JP2013134410A - Image forming device and image forming method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To form an image expressing gloss with a natural tint more easily.SOLUTION: A color changing image creation part 133 creates multiple color changing images from one input image. A glossy image creation part 134 rearranges the multiple color changing images in a direction in which multiple lenses included in a lenticular lens are arranged, and creates an output image from the multiple color changing images. One head records the output image on a medium to be recorded, and the other head forms the lenticular lens on the medium to be recorded where the output image has been recorded. The color changing image is an image obtained by changing color of the input image according to an angle of a viewpoint to a display body, and the display body displays different color changing images displayed through the lens according to the angle of the viewpoint. The present invention can be applied to a printer.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method.

  Conventionally, when color is given by a printer to give gloss, color ink is printed after printing metallic ink (metal pigment ink).

  Further, a surface-treated pigment obtained by treating the surface of a metal pigment composed of tabular grains with an alkoxysilane compound having a group having an unsaturated double bond between carbon atoms, an ink composition, and the ink composition are used. Inkjet recording methods have also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-265422 A

  However, when metallic ink is used to express gloss, since the metallic ink is colored, the saturation is lowered as compared with printing with only color ink. For this reason, if the gloss is partially obtained, there is a difference in the saturation between the color printed with the color ink on the metallic ink and the color printed with only the color ink.

  Also, handling metallic ink is more difficult than handling ordinary color ink, and man-hours are required for management, such as shaking the ink tank or cleaning.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, that is, to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of forming an image expressing gloss with a natural hue more easily.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention includes a first image generation unit that generates a plurality of color change images from one input image, and a lenticular lens that includes the plurality of color change images. A second image generating unit configured to generate an output image from the plurality of color change images, rearranged in a direction in which the plurality of lenses are disposed, a recording unit configured to record the output image on a recording medium, and the output image recorded Forming a lenticular lens on the recorded medium, and the color change image is an image obtained by changing the color of the input image according to the angle of the viewpoint with respect to the display body. The color change image displayed through the lens differs according to the angle.

  It is possible to generate a display image (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a glossy image) that can express glossiness with natural colors more easily. Gloss can be expressed with a natural hue without lowering the saturation due to metallic ink. Gloss like a metal surface can be expressed. In addition, the handling of ink does not increase, and the position and distance at which an image is viewed is free and gloss can be easily expressed. A difference in saturation between the glossy image and the non-glossy image due to the metallic ink can be reduced.

  Further, according to one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the forming unit discharges a resin to a recording medium to form a lenticular lens.

  It is not necessary to prepare a lenticular lens separately, and an image can be easily formed.

  Furthermore, one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes an obtaining unit that obtains the instructed number of viewpoints in addition to the above-described configuration, and the plurality of color change images are input images according to the number of viewpoints. It is an image with different colors.

  By simply instructing the number of viewpoints, a color change image of the instructed number of viewpoints is generated, and a lenticular lens suitable for this is formed, so an image with the desired number of viewpoints can be easily formed.

  In addition to the above-described configuration, one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention further includes a selection unit that selects a gloss area that is an area expressing gloss among the areas of the input image. The generating means is configured to generate a plurality of color change images from a glossy region original image that is an image of a glossy region.

  Even if some areas of the input image (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the original image) are glossy areas, there is no need to indicate the glossy area, and gloss can be expressed more easily with natural colors. Image can be formed.

  Further, according to one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the forming unit forms a lenticular lens in an area where an output image is recorded in an area of the recording medium, and in the remaining area. A planar resin layer is formed.

  Even if some of the areas of the input image are glossy areas, there is no need to indicate the glossy area, and an image that expresses glossy with natural colors can be formed more easily. A recording medium having a substantially uniform thickness can be obtained.

  In one aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, in addition to the above-described configuration, the forming unit forms a lenticular lens in a region of the recording medium in a region where an output image is recorded and a region where an output image is not recorded. It is supposed to be.

  According to another aspect of the image forming method of the present invention, a first image generation step for generating a plurality of color change images from one input image, and a plurality of lenses provided in the lenticular lens for the plurality of color change images are arranged. A second image generation step for generating an output image from a plurality of color change images, a recording step for recording the output image on a recording medium, and a recording medium on which the output image is recorded. Forming a lenticular lens, and the color change image is an image in which the color of the input image is changed according to the angle of the viewpoint with respect to the display body, and the display body is a lens according to the angle of the viewpoint. The color change images that are displayed via are different.

  Further, according to one aspect of the program of the present invention, a first function for generating a plurality of color change images from one input image and a plurality of color change images in a direction in which the plurality of lenses included in the lenticular lens are arranged. A second function for rearranging and generating an output image from a plurality of color change images, a function for recording the output image on a recording medium, and a function for forming a lenticular lens on the recording medium on which the output image is recorded The color change image is an image obtained by changing the color of the input image according to the angle of the viewpoint with respect to the display body, and the display body is displayed via the lens according to the angle of the viewpoint. The color change images are different.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus and an image forming method capable of forming an image in which gloss is expressed with a natural hue more easily.

FIG. 2 is a structural diagram illustrating an internal structure of the printer 1. It is a figure explaining formation of the lenticular lens 31. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an image drawn by a head 15 and a lens 32 of a lenticular lens 31 formed by a head 16. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating configurations of a control unit 51 and a drive circuit 52. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part 51 which is a computer. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control unit 51. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for describing image formation processing. It is a figure explaining the example of a glossy image production | generation. It is a figure which shows the example of angle / color change data. It is a figure which shows the other example of angle / color change data. It is a figure which shows the further another example of angle / color change data. It is a figure which shows the further another example of angle / color change data. It is a figure which shows the example of the lenticular lens 31 formed in a glossy image. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a lenticular lens 31 formed by a head 16. FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing another example of a lenticular lens 31 formed by a head 16. It is a figure which shows the further another example of the lenticular lens 31 formed of the head.

  Hereinafter, a printer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 1 is a structural diagram showing the internal structure of the printer 1. The printer 1 is an example of a printing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, or an image forming apparatus. The printer 1 includes a housing 11, a paper feed roller 12, a paper feed motor 13, a carriage 14, a head 15, a head 16, a guide member 17, a timing belt 18, a driving pulley 19, an idle pulley 20, and a step motor 21.

  The housing 11 is a so-called housing, and includes a paper feed roller 12, a paper feed motor 13, a carriage 14, a head 15, a head 16, a guide member 17, a timing belt 18, a driving pulley 19, an idle pulley 20, and a step motor 21. Store and hold. The paper feed roller 12 is driven by a paper feed motor 13 and transports a paper M that is an example of a recording medium. The paper M is an example of a display body.

  The carriage 14 is movably attached to guide members 17 installed on the left and right sides of the housing 11 and is reciprocated by a scanning mechanism. The scanning mechanism includes a step motor 21 attached to one end of the left and right sides of the housing 11, a drive pulley 19 connected to the rotation shaft of the step motor 21, and an idle pulley provided to the other left and right ends of the housing 11. 20, and a timing belt 18 that is stretched between the drive pulley 19 and the idle pulley 20 and connected to the carriage 14. That is, the scanning mechanism moves the carriage 14 so as to reciprocate in the width direction of the paper M by operating the step motor 21.

  The carriage 14 is provided with a head 15 and a head 16. The head 15 prints by ejecting ink onto the paper M conveyed by the paper feed roller 12. That is, a nozzle (not shown) for ejecting ink is formed on the surface of the head 15 facing the paper M. The head 15 performs printing or drawing by reciprocating the width of the sheet M by the carriage 14 and discharging ink from the nozzles.

  The head 16 is a head for forming a lenticular lens, and the head 16 is filled with a hot-melt resin that is in a liquid state by a heater (not shown). An arrow N1 shown in FIG. 2 indicates the transport direction of the paper M, and an arrow N2 indicates the paper width direction of the paper M. In this case, the conveyance direction of the sheet M and the sheet width of the sheet M are orthogonal to each other.

  The head 16 discharges the hot-melt resin forming the lenticular lens 31 to form the lenticular lens 31 on the surface of the paper M, that is, on the image drawn by the head 15. The lenticular lens 31 includes a lens 32-1, a lens 32-2, a lens 32-3,. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish the lens 32-1, the lens 32-2, the lens 32-3,.

  The head 16 discharges the heat-meltable resin a plurality of times, solidifies it on the paper M, and laminates it to form the lenticular lens 31. As the heat-meltable resin used as the material of the lenticular lens 31, a thermoplastic resin having high transparency and solid at room temperature can be used, but a vinyl chloride resin having a relatively low melting point may be used. Further, since the heat-meltable resin is in a liquid state for a while after being deposited on the paper M, a curved surface suitable for the lens 32 can be formed by the surface tension. The curvature of the curved surface depends on the number of laminated layers and the viscosity of the heat-meltable resin. Therefore, the number of layers and the viscosity may be appropriately adjusted so as to be suitable for forming the lenticular lens 31.

  The head 15 and the head 16 can each discharge a color ink for drawing an image or a heat-meltable resin for forming the lenticular lens 31 by a known method using a pressure generating element such as a piezoelectric element or a heating element. .

  In addition, a lens having a curved surface suitable for forming the lens 32 is provided, and the lens 32 is formed by pressing the hot-melt resin discharged onto the paper M by the head 16 with the roller to be rolled. It may be. Furthermore, not only a heat-meltable resin but also various types of curing resins such as an ultraviolet curable resin and a two-component curable resin can be used.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between an image drawn by the head 15 and the lens 32 of the lenticular lens 31 formed by the head 16. In FIG. 3, the conveyance direction N1 of the sheet M is the left-right direction, and the sheet width direction N2 of the sheet M is the front-rear direction (depth direction).

As shown in FIG. 3 (A), the head 15 stores pixels P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ , P ₄ , and P ₅ generated for predetermined pixels of an input image that is a desired image in one column. Draw on paper M. Pixels P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ , P ₄ , and P ₅ are pixels having different colors that change with respect to the viewpoint angle and change according to the expressed gloss.

Then, head 16, pixel P ₁ in one column in the forward angle of the _{viewpoint, P 2, P 3, P} 4, with respect to P _5, the pixel P _1, P _2, P _3, the P _4, P ₅ The lenticular lens 31 is formed on the paper M so that one lens 32 in which the direction in which one row is arranged changes in thickness.

In this way, when the pixel P ₁ through the lenticular lens _{31, P 2, P 3,} P 4, P 5 is seen, the angle with respect to the paper M viewpoint, pixels P _1, P _2, P _3, P _4, so that any one pixel of the P ₅ can be seen. That is, the viewpoint perpendicular to the sheet M is the viewpoint e3 with the axis that coincides with the sheet width direction N2 as the center of rotation, the viewpoint e1 that is most counterclockwise from the viewpoint e3 is the viewpoint e1, and the viewpoint e3 and the viewpoint e1 A viewpoint at an intermediate angle can be set as a viewpoint e2, a viewpoint tilted clockwise from the viewpoint e3 as a viewpoint e5, and a viewpoint at an angle between the viewpoint e5 and the viewpoint e5 as a viewpoint e4.

Looking at the sheet M through the lenticular lens 31 from the viewpoint e1, the pixel _{P 1, P 2, P 3} , only the pixel P ₁ of the P _4, P ₅ is visible. Looking at the sheet M through the lenticular lens 31 from the view point e2, pixel _{P 1, P 2, P 3} , only the pixels P ₂ of the P _4, P ₅ is visible. Similarly, only the pixel P ₃ , the pixel P ₄ , and the pixel P ₅ are visible from the viewpoint e 3, the viewpoint e 4, and the viewpoint e 5, respectively.

  Here, the reflection of light on the glossy surface will be described with reference to FIG. When light enters the glossy surface from the direction indicated by the arrow A, as shown by the arrow B, specular reflection light (specular reflection light) having the same reflection angle as the incident angle is generated. Further, as indicated by an arrow C, diffused light is generated at an angle other than the reflection angle. On the glossy surface, the specularly reflected light is stronger than the diffused light.

When the pixel P ₁ , the pixel P ₂ , the pixel P ₃ , and the pixel P ₅ shown in FIG. 3A are darkened and the pixel P ₄ is brightened, the bright pixel P ₄ is seen from the viewpoint e4, and the viewpoint e1 and viewpoint From e2, viewpoint e3, and viewpoint e5, dark pixel P ₁ , pixel P ₂ , pixel P ₃ , and pixel P ₅ can be seen. That is, as in the case shown in FIG. 3B, the same visual effects as regular reflection and diffusion can be obtained, and gloss can be expressed.

  The method of changing the appearance depending on the viewing angle can also be handled by a method of changing the color arrangement and a method of changing the position where the lenticular lens is attached.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit and a drive circuit that control and drive the printer 1. The printer 1 includes a control unit 51 that controls the entire printer 1 and a drive circuit 52 that drives the paper feed motor 13, the head 15, the head 16, and the step motor 21.

  The control unit 51 acquires an instruction from the user and controls the entire printer 1 according to the acquired instruction. In this case, the control unit 51 sends various commands to the drive circuit 52. Further, the control unit 51 generates a gloss image that is an image expressing gloss from an input image that is a desired image. A glossy image is an example of a display image.

  The drive circuit 52 supplies a predetermined voltage, current, or signal to the paper feed motor 13, the head 15, the head 16, and the step motor 21 in accordance with a command from the control unit 51, so that the paper feed motor 13, The head 15, the head 16, and the step motor 21 are driven.

  The control unit 51 can be dedicated hardware, or can be a computer that executes a program constituting software.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the control unit 51 which is a computer that executes a program constituting the software.

  In the control unit 51, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103 are connected to each other via a bus 104.

  An input / output interface 105 is further connected to the bus 104. The input / output interface 105 includes an input unit 106 including keys and buttons, an output unit 107 including a display and a buzzer, a storage unit 108 including a nonvolatile memory, a communication unit 109 including a network interface, a semiconductor memory, and the like. The removable media 111 is attached, and a reader 110 that reads the attached removable media 111 is connected.

  In the computer configured as described above, the CPU 101 loads, for example, a program stored in the storage unit 108 to the RAM 103 via the input / output interface 105 and the bus 104 and executes the series of processing. Is done.

  The program executed by the computer (CPU 101) is recorded in, for example, a removable medium 111 that is a package medium made of a semiconductor memory, or via a wired or wireless transmission medium such as a local area network, the Internet, or digital satellite broadcasting. Provided.

  The program can be installed in the computer by loading the removable medium 111 in the reader 110 and storing it in the storage unit 108 via the input / output interface 105. Further, the program can be installed in a computer by being received by the communication unit 109 via a wired or wireless transmission medium and stored in the storage unit 108. In addition, the program can be installed in the computer in advance by storing the program in the ROM 102 or the storage unit 108 in advance.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the control unit 51. The control unit 51 includes functions of an image processing unit 121, an image printing control unit 122, and a lenticular lens formation control unit 123. When the control unit 51 is a computer that executes a program, the image processing unit 121, the image printing control unit 122, and the lenticular lens formation control unit 123 are realized when the control unit 51 executes the program.

  The image processing unit 121 generates a gloss image that is an image expressing gloss from an input image that is a desired image. Details of the glossy image will be described later. The image printing control unit 122 supplies a command to the drive circuit 52, thereby causing the drive circuit 52 to drive the paper feed motor 13, the head 15, and the step motor 21, thereby drawing a glossy image on the paper M. That is, the image processing unit 121 records a glossy image on a sheet M that is an example of a recording medium.

  The lenticular lens formation control unit 123 supplies a command to the drive circuit 52 to cause the drive circuit 52 to drive the paper feed motor 13, the head 16, and the step motor 21 to form the lenticular lens 31 on the paper M. That is, the lenticular lens formation control unit 123 forms the lenticular lens 31 on a sheet M that is an example of a recording medium on which a glossy image is recorded.

  Further, the image processing unit 121 includes a selection unit 131, an angle / color change data storage unit 132, a color change image generation unit 133, a gloss image generation unit 134, a non-gloss image shaping unit 135, and a gloss image arrangement unit 136. The selection unit 131 selects a glossy region that is a region expressing gloss among the regions of the input image that is one desired image, selects the number of viewpoints, or has a color corresponding to the gloss expressed. The angle / color change data, which is data indicating the change of the color with respect to the angle of the viewpoint, is selected.

  The angle / color change data storage unit 132 is constructed in the storage area of the storage unit 108, a database, or the like, and is an angle that is a color change corresponding to the expressed gloss and indicates a color change with respect to the viewpoint angle. / Stores color change data. The color change image generation unit 133 generates, from one input image, a plurality of color change images having different colors that change according to the expressed gloss and change with respect to the viewpoint angle. The gloss image generation unit 134 has the same position on the color change image, and the pixels of the plurality of color change images are arranged in the order of the angles of the viewpoint so that the relative positions on the color change image are maintained. By rearranging the lenticular lens 31 in the direction in which the thickness changes, a glossy image is generated. The non-glossy image shaping unit 135 shapes an image of a non-glossy region that is a region other than a region expressing gloss in the input image region. The glossy image placement unit 136 places a glossy image in a glossy region that is a region that expresses glossy among the regions of the input image.

  The selection unit 131 includes an area selection unit 141, a viewpoint number resolution selection unit 142, and an angle / color change data selection unit 143. The area selection unit 141 selects a gloss area that is an area expressing gloss among the areas of the input image. The viewpoint number resolution selection unit 142 selects the number of viewpoints or the resolution. For example, the viewpoint number resolution selection unit 142 selects the number of viewpoints or resolution by acquiring the number of viewpoints or resolution input by the user operating the input unit 106 including keys and buttons. Further, for example, the viewpoint number resolution selection unit 142 receives the number of viewpoints or the resolution that is input when the input unit 106 is operated by the user and is stored in the storage unit 108 from the storage unit 108. Select a score or resolution.

  The angle / color change data selection unit 143 is an angle stored in advance in the angle / color change data storage unit 132 in response to an instruction input by the user operating the input unit 106 including keys and buttons. / Select predetermined angle / color change data from the color change data.

  Next, image forming processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S <b> 11, the image processing unit 121 determines whether the image to be printed which is an example of the input image which is a desired image has a gloss display area which is a glossy area. For example, in step S11, the image processing unit 121 acquires a user instruction by acquiring a signal from the input unit 106 including keys and buttons operated by the user, and prints the acquired user instruction. It is determined whether the image has a gloss display area. Further, for example, in step S11, the image processing unit 121 specifies a glossy display area based on a change in brightness of an image to be printed, and according to the result, whether or not the image to be printed has a glossy display area. Determine.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the image to be printed has a gloss display area, the procedure proceeds to step S12, and the selection unit 131 of the image processing unit 121 selects an image in the gloss display area from the image to be printed. More specifically, in step S12, the area selection unit 141 of the selection unit 131 selects an image in the gloss display area from the images to be printed.

  In step S13, the selection unit 131 of the image processing unit 121 selects the number of viewpoints and the resolution. More specifically, in step S13, the viewpoint number resolution selection unit 142 of the selection unit 131 acquires a user instruction by acquiring a signal from the input unit 106 including keys and buttons operated by the user. Then, the number of viewpoints and the resolution are selected from the acquired user instruction. That is, in step S13, it is determined how to change according to the viewing angle, such as the amount of change in brightness and the manner of change in brightness. The number of viewpoints is related to the smoothness of the gloss change.

  It should be noted that the number of viewpoints and resolution that are instructed by the user or default are stored in the storage unit 108 in advance, and in step S13, the viewpoint number resolution selection unit 142 displays the number of viewpoints and resolution stored in the storage unit 108. By reading, the number of viewpoints and the resolution may be selected. Also, it may be specified which of the resolution and the number of viewpoints is prioritized.

  In step S14, the selection unit 131 of the image processing unit 121 selects angle / color change data indicating a color change with respect to an angle. That is, in step S14, the angle / color change data selection unit 143 of the selection unit 131 selects predetermined angle / color change data from the angle / color change data stored in the angle / color change data storage unit 132. In step S15, the color change image generation unit 133 refers to the selected angle / color change data, and selects the color change image in which the color has been changed from the glossy display area image for each viewpoint (the selected number of viewpoints). (Number of viewpoints). That is, in step S15, the color change image generation unit 133 refers to the selected angle / color change data, and changes a plurality of different colors that change with respect to the viewpoint angle and change according to the expressed gloss. Are generated from one input image.

  In step S <b> 16, the gloss image generation unit 134 rearranges the pixels of the color change image for each viewpoint in the order of the viewpoint angles, and generates a gloss image that is an image expressing gloss. That is, in step S <b> 16, the glossy image generation unit 134 is such that the positions on the color change image are the same pixel, and the pixels of the plurality of color change images are maintained at the relative positions on the color change image. By rearranging on the straight line in the order of the angles of the viewpoint, a gloss image that is an image expressing gloss is generated. In other words, in step S <b> 16, the glossy image generation unit 134 maintains the relative positions of the pixels of the plurality of color change images that have the same position on the color change image and the plurality of color change images. Further, by rearranging in the direction in which the thickness of the lenticular lens 31 changes in the order of the viewpoint angle, a gloss image which is an image expressing gloss is generated.

  Here, an example of generating a gloss image that is an image expressing gloss will be described with reference to FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the number of viewpoints is five. An image in the gloss display area is selected from the input image G0 which is a desired image. Hereinafter, the horizontal arrangement of pixels in the image is referred to as a row, and the vertical arrangement of pixels in the image is referred to as a column.

  Assume that the image in the glossy display area is composed of pixel P11, pixel P12, pixel P13, pixel P21, pixel P22, pixel P23, pixel P31, pixel P32, and pixel P33. In this case, pixel P11, pixel P12, and pixel P13 are arranged in the top row, pixel P21, pixel P22, and pixel P23 are arranged in the second row from the top, and pixel P31, pixel P32, and pixel P33 are Line up in the third row. Pixel P11, pixel P21, and pixel P31 are arranged in the leftmost column, pixel P12, pixel P22, and pixel P32 are arranged in the second column from the left, and pixel P13, pixel P23, and pixel P33 are the third from the left Lined up in a row.

  For example, the selected angle / color change data indicates a change in L value (brightness) with respect to the angle. As represented by the solid line D in FIG. 8, the change in the L value (brightness) with respect to the angle can be a normal distribution. In this case, the L value can be expressed as a ratio.

  Since the number of viewpoints is 5, first, the angle A3, which is the median value corresponding to the origin (angle 0), is selected, the two negative angles, the angles A1 and A2, and the two positive angles, the angle A4 and the angle. A5 is selected. In this case, for example, angles (positions) such as an angle A1, an angle A2, an angle A3, an angle A4, and an angle A5 can be determined in advance in association with the value of the number of viewpoints. Further, for example, an angle range is determined in advance in association with the value of the number of viewpoints, and the angle range is divided by a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the number of viewpoints, whereby the angle A1, the angle A2, the angle A3, You may make it define each space | interval of angle A4 and angle A5.

  And L value (ratio) in angle A1, angle A2, angle A3, angle A4, and angle A5 is calculated | required. For example, L values (ratio) at angles A1, A2, A3, A4, and A5, which are 0.3, 0.6, 1.3, 0.6, and 0.3, respectively, are obtained.

  Further, the pixel values of the pixel P11, the pixel P12, the pixel P13, the pixel P21, the pixel P22, the pixel P23, the pixel P31, the pixel P33, and the pixel P33, which form an image of the glossy display area, have an angle A1, an angle A2, A color change image for each viewpoint is obtained by multiplying the L value (ratio) at the angles A3, A4, and A5.

That, L value (ratio) 0.3 is multiplied by the pixel values of the pixels P11 ₁ is a is obtained at an angle A1 to the pixel value of the pixel P11, L value in the angular A1 to the pixel value of the pixel P12 in (ratio) there 0.3 is the pixel value of the pixel P12 ₁ to is determined by multiplying, likewise, the pixel P13, the pixel P21, the pixel P22, the pixel P23, the respective pixel values of the pixels P31, the pixel P32, and the pixel P33, the angle Each pixel value of the pixel P13 ₁ , pixel P21 ₁ , pixel P22 ₁ , pixel P23 ₁ , pixel P31 ₁ , pixel P32 ₁ , and pixel P33 ₁ is multiplied by 0.3, which is the L value (ratio) in A1. Is obtained, and the color change image G1 at the viewpoint of the angle A1 is generated. The pixel P11 _1, pixel P12 _1, pixel P13 _1, pixel P21 _1, pixel P22 _1, pixel P23 _1, pixel P31 _1, each of the pixels P32 _1, and pixel P33 _1, pixel P11, the pixel P12, the pixel P13 The pixel P21, the pixel P22, the pixel P23, the pixel P31, the pixel P32, and the pixel P33 are disposed at positions corresponding to the pixel P21, the pixel P22, the pixel P23, the pixel P23, the pixel P31, and the pixel P33.

In addition, each pixel value of the pixel P11, the pixel P12, the pixel P13, the pixel P21, the pixel P22, the pixel P23, the pixel P31, the pixel P32, and the pixel P33 has an L value (ratio) of 0.6 at the angle A2. It is multiplied by the pixel P11 _2, pixel P12 _2, pixel P13 _2, pixel P21 _2, pixel P22 _2, pixel P23 _2, pixel P31 _2, each of the pixel values of the pixels P32 _2, and pixel P33 ₂ is determined, the angle A color change image G2 at the viewpoint of A2 is generated. The pixel P11 _2, pixel P12 _2, pixel P13 _2, pixel P21 _2, pixel P22 _2, pixel P23 _2, pixel P31 _2, each of the pixels P32 _2, and pixel P33 _2, pixel P11, the pixel P12, the pixel P13 The pixel P21, the pixel P22, the pixel P23, the pixel P31, the pixel P32, and the pixel P33 are disposed at positions corresponding to the pixel P21, the pixel P22, the pixel P23, the pixel P23, the pixel P31, and the pixel P33. Further, each of the pixel values of the pixel P11, the pixel P12, the pixel P13, the pixel P21, the pixel P22, the pixel P23, the pixel P31, the pixel P32, and the pixel P33 has an L value (ratio) 1.3 at the angle A3. It is multiplied by the pixel P11 _3, pixel P12 _3, pixel P13 _3, pixel P21 _3, pixel P22 _3, pixel P23 _3, pixel P31 _3, pixel P32 _3, and each of the pixel values of the pixels P33 ₃ is obtained, the angle A color change image G3 at the viewpoint of A3 is generated. The pixel P11 ₃ , the pixel P12 ₃ , the pixel P13 ₃ , the pixel P21 ₃ , the pixel P22 ₃ , the pixel P23 ₃ , the pixel P31 ₃ , the pixel P32 ₃ , and the pixel P33 ₃ are respectively a pixel P11, a pixel P12, and a pixel P13 The pixel P21, the pixel P22, the pixel P23, the pixel P31, the pixel P32, and the pixel P33 are disposed at positions corresponding to the pixel P21, the pixel P22, the pixel P23, the pixel P23, the pixel P31, and the pixel P33.

Similarly, each pixel of the image in the glossy display area from the input image G0 is multiplied by an L value (ratio) of 0.6 at the angle A4, so that the pixel P11 ₄ , the pixel P12 ₄ , the pixel P13 ₄ , the pixel P21 _4, the pixel P22 _4, the pixel P23 _4, the pixel P31 _4, color change image G4 at the viewpoint of an angle A4 formed of pixels P32 _4, and the pixel P33 ₄ is generated. Each pixel of the image in the glossy display area from the original image G0 is multiplied by 0.3, which is an L value (ratio) at the angle A5, to obtain a pixel P11 ₅ , a pixel P12 ₅ , a pixel P13 ₅ , a pixel P21 ₅ , a pixel P22 _5, the pixel P23 _5, the pixel P31 _5, color change image G5 in perspective angle A5 comprising pixels P32 _5, and pixel P33 ₅ is generated.

  Next, the pixels of the color change image G1 to the color change image G5 for each viewpoint are rearranged in the order of the viewpoint angles, and a gloss image that is an image expressing gloss is generated. More specifically, the pixels on the color change image G5 have the same position on the color change image G5, and a plurality of color change images G1 to G5 have pixels on the color change image G5. In order to maintain the relative position, the images are rearranged on a straight line in the order of the viewpoint angles, and a gloss image that is an image expressing gloss is generated.

That is, the leftmost pixel of the pixel P11 ₁ , the pixel P21 ₁ , and the pixel P31 ₁ is selected from the color change image G1 and arranged in the leftmost column of the glossy image, and the pixel P11 from the color change image G2 is selected. ₂ , pixel P21 ₂ , pixel P31 ₂ , the leftmost pixel in the first column is selected and arranged in the second column from the left of the glossy image, and from the color change image G3 to pixel P11 ₃ , pixel P21 ₃ , pixel The leftmost pixel of P31 ₃ is selected and placed in the third column from the left of the glossy image, and the leftmost pixel of pixel P11 ₄ , pixel P21 ₄ , and pixel P31 ₄ from the color-change image G4 One column of pixels is selected and arranged in the fourth column from the left of the glossy image, and the leftmost column of pixels consisting of pixel P11 ₅ , pixel P21 ₅ , and pixel P31 ₅ is selected from the color change image G5. Are arranged in the fifth column from the left of the glossy image.

Next, the pixels in the second column from the left consisting of the pixel P12 ₁ , the pixel P22 ₁ , and the pixel P32 ₁ are selected from the color change image G1, and are arranged in the sixth column from the left of the glossy image, so that the color change image The pixels in the second column from the left consisting of the pixel P12 ₂ , the pixel P22 ₂ , and the pixel P32 ₂ are selected from G2 and arranged in the seventh column from the left of the glossy image, and from the color change image G3 to the pixel P12 ₃ , The pixels in the second column from the left consisting of the pixels P22 ₃ and P32 ₃ are selected and arranged in the eighth column from the left of the glossy image. From the color change image G4, the pixels P12 ₄ , the pixels P22 ₄ , and the pixels P32 are arranged. The pixels in the second column from the left consisting of ₄ are selected and arranged in the ninth column from the left of the glossy image, and the color change image G5 to the pixel P12 ₅ , the pixel P22 ₅ , and the pixel P32 ₅ from the left 2 The pixels in the th column are selected and placed in the tenth column from the left of the glossy image.

Further, the pixel in the third column from the left consisting of the pixel P13 ₁ , the pixel P23 ₁ , and the pixel P33 ₁ is selected from the color change image G1, and is arranged in the eleventh column from the left of the glossy image. pixels P13 ₂ from pixels P23 _2, the pixel in the third column from the left of pixels P33 ₂ is chosen, is arranged from the left glossy image on 12-th column pixel P13 ₃ from the color change image G3, the pixel The pixels in the third column from the left consisting of P23 ₃ and the pixel P33 ₃ are selected and arranged in the thirteenth column from the left of the glossy image. From the color change image G4, the pixels P13 ₄ , the pixels P23 ₄ , and the pixels P33 ₄ The pixel in the third column from the left is selected and arranged in the fourteenth column from the left of the glossy image, and the third from the left consisting of the pixel P13 ₅ , the pixel P23 ₅ , and the pixel P33 ₅ from the color change image G5 Are selected and arranged in the fifteenth column from the left of the glossy image.

In this way, the top row of the glossy image includes pixel P11 ₁ , pixel P11 ₂ , pixel P11 ₃ , pixel P11 ₄ , pixel P11 ₅ , pixel P12 ₁ , pixel P12 ₂ , pixel P12 ₃ , pixel P12 ₄ , The pixel P12 ₅ , the pixel P13 ₁ , the pixel P13 ₂ , the pixel P13 ₃ , the pixel P13 ₄ , and the pixel P13 ₅ are arranged in order from the left. The second row from the top of the glossy image includes pixel P21 ₁ , pixel P21 ₂ , pixel P21 ₃ , pixel P21 ₄ , pixel P21 ₅ , pixel P22 ₁ , pixel P22 ₂ , pixel P22 ₃ , pixel P22 ₄ , pixel P22 ₅ , pixel P23 ₁ , pixel P23 ₂ , pixel P23 ₃ , pixel P23 ₄ , and pixel P23 ₅ are arranged in this order from the left. In the third row from the top of the glossy image, pixel P31 ₁ , pixel P31 ₂ , pixel P31 ₃ , pixel P31 ₄ , pixel P31 ₅ , pixel P32 ₁ , pixel P32 ₂ , pixel P32 ₃ , pixel P32 ₄ , pixel P32 _5, the pixel P33 _1, pixel P33 _2, pixel P33 _3, pixel P33 _4, and the pixel P33 ₅ are arranged from left to right.

  Thus, if the number of viewpoints is increased, pixels are required by the number of viewpoints, and the resolution is degraded accordingly.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the selected angle / color change data can be a normal distribution with a small change in L value (brightness) with respect to the angle. When the change in the L value is small, a glossy image with little glossiness is obtained.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the selected angle / color change data can be a normal distribution having a large change in L value (brightness) with respect to the angle. When the change in the L value is large, a gloss image that makes the gloss feel large can be obtained. Further, in this case, a glossy image in which light strikes from the front is obtained.

  Furthermore, the selected angle / color change data can be a Poisson distribution with a small λ value, as shown in FIG. In this case, a glossy image in which light is applied from the side is obtained.

  Furthermore, the selected angle / color change data may have a distribution showing two or more peaks, such as providing a peak at each of a negative angle and a positive angle, as shown in FIG. it can. When there are two L value peaks, it is possible to obtain an image in which light strikes from two directions.

  Note that the angle / color change data has been described as indicating a change in the L value (brightness) with respect to the angle. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a change in saturation or hue may be indicated. When the color is changed, the appearance like a hologram can be obtained.

  In step S <b> 17, the non-glossy image shaping unit 135 shapes the image of the non-glossy display area that is an area other than the glossy display area among the areas of the image to be printed. In step S18, the glossy image placement unit 136 places a glossy image in the glossy display area among the areas of the image to be printed. In step S <b> 19, the image printing control unit 122 supplies a command to the drive circuit 52, thereby causing the drive circuit 52 to drive the paper feed motor 13, the head 15, and the step motor 21. Is printed (drawn) on the paper M. That is, in step S19, the image printing control unit 122 causes the head 15 to record the glossy image on the paper M that is a recording medium.

  In step S <b> 20, the lenticular lens formation control unit 123 supplies a command to the drive circuit 52 to cause the drive circuit 52 to drive the paper feed motor 13, the head 16, and the step motor 21, thereby causing the paper M to have the lenticular lens 31. Then, the image forming process ends. That is, in step S20, the lenticular lens formation control unit 123 sets the direction in which the pixels are arranged in a direction in which the thickness changes with respect to the plurality of pixels arranged on the straight line in the order of the viewpoint angles. The lenticular lens 31 is formed on a sheet M, which is a recording medium on which a glossy image is recorded, so that the lens 32 is disposed. The head 16 forms a lenticular lens 31 by discharging resin onto a sheet M that is a recording medium.

  The lenticular lens formation control unit 123 forms a lenticular lens 31 including a lens 32 having a shape changed according to a user's request on the head 16. For example, when it is desired to change the color smoothly, the lens 32 is formed in a shape in which a large number of pixels can be seen by one lens 32. Also, for example, when creating an image by designating the resolution that can be seen from one place, the number of images divided from the printing resolution of the printer 1 and the resolution designated by the user is calculated, and the shape corresponding to the result is calculated. A lens 32 is formed. Further, when it is desired to smoothly change the color depending on the viewing angle, the lenticular lens 31 is formed so as to increase the number of images that can be seen depending on the angle. However, when the number of visible images is increased, the image resolution when viewed from one position is lowered. The user selects whether priority is given to the smoothness of the color change or the resolution of the image, and the shape of the lenticular lens 31 is determined accordingly.

For example, in FIG. 13, in the uppermost row, pixel P11 ₁ , pixel P11 ₂ , pixel P11 ₃ , pixel P11 ₄ , pixel P11 ₅ , pixel P12 ₁ , pixel P12 ₂ , pixel P12 ₃ , pixel P12 ₄ , pixel P12 ₅ , pixel P13 ₁ , pixel P13 ₂ , pixel P13 ₃ , pixel P13 ₄ , and pixel P13 ₅ are arranged in order from the left, and in the second row from the top, pixel P21 ₁ , pixel P21 ₂ , pixel P21 ₃ , pixel P21 ₄ , pixel P21 ₅ , pixel P22 ₁ , pixel P22 ₂ , pixel P22 ₃ , pixel P22 ₄ , pixel P22 ₅ , pixel P23 ₁ , pixel P23 ₂ , pixel P23 ₃ , pixel P23 ₄ , and pixel P23 ₅ from the left Arranged in order, in the third row from the top, pixel P31 ₁ , pixel P31 ₂ , pixel P31 ₃ , pixel P31 ₄ , pixel P31 ₅ , pixel P32 ₁ , pixel P32 ₂ , pixel P32 ₃ , pixel P32 ₄ , pixel P32 _5, the pixel P33 _1, a diagram illustrating an example of a pixel P33 _2, pixel P33 _3, the lenticular lens 31 pixels P33 _4, where and pixel P33 ₅ is formed on the glossy image, which is arranged from left to right.

The head 16 is controlled by the lenticular lens formation control unit 123, and the pixel P11 ₁ , the pixel P11 ₂ , the pixel P11 ₃ , the pixel P11 ₄ , and the pixel P11 ₅ are arranged in a straight line in the order of the viewpoint angles. On the other hand, the lenticular is placed on the paper M so that one lens 32-1 in which the direction in which the pixels P11 ₁ , P11 ₂ , P11 ₃ , P11 ₄ , and P11 ₅ are arranged changes in thickness is arranged. A lens 31 is formed. The head 16 is controlled by the lenticular lens formation control unit 123, and the pixel P21 ₁ , the pixel P21 ₂ , the pixel P21 ₃ , the pixel P21 ₄ , and the pixel P21 ₅ are arranged in a straight line in the order of the viewpoint angles. On the other hand, the lenticular is placed on the paper M so that one lens 32-1 in which the direction in which the pixels P21 ₁ , P21 ₂ , P21 ₃ , P21 ₄ , and P21 ₅ are arranged changes in thickness is arranged. A lens 31 is formed. The head 16 is controlled by the lenticular lens formation control unit 123, and the pixel P31 ₁ , the pixel P31 ₂ , the pixel P31 ₃ , the pixel P31 ₄ , and the pixel P31 ₅ are arranged in a straight line in the order of the viewpoint angles. On the other hand, the lenticular is placed on the paper M so that one lens 32-1 in which the direction in which the pixels P31 ₁ , P31 ₂ , P31 ₃ , P31 ₄ , and P31 ₅ are arranged changes in thickness is arranged. A lens 31 is formed.

Further, the head 16 is controlled by the lenticular lens formation control unit 123, and is a pixel P12 ₁ , a pixel P12 ₂ , a pixel P12 ₃ , a pixel P12 ₄ , and a pixel P12 that are a plurality of pixels arranged in a straight line in the order of viewpoint angles. ₅ , one lens 32-2 is arranged in which the direction in which the pixels P12 ₁ , the pixel P12 ₂ , the pixel P12 ₃ , the pixel P12 ₄ , and the pixel P12 ₅ are arranged in a straight line changes in thickness. Thus, the lenticular lens 31 is formed on the paper M. The head 16 is controlled by the lenticular lens formation control unit 123, and the pixel P22 ₁ , the pixel P22 ₂ , the pixel P22 ₃ , the pixel P22 ₄ , and the pixel P22 ₅ are arranged in a straight line in the order of the viewpoint angles. in contrast, as the pixel P22 _1, pixel P22 _2, pixel P22 _3, pixel P22 _4, 1 single lens 32-2 direction is the direction of varying thickness lined pixel P22 ₅ are arranged, lenticular in sheet M A lens 31 is formed. The head 16 is controlled by the lenticular lens formation control unit 123, and the pixel P32 ₁ , the pixel P32 ₂ , the pixel P32 ₃ , the pixel P32 ₄ , and the pixel P32 ₅ are arranged in a straight line in order of the viewpoint angle. On the other hand, the lenticular is placed on the paper M so that one lens 32-2 in which the direction in which the pixels P32 ₁ , P32 ₂ , P32 ₃ , P32 ₄ , and P32 ₅ are arranged changes in thickness is arranged. A lens 31 is formed.

Further, the head 16 is controlled by the lenticular lens formation control unit 123, and the pixels P13 ₁ , the pixels P13 ₂ , the pixels P13 ₃ , the pixels P13 ₄ , and the pixels P13 are arranged in a straight line in the order of the viewpoint angles. _The paper M is arranged such that the lens P13 ₁ , the pixel P13 ₂ , the pixel P13 ₃ , the pixel P13 ₄ , and the pixel P13 ₅ are arranged in a direction in which the thickness of the lens 32-3 is changed. A lenticular lens 31 is formed. The head 16 is controlled by the lenticular lens formation control unit 123, and the pixel P23 ₁ , the pixel P23 ₂ , the pixel P23 ₃ , the pixel P23 ₄ , and the pixel P23 ₅ , which are a plurality of pixels arranged in a straight line in order of the viewpoint angle. On the other hand, the lenticular is placed on the paper M so that one lens 32-3 in which the direction in which the pixels P23 ₁ , the pixels P23 ₂ , the pixels P23 ₃ , the pixels P23 ₄ , and the pixels P23 ₅ are arranged changes in thickness is arranged. A lens 31 is formed. The head 16 is controlled by the lenticular lens formation control unit 123, and the pixel P33 ₁ , the pixel P33 ₂ , the pixel P33 ₃ , the pixel P33 ₄ , and the pixel P33 ₅ are arranged in a straight line in the order of the viewpoint angles. On the other hand, the lenticular is placed on the paper M so that the lens P33 ₁ , the pixel P33 ₂ , the pixel P33 ₃ , the pixel P33 ₄ , and the pixel P33 ₅ are arranged so that one lens 32-3 in which the thickness changes is arranged. A lens 31 is formed.

When the paper M is viewed from the viewpoint e1 through the lenticular lens 31, the pixel P11 ₁ , the pixel P21 ₁ , the pixel P31 ₁ , the pixel P12 ₁ , the pixel P22 ₁ , the pixel P32 ₁ , the pixel P13 ₁ , the pixel P23 ₁ , and the pixel P33 ₁ Visible, other pixels are not visible. When the sheet M is viewed from the viewpoint e2 through the lenticular lens 31, the pixel P11 ₂ , the pixel P21 ₂ , the pixel P31 ₂ , the pixel P12 ₂ , the pixel P22 ₂ , the pixel P32 ₂ , the pixel P13 ₂ , the pixel P23 ₂ , and the pixel P33 ₂ are Visible, other pixels are not visible. When the sheet M is viewed from the viewpoint e3 through the lenticular lens 31, the pixel P11 ₃ , the pixel P21 ₃ , the pixel P31 ₃ , the pixel P12 ₃ , the pixel P22 ₃ , the pixel P32 ₃ , the pixel P13 ₃ , the pixel P23 ₃ , and the pixel P33 ₃ are Visible, other pixels are not visible. When the sheet M is viewed from the viewpoint e4 through the lenticular lens 31, the pixel P11 ₄ , the pixel P21 ₄ , the pixel P31 ₄ , the pixel P12 ₄ , the pixel P22 ₄ , the pixel P32 ₄ , the pixel P13 ₄ , the pixel P23 ₄ , and the pixel P33 ₄ are Visible, other pixels are not visible. When looking at the sheet M through lenticular lens 31 from the view point e5, the pixel P11 _5, the pixel P21 _5, the pixel P31 _5, the pixel P12 _5, the pixel P22 _5, the pixel P32 _5, the pixel P13 _5, the pixel P23 _5, the pixel P33 ₅ is Visible, other pixels are not visible.

The pixel values of the pixels P11 ₁ to P33 ₁ are obtained by multiplying the pixel values of the pixels P11 to P33 by an L value (ratio) of 0.3, and the pixel values of the pixels P11 ₂ to P33 ₂ are: sought is multiplied by L value of 0.6 to a pixel value of the pixel P33 from the pixel P11 (ratio) of the pixel values of the pixels P33 ₃ from the pixel P11 ₃ is the pixel value of the pixel P33 from the pixel P11 1.3 The pixel values of the pixels P11 ₄ to P33 ₄ are obtained by multiplying the pixel values of the pixels P11 to P33 by the L value (ratio) of 0.6. Since the pixel values of the pixels P11 ₅ to P33 ₅ are obtained by multiplying the pixel values of the pixels P11 to P33 by an L value (ratio) of 0.3, a bright image is obtained from the viewpoint e3. Thus, a relatively dark image can be seen from the viewpoint e2 or e4, and a dark image can be seen from the viewpoint e1 or e5. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain the same visual effect as when regular reflection occurs in the front, and it is possible to express gloss.

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the lenticular lens 31 formed by the head 16 in step S20. 14A is a front view showing the printed surface of the paper M, and FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view of the paper M in the cross section Z. As shown in FIG. 14, the head 16 has a lenticular lens 31 formed of lenses 32-1 to 32-L on the entire surface of the sheet M printed on the entire surface including the glossy region Em and the non-glossy region Ep. Form. In this case, the non-glossy image shaping unit 135 shapes the image of the non-glossy display area so that each pixel is generated by the number of viewpoints and arranged in the direction in which the thickness of the lens 32 changes. Note that the L value of the pixel value of the non-gloss image may be slightly changed as in the case of the gloss image. In this way, the overall thickness of the paper M can be made constant. That is, a printed matter having a substantially uniform thickness can be obtained.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another example of the lenticular lens 31 formed by the head 16 in step S20. 15A is a front view showing the printed surface of the paper M, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view of the paper M in the cross section Z. As shown in FIG. 15, in the head 16, the lenses 32-1 to 32-L are arranged in the glossy region Em, and the planar resin layer having the same thickness as the lens 32 is arranged in the non-glossy region Ep. A lens 31 is formed. In other words, the head 16 forms a lenticular lens in the area of the paper M where the gloss image is recorded, and forms a planar resin layer in the remaining area. In this case, the non-glossy image shaping unit 135 shapes the image in the non-glossy display area so that the non-glossy display area image is used without being processed. In this way, the overall thickness of the paper M can be made constant. That is, a printed matter having a substantially uniform thickness can be obtained. In addition, the original resolution is maintained without reducing the resolution of the image in the non-glossy display area.

  FIG. 16 is a diagram showing still another example of the lenticular lens 31 formed by the head 16 in step S20. 16A is a front view showing the printed surface of the paper M, and FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of the paper M in the cross section Z. As shown in FIG. 16, the head 16 forms the lenticular lens 31 including the lenses 32-1 to 32-L in the glossy region Em, and does not form anything in the non-glossy region Ep. In other words, the head 16 forms the lenticular lens 31 in the area where the glossy image is recorded in the area of the paper M. In this case, the non-glossy image shaping unit 135 shapes the image in the non-glossy display area so that the non-glossy display area image is used without being processed. By doing so, the thickness becomes non-uniform, but the amount of resin used to form the lenticular lens 31 can be minimized. In addition, the original resolution is maintained without reducing the resolution of the image in the non-glossy display area.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the image to be printed does not have a gloss display area, it is not necessary to generate a glossy image. Therefore, the procedure proceeds to step S21, and the image printing control unit 122 supplies a command to the drive circuit 52. As a result, the paper feed motor 13, the head 15, and the step motor 21 are driven by the drive circuit 52 to print (draw) the image to be printed on the paper M as it is, and the image forming process is completed.

  As described above, the printer 1 arranges the color change image generation unit 133 that generates a plurality of color change images from one input image, and the plurality of color change images in the direction in which the plurality of lenses included in the lenticular lens are arranged. Instead, a gloss image generating unit 134 that generates an output image from a plurality of color change images, a head 15 that records the output image on a recording medium, and a head that forms a lenticular lens on the recording medium on which the output image is recorded. 16. The color change image is an image in which the color of the input image is changed according to the angle of the viewpoint with respect to the display body, and the color change image displayed through the lens is different between the display body and the angle of the viewpoint. .

  The head 16 discharges resin to the recording medium to form a lenticular lens.

  A viewpoint number resolution selecting unit 142 that acquires the instructed viewpoint number is further provided, and the plurality of color-change images can be images in which the colors of the input images are changed according to the number of viewpoints.

  An area selection unit 141 that selects a glossy area that expresses gloss among the areas of the input image is further provided, and the color change image generation unit 133 includes a plurality of colors from the glossy area original image that is an image of the glossy area. A change image can be generated.

  The head 16 forms a lenticular lens in an area where an output image is recorded in an area of the recording medium, and forms a planar resin layer in the remaining area.

  The head 16 forms a lenticular lens in the area of the recording medium in the area where the output image is recorded and the area where the output image is not recorded.

  In step S15, a plurality of color change images are generated from one input image, and in step S16, the plurality of color change images are rearranged in the direction in which the plurality of lenses included in the lenticular lens are arranged, to thereby generate a plurality of color change images. An output image is generated from the image. In step S19, the output image is recorded on the recording medium. In step S20, a lenticular lens is formed on the recording medium on which the output image is recorded. The color change image is an image in which the color of the input image is changed according to the angle of the viewpoint with respect to the display body, and the color change image displayed through the lens is different between the display body and the angle of the viewpoint. .

  The program executed by the control unit 51 includes a color change image generation unit 133 that generates a plurality of color change images from one input image, and a plurality of color change images in a direction in which a plurality of lenses included in the lenticular lens are arranged. A glossy image generating unit 134 that rearranges and generates an output image from a plurality of color change images, an image print control unit 122 that controls recording of the output image on the recording medium, and a recording medium on which the output image is recorded And a lenticular lens formation controller 123 for controlling the formation of the lenticular lens on the computer. The color change image is an image in which the color of the input image is changed according to the angle of the viewpoint with respect to the display body, and the color change image displayed through the lens is different between the display body and the angle of the viewpoint. .

  Thus, the saturation is not lowered due to the metallic ink, and gloss can be expressed with a natural hue. That is, a gloss like a metal surface can be expressed by printed matter. In addition, the handling of ink does not increase, and the position and distance at which an image is viewed is free and gloss can be easily expressed. A difference in saturation between the glossy image and the non-glossy image due to the metallic ink can be reduced.

  A sheet provided with a lenticular lens in advance may be attached to the paper M. Alternatively, a lenticular lens may be formed so that a glossy image is printed on the back side of the lenticular lens. Further, the gloss display area may be divided into a plurality of areas depending on the intensity of the gloss, and a gloss image may be generated for each.

  Further, the image processing apparatus of the claims may be any of a printing apparatus, an image processing apparatus, and an image forming apparatus, and the printer-1 as an example of the printing apparatus may be any of a serial printer, a line printer, and a page printer. Good. Further, either a dot printer or an ink jet printer may be used. Further, the image processing apparatus according to the claims may be a computer, a digital camera, or the like.

  The series of processes described above can be executed by hardware or can be executed by software. When a series of processing is executed by software, a program constituting the software executes various functions by installing a computer incorporated in dedicated hardware or various programs. For example, it is installed from a program recording medium in a general-purpose personal computer or the like.

  The program executed by the computer may be a program that is processed in time series in the order described in this specification, or in parallel or at a necessary timing such as when a call is made. It may be a program for processing.

  The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Printer, 11 ... Housing, 12 ... Paper feed roller, 13 ... Paper feed motor, 14 ... Carriage, 15 ... Head, 16 ... Head, 17 ... Guide member, 18 ... Timing belt, 19 ... Drive pulley, 20 ... Play Roller pulley, 21 ... Step motor, 31 ... Lenticular lens, 32, 32-1 to 32-L ... Lens, 51 ... Control unit, 52 ... Drive circuit, 101 ... CPU, 102 ... ROM, 103 ... RAM, 108 ... Memory 109: Communication unit, 111 ... Removable media, 121 ... Image processing unit, 122 ... Image printing control unit, 123 ... Lenticular lens formation control unit, 131 ... Selection unit, 132 ... Angle / color change data storage unit, 133 ... Color change image generation unit, 134 ... gloss image generation unit, 135 ... non-gloss image shaping unit, 136 ... gloss image placement unit, 141 ... area Selecting section, 142 ... number of viewpoints resolution selecting unit, 143 ... angular / color change data selection unit

Claims (8)

First image generating means for generating a plurality of color change images from one input image;
A second image generating means for rearranging the plurality of color change images in a direction in which the plurality of lenses included in the lenticular lens are arranged, and generating an output image from the plurality of color change images;
Recording means for recording the output image on a recording medium;
Forming means for forming a lenticular lens on the recording medium on which the output image is recorded,
The color change image is an image obtained by changing the color of the input image according to the angle of the viewpoint with respect to the display body,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color change image displayed through the lens is different according to the angle of the viewpoint. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The forming means discharges resin to the recording medium to form the lenticular lens;
An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
It further has an acquisition means for acquiring the instructed viewpoint number,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the plurality of color change images are images in which the color of the input image is changed according to the number of viewpoints. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A selection means for selecting a gloss area that is an area expressing gloss among the areas of the input image;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first image generation unit generates a plurality of the color change images from a glossy area original image that is an image of the glossy area. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The forming means forms the lenticular lens in an area where the output image is recorded in an area of the recording medium, and forms a planar resin layer in the remaining area. . The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The forming unit forms the lenticular lens in an area where the output image is recorded and an area where the output image is not recorded in the area of the recording medium. A first image generation step of generating a plurality of color change images from one input image;
A second image generation step of rearranging the plurality of color change images in a direction in which the plurality of lenses included in the lenticular lens are arranged to generate an output image from the plurality of color change images;
A recording step of recording the output image on a recording medium;
Forming a lenticular lens on a recording medium on which the output image is recorded, and
The color change image is an image obtained by changing the color of the input image according to the angle of the viewpoint with respect to the display body,
The image forming method according to claim 1, wherein the color change image displayed through the lens is different according to the angle of the viewpoint. A first function for generating a plurality of color change images from one input image;
A second function of rearranging the plurality of color change images in a direction in which the plurality of lenses included in the lenticular lens are arranged, and generating an output image from the plurality of color change images;
A function of recording the output image on a recording medium;
A computer having a function of forming a lenticular lens on a recording medium on which the output image is recorded;
The color change image is an image obtained by changing the color of the input image according to the angle of the viewpoint with respect to the display body,
The display body is a program in which the color change image displayed through the lens is different according to the angle of the viewpoint.

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