JP2012187889A - Light shielding layer formation processing device, and light shielding layer formation processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce use of a light shielding agent such as ink for obtaining a light shielding property while securing a light shielding property after deformation in decorative molding.SOLUTION: An area change rate Δs of a square as a degree of a change of the square corresponding to a grid point is read on the grid point which is necessary to be formed with a light shielding layer out of grid points set on a medium (S320). A k-value as a black (k) ink amount before deformation, which is obtained from light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT by using the read area change rate Δs, is set to be a k-value of the grid point of an object to be processed (S330). By forming the light shielding layer by using this set k-value, a thickness of the light shielding layer of a molded article after deformation can be made approximately uniform. Thereby, a formed amount with the black (k) ink as the light shielding agent can be reduced while securing the light shielding property of the light shielding layer of the molded article.

Description

  The present invention relates to a light shielding layer forming treatment apparatus and a light shielding layer forming treatment method.

  Conventionally, as this type of light-shielding layer forming processing apparatus, a first printed layer is formed on a base material such as paper by offset printing using a colored infrared absorbing ink for a positive portion of an image to be printed. At the same time, the second printed layer is formed by offset printing using the same color infrared transparent ink on the negative part of the image, and the infrared absorption image pattern is recognized on the first printed layer and the second printed layer. In order to make it harder, a method of forming a camouflage pattern layer by offset printing using an infrared transmitting ink has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In addition, data before molding as a test plate with a lattice formed, and data after molding obtained by scanning a three-dimensional object that has been molded under the test plate. Based on the above, it has been proposed to grasp the characteristics of the deformation of the shape by the molding process, and to create a composition that makes the design required by the designer when molded into a three-dimensional shape based on the captured characteristics (For example, refer to Patent Document 2). Furthermore, the distortion of the pattern before and after molding is calculated and recorded as a mapping function, and a printed pattern is created based on the mapping function so as to cancel the distortion of the pattern. And correcting the density of the printed pattern based on the density change function has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-244747 JP 11-119409 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-199625

  When only a specific pattern is caused to emit light by lighting the back surface, it is necessary to provide a light shielding layer other than the target pattern. In order to obtain a sufficient light-shielding property, the optical density (Optical Density, hereinafter referred to as OD value) is preferably set to a value of 4 or more. Therefore, there is a case where light-shielding ink (for example, black ink) is overprinted a plurality of times. When a light shielding layer is formed on a transparent, plate-like plastic or other medium and then the medium is deformed by molding to form a three-dimensional shape, the thickness of the light shielding layer differs between the small deformation part and the large deformation part. Become. For this reason, if a light shielding layer is formed on the basis of a portion with a small deformation, sufficient light shielding properties cannot be obtained at a portion with a large deformation, and if a light shielding layer is formed on a portion with a large deformation, the deformation is reduced to a portion with a small deformation. However, there is a problem that the same light-shielding ink as that used for a large area is used, and more light-shielding ink is consumed.

  The light-shielding layer forming treatment apparatus and the light-shielding layer forming treatment method of the present invention reduce the amount of a light-shielding agent such as ink for obtaining light-shielding properties while ensuring the light-shielding properties after deformation in decorative molding. Main purpose.

  The light shielding layer forming treatment apparatus and the light shielding layer forming treatment method of the present invention employ the following means in order to achieve the main object described above.

The light shielding layer forming treatment apparatus of the present invention is
Formation of a light shielding layer for forming a light shielding layer on the medium for a molded article obtained by forming a light shielding layer on a light transmissive medium with a light shielding agent having a light shielding property and then deforming the medium A processing device comprising:
A forming amount correspondence that stores a forming amount correspondence that is a correspondence relationship between the forming amount of the light shielding agent to be formed on the medium and the degree of deformation of the medium so that the thickness of the light shielding layer in the molded product is substantially the same. Relationship storage means;
Deformation degree acquisition means for acquiring the degree of deformation in each part of the medium;
Formation amount determining means for determining the formation amount of the light shielding agent in each part of the medium based on the acquired degree of deformation and the stored formation amount correspondence;
It is a summary to provide.

  In this light-shielding layer forming treatment apparatus of the present invention, the amount of light-shielding agent to be formed on the medium and the deformation of the medium so that the thickness of the light-shielding layer formed by the light-shielding agent in the molded product obtained by deforming the medium is substantially the same. The formation amount correspondence relationship that is a correspondence relationship with the degree of storage is stored, the degree of deformation at each part of the medium is acquired, and the medium is based on the acquired degree of deformation and the stored formation amount correspondence relationship The amount of the light-shielding agent formed at each part is determined. Thereby, the thickness of the light shielding layer in a molding can be made substantially the same. Therefore, if the thickness of the light shielding layer in the molded product is set to a necessary and sufficient thickness, the amount of the light shielding agent formed can be reduced while ensuring the light shielding property in the light shielding layer of the molded product.

  In the light shielding layer forming processing apparatus of the present invention, the deformation degree acquisition means is means for acquiring an area change rate as a ratio of an area after deformation to an area before deformation of each part of the medium as the degree of deformation. There can be. In this case, the area change rate may be calculated based on areas before and after deformation of a plurality of minute regions set on the surface of the medium. In this way, the degree of deformation of the medium can be reflected more accurately.

  Further, in the light shielding layer forming processing apparatus of the present invention, the formation amount determining means is a means for determining a value 0 as the formation amount of the light shielding layer for a portion that is predetermined if the light shielding layer is not formed on the medium. There can be.

  Furthermore, in the light shielding layer forming processing apparatus of the present invention, an image forming processing apparatus that performs processing for forming an image on the medium with a plurality of colorants including at least cyan, magenta, yellow, and black is used as the light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. In this case, a black colorant may be used as the light-shielding agent. By doing so, the image forming processing apparatus can be used as the light shielding layer forming processing apparatus.

  Alternatively, in the light shielding layer forming processing apparatus of the present invention, an image forming processing apparatus that performs processing for forming an image on the medium with a plurality of colorants including at least cyan, magenta, yellow, and black is used as the light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. In this case, composite black using cyan, magenta, and yellow colorants may be used as the light-shielding agent. In this case, the image forming processing apparatus can be used as the light shielding layer forming processing apparatus, and further, it is possible to cope with the case where the thickness of the light shielding layer is necessary. In this case, a part of the light shielding layer may be formed using a black colorant, and the other layers of the light shielding layer may be formed using composite black.

  In the light-shielding layer formation processing apparatus of the present invention in which the image-forming processing apparatus is used as a light-shielding layer formation processing apparatus, the medium is transparent, and after the image is formed on the medium, the light-shielding layer is formed on the image. It is also possible to perform processing. By doing so, the portion of the image where the light shielding layer is formed is shielded from light, and the portion of the image where the light shielding layer is not formed is not shielded, so the image is lit from the light shielding layer side. As a result, only the portion of the image where the light-shielding layer is not formed can be emitted. In the case of this aspect, the color correspondence relationship storage means for storing a color correspondence relationship that is a correspondence relationship between the degree of deformation of the medium, the color before the deformation, and the color after the deformation reflecting the color change accompanying the deformation; Color determining means for determining the color of the image formed on each part of the medium with respect to the color of the image of the molded product based on the acquired degree of deformation and the stored color correspondence relationship. it can. In this way, an image can be formed on the medium while accurately reflecting the influence of the color change due to the deformation of the medium.

  Furthermore, in the light-shielding layer forming processing device of the present invention in which the image forming processing device is used as the light-shielding layer forming processing device, the image forming processing device uses an white colorant in addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. It is a formable device, and a white layer made of the white colorant may be formed between the image and the light shielding layer. In this way, it is possible to suppress the color of the image from appearing to be changed from the original color due to the color of the portion where the light shielding layer or the light shielding layer is not formed. In this case, the white layer may be formed only at a site where the image is formed. In addition, a white correspondence relationship, which is a correspondence relationship between the amount of the white colorant to be formed on the medium and the degree of deformation of the medium, is stored so that the thickness of the white layer in the molded product is substantially the same. White correspondence storage means; and white amount determination means for determining the amount of white colorant to be formed in each part of the medium based on the acquired degree of deformation and the stored white correspondence relation. It can also be. In this way, a white layer having substantially the same thickness as the deformation of the medium can be obtained, discoloration of the image due to the difference in the thickness of the white layer can be suppressed, and the thickness of the white layer can be increased more than necessary. The amount of white colorant formed can be reduced as compared with a thicker one.

The light shielding layer forming treatment method of the present invention comprises:
A light-shielding layer forming method for forming the light-shielding layer on the medium for a molded product obtained by forming a light-shielding layer with a light-shielding light-shielding agent on at least a part of the light-transmitting medium and then deforming the medium. There,
(A) obtaining a degree of deformation at each part of the medium;
(B) The formation amount correspondence that is a correspondence relationship between the formation amount of the light shielding agent to be formed on the medium and the degree of deformation of the medium so that the thickness of the light shielding layer in the molded product is substantially the same, and the acquisition Determining the amount of the light-shielding agent formed in each part of the medium based on the degree of deformation performed;
It is made to include.

  In this light shielding layer forming treatment method of the present invention, the degree of deformation in each part of the medium is acquired, and the light shielding agent to be formed on the medium is formed so that the thickness of the light shielding layer in the molded product obtained by deforming the medium is substantially the same. The formation amount of the light shielding agent at each part of the medium is determined based on the formation amount correspondence that is the correspondence between the formation amount and the degree of deformation of the medium, and the obtained degree of deformation. Thereby, the thickness of the light shielding layer in a molding can be made substantially the same. Therefore, if the thickness of the light shielding layer in the molded product is set to a necessary and sufficient thickness, the amount of the light shielding agent formed can be reduced while ensuring the light shielding property in the light shielding layer of the molded product.

The block diagram which shows an example of the outline of a structure of the decoration shaping | molding system 10. FIG. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a nozzle row of the print head. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a color compensation conversion LUT64. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of white layer compensation conversion LUT66. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT68. Explanatory drawing which shows the mode of a shape compensation process. Explanatory drawing explaining an example of a mode that the medium S decorates. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a color compensation processing routine. Explanatory drawing which shows each lattice point and each square of the grid 92. FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows an example of the calculated area change rate (DELTA) s of each square. The flowchart which shows an example of a white layer formation process routine. The flowchart which shows an example of a light shielding layer formation process routine.

  Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a decorative molding system 10 that can also function as a light shielding layer forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the decorative molding system 10 of the present embodiment draws the medium S from a roll 36 in which the medium S formed as a transparent resin sheet (for example, a polyfilm) is wound in a roll shape, and ink is drawn. The printer 20 that prints an image by discharging the liquid, the forming device 40 that three-dimensionally forms the medium S after the image is printed into a desired three-dimensional shape, and the medium that is communicably connected to the printer 20 is formed on the medium S. A general-purpose personal computer (PC) 50 having a function of an image processing apparatus for inputting a power image, processing it into print data and outputting it is provided.

  The printer 20 includes a controller 21 that controls the entire apparatus, a printing mechanism 25 that ejects ink onto the medium S, and a feeding mechanism 32 that conveys the medium S while being pulled out from a roll 36. The controller 21 is configured as a microprocessor centered on the CPU 22, and includes a flash memory 23 that stores various processing programs and can rewrite data, and a RAM 24 that temporarily stores data and stores data. I have. This controller 21 receives the print data from the PC 50 and controls the printing mechanism 25 and the feeding mechanism 32 so as to execute the printing process. The printing mechanism 25 includes a carriage 26 that reciprocates left and right (main scanning direction) along a carriage shaft 30 by a carriage belt 31, a print head 28 that applies pressure to ink and ejects ink droplets from nozzles 27, and inks of various colors. And a cartridge 29 containing the cartridge. The print head 28 is provided in the lower part of the carriage 26, and each color is supplied from the nozzle 27 provided on the lower surface of the print head 28 by applying a voltage to the piezoelectric element to deform the piezoelectric element and pressurize the ink. The ink is ejected to form dots on the medium S. The mechanism for applying pressure to the ink may be based on the generation of bubbles due to the heat of the heater. The cartridge 29 is mounted on the main body side, and the clear (cl) and white (w) inks are individually applied to the inks of cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k) cmyk. The stored ink is supplied to the print head 28 through a tube (not shown). An example of the arrangement of the nozzles 27 in the print head 28 is shown in FIG. As shown in the drawing, the print head 28 has a plurality of linear discharges in the order of black (k), cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), clear (cl), and white (w) from the left. Six nozzle rows (generic nozzles 27) formed as holes are formed. Note that clear (cl) is transparent and not colored, and may be considered unsuitable as an ink, but in the present embodiment, it is treated as an ink (transparent ink). The feed mechanism 32 includes a feed roller 35 that is driven by a drive motor 33 and transports the medium S.

  The forming apparatus 40 includes an upper mold part 41 disposed on the upper side of the medium S and a lower mold part 42 disposed on the lower side of the medium S. A mold (not shown) is set in the upper mold part 41 and the lower mold part 42, and the medium S is formed into a three-dimensional shape by sandwiching the medium S with upper and lower molds. The molding by the molding apparatus 40 may be heat molding or pressure molding. In addition, the mold set in the molding apparatus 40 can be replaced with a plurality of different molds. The medium S is cut into a predetermined length by a cutting machine 37 disposed between the printer 20 and the molding apparatus 40 before or after molding.

  The PC 50 is a network interface (I / O) for inputting / outputting data to / from an external device such as the controller 51, the HDD 55, which is a large-capacity memory that stores various application programs and various data files, and the like. F) 56, an input device 57 such as a keyboard and a mouse for inputting various commands by the user, and a display 58 for displaying various information. The controller 51 includes a CPU 52 that executes various controls, a flash memory 53 that stores various control programs, a RAM 54 that temporarily stores data, and the like. The PC 50 has a function of executing an operation corresponding to the input operation when the user performs an input operation on the cursor or the like displayed on the display 58 via the input device 57. The controller 51, the HDD 55, the I / F 56, the input device 57, the display 58, and the like are electrically connected by a bus 59 so that various control signals and data can be exchanged.

  The HDD 55 of the PC 50 stores an application program (not shown), a modified image processing program 60, a print driver 70, and the like. The deformed image processing program 60 corrects a shape shift and a color shift that occur in an image (including characters and patterns) formed on the surface of a molded product (the medium S after molding) due to deformation accompanying the molding of the medium S. Programs that are used to create a white white layer as the background of the image in order to show the image clearly and clearly, and other programs that make the image appear to be raised by lighting from the back. It is configured by a program or the like for forming a light shielding layer that shields the portion. The modified image processing program 60 includes a 3D pattern editing unit 61 that edits a three-dimensional image (pattern) model, a shape compensation unit 62 that compensates for a shape shift accompanying molding, and a color compensation that compensates for a color shift associated with molding. It has a part 63, a white layer forming part 65 that forms a white layer as an image base, and a light shielding layer forming part 67 that forms a light shielding layer.

  The 3D picture editing unit 61 has a function of executing editing of an image formed on the medium S before forming and editing of an image formed on the medium S after forming. The shape compensation unit 62 has a function of executing shape compensation for correcting a shape change of the design (characters and patterns) on the surface of the molded product caused by deformation of the outer shape when the medium S is molded into a target shape.

  The color compensator 63 has a function of executing color compensation for correcting to a target color using a color compensation conversion look-up table (LUT) 64 in order to reflect a change in image color caused by deformation at the time of forming the medium S. have. The color compensation conversion LUT 64 is formed on the medium S, the color value (target color) of the target color to be developed by the molded body after deformation of the medium S, the deformation rate (area change rate (%)) of the medium S, and the like. 6 is a correspondence table that empirically defines the relationship with the ink amount. FIG. 3 shows an example of the color compensation conversion LUT 64. As shown in FIG. 3, when the color value (target color) and the area deformation rate (%) of the medium S are specified in the color compensation conversion LUT 64, the medium S is deformed at the specified area deformation rate (%). After that, the ink amount of each color that becomes the specified color value (target color) is derived. In the color compensation conversion LUT 64, for the same color value (target color), the colorant formation amount tends to increase as the area deformation rate (%) after deformation increases. Further, the color compensation conversion LUT 64 is used by expanding the data between the stored values into an LUT having more grid point data by performing a known tetrahedral interpolation process. In FIG. 3, the maximum ink amount used in normal printing is represented as 100 as the ink amount, and only a part of the color compensation conversion LUT 64 is shown.

  The white layer forming unit 65 uses a white layer compensation conversion look-up table (LUT) 66 to change the thickness of the white layer after the molding, because the thickness of the white layer changes due to deformation during the molding of the medium S. It has a function of executing compensation so that the white layer thickness is substantially uniform. Here, the predetermined white layer thickness is the minimum thickness necessary to make the image look clean and clear regardless of the color of the layer opposite to the color layer on which the white layer image is formed. As determined by experiments. The white layer compensation conversion LUT 66 is a correspondence table that empirically defines the relationship between the deformation rate (area change rate (%)) of the medium S and the amount of white (w) ink in the white layer formed on the medium S. It is. FIG. 4 shows an example of the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66. As shown in FIG. 4, when the area deformation rate (%) of the medium S is designated in the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66, the predetermined white layer thickness is obtained after the medium S is deformed at the designated area deformation rate (%). The amount of white (w) ink is derived. In the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66, the amount of white (w) ink is set to increase as the area deformation rate (%) after deformation increases. In addition, the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66 is used by developing a LUT with more lattice point data by performing a known interpolation process on the data between the stored values. In FIG. 4, the maximum amount of white (w) ink used in normal printing is represented as 100, and only a part of the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66 is shown.

  Since the thickness of the light shielding layer changes due to deformation at the time of forming the medium S, the light shielding layer forming unit 67 uses a light shielding layer compensation conversion look-up table (LUT) 68 to determine the thickness of the light shielding layer after molding in advance. It has a function of performing compensation so that the thickness of the light shielding layer is substantially uniform. Here, the predetermined light shielding layer thickness is determined by experiments or the like as the thickness of a layer formed of black (k) ink having an optical density (Optical Density, hereinafter referred to as OD value) having a predetermined value of 4 or more. It has been. The light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68 is a correspondence table that empirically defines the relationship between the deformation rate (area change rate (%)) of the medium S and the amount of black (k) ink in the light shielding layer formed on the medium S. It is. FIG. 5 shows an example of the light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68. As shown in FIG. 5, when the area deformation rate (%) of the medium S is designated in the light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68, the predetermined light shielding layer thickness is obtained after the medium S is deformed at the designated area deformation rate (%). The amount of black (k) ink is derived. In the light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68, the ink amount of black (k) is set to increase as the area deformation rate (%) after deformation increases. Further, the light-shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68 is used by developing a LUT with more lattice point data by performing a known interpolation process on the data between the stored values. In FIG. 5, the maximum ink amount of black (k) used in normal printing is represented as 100, and only a part of the light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68 is shown.

  The print driver 70 is a program that converts a print job received from the application program side into print data that can be directly printed by the printer 20 and outputs (transmits) the print job to the printer 20. The print driver 70 has a function of outputting print data created by the modified image processing program 60 to the printer 20.

  Next, the process of the decorative molding system 10 of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described in order of the shape compensation process, the color compensation process, the white layer forming process, and the light shielding layer forming process. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a shape compensation process executed by the modified image processing program 60. In this shape compensation processing, the CPU 52 of the controller 51 first creates an image in which a grid 92 having a quadrilateral (square) having a plurality of lattice points at equal intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions is formed on a planar medium (FIG. 6). (A)). For the sake of illustration, the grid 92 is shown with fewer grid points than the actual one (thinned out), and the grid point spacing is wider than the dot formation interval of the printer 20 (for example, 720 dpi, 1440 dpi, etc.). It was. Further, the position information of the initial position (position before deformation) of each of these lattice points is held. Next, the medium is deformed so as to be formed into the shape of the target product, the positional information of each lattice point of the grid 92 before and after the deformation is input, and the three-dimensional coordinate position of each lattice point after the deformation is The distortion direction and distortion amount of each lattice point are calculated. Then, based on the calculation result, a three-dimensional image model of the three-dimensional object after molding is created, and the created three-dimensional image model is displayed on the display 58 (FIG. 6B). Next, when the position of the pattern is specified on the three-dimensional image model by the user's input operation, the image to be printed as the pattern is arranged at the specified position (FIG. 6C), and the two-dimensional When a conversion instruction is input, the three-dimensional coordinate value is converted into a two-dimensional coordinate value, and the converted image is displayed (FIG. 6D). In this manner, an image having a shape that becomes a target pattern after forming is formed on the medium before forming, and it is possible to create block data to be printed on the medium S before forming. FIG. 6E shows a molded product as a result of printing the image of the block data shown in FIG. 6D on the medium S and molding the image.

  In this embodiment, the pattern (A) in FIG. 6 (e) is lit from the back so that the pattern (A) is raised, and the pattern (B) in FIG. 6 (e) is back. An example will be described in which the pattern (B) is prevented from being lifted up even when the lamp is turned on. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, on the medium S, a color layer (A) and a white layer on which an image is formed are formed on the part of the pattern (A) (the left part in FIG. 7). For the part (B) (the central part in FIG. 7), the light shielding layers 1 to 3 are formed in addition to the color layer (B) and the white layer, and the part without the pattern (the right part in FIG. 7) is shielded from light. Only layers 1 to 3 are formed. Thereby, the pattern (A) and the pattern (B) can be visually recognized for the light from the medium S side (front), and the pattern (A) for the light from the light shielding layer side (back). It is possible to see only the surface. In addition, about the part of the light shielding layers 1-3 in the part of a pattern (A), when it is necessary to make layer thickness uniform, it is good also as what forms the clear layer by a clear (cl) ink. Similarly, a clear layer made of clear (cl) ink may be formed for portions corresponding to a color layer and a white layer in a portion having no picture.

  Next, color compensation processing using the color compensation conversion LUT 64 will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a color compensation processing routine executed by the CPU 52 of the controller 51. This routine is stored in the HDD 55 and executed when a color compensation execution instruction is input after the shape compensation process is performed. For example, the color compensation execution instruction is obtained by clicking the color compensation execution button on the editing screen with the input device 57 in a state where an editing screen (not shown) of the deformed image processing program 60 is displayed on the display 58 after the shape compensation processing. What is necessary is just to be input by doing.

  When this color compensation processing routine is executed, the CPU 52 first acquires position information of each grid point of the grid 92 before and after the deformation process (step S100). This position information is acquired by acquiring the three-dimensional coordinates of the lattice points before and after the deformation described in the shape compensation process described above. Next, the area change rate Δs of each quadrangle as each element of the grid 92 is calculated from the acquired position information of each grid point (step S110). Here, each lattice point and each square of the grid 92 are shown in FIG. 9 shows a part of the grid 92 in an enlarged manner, and the target image (character A) in FIG. 9 is an image after the shape compensation process described above (see FIG. 6D). It is a thing. The area change rate Δs of each quadrangle is calculated by calculating the area of the quadrangle before and after the deformation from the position information before and after the deformation of each lattice point acquired in step S100, and the area of the quadrangle after the deformation is the area before the deformation. It is done by dividing. In addition, since the area of each square before the deformation is the same, a constant value may be used. An example of the area change rate Δs of each quadrangle calculated in this way is shown in FIG. Element No. Are given in order from left to right and from top to bottom starting from the upper left square of the grid 92. Subsequently, the Lab value of each grid point of the grid 92 is acquired (step S120). The Lab value is obtained by obtaining the color value of the image after the shape compensation processing at the position corresponding to each grid point based on the color information such as the RGB value and CMYK value of the input image, and obtaining the obtained color value. It can be obtained by converting to a Lab value. Alternatively, an editing screen (not shown) including the shape-compensated image as shown in FIG. 6D or FIG. 9 is displayed on the display 58, and designation of the color of the image using the input device 57 is accepted. Can be obtained by obtaining a color value at a position corresponding to each grid point and converting the obtained color value into a Lab value.

  When the Lab value of each grid point of the grid 92 and the area change rate Δs of each square are thus obtained, the grid point to be processed is set (step S130), the Lab value of the grid point to be processed and the grid point to be processed. The area change rate Δs of the quadrangle corresponding to is read respectively (step S140). The grid points to be processed are set in order from left to right and from top to bottom starting from the grid point at the upper left corner of the grid 92. Further, the quadrangle corresponding to the grid point to be processed can be determined, for example, as a quadrangle having the grid point to be processed at the upper left vertex, such as the grid point located at the right end or the lower end of the grid 92. If there is no rectangle with a grid point at the top left vertex, define a rectangle with the grid point to be processed at the top right vertex or a rectangle with the grid point to be processed at the bottom left vertex or the bottom right vertex. do it.

  Next, the read Lab value is used as the color value after deformation, and the cmyk value as the ink amount before deformation obtained from the color compensation conversion LUT 64 using the area change rate Δs is set as the cmyk value of the grid point to be processed. (Step S150). Here, when the read Lab value and the area change rate Δs are registered in the color compensation conversion LUT 64, a corresponding value is derived from the color compensation conversion LUT 64 and set to the cmyk value of the grid point to be processed. . On the other hand, when the read Lab value and the area change rate Δs are not registered in the color compensation conversion LUT 64, the approximated cmyk value is extracted from the color compensation conversion LUT 64 and the value obtained by the interpolation process is used as the grid point to be processed. Set to the cmyk value. When the cmyk value is set as the ink amount in this way, it is determined whether or not the cmyk values of all grid points of the grid 92 have been set (step S160). If there are grid points that have not been set, the process returns to step S130 to return to each grid point. The process is repeated by setting the points to be sequentially processed. On the other hand, when the cmyk values as the ink amounts of all the grid points are set, the cmyk values of the respective grid points are created as color compensation data and stored in the HDD 55 (step S170), and this routine ends. When printing with this color compensation data, for example, first, a process of interpolating the cmyk value as the ink amount of each grid point of the grid 92 in accordance with the dot formation interval of the printer 20 is performed. Etc. In this embodiment, since there is a part where the cmyk value as the amount of ink for image formation is set as an amount exceeding the normal print range, image formation by the cmyk value executes printing within the normal print range as many times as necessary. It is done by doing.

  Next, a white layer forming process using the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a white layer forming process routine executed by the CPU 52 of the controller 51. This routine is stored in the HDD 55, and is executed when a white layer formation execution instruction is input after color compensation processing has been performed. The white layer formation execution instruction is executed by, for example, pressing the white layer formation execution button on the editing screen on the input device 57 in a state where an editing screen (not shown) of the modified image processing program 60 is displayed on the display 58 after the color compensation processing. It may be input by clicking with. Further, the white layer forming process may be automatically executed after the color compensation process is performed.

  When this white layer formation processing routine is executed, the CPU 52 first sets a grid point to be processed on the medium S (step S200), and whether or not the grid point to be processed is a grid point on which image formation is performed. Is determined (step S210). This determination can be made based on whether or not a Lab value is set for the grid point to be processed. In the example of FIG. 6E and FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the pattern (A) and the pattern (B) in FIG. If it is determined that the grid point to be processed is a grid point on which image formation is performed, the square area change rate Δs corresponding to the grid point to be processed is read (step S220), and the read area change rate Δs is used. Then, the w value as the white (w) ink amount before deformation obtained from the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66 is set to the w value of the grid point to be processed (step S230). If the read area change rate Δs is registered in the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66, a corresponding value is derived from the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66 and set to the w value of the grid point to be processed. On the other hand, if the read area change rate Δs is not registered in the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66, the approximated w value is extracted from the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66 and the value obtained by interpolation processing is used as the grid point to be processed. Set to w value. When the w value as the amount of white (w) ink is set in this way, it is determined whether or not all grid points of the grid 92 have been processed (step S250). Returning to S200, each grid point is sequentially set as a processing target, and the processing is repeated. If it is determined in step S210 that the grid point to be processed is a grid point on which image formation is not performed, it is not necessary to form a white layer, so a value 0 is set as the w value of the grid point (step S240). In step S250, it is determined whether or not all grid points of the grid 92 have been processed. If there are unprocessed grid points, the process returns to step S200 to sequentially set each grid point as a process target. Repeat the process.

  When it is determined in step S240 that all grid points are to be processed, the w value of each grid point for which the w value is set is stored in the HDD 55 as white layer formation data (step S260), and this routine is terminated. To do. When forming a white layer with this white layer formation data, for example, first, a process of interpolating the w value as the ink amount of each grid point of the grid 92 according to the dot formation interval of the printer 20 or the like. The printing driver 70 is used. In this embodiment, since there is a part where the w value as the amount of ink forming the white layer is set as an amount exceeding the normal printing range, the formation of the white layer by the w value is performed within the normal printing range. Is performed as many times as necessary.

  Next, a light shielding layer forming process using the light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68 will be described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a light shielding layer forming process routine executed by the CPU 52 of the controller 51. This routine is stored in the HDD 55, and is executed when a light blocking layer formation execution instruction is input after the white layer formation processing is performed. The execution instruction of the light shielding layer formation is, for example, by pressing the light shielding layer formation execution button on the editing screen while the editing screen (not shown) of the modified image processing program 60 is displayed on the display 58 after the white layer forming processing. What is necessary is just to input by clicking in 57. The light shielding layer forming process may be automatically executed after the white layer forming process is performed.

  When this light shielding layer forming processing routine is executed, the CPU 52 first sets a grid point to be processed on the medium S (step S300), and the grid point to be processed is a grid point at which a light shielding layer needs to be formed. It is determined whether there is a grid point that does not require the formation of a light shielding layer (step S310). This determination is performed by determining whether or not the grid point is set in advance so that it is not necessary to form the light shielding layer. In the example of FIG. 6 (e) and FIG. (7), the pattern (A) in FIG. 6 (e) is formed so that the pattern (A) is raised by lighting from the back. Since it is not necessary to form a light shielding layer for the lattice point to be determined, it is determined in step S310 whether the pattern (A) in FIG. 6E is a lattice point. . If it is determined that the grid point to be processed is a grid point that needs to form a light shielding layer, a square area change rate Δs corresponding to the grid point to be processed is read (step S320), and the read area change rate is read. The k value as the ink amount of black (k) before deformation obtained from the light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68 using Δs is set as the k value of the grid point to be processed (step S330). If the read area change rate Δs is registered in the light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68, a corresponding value is derived from the light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68 and set to the k value of the grid point to be processed. On the other hand, when the read area change rate Δs is not registered in the light-shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68, the approximate k value is extracted from the light-shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68 and the value obtained by the interpolation process is used as the grid point to be processed. Set to k value. When the k value as the black (k) ink amount is set in this way, it is determined whether or not all grid points of the grid 92 have been processed (step S350). Returning to S300, each grid point is sequentially set as a processing target and the processing is repeated. If it is determined in step S310 that the grid point to be processed is a grid point that does not require the formation of the light shielding layer, it is not necessary to form the light shielding layer, and therefore a value 0 is set as the k value of the grid point ( In step S340), the process proceeds to step S350, where it is determined whether or not all grid points of the grid 92 have been processed, and if there are unprocessed grid points, the process returns to step S300 to sequentially process each grid point. Set and repeat the process.

  If it is determined in step S340 that all grid points are to be processed, the k value of each grid point for which the k value is set is stored in the HDD 55 as light shielding layer formation data (step S360), and this routine is terminated. To do. When forming the light shielding layer using this light shielding layer formation data, for example, first, there is a process of interpolating the k value as the ink amount at each grid point of the grid 92 according to the dot formation interval of the printer 20. The printing driver 70 is used. In this embodiment, since the w value as the amount of ink for forming the light shielding layer is set as an amount exceeding the normal printing range, the formation of the light shielding layer is within the normal printing range by black (k). This is done by executing printing as many times as necessary.

  Here, the correspondence between the components of the present embodiment and the components of the present invention will be clarified. The HDD 55 of the PC 50 of the present embodiment corresponds to the “formation amount correspondence storage unit” of the present invention, and includes a controller 51 and a light shielding layer forming unit 67 that execute the processes of steps S300 to S320 of the light shielding layer forming processing routine of FIG. Corresponds to the “deformation degree obtaining unit”, and the controller 51 and the light shielding layer forming unit 67 that execute the processes of steps S330 and S360 of the light shielding layer forming processing routine of FIG. 12 correspond to the “formation amount determining unit”.

  According to the decorative molding system 10 of the present embodiment described above, with respect to a grid point that needs to form a light shielding layer among the grid points set on the medium S, the change in the corresponding rectangle at the grid point is changed. The square area change rate Δs is read as the degree, and the k value as the ink amount of black (k) before deformation obtained from the light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT 68 using the read area change rate Δs is used as the k of the lattice point to be processed. Therefore, by forming the light shielding layer using the set k value, the thickness of the light shielding layer in the deformed molded product (FIG. 6E) can be made substantially the same. That is, the OD value in each part of the light shielding layer of the molded product can be set to a predetermined value with a value of 4 or more. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the formation amount of the black (k) ink as the light shielding agent while ensuring the light shielding property in the light shielding layer of the molded product.

  Further, in the decorative molding system 10 of the present embodiment, for the lattice points that need to form an image among the lattice points set on the medium S, the degree of change in the corresponding rectangle at the lattice point is a square shape. The area change rate Δs is read, and the ink amounts of cyan (c), magenta (m), yellow (y), and black (k) before deformation obtained from the color compensation conversion LUT 64 using the read area change rate Δs are obtained. Since the cmyk value is set to the cmyk value of the grid point to be processed, an image is formed using the set cmyk value, and the influence of the color change due to the deformation of the medium S is accurately reflected on the medium S. An image can be formed. Further, in the decorative molding system 10 of the present embodiment, for the lattice points that need to form an image among the lattice points set on the medium S, the degree of change in the corresponding rectangle at the lattice point is a square shape. The area change rate Δs is read, and using the read area change rate Δs, the w value as the amount of white (w) before deformation obtained from the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66 is set as the w value of the grid point to be processed. From this, by forming a white layer using the set w value, it is possible to obtain a white layer having substantially the same thickness as the deformation of the medium S, and image discoloration due to the different thickness of the white layer. In addition to being able to suppress, the amount of white (w) ink formed can be reduced as compared with the case where the thickness of the white layer is increased more than necessary. Of course, by forming the white layer, the image can be displayed clearly and clearly.

  Furthermore, in the decorative molding system 10 of the present embodiment, by forming the color layer, the white layer, and the light-shielding layer that form an image, the medium S side (front side) is formed at a site where only the color layer and the white layer are formed. The image can be visually recognized by the light from the light, and the image can be visually recognized by being lifted by the light from the light shielding layer side (back surface), and the color layer, the white layer, and the light shielding layer are formed. In addition, it is possible to make the image visible with light from the medium S side (front) and make it difficult to see the image with light from the light shielding layer side (back).

  In the above-described embodiment, the light shielding layer is formed of black (k) ink, but the light shielding layer is formed of composite black of cyan (c), magenta (m), and yellow (y) ink. Also good. Further, a part of the light shielding layer may be formed of black (k) ink, and the other part of the light shielding layer may be formed of composite black. In this case, the side close to the color layer forming the image in the light shielding layer may be formed with black (k) ink, and the other part may be formed with composite black. Here, the light shielding layer of composite black may be formed when the color layer is formed.

  In the embodiment described above, the OD value in each part of the light shielding layer of the molded product is set to a predetermined value with a value of 4 or more, but the OD value is not limited to a value of 4 or more. A value greater than or equal to the OD value corresponding to the required light shielding property may be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, as the degree of deformation of the medium S, the area change rate Δs that is the ratio of the area before and after the quadrangle deformation formed by the grid 92 is used. Of these, the area change rate, which is the ratio of the area before and after the deformation of the triangle composed of three adjacent lattice points, may be used, or the area before and after the deformation in the shape obtained by further dividing the quadrangle formed by the grid 92 may be used. An area change rate that is a ratio may be used, or a linear change rate that is a ratio of lengths before and after deformation between lattice points formed by the grid 92 may be used.

  In the embodiment described above, cyan (c), magenta (m), and yellow (y) before deformation obtained from the color compensation conversion LUT 64 using the square area change rate Δs as the degree of change in the square corresponding to the grid point. ), The cmyk value as the ink amount of black (k) is set to the cmyk value of the grid point to be processed. However, the deformation of the medium S may not be considered for the image formation.

  In the above-described embodiment, the w value as the amount of white (w) ink before deformation obtained from the white layer compensation conversion LUT 66 using the area change rate Δs of the quadrangle as the degree of change in the quadrangle corresponding to the grid point is obtained. Although the w value of the grid point to be processed is set, the deformation of the medium S may not be considered for the formation of the white layer.

  In the above-described embodiment, the color layer on which the image is formed and the white layer for making the image look beautiful and clear are formed. It is good also as what does not form a layer and a white layer.

  In the embodiment described above, the colorant is ink, but is not particularly limited as long as it can be colored when an image is formed on the medium S. For example, a liquid (dispersion) in which particles other than ink or functional material particles are dispersed, a fluid such as a gel, or a powder such as toner may be used.

  In the embodiment described above, the printer 20 includes the ink jet printing mechanism 25 that ejects ink. However, the printer 20 is not particularly limited thereto, and may be a laser printer, a thermal transfer printer, or a dot. It may be an impact printer. In addition, the image forming processing apparatus such as the PC 50 is used as the light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. However, the light shielding layer forming processing method may be used, or a program that can be executed may be used.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that the present invention can be implemented in various modes as long as it belongs to the technical scope of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Decorative molding system, 20 Printer, 21 Controller, 22 CPU, 23 Flash memory, 24 RAM, 25 Printing mechanism, 26 Carriage, 27 Nozzle, 28 Print head, 29 Cartridge, 30 Carriage shaft, 31 Carriage belt, 32 Feed mechanism , 33 Drive motor, 34 Feed roller, 36 roll, 37 Cutting machine, 40 Molding device, 41 Upper mold part, 42 Lower mold part, 50 PC, 51 Controller, 52 CPU, 53 Flash memory, 54 RAM, 55 HDD, 56 I / F, 57 input device, 58 display, 59 bus, 60 modified image processing program, 61 3D picture editing unit, 62 shape compensation unit, 63 color compensation unit, 64 color compensation conversion LUT, 65 white layer forming unit, 66 white Layer compensation conversion LUT 67 light shielding layer forming part, 68 light shielding layer compensation conversion LUT, 70 print driver, 92 grid, S medium.

Claims (12)

Formation of a light shielding layer for forming a light shielding layer on the medium for a molded article obtained by forming a light shielding layer on a light transmissive medium with a light shielding agent having a light shielding property and then deforming the medium A processing device comprising:
A forming amount correspondence that stores a forming amount correspondence that is a correspondence relationship between the forming amount of the light shielding agent to be formed on the medium and the degree of deformation of the medium so that the thickness of the light shielding layer in the molded product is substantially the same. Relationship storage means;
Deformation degree acquisition means for acquiring the degree of deformation in each part of the medium;
Formation amount determining means for determining the formation amount of the light shielding agent in each part of the medium based on the acquired degree of deformation and the stored formation amount correspondence;
A light shielding layer forming treatment apparatus. The light-shielding layer forming treatment apparatus according to claim 1,
The deformation degree acquisition means is means for acquiring an area change rate as a ratio of an area after deformation to an area before deformation of each part of the medium as the degree of deformation.
Light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. The light-shielding layer forming treatment apparatus according to claim 2,
The area change rate is calculated based on areas before and after the deformation of a plurality of minute regions set on the surface of the medium.
Light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. The light-shielding layer formation processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The formation amount determining means is a means for determining a formation amount of a value of 0 for a portion that is previously determined not to form the light shielding layer in the medium.
Light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. The light-shielding layer formation processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A black colorant is used as the light-shielding agent when an image-forming processing device that performs a process of forming an image on the medium with a plurality of colorants including at least cyan, magenta, yellow, and black is used as the light-shielding layer formation processing device. Use
Light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. The light-shielding layer forming treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
When an image forming processing apparatus that forms an image on the medium with a plurality of colorants including at least cyan, magenta, yellow, and black is used as the light shielding layer forming processing apparatus, cyan, magenta, and yellow are used as the light shielding agent. Use a composite black with a colorant of
Light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. The light-shielding layer forming treatment apparatus according to claim 5 or 6,
The medium is transparent;
After forming an image on the medium, a process of forming the light shielding layer on the image is performed.
Light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. The light-shielding layer formation processing apparatus according to claim 7,
Color correspondence storage means for storing a color correspondence relationship that is a correspondence relationship between the degree of deformation of the medium, the color before the deformation, and the color after the deformation reflecting the color change accompanying the deformation;
Color determining means for determining a color of an image formed on each part of the medium with respect to a color of the image of the molded product based on the acquired degree of deformation and the stored color correspondence;
A light shielding layer forming treatment apparatus. The light-shielding layer forming treatment apparatus according to claim 7 or 8,
The image forming apparatus is an apparatus capable of forming an image with a white colorant in addition to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
Forming a white layer with the white colorant between the image and the light shielding layer;
Light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. The light-shielding layer formation processing apparatus according to claim 9,
The white layer is formed only at the site where the image is formed.
Light shielding layer forming processing apparatus. The light-shielding layer formation processing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10,
White correspondence storing white correspondence, which is a correspondence relationship between the amount of the white colorant to be formed on the medium and the degree of deformation of the medium so that the thickness of the white layer in the molded product is substantially the same. Relationship storage means;
White amount determination means for determining the amount of white colorant formed in each part of the medium based on the acquired degree of deformation and the stored white correspondence relationship;
A light shielding layer forming treatment apparatus. A light-shielding layer forming method for forming the light-shielding layer on the medium for a molded product obtained by forming a light-shielding layer with a light-shielding agent on at least a part of the light-transmitting medium and then deforming the medium. There,
(A) obtaining a degree of deformation at each part of the medium;
(B) The formation amount correspondence that is a correspondence relationship between the formation amount of the light shielding agent to be formed on the medium and the degree of deformation of the medium so that the thickness of the light shielding layer in the molded product is substantially the same, and the acquisition Determining the amount of the light-shielding agent formed in each part of the medium based on the degree of deformation performed;
The light-shielding layer formation processing method containing.

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