JP2007098830A - Printing apparatus, printing method and program for printing - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing apparatus making a printing operation easy and efficient. <P>SOLUTION: The printing apparatus has a first face on which a plurality of lenses are formed, a carrying means for carrying a lens sheet equipped with a second face being a face of an opposite side to the first face and a printing medium (hereinbelow a medium for separation type) oppositely arranged to the face of the opposite side to the first face, a printing means for printing at least one of characters and images, and a controlling means for performing controlling. The controlling means switches to one to meet with the medium from a plurality of user interfaces (for example, steps S311-S314 and steps S320-S324) for example, depending on the kind of the medium. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a printing program.

  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. In both the direct drawing type and the separation type, what is viewed through the lenticular lens uses the parallax of the eyes, and what is printed is called parallax printing.

  FIG. 19 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.

JP-A-8-137034 (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.)

  By the way, in the technique shown in Patent Document 1, since it is known in advance that an image or the like is printed on the bottom surface (back surface) of the transparent lens sheet 1, the user interface of the printing apparatus is only a direct drawing type. For this reason, the technique shown in Patent Document 1 cannot cope with the printing shown in Patent Document 2, that is, separation-type printing, and the printing work is time-consuming and inefficient. In Patent Document 1, data such as an image to be printed is data stored in a state in which print data is mirror-inverted in advance. As a result, the printing apparatus and the computer connected to the printing apparatus both intentionally create and store data that is mirror-inverted from normal data, and this also does not increase the printing efficiency.

  Also, in the technique shown in Patent Document 2, since it is known in advance that an image or the like is printed on a separation type recording sheet, the user interface of the printing apparatus is only a separation type. For this reason, the technique shown in Patent Document 2 cannot cope with the printing shown in Patent Document 1, that is, the direct drawing type printing, and the printing work cannot be facilitated or made efficient. Further, in Patent Document 2, it is not necessary that the data to be stored be mirror-inverted, but it is necessary to store data that is special data for separation type and tends to have a large capacity.

  The present invention has been made based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a printing method, and a printing program that facilitate and improve the printing operation. .

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a lens sheet (hereinafter, referred to as a first sheet) on which a plurality of lenses are formed and a second surface that is the surface opposite to the first surface. , "Direct drawing type medium") and a conveying means for conveying a printing medium (hereinafter referred to as "separate type medium") disposed opposite to the surface opposite to the first surface; The second surface and the surface of the separation-type medium are scanned in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of each medium, and printing means for printing at least one of characters and images, and the type of medium conveyed by the conveyance means When the user interface is switched and the direct drawing type medium is conveyed by the conveying means, the data printed by the printing means is used as the printing data for printing on the separation type medium, and the data is Reverse the mirror image Furthermore the printing start data at the time of printing of the separation-type medium has a control means for controlling which are to be placed on the opposite side in the scanning direction.

  According to this printing apparatus, direct printing on a direct drawing type medium and printing on a separation type medium can be performed easily and efficiently. That is, since the user interface can be switched according to the type of printing medium, printing can be performed easily and efficiently. One original data enables direct printing on a direct drawing type medium (lens sheet) and printing on a separation type medium. Moreover, since the print start data is made different, the printing apparatus always prints from the same direction and is easy to control. The user interface refers to the “operation feeling” of the computer system that defines the display format of information for the user and the data input method of the user. The user interface is roughly classified into a character-based CUI (Character-based User Interface) and a graphic-based GUI (Graphical User Interface).

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having a first surface on which a plurality of lenses are formed, and a direct-drawing type medium including a second surface that is a surface opposite to the first surface, and the first surface. Scanning the separation type medium disposed opposite to the surface opposite to the surface, and scanning the second surface and the surface of the separation type medium in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of each medium; The printing means for printing at least one of characters and images, and the data printed by the printing means are the same for the direct drawing type medium and the separation type medium, and at least a mirror image of one is reversed with respect to the other. And control means for performing control that is different.

  According to this printing apparatus, direct printing on a direct drawing type medium and printing on a separation type medium can be performed easily and efficiently. That is, since one original data enables direct printing on a direct drawing type medium and printing on a separation type medium, printing work by sharing data can be facilitated and made more efficient.

  In the printing apparatus of another invention, in addition to the above-described invention, the control unit performs control to switch the user interface depending on the type of medium conveyed by the conveyance unit.

  According to this printing apparatus, direct printing on a direct drawing type medium and printing on a separation type medium can be performed easily and efficiently. That is, since the user interface is switched to the type of printing medium, the printing operation is facilitated and the efficiency is improved. One original data enables direct printing on a direct drawing type medium and printing on a separation type medium.

  Furthermore, a printing apparatus according to another aspect of the invention includes a direct drawing type medium including a first surface on which a plurality of lenses are formed, and a second surface that is a surface opposite to the first surface, and the first surface. Scanning the separation type medium disposed opposite to the surface opposite to the surface, and scanning the second surface and the surface of the separation type medium in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of each medium; Printing means for printing at least one of characters and images, detection means for detecting the type of the medium when the medium is placed on the conveyance means, and data printed by the printing means based on the detection result of the detection means The direct-drawing type medium and the separation type medium have control means for performing control such that the original is the same and at least one is made different by reversing the mirror image with respect to the other.

  According to this printing apparatus, direct printing on a direct drawing type medium and printing on a separation type medium can be performed easily and efficiently. That is, since data suitable for the type of printing medium is selected based on the detection result of the detection means, the printing operation is facilitated and efficient. One original data enables direct printing on a direct drawing type medium (lens sheet) and printing on a separation type medium.

  Further, in another invention, in addition to the printing apparatus of the above-described invention, the control means includes at least a user interface for the direct drawing type medium, a user interface for the separation type medium, and the direct drawing type medium and the separation type. And a user interface for each medium other than each medium, and controls to switch each user interface in accordance with the type of medium detected by the detection means and the printing form. According to this configuration, since the type of medium can be detected and a user interface suitable for each medium can be used, the printing operation is made efficient and the printing apparatus is easy to use.

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing apparatus having a first surface on which a plurality of lenses are formed, and a direct-drawing type medium including a second surface that is a surface opposite to the first surface, and the first surface. Scanning in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of each medium, and transporting means for transporting the separation-type medium and other printing media disposed opposite to the surface opposite to the surface, and at least one of characters and images The printing means for printing, the detection means for detecting whether or not the direct drawing type medium is arranged on the conveying means, and when the detection means detects the direct drawing type medium, the data printed by the printing means is separated. When the detection means detects a medium other than the direct-drawing type medium, it is determined whether the printing is for the separation type medium, and is determined to be positive. Sometimes it becomes the basis of mirrored data It has a control means for controlling to print data to data that is not image reversal, the.

  According to this printing apparatus, direct printing on a direct drawing type medium and printing on a separation type medium can be performed easily and efficiently. That is, since data suitable for the type of printing medium is selected based on the detection result of the detection means, the printing operation is facilitated and made efficient. One original data enables direct printing on a direct drawing type medium (lens sheet) and printing on a separation type medium. Furthermore, it is possible to deal with media other than the direct drawing type medium and the separation type medium.

  Furthermore, the printing apparatus according to another aspect of the invention is directed to a direct-drawing type medium and other medium including a first surface on which a plurality of lenses are formed, and a second surface that is the surface opposite to the first surface. A conveying means for conveying the image, a printing means for scanning the second surface and the surface of the other medium in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of each medium, and printing at least one of characters and images, and a medium to be printed Detecting means for detecting whether or not the medium has been placed in the medium insertion port of the conveying means, and a user interface suitable for the medium specified by the inspection from among a plurality of user interfaces, by inspecting the medium by detection of the detecting means And a control means for performing control for selecting.

  According to this printing apparatus, direct printing on the direct drawing type medium and other printing can be performed easily and efficiently. That is, since the user interface can be switched according to the type of printing medium, the printing operation is facilitated and made efficient.

  Furthermore, a printing apparatus according to another aspect of the invention includes a conveying unit capable of conveying a medium other than paper that is a plurality of types of printing media, a printing unit that prints at least one of characters and images on the surface of the medium, Detection means for detecting whether the medium to be printed is arranged at the medium insertion port of the conveying means, and inspection of the medium is started by detection of the detection means, and the medium specified by the inspection from a plurality of user interfaces is detected. Control means for performing control for selecting a suitable user interface.

  According to this printing apparatus, printing on a special object such as a direct drawing type medium (lens sheet) or printing on a normal medium can be performed by a user interface suitable for the type of the medium. Easy and efficient.

  In another invention, in addition to the printing apparatus of the above-described invention, the inspection of the medium is performed by the detection unit moving together with the printing unit. According to this configuration, since the detecting means for detecting the insertion of the medium is also used for inspecting the type of the medium, the space can be saved and the inspection can be speeded up.

  According to another aspect of the invention, in addition to the printing apparatus of the above-described invention, the detection unit is an optical sensor in which a light emitting unit is disposed on one surface side of the medium and a light receiving unit is disposed on the other surface side. In the case of a lens sheet having a large number of lenses on one surface, light passes through and the control means identifies the medium as a lens sheet. According to this configuration, it becomes easy to detect and inspect a medium, particularly to detect and inspect a lens sheet.

  Further, in another invention, in addition to the printing apparatus of the above-described invention, the printing medium includes a lens sheet having a large number of lenses on one surface, and the control means conveys the lens sheet by the conveying means. The data printed by the printing means, using the printing data for the medium disposed opposite to the other surface of the lens sheet, mirror-inverting the data, and further starting the printing Is controlled to be arranged on the opposite side in the main scanning direction from the time of printing of the opposed medium. According to this configuration, direct printing on a direct drawing type medium (lens sheet) and printing on a separation type medium can be performed with one original data. Moreover, since the print start data is made different, the printing apparatus always prints from the same direction and is easy to control.

  The printing method of the present invention includes a first transporting step in which a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface can be transported by a transporting unit, and a lens sheet medium disposed on the other surface side of the lens sheet. In the first conveying step, the second conveying step that can be conveyed by the conveying means and the mirror image inverted data with respect to the printing data of the lens sheet medium are printed on the other surface of the lens sheet. And a second printing step capable of printing the non-mirror-inverted data that is the basis of the mirror-inverted data on the lens sheet medium in the second transporting step. A print executioner that is enabled and selects and executes one of the first printing process and the second printing process, or both printing processes and other printing processes. , The has.

  According to this printing method, it is possible to easily and efficiently perform direct printing on the direct drawing type medium (lens sheet) and printing on the separation type medium. That is, since a printing process suitable for the type of printing medium can be selected, printing is easy and efficient. One original data enables direct printing on a direct drawing type medium (lens sheet) and printing on a separation type medium.

  The printing method according to another aspect of the invention includes a first conveying step in which a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface is conveyed by a conveying unit, and another printing medium other than the lens sheet is conveyed by the conveying unit. The second transporting step, the switching step of switching the user interface depending on the type of printing medium transported by the transporting means, and the data printed on each medium are the same for the lens sheet and the rest. A reversing step in which one can be at least a mirror image reversed with respect to the other.

  According to this printing method, direct printing on a lens sheet (direct drawing type medium) and other printing can be performed easily and efficiently. That is, since the user interface can be switched according to the type of printing medium, the printing operation is facilitated and made efficient. One original data enables direct printing on a direct drawing type medium (lens sheet) and printing on a separation type medium.

  The printing method according to another aspect of the invention includes a first conveying step in which a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface is conveyed by a conveying unit, and another printing medium other than the lens sheet is conveyed by the conveying unit. Second detection step, a detection step for detecting the type of the medium when the printing medium is arranged on the transfer means, and data printed on each medium based on the detection result of the detection step, In addition to the lens sheet, the lens sheet has a reversing step that is the same as the original but can at least mirror-reverse one of the lens sheet and the other.

  According to this printing method, direct printing on a lens sheet (direct drawing type medium) and other printing can be performed easily and efficiently. That is, since data suitable for the type of printing medium is selected based on the detection result in the detection process, the printing operation is facilitated and efficient. Further, one original data enables direct printing on a lens sheet and printing on a separation type medium.

  It is further assumed that the user interface is switched according to the type of printing medium transported by the transport means, and whether or not mirror image reversal in the reversing process is executed is automatically determined by switching the user interface. It is preferable to do so. If this method is adopted, a user interface suitable for the type of each medium can be used, so that the printing operation is efficient and the printing method is easy to use.

  In another printing method of the invention, the first transporting process in which any one of a plurality of types of printing media is transported by the transporting unit is different from the medium transported in the first transporting process. A second transport step in which a medium among a plurality of types of printing media is transported by the transport means, and a transported medium transported in the first and second transport processes is a medium of the transport means In the detection process that detects whether or not it is placed in the insertion port, the inspection of the transported medium is started by detection in the detection process, and the inspection result in the inspection process detects the type of the transported medium And automatically selecting a user interface suitable for the type of the medium from a plurality of user interfaces.

  According to this printing method, printing on a plurality of types of media can be performed easily and efficiently. That is, since the printing medium is inspected and a user interface suitable for the type is automatically selected, the printing operation is facilitated and made efficient.

  The printing program of the present invention includes a first conveying procedure that allows a computer to convey a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface by a conveying unit, and a lens disposed on the other surface side of the lens sheet. The second conveyance procedure in which the sheet medium can be conveyed by the conveyance means, and the other surface of the lens sheet in the first conveyance procedure is obtained by reversing the mirror image data with respect to the printing data of the lens sheet medium. The first printing procedure capable of printing on the lens sheet and the second printing procedure capable of printing the non-mirror-inverted data, which is the basis of the mirror-inverted data, on the lens sheet medium in the second printing procedure And one of the first printing procedure and the second printing procedure, or both of the printing procedures and other printing procedures. Print execution procedure-option to run, but to run.

  According to this printing program, by causing the computer to execute, direct printing on the direct drawing type medium and printing on the separation type medium can be easily and efficiently performed during printing. In addition, direct printing on a direct drawing type medium (lens sheet) and printing on a separation type medium can be performed with one original data.

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing program including: a first conveyance procedure in which a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface is conveyed by a conveyance unit; and other printing media other than the lens sheet. The second transport procedure transported by the transport unit, the switching procedure for switching the user interface depending on the type of printing medium transported by the transport unit, and the data printed on each medium, the lens sheet and other, And a reversal procedure that can at least mirror-invert one image with respect to the other while being the same.

  According to this printing program, it is possible to easily and efficiently perform direct printing on a direct drawing type medium and printing on other media by executing the program on a computer. That is, since the user interface can be switched according to the type of printing medium, the printing operation is facilitated and made efficient. In addition, direct printing on a direct drawing type medium (lens sheet) and printing on another medium can be performed with one original data.

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a printing program including: a first conveyance procedure in which a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface is conveyed by a conveyance unit; and other printing media other than the lens sheet. A second transport procedure transported by the transport means; a detection procedure for detecting the type of the medium when a printing medium is placed on the transport means; and data printed on each medium, the lens sheet, Otherwise, the reversal procedure is executed, which is the same as the original but can at least mirror-invert one with respect to the other.

  According to this printing program, it is possible to easily and efficiently perform direct printing on a direct drawing type medium and printing on other media by executing the program on a computer. In other words, one original data enables direct printing on a direct drawing type medium and printing on other media such as a separation type medium, thereby facilitating and improving the efficiency of printing work by sharing data. Become.

  Furthermore, the printing program according to another invention prints at least one of a character and an image on a surface of the medium, and a conveyance procedure that allows a medium other than paper, which is a plurality of types of printing media, to be conveyed to a computer. Printing procedure, detection procedure for detecting whether or not the medium to be printed is placed at the medium insertion port of the transport means, and inspection of the medium is started by detection in the detection procedure. And a selection procedure for selecting a user interface suitable for the specified medium.

  According to this printing program, printing on a plurality of types of media can be easily and efficiently performed by printing on a computer. That is, since the printing medium is inspected and a user interface suitable for the type is selected, the printing operation is facilitated and made efficient.

  According to the present invention, the printing operation is facilitated and the efficiency is improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of a printing apparatus and a printing method 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. First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a printer 60 according to the first embodiment. In the following description, the lower side refers to the side where the printer is installed, and the upper side refers to the side away from the installed side. 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). The details of the optical sensor 40 constituting a part of the inspection apparatus 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 lens, it is possible to use not only the convex shape shown in the figure but also a lens having a concave shape, for example.

  The platen 20 has a light emitting unit 22 that constitutes a part of the inspection apparatus on the upper side surface thereof. 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. In the light emitting unit 22, for example, a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are arranged along the main scanning path, and a diffusion plate (for example, opal, pearl, rubbed glass) for diffusing light is arranged on the upper part. It is configured. The diffuser 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.

  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 diffusion plate 22b such as a pearl plate. 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, an EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like 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 diffusing plate 22b is configured by, for example, a pearl plate or the like, and diffuses light emitted from the plurality of light emitting elements 22a to make uniform light, and enters the lens sheet 10. Instead of the pearl plate, for example, another plate having a concavo-convex structure on the surface can be used. In addition, when using a cold cathode tube or a light guide plate, the light emitted from them is sufficiently uniform, so that the diffusion plate 22b need 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 a lens interval, 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). The convex lens 11 is made of PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol), APET (Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate), PP (Polypropylene), PS (Polystyrene), PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), acrylic, UV (Ultraviolet) cured resin, etc. 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 Alcohol), a cationic compound, or fine particles such as 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 as control means, 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 includes 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. The function of the host computer 200 may be provided in the control unit 100, or the function of the host computer 200 may be provided in a server connected via a line such as the Internet.

  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 serving as a transport means includes a paper feed motor (not shown) that supplies 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. is doing. 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. Further, a swing sensor is provided on the right side (paper feeding side) of the paper feed roller 50 in FIG. 5 as detection means for detecting whether or not a printing medium is disposed at the medium insertion port. Here, the medium insertion opening refers to a portion where the paper feed roller 50 is located.

  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 Current) unit 105, a signal 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. In each convex lens 11, compression processing, image segmentation processing that divides an image according to the lens pitch of the convex lens 11 before and after the compression processing, and segmented image data that has undergone compression processing and image division processing are performed in each convex lens 11. The composition processing is performed by arranging and composing at an appropriate part, and the halftone processing is performed at an appropriate timing. In the image processing program and the printer driver program, predetermined items such as the width (LPI) of the convex lens 11 and the division direction of the image data can be designated. 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 and 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 (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 band pass 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 switched capacitor filter is used as the band-pass filter 111a, and an optimum pass band according to the resolution of the lens sheet 10 used 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 a portion related to the ENC signal and the lens signal of the DC unit 105 and the signal processing unit 106 illustrated in FIG. 7. The ENC signal (encoder signal) is a signal from an encoder that optically detects the position of the carriage 31. The lens signal is a signal obtained by irradiating the lens sheet 10 with light, and the intensity of the light changes according to the unevenness of the convex lens 11.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the part related to the ENC signal and the lens signal, such as the signal processing unit 106, includes a switching control circuit 150, a drive control circuit 151, and a discharge control circuit 152 as main components. The switching control circuit 150 selects and outputs one of the ENC signal output from the optical sensor 38 and the lens signal output from the lens signal binarization circuit 111 based on the control of the CPU 101. The drive control circuit 151 controls the carriage motor 36 based on the ENC signal output from the optical sensor 38. The ejection control circuit 152 generates a PTS (Print Timing Signal) signal indicating the ejection timing of ink from the recording head 32 based on the signal (ENC signal or lens signal) output from the switching control circuit 150, and the head driver 109. To supply. The CR motor driver 108 controls the carriage motor 36 according to the control of the drive control circuit 151. The head driver 109 controls the recording head 32 based on the PTS signal supplied from the ejection control circuit 152 to print an image on the lens sheet 10.

  FIG. 10 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. 11 is a diagram illustrating means realized when executing a first process (a process selected mainly when printing a stereoscopic image) to be described later. On the other hand, FIG. 12 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. Each unit shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 is realized by the cooperation of the hardware of the host computer 200 and the software recorded in the HDD 204.

  As shown in FIG. 11, 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. 12, 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. 11 and FIG. 12, the same numbers are given to common parts, and the first and second drivers are represented by the alphabet given at the end of the numbers.

  Here, the image processing program 221 as the 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 the selected plurality of 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. 11, 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 performs a reversal process, and performs a process of reversing the image data to be printed (mirror reversal). 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. Note that if the data is just a mirror image, the start position does not change when the data is printed. Therefore, in the case of characters, the left and right are reversed in appearance. In order to avoid this, there are a method in which the print start position of the printer 60 is set on the opposite side and a method in which the print start character of the printer 60 is set on the opposite side. In the present embodiment, the latter is adopted. In the latter case, printing can be started from the same position as usual, and the printer 60 can be easily controlled. 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 a process of 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.

  Next, the operation of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the first embodiment, whether the direct drawing type or the separation type is determined according to the printing medium selected by the user. When the direct drawing type is selected, the strip image processing for dot adjustment in the lens and the discharge control based on the lens signal are automatically selected. On the other hand, when the separation type is selected, strip image processing for dot adjustment between lenses and ejection control based on the ENC signal are automatically selected.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and shows an overview of the flow of direct drawing type and separation type processing. Application software (image processing program 221) such as image editing and document editing stored in the host computer 200 is activated, and a GUI is displayed on the display device 208. The GUI is used to specify an image to be printed from images stored in the host computer 200. Thereafter, after printing is requested from the application software, a medium selection screen as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed. In FIG. 14, the user can select a target medium from the print medium selection area 252 using the mouse cursor 251. After a predetermined medium is selected from the print medium selection area 252, the determination in step S300 in FIG. 13 is performed.

  If it can be determined in step S300 that the lens sheet 10 has been selected as the medium, Yes is selected and step S311 is applied. Otherwise, No is selected. When it is determined Yes in step S300, the first user interface is automatically executed. That is, the printer 60 automatically executes steps S311 to S314 in FIG.

  In step S311, one strip image is created from a plurality of images. That is, the processing is performed by the inversion processing module 231a to the synthesis module 235a shown in FIG. In this case, the number of dots that can be accommodated by one convex lens 11 is the same. For example, if the lens resolution is 60 LPI and the printing resolution is 1440 dpi, the number of dots in one convex lens 11 is 24 (= 1440/60). Note that when the number of images is an odd number, the number of dots X for one image in one lens may not be common between images, and attention is paid to the distribution of dots in the lens 11. For example, when the number of images is 5, X is 4.8 (= 24/5), but four images may be 5 dots and one image may be 4 dots. In terms of program, step S321 described later may be applied to step S311.

  Next, in step S312, color conversion and halftone are applied to the strip image. That is, the processing performed by the color conversion module 236a and the halftone module 237a shown in FIG. 11 is executed. Thereafter, in step S313, the printer 10 is notified that the ejection timing is a lens signal. In the flowchart of FIG. 13, step S312 is applied after step S311. However, the reverse may be possible. Further, step S311 and step S312 may be mixed, as in the case of printing a changed image shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in step S314, the printer 60 performs ejection based on the lens signal, that is, direct drawing printing. An image specifying step may be arranged between step S300 and step S311, and an image to be printed may be specified at that step.

  On the other hand, if No is selected in step S300, it is checked in step S301 whether the printing is parallax type. Although it is not shown in FIG. 14 when determining whether or not it is parallax type printing, a check box may be provided, or automatically if the application software that called the screen as shown in FIG. 14 is software for parallax type printing. It can also be regarded as parallax printing. If it is determined that the printing is parallax printing, Yes is selected and step S320 is applied. Other than that, No is selected as printing not related to the lenticular lens.

  When it is determined Yes in step S301, the second user interface is automatically executed. That is, the printer 60 automatically executes steps S320 to S324 in FIG.

  In step S320, the detailed LPI is confirmed. Detailed confirmation refers to confirming the lens resolution of two decimal digits or one digit such as 60.12 LPI and 90.01 LPI. This lens resolution needs to be checked in advance by a moire inspection or the like. In this confirmation, the user may input manually, or the lens resolution may be read from a recorded file. Moreover, you may make it confirm using the optical sensor 40. FIG. After this detail confirmation, step S321 is applied.

  In step S321, one strip image is created from a plurality of images. In strip image creation in this case, the number of dots that fit in one convex lens 11 is often not uniform. For example, if the lens resolution is 60.10 LPI and the printing resolution is 1440 dpi, the number of dots in one lens is 23.96 (≈1440 / 60.10). Since the lens interval and the printing interval are not integer multiples, there may be a case where a dot 253 straddling the convex lens 11 is generated in the dot, as in the dot image in the hatched portion of FIG. In this case, which convex lens 11 includes the straddling dots 253 may be determined by, for example, a ratio belonging to the convex lens 11 (whether the straddling dots 253 belong more to which convex lens 11).

  In step S322, color conversion and halftone are applied. Thereafter, in step S323, the printer 60 is notified that the ejection timing is an ENC signal. Thereafter, in step S324, the printer 60 performs ejection based on the lens signal, that is, separation type printing. Prior to step S301, an image specifying step is arranged between step S301 and step S320 instead of specifying an image to be printed from images stored in the host computer 200. The image to be printed may be specified.

  If No is selected in step S301, it is regarded as normal printing, and step S322 and subsequent steps are applied to a normal image. That is, the printer 60 automatically executes the third user interface. An image specifying step may be arranged between step S301 and step S322, and an image to be printed on normal printing paper may be specified at that step.

  By such user interface switching, direct drawing printing, separation printing, and normal printing are performed. In the past, there was no idea of using the direct drawing type and the separation type separately, but in the first embodiment, the user's intention of the direct drawing type or the separation type is confirmed through the medium selection, and further the parallax type Check whether printing or normal printing. For this reason, it is possible to use at least the direct drawing type and the separation type based on the user's intention.

  Next, a printing apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. This printing apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment except that the printer 60 is used. The difference is the contents of the program installed in the host computer 200. A processing flow performed by the program is shown in FIG.

  The process flow shown in FIG. 16 is a process when a setting value for parallax printing is recorded or added to an image. In this processing flow, since it is difficult for a user who performs general printing to prepare a plurality of images for parallax printing, a processing method for printing from an image for parallax printing created by a content creator Is shown.

  17 and 18 show examples of image files created by the content producer. FIG. 17A shows a form in which there are a plurality of different images 261, 262, 263 for parallax printing and a setting file 264 therefor. The setting file 264 records a printing method (separate type / direct drawing type), lens resolution, and the like. FIG. 17B shows a type in which information such as a printing method and lens resolution is recorded in the header portions 261a, 262a, and 263a of the images 261, 262, and 263 for the images 261, 262, and 263, respectively. . The recorded contents are the same as those recorded in the setting file 264.

  FIG. 18 shows a form in which a plurality of image files and setting values are combined into one file. In the form shown in FIG. 18A, the first image 272, the second image 273, the third image 274, and the like are provided after the header portion 271 in which the printing method of the parallax type printing is recorded. It has been combined. The header unit 271 records a printing method, lens resolution, the number of images to be recorded, an image size, and the like. In the form shown in FIG. 18B, a strip image is formed on the horizontal side of each image 272, 273, 274. In the header portion 281, the same type of information as the header portion 271 in FIG. 18A and the cutout unit of each image are entered. FIG. 18C shows a strip image formed on the vertical side of each image 272, 273, 274. The contents of the header portion 291 are the same as the header portion 281 of FIG. Note that the above-described recording example may be realized in an image format such as bitmap, TIFF, or JPEG.

  In the processing flow of FIG. 16, first, in step S400, if the setting value of the printing method assigned to the image is a direct drawing type, “Yes” is selected, and then step S401 is applied. Otherwise, step S420 is applied after No is selected. Note that the image called in step S400 is specified from the images stored in the host computer 200 by the application software.

  When the application software, that is, the CPU 201 determines Yes in step S400, the first user interface is automatically executed. That is, in step S401, if the lens resolution setting value is recorded, after selecting Yes, the first user interface from step S402 to step S414 is automatically executed. In step S402, the lens resolution setting value is recorded in the HDD 204 so that it can be used in the process of step S411.

  If the determination in step S401 is No, step S403 is applied, and the second user interface is automatically executed. In step S403, since the lens resolution is undetermined, the user who performs printing is inquired about the lens resolution. The inquiry result is recorded in the HDD 204 so that it can be used in the process of step S411. Steps from step S411 to step S414, which are steps subsequent to steps S402 and S403, are the same as the processing from step S311 to step S314 shown in FIG.

  When it is determined No in step S400 of FIG. 16, the process proceeds to step S420, and the third user interface is automatically executed. First, in step S420, the detailed LPI is confirmed and recorded as in step S320 of FIG. Subsequent steps, from step S421 to step S424, have the same contents as the previous steps S321 to S324.

  It should be noted that normal printing serving as the fourth user interface may be performed by inserting a step similar to step S301 between step S400 and step S420.

  In the second embodiment, since it is based on a setting value provided in an image for parallax printing, printing that reflects the intention of the content creator can be performed. In the first embodiment, the printing method is determined by the user's intention to perform printing, but in the second embodiment, the printing method is determined by the content producer of the parallax printing.

  As mentioned above, although each embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can be variously deformed besides this. This will be described below.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, when the printing medium is the lens sheet 10, normal data stored in the HDD 204 is mirror-inverted for the lens sheet 10 during printing, but is stored in the HDD 204. The data to be stored may be a mirror image inverted in advance. In that case, when the printing medium is the lens sheet 10, when the mirror image inverted data stored in the HDD 204 is used to print on the lens sheet recording paper (separate type medium), Conversely, normal format data may be used. If necessary, the data stored in the HDD 204 may be two types of data that are mirror-inverted data and data that is not mirror-inverted.

  Also, if the data to be printed is data that has only been mirror-inverted, the start position is not changed when the data is printed, so that in the case of characters, the left and right are reversed in appearance. In order to avoid this, in the above-described embodiment, the method of setting the print start character of the printer 60 on the opposite side is adopted, but the method of setting the print start position of the printer 60 on the opposite side may be adopted.

  As the printing medium that can be printed by the printer 60, the lens sheet 10, the recording sheet for the lens sheet 10, and the normal printing paper are mentioned. However, the printer 60 can print the lens sheet 10 and the lens. In addition to the recording paper for the sheet 10, only the lens sheet 10 and normal printing paper, the lens sheet 10, the recording paper for the lens sheet 10, and normal printing paper, a CD (Compact Disc), Others may be included. In some cases, the printer 60 may be a normal printing paper other than the lens sheet 10 or the recording paper for the lens sheet 10, such as a postcard, A4 paper, or B5 paper.

  In the above-described embodiment, the detection unit that detects whether the medium to be printed is arranged at the medium insertion port of the conveyance unit is provided. However, it is detected whether the medium is arranged on the conveyance unit. Separate detection means may be provided, or the detection means for detecting whether or not the medium is placed in the medium insertion slot may be used as a detection means for detecting whether or not the medium is arranged in the transport means, or both may be used in combination. good. Further, as the detection means, a mechanical sensor in which the detection body swings is adopted. However, for example, an apparatus including the light emitting unit 22 and the optical sensor 40 may be used as the detection means.

  After detecting the medium by such a detecting means, the control unit 100 converts the data printed by the printer 60 into the direct drawing type medium and the separation type medium having the same original and at least one mirror image of the other. Control may be performed so as to be different by being reversed, or control may be performed to switch each user interface in accordance with the type of medium detected by the detection unit and the printing form.

  Further, after detecting the direct drawing type medium by such detection means, the control unit 100 detects the data printed by the printer 60 as data obtained by mirror-inversion of the printing data for the separation type medium. When the medium detects a medium other than the direct drawing type medium, it is determined whether or not the separation type medium is to be printed. If it is determined to be affirmative, the non-mirror image data that is the basis of the mirror image data is printed. Control using data may be performed.

  In addition, after detecting the printing medium by the detection unit, the control unit 100 may start the inspection of the medium. In this case, the inspection apparatus may be provided separately from the detection means, but may be used in combination. For example, an inspection device including the light emitting unit 22 and the optical sensor 40 may be used as the detection unit. Note that after the medium is inspected, the control unit 100 may perform control to select a user interface suitable for the medium specified by the inspection from a plurality of user interfaces.

  Furthermore, the type of the medium may be inspected by moving the optical sensor 40 that is a part of the detection unit together with the carriage 31 that is a part of the printing unit. Further, by using the optical sensor 40, that is, an optical sensor in which the light emitting unit 22 is disposed on one surface side of the medium and the light receiving unit 43 is disposed on the other surface side, the medium is the lens sheet 10. When the light passes, the control unit 100 may specify the medium as the lens sheet 10. Instead of such a light transmission type, a reflection type optical sensor may be used as a detection means or an inspection device.

  In the above embodiments, the printer 60 is connected to the host computer 200 and receives print data from the host computer 200. However, for example, the present invention is applied to 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. 11 and 12 can be mounted on the printer side.

  Moreover, each step in each processing flow mentioned above and other steps may be programmed as a procedure. The program may be stored in a storage medium such as a CD (Compact Disc), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory so that it can be read by a computer. In this case, the host computer 200 has an external storage device 210 or the like serving as reading means for reading a program in the storage medium. Further, the program may be stored in an external server to which the host computer 200 is connected, downloaded as necessary, and used. In this case, the host computer 200 has communication means for downloading the program in the storage medium.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration example of a printer according to a first 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 showing details of the DC unit and the like shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration example of a host computer illustrated in FIG. 7. FIG. 4 is an example of a module that is realized when a process for printing a change image is executed in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for generating print data. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow in the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the medium selection screen in the user interface performed with the flowchart of FIG. It is a figure which shows the case where the dot which straddles a convex lens generate | occur | produces when printing on a lens sheet. It is a flowchart explaining the processing flow in the printing apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the image file which a content producer produces, (A) shows the form with a several different image for parallax type printing, and the setting file for it, (B) shows with respect to each image FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a type in which information such as a printing method and lens resolution is recorded in each header portion. FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of an image file created by a content producer, where FIG. 5A illustrates a form in which a plurality of images are combined after a header portion that records a printing method for parallax printing, and FIG. The form which comprised the strip image on the horizontal side of each image is shown, (C) is a figure which shows the form which comprised the strip image on the vertical side of each image. It is a figure explaining the principle of the stereoscopic vision by a convex lens.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Lens sheet (direct drawing type medium), 11 Convex lens (lens), 32 Recording head (part of printing means), 40 Optical sensor (part of inspection apparatus), 80 Paper conveyance mechanism (conveyance means), 60 Printer (Part of printing device), 100 control unit (control means), 200 host computer (part of printing device)

Claims (20)

A lens sheet (hereinafter, referred to as “direct-drawing medium”) having a first surface on which a plurality of lenses are formed and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the first. Conveying means for conveying a printing medium (hereinafter referred to as “separation type medium”) disposed opposite to the surface opposite to the surface;
Printing means for scanning the second surface and the surface of the separation-type medium in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of each medium, and printing at least one of a character and an image;
The user interface is switched depending on the type of the medium conveyed by the conveying means, and when the direct drawing type medium is conveyed by the conveying means, the data printed by the printing means is transferred to the separation type medium. The printing data to be printed on is used, mirror image is inverted with respect to the data, and the printing start data is arranged on the opposite side in the scanning direction from the time of printing on the separation type medium. Control means for controlling;
A printing apparatus comprising: A lens sheet (hereinafter, referred to as “direct-drawing medium”) having a first surface on which a plurality of lenses are formed and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the first. Conveying means for conveying a printing medium (hereinafter referred to as “separation type medium”) disposed opposite to the surface opposite to the surface;
Printing means for scanning the second surface and the surface of the separation-type medium in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of each medium, and printing at least one of a character and an image;
Control means for controlling the data printed by the printing means so that the direct drawing type medium and the separation type medium are different from each other by reversing at least a mirror image with respect to the other. When,
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the control unit performs control to switch a user interface according to a type of the medium conveyed by the conveyance unit. A lens sheet (hereinafter, referred to as “direct-drawing medium”) having a first surface on which a plurality of lenses are formed and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the first. Conveying means for conveying a printing medium (hereinafter referred to as “separation type medium”) disposed opposite to the surface opposite to the surface;
Printing means for scanning the second surface and the surface of the separation-type medium in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of each medium, and printing at least one of a character and an image;
Detecting means for detecting the type of the medium when the medium is disposed on the conveying means;
Based on the detection result of the detection means, the data printed by the printing means is the same for the direct-drawing type medium and the separation-type medium, and is different by reversing at least a mirror image with respect to the other. Control means for performing the control intended to be
A printing apparatus comprising:   The control means includes at least a user interface for the direct drawing type medium, a user interface for the separation type medium, and a user interface for a medium other than the direct drawing type medium and the separation type medium. The printing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising: a control unit that switches the user interfaces according to a medium type and a printing form detected by the detection unit. A lens sheet (hereinafter, referred to as “direct-drawing medium”) having a first surface on which a plurality of lenses are formed and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the first. A conveying means for conveying a printing medium (hereinafter referred to as “separate type medium”) disposed opposite to the surface opposite to the surface, and other printing medium;
A printing unit that scans in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of each medium and prints at least one of a character and an image;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the direct-drawing type medium is disposed on the conveying means;
When the detection means detects the direct drawing type medium, the data printed by the printing means is data obtained by mirror-inversion of the printing data for the separation type medium, and the detection means sets the direct drawing type medium. When a medium other than the mold medium is detected, it is determined whether printing is performed on the separation mold medium. When the medium is determined to be affirmative, data that is not mirror-inverted as a basis of the mirror-inverted data is determined as print data. Control means for performing control,
A printing apparatus comprising: A lens sheet (hereinafter referred to as “direct-drawing medium”) having a first surface on which a plurality of lenses are formed and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and other media. Conveying means for conveying
Printing means for scanning the second surface and the surface of the other medium in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction of each medium, and printing at least one of a character and an image;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not a medium to be printed is disposed at a medium insertion port of the conveying means;
Control means for starting inspection of the medium by detection of the detection means and performing control for selecting a user interface suitable for the medium specified by the inspection from a plurality of user interfaces;
A printing apparatus comprising: Conveying means capable of conveying a medium other than paper that is a plurality of types of printing media;
Printing means for printing at least one of characters and images on the surface of the medium;
Detecting means for detecting whether or not a medium to be printed is disposed at a medium insertion port of the conveying means;
Control means for starting inspection of the medium by detection of the detection means and performing control for selecting a user interface suitable for the medium specified by the inspection from a plurality of user interfaces;
A printing apparatus comprising:   The printing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the inspection of the medium is performed by the detection unit moving together with the printing unit.   The detecting means is an optical sensor in which a light emitting portion is disposed on one surface side of the medium and a light receiving portion is disposed on the other surface side, and the medium is a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses on one surface. The printing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein when the light passes, the control unit identifies the medium as the lens sheet.   The printing medium includes a lens sheet having a large number of lenses on one side, and the control unit prints data printed by the printing unit when the lens sheet is conveyed by the conveying unit. At the time of printing on the medium disposed opposite to the other side of the lens sheet, using the printing data for the medium disposed opposite to the lens sheet, reversing the mirror image with respect to the data. 11. The printing apparatus according to claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein control is performed so as to be arranged on the opposite side in the main scanning direction. A first conveying step in which a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface can be conveyed by a conveying means;
A second conveying step in which the lens sheet medium disposed on the other surface side of the lens sheet can be conveyed by the conveying means;
A first printing step capable of printing, on the other surface of the lens sheet, data obtained by mirror-inversion of the data for printing on the lens sheet medium in the first conveying step;
A second printing step capable of printing the non-mirror-inverted data, which is the basis of the mirror-inverted data, on the lens sheet medium in the second transport step, and is executable.
A printing execution step of selecting and executing one of the first printing step and the second printing step, or both printing steps and other printing steps other than the two printing steps;
A printing method characterized by comprising: A first conveying step in which a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface is conveyed by a conveying means;
A second conveying step in which other printing medium other than the lens sheet is conveyed by the conveying means;
A switching step of switching the user interface depending on the type of the printing medium conveyed by the conveying means;
The data printed on each medium is a reversing step in which the lens sheet and the other, the original is the same, but one can be at least a mirror image reversed with respect to the other,
A printing method characterized by comprising: A first conveying step in which a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface is conveyed by a conveying means;
A second conveying step in which other printing medium other than the lens sheet is conveyed by the conveying means;
A detection step of detecting a type of the medium when the printing medium is disposed on the conveying means;
Based on the detection result of the detection step, the data printed on each of the media can be the lens sheet and the other, and the original is the same but at least a mirror image is inverted with respect to the other. An inversion process;
A printing method characterized by comprising:   It further includes a switching step of switching the user interface depending on the type of the printing medium transported by the transporting means, and whether or not the mirror image reversal in the reversing step is automatically executed by the switching of the user interface. The printing method according to claim 14, wherein the printing method is determined. A first transport step in which any one of a plurality of types of printing media is transported by a transport means;
A second transport step in which a medium different from the medium transported in the first transport step and the medium in the plurality of types of printing media is transported by the transport means;
A detection step of detecting whether or not the medium to be transported transported in the first and second transport steps is disposed at a medium insertion port of the transport means;
An inspection process for starting inspection of the transported medium by detection in the detection process and detecting the type of the transported medium;
A step of automatically selecting a user interface suitable for the type of medium from a plurality of user interfaces based on the inspection result in the inspection step;
A printing method characterized by comprising: On the computer,
A first conveying procedure capable of conveying a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface by a conveying means;
A second conveying procedure capable of conveying the lens sheet medium disposed on the other surface side of the lens sheet by the conveying means;
A first printing procedure capable of printing, on the other surface of the lens sheet, data obtained by inverting the mirror image with respect to the printing data of the lens sheet medium in the first conveyance procedure;
In the second printing procedure, the second printing procedure capable of printing the non-mirror-inverted data, which is the basis of the mirror-image reversed data, on the lens sheet medium is made executable.
A print execution procedure for selecting and executing one of the first printing procedure and the second printing procedure, or both printing procedures and other printing procedures other than the printing procedure;
A program for printing. On the computer,
A first conveying procedure in which a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface is conveyed by a conveying unit;
A second transport procedure in which other printing media other than the lens sheet are transported by the transport means;
A switching procedure for switching the user interface depending on the type of the printing medium conveyed by the conveying means;
The reversal procedure that allows the data to be printed on each medium to be obtained by reversing at least a mirror image of one of the lens sheet and the other, while the original is the same.
A program for printing. On the computer,
A first conveying procedure in which a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses formed on one surface is conveyed by a conveying unit;
A second transport procedure in which other printing media other than the lens sheet are transported by the transport means;
A detection procedure for detecting the type of the medium when the printing medium is disposed on the conveying means;
The reversal procedure that allows the data to be printed on each medium to be obtained by reversing at least a mirror image of one of the lens sheet and the other, while the original is the same.
A program for printing. On the computer,
A transport procedure for transporting a plurality of types of printing media and media other than paper;
A printing procedure for printing at least one of characters and images on the surface of the medium;
A detection procedure for detecting whether or not the medium to be printed has been arranged in the medium insertion port of the conveying means;
A selection procedure for starting inspection of the medium by detection in the detection procedure and selecting a user interface suitable for the medium specified by the inspection from a plurality of user interfaces;
A program for printing.

Images