JP2009096103A - Image inspection device, image inspection method and inspection image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image inspection device, an image inspection method and an inspection image forming method, capable of easily obtaining a conveying angle. <P>SOLUTION: The image inspection device is configured to calculate the conveying angle of a lens sheet L through the use of the inspection image printed on the lens sheet L having a plurality of lenses with one longitudinal direction. In the inspection image, a specific line is regarded as a reference line, and respective lines are arranged so that the tilt angle related to the reference line may increase by a prescribed angle as the line is separated farther from the reference line toward one or the other side. The device includes: a scanner means 11B for irradiating the lens sheet L on which the inspection image is printed, with light, reading the light reflected by the lens sheet L and outputting the read image corresponding to the lens sheet L; and a calculating means 11C for calculating the conveying angle of the lens sheet L based on the read image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image inspection apparatus, an image inspection method, and an inspection image creation method.

Among various printing technologies, a large number of cylindrical convex lenses (hereinafter referred to as convex lenses).
Are printed on the recording layer of a lens sheet having lenticular lenses arranged in parallel.
Some of them print (including inspection images). 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. And according to the kind of subdivision image, it becomes possible to make it the photograph (animation) which the image visually recognized is viewed stereoscopically or changes the viewing angle.

By the way, in a printer that performs direct printing on a lens sheet, if the longitudinal direction of an elongated convex lens is bent with respect to the transport direction, an image to be printed on a certain convex lens is printed across the adjacent convex lens. For example, a situation in which printing is not performed accurately occurs. For this reason, it is necessary to calculate a conveyance angle, which is an angular deviation with respect to an angle at which no printing deviation occurs. As such a technique, there is one disclosed in Patent Document 1. Patent Document 1
Prints a test image on a print sheet, reads the test image with a scanner, and calculates the accuracy of the transport angle based on the line at the end of the read image data and the line at the end of the print sheet. Yes.

Utility Model Registration No. 3080053

By the way, the lens sheet is generally formed into A4 size or the like by cutting, but the direction of such a cut end may not coincide with the longitudinal direction of the convex lens. In particular, at the time of cutting, the cutting may be performed in a manner that does not coincide with the longitudinal direction of the convex lens due to the influence of cutting teeth and the like. For this reason, when the conveyance angle is calculated with reference to the edge of the print sheet as described in Patent Document 1, the calculated conveyance angle may not coincide with the longitudinal direction of the convex lens.

  Therefore, a method capable of obtaining a method for obtaining the transport angle more easily is desired.

The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide an image inspection apparatus, an image inspection method, and an inspection image creation method capable of easily obtaining a transport angle. It is.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides an image inspection apparatus for printing an inspection image for calculating a conveyance angle on a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses having one direction as a longitudinal direction. The data is used as the reference line data in the inspection image data, and the inclination angle with respect to the reference line data is increased by a predetermined angle for each line data separated from the reference line data toward one side and the other side. , Line data arrangement means for arranging each line data, and print execution for creating an inspection image by executing printing on the lens sheet based on the inspection image data having each line data defined by the line data arrangement means Means.

In such a configuration, the inspection image data is printed on the lens sheet, and the inspection image is formed on the lens sheet. Here, when a portion straddling adjacent lenticular lenses and a portion along the lenticular lens are generated in the line of the inspection image, a blank is generated in the line due to the condensing / diffusion of the lenticular lens. Therefore, if a line with almost no blank is detected, the conveyance angle associated with the line (the distance of the line data that is the source of the line with respect to the reference line data) is the reference value of the conveyance angle to be obtained. Become. For this reason, the conveyance angle can be easily obtained.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image inspection apparatus that calculates a conveyance angle using an inspection image printed on a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses having one direction as a longitudinal direction. Each line is arranged so that an inclination angle with respect to the reference line increases by a predetermined angle for each line that is separated from the reference line toward each of one side and the other side. A scanner means for irradiating the lens sheet on which the inspection image is printed, reading the light reflected from the lens sheet, and outputting a read image corresponding to the lens sheet; Calculating means for calculating the transport angle.

In such a configuration, the inspection image printed on the lens sheet is read by the scanner unit, and a read image is obtained. Then, the calculation unit calculates the conveyance angle of the lens sheet from the read image. Therefore, the conveyance angle can be automatically calculated, and the user does not need to obtain the conveyance angle using the lens sheet on which the inspection image is printed. As a result, the burden on the user can be reduced.

Furthermore, another invention is an image inspection apparatus for calculating a conveyance angle of a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses whose longitudinal direction is one direction, and specific line data is used as reference line data in inspection image data, Line data arrangement means for arranging each line data so that an inclination angle with respect to the reference line data increases by a predetermined angle for each line data separated from the reference line data toward each of the one side and the other side; A print execution means for creating a test image by executing printing on the lens sheet based on the test image data having each line data defined by the line data arrangement means, and a lens sheet on which the test image is printed Irradiate light, read the light reflected from this lens sheet,
Scanner means for outputting a read image corresponding to the lens sheet, and from the read image,
Calculating means for calculating the conveyance angle of the lens sheet.

In such a configuration, the inspection image data is printed on the lens sheet, and the inspection image is formed on the lens sheet. Then, the inspection image printed on the lens sheet is read by the scanner unit to obtain a read image. And in the calculation means,
From this read image, the conveyance angle of the lens sheet is calculated. Therefore, the conveyance angle can be automatically calculated, and the user does not need to obtain the conveyance angle using the lens sheet on which the inspection image is printed. As a result, the burden on the user can be reduced.

In another invention, in addition to the above-mentioned invention, a terminal symbol having a diameter larger than that of the line width when the line data is printed at the terminal portion of each line data. That is where the data is located.

In this configuration, when printing is performed on the lens sheet based on the inspection image data, the terminal symbol whose inclination of the read image with respect to the print image of the inspection image data is a printing result based on the terminal symbol data Can be easily calculated based on the above. In other words, if there is no terminal symbol, even if a blank is inserted at the end of the light / dark line, there is no mark indicating the terminal end, so the terminal end of the light / dark line may be misrecognized and the transport angle may be misrecognized as a result. It might be. However, by providing the terminal symbol, the inclination of the read image with respect to the print image can be easily calculated, and as a result, the transport angle can be calculated with high accuracy.

Further, according to another invention, an end symbol having a diameter larger than the width dimension of the line is arranged at an end portion of each line, and the calculation means is an inspection image for creating an inspection image. The inclination of the read image with respect to the print image of the data is calculated based on the reading result of the terminal symbol in the read image, and the read image is rotated by this inclination.

When configured in this manner, the inclination of the read image with respect to the print image of the inspection image data can be easily calculated based on the terminal symbol. In other words, if there is no terminal symbol, even if a blank is inserted at the end of the light / dark line, there is no mark indicating the terminal end, so the terminal end of the light / dark line may be misrecognized and the transport angle may be misrecognized as a result. It might be. However, by providing the terminal symbol, the inclination of the read image with respect to the print image can be easily calculated, and as a result, the transport angle can be calculated with high accuracy.

In another invention, in addition to the above-mentioned invention, a terminal symbol having a diameter larger than that of the line width when the line data is printed at the terminal portion of each line data. The data is arranged, and the calculation means calculates the inclination of the read image with respect to the print image of the inspection image data based on the terminal symbol obtained by reading the terminal symbol data in the read image. A process of rotating the read image is performed.

When configured in this manner, the inclination of the read image with respect to the print image of the inspection image data can be easily calculated based on the terminal symbol. In other words, if there is no terminal symbol, even if a blank is inserted at the end of the light / dark line, there is no mark indicating the terminal end, so the terminal end of the light / dark line may be misrecognized and the transport angle may be misrecognized as a result. It might be. However, by providing the terminal symbol, the inclination of the read image with respect to the print image can be easily calculated, and as a result, the transport angle can be calculated with high accuracy.

Further, according to another invention, in addition to each of the above-described inventions, the calculation means determines whether or not the gray level of the pixels constituting the gray line exceeds a predetermined threshold with respect to the gray line in the read image. For the pixel continuation in which only pixels exceeding a predetermined threshold value are continuous, the longest line is identified, this is determined as the longest line, and the inclination angle of the gray line where the longest line exists is relative to the reference line. This is used as a reference value for calculating the transport angle.

In the case of such a configuration, it is determined whether or not the longest line is based on a pixel continuation that is a continuation of only pixels whose gray level exceeds a predetermined threshold. Here, the longest line exists in the light and shade line with the least number of parts straddling the adjacent lenticular lenses. For this reason, the inclination angle of the gray line having the longest line with respect to the reference line becomes the transport angle, and can be used as a reference value in the subsequent processing.

According to another invention, in addition to each of the above-described inventions, the calculation unit may further specify a reverse line that is the longest of those in which a blank position is symmetrical with respect to the longest line in the direction of the light / dark line, and The coincidence rate, which is the ratio of the longest line to the line, is calculated, and this angle difference is added to or subtracted from the reference value based on the relationship between the previously obtained coincidence rate and the angle difference with respect to the longest line.

In such a configuration, an inversely proportional (hyperbolic) asymptote exists in the immediate vicinity of the longest line. Therefore, there is an asymptotic line, that is, a line of the transport angle to be obtained, between the longest line and the reverse line existing at a position (position adjacent to the longest line) sandwiching the inversely proportional (hyperbolic) asymptotic line. To do. Here, if the coincidence rate, which is the ratio of the longest line to the shading line, is obtained, and if the relationship between the coincidence rate and the angle difference with respect to the longest line is obtained in advance, the angle difference can be simply adjusted to the inclination angle corresponding to the longest line Thus, a more accurate conveyance angle can be obtained.

Furthermore, another invention is an image inspection method for calculating a conveyance angle of a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses whose longitudinal direction is one direction in addition to the above-described inventions, and inspects specific line data. Each line so that the inclination angle with respect to the reference line data increases by a predetermined angle for each line data separated from the reference line data toward one side and the other side. A line data arrangement step for arranging data, a print execution step for causing the printing on the lens sheet based on the inspection image data having each line data defined in the line data arrangement step, and creating an inspection image; The lens sheet on which the inspection image is printed by the printing execution process is irradiated with light and reflected from the lens sheet. Read the one in which comprises an image output step of outputting the read image corresponding to the lens sheet, a read image obtained by the image output step, a calculating step of calculating a transport angle of the lens sheet, a.

In such a configuration, the inspection image data is printed on the lens sheet, and the inspection image is formed on the lens sheet. Then, the inspection image printed on the lens sheet is read by the scanner unit to obtain a read image. And in the calculation process,
From this read image, the conveyance angle of the lens sheet is calculated. Therefore, the conveyance angle can be automatically calculated, and the user does not need to obtain the conveyance angle using the lens sheet on which the inspection image is printed. As a result, the burden on the user can be reduced.

Another invention is an inspection image creation method for creating an inspection image for calculating a conveyance angle on a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses having one direction as a longitudinal direction, and inspecting specific line data Each line so that the inclination angle with respect to the reference line data increases by a predetermined angle for each line data separated from the reference line data toward one side and the other side. A line data arrangement step for arranging data, a print execution step for causing the printing on the lens sheet based on the inspection image data having each line data defined in the line data arrangement step, and creating an inspection image; It comprises.

In such a configuration, the inspection image data is printed on the lens sheet, and the inspection image is formed on the lens sheet. Here, when a portion straddling adjacent lenticular lenses and a portion along the lenticular lens are generated in the line of the inspection image, a blank is generated in the line due to the condensing / diffusion of the lenticular lens. Therefore, if a line with almost no blank is detected, the conveyance angle associated with the line (the distance of the line data that is the source of the line with respect to the reference line data) is the reference value of the conveyance angle to be obtained. Become. For this reason, the conveyance angle can be easily obtained.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, an inspection image creating apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. The inspection image creation apparatus 1 includes a printer 10 (corresponding to a print execution unit) and a computer 130.

<About lens sheet>
First, the lens sheet L that is a printing medium will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the lens sheet L includes a lenticular lens L1 located on the surface, and the lenticular lens L1.
1 is provided with an ink absorption layer L2 in contact with the back surface of the ink sheet 1 and an ink transmission layer L3 positioned on the back surface of the lens sheet L. Among these, the lenticular lens L1 has a configuration in which a plurality of cylindrical convex lenses (convex lenses L11) whose longitudinal direction is one direction are arranged in parallel at a constant pitch. In the lenticular lens L1, the convex lens L1 so that the focal point of the light traveling through each convex lens L11 is located on the back surface of the lenticular lens L1.
Preferably, a curvature of 1 is formed.

The ink transmission layer L3 is a portion to which ink droplets ejected from a nozzle (not shown) first adhere, and is a portion through which the attached ink passes. This ink transmission layer L3 is made of fine particles such as titanium oxide, silica gel, PMMA (methacrylic resin), barium sulfate,
Glass fiber, plastic fiber or the like is used as a material. The ink absorption layer L2 is a part that absorbs and / or fixes the ink that has passed through the ink transmission layer L3. The ink absorption layer L2 is formed using, for example, a hydrophilic polymer resin such as PVA (polyvinyl alcohol), a cationic compound, fine particles such as silica, or the like. The lenticular lens L1 is made of PET, PETG, APET, PP, PS, PVC, acrylic, UV resin, or the like.

The ink absorption layer L2 is transparent, and the ink transmission layer L3 is white. However, the ink absorption layer L2 may be white, the ink transmission layer L3 may be transparent, and both the ink transmission layer L3 and the ink absorption layer L2 may be transparent. In the present embodiment, the presence of the ink transmission layer L3 allows the lens sheet L to be touched immediately even after printing. However, the lens sheet L is
You may employ | adopt the structure which does not comprise the ink permeable layer L3.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the lens sheet L in the present embodiment has a rectangular appearance, and the edge of the lens sheet L constituting the rectangular appearance has a convex lens L1.
1 is parallel to the longitudinal direction.

<Overall Configuration of Printer 10>
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10, and is a perspective view of the printer 10 as viewed from the rear. In FIG. 2, the direction of the arrow X, which is the direction in which the lens sheet L as the printing medium travels, is the front (front side), and the opposite direction is the rear (rear side). Also,
The direction of the arrow Y that is the right hand direction from the rear to the front is the right side (right side), and the left hand direction that is the opposite direction is the left side (left side). The following explanation will be given with the direction of the arrow Z as the upper side (upper side) and the opposite direction as the lower side (lower side).

The printer 10 includes a housing 20 that is an exterior body, a sheet guide 30 that supports the lens sheet L from below, and a sheet feeding that conveys the lens sheet L placed on the sheet guide 30 from the rear to the front. A roller 40, a paper discharge roller 41, and a print head 51 that performs recording on the lens sheet L are included.

A paper feed opening 21 for supplying the lens sheet L into the housing 20 is formed on the rear side surface of the housing 20, and the front side surface is supplied from the paper feed opening 21 side. A paper discharge opening 22 for discharging the lens sheet L is formed. The lens sheet L supplied to the printer 10 from the paper feed opening 21 is conveyed forward by the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 and is recorded by the print head 51, and then the paper discharge opening. The paper is discharged from the printer 22 to the outside of the printer 10.

The sheet guide 30 is disposed below the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 and has a rectangular plate-like body as a whole. The sheet guide 30 is provided in the front-rear direction from a position protruding rearward of the paper feed opening 21 to a position between the paper discharge opening 22 and the paper discharge roller 41. Moreover, about the width direction on either side, it is the width | variety which can be supported over the full width of the lens sheet L mounted. The seat guide 30 is attached to the housing 20 or a structure such as an internal frame with a configuration not shown.

The sheet guide 30 includes a substrate 31 and an engaging portion 32. The substrate 31 is a part of a plate-like body formed from a resin or the like, and the same member as the lenticular lens L1 is attached to the upper surface 31A. And the engaging part 32 is formed by this sticking. In the present embodiment, the engaging portion 32 is formed in the same shape as the lenticular lens L1 of the lens sheet L. That is, the ridges 33 having the same shape as the convex lenses L11 forming the lenticular lens L1 are arranged in parallel over the same pitch as the arrangement pitch of the lenticular lenses L1 and wider than the width of the lens sheet L. Further, the longitudinal direction of the ridge 33 is formed along a predetermined conveyance direction of the lens sheet L, that is, a direction orthogonal to the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41.

The engaging portion 32 is formed of the same member as the lenticular lens L1. However, when the substrate 31 is formed by resin molding, a mold surface corresponding to the engaging portion 32 is previously formed on the molding die. Thus, the engaging portion 32 may be formed integrally with the substrate 31. Further, when the engaging portion 32 is integrally molded with the substrate 31, the lens sheet L and the engaging portion 32 are formed by using a resin material forming the substrate 31 as a low friction resin material such as a fluororesin. Thus, the lens sheet L can be transported smoothly. Moreover, you may form the board | substrate 31 with a metal plate. In this case, the engaging portion 32 can be formed by cutting the metal plate.

A paper feed roller 40 and a paper discharge roller 41 are arranged before and after the print head 51. The paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 are rotationally driven by a paper supply motor 42 and a paper discharge motor 43, respectively, and convey the lens sheet L placed on the sheet guide 30 from the rear to the front. To do.

The print head 51 is attached to the lower surface of the carriage 50, and is configured as an ink jet recording head that ejects ink in the present embodiment. The carriage 50 is movably supported by a carriage shaft 52 that extends in the left-right direction, and is attached to a timing belt 54 that is driven by a carriage motor 53. Therefore, when the timing belt 54 is rotationally driven in the left-right direction by the carriage motor 53, the print head 5
1 moves in the left-right direction along the carriage shaft 52.

Ink cartridges 55a and 55b are detachably mounted on the carriage 50. Of these, the ink cartridge 55a is C (cyan), M (magenta),
This is a type in which ink storage portions of three colors of Y (yellow) are integrally provided. Further, the ink cartridge 55b is a type having only an ink storage portion for a single color of K (black). A circuit board 551 is attached to each of the ink cartridges 55a and 55b. The circuit board 551 is, for example, an IC chip or the like, and includes a memory 552 (storage element) that stores information about ink in a writable manner. Examples of the information relating to the ink include ink color type data stored in the ink cartridges 55a and 55b, pigment / dye type ink type data, remaining amount data indicating the remaining amount of ink, serial number data, and expiration date. Data, target model data that can use the ink cartridges 55a and 55b, and the like.

With the above configuration, when recording is performed on the lens sheet L, the lens sheet L is
The lenticular lens L <b> 1 side is placed on the engaging portion 32 of the sheet guide 30. Accordingly, the convex lens L11 and the convex stripe 33 of the lens sheet L are engaged with each other, and the lens sheet L is positioned in the left-right direction (main scanning direction) by the engaging portion 32. Further, the projection 33 is formed so that the longitudinal direction thereof is along the conveyance direction (sub-scanning direction) of the lens sheet L. Therefore, when the lens sheet L is conveyed, the lens sheet L is guided in the sub-scanning direction by the engaging portion 32. In this way, the lens sheet L is maintained in a state where the conveyance direction is maintained constant.
Is transported.

Further, the distance between the paper feed roller 40 and the sheet guide 30 and the distance between the paper discharge roller 41 and the sheet guide 30 are such that an appropriate pressing force can be applied to the lens sheet L from these rollers. It has become. That is, by pressing the lens sheet L against the sheet guide 30, the engagement between the engaging portion 32 and the lenticular lens L1 can be ensured, and conveyance in the left-right direction when the lens sheet L is conveyed. Accuracy, that is, lens sheet L
It is possible to improve the straightness of the conveyance.

Further, for example, when the lens sheet L is curved in the vertical direction, the engagement between the lenticular lens L1 and the engaging portion 32 is easily released. Therefore, by pressing the lens sheet L against the sheet guide 30 by the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41, the engaged state between the curved lenticular lens L1 and the engaging portion 32 can be maintained. . On the other hand, when the lens sheet L is pressed against the sheet guide 30 with a strong force, the lens sheet L and the sheet guide 3 are pressed.
The conveyance load such as friction with zero increases. Accordingly, the sheet feeding roller 40 is operated so that an appropriate pressing force can be applied so that the engagement state between the lenticular lens L1 and the engaging portion 32 can be reliably maintained while considering the conveyance load capable of smoothly conveying the lens sheet L. The interval between the paper discharge roller 41 and the sheet guide 30 is set.

For example, the surfaces of the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 are covered with an elastic thick rubber material so that the surfaces of the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 can be elastically deformed. By configuring the distance between the roller 40 and the sheet guide 30 and the distance between the paper discharge roller 41 and the sheet guide 30 to be narrower than the thickness of the lens sheet L, the paper supply roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 can be used as lenses. The sheet L is pressed against the sheet guide 30. In this configuration, when the lens sheet L passes between the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 and the sheet guide 30, the contact portion of the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 with the lens sheet L The surface is elastically deformed flat. Therefore, by appropriately setting the elasticity and thickness of the rubber material, and the distance between the paper feed roller 40 and the sheet guide 30 and the distance between the paper discharge roller 41 and the sheet guide 30, the lens sheet L It becomes possible to convey smoothly, and the lenticular lens L1 can be pressed against the engaging portion 32 with an appropriate pressing force.

When the surfaces of the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 are configured to be elastically deformable as described above, the interval between the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 and the sheet guide 30 is set to a so-called copy. The lens sheet L can be conveyed while applying the above-mentioned pressing force while setting the interval at which a paper medium such as paper can be conveyed.

While the thickness of a paper medium such as copy paper is about 0.1 mm, the lens sheet L is as thick as about 0.5 mm. Therefore, by setting the interval to a narrow interval that can transport the paper medium, the paper medium can be transported when the transport target is a paper medium. On the other hand, when the object to be conveyed is a thick lens sheet L, the contact portion of the paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 with the lens sheet L is elastically deformed, and the lens sheet L is elastically deformed to the sheet guide 30 by the rubber material. It can be transported while being pressed by a reaction force.

The paper feed roller 40 and the paper discharge roller 41 are provided longer than the width of the lens sheet L, and can press the lens sheet L uniformly against the engaging portion 32 over a wide range.
The engagement state between the lenticular lens L1 and the engagement portion 32 can be further ensured.

<Configuration of control unit>
As shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, an R
OM (Read Only Memory) 102, RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, EEPRO
M (Electronically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 104, ASIC (Application
Specific Integrated Circuit) 105, cartridge controller 106, communication I / F
107, a head driver 108, a motor driver 109, and the like. These are connected so that data can be transmitted and received between them.

Among these, the CPU 101 is a part that executes various arithmetic processes in accordance with programs stored in the ROM 102 and the EEPROM 104 and controls each part of the printer 10.
The ROM 102 stores a control program for controlling the printer 10 and data necessary for processing. The RAM 53 is a memory that temporarily stores a program being executed by the CPU 101 or data being calculated. The EEPROM 104 is
It is a memory for storing various data that needs to be retained even after the printer 10 is turned off. Note that the ROM 102 and the EEPROM 104 also have a program similar to the printer driver program 134c described later.

The ASIC 105 is a dedicated IC for driving the print head 51 and various motors based on signals from various sensors (not shown). Based on a command from the CPU 101, the cartridge controller 106 is a memory 5 that exists in the cartridges 55a and 55b.
52 is a part for controlling access to 52. Specifically, the cartridge controller 106 stores the ink color type data, the pigment / dye type ink type data, the remaining amount data indicating the remaining amount of ink, the serial number data, the expiration date data, the ink cartridge from the memory 552. The target model data that can use 55a and 55b is read out. Further, the cartridge controller 106 is configured such that when the print head 51 is driven and ink droplets are ejected,
The ink remaining amount data is updated according to the ejection amount.

The communication I / F 107 is connected to the computer 130 via a connector (not shown) to perform communication. Accordingly, when the printer 10 receives the print signal PS from the computer 130 side, the printer 10 starts processing for printing based on the print signal PS. Further, the computer 130 receives information about the ink in each of the cartridges 55a and 55b from the printer 10 via the communication I / F 107. Thereby, the computer 13
On the 0 side, a display window described later can be displayed on the screen.

In addition, the head driver 108 generates a predetermined voltage in response to a command from the ASIC 105 and applies the voltage to the piezo element in the print head 51. The motor driver 109 is A
A predetermined voltage is generated in response to a command from the SIC 105, and the voltage is supplied to each motor 42, 43,
53 is applied.

<Schematic configuration of computer>
As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 10 is connected to a computer 130 via a communication I / F 107.
It is connected to the. The computer 130 includes a CPU 131, a ROM 132, a RAM 1
33, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 134, a video circuit 135, an interface 136, a display device 137, and the like. Among these, the HDD 134 stores an image processing program 134a (corresponding to the claim program) for processing an image corresponding to the printing of the lens sheet L. The image processing program 134a
Is read and executed by the computer 130, each procedure is executed.

Here, the image processing program 134a creates inspection image data that becomes a print image as shown in FIG. In the image processing program 134a, the print image of the inspection image data on the lens sheet L is displayed on the display window of the image processing program 134a. At this time, what is displayed in the display window is ideal with no deviation in the transport angle. In the printing for detecting the conveyance angle, the size of the lens sheet L such as A4 size is designated in order to form inspection image data. When the print image displayed in FIG. 6 is printed on the lens sheet L, the state shown in FIG. 7 is obtained.

By the way, the print image displayed in the display window is composed of line data Ln. Among the plurality of line data Ln, reference line data LA that is accurately aligned with respect to the longitudinal direction of the print image is arranged at the center in the width direction of the print image. An equal number of line data Ln is arranged on the left and right sides of the reference line data LA. By the way, on the left side of the center reference line data LA, as they are separated from the reference line data LA one by one, clockwise with respect to the transport direction,
For example, the respective line data Ln are arranged in a state in which the inclination angle sequentially increases in increments of 0.01 degrees. On the other hand, on the right side of the reference line data LA, as it is separated from the reference line data LA one by one, in a state where the inclination angle sequentially increases counterclockwise, for example, in increments of 0.01 degrees, Each line data Ln is arranged.

There are the following two typical arrangements of the line data Ln. The first is line data L at one end (upper end in FIG. 6) of each line data Ln.
In the state where the distance between n is equal, the distance between the line data Ln is increased toward the lower side. In this arrangement, the distance between the line data Ln at the other end (the lower end in FIG. 6) of the line data Ln is not equal. The second arrangement of the line data Ln is a case where all the line data Ln are arranged so as to pass through the virtual center point shown in FIG. In this case, the adjacent line data Ln are arranged at different angles by, for example, 0.01 degrees. Therefore, on the arc centered on the virtual center point, the interval between adjacent line data Ln is equal, but in the print image shown in FIG. 6, one end (upper end in FIG. 6) and the other end (lower end in FIG. 6). In any of the cases, the interval between the adjacent line data Ln is not constant and varies depending on the location.

The CPU 131 performs calculations so as to be any one of the arrangements of the line data Ln as described above, and the locus of the line data Ln is drawn on the print image based on the calculation results. The arrangement of the line data Ln may be other than the above two cases.

In the image processing program 134a, line data Ln arranged as described above is used.
Determine the color of each. The color here is a color that takes into account the remaining amount of the ink cartridge 55a. The color of the line data Ln is determined for each line data Ln. For example, the color of the line data Ln is determined so that the color changes from the left side to the right side.

In the display window, the line data Ln is displayed in the RGB system, whereas the printer 10 performs printing in the CMYK system. Therefore, when the display window is displayed with 256 gradations of RGB, cyan is (R, G, B) = (0, 255, 255), and magenta is (R, G, B) = (255, 0, 255), yellow is (R, G, B) = (255,
255, 0) and black are displayed as (R, G, B) = (0, 0, 0).

In addition, the HDD 134 of the computer 130 stores a video driver program 134b and a printer driver program 134c for driving the video circuit 135. The video driver program 134b is a program for driving the video circuit 135. For example, after performing gamma processing or white balance adjustment on the inspection image data supplied from the image processing program 134a, the video signal Is generated and supplied to the display device 137 for display.

In addition, the printer driver program 134c stores a predetermined operating system (O
S), and CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yel) is used for inspection image data created by the image processing program 134a.
low, Black) Color conversion processing for converting to color system print data, and further, halftone processing and rasterization processing for print data represented by the CMYK color system are performed, and the print signal PS is sent to the printer 10 side. Is output.

<About printing operation>
A case where printing is performed on the lens sheet L using the inspection image creation apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described based on the flow of FIG.

When the inspection image is printed on the lens sheet L based on the inspection image data for detecting the conveyance angle shown by the print image as shown in FIG. 6, prior to the printing, the user performs an image processing program. 134a is activated. When the image processing program 134a is activated, the user designates the size of the lens sheet L prior to starting printing. Then, the user starts processing for executing printing based on the detection image data.

Then, the image processing program 134a starts the arrangement process of the line data Ln as described above. Thereby, the line data L as shown in the print image of FIG.
Inspection image data having n arrangements is created (S10; corresponding to the line data arrangement procedure and the line data arrangement process). Along with the creation of the image data, the CPU 131 sets an initial value of the number of lines in the created inspection image data (S11).

Subsequently, the cartridge controller 106 includes a computer 130 and a CPU 101.
From the memory 552 of the ink cartridge 55a (three-color integrated type)
Read ink remaining amount data related to the ink remaining amount. And among the read data,
The ink remaining amount data is transmitted from the printer 10 to the computer 130. When the ink remaining amount data is displayed on the display device 137 of the computer 130, the state shown in FIG. Then, the computer 130 checks the remaining amounts of inks of C, M, Y, and K (S12; corresponding to the remaining ink amount detection procedure and the remaining ink amount detection step).

After this confirmation, it is first determined whether or not the number of remaining lines of the line data Ln is greater than 0 (S13; corresponding to determination procedure and determination step). In this determination, the number of remaining lines is 0.
If it is determined that it is larger (Yes), one of the colors is selected based on the remaining ink amount (S14; corresponding to part of the color selection procedure and part of the color selection process). Here, an example of selection based on the remaining amount of ink is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, when the cyan ink remaining amount is 1029, the magenta ink remaining amount is 1060, and the yellow ink remaining amount is 1011, magenta having the largest ink remaining amount is selected. As described above, in S14, a process of selecting a color having the largest remaining ink amount is performed. In addition, the color selection result is obtained by the RAM 133 or the CPU 13.
The selected color and the number of times of selection are associated with each other and stored in a storage part such as one register.

If any color is selected in S14, then the remaining number of lines is reduced by 1 and updated (S15; corresponding to part of the color selection procedure and part of the color selection process). The updated number of lines is stored in the RAM 133, the register of the CPU 131, or the like. Also,
When the update of the number of lines is completed, the process returns to the determination of S13 again.

If the number of remaining lines is 0 in the determination of S13 (No), it is determined that the color selection based on the remaining ink amount is completed. Therefore, as the next processing, the color of each line data Ln is changed in the print image shown in FIG. 6 (S16; corresponding to the color determination procedure and the color determination step). For example, the color of each line data Ln may be changed to cyan, magenta, and yellow sequentially from the left line data Ln. Further, in accordance with the order of the colors, the color of the reference line data LA located in the center is determined, the left color of the reference line data LA is determined, and then the right color of the reference line data LA is determined. The color of the line data Ln may be alternately determined with the reference line data LA interposed therebetween.

Here, FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the selected color and the remaining amount of ink when the flow of FIG. 9 is repeated until the number of lines becomes 0 with the initial value of the number of lines being 10. FIG.
In the initial state, the remaining amount of magenta ink is the largest at 1060, so the selected color is magenta. In this example, the ink consumption per line of cyan, magenta, and yellow is 15, and after the color is determined, the ink consumption of 15 is subtracted from the ink remaining amount of the corresponding color. Yes. When the remaining number of lines becomes zero, FIG.
End the flow.

Then, the color of each line data Ln is determined (changed) by the process of S16.
When printing is executed later, an inspection image as shown in FIG. 7 is formed on the lens sheet L.

<Measurement of tilt angle>
Further, the measurement of the tilt angle based on the inspection image can be performed as follows. When the inspection image recorded on the lens sheet L is viewed from the lenticular lens L1 side by the printer 10 as shown in FIG. 7, the line data Ln is along the generatrix (ridgeline) of the convex lens L11 of the lenticular lens L1. The recorded reference line LB can be visually recognized as one continuous line. On the other hand, since the lines that are not recorded along the generatrix of the convex lens L11 are recorded over the plurality of convex lenses L11, they are discontinuous (divided) lines such as the line LC.

Therefore, in the line, the inclination angle of the line LC corresponding to the reference line LB that can be seen in one line via the lenticular lens L1 is set to the inclination between the guide direction of the engaging portion 32 and the predetermined conveyance direction. It can be measured as a corner. Then, a process (correction process) for rotating the inspection image data based on the measured inclination angle is performed. By recording the image on the lens sheet L based on the image data after the correction processing, the image can be recorded at a predetermined position even when the lens sheet L is conveyed obliquely.

In the measurement described above, one type of inspection image in which lines are formed at an inclination angle of 0.01 degrees is used, but two types of inspection images with different amounts of change in the inclination angle are used. The inclination angle may be measured. For example, a first inspection image in which lines are formed at an inclination angle of 0.05 degrees is recorded on the lens sheet L, and when this inspection image is viewed through the lenticular lens L1, the length of one line is the longest. Identify long lines. Next, a second inspection image is formed on another lens sheet L in which lines are formed at an inclination angle of 0.01 degrees to the left and right with the inclination angle of the line as the center. When the second inspection image is viewed through the lenticular lens L1, the line having the longest length of one line is specified. The inclination angle of this line is set to the engaging portion 32.
It can be measured as an inclination angle between the guide direction and the predetermined transport direction.

<Effects of application of the present invention>
According to the above configuration, the remaining amount of ink is detected in S12, and in S14, the color ink having the largest remaining ink amount is selected from the detected remaining ink amounts (corresponding to color selection). Since the selection of the color is repeated until the number of lines becomes zero in the determination of S13,
It is possible to reliably eliminate unevenness in the remaining amount of ink between the ink storage portions of the ink cartridge 55a.

Therefore, in a type in which cyan, magenta, and yellow are integrated (three-color integrated type) such as the ink cartridge 55a, only the consumption of ink of a specific color increases.
Such a problem can be prevented and all the colors of the ink cartridge 55a can be used up. Therefore, it becomes economical for the user and the convenience is improved.

In addition, printing is performed on the lens sheet L based on the inspection image data in which the line data Ln is arranged so that the inclination angle increases by a predetermined angle with respect to the reference line data LA, thereby forming an inspection image. Therefore, the inclination angle of the convex lens L11 with respect to the conveyance direction of the lens sheet L can be calculated by using the inspection image.

Furthermore, in the processing in S16, the color of the line data Ln may be sequentially determined from one side (for example, the left side in FIG. 6) of the line data Ln to the other side (for example, the right side in FIG. 6). . When configured in this way, the color of the line data Ln can be easily determined.

In the process in S16, the color of the line data Ln may be sequentially determined in the order of the color selected in the process in S14. When configured in this way, it is possible to easily determine the color arrangement of the line data Ln.

Further, the line data Ln may be arranged with an equal interval between one end side (for example, the upper end side in FIG. 6) between the adjacent line data Ln. In this case, since the intervals of all the line data Ln are equal on one end side of the line data Ln, the conveyance angle can be easily obtained by making this interval correspond to the lens pitch.

Further, all the line data Ln may be arranged in a state of passing through the virtual center point shown in FIG. In that case, the line data Ln are in a state of being separated by an equal angle. Thereby,
Even though they are arranged at equal angles, the interval between the line data Ln is slightly narrowed at one end side (for example, the upper end side) of the line data Ln, so that it is possible to correspond to the arrangement of more line data Ln.

<Second Embodiment>
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, the description of the same configuration as that described in the first embodiment will be omitted and the same reference numerals will be used.

The image inspection apparatus 2 in this embodiment forms a test image on the lens sheet L by the test image creation apparatus 1 described in the first embodiment, and then scans the test image with a scanner function described later. Read by the section 11B, when the conveyance angle of the lens sheet L (a specific line along the longitudinal direction of the lenticular lens L1 in the print image is printed on the lens sheet L, the printed image of the specific line is the specific lenticular lens L1. The angle made with respect to the longitudinal direction) is calculated.

As shown in FIG. 12, the image inspection apparatus 2 includes a composite apparatus 11 and a computer 130, and the composite apparatus 11 includes a printer function unit 11A and a scanner function that constitutes a part of the scanner unit. This is a printer having a plurality of functions such as a so-called multi-function machine, including the unit 11B. Among these, the printer function unit 11A is the same as the configuration in the first embodiment described above, except for the printer ASIC (ASIC 105 in the first embodiment). Therefore, description of each component of the printer function unit 11A is omitted.

Moreover, the composite apparatus 11 in the present embodiment has a main control unit 11C. The main control unit 11C includes the CPU 101 and the ROM of the control unit 100 in the first embodiment described above.
102, RAM 103, PROM 104, etc., and these and printer ASIC
105, a scanner ASIC or the like is connected to be able to transmit and receive data alternately via a transmission line such as a bus. The main control unit 11C is a part that functions as a calculation unit together with the computer 130. However, when only the main control unit 11C can perform the processing shown in the flow of FIG. 15 to be described later, the main control unit 11C functions as a calculation unit.

The scanner function unit 11B functions as a scanner unit when combined with the main control unit 11C. The scanner function unit 11B includes a scanner ASIC 200, a scanner mechanism unit 210, a scanning unit 220, a light emitting unit 230, an optical unit 240, and a light receiving unit 250. Among these, the scanner ASIC 200 includes the scanning unit 220 / light receiving unit 25.
This is a part that controls the operation of 0 or the like, and the read data read by the light receiving unit 250 is converted into RA.
The data is stored in the scanner area 103b of M103.

The scanner mechanism unit 210 includes a housing 212 that encloses / supports the scanning unit 220 and the like, and a glass surface 212 on which the lens sheet L is placed while being supported on the upper side of the housing 212.
a. The glass surface 212a is provided larger than the size of the lens sheet L to be read. The scanning unit 220 has the same configuration as the printer function unit 11A described above, and a part of the scanning unit 220 is fixed to the carriage 221, a guide rail 222 for guiding the movement of the carriage 221, and the carriage 221. An endless belt 223, and a motor 2 for providing a driving force for moving the carriage 221 via the belt 223
24 etc.

Further, as shown in FIG. 13, a long light emitting unit 230 is provided on the upper surface of the carriage 221. For example, a long slit 221a is provided on the upper surface of the carriage 221, and the light irradiated to the lens sheet L is guided to the inside of the carriage 221 through the slit 221a. An optical unit 240 is provided inside the carriage 221. The optical unit 240 includes a plurality of mirrors 241 and a lens unit 24.
It consists of two. The light emitted from the lens unit 242 via the optical unit 240 is collected on the light receiving unit 250.

The light receiving unit 250 is a line CCD configured such that a plurality of CCDs (Charge Coupled Devices) are arranged in a line so as to be long in the sub-scanning direction. This line CC
D generates an analog current according to the amount of light received, and the analog current is digitized via an AD converter (not shown) to output digital data corresponding to the read image. In this case, the digital data is equal to the number of CCD pixels (color C including filters of each color
In the case of a CD, a read image as image data corresponding to the image to be read is created by integrating in the main scanning direction for each of the RGB pixels).

In the main control unit 11C, the ROM 102 stores an image conversion program 102a. The image conversion program 102a calculates, for example, pixel level data relating to a gray level in pixel data existing in a predetermined scanning direction or all pixel data in a read image stored in the RAM 102 and obtained by reading the lens sheet L, and In this light / dark level information, it is determined whether the light / dark level exceeds a specified threshold value, and depending on whether the light / dark level of specific pixel data exceeds a specified threshold value, the pixel data is A process (binarization process) is performed to make pixel data of any two shades of density. The light / dark level information may be calculated based on, for example, a spectral distribution calculated.

Then, binarization processing is performed on all pixel data, and processing for converting the read image into data of two gradations is performed. Then, based on the read image of the two gradations, processing by the angle calculation program 102b described below is performed.

The ROM 102 also has an angle calculation program 102b and angle calculation data 102c.
(The table shown in FIG. 19 and the like) are stored. Based on the angle calculation program 102b and the angle calculation data 102c, processing as shown in the flow of FIG. 15 is executed, and the inclination angle of the convex lens L11 with respect to the conveyance direction of the lens sheet L is determined from the read image obtained by reading the lens sheet L. Calculated.

In the present embodiment, the inspection image printed on the lens sheet L to be read (same for the read image read by the scanner function unit 11B) corresponds to the conveyance angle as shown in FIG. An angle numerical value Ld and a terminal symbol Le are provided. Angle value Ld
Is the reference line LB accurately along the data with respect to the longitudinal direction of the print image in the first embodiment described above is 0.00, and on the left side of the reference line LB, the reference line LB is 1 from the reference line LB. As the distance between the lines increases, the absolute value of the angle numerical value increases in the negative direction sequentially, for example, in increments of 0.01 degrees. Conversely, on the right side of the reference line LB, the reference line LB
Each angle value is arranged in a state where the absolute value of the angle value increases in the positive direction sequentially, for example, in increments of 0.01 degrees as they are separated from each other.

Further, the termination symbol Le is a symbol indicating the termination in each line data Ln.
That is, when the inspection image is read, the line LC extending between adjacent convex lenses L11 is
Many are discontinuous due to white space. Here, if a blank reaches the end of the line LC, the end position of the line LC becomes unclear in the process of S22 described later, and it is difficult to perform image rotation. Therefore, a termination symbol Le is provided at the end of the line LC in order to clarify the end position of the line LC. As the termination symbol Le, for example, a black circle whose diameter is sufficiently larger than the width dimension of the line data Ln may be used in order to improve the recognition in the scanner function unit 11B (see FIG. 14). 14 includes a terminal symbol Le1 on the upper end side and a terminal symbol Le2 on the lower end side.

<Regarding the processing for calculating the transport angle>
Hereinafter, a processing flow for automatically calculating the inclination angle of the convex lens L11 with respect to the conveyance direction of the lens sheet L will be described with reference to FIG.

Note that the inspection image is printed on the lens sheet L and does not have a blank to be described later. However, the read image obtained by reading the inspection image with the scanner function unit 11B is in a state where a blank is generated in each line LC of the inspection image. This is due to the fact that it appears to be blank due to the difference in level of shading of each pixel. For this reason, in the following description:
A line-shaped portion (corresponding to the line LC of the inspection image) where a blank is generated in the read image that has been read will be described as a light and dark line LF.

First, a lens sheet L is placed on the glass surface 212a, and a scanning operation for reading the lens sheet L is executed (S20). Thereby, a read image is obtained, and the read image is stored in the scanner area of the RAM 102. In addition, after reading, the read image is binarized to generate a read image with two gradations (S21).

Subsequently, image rotation processing is performed on the read image of two gradations by the angle calculation program 102b (S22). In S22, the layout angle of the read image is returned to the same inclination as that of the print image. Here, this inclination includes both the angular deviation of printing in the state where the lens sheet L is being conveyed and the inclination of the lens sheet L when the scanner is set. In S22, specifically, each terminal symbol Le is set to be parallel to the horizontal direction in the print image.

Here, the inclination angle in the read image is calculated using a line A1 passing through the terminal symbol Le1 in FIG. 14 and passing through the points P and Q and a line A2 extending from the point P along the horizontal direction. can do. That is, by drawing a perpendicular from the line A1 to the line A2,
A right triangle PQR is formed, and from this right triangle PQR, the misalignment angle is θ = ATAN
(QR length / PR length) × 180 / π or the like. And
The read image is rotated by the calculated θ (see FIG. 16). In FIG. 16, squares are displayed, but these squares are not displayed as a result of reading the read image.

Subsequently, the angle calculation program 102b grasps the correspondence between the read density line LF and the conveyance angle indicated by the density line LF (S23). Here, the angle calculation program 102b recognizes the numerical value of the angle numerical value Ld by OCR processing or other methods possessed by the angle calculation program 102b based on the read image to read this correspondence. Further, the value of the X coordinate of the light and dark line LF corresponding to the angle numerical value Ld is also recognized. The X coordinate value is preferably the X coordinate value of the terminal symbol Le1, for example. Then, the RAM 102 or the PROM 104 is stored as a table as shown in FIG. 17 from the number of the angle numerical value Ld and the X coordinate value of the light and dark line LF.

Next, the longest line LG is detected based on the table shown in FIG. 18 (S24). In this detection, a survey line LH for survey (see FIG. 14) is created from the terminal symbol Le1 to the terminal symbol Le2 prior to specifying the longest line LG. Then, on the survey line LH, colored (highly dark) pixels among the binarized pixels constituting the light and dark line LF are counted. At the same time, when a continuous line of colored (high density) pixels is regarded as one line, how many lines are present (that is, the light and dark line LF is the number of continuous pixels (hereinafter referred to as pixel). It is set as continuous LI.). In addition, along with this detection, it is also detected whether one or both of the terminal symbol Le1 and the terminal symbol Le2 is connected to the pixel continuation LI.

These detection results are stored in the RAM 102 or PROM 104 as a table as shown in FIG. From the table shown in FIG. 18, the longest line LG is specified as the longest line continuous LI including only one continuous pixel LI. Further, in the case shown in FIG. 6 is required to be the longest line LG.

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the longest line LG specified in S24 is the same as the length of the correct answer line LJ (S25). Here, the correct answer line LJ refers to a line having no blank from the terminal symbol Le1 to the terminal symbol Le2 (that is, a line having the same length as the survey line LH). In FIG. 18, the longest line LG has a conveyance angle of 0.00 and 585.
Since the correct line LJ is 254 mm and 650 pixels, the length of the longest line LG is 228.6 mm (254 mm × 585 pixels / 650 pixels).
From the above, in FIG. 18, the longest line LG and the correct answer line LJ are not the same, so in this case, No is selected and the process proceeds to S26. If it is determined in S25 that the longest line LG and the correct answer line LJ are the same, the process proceeds to S28 described later.

If it is determined No in S25, a light / dark line LF (hereinafter referred to as an inversion line LK) in which the upper and lower appearances are reversed with respect to the longest line LG is detected (S26).
. Here, generally, a locus drawn by a blank (a portion where the pixel density is light; a colorless pixel among the binarized pixels) crossing the light and dark line LF is a curve that approximates a hyperbola (a curve that is inversely proportional). It is in a state of drawing. Moreover, when considering from the position of the blank, the asymptotic line exists between the longest line LG and one of the adjacent gray lines LF. Therefore, in the detection of S26, it is determined which of the longest lines LG the next light and dark line LF is the reverse line LK in which the upper and lower appearances are reversed. In the tables of FIGS. 16 and 18, the 0.05-degree light and dark line LF becomes the inversion line LK.

Subsequently, the conveyance angle is estimated (S27). Here, the longest line LG is the light and dark line L
In F, the pixel continuous LI with the smallest blank occupying ratio is shown, and the inversion line LK has the pixel LI with the smallest blank occupying the longest line LG, although the blank position is upside down. It is. The locus drawn by the blank across the longest line LG and the asymptote of the locus drawn by the blank across the inversion line LK are curves that approximate a hyperbola (curve that is inversely proportional), and these asymptotes are correct lines. LJ, which is considered to exist between the longest line LG and the inversion line LK.

Therefore, the correct line LJ is estimated based on the table shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. FIG. 20 is an image of the table shown in FIG. 19 and shows an inverted state. FIG. 19 shows the angular difference between the longest line LG and the correct answer line LJ. S24
The conveyance angle is obtained by adding / subtracting this angle difference to / from the longest line LG obtained in (1). Here, the determination of whether to add or subtract the angle difference is made by comparing the magnitude relationship between the conveyance angle of the longest line LG and the conveyance angle of the reverse line LK. For example, when the transport angle of the longest line LG> the transport angle of the reverse line LK, the transport angle = the angle of the longest line LG−the angle difference. Further, when the transport angle of the longest line LG <the transport angle of the reverse line LK, the transport angle = the angle of the longest line LG + the angle difference.

Here, the blank has a substantially constant length dimension, but as shown in FIGS. 7 and 20, etc., the entire length dimension of the blank is very close to the correct answer line LJ (asymptotic line). , Shade line LF
Can not cross, only part will cross. In addition, the lower the rate of crossing the blank, the closer to the correct line LJ (asymptotic line).

Therefore, the relationship between the proportion of the blank with respect to the length of the correct answer line LJ and the conveyance angle is investigated in advance and is tabulated as shown in FIG.
A conveyance angle corresponding to the longest line LG detected at 24 is obtained. In the example of FIG. 18, S24
, The length of the longest line LG is required to be 228.6 mm. Therefore, FIG.
When the transport angle corresponding to 228.6 mm is obtained from the table of 0.015 degrees, it is 0.015 degrees.

Note that each value in the table shown in FIG. 19 may be obtained by measuring the length of the light and dark line LF with respect to the conveyance angle with a ruler or by measuring the image. Further, in order to reduce the load when the table shown in FIG. 19 is created, an approximate curve is obtained based on the coordinate point composed of the transport angle and the length, and the lengths for other transport angles are approximately calculated. You may do it. Further, as shown in the table of FIG. 19, if items such as “matching rate with correct line LJ” are provided and the ratio of the longest line LG to the correct line LJ is obtained for each misalignment angle, the correct line Even if the length dimension of the LJ changes, it is possible to take measures.

When the processing of S27 is performed and when it is determined Yes in S24, the obtained transport angle is stored in a storage part such as the RAM 102 or the PROM 104 (S28).

Then, based on the determined transport angle, the image data to be printed on the lens sheet L is rotated by the transport angle. Then, in the print image printed on the lens sheet L, the influence of the conveyance angle can be canceled.

<Effects of application of the present invention>
According to the image inspection apparatus 2 in the second embodiment as described above, the inspection image printed on the lens sheet L is read by the scanner function unit 11B, and a read image is obtained. Then, the conveyance angle of the lens sheet L is calculated from the read image. Therefore, the conveyance angle can be automatically calculated, and the user does not need to obtain the conveyance angle using the lens sheet L on which the inspection image is printed. As a result, the burden on the user can be reduced.

Further, the inclination of the read image with respect to the print image of the inspection image data is represented by the terminal symbol L.
It can be easily calculated based on e. In other words, when there is no terminal symbol Le, there is no mark indicating the terminal end even if a blank space is reached at the terminal end of the light and dark line, so that the terminal end of the light and dark line is erroneously recognized, and as a result, the conveyance angle may be erroneously recognized. It can happen. However, by providing the terminal symbol, the inclination of the read image with respect to the print image can be easily calculated, and as a result, the transport angle can be calculated with high accuracy.

Further, it is determined whether or not the longest line LG is based on a pixel continuation LI that is a continuation of only pixels whose gray level exceeds a predetermined threshold. Here, since the longest line LG is present in the light and dark line LF that has the least number of portions straddling the adjacent lenticular lens L1, the inclination angle of the light and dark line LF in which the longest line LG exists with respect to the reference line LB becomes the transport angle. Thus, it can be used as a reference value in subsequent processing.

Further, in the present embodiment, the inversion line LK is specified, the coincidence rate that is the ratio of the longest line LG to the light and dark line LF is calculated, and the relationship between the previously obtained coincidence rate and the angular difference with respect to the longest line LG is calculated. The angle difference corresponding to the reference value is adjusted. Therefore, the coincidence rate, which is the ratio of the longest line LG to the light and shade line LF, is obtained, and the coincidence rate and the longest line L
If the relationship of the angle difference with respect to G is obtained in advance, it is possible to obtain a more accurate conveyance angle only by adding or subtracting the angle difference to the inclination angle corresponding to the longest line LG.

Further, the reading resolution in the scanner function unit 11B may not be so high. That is, when the conveyance angle is examined with the lenticular lens L1 as a reference, a resolution that allows the streaks of the lenticular lens L1 to be visible is required. For example, a resolution of at least 2400 dpi is required to discriminate the streaks of the 60 lpi lenticular lens L1. However, in the present invention, it is not necessary to determine the streak of the lenticular lens L1, and therefore the scanner function unit 11B can be used with a low resolution such as 50 dpi. As a result, the file size of the read image need not be increased, and the processing speed can be increased.

<Modification>
Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention can be variously modified. This will be described below.

As in the above-described second embodiment, the scanner function unit 11B may be used to automatically calculate the conveyance angle. However, the lens sheet L on which the inspection image is printed may be used for the user. The conveyance angle may be calculated visually. Here, in the case of visual inspection by the user, if a line straddling the adjacent lenticular lens L1 and a part along the lenticular lens L1 are generated in the line of the inspection image, the line is caused to be condensed / diffused by the lenticular lens L1. A blank is generated. Therefore, if a line with almost no blank is detected, the conveyance angle associated with the line (the distance of the line data that is the source of the line with respect to the reference line data) is the reference value of the conveyance angle to be obtained. Become. Therefore, the conveyance angle can be easily obtained by visual observation.

In the first embodiment described above, the ink cartridge 55a is a three-color integrated type in which ink storage portions for three colors are integrated. However, the type of the ink cartridge is not limited to this type, and may be configured such that ink storage portions for four colors or more are integrated.

Instead of the integrated type in which three or more colors are integrated as described above, an independent ink cartridge having only a single color ink storage unit may be used. In addition, when using a stand-alone ink cartridge, the number of colors of the ink cartridge is not limited to four colors, but six colors, seven
Any number of colors such as colors or 8 colors may be used. For example, in the case of six colors, in addition to the above four color ink cartridges, LC (light cyan) and LM (light magenta) ink cartridges are used. Moreover, regardless of whether it is a stand-alone type or a three-color integrated type, the ink filled in the ink cartridge may be any kind of ink such as dye-based ink or pigment-based ink.

In the first embodiment described above, printing is performed for each line data Ln by using ink droplets stored in one ink storage unit alone. However, when printing is performed based on each line data Ln, printing of each line data Ln may be performed using ink droplets stored in a plurality of ink storage units. For example, after the inspection image is formed on the lens sheet L, the line data Ln is formed with intermediate colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black so that the difference in the remaining amount of each ink cartridge 55 becomes uniform. May be.

In addition, when using an independent ink cartridge, if the remaining amount of ink in any one of the ink cartridges is significantly reduced compared to other ink cartridges, the reduced ink cartridge is: It will be replaced soon. Here, before and after the replacement of the ink cartridge, the state changes drastically from a state where the remaining amount of ink is exhausted to a full state. Therefore, a threshold value for the remaining ink level is set, and if the remaining ink level is much lower than the set threshold value, this ink cartridge is replaced quickly (after replacing the ink cartridge). )
Therefore, it may be controlled to use it intensively.

In the first embodiment described above, when the three-color integrated ink cartridge 55a is used, the ink cartridge 55b in which black ink is stored is not used. However, in consideration of the remaining amount of ink of each color of the ink cartridge 55a and the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 55b, control may be performed so as to eliminate the unevenness of the remaining amount of ink between the two.

Further, in the first embodiment described above, in the ink cartridge 55a, in order to eliminate the uneven consumption of ink of the three colors of cyan, magenta, and yellow, the line data Ln is stored in any of these three colors. Based on the printing (line formation). However,
When the formed line is colored yellow, it is difficult to see. Therefore, printing may be executed only with cyan and magenta.

In the above-described first embodiment, the case where the printer 10 and the computer 130 are empty is described for the inspection image creation apparatus 1, but the inspection image creation apparatus is configured only by the printer 10. You may do it.

In the above-described second embodiment, the case where the composite apparatus 11 including the printer function unit 11A and the scanner function unit 11B is used has been described. However, the printer function unit 11A and the scanner function unit 11B are independent. It may be configured as a device. In addition, the second
In the embodiment, the image inspection apparatus 2 includes the composite apparatus 11 and the computer 130. However, the image inspection apparatus may adopt a configuration including only the composite apparatus 11.

It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the sheet guide and lens sheet of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which looked at the printer from back. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of a printer. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a control part. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a computer. It is a figure which shows the printing image based on the image data for a test | inspection. It is a figure which shows the state by which the image for a test | inspection was printed on the lens sheet. It is a figure which shows the image through which line data passes a virtual center point. It is a processing flow which shows the procedure which changes the color in the image data for inspection. It is a figure which shows the ink residual amount of each ink cartridge. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a remaining ink amount and a selected color when the flow of FIG. 9 is executed. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the printer which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure inside the carriage of a scanner function part. This is a read image obtained by reading an inspection image. It is a processing flow for calculating a conveyance angle. It is a figure which shows the state which rotated the reading image. It is a table which shows the relationship between the angle which each line makes, and X coordinate. It is a table which shows the relationship between the angle which each line makes, pixel continuation, etc. It is a table which shows the relationship between a coincidence rate with a correct answer line, and an angle difference. It is a figure showing what imaged the table shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inspection image production apparatus, 2 ... Image inspection apparatus, 10 ... Printer (corresponding to print execution means)
, 11 ... compound apparatus, 11A ... printer function part, 11B ... scanner function part, 11C ... main control part (corresponding to a part of the calculation means), 30 ... sheet guide, 32 ... engagement part, 50 ... carriage,
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 51 ... Print head, 55a, 55b ... Ink cartridge, 100 ... Control part, 130 ... Computer (corresponding to a part of calculation means), 134a ... Image processing program (corresponding to program), 200 ... Scanner ASIC, L ... Lens sheet , LF ... light gray line, LG ... longest line

Claims (10)

An image inspection apparatus that prints an image for inspection for calculating a conveyance angle on a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses having one direction as a longitudinal direction,
The specific line data is used as the reference line data in the inspection image data, and the inclination angle with respect to the reference line data increases by a predetermined angle for each line data separated from the reference line data toward one side and the other side. Line data arrangement means for arranging each line data,
Print execution means for executing printing on the lens sheet based on the inspection image data having each line data determined by the line data arrangement means, and creating the inspection image;
An image inspection apparatus comprising: An image inspection apparatus that calculates a conveyance angle using an image for inspection printed on a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses having a longitudinal direction in one direction,
The inspection image has a specific line as a reference line, and the inclination angle with respect to the reference line increases by a predetermined angle for each line separated from the reference line toward each of the one side and the other side. Each line is placed
Scanner means for irradiating the lens sheet on which the inspection image is printed, reading the light reflected from the lens sheet, and outputting a read image corresponding to the lens sheet;
A calculating means for calculating a conveyance angle of the lens sheet from the read image;
An image inspection apparatus comprising: An image inspection apparatus for calculating a conveyance angle of a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses having one direction as a longitudinal direction,
The specific line data is used as the reference line data in the inspection image data, and the inclination angle with respect to the reference line data increases by a predetermined angle for each line data separated from the reference line data toward one side and the other side. Line data arrangement means for arranging each line data,
Print execution means for executing printing on the lens sheet based on the inspection image data having each line data determined by the line data arrangement means, and creating the inspection image;
Scanner means for irradiating the lens sheet on which the inspection image is printed, reading the light reflected from the lens sheet, and outputting a read image corresponding to the lens sheet;
A calculating means for calculating a conveyance angle of the lens sheet from the read image;
An image inspection apparatus comprising: The terminal symbol data having a diameter larger when printed than the width of the line when the line data is printed is arranged at the terminal portion of each line data. The image inspection apparatus described. A terminal symbol having a diameter larger than the width dimension of the line is disposed at the terminal portion of each line,
The calculation means calculates an inclination of the read image with respect to a print image of the inspection image data for creating the inspection image based on a reading result of the terminal symbol in the read image, Rotate the scanned image by the amount of tilt,
The image inspection apparatus according to claim 2. In each terminal portion of the line data, terminal symbol data having a diameter larger than that of the line width when the line data is printed is arranged.
The calculation means calculates an inclination of the read image with respect to a print image of the inspection image data based on a terminal symbol obtained by reading the terminal symbol data in the read image, and the reading is performed by an amount corresponding to the inclination. Rotate the image,
The image inspection apparatus according to claim 3. The calculation means determines whether or not the gray level of pixels constituting the gray line exceeds a predetermined threshold with respect to the gray line in the read image, and only pixels that exceed the predetermined threshold continue. For the pixel continuity, the longest one is specified, this is determined as the longest line, and the inclination angle of the gray line where the longest line exists with respect to the reference line is used as a reference value for calculating the transport angle.
The image inspection apparatus according to claim 2, 3, 5, or 6. The calculating means includes
Identify the inversion line that is the longest of those in which the blank position is symmetric in the direction of the shade line with respect to the longest line,
Calculate a coincidence rate that is a ratio of the longest line to the shade line,
From the relationship between the matching rate obtained in advance and the angle difference with respect to the longest line, this angle difference is added to or subtracted from the reference value.
The image inspection apparatus according to claim 7. An image inspection method for calculating a conveyance angle of a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses having a longitudinal direction as one direction,
The specific line data is used as the reference line data in the inspection image data, and the inclination angle with respect to the reference line data increases by a predetermined angle for each line data separated from the reference line data toward one side and the other side. A line data arrangement step of arranging each line data,
Based on the image data for inspection having each line data defined in the line data arrangement step, a print execution step for executing printing on the lens sheet and creating the image for inspection;
Irradiating light to the lens sheet on which the inspection image is printed by the printing execution step,
An image output step of reading the light reflected from the lens sheet and outputting a read image corresponding to the lens sheet;
From the read image obtained in the image output step, a calculation step of calculating the conveyance angle of the lens sheet,
An image inspection method comprising: An inspection image creation method for creating an inspection image for calculating a conveyance angle on a lens sheet having a plurality of lenses having a longitudinal direction in one direction,
The specific line data is used as the reference line data in the inspection image data, and the inclination angle with respect to the reference line data increases by a predetermined angle for each line data separated from the reference line data toward one side and the other side. A line data arrangement step of arranging each line data,
Based on the image data for inspection having each line data defined in the line data arrangement step, a print execution step for executing printing on the lens sheet and creating the image for inspection;
An inspection image creation method comprising: