the output signal to a low state. . As a result, as shown in FIG. 20C, the binarization circuit 111c generates and outputs a pulse train signal (lens signal) that rises at a predetermined position of each convex lens 11 and falls at a predetermined position. .

  The signal processing unit 106 multiplies the lens signal by a constant according to the number of pixels printed in one convex lens 11, and generates the above-described PTS signal. For example, when the print resolution in the main scanning direction is 1440 dpi and the lens pitch is 60 lpi, 24 (= 1440/60) pixels are printed in one convex lens 11, so the signal processing unit 106 Then, a signal obtained by multiplying the lens signal by 24 is generated and output as a PTS signal. The head driver 109 controls the recording head 32 based on the PTS signal supplied from the signal processing unit 106 via the DC unit 105 and prints a desired image by ejecting ink from each nozzle in synchronization with the PTS signal. (S104).

  The convex lens 11 has a lens interval that varies depending on the accuracy of manufacturing and the humidity of the environment in which it is left. However, by directly detecting each convex lens 11 as described above and ejecting ink according to the detected timing, it is possible to reliably print an image according to the lens interval.

  Next, the CPU 101 determines whether or not the printing process for one scan has been completed. If the printing process has been completed, the process proceeds to step S106. Otherwise, the process returns to step S104 and the same process is repeated (step S106). S105).

  By the way, in the case of the recording head 32 shown in FIG. 2, the optical sensor 40 is arranged in the upper right part. Therefore, when the carriage 31 scans from right to left in FIG. 1, the optical sensor 40 precedes the recording head 32, so that the operation as described above is possible. However, when the carriage 31 scans from left to right, the optical sensor 40 follows the recording head 32, and thus the above-described operation cannot be performed. Therefore, for example, when the carriage 31 moves from left to right, only the carriage 31 is moved and printing is not performed (step S106).

  Thus, when the printing operation for one line is completed, the CPU 101 drives the paper feed motor 51 to move the lens sheet 10 in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined distance (step S107). Then, the CPU 101 returns to step S102 and repeats the same processing. That is, the CPU 101 receives print data for the next line from the host computer 200, and executes a process for printing the print data by the same process as described above. By repeating such processing, a desired image can be printed on the lens sheet 10.

  If NO is determined in step S102, the CPU 101 proceeds to step S108, and stops the light emission of the light emitting unit 22 when the light emitting unit 22 is in the light emitting state (step S108), and the paper feed motor 51. Is driven, and the lens sheet 10 is discharged (step S109). As a result, the lens sheet 10 that has been printed is discharged to the outside of the printer 60.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, the position of the convex lens 11 is detected by the optical sensor 40, and an image is printed according to the detected position. Even when the accuracy of the time is low or the pitch of the lens changes due to the humidity of the environment, it is possible to print the image accurately within the width of each lens.

  In the first embodiment described above, the case where the lens sheet 10 is directly placed on the platen 20 has been described. However, for example, the lens sheet 10 is placed on a tray having a certain thickness, and the lens sheet 10 is placed together with the tray. It is also possible to print by inserting into the printer 60. In that case, a light emitting part may be provided on the whole (or part) of the part on which the lens sheet 10 of the tray is placed.

  In the above embodiment, the distance between the platen 20 and the recording head 32 is constant, but these distances may be adjustable according to the thickness of the lens sheet 10. In this case, since the distance between the light emitting unit 22 and the optical sensor 40 changes, it is assumed that not all the reflected light is incident on the light receiving unit 43 when the distance is large. Therefore, for example, when these distances can be adjusted, it is desirable to limit the adjustable range to a range in which a sufficient amount of received light can be obtained.

  In the above embodiment, printing is performed when the carriage 31 moves from the right to the left in FIG. 1 and printing is not performed when the carriage 31 moves from the left to the right. An optical sensor different from the optical sensor 40 may be provided on the back surface, and printing may be performed based on a signal from another optical sensor when moving from left to right.

  If such a carriage 31 is used, printing can be performed when the carriage 31 moves, so that the printing speed can be improved.

  Each of the above embodiments is an example, and there are various other modified embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the first and second processes are selected in consideration of the correlation between images and the relationship between the maximum number of parallaxes and the number of parallaxes. These treatments can be selected in consideration of the ink absorptivity. Specifically, when the ink absorptivity is high, the second process may be selected even when the number of parallaxes exceeds the maximum number of parallaxes. That is, when the ink absorption of the lens sheet 10 is high, the possibility of blurring is reduced, so that even when the number of parallaxes exceeds the maximum number of parallaxes, halftone processing can be performed for each image unit. It is.

  Further, the first and second processes may be selected in consideration of the ink type, not the ink absorptivity. Specifically, since pigment-based inks have lower penetrability than dye-based inks, when pigment-based inks are used, each image unit is used even when the number of parallaxes exceeds the maximum number of parallaxes. A halftone process may be executed. In the case of pigment-based ink, the first process may be selected for all of the stereoscopic image and the change image for the reason described above.

  In the above embodiment, image data is sampled from a predetermined sampling point of image data, and correlation between images is obtained based on the sampled image data. It is also possible to calculate the correlation based on the pixels. In the above embodiment, when three or more images are selected, the reference image and all other images are compared. However, the reference image is compared with one other image, and the comparison is made. Correlation may be determined according to the result.

  Further, although the light emitting unit 22 and the wavelength of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 22 are not described in detail, for example, by setting the wavelength of the ink absorbing layer 12 to be high (for example, infrared) or the like , Detection accuracy can be improved.

  In each of the embodiments described above, the light receiving unit 43 receives the reflected light or transmitted light as it is. For example, the light receiving unit 43 passes a filter that selectively allows only light having the same wavelength as the light emitting unit 22 to pass through. Light may be incident. According to such an embodiment, the influence of ambient light can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the binarization circuit 111c binarizes the analog signal by comparing it with a predetermined threshold value, so that the duty of the digital signal may not be 50% depending on the threshold value. is assumed. Therefore, by inverting the signal output from the amplifier circuit 111b, comparing the original signal, and switching between high and low at these intersections, it is possible to easily obtain a signal with a duty close to 50%. it can.

  In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, an analog circuit is used as the lens signal binarization circuit 111. For example, analog signals are converted from analog to digital (A / D). Various processes may be executed after digitization by a device or the like. According to such an embodiment, for example, the passband of the bandpass filter 111a can be easily adjusted.

  In the above embodiment, the case of direct drawing printing has been described as an example, but it goes without saying that the present invention can also be applied to the case of separate printing.

  In the above embodiments, the printer 60 is connected to the host computer 200 and receives print data from the host computer 200. However, the present invention is, for example, a so-called stand-alone type printer 60 that has an image storage unit, an image editing unit, a print data generation unit, and the like and can perform a printing process without connecting the host computer 200. It is also possible to apply. The present invention can also be applied to a digital multi-function apparatus in which a printer (printer 60), a scanner, a facsimile, and a copier are integrated. That is, the functions shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 can be mounted on the printer side.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a recording head illustrated in FIG. 1. It is sectional drawing of the optical sensor and lens sheet | seat shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the control system of embodiment shown in FIG. It is the figure which looked at the printer of embodiment shown in FIG. 1 from the right side of the figure. It is the figure which looked at the printer of embodiment shown in FIG. 1 from the right side of the figure. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structural example of the control part shown in FIG. 8 is a detailed configuration example of a lens signal binarization circuit shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a host computer illustrated in FIG. 7. It is an example of the module implement | achieved when the 1st process is performed. It is an example of the module implement | achieved when the 2nd process is performed. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for generating print data. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the 1st process shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of a 1st process. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of a subdivision process. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of a subdivision process. It is a flowchart explaining the detail of the 2nd process shown in FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the outline | summary of a 2nd process. 6 is a flowchart illustrating processing executed in a printer. FIG. 9 is a timing chart for explaining the operation of the lens signal binarization circuit shown in FIG. 8. It is a figure explaining the principle of the stereoscopic vision by a convex lens.

Explanation of symbols

  11 convex lens (lens), 60 printer, 200 host computer (image processing apparatus), 221 image processing program (correlation calculation means), 223 driver program (print data generation means)

Claims (9)

In an image processing apparatus that processes a plurality of image data in order to form a print image on a lens sheet in which a plurality of lenses having one longitudinal direction are arranged,
Correlation calculating means for calculating the correlation of the plurality of image data;
If the correlation calculated by the correlation calculation means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the print data is subjected to halftone processing after the subdivided images obtained by subdividing the plurality of images are sequentially arranged and synthesized. If the correlation is less than the predetermined threshold, the image obtained by performing halftone processing on each of the plurality of images is subdivided. Print data generation means for selecting and executing a second process for generating print data by combining the print data;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The print data generation unit is configured such that the number of images is obtained by dividing the width of the lens by the print width even when the correlation calculated by the correlation calculation unit is less than the predetermined threshold. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the number of obtained parallaxes is exceeded, the first process is selected.   As the threshold value of the print data generation unit, the first process is selected when the print image is a stereoscopic image, and the second process is selected when the print image is a change image. 2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the value is set as follows.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a threshold setting unit capable of arbitrarily setting the threshold of the print data generation unit.   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the print data generation unit selects the first process or the second process in consideration of ink absorbability of the lens sheet. .   The correlation calculation means calculates correlation between image data by calculating a correlation value between one arbitrarily selected image data and other image data. Item 6. The image processing apparatus according to Item 1.   The correlation calculation means includes information on pixel groups sampled at a plurality of sampling points of the arbitrarily selected one image data, and information on pixel groups sampled at corresponding sampling points of other image data. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the correlation between the images is calculated based on the image. Printing apparatus for processing a plurality of image data to form a print image on a lens sheet on which a plurality of lenses having one direction as a longitudinal direction are arranged, and executing printing based on the processed image data In
Correlation calculating means for calculating the correlation of the plurality of image data;
If the correlation calculated by the correlation calculation means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the print data is subjected to halftone processing after the subdivided images obtained by subdividing the plurality of images are sequentially arranged and synthesized. If the correlation is less than the predetermined threshold, the image obtained by performing halftone processing on each of the plurality of images is subdivided. Print data generation means for selecting and executing a second process for generating print data by combining the print data;
A printing apparatus comprising: A plurality of image data is processed to form a print image arranged on a lens sheet on which a plurality of lenses having one longitudinal direction are arranged, and printing is executed based on the processed image data In the printing method for
A correlation calculating step of calculating the correlation of the plurality of image data;
If the correlation calculated by the correlation calculation means is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the print data is subjected to halftone processing after the subdivided images obtained by subdividing the plurality of images are sequentially arranged and synthesized. If the correlation is less than the predetermined threshold, the image obtained by performing halftone processing on each of the plurality of images is subdivided. A print data generation step of selecting and executing a second process for generating print data by combining the print data;
A printing method comprising:

Images